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It was a tough start to the day as word started getting out that there was a big change in the works around the Spruce Kings. Before noon the speculation became reality with the news that Ed Dempsey was no longer the head coach and general manager of the team having been relieved of his duties. After the initial shock the next question was who would take over behind the bench, the answer - Dave Dupas.
With playing experience in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League, NCAA Division I and semi-pro, Dupas also brings coaching experience from Major Midget, Junior 'B' and Junior 'A' levels. His most recent Junior 'A' experience was behind the bench of the Williams Lake Timberwolves during the beginning of the 2009-10 season.
I was in the Spruce Kings office when the new coach arrived and it didn't take long for him to start getting acclimated with his new team. First up was the introductions with Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel - Mike Hawes and the assistant coaches - Jason Garneau and Tom Bohmer.
After a short meeting with those three, Dupas met with all the players individually and then as a group to evaluate where everybody was and to start laying out the plan moving forward. It was shortly after these meetings that I had my chance to talk to the new coach and ask him a few questions. What follows is my first interview with the new head coach of the Prince George Spruce Kings.
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After speaking with Dave Dupas I was also able to talk to the president of the Prince George Spruce Kings, Darcy Buryn. As you can imagine, it wasn't easy to be the man standing behind this decision and after a long day of answering questions I hit him with a few tough ones as well.
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I haven't had time to properly reflect back on my experiences with Ed Dempsey in the almost seven years that he spent with the Spruce Kings. I hope to be able to do just that as he has been a big influence on me and spent a great deal of time teaching me some of the intricacies of the game of hockey. Without that input over the years, I'm absolutely certain I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing now with the team.
Showing posts with label Darcy Buryn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Darcy Buryn. Show all posts
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Saturday, June 27, 2009
President's Report - 2008/09
by Darcy Buryn, President, Prince George Spruce Kings Junior A Hockey Club.
On ice, our team finished fifth in the regular season in a very competitive Interior Conference and then went on to an exciting five game first round series loss to the Penticton Vees.
Coming out of the 2007/08 season, I set out the following two overriding principles that we as a board use to guide us in the decisions that we make and the issues that we face:
We are making progress in this regard, but look forward to the opportunity to continue.
As evidence of the progress we are making in the development of our program, six players on our roster this season received scholarship commitments to NCAA schools to date. I had the opportunity to watch two NCAA games in Denver this past season and the players graduating from our program to that level are in for a exciting phase of their hockey careers.
Also former Spruce Kings goaltender, Brad Thiessen signed a professional contract this season at the conclusion of his third NCAA season and then had the opportunity to travel with the Pittsburgh Penguins on their road to the Stanley Cup, culminating in joining the team for their on-ice celebration and being handed the Cup by Sidney Crosby.
Wes McLeod committed to the University of Alaska-Anchorage, attracted the attention of the NHL's central scouting bureau and we are hoping to hear his name called in this weekend's NHL Entry Draft in Montreal.
We have recently committed to Ed Dempsey and Mike Hawes for the next two seasons to continue their efforts to push our hockey program forward.
We held our second consecutive evaluation camp in April, with players attending from throughout the Province of BC as well as Alberta and Ontario. There were also a number of players that came from California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington, Alaska and Arizona. Several players from that camp have received invitations to the 2009 main camp in August. Four players from the Spring camp have also accepted cards to join our roster for the 2009/10 season.
The 2009 Show Home lottery brought us the second consecutive sell-out of available tickets. Despite the revenue generated from the sell-out, we continue to be challenged by the rising construction and land development costs. Also, the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation has informed us that they are going to run a house lottery of their own. They tried to get it together for the Spring of 2009, but were not successful and will try again in Spring 2010.
The dates of the 2010 Spruce Kings Show Home Lottery period will commence again in October with the draw to be held again on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2010. We have also decided to increase the tickets to be sold in the coming Lottery to 7,499.
I would like to commend the efforts of Jim Young and his sales staff, including my dad Wally, who is celebrating his 70th birthday tonight, in leading us to a sell-out of tickets.
As the governor of the team, I have attended several league meetings and conference calls. I have given up my role as the Chair of the Education Committee for the League to focus on the League financial and budgeting process, working closely with David Sales, executive director of the BCHL.
Darcy Buryn.
On ice, our team finished fifth in the regular season in a very competitive Interior Conference and then went on to an exciting five game first round series loss to the Penticton Vees.
