Travis Green has been the Utica Comets head coach for three seasons. Over that time, the 45-year-old Green and the Comets have compiled a 120-78-20-10 regular-season record and carried the winning into the postseason. Green steered the Comets on a memorable run to the 2015 American Hockey League’s Calder Cup Finals and helped Utica get back to the playoffs last season in a tough North Division.

Green’s coaching skills were on full display last season when the Comets were forced to use nearly 50 players after the parent Vancouver Canucks were slowed by injuries and interested in younger prospects. Roster changes were frequent, but this helped put him in the mix for open National Hockey League coaching jobs during the offseason.

That offseason was busy, but Green, who played 970 career NHL games with five teams, is hungry and back behind the Comets bench for another season with assistants Nolan Baumgartner and Jason King.

Q: You’ve had a lot of success in three seasons. How are you a better coach now compared to when you first started in the American Hockey League?

A: I never really been one to sit and talk about myself. But, probably just making adjustments, changing things on the fly … and knowing when to push, when not to push. I just think, overall, you become a better coach every year you coach.

Q: Is that just through learning?

A: Yes … I heard (current Toronto Maple Leafs head coach) Mike Babcock say once that he expects to be a better coach the year after than he was the year before. The game is always changing. You have to always look at how to make your team better. I think that’s part of how you become a better coach.

Q: What are you most proud of during your time in Utica?

A: I appreciate the way our team plays. We’ve had some players that have made good strides. I’m proud of how our organization has been accepted into the city. I’m proud of our team for being part of that.

Q: What is your ideal player? What intangibles are you looking for?

A: I like smart hockey players. And, players that really love playing, that play with a lot of passion and they just love coming to the rink. I think if you have that, everything else you that you want as coach, or I like as a coach, is easier to install. I like strong-minded players that have a lot of will. I think to make it in the NHL — and to make it from this league to the next league — you have to be able to go through a lot of adversity and some hard times. I think the players that can do that will have probably more success here, but a better chance of having careers in the NHL. Because it is hard; it’s hard to learn. It’s hard to play hard. It’s tough. It really is. I think that’s one of the things I think our team has been able to do. It’s like a golfer when it’s pouring rain outside: It’s tough to play really well. There are many nights that it is feels like it is pouring out and these guys have to go out and play. They’re up against the odds, they don’t have a full lineup and you have to play a certain way and that’s hard. Everyone loves skilled players that can make plays and that goes without saying. I have a lot of respect for guys that can skate and make plays. That’s the intangibles that I really like in players. I think every coach does.

Q: The AHL is developmental league. What do you see as your role in helping a player improve? Is it teaching? Is it motivating?

A: I think after being in the league, I think I can see quicker what players need to work on, with little details and teaching. How you teach is a big thing. How you show video, what you show; not taking shortcuts, not just as a player but as a coach and making sure that you’re committed to making players better and not just taking the easy way. There are a lot of things to go over with players. Obviously, the younger your team is, there’s more teaching. I think there are times even as coach where you don’t coach your best. You have to make sure you don’t have many days like that. We push hard not to do that. I’d like to think our staff works really hard to stay on top of things. It’s a fun league to coach. It’s challenging at times and it’s rewarding at times, too.

Q: You were considered for a few NHL jobs. How close were you with the Anaheim and Colorado jobs?

A: I think the Colorado situation was unique. The Anaheim situation — the people involved know. I don’t want to really comment on either one, to be honest. To be mentioned for jobs feels good. It’s an honor to coach in the NHL. It’s an honor to coach in this league.

Q: What did you take away from the process?

A: Experience. There’s something to be said about going on interview and feeling comfortable in interviews. What did I take away? Probably that: That there is a process to everything. Finding the right fight is obviously vital. Every job is worth its weight in gold. I knew that going in. There’s also a lot of good coaches that are trying to get to the NHL. I have a lot of respect for that league. I played in it for a long time. I know how good it is. There’s a reason it is the NHL. It’s the best league in the world for a reason. It’s not just because of the players, there’s a lot of good coaches, too.

Q: Jason King joins the Comets staff (as an assistant coach), replacing Paul Jerrard, who took a job in Calgary. It’s the first coaching change you’ve had here. How does a new voice help the team?

A: Well, obviously, Paul was great for us. We’ll miss him, but we’re happy for him, too. We all want to move up. I’m happy that he’s got the opportunity to get back with (Calgary head coach Brad Gulutzan). I expect King to bring a lot to the table. He’s got big shoes to fill. I’m confident he’s up for the challenge. He’s a young guy that is going to bring probably different thoughts and ideas to the game, which I’m always looking for. I think that’s what we’ve tried to do here is make little changes within the game today. I think there are subtle changes that maybe haven’t been done before. I’m anxious to see what he can offer that way. He has eyes for the game. He’s a really dedicated guy and dedicated worker. He has a lot of passion. He’s a really good addition. I’m fully confident in him. I don’t have any doubt that he’ll do a good job. We’ve had a lot of people move on to the NHL including training staff, medical staff and equipment guys. I really believe in having a real close-knit staff and letting people do their job. It won’t be any different with him.