Bruce Schruder is back with the Dorchester Dolphins as GM naming Mark Steele
as the Junior hockey club's new head coach for the 2018/19 season
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
j Bruce Schruder expresses his excitement on returning to the Dorchester Dolphins as general manager, alongside the junior hockey club's new head coach, Mark Steele. The Dolphins' seventh season begins at home, Friday, September 14. (photo / Rob J. Ross)
By Rob J. Ross
DORCHESTER - Bruce is back returning to be general manager and bringing in a head coach from a nearby rival.
Away from the Dorchester Dolphins for close to two year, Bruce Schruder returns to the GM chair, following the resignation of GM-coach Tim Flynn earlier this month.
Schruder was previously the Dolphin's director of hockey operations, before taking a brief hiatus.
"I'm happy to be back with the Dolphins and excited for the next chapter," said Schruder. His first task was finding a new bench boss for the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) team.
Schruder didn't look far, just south down highway 73, where Mark Steele had parted ways with the Aylmer Spitifires at the conclusion of last season. The two gentleman know each well, in part to Schruder's son Travis, having played for Steele in Aylmer.
"We always have wanted to work together. He knows the league. He knows the players," said GM Schruder. "My son enjoyed playing for him."
Schruder also recalls Steele guiding the Spitfires to the Yeck Divison final in 2016 and pushing the Dolphins to seven games.
"I'm excited for the opportunity. I know Dorchester well and always wanted to beat them," laughed Steele. "I know the league well. I've been involved for 10 years. I know most of the other teams. I try to stay up to date with what is going on with everybody's transactions."
No assistant coaches have been named yet, but Schruder welcomed Jeff Morrison as assistant GM. Team equipment manager Dennis Boyse, with the team since day one, continues his role.
Steele will have several returning players who were major contributors to the Dolphins appearing in their sixth consecutive Yeck final.
Root
Team scoring leader Dylan Buckholz, veteran forward Ryan Root, defenceman James Newland and Colin Olser and goalie Ryan Murray are back, along with forwards Dylan Van Dusen, David Henshaw and Turner Balasin.
The Dolphin's graduating players were forwards Lucas Wilson and Zach Robertson and goalie Riley Brown.
"He's hard to replace. A hard player to find," said Steele on Wilson, but feels Nolan Blewett brings similar qualities to the ice, with an aggressive style that irritates opponents, along with an ability to score goals.
Murray, described as a big, athletic goalie, who stood on his head during playoffs when Brown was injured, has the inside track to be the number one between the pipes this season.
"I never go in with a set plan, until I know who I have because that can change at anytime. I'll see what we have and build our game around," said Steele. "I'll be seeing how things play out. I'll be watching the kids trying to make the team."
Like every season in Dorchester, the Dolphins' roster will feature local players.
"We have a good nucleus of local players," said Schruder. "We'll give local kids every opportunity to make the team."
Main camp opened on August 20, with the first of five scheduled skates.
The Dolphins open the 2018/19 season, hosting the Port Stanley Sailors, Friday, September 14.
Dorchester is 2-0 in exhibition action, following a 6-4 win at Tavistock tonight. Nolan Blewett scored the Dolphin's final four goals. Noah Small had a goal and an assist, while Dylan Buckholz opened the scoring in the first period helping the Dolphins build a 4-0 lead.
The Dolphins visited the Burford Bulldogs August 25, with a roster mainly of players trying to make the team, and left with a 7-3 win.
Root, the lone veteran in the line-up, had a goal and two assist. Eighteen year old Dorchester native Austin Bisschop scored twice and assisted on a goal by 18-year old Jared Marczenko.