The 3-1 Halifax Rainmen face off against the 0-2 Vermont Frost Heaves this Saturday evening at the Metro Centre. The Frost Heaves are under the new head coach guidance of Jeff Strohm, who has replaced last year’s head coach Will Voigt. Strohm, who has a remarkable coaching resume has been an assistant at a few great NCAA schools including Northern Illinois, Utah, Marquette and Western Kentucky.
Jeff’s Frost Heaves squad have started their regular season schedule on the road and will not have their home opener until February 2nd when they face off against Manchester. I had the opportunity to ask Jeff about his game plan for Saturday, his thoughts on his predecessor Will Voigt and his experience of coaching one of today’s NBA All-Stars.
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Romy (Haligonia.ca): Vermont had the opportunity to play Halifax in the preseason back in December. Based on what you have seen from Halifax, what will be your game plan be for Saturday’s matchup?
Jeff Strohm: They [Halifax] are really talented and deep at every position. We are currently putting together our game plan. The biggest thing is we hope we can slow down their tremendous transition.
Romy (Haligonia.ca): Who on your Vermont team is going to cause the most problems for Halifax?
Jeff Strohm: Not really sure, due to the fact injuries have caused us to make many changes to our roster. Due to injuries, we had only 30 minutes of practice with our entire team present.
Romy (Haligonia.ca): Let’s hear a little about the new faces on your team, Benson Callier and Josh Dollard. How are they going to help Vermont this season?
Jeff Strohm: Benson we hope provides experience and leadership. Josh we hope provides strength, rebounding and athletic play.
Romy (Haligonia.ca): You replaced former Frost Heaves coach, Will Voigt, who made the move up to a coaching position with the NBA D-League. With Voigt’s move up from the PBL to the D-League, in your opinion, how much of a positive impact will this have on the PBL?
Jeff Strohm: Anytime there is growth and progress it has to be great for the league. Knowing coach Voigt as a personal friend, I know he was and will continue to be a great ambassador for the league.
Romy (Haligonia.ca): You have had the opportunity to coach at some great NCAA Division I schools including Marquette, what was it like having worked with NBA all-star, Dwyane Wade?
Jeff Strohm: “DWade” as we called him was fun to coach, like the other 10+ guys I have coached who have or are currently playing in the NBA. He wanted to be coached and taught everyday and had a great love for the game.
Romy (Haligonia.ca): First impressions on the city of Halifax?
Jeff Strohm: We were only in town for a few hours so all we saw was the hotel and the gym but have heard it is a very good place.
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A huge thanks goes out to Jeff Strohm for taking the time to respond to our questions. He also encourages readers to check out http://www.nucdf.org/ which is a foundation for the National Urea Cycle Disorder. His two daughters suffer from the rare, life altering disorder.