Coming out of the 2007/08 season, I set out the following two overriding principles that we as a board use to guide us in the decisions that we make and the issues that we face:
Make the Prince George Spruce Kings a team of choice for players who want to play in the British Columbia Hockey League.
Develop an organizational culture whereby those players expect of themselves, and feel a responsibility on behalf of the entire organization, to play every shift of every game until there are no games left on the schedule.
We are making progress in this regard, but look forward to the opportunity to continue.
As evidence of the progress we are making in the development of our program, six players on our roster this season received scholarship commitments to NCAA schools to date. I had the opportunity to watch two NCAA games in Denver this past season and the players graduating from our program to that level are in for a exciting phase of their hockey careers.
Also former Spruce Kings goaltender, Brad Thiessen signed a professional contract this season at the conclusion of his third NCAA season and then had the opportunity to travel with the Pittsburgh Penguins on their road to the Stanley Cup, culminating in joining the team for their on-ice celebration and being handed the Cup by Sidney Crosby.
Wes McLeod committed to the University of Alaska-Anchorage, attracted the attention of the NHL's central scouting bureau and we are hoping to hear his name called in this weekend's NHL Entry Draft in Montreal.
We have recently committed to Ed Dempsey and Mike Hawes for the next two seasons to continue their efforts to push our hockey program forward.
We held our second consecutive evaluation camp in April, with players attending from throughout the Province of BC as well as Alberta and Ontario. There were also a number of players that came from California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington, Alaska and Arizona. Several players from that camp have received invitations to the 2009 main camp in August. Four players from the Spring camp have also accepted cards to join our roster for the 2009/10 season.
The 2009 Show Home lottery brought us the second consecutive sell-out of available tickets. Despite the revenue generated from the sell-out, we continue to be challenged by the rising construction and land development costs. Also, the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation has informed us that they are going to run a house lottery of their own. They tried to get it together for the Spring of 2009, but were not successful and will try again in Spring 2010.
The dates of the 2010 Spruce Kings Show Home Lottery period will commence again in October with the draw to be held again on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2010. We have also decided to increase the tickets to be sold in the coming Lottery to 7,499.
I would like to commend the efforts of Jim Young and his sales staff, including my dad Wally, who is celebrating his 70th birthday tonight, in leading us to a sell-out of tickets.
As the governor of the team, I have attended several league meetings and conference calls. I have given up my role as the Chair of the Education Committee for the League to focus on the League financial and budgeting process, working closely with David Sales, executive director of the BCHL.
Darcy Buryn.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Busy Week for Hockey Operations
It turned into a busy week for the Spruce Kings this week with an AGM, contract signings, the acquisition of three players and the release of the 2009-10 schedule. The AGM on Wednesday night was a chance for the community owned team to put a wrap on the 2008-09 season and start looking ahead to 2009-10 with the usual reports from the president, treasurer and a few other committees. I was unable to attend in person, but heard afterwards that it was a fairly constructive and positive AGM with yours truly getting recognized for putting out all those game day reports and other email newsletters.
Thank you is all I can say as it is important in this day of instant access to information to make sure the information is actually out there for everyone to access. Perhaps now is a good time for a shameless plug, if you are interested in receiving these newsletters just drop me an email with your name and email address so that I can add you to my distribution list.
The team also announced the signing of two year contracts for both Ed Dempsey and Mike Hawes. Over the past few seasons I have had the opportunity to see both of these guys work and can honestly tell you that they are driven by a desire to be competitive and a deep passion for the Spruce Kings as a whole. One thing that sometimes gets lost in the win loss column is the human side of it all.
The players that put on the crown and go out there to compete are equally passionate of winning as a team, but also of achieving their own personal goals of furthering their hockey careers. Ed and Mike have enlisted the help of some highly respected hockey minds as their scouts all over the western half of North American for the benefit of the team and the players. The list of scouts for Prince George isn't limited to just those listed on the Spruce Kings website either, they include scouts from NCAA, CIS and NHL teams all over North America.
In all the games I have attended on the road as a broadcaster, I have come to learn that when I need Ed for an interview I can find him in one corner of the rink or another talking about this player or that one to more scouts than I will ever be able to keep track of. They all know Ed and Ed knows each and every one of them and the teams that they scout for. He learns what they are looking for and is able to give them information on the Spruce Kings that would fill that order.
Allan Bristowe of CKPG television had an opportunity to speak with both Darcy Bury and Ed Dempsey about the contract signings and filed this story on the CKPG News that aired on Thursday June 25, 2009.
