Q & A with Former Roadrunners Head Coach Ron Filion
On September 2nd 2005, former Roadrunners Head Coach Ron Filion was nice enough to take the time to talk about his experience playing and coaching at different levels, as well as the future of the new PHX Roadrunners.
Mr. Filion has played in Canada, the U.S., Switzerland, and France. His coaching experience includes time with the Tucson Gila Monsters of the WCHL, the Augusta Lynx of the ECHL, and the Cholet Dogs of the European First Division.
Q. How did you come to be involved in the new Phoenix Roadrunners?
A. Claude knew I wanted to go back behind the bench.
A. Claude and I played four years on the same line, from Midget AAA to our last year Junior. A couple of seasons were cut because Claude or I had been traded. Q. Did the Quebec fans and players have any idea, back then, of what Mr. Lemieux would go on to accomplish in the NHL?
A. Claude definitely had the determination to succeed, and that determination help him become an NHL star. Q. Many of the minor league hockey fans in Phoenix remember the shortlived Tucson Gila Monsters of the WCHL. The team played one full season and 20 - some games of hockey in their second season before folding. You were a player/coach with the team during the incomplete second season. What was the experience like in Tucson that season?
A. It was my first year back in America after 12 years in Europe. The experience was short but allowed me to meet my wife Pamela Garcia that year, which was the best thing that happened to me there. Q. Tucson has had five minor league teams, including one that never even played their first game. From your perspective, will Tucson ever be ready to host a professional team?
A. Tucson is a great city and could definitely support a professional hockey team. Q. After playing in North America, you played in France, before playing again in Tuscon. Later, you coached in France for several seasons. How did the coaching job there come about?
A. I played seven years in France Elite division and coached five in the first division where we were fortunate enough to win on Championship. I started coaching after breaking my femur in Chamonix during a practice. I spent 4 months in a rehab center and then went to Cholet where I began coaching. Q. American hockey fans will always ask... how would you compare European Hockey to North American Hockey?
A. A lot more physical in North America, and a lot more stick work in Europe. Q. You already have experience with the ECHL from your stint as an assistant coach in Augusta. How do you feel about the league?
A. The ECHL is recognized throughout the hockey world has one of the best hockey leagues, therefore all of the players and coaches take a lot of pride in being part of it. Q. The NHL has made several changes to the game this year, including the goaltender equipment and goal, the role of the red line, and the addition of the shootout. Many of the ECHL facilities will not be able to make the physical changes to the ice, but the league is likely to adopt some other changes. Have you been made aware of which rule changes will be adopted?
A. The ECHL has adopted most of the changes, including the red line, goalie equipment, space where goalie can play the puck, and icing change. Q. In your opinion, how will the rule changes effect the game?
A. The new rules should generate more offense. Q. The Roadrunners roster is coming together. There are 10 players that have been announced so far, all free agents. What kind of players are you looking for this first season?
A. All of our players have one thing in common, character and speed. Q. The team will go into the season with no affiliation. Should the fans look forward to a future affiliation with an AHL or NHL team, or teams?
A.YES, this is our league�s goal to have every team affiliated with the NHL/ AHL. Q. America West Arena has undergone a major face lift in the past few years, with a new arena sound system, video,
digital signage, concourses and concessions, as well as the incredible Bud Light Paseo outdoor gathering area.
How do you feel about the facilities suitability for hockey?
A. This is an awesome facility, our players will be proud to call AWA their home. The way that the AWA management
will present our games will be a perfect place to watch a hockey game, and only about 7,000 seats will be utilized for our games. Q. The August Lynx have a well developed booster club. From your past experience, what do you expect from the Booster Club here in Phoenix?
A. The best booster clubs are the ones that still support their boys in bad moments. At this level guys are close to their fans and the booster club can help them make the first contacts.
A. Claude knew I wanted to go back behind the bench.
Q.
You played two season of Juniors hockey in Quebec with Claude Lemieux. Do you have any special memories you would like to share of the future NHL vet from your early days together?A. Claude and I played four years on the same line, from Midget AAA to our last year Junior. A couple of seasons were cut because Claude or I had been traded. Q. Did the Quebec fans and players have any idea, back then, of what Mr. Lemieux would go on to accomplish in the NHL?
A. Claude definitely had the determination to succeed, and that determination help him become an NHL star. Q. Many of the minor league hockey fans in Phoenix remember the shortlived Tucson Gila Monsters of the WCHL. The team played one full season and 20 - some games of hockey in their second season before folding. You were a player/coach with the team during the incomplete second season. What was the experience like in Tucson that season?
A. It was my first year back in America after 12 years in Europe. The experience was short but allowed me to meet my wife Pamela Garcia that year, which was the best thing that happened to me there. Q. Tucson has had five minor league teams, including one that never even played their first game. From your perspective, will Tucson ever be ready to host a professional team?
A. Tucson is a great city and could definitely support a professional hockey team. Q. After playing in North America, you played in France, before playing again in Tuscon. Later, you coached in France for several seasons. How did the coaching job there come about?
A. I played seven years in France Elite division and coached five in the first division where we were fortunate enough to win on Championship. I started coaching after breaking my femur in Chamonix during a practice. I spent 4 months in a rehab center and then went to Cholet where I began coaching. Q. American hockey fans will always ask... how would you compare European Hockey to North American Hockey?
A. A lot more physical in North America, and a lot more stick work in Europe. Q. You already have experience with the ECHL from your stint as an assistant coach in Augusta. How do you feel about the league?
A. The ECHL is recognized throughout the hockey world has one of the best hockey leagues, therefore all of the players and coaches take a lot of pride in being part of it. Q. The NHL has made several changes to the game this year, including the goaltender equipment and goal, the role of the red line, and the addition of the shootout. Many of the ECHL facilities will not be able to make the physical changes to the ice, but the league is likely to adopt some other changes. Have you been made aware of which rule changes will be adopted?
A. The ECHL has adopted most of the changes, including the red line, goalie equipment, space where goalie can play the puck, and icing change. Q. In your opinion, how will the rule changes effect the game?
A. The new rules should generate more offense. Q. The Roadrunners roster is coming together. There are 10 players that have been announced so far, all free agents. What kind of players are you looking for this first season?
A. All of our players have one thing in common, character and speed. Q. The team will go into the season with no affiliation. Should the fans look forward to a future affiliation with an AHL or NHL team, or teams?
A.YES, this is our league�s goal to have every team affiliated with the NHL/ AHL. Q. America West Arena has undergone a major face lift in the past few years, with a new arena sound system, video,
digital signage, concourses and concessions, as well as the incredible Bud Light Paseo outdoor gathering area.
How do you feel about the facilities suitability for hockey?
A. This is an awesome facility, our players will be proud to call AWA their home. The way that the AWA management
will present our games will be a perfect place to watch a hockey game, and only about 7,000 seats will be utilized for our games. Q. The August Lynx have a well developed booster club. From your past experience, what do you expect from the Booster Club here in Phoenix?
A. The best booster clubs are the ones that still support their boys in bad moments. At this level guys are close to their fans and the booster club can help them make the first contacts.
Thank you for the opportunity to contact the RRunners boosters, I look forward meeting all of you.
-Coach Ron
