Dalyn Telford has been named coach of the year for the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s (PJHL) North Carruthers Division.
The 45-year-old led the McLean and Dickey Orillia Terriers to a 21-8-0 record behind the bench this season, placing them second in the division. While Telford says it’s nice to be recognized, he considers the award to be a team award.
“That award doesn’t come to me without a really good coaching staff and a really good group of kids,” he said. “To achieve success, the players really have to buy into what we are selling to them.”
The Orillia native was caught off guard when he was presented with the award on Tuesday night at Rotary Place in front of the hometown crowd before Game 5 of the Terriers' best-of-seven, second-round PJHL playoff series with the Schomberg Cougars.
“We are in the middle of a playoff run,” Telford said. “That occupies your mind and your thoughts when you are in the heat of a run. But it was nice to find out, for sure.”
Once the playoffs are over, Telford says he will take time to reflect on the successful Terriers season and fully appreciate winning the award.
Telford has been coaching for 25 years; he started being behind the bench with Orillia Minor Hockey at all age levels from atom, midget, from A to AAA, and now Jr. C.
“It’s been a long grind,” he said. “I usually get a pre-game text from my mom before every game and a post-game call with my old man after every game. There are a lot of people who keep you even-keeled and sort of grounded," he told OrilliaMatters.
Telford is in his fourth year with the Jr. C Terriers. When he took over as bench boss in November 2018, the Jr. C club was struggling. Five seasons ago, he noted, there were 40 people in the stands and the team could only dream of having playoff success.
“Since then, every season we’ve had is above .500,” Telford said. “Now, we are trying to take it to the next step by advancing to the third round.”
Telford credits Terriers president Andrew McDonald, fan support, and his coaching staff for turning the program into a marquee organization for the PJHL. The league hosted its 16- and 17-year-old showcase game in the Sunshine City this season and Telford was named head coach for the home team.
“I don’t think a lot of people even knew that we had a junior team five years ago,” he said. “You see the result of all the hard work when we have a playoff home game in the second round and there are 400 people there, and the kids are lined up outside our dressing room to get autographs from our players.”
The big goal for Telford is to bring a Schmalz Cup to his hometown.
“I’ve always said if I was able to win in Orillia, then that would be it for me,” he said. “I don’t think I’ll be in Orillia forever and I don’t think it would be healthy for the team to have me forever.”
Telford could move one step closer to his aspirations tonight. The Terriers lead their series against Schomberg 3-2 and are in Schomberg to take on the Cougars at 7:30 p.m.
If the Terriers fail to cash in on the elimination opportunity, they will return to Rotary Place on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. for Game 7.
