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Dean Allison behind the West Island Royals’ bench at Beaconsfield Recreation Centre Arena on Sunday. (DAVE SIDAWAY)
With the Coach: Dean Allison
Head coach enjoys watching his team learn and develop
John Meagher
The Gazette
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Dean Allison behind the West Island Royals’ bench at Beaconsfield Recreation Centre Arena on Sunday. (DAVE SIDAWAY)
With the Coach is a weekly series featuring a conversation with a local coach.
Coach: Dean Allison, 51-year-old Pointe Claire resident and product delivery manager for Aveos, a maintenance repair organization
Team: Head coach of West Island Royals bantam A girls hockey team
Years coached: 8
Playing experience: Junior B hockey with Dorval and Lachine
Best coaching tip: Respect the game and its rules.
Dean Allison is smiling a lot this season as head coach of the West Island bantam A-F Royals, a powerhouse team that includes his 13-year-old daughter Jordan.
But Allison puts the emphasis on respect rather than wins.
Where did you play hockey growing up?
Allison: I was a Dorval minor hockey product. Then I played in the old Metropolitan Junior B League. I played a year with the Dorval Jets in 1975, and then two years in Lachine, with the dreaded Rapids. After Dorval folded, three of us went over to Lachine, including Bruce Montgomery, who was one of the best players I ever played with.
What was it like playing for the Rapids, the bad boys of junior B back then?
Allison: Well, it was more fun playing with them than against them. (Laughs.) It was no fun going into Lachine on a Friday night. It was pretty goonish at that time, but there were also some very good hockey players in that league.
How did you become a head coach?
Allison: Well, last year in peewee, nobody put up their hand to be head coach, so you kind of say, ‘OK, let me try out and see what it’s like.’ I’m pretty lucky, too, because I have had some really good assistants. This year I have Peter Bauer and Erroll Moore helping me.
Do you enjoy being a head coach?
Allison: I really enjoy it. I enjoy watching how the girls learn and develop over the course of the year. At the bantam level, it shows that a lot of these girls have had good coaching the past few years. I’m just building on what they’ve learned, so hats off to whoever had them before.
How often does your team practice?
Allison: We’re on the ice at least once a week, but we also try to purchase extra ice if we can.
What is your team budget?
Allison: It’s not too bad. We collected a total of $275 per player, but we had a fundraiser, so only $175 ended up coming out of the pocket of the parents.
That’s peanuts.
Allison: I know. But I’ve been on teams in the past where budgets can get out of hand. I’m also a firm believer that the parents have to see the budget, so my manager Peter sends out the budget once a month to show everybody where we stand and what’s been spent. If you need receipts or want to look at it closer, you’re more than welcome. It’s open.
How many tournaments has your team entered?
Allison: Three. We went to the one in Gloucester. Then we did the West Island one. And we start the Coupe de Montréal next week.
How many games has your team lost this season?
Allison: Only one, but that doesn’t show the whole story. All the teams are improving, even the teams at the bottom. I’ve been coaching single-letter hockey long enough to know that once the regular seasons ends, though, anything can happen.
Did you set any team goals?
Allison: For wins and losses, no. My biggest thing is to make sure they respect the rules. Sportsmanship is a big thing for me. I don’t accept mouthing off at the refs. It’s just a game.
How many franc-jeu points has your team lost?
Allison: None. Not even close.