The change from a hotheaded player to a haven of peace for the coach
“I had to create a new Josh Holden”
After initial experience as a head coach at EVZ, Josh Holden (44) is allowed to work at the Spengler Cup as an assistant with Team Canada. Thanks to Train Coach Dan Tangnes.
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Josh Holden replaced EVZ coach Dan Tangnes as head coach for two games.
Nicole VandenbrouckIce hockey reporter
Josh Holden shaped the National League as a player. The Canadian with his long dark hair looked wild, unpredictable, emotional and dangerous as a striker (Zug, Langnau, Fribourg). He gained a reputation as a hothead.
He changed sides four years ago and has been the assistant to head coach Dan Tangnes (No) at EVZ ever since. Holden as a coach? You can see him on the boards, sometimes serious, sometimes smiling – but always calm. The now short-haired 44-year-old admits he was initially a little afraid of not being able to control his emotions on the bench. But he can. “I had to create a new Josh Holden. It was a learning process.”
“Screaming is useless”
Only unfair actions in games bring him to his limits in this respect. Otherwise, Holden is aware “that yelling is useless if a player or the team is not doing well”. And that’s what someone says who played in Zug for six years (2008-2014) under the Canadian Polter coach Doug Shedden (61) and won the Spengler Cup (2012) with him.
As a player, Holden enjoyed getting under the skin of his opponents. “I always wanted them not to know what I’m going to do next,” he explains, adding mischievously: “Hockey’s entertainment, isn’t it? I wanted to develop this certain energy, and I was very passionate about it.” As a coach, on the other hand, Holden wants to inspire the players, help them develop. “If I then see their progress, it’s a great feeling.”
The goal: to become a head coach one day
In Dan Tangnes he has the perfect mentor for entering the trainer business, as he says. And two championship and one cup titles in four years – the balance sheet could hardly be better. Tangnes supports Holden on his way to his long-term goal of one day being head coach at a club. He was able to make his first experiences in this regard when the Norwegian was still convalescent after back surgery and Holden took over his post for two games.
Now for the next highlight: Team Canada called him on as an assistant coach for the Spengler Cup in Davos – also thanks to Tangnes. When head coach Travis Green (52, ex EVZ) was in Zug on his visit to Switzerland, Tangnes made Holden palatable to him as the ideal choice. After four participations as a player, dual citizen Holden (Ka/Sz) is aiming for tournament victory in a suit this year.
Spengler Cup 2022 – Group Cattini
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Spengler Cup 2022 – Torriani Group
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