As a head coach for a Manitoba Junior Hockey League team, summer can pass by rather quickly, filled with scouting trips and family time.

For Paul Dyck, the head coach and general manager of the Steinbach Pistons, he made sure to find the balance between work and home during the summer months. "It's been a great summer. We always think we have this large block of time in front of us and the next thing you know it's the end of August. It's great to enjoy the area and spend time with family so it's been tremendous."

A coach's work is never really done, for Dyck, he took some time off after the MJHL finals but then was right back to work watching many young hockey players from across North America. "Went to Minneapolis and also went to Toronto this year, the first time I attended a showcase there. I just wanted to see what the talent pool and free agency pool was like in Eastern Canada and I definitely think it's a place we'll go back to. I'm thankful for the opportunity to get out there and especially in the United States; there are a lot of options down there for the American kids so it's good to have your face out there."

Rookie camp is set to kick off on Saturday with three days filled with practice and games where rookies will showcase their talents for the coaching staff, also a time for parents of the future Pistons to see the arena and area that could be a big part of their hockey lives. 

Steinbach Pistons Head Coach and General Manager Paul DyckAfter rookie camp wraps up on Monday, it's time for main camp opening up September 1st. Dyck knows there will be some tough decisions through camp and into the exhibition season. "It's one of the most, if not the most competitive camp we've had to date. With five 20 year old forwards returning and all of them key guys last year, we have Dan Taillefer coming back for year 5, (Hayden) Goderis coming back for 4, (Denis) Bosc has been here on and off for 5 years, Cole Smith as well and of course Tyler Penner, guys that have not just been here for a while but guys we feel will be at the top of the league." With experience seemingly not an issue, Dyck talks about how the rest of the forwards will be a balanced attack. "We have a very solid group of '97's. We have (Jordan) Bochinski coming back as a '96, toughness in Brodie Buhler, we feel we have 20 or 22 forwards challenging for a spot. It's amazing as an organization to be in this spot. There will be some disappointed players if they're not here but we want to create a competitive environment. At the end of the day our objective as an organization is to ice the best team come September 25th."

It's that time of the year where a coach can start penciling in line combinations on a napkin or scrap piece of paper and with a great balance of talent upfront, Dyck knows plotting out where a player may fit and how the team will look upfront is fun to forecast but impossible to predict so early. "We're going to give it a lot of discussion this week. As we move forward through camp, we'll try different combinations. I think we have the ability to have 3 lines that can put the puck in the net and have a balanced attack. If we wanted to go a little heavy with the top 6 we can do that as well. What we've done here in the past, we've found it to be successful, is to go with 4 lines that can all play and contribute in different ways. For the most part they get an equal amount of ice time, especially 5 on 5. As you go deep in the playoffs, you see it in the NHL, you need that balance, you need the depth and guys get opportunities throughout the year if there's an injury guys can step in and take on a different role."

Looking at the blue line, there are a few holes to fill, but Dyck knows there are guys ready to fill the void. "No question we lost key pieces. When you lose a Landon Cross, Stephen Hak, David Robertson and Cody Longie, there's a lot of experience we lost. With that being said we have some great pieces coming in and younger guys that are ready for an expanded role. James Shearer had an incredible rookie season. Ryan Carlson is poised to take the next step and become an impact defenceman in our league and Connor Martin was real solid at the end of the year. We also added some young players, Tyler Anderson the captain of the AAA Wild last year, he was the top defencemen in the AAA loop and there are guys like Matt Stanley and Darby Gula, younger players that will compete for spots."

For the first time in a number of years, there no heir apparent to the crease and after last year's spectacular season by Nick Deery, Dyck knows whomever steps into the blue paint will have big shoes to fill. "Losing Nick is a big hole of course; he was the best goaltender in our league last year and one of the best in country. But that being said, we have guys that are going to compete for the spot this year. Bailey Funk, a local guy who played with Eastman and then some younger guys coming through rookie camp who will be hungry to show their stuff."

Rookie camp is the unofficial start to the new season and Dyck knows it's going to be a good time. "It's always fun, I mean there's less pressure in these situations because most of these kids won't be coming to main camp but it's great to see them, they're wide eyed, eager to show well and it's a lot of fun. In most cases they're a bit nervous and part of our role is to calm them down. We were very happy with our draft class this year, I'm sure we say that every year, but this year we really feel that this group of kids will make an impact down the road."

 It's going to be a terrific year in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and Dyck knows it will be a fight from start to finish. "There's a lot of parody in the league. Even last year, with Portage such a strong group there were a lot of close games and not just with us. I see a lot of teams improving and on paper there some groups that have gotten a lot stronger. A good start is key, confidence is always huge, we get off to a good start and the guys start believing we can contend and improve as the year goes on. We want to play our best hockey in March and April and hopefully beyond."