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Date: 7/30/2015
SPRINGFIELD – After a 14-year professional career, a homegrown hockey player is returning to his roots.
Doug Janik, originally from Agawam, has accepted an assistant coaching position with the Springfield Falcons.
Janik played college hockey at the University of Maine, was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 1999 and made his National Hockey League (NHL) debut with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2006. From there he spent time with the Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings in the NHL, played in the American Hockey League (AHL), and played overseas in Germany and Italy.
He told Reminder Publications injuries prevented him from playing at the level he wanted to, and so he began looking at options for a coaching career.
“I always had coaching as something I wanted to do,” Janik said.
Ron Rolston was hired as the new head coach for the Springfield Falcons, which is now an Arizona Coyotes affiliate, at the end of June, and not long after, Rolston reached out to Janik.
The two met for an interview in Florida, and a few phone calls later, Janik was in as one of two new assistant coaches.
“The first reaction was pretty much relief. When you retire and you look for that next job, you’re never sure where it’s going to come or what you’ll be doing,” he said. “I was relieved to have such a good offer right away.”
As a former defenseman, Janik’s focus for the team will be the back line. Mike Bavis was hired as another assistant coach to specialize in offense.
Though Janik’s first full-time coaching position, he said he is excited and ready to begin, though it will be a change from his days as a player.
“It’s going to be tough, for sure. You play for so long and you’re one of the guys,” Janik said. “To be on the coaching side is definitely going to be different.”
This transition comes along with a big one for his family. With two boys and another child on the way, coaching for the Falcons allows Janik to move closer to his home and be closer to family.
The job also brings his hockey career full circle. Janik grew up watching the Springfield Indians and rooted for them when they became the Falcons.
“I’m just excited to be part of an organization that I watched since I can’t even remember when. We used to go to games all the time,” he said. “I grew up a couple of miles away from the rink. I’ve been a fan of them basically for as long as I can remember, and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”