Dyck Interested in Regina Job

Here's part of an article from the Regina Leader-Post written Greg Harder:

REGINA -- The Regina Pats may not get a chance to contact Michael Dyck about their vacant head-coaching position.

He plans to make the call himself.

"That's definitely going to be the next step for me," Dyck said Friday after the Lethbridge Hurricanes announced they won't be renewing his contract. "It would be a phenomenal opportunity — a really good organization, obviously a very good group of players that are coming back. Any time you get an opportunity to work with one of the top organizations in the league you definitely have to be interested."

Although there are other vacancies he'll pursue, Regina's job is of particular appeal. Dyck also insisted he won't be scared away by the underachieving Pats, who missed the WHL playoffs this season and ultimately cost head coach Dale Derkatch his job.

You can read the rest of the article here.
http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/hockey/pats-hockey/Dyck+eyeing+Pats/1578650/story.html

Thanks,
Pat

Canes' Announce Coaching Change

This is hot off the presses........

Lethbridge, AB – Roy Stasiuk, General Manager of the Lethbridge Hurricanes announced today the contract of Head Coach, Michael Dyck, will not be renewed when it expires on May 31st.

“A review of hockey operations has been completed and everyone has been evaluated. There is no one particular or specific reason for this decision. In moving forward we’re turning a page and we will maintain working towards our mandate regarding player development. I have respect for Michael’s abilities and capabilities as a Head Coach and wish him good luck in his future hockey or business endeavors”, added Stasiuk.

Michael Dyck compiled a record of 131-114-9-13 in 267 games as Head Coach of the Canes. He had previously served as an Assistant Coach from 1997 to 2002.

I had a chance to talk with G.M. Stasiuk by phone after this official announcement this morning. He told me Assistant Coach Matt Kabayama will remain with the Canes' organization, contrary to some earlier reports. Kabayama , he says remains under contract. Stasiuk wouldn't give specifics on any replacement candidates for bench boss, but he did tell me he'd like to see a new head coach in place by June 30th.

Thanks,
Pat

Dyck Expected to be Let Go as Coach

It appears Michael Dyck's days as head coach of the Lethbridge Hurricanes will be coming to an end.

Gregg Drinnan from the Kamloops Daily News has been reporting this on his blog:

The Lethbridge Hurricanes will announce Friday that they won’t be renewing the contract of head coach Michael Dyck. Dyck, who joined the Hurricanes during the 2005-06 season, guided the Hurricanes into the 2008 WHL final, where they were swept by the eventual Memorial Cup-champion Spokane Chiefs. Lethbridge general manager Roy Stasiuk, whose performance also was put under the microscope by the team’s board of directors, has one year left on his contract. This season, the Hurricanes finished seventh in the Eastern Conference and upset the second-seeded Saskatoon Blades in the first round of the postseason before falling in four games to the Calgary Hitmen. In his three-plus seasons, Dyck, 40, was 134-120-19 with the Hurricanes. Dyck’s name immediately goes into the mix in Regina, where the Pats are looking for a replacement for head coach Dale Derkatch, who was fired on Tuesday despite having two years left on his contract. The Hurricanes join the Chilliwack Bruins, Everett Silvertips and Regina without head coaches. Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post, who broke the story involving Dyck’s future on Thursday night, also has speculated that Dean Chynoweth, the general manager and head coach of the Swift Current Broncos, might be a candidate. Regina general manager Brent Parker would have to ask for and receive permission to talk with Chynoweth before moving forward.

So far I have not been notified by the Hurricanes of any press conference in regard to an official announcement.
Have a good day!
Pat

Rockets Have Hitmen on the Ropes

Well, after a few days off and holiday in Las Vegas the past week it's nice to be back home and back to reality again! That's one crazy and wild city. For those who've been to Vegas you know exactly what I mean! Lots of walking and little sleep.

While I was away I kept one eye on the sights and sounds of Sin City and the other eye on the WHL final between the Rockets and Hitmen. I can truly say a lot of people sure didn't expect to see Calgary in this position facing elimination from the league final, especially after the season they've had steamrolling pretty much every team they've played. It appears though Kelowna has taken a page right out of the Hitmen playbook in this series. Calgary has won and dominated teams all year with it's defence and goaltending. The Rockets are doing that same thing to the Hitmen right now and Calgary doesn't seem to have answer and time is running out.

Give Kelowna credit. They've so far played a stifling series and I think they have frustrated the Hitmen. The Rockets have a chance to sweep this series with a game 4 win tomorrow night in Kelowna. For Calgary, this is really the first adversity they've faced all season.

Is Kelowna being up 3 games to nothing a surprise? Yes and No.
Yes, Because of Calgary's dominance and seemingly easy run throughout the regular season and first 3 rounds of the playoffs.
No, Because of how the Rockets have adjusted their game to find ways to get the job done.

If Kelowna pulls this series off, which is looking more and more like that's going to happen there's no doubt it would be considered an upset. Only one team in the history of the WHL has come back from a 3-0 series deficit to win and I suppose if it's happened once it can happen again. The odds though are not in Calgary's favour.

Have a great day!
Pat