Coaches Corner: Richard Hurley

Cranford ice hockey coach Richard Hurley has been with the district's hockey program since its inception at Cranford High School. But the longtime coach and avid golfer is no stranger to other Cranford sports.

Hurley graduated from Cranford High School in 1983, and went on to attend Washington & Lee University, graduating in 1987. During his college years, Hurley played Intercollegiate golf and club ice hockey.

"I started coaching in Cranford in 1992, the year that Cranford instituted its hockey program. I have coached here every year since, excpet for a one-year hiatus where I coached at Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark for the 1999-2000 season," Hurley said. "I also coached high school and middle school soccer from 1993 through 2009, when Cranford cut out middle school soccer.  I have also coached two seasons of boys lacrosse and one of girls lacrosse."

Hurley has also coached youth hockey with the Cranford Hockey Club since 1988 and is currently the Coaching Director for that club.

"I also have been coaching an all-girls hockey team with the NJ Colonials out of Morristown for the past three years and gone to the USA Hockey National Championships with them for the past two years," he said.

Cranford Patch asked Coach Hurley a few questions about his team, coaching style and goals for the future.

What's the best advice you can give to your players?

Always work hard and play with integrity. The habits you develop on the ice will carry over into later life. Always play with class and respect your opponent. And never take shortcuts since it always catches up to you in the end.

What do you say to your team or individual players if they seem to be struggling during the game to keep them motivated?

I usually try to stay positive. Most times, players don't need to be told when they made a mistake, they already know. I try to encourage them and keep their confidence up, even when they make a mistake. But if they are not hustling or thinking, then sometimes they need a little kick in the butt to remind them to pick it up a bit.

What three professional athletes would you most like to meet and why?

I would love to meet Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky simply because they are two of the greatest to play the game and both had a huge influence on how the game of hockey is played. I would also love to meet Tom Watson, the golfer. He was my idol growing up and a big part of the reason I became a highly competitive golfer.

What is your ultimate goal for this season?

Our goal for this season is to win the Union County Championship and to compete for the state title. We have a solid core of kids that makes both goals attainable if we work really hard and continue to improve.

What's the best advice you have ever been given, and how has this advice helped you as a coach?

The best piece of advice was not so much advice as a lesson learned from a great NHL player. I was coaching a game in Philadelphia with 17-18-year-olds and we were playing against a Philly team coached by Dave Schultz of Broadstreet Bully fame. It was a hotly contested game and tempers flared both on and off the ice. The kids were scuffling, and Schultz and I got into a verbal argument across our benches. Eventually the game ended and I was still really fired up. In the handshake line Schultz had a huge smile on his face when he gave me a firm handshake and congratulated me on a great game. I was a little taken aback and it was in hindsight that I realized that no matter what happens during the game, it is just a game and we all need to keep it in perspective.

In what ways do your players motivate or inspire YOU?

When my players are working hard it inpires me to work hard so that I don't let them down. They want to win and it is my job to give them the best chance to do that at all times. When I make mistakes I feel terrible about it and I try really hard not to make the same mistake twice.