At the end of that story was the mention of the Spruce Kings acquiring three twenty year olds with Evan Smith and Matt Betker coming by way of the Nanaimo Clippers and Neil Chambers from the Powell River Kings. I haven't had a chance to speak directly with any of the players but am looking forward to doing so in the coming days.
The 2009-10 schedule was also released this week and I'm sure everybody will have their thoughts on the makeup of the regular season. A breakdown of the games can be found on the Spruce Kings main website with the article titled 2009-10 Schedule Highlights. I'm sure others will have their thoughts on the schedule and I encourage you to leave them with me here ... just click on the comments link on the next line.
Thank you is all I can say as it is important in this day of instant access to information to make sure the information is actually out there for everyone to access. Perhaps now is a good time for a shameless plug, if you are interested in receiving these newsletters just drop me an email with your name and email address so that I can add you to my distribution list.
The team also announced the signing of two year contracts for both Ed Dempsey and Mike Hawes. Over the past few seasons I have had the opportunity to see both of these guys work and can honestly tell you that they are driven by a desire to be competitive and a deep passion for the Spruce Kings as a whole. One thing that sometimes gets lost in the win loss column is the human side of it all.
The players that put on the crown and go out there to compete are equally passionate of winning as a team, but also of achieving their own personal goals of furthering their hockey careers. Ed and Mike have enlisted the help of some highly respected hockey minds as their scouts all over the western half of North American for the benefit of the team and the players. The list of scouts for Prince George isn't limited to just those listed on the Spruce Kings website either, they include scouts from NCAA, CIS and NHL teams all over North America.
In all the games I have attended on the road as a broadcaster, I have come to learn that when I need Ed for an interview I can find him in one corner of the rink or another talking about this player or that one to more scouts than I will ever be able to keep track of. They all know Ed and Ed knows each and every one of them and the teams that they scout for. He learns what they are looking for and is able to give them information on the Spruce Kings that would fill that order.
Allan Bristowe of CKPG television had an opportunity to speak with both Darcy Bury and Ed Dempsey about the contract signings and filed this story on the CKPG News that aired on Thursday June 25, 2009.
At the end of that story was the mention of the Spruce Kings acquiring three twenty year olds with Evan Smith and Matt Betker coming by way of the Nanaimo Clippers and Neil Chambers from the Powell River Kings. I haven't had a chance to speak directly with any of the players but am looking forward to doing so in the coming days.
The 2009-10 schedule was also released this week and I'm sure everybody will have their thoughts on the makeup of the regular season. A breakdown of the games can be found on the Spruce Kings main website with the article titled 2009-10 Schedule Highlights. I'm sure others will have their thoughts on the schedule and I encourage you to leave them with me here ... just click on the comments link on the next line.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Scheduling Highlights for 2009-10
It's no surprise that the specific details are still not available when it comes to the 2009-10 BCHL season; there are seventeen teams that each need to average ten games a month over six months. But after this weekend's BCHL AGM and specifically the scheduling meeting between the teams on Saturday, it is safe to say that the season is a lot closer to being finalized.
For a third and final day at the BCHL AGM, Darcy Buryn shared some thoughts about what goes on when representatives from seventeen teams get into a room with one another. Perhaps a little surprising was how quickly over one thousand games were scheduled. When I caught up with Darcy around 7:00pm, the meetings had already been wrapped up over four hours earlier, so I had to ask if it had wrapped up successfully?
download audio file
Without the specifics, there is no point in trying to figure out when different games will or wont be scheduled. So despite being only slightly ahead of where we were twenty four hours ago, it is safe to say that the 2009-10 season is a reality and now comes the task of making sure everything else is in place for the drop of the puck in a little over three months from now - less if you count the start of Main Camp on August 28th. Do you have your season tickets?
For a third and final day at the BCHL AGM, Darcy Buryn shared some thoughts about what goes on when representatives from seventeen teams get into a room with one another. Perhaps a little surprising was how quickly over one thousand games were scheduled. When I caught up with Darcy around 7:00pm, the meetings had already been wrapped up over four hours earlier, so I had to ask if it had wrapped up successfully?
download audio file
Without the specifics, there is no point in trying to figure out when different games will or wont be scheduled. So despite being only slightly ahead of where we were twenty four hours ago, it is safe to say that the 2009-10 season is a reality and now comes the task of making sure everything else is in place for the drop of the puck in a little over three months from now - less if you count the start of Main Camp on August 28th. Do you have your season tickets?
