Jul 23 2006
Un-finished Business for Muscutt
Anyone that knows Scott Muscutt well; knows what his dream has always been. That dream is to one day, coach in the NHL. After one year of coaching the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs to a President Cup Championship in the WPHL, the WPHL & CHL merge and Muscutt & the Bugs move in to the CHL. The 1st season in the CHL; Muscutt takes the Bugs to the play-offs, but they end up losing in the Conference Finals. Not a bad for the 1st season in the CHL
The 2002-2003 season would see Muscutt & his Bugs miss the play-offs; for the 1st time since he started his coaching tenure. But in the 2003-2004 season; Muscutt & the guys, didn’t only make the play-offs; they went on to the Finals; only to lose in a very controversial game 7 to the Laredo Bucks. There would be a very emotional end of season get together for all the fans at the CTC a few days after that game. Scott Muscutt made the statement that day; that he would rather share a drink from his glass of iced tea with the 4th Liners; instead of being the team drinking from the Presidents Cup after a win on such a controversial call, to give the Bucks the Cup. Everyone in attendance watched, as he left the podium & went over and & shared a drink with a fan in the stands.
This is the kind of man that the Mudbugs and the fans have as coach. In a place where people thought ice hockey would never last. Especially after losing a few other area teams in the South. But Scott Muscutt made sure he & his players were always out in the community promoting this game; that so many of us have come to love. Attendance continued to climb. And it was because of a new owner that had taken over this team a few years before. And of course the hard work & commitment of the man our owner John Madden; kept as general manager & head coach of this team.
In the 2004-2005 season; Muscutt would have to watch from the bench as his guys would lose in the 1st round of the play-offs. Then 2005-2006 rolled around & all the 4th Liners would see Muscutt take a team all the way to the CHL Finals once again. It was a re-match of the Bugs & Bucks. After seeing his guys beat a very good Wichita team & then go on to beat a highly talented & skilled Colorado Eagle team; he could only watch from the bench as his Mudbugs would lose once again to the Laredo Bucks. But after one year of coaching in the WPHL & the other 5 in the CHL; Scott Muscutt had taken the Mudbugs to the play-offs & won a Cup; while only missing the play-offs one season. This ranking proved to be good enough to put him in the Top 10 coaches in the CHL.
It’s now coming up on the 2006-2007 season for the Mudbugs. With the new season only 3 months away; it brings the Mudbugs that much closer to celebrating their 10th season on ice & also the honor of hosting the CHL All-Star game. A very exciting season coming up, indeed. But only a FEW days ago; Scott Muscutt receives a call from a General Manager of an AHL franchise. He tells Muscutt that he has heard he’s wanting to get out of the Shreveport-Bossier area. This would give Scott Muscutt the opportunity to make a step up & put him only one step below of fulfilling his dream of “Coaching in the NHL”. This is what Muscutt has dreamed of. But he turns it down.
This leaves alot of people wondering why he would turn down this chance. That’s where everyone sees the “MAN” behind the coach of the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs. He chose his family over this fantastic opportunity to make a move into the AHL. His wife & 3 kids would be the reason for him making the choice of moving closer to his dream or staying on as coach of the Mudbugs at least one more season. This only confirms what everyone has known about Scott Muscutt. Yes; he’s the coach of an ice hockey team; but 1st, he’s a husband & loving father. And he also says he has some Un-Finished business here. Anyone that knows Scott Muscutt; knows what he’s speaking of. So as for myself; I’m looking for this season to be very special. Everyone always speaks of him having an Ace up his sleeve. Well; this could be the season the 4th Liners see it.
Will him turning down an offer from the AHL hurt him in the future??? I’ll steal one of Sabrbugs words here. You can bet your “Bippy” it won’t hurt him at all. Because the general manager from the AHL had lots of questions about the franchise he has been coaching for the past 6 years. Scotty told him all about the fans, the way this franchise just continues to grow & get stronger each & every season, how the guys that come to play for the Mudbugs; always consider themselves part of this franchise, even when they move on to another team. And he also told him about the Youth Hockey program that continues to thrive each & every season. I can tell you what I believe & I’m sure everyone will think the same. This phone call proved to be a very special one for Scott Muscutt. And he also believes that.
So this season; the Mudbug organization & us 4th Liners will once again enjoy seeing that red hair & when he gets angry(that Red face) of Scott Muscutt behind the bench; making sure his troops are working hard every shift on that ice surface; in hopes of taking care of his “Un-Finished Business” in the Mudbug organization. I hope Scott Muscutt & the guys he puts on the ice gets his business taken care of this season. But I also hope to see him on the bench the next season; also. Guess I’m just greedy. But I can say when it comes time for Scotty to make that move up; that this 4th Liner will be very happy for him. And wish him only the best. Wouldn’t it be nice to be watching an NHL game on HD-TV one day & see Scott Muscutt coaching. I think I speak for everyone; when I say I hope he gets to live his dream one day.
But for now; I can only applaud Scott Muscutt for choosing his family over his “Lifetime Dream”. Thank you for the memories of the past & the memories to be made; Scotty. You are one great coach; but you are also one great man”. The Mudbug organization & the fans are truly grateful for your huge part in making this team what it is today. And that would be “The Hardest Working Team In The CHL”. I truly believe you will accomplish your “DREAM” one day. But until then. I’m glad you chose to stay on with our Mudbugs.
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