“I have nothing to lose coming here,” Mr. Drumm tells the Northumberland News, in an exclusive interview. “The timing is right for this. I have a good relationship with the ownership here and I have been battling with (Predators Hockey Operations Director) Tim (Clayden) for a few years now, so now we get to work together. It is a different perspective, you work with older players here and this decision is about hockey.”

Mr. Drumm was unveiled as coach of the Port Hope Predators at a press conference on Tuesday, June 5. Mr. Drumm coached the Cobourg Cougars for 10 years, starting in 1996 and is considered a Cobourg hockey coaching icon. Mr. Drumm is affectionately known as ‘Drummer’ by legions of Cobourg hockey fans who supported him during his time behind the Cougar bench. He is fully aware of the shock it will cause to some fans that he is now coaching his former cross-county rivals, the Predators, a team he fought tooth-and-nail to beat. 

“It will likely add to the games between the two teams. Is it sad that I am coaching there? Not really,” explains Mr. Drumm. “It is a change and a good change. I wish them all the luck but in the end, when we look at them, they are another two points to get, just like when they look us.”

Mr. Drumm is a perfect fit for Port Hope and the entire Port Hope family is excited about him joining the Predator lair, says Mr. Clayden.

“We sure did not underestimate Brian when playing against his teams, as he is one of the best in the game today,” says Mr. Clayden. “No coach or management friendly concessions had to be made. Coach Drumm has both the experience and maturity to understand how the plumbing works. I have tremendous respect for him and what he accomplished on his own with only limited resources.”

The road to becoming the Predator’s new head coach started a month ago in his Cobourg driveway, says Mr. Drumm.

“I was working on my car when Tim called asking me if I was interested,” says Mr. Drumm. “After 10-plus years with Cobourg this is a different environment. These guys are on the fast track and all about winning. Sandy (Smith) and Rod (Finney) are great owners committed to the community and team.”

Mr. Clayden says he and Mr. Drumm have known each other for many years through hockey deals and mutual good friend Hawk Tabobondung. The strength of Mr. Drumm’s hockey and scouting contacts always delivered competitive, tough and talented hockey teams for Cobourg, says Mr. Clayden.

“Most of Junior A hockey is aware that we had been looking for a head coach for some time and we had many qualified applicants for the position,” says Mr. Clayden. “Although Brian did not apply, we knew he had been discarded by the Cougars at the end of last season, so I contacted him directly.”

Cobourg’s last Eastern finals appearance was during the 2001-2002 season under Mr. Drumm’s tenure. The Cougars faced off against perennial powerhouse the Wellington Dukes after finishing in second place with 71 points, but lost. Mr. Drumm is proud of the 46 players he helped send to the NCAA on scholarships and the nearly 70 players who went on to the Ontario Hockey League during his time with Cobourg.

“I guess I have lost my discount privileges (in Cobourg),” says Mr. Drumm. “Cobourg is a great town and my family and I have settled in here and we are not going anywhere. Northumberland is a great place to live. I am not vacating my love for Cobourg because I am coaching next door. There are so many great sports people in this town.”

Mr. Drumm reflects on the community-owned years of the Cougars as a lot of fun with tremendous commitment from volunteers. Lorne Stewart, Dave Sommerville, Layton Dodge, John Graham, Liz Basinger and Donna Silver were all people Mr. Drumm has fond memories of during his Cobourg years.

“They put more hours into that team than I did. They are great people,” says mr. Drumm. “They are like my family but deep down they all know I have some coaching left in me. Will they cheer for my team now? Probably not.”

Clinching that elusive Junior A championship played a big part in his return to coaching and the Predators, says Mr. Drumm. Shortly after Cobourg was purchased by the Giacalone Group, Mr. Drumm was moved to general manager and then to an advisory role. He was active in the first year and a half, under the new ownership but says he was “phased-out” over the last year-and-a-half.

“They are now in their third year of their rebuilding year and should be a Top 3 team. They will battle our guys in Port Hope hard,” says Mr. Drumm.

Port Hope has had three different head coaches over the last three years but Mr. Drumm believes the core group of players he is inheriting on the Predator roster are a great starting point. The deal to join Port Hope was sealed with a handshake, no contracts or signatures on the dotted line, he adds.

“I realize they have had great coaches here and I need to keep winning or I can get the boot,” says Mr. Drumm. “I remember trying to keep up with them. Everytime we brought in a Chevette for our roster they got a Corvette. What do I have to really lose? I am not coaching right now anyway and I won’t move to coach anywhere else.”