Comets Tales: Travis Green the All-Star Coach
by Don Laible
Dec 27, 2014Travis Green is going to the AHL All-Star Game, and the Utica Comets’ coach doesn’t have to make travel arrangements.
With the Comets’ 2-1 win at The AUD on Friday night over the Adirondack Flames, their 20th on the season, along with 45 points, Green made his coaching the Western Conference All-Star squad next month official.
“It’s a great honor,”says Green of being named one of the two bench bosses for the AHL All-Star Classic presented by Turning Stone Resort Casino. “It’s more for the guys in the locker room. All the credit goes to them.”
As of December 26, the Comets’ winning-percentage is 0.750 – best in the entire western conference. The two head coaches for the Classic are selected from the teams with the highest points percentage after play on December 31st. The closest possible contender to Green getting the nod to lead the western conference on January 26 in Utica was Oklahoma City’s Gerry Fleming at 0.690.
Minutes after being informed that his originals plans of returning home to spend time with his family in California during the mid-season break would have to be scrapped, Green emerged from his AUD office to meet with the media. In what has become typical Green fashion, to remain at an even keel emotionally, and praise his players, the coach didn’t disappoint.
“I’ve never played in an all-star game before, or coached in one,” a humble Green said. “I’m sure it’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s (being select to coach in the all-stars) a testament to to players. They are a great group to coach, and easy to be proud of.”
Green’s earning a trip, albeit not requiring any deviation from his normal drive through the city on game day, is another piece to what is becoming an increasingly exciting puzzle in Utica this season.
With Friday’s victory, Comets’ goalie Jacob Markstrom ran his season totals to 9-1-1-0.
When the announcement was made last October of Utica being selected as the site of the All-Star Classic, the thought of the Comets resting at the top of the western conference for the majority of the season’s first half, and having Travis Green earn a spot for the game as a head coach would have been unimaginable for most, based on last year’s “middle of the pack” finish. But it’s happening. And it’s another feather in the cap for Comets fans and players alike this year.