Paul Dyck picks up 500th career MJHL win

Paul Dyck’s attitude and coaching philosophy shone bright after his team’s 4-2 victory over the Virden Oil Capitals Jan. 3.

While the victory was historic, marking 500 wins as a head coach for Dyck in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, he was quick to turn his players’ attention to the task at hand: Winning the franchise’s next championship.

“Five hundred, but the most important one is three, that’s how many championships we have, lets make it four this year,” Dyck told his players after long-time video coach Graham Pollock announced the achievement to the locker room.

“Four means way more than 500.”

No matter how he wanted to downplay the accomplishment, it’s still an incredible feat for a coach which took control of a franchise at a historic low. Dyck became the team’s head coach mid-way through the 2011/2012 season, with the franchise in the middle of a nine-year streak without a winning season.

Since moving from Beausejour to Steinbach in 2009, Steinbach had only finished at or near the bottom of the standings. When Rich Gosselin resigned as head coach, the franchise turned to the young, hometown assistant who was fresh off finishing his playing career in Europe to take control.

Dyck’s tenure started with a bang, helping the team to their first championship in his first full season with the club. The Pistons have never finished below third in the league standings since then.

“I was just trying to get to five that first year,” Dyck quipped when asked if he ever thought 500 was a possibility when he took over coaching Steinbach.

Dyck’s Pistons have been a mainstay at the top of the standings since that first championship, only finishing two full seasons with less than 40 wins.

“I guess I’ve been around a long time,” Dyck said.

“I’ve been fortunate to have some good teams here, be surrounded with a good staff and have a strong organization with a commitment to winning.”

Pollock was the perfect person to make the announcement to the Pistons’ locker room, having worked with Dyck since the beginning of his tenure in Steinbach. Dyck thanked previous assistant coaches for their help over the years, including David Anning, who helped early in the 2012 season before moving to the Brandon Wheat Kings, Rob Smith, who moved onto Rink Hockey Academy, Joey Moggach and current assistant Calvin Bugyik.

“We’re starting to think what the other person’s thinking or say what the other person’s thinking,” Dyck said on Bugyik, who has been with the franchise for six seasons.

“We’re kind of like an old married couple now.”

Just five other coaches in MJHL history have reached 500 wins, including current record holder in Portage’s Blake Spiller, who reached 700 wins earlier this season. Dyck reflected on the transition from “wide-eyed” rookie to experienced voice within the MJHL coaching fraternity. Players he’s coached against are now joining those coaching ranks alongside him.

“When you’re a little longer in the tooth, people are thinking you have something to say,” Dyck said.

“There’s a different expectation, but I enjoy it… If I can help (newer coaches) in any way, or make them feel comfortable and welcome, I’m happy to do it.”

Dyck was the fastest coach in Manitoba Junior Hockey League history to reach 250 wins, also against the Virden Oil Capitals in 2018.

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