Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg Coach Perry Pearn: Why Team Building is Critical to Success

In this week's edition of Glass and Out, we welcome one the most experienced coaches in today's game. With over 40 years of coaching experience, Perry Pearn's remarkable resume spans the globe and includes just about every level of hockey . He began his coaching career with a 16-year run at the Norther Alberta Institute of Technology. Under his direction, the school became one of the top University programs in Canada. NAIT would collect five CCAA Championships, have an overall record of 457-177-24, and complete an undefeated season in 1984-85. Pearn, himself, captured seven Alberta College Coach of the Year Awards. After his time at NAIT, Pearn would spend one season in the Swiss Leagues and the next in Medicine Hat in the Western Hockey League. Next would be the start of a 20-year run in the NHL as an assistant coach with Winnipeg, Ottawa, the Rangers, Montreal, and Vancouver. Internationally, he has led Canada on three occasions at the World Junior Championships, capturing gold as head coach in 1993. He also recently spent one season as the head coach of Canada's National Women's team. This past season, Pearn worked under Bill Peters as an assistant with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg of the KHL. Put all that together and you have one of the most well-respected coaches in hockey, who has put in the time to constantly learn and grow as a person and coach. Find out what he learned about creating a successful program during his time at NAIT, how his coaching journey has shaped him as a person, and why team building is critical to team success.