The Steinbach Pistons strive to be the best junior hockey program in Canada. We provide the mentorship, opportunities, and challenges needed to develop individuals of character, leadership, and integrity.

Since a community ownership group bought the team back in 2012, the Pistons own the best record in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL). Our organization has seen 15 committed Division I players (11 in the past four years), and one NHL draft pick come through their program (Matthew Thiessen, 2018 7^th round, Vancouver Canucks) over this span.

Our objective is to expand a player’s development on and off the ice while pursuing our team goal of a Canadian National Junior ‘A’ Championship.

“Even though I was only in Steinbach for a short period of time, it was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life. I grew as a person on and off the ice with the help of my wonderful billets, the coaches, and everybody in the Pistons organization.” 

James Shearer, Pistons Alumni (61 games from 2013-15), Brandon Wheat Kings Captain 2018, University of Calgary commit

OFF-THE-ICE DEVELOPMENT

Over the past 6 years, our organization has continually emphasized a renewed focus on education, and it has paid off in spades. At the end of the 2017-18 season, half of our team was involved in post-secondary education through the support of our post-secondary funding program. We support our players up to a maximum of $2,000 per player while with the team.

Your player will work with educational and leadership coordinators, who teach players to create a personalized goal-setting plan. This includes long and short-term personal goals both on and off the ice. The education coordinator works with players to market themselves to colleges both north and south of the border by creating a cover letter and a film or resume highlighting the player’s skills and achievements. College coaches have shared with us that players who create their own interest, as well as having great coach references, are more likely to be pursued than players who do not put an effort into their own recruitment.

“Through talking to different schools, to just being in the room to talking to the guys, it’s just been an awesome experience to have Paul Dyck there. He’s an unbelievable coach; one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. I’m really lucky to have him there through every step. It takes a lot of hard work to get there and the right path to get there, and the Pistons have been a great opportunity for me to prepare for college hockey.”

Matthew Thiessen, Pistons Alumni (2017-18), MJHL 1^st Team All-Star, MJHL All-Rookie Team, University of Maine commit, 2018 7^th round NHL Entry Draft pick by the Vancouver Canucks.

The Pistons also encourage our players to get involved in community through our Volunteer Program. Coordinated by our team Chaplain Mike Kehler and our marketing staff, each player, regardless of whether they are involved in school, post-secondary education, or work, is expected to volunteer one hour a week in an area of interest.

This program is where you will see first-hand of the support the community truly has for our organization, and for the player to discover the overwhelming benefits and the satisfaction of giving back to the community that has taken them in. The 2017-18 season was our most beneficial season of volunteering in the community yet, as our players volunteered around 1700 hours in and around Steinbach and the surrounding areas. This included local schools, minor hockey practices, enVision Community Living Centre, and packing hampers for South East Helping Hands at Christmas amongst many others.

Your player will truly get to experience how much the city of Steinbach and its local businesses come together to support our team through community events such as the annual Celebrity Golf Tournament, the Fire and Ice Banquet, Power Camp, Hockey in the City ball hockey tournament, Summer in the City, and Pioneer Days.

“When it comes to winning (in Steinbach), and when you’re in a winning organization it becomes part of the culture, and it becomes habit which is huge.”

Cole Smith, Pistons Alumni (2014-16), University of North Dakota (2016-20), signed with NHL’s Nashville Predators

ON-ICE DEVELOPMENT

The Pistons are led by Head Coach and General Manager Paul Dyck, who many consider to be one of the best junior hockey coaches in North America. Through playing in Steinbach and the relationships that Paul and the Pistons have built, your players will have every chance to be exposed at every home game to scouts at the NCAA Division I level and U Sports. Your player will also be exposed through subscription service HockeyTV to scouts who watch games online when the Pistons are playing on the road.

The Pistons have gone on a NCAA Division I road trip every year to the University of North Dakota or Bemidji State University. This is so players can see what the next level looks like up close. They receive a tour of the training and equipment facilities and the team dressing room, sit through presentation by former junior A players and former Pistons, college coaches, and college scouts, and take in a game on the trip. The players will watch a team practice, and then practice themselves on the ice.

The Pistons are always looking for new and innovative ways to continue advancing the development of one of their players. Our video coach Graham Pollock is always breaking down game film, and he is available to work with you in a one-on-one session or group setting.

You will also get a chance to play at one of the most unique rinks in all of Manitoba in the TG Smith Centre. The small and friendly confines are packed full with fans each and every game; ready to see the Pistons win. With our recently installed LED jumbo screen, you will get the opportunity to experience a college or pro-like atmosphere while playing junior A hockey!

“My 3 years in Steinbach are the 3 years of my life I have grown the most, both as a player and a person. It’s very contagious in an organization or community to be a good person when you have so many great people around you, so I can’t thank everyone in Steinbach or the Pistons organization enough for that.”

Bradley Schoonbaert, Pistons Alumni (2015-18), tied for franchise lead in Career Goals, 2^nd in career assists and points, University of Calgary commit.

Our organization partners with Snap Fitness to provide you with free gym access all year round. We also create and facilitate a team off-ice training program so that you can be at your best every day. Players will work with Skills Development coach J.P. Vigier from Vigier Hockey throughout the season, and goalie coach Guy St. Vincent from Top Shelf Goaltending is here to work with all of the goaltenders during your time in Steinbach.

We offer a state-of-the-art dressing room facility, complete with a player lounge that you have access to when you are hanging out at the rink. You can sit back and watch some TV, play video games, watch movies or Netflix, or play some ping-pong to pass the time before a crucial game.

Do you want to develop as a player on the ice, and grow as a person off the ice? Want the chance to play high level junior hockey in Manitoba? Come and be a part with one of Canada’s most successful and recognized junior A teams, and Build Your Legacy with the Steinbach Pistons.