Dyck busy making trades in advance of MJHL season

It will be a season of massive roster turnover for the Steinbach Pistons, as the Manitoba Junior Hockey League season fast approaches.

Head coach and general manager Paul Dyck guessed there could be as many as 17 new faces in the team’s starting line-up, as players move around junior in the aftermath of the NCAA’s decision to allow major junior players to play American college hockey.

“The fall is going to present itself with players looking for homes, it could be unprecedented,” Dyck said.

“I don’t know what it’s going to look like, but I see a lot of players that are looking at some opportunities that may or may not be there for them.”

Dyck predicted there will be plenty of moves made after training camp, and even as the regular season begins.

“Summer’s already been the wild west, I can’t imagine the fall being that much different,” he said.

“Opening day rosters might look a little different December 1st.”

The Pistons finished the regular season in second place in the league standings, losing in the first round of the playoffs to third-ranked Portage in the divisional-based league quarterfinals.

“It’s been a little more intense,” Dyck said on his summer schedule this year.

“Conversations are long. As a general manager you identify players that you would love to have in your lineup. You create a wish-list, and go down that list.”

Dyck recalled negotiations for a recent player acquisition taking six weeks of back and forth.

“It’s not on a daily basis, but it’s something where we’re constantly checking in and trying to find ways to be creative and make a deal happen,” Dyck said.

The Pistons have been busy this summer in the trade market.

“Once we got into May, one of our goals was to add players with experience at the junior level,” Dyck said.

“Not just players with experience, but players we thought would improve our team and give us an opportunity to be in the mix again.”

In July they acquired Winnipeg Blues forward Evan Gradt and Fort Frances defenseman Evan Kabel to give a veteran boost to their line-up.

Dyck said the team had been impressed with Gradt’s play last season, even on a Blues team that struggled to produce offense.

“He’s starting to show what the upside is for him,” Dyck said, praising Gradt’s versatility as a player.

“He’s a big, lanky, player that plays up the middle of the ice. He’s got a really nice two-way game, he’s got some grit.”

Kabel was named the Superior International Junior Hockey League’s top defenseman last season.

“Losing a player of Evan’s caliber is never easy,” Lakers general manager Luke Judson said in a Facebook post.

“He has been a great player, teammate, and ambassador for the Lakers. He has been an integral part of our turnaround the past few seasons, capped off by him being named the SIJHL’s top defenseman last year, a well-deserved recognition. We wish him the best in Steinbach.”

Dyck said the Pistons have been keeping an eye on Kabel for the past few years.

“He’s another guy who has just continued to improve and develop,” Dyck said.

“He has a very complete game. He’s somebody who is going to be a minutes muncher, he can play in all situations. I liken him a little to Spencer Penner. He plays quiet minutes, he can be someone who contributes on special teams. He plays a pretty trustworthy game.”

The Pistons are hoping to replicate the success Jack Cook had for them. Cook was a player who spent a year in the SIJHL, before thriving with the Pistons in the 23/24 season.

This week, the Pistons nabbed Virden forward Marek Miller, after sending 2008-born defensive prospect Jett Deschamps to the Oil Capitals earlier in the summer.

The 2006-born forward has played parts of three seasons in the MJHL, including 30 games with Virden last year.

“He’s a very good offensive player, a good mind,” Dyck said of the La Salle-born forward.

“We thought he’d be a good fit with how we play. He’s a player we’ve been familiar with since his U15 days.”

With the MJHL pre-season opening Aug. 31, the start of hockey season is fast approaching.

“At first, summer seems long, you can’t wait to get going again,” Dyck said.

“April is suddenly August. We’re excited to get going, no question. We’re excited to start the year in this new facility.”