Dyck accepts first professional coaching position with Marlies

By Lethbridge Herald on July 13, 2023.

SUBMITTED photo Michael Dyck is pictured with fellow Lethbridge product Ridly Greig and his father Mark after winning the 2022 World Junior Championship last summer. Dyck is moving up to the American Hockey League after accepting a job with the Toronto Marlies this week.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Long-time Western Hockey League coach and Lethbridge native Michael Dyck has accepted is first professional coaching job this week.

Beginning this upcoming season, Dyck will be an assistant coach on the bench of the  American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies, who are the top affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“Well, obviously, it’s a really good opportunity,” said Dyck.

“I feel pretty fortunate to not only, you know, get this opportunity and work with the Leafs organization and the Marlies, but a great opportunity for me to grow as a coach and learn from a guy like John Gruden (new Marlies head coach), and obviously our staff and have access to some unbelievable resources as well.”

The position came about with Dyck’s connection to current Maple Leafs’ G.M. Brad Treliving.

“Obviously when Brad Treliving was hired by the Leafs,  and you know I talked to Brad ,and I knew Brad from when he was in Calgary,” said Dyck.

“There was an opportunity to apply for the head coaching position and you know so … through those connections, I was able to get this opportunity.”

Dyck will be looking after the defensive side of the bench.

“Well I think, you know, so much of the American Hockey League revolves around development and getting guys ready to play at the next level, and when they get their opportunity, that they’re ready,” said Dyck.

“So not much has changed in that sense from junior hockey to pro. But obviously you know taking what I’ve learned in this league (WHL), (in) particular relating to development, I think is just  going to the next step where you’re not dealing so much with teenagers anymore, but you’re dealing with pros.”

Dyck thinks coaches and players are no different, in terms of making the jump to the next level.

“So this is a great opportunity for me,” he said.

“I take a lot of enthusiasm and passion. You know, I had an  opportunity when I was the assistant coach of the world championships a couple of years ago, you know, with Team Canada. We were dealing with pros and so I had that opportunity for three to four weeks with pros and to work with pros and really enjoyed that time and certainly I think that will help me with my transition heading into Toronto.”

Dyck departs for Toronto after spending the last five seasons with the Vancouver Giants where he compiled a regular season record of 144-120-17-7 and a postseason record of a playoff record of 21-17 in his second tenure with the team.

“You know my transition from being a coach first of all like in Lethbridge with the midgets and the bantams, and then moving into Vancouver with the Giants, the biggest thing is the people,” said Dyck.

“You’re coaching different levels and you know at the same time it’s all about the people. So for me that’s what I’ll remember the most. The Giants (are) a first class organization, because they have first class people, and I was surrounded by lots of really good people, which made me better as a coach.”

Dyck rejoined the Giants in 2018 after spending a decade of coaching the WHL with his hometown Lethbridge Hurricanes, Medicine Hat Tigers and Kootenay Ice.

Dyck has represented Canada at multiple tournaments on the International Stage and most recently won the gold medal at the World Junior Championship in 2022.

He played in the WHL from 1985-1988 with the Regina Pats, Brandon Wheat Kings and Calgary Wranglers.