Every fan wants to know what the coach thinks about when his team is down by a goal or two. Everyone wants to know how a coach gets his players motivated game after game. So many questions could be asked if only there were a way to get your favourite MJAHL coach to listen! 

Wait no more: here is your chance to "Just Ask". Here to answer your questions about coaching, the Crushers or hockey in general is Weeks Crushers Head Coach Troy Dumville.

Prior to Coaching Junior A, Dumville worked as a QMJHL Scout for 5 years. A fixture in the MJAHL for 6 + seasons now, Coach Dumville has seen his  share of success and has endured good times and bad as he began his career behind the bench of the Moncton Beavers. As a Head Coach, some of  Dumville's highlights include a first round upset of first place Miramichi (Moncton finished in 11th that season), coaching in the MJAHL Prospects  Game last season and leading the Dieppe Commandos to a Fred Page Cup final against Summerside last spring. Dumville also brought the Executive  of the Year Award to Moncton in 2007 for all of his hard work behind the bench and in the greater Moncton community.  

 In the summer of 2009, it was announced out of New Glasgow that Dumville would take over as Head Coach and General Manager of the Crushers.  Since arriving, Coach Dumville has not disappointed, turning in a very respectable 17-11-0-1 record in 35 games (second place behind Truro as of January  4th). Dumville's focus for 2010? To win a Championship for the Crushers of course. But for today, he's here to answer your questions so start asking now! 

Click here now to submit your questions. Your request will be sent to Jason and both your questions and his answers will then be posted below.

*Please note: Your question will be reviewed and determined suitable before submission to each Coach. If your question is suitable, it will be submitted to the Coach for a response. Each question and answer will be posted as they are received and then answered. After a specified period of time (still to be determined), questions will be closed for a time prior to the next session of Just Ask.

Question #1
Submitted by: Tim

Hi Troy,

I am wondering what are the differences in being a coach and GM in Pictou County from Moncton/Dieppe? Has it been a big change for you when it comes to the size of the market, getting media coverage of your team, being a community team, etc? Do you like one more than the other? Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions.

Tim

Coach Dumville:

Hi Timmy

Thank you for your question.  I have been asked this a lot since I made the move to Pictou County this season.  While I enjoyed my time in Moncton/Dieppe, it was a struggle to gain fan support there.  Moncton has a strong major junior franchise as well as a solid university hockey program at UdeM.  Being in a crowded hockey market was challenging, specially for me as I was part of the ownership group there.  Being the highest level of hockey in Pictou County, the Crushers are key role models in the community.  Its definitely fun to be somewhere where junior hockey is the talk of the town.  Consistently playing in front of thousands of fans is a nice change and Crushers fans are definitely some of the most passionate fans I have had the pleasure to be around.  The media coverage has been fantastic for the Crushers and the demands for appearances in the community have been outstanding.  The MJAHL is very fortunate to have great markets and rinks for teams to play in.

Enjoy the second half of the season and playoffs.

Troy

Question #2
Submitted by: Roy

Dear Coach:

I am a major fan of Jr. A Hockey. When building a team, do you select skill, talent or a dozen players with heart and grit? Also, what do you do with a top player who gets a big ego and becomes cocky and selfish? There is no "I" in team. Next, how does a player who was on the 1st line last season end up on the 3rd line this season? Especially if they were a key player on the powerplay. Lastly, what power does an organization have over a coach and his job duties?

Coach Dumville:

Thanks very much for your questions.

Your first question is the million dollar question that all GM's ask themselves. Finding a perfect balance of skill and grit is not an exact science. Even Steve Yzerman who is selecting the Olympic team struggled with his selections as there is a lot of grey area when it comes to putting together the perfect team. As GM of the Crushers, I try to put my ghost roster on paper of what I would like my team to look like and try to fill all the spots with players on the team. After that I try to acquire the missing pieces. This is easier said then done but I think the key component to this is making sure that the players you do put on your team are willing to accept the role necessary to win a championship. This gets into your second question regarding a player who gets a big ego or is put on the 3rd line. Here in Pictou County, we ask players if they are willing to accept a lesser role on a potential championship team or be moved somewhere they can play a role they desire more. One player may have been a first line player last season on a rebuilding team but may be asked to be a third line checker on a team who wants to win it all. Its important that each player accepts the role given and that they understand that each role is vital to winning.

Your final question regarding the power of an organization over the coach and his duties is different from team to team. Here in Pictou, I report to a board of directors who hired me to do the Hockey Operations for the team. They are a great group who allow me to do my job as I see fit, but ultimately they have the final decision if I am not performing well at the job. Most organizations are run with ownership groups that guide the coaches and GMs of their duties.

Thanks for your support of the MJAHL. Hope to see you around the rink.

Troy

Question #3
Submitted by: John Grady

How do you re-prepare your next Woodstock Slammer game now that they have one of the best enforcers from the Q?  

Coach Dumville: