Brad Cook is no stranger to the Saanich Braves and the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League, or to the Victoria hockey scene.

So when Braves’ former head coach Dick Crowder stepped down last month it was only logical that Cook assume the duties. A former head coach of the Sooke Stingers, Cook has been behind the Braves’ bench since last season as an assistant to Crowder.

“I’m really appreciative of the opportunity, I think the boys are responding well,” said Cook. “Even though we’re going through a rough patch here, the thing is we’re staying positive,” he said in reference to the team’s current three game winless streak.

“We (Crowder and Cook) talked to ownership and thought maybe it’s time for a new voice, fresh blood.”

Cook coached the Sooke Stingers in 2006-07 after a 12-year professional career.

A former Royal Bank Cup winner with the B.C. Hockey League’s Vernon Vipers in 1996, Cook wrapped up his pro-career with a handful of games on the Victoria Salmon Kings before blowing out his knee for good early in the 2006-07 season.

Known by many in the local hockey scene, Cook’s role only further cements his involvement with the community. He works along side Crowder at the Spectrum Hockey Academy and is an on-ice instructor with Next Level Hockey, not to mention helping out with the Saanich minor hockey association.

As for his Braves, Cook says the focus is on special teams going into a pair of games against the Peninsula Panthers on Friday and Saturday nights.

“Five on five we’re dominating teams,” said Cook, pointing to the Braves 7-3 loss against the Cougars on Sunday, a game in which the Cougars four goal lead included three powerplay goals and one shorthanded goal. “It’s the special teams that are killing us, no question.”

In their previous game on Saturday, the Braves were on the road and were up 2-1 over the Peninsula Panthers when the Panthers capitalized on a pair of penalties to take the lead 3-2, and went on to win 6-2.

“Some of the older guys are squeezing the sticks too tight,” said Cook of the Braves’ three goals on 40 shots against the Cougars.

“We’re playing right to the end, blocking shots, it’s going to come, it’s still November.”

Since the transition from Crowder to Cook in mid-October the Braves went on a tear, going 5-1-1 before the current three-game winless skid.

The team looks to right the ship at home against the Panthers Friday at Braves for Breast Cancer night, 6:30 p.m. at George Pearkes Arena.

sports@vicnews.com