The 2025/26 preseason is set to start tonight as the Steinbach Pistons travel to Winkler to take on the Flyers, and Head Coach Paul Dyck is very much looking forward to it.
Camp thoughts
"It was a good camp," Dyck says with a grin. "We had a lot of new faces, so we had to be very attentive as a staff, really paying attention to what we have here. Some of the guys we had seen the previous week, so we had a handle on it, but it was a competitive environment. That was a takeaway, the practices were intense, the scrimmages were, and guys came here with an intention of winning a spot on the team."
Hockey routines
It's not just on the ice that Dyck says he noticed good habits forming, as everyone gets comfortable with the Southeast Event Centre. "One, the proximity to their billet homes makes it very friendly for them. They don't have to worry about the train coming through La Broquerie. You can already feel like we're settling into a routine, having the gym very close by, they can go get a lift in right after practice. The convenience of the building is big. Guys are pretty excited to walk into the space, too."
Veterans leading the way
Dyck says that he leans on the veteran guys, especially early on in camp and the preseason to set the tone for the young guys. "Very much so. Some of our returning players have really jumped in and embraced that leadership role. Starting with our captain, Sam Noad, we identified him early that he'd wear the 'C' for us, and he's done a great job during camp. That's setting the tone, being punctual, how guys play, and practice, it's setting things for the younger guys. It's simple for the returning guys to lead the way with work ethic, as well. I think we determined a level of expectation for how we want to play as a group, so it's important the veterans set the example."
Real opponent
The preseason gives the Pistons players an opportunity to battle for spots, and Dyck says there is a balance when it comes to giving new guys a chance to win a spot, while also getting veterans ready. "It's challenging. Sometimes you'd like to get some guys into a few more games, and we only have the four, so it's valuable spots. I think some of our veterans I've talk do, guys like Noad and (Jack) Greenwell might only play in one of the games. These games are a week apart, too. It's challenging, but we just start with the first game, who do we want to see, because some of those guys it may be their only game here tonight, unless they really change our minds. Younger players will get the experience of playing here in Winkler, which is good. The lineup will get tweaked as we are return home for Sunday."
Up to each individual
When it comes to guys that are battling for spots, Dyck says there's an opportunity to standout, but it's up to each individual to do it. "It varies from player to player," the coach explains. "We want to see guys continue to make progress, and take steps forward. Those are guys that get your attention, make us think 'wow, he was a little better today than he was yesterday,'. Whatever style of play that may be. If you have a big, physical winger, I think that hopefully they understand what they bring to the table, and that's what we want to see from there. Guys who are offensive, we'd like to see them be apart of offense, generate opportunities. We know Winkler grinds, we know it'll be a heavy, hard game, and we want to see which guys embrace that."
Preseason coaching
The preseason is an opportunity for Dyck to do a little coaching, but he also wants to see players natural tendencies, so he believes it'll be a balance, especially this weekend. "Once again, we probably don't want to over coach. We'll give them the basics, so we're on the same page in breakouts, and such. We worked a little on defensive zone yesterday, our play without the puck, but for the most part, we're just watching them make reads, how hard are they competing, what's their body language, how are they communicating on the bench, and how are they as teammates. You learn a lot just by paying attention both on and off the ice."
Butterflies
Dyck has been around for a while, but he says there's still that same excited energy as he gets ready to get back on the bench tonight. "It's always great. We had some stuff, it's fun to be on the bench for that stuff, but it's so nice to be competing against guys who are not your friend. Maybe they are, but they might quickly not be. It's a different level when the bullets are live."
Game time
Steinbach at Winkler is set for 7:30 p.m. in Winkler. Sunday's game between the two teams is Sunday, 7:00 p.m.