AMHERST, N.S. – His first four months in Amherst has proved to be a positive experience for Doug Doull.
“It’s been great. I love coaching here. It’s a good fit.”
Doull made the jump to the Amherst CIBC Wood Gundy Ramblers this season after several years as head coach of the Pictou County Weeks Crushers.
He inherited a young Ramblers team that has impressed him with their hard work.
“We’re a hard-working group. I think you see that in our play,” he said. “I can think of maybe one game where we didn’t get the effort, and maybe one practice where we didn’t get the effort but, besides that, this is a very hard-working group.”
There’s a bit of a log jam atop the Eastlink South Division standings, and although Amherst sits in fourth place they are definitely in the mix.
With two games left to play before the Christmas break, the Ramblers have 29 points, with a record of 14-13-1 (W-L-OTL).
And when it comes to shots on net, both for and against, the Ramblers are in the mix as well.
“Overall the numbers point to a good percentage in terms of scoring chances but I’d like to see some guys get rewarded for their hard work and get on the board,” Doull said. “That’s something every coach would hope for. We would certainly like some secondary scoring and some consistent scoring.”
Doull says he’s pleased with the improvements Ramblers players continue to make, including his youngest group of players.
“We have about seven or eight first-year guys, and I can tell you that each one of them has taken a step up in their own way and they’re poised for a strong second half to the season,” Doull said. “They’re trending in the right direction so, with that, I’m hopeful and believe they will take an even bigger step than they already have.”
Doull lives in Dieppe but is spending more and more time in Amherst.
“The great thing about Amherst is you bump into a lot of the fans when you’re out and about, so I’ve got to meet a number of fans,” Doull said. “And I moved my mother to Amherst, so I’m into Amherst quite a bit.”
And he appreciates the fans who come out to watch them play at Amherst Stadium.
“I think it’s one of the top fan bases in the league.”
Top Ramblers Scorers
Caleb Rich leads the Ramblers with 38 points in 28 games. He has 15 goals and 23 assists.
Cole Waugh is second with 30 points in 28 games. He has 14 goals and 16 assists.
Max Boudreau is third with 24 points in 28 games. He has eight goals and 16 assists.
Robbie Burt is fourth with 21 points in 27 games. He has 15 goals and six assists
Stephen Fox if fifth with 19 points in 28 games. He has 8 goals and 11 assists.
Pre-Christmas Schedule
The Ramblers have two more games before the Christmas break, both on the road.
On Thursday they’re in Summerside for a game against the Capitals, and on Friday they’re in Truro to play the Bearcats.
Post-Christmas Schedule
The Ramblers first game in the New Year is on the road in Truro against the Bearcats on Jan. 3.
After Truro, they’re back home for four straight games.
On Jan. 4 they host the Pictou County Weeks Crushers, on Jan. 10 the Valley Wildcats, on Jan. 11 the South shore Lumberjacks, and on Jan. 17 they host the Yarmouth Mariners.