WHEN the boss offers you a free lunch to talk about your future, how could Omar Pacha resist the temptation?
There had to be a catch, and a considerable time later, defenceman Pacha walked away as Hull Stingrays' new player-coach.
And he had persuaded Stingrays' owner Bobby McEwan that fellow Canadian Carl Lauzon should be his assistant coach.
Whether it's a golden chance or a poisoned chalice is not clear.
"I met with Bobby and we went out for lunch," said Pacha.
"He asked me about my plans for next season and he told me he wanted a player-coach. He was persistent, that's for sure, but I liked our conversation, we are on the same page."
Pacha had been keeping an open mind on his future, even pondering retiring to pursue other interests.
At 27, and after a stellar first season in Hull, it would have been a shame if he'd called time on his career at the peak of his powers.
However, he knows playing is not a long-term option and smart enough, as he's finishing his MSc in Management Consulting at the University of Hull.
"I think Carl had other offers to go to with more money, but when Bobby came up with the idea it was tough to say no," said Pacha.
"Coaching had crossed my mind.
"I'd worked at camps at home and juniors exhibition games as an assistant coach.
"Helping the young kids is what I am most excited about. Working with them and seeing them five or six years down the line become top players and thinking I've helped that in some way."
Pacha, though, is under no illusions he is in for a baptism of fire.
With only a one-year deal tucked away, with a further season's option, he needs to hit the ground skating.
Fortunately, Stingrays' fans are not the most demanding in the Elite League, aware budgetary restraints mean challenging for silverware is not a big possibility.
They may be less patient, given Pacha is replacing Sylvain Cloutier after five seasons at the helm.
"It's always tough as I really liked Sylvain and I played one of my better years for him," said Pacha, who arrived at the Rapid Solicitors Stingrays via Chamonix, Huntsville Havoc and Bloomington Blaze.
"I'm grateful for the chance Sylvain gave me, but at the same time it's a good opportunity for me.
"I was shocked when I heard Sylvain was going, as I thought he was one of the best coaches, but sometimes changes are good and hopefully this one could be good for this organisation."
And he anticipates using plenty of tips picked up from Cloutier, the man who signed him last summer, along with Lauzon.
"I'll not be a guy who will shout at team-mates," said Pacha.
"I'll be asking my players to follow the system, give 100 per cent and be good team-mates and if they don't they will hear from me or Carl."
Player-coaching roles are not noted for being easy, especially when you're moving from being a team-mate to being the coach.
As the duo will be living in the same club house – probably without their cook, more familiar to fans as forward Guillaume Doucet – they'll have plenty of time to discuss the game's finer points.
Pacha says he and Lauzon form a "comfortable team" after playing on the same sides for five seasons.
"I'd rather me get criticised and he takes all the good stuff," said Pacha. "You need one guy to make the final decision and that will be me.
"It's going to be our sixth year we have played together, so we know each other inside and out.
"We'll get little battles, agree to disagree and we move on. I'm confident in our partnership."
Pacha and Lauzon might be confident and fans happy, based on their playing displays last season.
As to their coaching qualities, the jury is surely out.
Given last season's players are out of contract, the duo are not "saddled" with those who might not take to their new coach.
"It depends how you see it," said Pacha, when it was pointed out he has no coaching experience.
"I'd rather start young and see what happens. At 27 it gives me extra motivation.
"I will give every guy a role on the team and they will have to bring that role to the table. If they do everything will be fine. If not, I will step in as quickly as possible.
"There will be team changes, not everyone will be back.
"A lot of people have phoned me and a few older guys from last year's team are interested in coming back, but not all will be. We have to try and upgrade and get better players.
"The one thing about Carl and I is we are passionate about hockey.
"We don't have much experience but we have to start somewhere.
"People are looking and are thinking 'Oh my God what have the club done' but it's an opportunity to surprise everyone. I just hope fans give us a chance next season."
