Xtreme add Stu Henly to coaching staff

The Adelaide Xtreme have added to their hockey operations department by adding well respected coach and player Stu Henly to the coaching staff.

Henly was officially named the assistant coach of the Xtreme today, joining the likes of Eric Lien (Head Coach) and Tash Farrier (General Manager).

For the Xtreme, it's another important and analytical hockey brain in the equation. Henly, originally from Canada, has a lot of hockey experience having been involved with the game as a player or coach for over 35 years.

Currently, he's the Ice Hockey South Australia Coaching Director and one of the leading scorers in the local A-Grade competition for the four-time champion Tigers. 

"I've been very fortunate to play for some good coaches growing up playing minor hockey in Canada and a couple years in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League," he says. "I've brought that experience across my various coaching roles in South Australia including the local junior hockey program as the IHSA coaching director. 

He's also been longtime teammates of Eric Lien and Ryan O'Handley - two guys who were on the national team coaching staff.

Lien says Henly was the first call he made when he was appointed coach.

"Through our years of playing together I have listened to Stu talk about the game and it is evident he reads it very well and is capable of making quick decisions in pressure situations," he says. "The game moves fast so you want to have someone like Stu. He is a pragmatic thinker and has an incredible work ethic so the result is a high achiever who has a lot to offer behind the bench."

Henly says he's excited by the existing dynamic created by Lien with General Manager Tash Farrier. 

"Tash and Eric both are highly organised, big on planning and preparation and have a clear vision for what the Xtreme can achieve this year. My role is to add my voice and push our vision forward. I love the inclusive environment they have created, where ideas flow," he says.

That inclusive environment was evident on draft day, when Henly joined marquee players Joey MacDougall and Jeremy Friederich plus Farrier and Lien on the draft table. 

He says the draft process was an "epic venture" to be part of. It resulted in what all members of the Xtreme are calling an "overwhelming success"

READ MORE: Xtreme Team Roster

"It was well worth the hours and many meetings we had over a 3-week period. Tash and Eric made so many phone calls to prospective players and we did a massive amount of research to create our rankings. We set out the type of team we wanted, the style we wanted to play, and ran about every possible scenario of how the draft might go," he says.

"The players were even instrumental in providing input. We felt very comfortable on draft day and we are excited by the outcome."

Lien says Henly played one of the most important roles when it came to drafting the team.

"He kept us from going of the rails," he says. "We had a group of five who worked on the draft but it was Stu and Tash who outlined the structure and drove the strategy to ensure we would accomplish the goal of drafting the best team possible. Their work ethic and meticulous planning was what drove our group." 

The Xtreme now have their roster, coaching staff and management. Now they get to work.

"We have a great mix of age and experience at every position and this has led to our unparalleled depth. I think our biggest advantage we have is our options at centre, and out goalie tandem is obviously the best in the league," says Henly.

The Xtreme's first game is on November 19.