The Daily Alaska empire., 1937-01-13
Sport
 
PAP


 International American H c k e y League disbanded a short time ago, Frank Nighbor, Bison coach and manager, found himself out of a job But it wasn't for long. Before | he had time to pack his belongings along came a message from Lester Patrick, New York Ranger boss, asking him to take charge of the amateur New York Rovers. Old Dutch quickly consented and join | ed the Three-A organization, which is the Rover Rambler Ranger hockey chain.
 Patrick found his early plan of trying to handle the Rovers on a 'piece-Work" basis, with himself, Bill Cook and Ching Johnson talk ing turns looking after the anna teur youngsters, unsatisfactory. A full-time coach for the juvenile sec tion of the Three-R chain, Pat rick decided, was the only solu- tion. In Nighbor he has the man he has been looking for.
 "Nighbor should be wonder ful cog in our machine" declares Patrick. Not only was he a great player in his day-one of the great est, in fact that hockey has known but, since retiring from active competition he has proved himself a remarkable developer of young talent. He has turned out several championship teams at Buffalo, and has done so with no assist ance from any major league or ganization."
 NighbOr Starred
 Nighbor's playing career consti tutes one of the brightest chapters | in hockey annals On five occasions Old Dutch was a member of Stan ley cup champions-once with Van- couver and four times with Ottawa. The first season the David A. Hart trophy was put up for the player voted the most valuable to his team, Nighbor won it, and on two : occasions he was warded the Lady Byng trophy for the player com bining effectiveness with clean play and sportsmanship.
 Patrick feels that his present coaching setup of the Three-R's is certain to produce the desired re- suits. Les himself, assisted by Cook and Johnson, is in charge of the senior New York Rangers. Herb Gardiner, at one time an outstand ing defenseman in the old Western Canada League, and later with the Canadians in the National Hockey League, is handling the junior Philadelphia Ramblers. Nighbor is guiding the juvenile Rovers.
 one of the reasons why Les Patrick has been so successful is that he is ever willing to lend an ear to constructive criticism or ad- vice. He always has been that way. That is why his recent move of holding forum before each game with every player joining in to d's- cuss the plan of attack for the evenings battle is proving suc- cessful.
 one Of the players handles the meeting. They started off with the senior player an dare working down the list until the newest rookie will get shot at conducting a meet ing. The chairman suggests how he thinks the game ought to be played and then invites discussion. Every player has his say, and. while Patrick sits in on the meet ings, he is allowed only as much time as the men on the team. AS general rule, Patrick lets the players have their say and then. after the meeting is over, he brings up points that may have been overlooked.
 It Worked
 The experiment has proved very satisfactory. Meetings seem to bring the players closer together and to make them work for the general good of the club. Rotating the