Dean Maynard, middle, was announced as the Osoyoos Coyotes new head coach and general manager April 4 at a press conference at Coyote Sports Simulation.
(Dale Boyd/Osoyoos Times)
By Dale Boyd
Osoyoos Times
The Osoyoos Coyotes are hoping to bring some solidity to the coaching staff for the upcoming season with the announcement of Dean Maynard taking over as head coach and general manager.
Maynard was appointed interim head coach and general manager in January after the team parted ways with Mark Chase late in the season, the third coaching shuffle in three years.
• Read more: Coyotes announce departure of head coach and GM
On April 4 the team made Maynard’s position official with a press conference at Coyote Sports Simulation. Last season was Maynard’s first with the Coyotes, starting out the year as assistant coach.
For the former RCMP member, minor hockey coach and KIJHL player, respect is a key attribute for players on his team.
“One of the biggest things I’m looking at is a positive attitude. Not just only in the community, but on ice, off ice, in the dressing room, locally, even talking to anybody or in the billet home,” Maynard said. “That’s what I’m looking for, kids with proper, ethical attitudes and having all that packaged together with effort, attitude and proper focus when they come to the game.”
There has been a lot of change-up on the coaching staff, Coyote owner and president Randy Bedard admitted. This year marks both the 10th anniversary of the team and a new beginning.
“Obviously the previous years we had a few hiccups, little bit of turmoil. It was a difficult year. We had to make some changes and we’re excited about moving forward to next year,” Bedard said.
From April 26 to 28 the Coyotes are hosting a prospect camp which will have former NHLer Mitch Fritz (New York Islanders) on hand helping the team with player selection and development. It is the first prospect camp for the team since 2016.
An all-star game will be held on the last day of the camp (April 28) and everyone is welcome to attend.
The three-day camp will put prospects to the test, Maynard said.
“The kids will have maybe about three and a half, four hours of a break in the three-day program. That will show me how are they ready for the upcoming season,” Maynard said. “What did they do to prepare for the upcoming season? that’s one of the biggest things I look at.”
The season started early for the Maynard and the Coyotes, working on recruitment with contacts across the country and even across the pond in Europe. When it comes to player retention, Maynard’s philosophy is simple.
“I told all the players prior to when they left the end of the 2019 season, I told them no spot is safe. That’s what I’d been told when I played junior hockey, your spot is never safe, so always work hard, be ready and come with a positive attitude,” Maynard said.
Out of 24 players, 23 said they wanted to return to the team at the end of last season.
• Read more: Coyotes’ season ends, but not without a fight
Bedard said there will be tough player competition to secure spots on the roster.
“We don’t want to reflect too much on last season, but we were missing some leadership, we were missing a little bit of talent, perhaps we didn’t have the maturity that we wanted so we’ve pinpointed some areas we want to improve, just be a better club” Bedard said.
The Coyotes coaching staff for the upcoming season includes Brandon Watson, forward assistant coach, player development, special team and on ice instructor; David Gordon, defence assistant coach, player development, special teams and on ice instructor; Tyler Liebel, skills instructor/player development, team video and special teams; Mitch Fritz, player selection/development; Brian Dragseth, on-ice instructor. Medical staff are Dr. Johnny Cheong bench staff, pre-game and game trainer, safety personnel, off-ice instructor and injury protocol and Dr. Brittany Morris, pre-game trainer and injury protocol.
Glen Martin will return for his 10th year with the Osoyoos Coyotes as equipment personnel, taking charge of the management of team and training equipment.
