After we talked to Adirondack Phantoms head coach Joe Paterson during our trip to Glens Falls, N.Y. in late March, this is what we had to say about his pending contract status.
Of course, it helps that he’s been a vital part of the strong turnaround the Phantoms have gone through in the second half of this season. Since he’s taken over as head coach, the team has gone 20-12-8, as compared to… well, we don’t need to compare the exact record before Paterson took over. It’s just too embarrassing.
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Paterson’s contract is up at the end of this current season (and as you’ll see after the jump, he didn’t like when we asked him about that topic), but it’s hard to see him not returning. The town loves him, he’s clearly made a home for himself in the area, and most importantly, the team is winning with him behind the bench.
According to Paul Holmgren in an interview with Philly Sports Daily, Paterson will indeed return to the Phantoms for the upcoming season. No word on how long he’s signed for with this new contract, but he’ll be sticking around, and that’s what’s important.
It’s great news for the Phantoms and the development of the young players in the organization. The numbers above prove that they took to him after Paterson took over mid-season, and with a similar group returning to Adirondack for the 2011-12 campaign, it’s the logical step in the progression. There won’t be any change. Just more time for Paterson to pull the prospects along.