Friday, June 5, 2009
Thoughts from the BCHL AGM (part 2)
Following a second full day of meetings at the BCHL AGM in Surrey, it appears that all is well on the Junior A hockey front in British Columbia and that the 2009-10 season is starting to take shape. It also looks like at least one rule change is imminent as it starts to filter down from the NHL through the semi-pro and into the amateur leagues. This particular rule change would see a team on the power play given the added advantage of starting the odd man situation in the offensive zone.
Those weren't the only rules that were discussed on Friday night as the league handed out the rules of the game in advance of Saturday's scheduling session. Darcy Buryn, the Spruce Kings president, is one of three representatives for the team at the BCHL AGM and shared with me some of his thoughts following Friday's sessions. The first question for Darcy was to find out if everybody behaved themselves and whether or not the full agenda was dealt with.
download audio file
Depending on how long the scheduling portion of the AGM goes, a first realization of the 2009-10 schedule could be available here first on Saturday night. Already it is known that the schedule will feature a full interlock and I for one think that is a good thing. Despite last season's experiment with the half interlock that received mixed reviews, I think it is the fans that will benefit from being able to see every other team at least once in the regular season.
Although the full interlock schedule will mean a few more games spread around, the regional weighted approach will still ensure a few extra games against teams in close proximity to one another. For the Spruce Kings, the addition of the Williams Lake Timberwolves will inevitable bring down the higher total of games played against the Quesnel Millionaires and Merritt Centennials. With only complete speculation guiding me, my guess would be no more than eight games against the Millionaires and Timberwolves, six games against the Merritt Centennials and Vernon Vipers. That would leave four games against the remaining four teams in the Interior Division with an expectation of playing double headers against the Trail Smoke Eaters.
Those weren't the only rules that were discussed on Friday night as the league handed out the rules of the game in advance of Saturday's scheduling session. Darcy Buryn, the Spruce Kings president, is one of three representatives for the team at the BCHL AGM and shared with me some of his thoughts following Friday's sessions. The first question for Darcy was to find out if everybody behaved themselves and whether or not the full agenda was dealt with.
download audio file
Depending on how long the scheduling portion of the AGM goes, a first realization of the 2009-10 schedule could be available here first on Saturday night. Already it is known that the schedule will feature a full interlock and I for one think that is a good thing. Despite last season's experiment with the half interlock that received mixed reviews, I think it is the fans that will benefit from being able to see every other team at least once in the regular season.
Although the full interlock schedule will mean a few more games spread around, the regional weighted approach will still ensure a few extra games against teams in close proximity to one another. For the Spruce Kings, the addition of the Williams Lake Timberwolves will inevitable bring down the higher total of games played against the Quesnel Millionaires and Merritt Centennials. With only complete speculation guiding me, my guess would be no more than eight games against the Millionaires and Timberwolves, six games against the Merritt Centennials and Vernon Vipers. That would leave four games against the remaining four teams in the Interior Division with an expectation of playing double headers against the Trail Smoke Eaters.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Thoughts from the BCHL AGM (part 1)
The BCHL AGM is underway this weekend in Surrey and representing the Prince George Spruce Kings are Ed Dempsey, Mike Hawes and Darcy Buryn. The three will embark in discussions that will help to shape the season and perhaps seasons to come at the league level. But what really goes on at the Annual General Meeting when representatives from seventeen teams and the league itself get behind closed doors. I'm sure you can speculate as much as I can or wish you could be a fly on the wall, but perhaps then you would find out that it is more tedious than entertaining.
During the three days of meetings, I will be catching up with Darcy Buryn, the President of the Prince George Spruce Kings, for thoughts and comments from the league meetings and perhaps insight into some of the changes that can be expected. Following a full day of meetings on Thursday, I had a chance to ask Darcy what transpired.
download audio file
If everything goes according to plan, there will be a part two posted on Friday night and a final wrapup following an intense Saturday where all teams will be creating their sixty game schedules to make up the 2009/10 BCHL season.
During the three days of meetings, I will be catching up with Darcy Buryn, the President of the Prince George Spruce Kings, for thoughts and comments from the league meetings and perhaps insight into some of the changes that can be expected. Following a full day of meetings on Thursday, I had a chance to ask Darcy what transpired.
download audio file
If everything goes according to plan, there will be a part two posted on Friday night and a final wrapup following an intense Saturday where all teams will be creating their sixty game schedules to make up the 2009/10 BCHL season.
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