The Dupont Debate by Stephen Pye
Even within weeks of the 2022/23 EIHL season winding down, the quest for the shortest ever playoffs heating up, the debate on who will be behind the bench for the following seasons’ Cardiff Devils was throwing out some incredible takes.
Officially, he is still there next season. Unofficially, the rumour mill has been churning some baked goods that seem delicious, though best to leave alone on here. It isn’t the place to indulge. Not even with a coffee, this isn’t about Hygge.
Cardiff haven’t won any titles, fell to teams they should easily see off in the chase for silverware, finished 4th in the league, yet still they had the playoffs. A 4-peat was on the cards. Inevitably, as mentioned before, they reached their ceiling of championship potential in France.
The fans are feeling lost in a search for a post-Lordo identity. There is an assistant coach they still know nothing about and an impending feeling of ‘what will be’ for the coming off-season.
A powerplay that has been found wanting, with a score rate that has struggled to put teams away, seal a series or confidently boast to the league – ‘here we are, dare to battle us, if you can!’.
From the first puck drop to the last this season, Brodie Dupont has sat in the driving seat for a full rollercoaster ride of a quintessentially ludicrous and barmy British ice hockey campaign. Learning all the way, consuming all of the ups and the downs.
Desperate. Tenacious. Driven. Calculated. Excitable. Passionate. Caring. Baffling.
Honest. Above all else.
A season where reflection would play into his wheelhouse. One of many who will be mulling over the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and the mistakes of what didn’t work, the overall position, the impact of who stays, who leaves, who retires.
The biggest caveat doesn’t reflect the table or attainment of trophies. The focus will be or should be on this question – ‘has Dupont improved the players and developed a team, with an identity to build for the future?’.
Of course, the outcome of the league would become a balance of what success means to this club, however I have a feeling there will be further thought from Todd Kelman regarding whether the coach is the right fit.
The answer would weigh up against the very question just asked. Although TK would tell you himself, this league is made for one thing only, winning it.
You can’t tank a season or two to build and develop, as we don’t play for the post-season. However, you can develop and build an ethos, an identity, and a team. If you are trusted enough. He knows you can’t do that in a season.
Dupont hasn’t been afraid to sit players for terrible passages of play, he has also sat players for seemingly no reason against teams where they would be an asset on the ice, instead of hindering the team, by keeping them off the ice.
When he seems evidently deflated and at a loss for words post-game, he is back on the ice with the team. You can see him working the tilt out during games, then the lines change up and the team, responds. Regardless of whether it works or the results.
They do respond. They also fight. Under Andrew Lord, he would be a furious tempest. Dupont craves that style of hockey. Fast paced, hard hitting. Dominant.
The result has been short coming, inconsistent and irritating for a fan base that has grown used to winning, even the diehards and ‘seasoned’ fans. An adjustment period that was inevitable.
The final caveat that asks the searching question to really get the debate twisting and turning would be, ‘is Dupont a coach that can improve in his role, as well doing the rest?’.
I for one, would really like to see it.
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