This was posted on the Silvertips Blog:
Published: Monday, July 11, 2011
Zach McPhee on Mark Ferner
Nick Patterson
The individual in the Silvertips organization who probably has the best perspective on new Everett coach Mark Ferner is Zach McPhee. McPhee is a prospect winger who appeared in four games with the Tips last season as a call-up. When he wasn't in Everett, he was suiting up for Ferner's Vernon Vipers in the BCHL, so he he can provide the scoop on what it's like to play for Ferner.
McPhee has been vacationing in Europe, but he was generous enough to answer some questions about Ferner via e-mail. Here's a quick Q and A session with McPhee on Everett's new coach:
Q: What is your reaction to Mark Ferner being hired as the new head coach of the Everett Silvertips?
A: My reaction is that he will do great things for the Silvertips organization, as I have seen he has done in Vernon over the past few years. He is an amazing coach and I know he will be successful.
Q: How would you describe Ferner as a coach?
A: Mark is a very professional coach. He knows what he needs to do to make his players understand what he expects of them and how he expects them to play every night. He is calm and composed and knows how to get through to his players. He demands his players play equally as hard at both end of the rink.
Q: What was it like playing for him?
A: Playing for Mark last year was an honor, and I learned so much from him and what it takes to be a complete player.
Q: Ferner emphasized hard work and compete level at the press conference announcing his hiring. How prevalent was that with the Vipers?
A: That was our bread and butter with the Vipers. Like I said before, Mark demands that his players compete and work hard at both ends of the ice. With the Vipers there was rarely a game that we were out worked or out competed, and that mentality paid off as it has shown in the last few years Mark has been with Vernon.
Q: Why do you think the Vipers had so much success while Ferner was the coach?
A: Mark had success because he knows how to teach the game better than any coach I know. Players respect him and he gives respect back to his players. He demands hard work and competitiveness and he knows how to make the game fun, any player wants a coach like Mark.
Once again, a big thanks to Zach for taking time from his vacation to answer these questions.
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