January 20, 2024

By Fred Liggett
sports.lstribune08@gmail.com

On Friday, Jan. 12 the Kansas City Mavericks scored another impressive road win over the Idaho Steelheads in Boise, ID. From the outside it looked like another win by the first place Mavericks against the team chasing them, the second place Steelheads. There was more to the outcome on this night as the Mavericks victory gave head coach Tad O’Had his 122nd career win. The win was historic as O’Had now owns the franchise coaching wins record.

O’Had passes John Scott-Dickson as the winningest coach in franchise history with 122 wins. O’Had secured the necessary win on Friday, Jan. 12 when the Mavs beat Idaho 7-5. The Mavericks ended up sweeping Idaho in a three-game series the week of Jan. 10-13.

O’Had says it’s an “incredible honor because of the players we’ve had the last four years.” After the record-breaking win on Friday night O’Had says he “has heard from a lot of past players, a lot of people blowing up my phone.” O’Had credits assistant coach Riley Weselowski and goalkeeper coach Rob Couturier for all their help in helping him reach this career victory mark. O’Had feels “fortunate” and says he’s “ready for 122 more.”

Since O’Had’s arrival in Kansas City to arriving at this point there have been several keys to this success. O’Had upon coming to KC felt the Mavericks were “a diamond in the rough in the ECHL.” O’Had adds “knew we had to get the right affiliation, which results in winning recruiting battles.”

Up next for the Mavericks is spending the rest of the month of January here at home playing games in front of their fans at Cable Dahmer Arena. A pair of games this weekend vs Utah begins a six-game home stand to close out the month. So far the first place Mavericks are perfect at 3-0 this month and enjoying a nine game winning streak. Overall the Mavericks stand at 26-7-1 on the 2023-24 season.