Storm coaches speak on changes to staff

Less than half way into the season, the Tri-City Storm fired their head coach.

"I have a bigger purpose in my life, too, so hockey may not be the thing for me always," said head coach Mark Abalan during an interview on the Doug and Daddy Show, airing on ESPN Tri-Cities in central Nebraska. 

Abalan had the Storm sitting fifth in the Western Conference with 25 points and a record a game above .500 (11-10-2-1) at the time of his dismissal.

His tenure on the bench came to an unexpected end and now Marco Trevino becomes the top whistle.

"I'm proud of those guys and I certainly wish them unbelievable success, because I love those guys," Abalan said. "At some point, I hope I really get clarification on what really went on and why."

"(I'm) not really at liberty to talk about that kind of stuff. I do wish Abby (Abalan) the best. I did enjoy working for him," said Trevino. ""I did learn a lot from him and I'll be forever grateful for that."

Trevino is charged with getting the Storm back to the postseason where they have qualified to play in each of the last six seasons.

"Some of the practice stuff will change a little bit. Not too much," Trevino said. "Hopefully just a little more freedom for the boys offensively, a little more creativity to be able to kind of play free.

"Other than that, we have a lot of talent and it's more of getting them to play together, getting them to play inspired hockey. If we're able to do that, we'll be successful."