Falcons shuffle the deck
Tyler Bielby has landed his dream job.
The 36-year-old Welland native grew up watching the Welland Cougars and Welland Flames Sunday nights in his hometown and quickly developed a passion for the game beyond just playing and watching.
So when general manager Frank Girhiny approached him to be the next coach of the St. Catharines Falcons, Bielby couldn’t accept the offer quickly enough.
“I didn’t know why he wanted to meet with me and as soon as he started going in that direction I didn’t hesitate,” said Bielby, an insurance broker with Youngs Insurance, who works on the management side of the operation. “I said, ‘Let’s do it’ and we started talking about Sutherland Cups right away.”
Bielby is raring to go.
“To take on something like this, it’s out of pure passion,” Bielby said. “The excitement is raw. I don’t care if it’s house league or junior B, what I’m feeling now is raw excitement to get started.”
Bielby was an assistant coach previously under Girhiny for three seasons, including 2012 when the Falcons captured their lone Ontario championship.
“I’m very comfortable with Tyler,” Girhiny said. “I’ve coached with him and understand his mindset. I know who he is as a person and his approach to the game. He’s someone I’ve always respected and we’ve always talked.
“He was No. 1 on my list. He was the first and only person I was looking for to be the next coach of the Falcons.”
Bielby played at the junior C level in Dunnville before turning to coaching in 2003 as an assistant with the Welland Tigers peewee AAA team which featured former Niagara IceDogs captain Anthony DiFruscia.
He then took over the AAA minor bantam team for two years where he coached the likes of Matt Gillard, Matt Schmalz, Ty Learn and Zach Main before hooking up with the Falcons.
“I think my feet never allowed me to accomplish what I wanted to in my playing days but my grasp of the game is what allowed me to play junior, even if it was junior C,” Bielby said. “I always had a knack or thirst to study the game and the X’s and O’s of it.
“Once I started coaching that first year, I fell in love to the point where I enjoyed that process more than playing. That’s how you dedicate the time outside your work world, when it’s a true passion.”
Bielby is well aware he will have to gain the respect of the players.
“I think without that character trait of integrity, it’s difficult to be respected,” he said. “Do things above water, be transparent, communicate. That will lead to respect. If a player doesn’t know where he fits, make sure he knows.
“Communication is going to be my theme, my premise and making sure I am very mindful of what’s going on, not just in their hockey lives, but outside their hockey lives because it’s transferable to the rink.”
Girhiny has no doubt Bielby will command the room.
“He comes with a demeanour about him — I think he’s going to garner instant respect from our group. He’s young and has a good mindset about the game.”
Bielby is also ready for the on-ice demands of junior compared to minor hockey.
“I think the expectations are higher from these kids. They have a thirst and want to learn. You have to be able to meet that and graduate them to the next level. Paying attention to the details will be a little more important, no question.”
Bielby takes over behind the bench for Girhiny, who will remain as GM.
“The timing was right for me to step away from coaching,” Girhiny said. “I came back to coach and with Christian coming back it really made the year enjoyable.
“I was ready to make a move with the coaching. I really love being involved with hockey and the Falcon organization, but I was ready to step back.”
Bielby will be joined behind the bench by assistants Brody Kritsch, a holdover from last season’s staff, as well as newcomers John DiLorenzo and Greg Jambrosich, both of whom played for the Falcons. Assistant Rick Girhiny will also return while Zach Schipper has been brought on as assistant general manger. Derek Bujan returns as goaltending coach.
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
