April 18, 2020

By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net

The Kansas City Mavericks announced on Wednesday the hiring of Tad O’Had as the team’s new Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations. O’Had becomes the fifth head coach in the 11-year history of the Mavericks hockey organization.

O’Had is familiar with the Mavericks and very familiar with competing in the ECHL. For the past seven seasons O’Had has been on the staff of the Florida Everblades. O’Had has been behind the bench in over 500 ECHL games and 67 playoff games during his stint in Florida.

On Thursday the Mavericks hosted a Zoom press conference to introduce the newest Maverick to local media members and other staff members. Mavericks President and GM Brent Thiessen said he “quickly identified Tad as a candidate, I flew down and interviewed him, Feel he is ready for this opportunity.” Thiessen commented he is “thrilled with the hire” and is “looking forward to hitting the ice in October.”

Mavericks owner Lamar Hunt, Jr. during his comments gave a shout out to former head coach John Scott-Dickson “for his nine years he gave to the organization.” Hunt said “it is time to move on to the next chapter and also continue to grow the brand.”

Tad O’Had said “he is honored and humbled to be named the Head Coach of the Mavericks.” Coach O, as he is known, commented on how “throughout the process the KC Mavericks were an impressive organization in an impressive city.” Former Maverick players like goaltender Josh Robinson and Rocco Carzo gave O’Had rave reviews of their time in Kansas City. O’had finished his opening comments saying he is “excited to start working.”

During the week the team announced that Kohl Schultz will be retained as Assistant Coach after Schultz finished the 2019-20 season as Interim Head Coach.