Steinbach Pistons Head coach and General Manager Paul Dyck has put pen to paper on a multi year extension that will keep him with the Pistons until the 2020-21 season.
The Steinbach native has been with the Pistons since the 2010-11 season, when he served as an Assistant Coach under former Head Coach, Rich Gosselin. Dyck overtook Head Coaching duties in the middle of the 2011-12 season and was officially named the teams Head Coach and General Manager in the summer of 2012.
Grant Lazaruk, the teams President and Governor of the Community Ownership groups Board of Directors, believes Paul is the right person to continue leading the Steinbach Pistons. “Paul’s coaching ability and what he has done for the club on and off he ice has been tremendous.”
“I look at it as this Ownership Group has owned this club now for 5 seasons. In those 5 seasons, he has led the team to an MJHL Championship, two appearances in the finals, and two semi-finals appearances, so in regards to his on-ice team performance, he has done a tremendous job.”
The Pistons have seen there best statistical seasons under Dyck, which is highlighted by an MJHL Championship in the 2012-13 season. Dyck has recorded 85-point plus seasons in the past 4 campaigns, and in Dyck’s 6 seasons as Pistons Head Coach, the team has compiled a 65% winning percentage.
Off the ice, the 2016-17 MJHL Coach of the Year has played a vital role in helping graduating players find post secondary opportunities. With the help of Dyck, a total of 33 Pistons Alumni have played or are now playing hockey at the Major Junior, Canadian U Sports and NCAA levels.
Lazaruk highlights the impact Paul has had in continuing to grow the program. “Were developing a program that not only develops hockey players, but also develops people and I believe Paul has made an impact on many people who have been apart of the organization, especially the young men who play or have played for the Pistons.”
Lazaruk believes that the commitment and passion that Dyck brings to his players and the organization makes him a very special individual. “Paul is a great person. He cares and is passionate about the game but he also cares and is passionate about his players and I think it shows in what he gets our team to do on and off the ice.”
When it comes to the future of the Pistons organization, the Ownership Group and Paul both believe that winning a National Championship is the main goal. “We want to deliver on Paul’s dream and our dream of winning a National Championship, and we believe Paul is the best guy to go out and do it.”
“It was an easy decision to accept the extension on my contract and I am grateful to our Board of Directors for the support they have shown towards me,” explains Dyck. “My family and I love our city and I consider it a true privilege to coach and manage the Pistons. Looking ahead I see opportunity for growth with our program both on and off the ice. I am very much looking forward to the opening day of camp on September 3rd.”
“The Ownership Group is proud that Paul has accepted the extension and continues to want to be apart of our program,” explains Lazaruk. “Were excited to continue growing the Steinbach Pistons with Paul Dyck.
