The 34-year-old knew it had been a while since the side posted a win. He did not realise it had been five years, though.
The Storm's last win in the National Hockey League (NHL) was a 2-1 victory against Capital in September, 2014.
The Storm has compiled three winless seasons (2015, 2017 and 2018) since. It did not enter the league in 2016 but its losing streak stands at 26 games.
That is a lot of baggage to unpack.
But Ling is used to unpacking. He has coached in Malaysia, Germany and Scotland. But he is based in Christchurch and has coached the Villa Maria College for the past 12 years.
He has also coached Canterbury age group teams.
The Southern board approached him about coaching the Storm this season.
"I suppose it is going to be a big challenge because as you know they haven't been as successful over the last few years," Ling said.
"It is a big challenge but one I was willing to take up. The girls have done really well already.
"They pushed Canterbury a few weeks ago in a warm-up match.
"We were up 1-0 at halftime but ended up losing 2-1 in the end.
"But that was a real confidence-booster for the girls."
One of the main issues Southern has had during the lean run has been an inability to find the back of the net.
He has named strikers Claudia Peyroux, Tegan Buchanan and Ellie Duncan in the side which was released yesterday. They will shoulder the bulk of the scoring responsibility.
Duncan has an athletics background and has plenty of pace. She is based in Christchurch and is honing her skills in the club scene up there.
Black Stick midfielder Tessa Jopp has been named in the squad but her availability hinges on her national commitments. Taylor Duffy has been named as a reserve should Jopp drop out.
Dayna Holland shapes as another key player in the midfield.
"She is a really smart player who makes really good decisions and is a workhorse."
New Zealand under-21 squad member Maddie Wotton is expected to make some good contributions in the middle of the park as well. She is adept and weaving her way past defenders.
Claire Bamford will lead the defensive effort. She captained the Canterbury under-21 team which won the national title earlier this year, so she is a good pick-up for the Storm.
She will team up with dual hockey and cricket representative Millie Cowan in a formidable centre back pairing.
The NHL gets under way in Tauranga on September 14. Southern has been drawn in a tough pool with North Harbour, Auckland and Canterbury.
It will need to finish in the top two of the pool to qualify for the top four. But Ling said a more realistic goal was to target a strong finish in bottom four.
