Mitch Love’s stamp on the Saskatoon Blades’ coaching staff is becoming bolder after the Bridge City Bunch hired Tyler Dietrich (pictured) as an assistant coach.
The 36-year-old Vancouver product was a W-H-L team-mate of Love’s with Moose Jaw and Everett and has worked the last four seasons in leading Hockey Canada’s video coaching program. Dietrich was brought in when Ryan Keller decided to scale back his responsibilities with the Blue and Gold to spend more time with his family. Keller, who has been on the Blades’ staff the last four seasons, will remain as the team’s skills and development coach. Dietrich joins Love and associate coach Ryan Marsh behind the Saskatoon bench for the upcoming season. Following is the news release from the Blades…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Saskatoon Blades are pleased to announce the hiring of Tyler Dietrich as the
team’s new assistant coach.
36-year-old Dietrich brings 20 years of experience as both a player and coach to
the Blades, most notably leading Hockey Canada’s video coaching program for the
past four seasons.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity ahead,” said Dietrich, who will be
making the move to Saskatoon with his wife and two children. “Knowing the
direction that general manager Colin Priestner has the Blades going, and the
leadership that Mitch Love provides as the head coach, I anticipate a great season
ahead.”
“We’re excited to add Tyler to our coaching staff, and feel his experience along
with his time spent on many outstanding and knowledgeable coaching staffs with
Hockey Canada will rub off on our players and their overall development,” said
Love.
The Vancouver, BC product will take the bench alongside head coach Mitch Love
and associate coach Ryan Marsh.
Ryan Keller, who’s been the Blades assistant since 2016, has made the decision to
scale back his responsibilities to spend more time with his family, and stay with the
team as a skills & development coach.
“I’d also like to thank Ryan Keller and his family for all their hard work and
dedication during his four years as a coach with the Saskatoon Blades
organization,” added Love. “I have a ton of respect for his knowledge of the game
which ultimately left a positive impact on the players who walked through the
doors during his time as a Blades coach. We look forward to his continued
involvement with our coaching staff in the skill development department of our
team.”
Dietrich spent the majority of his junior playing career in the WHL, lacing up with
the Moose Jaw Warriors, Medicine Hat Tigers, and Everett Silvertips. He teamed
up with Love in Moose Jaw, along with Everett, where the two helped the ‘Tips
capture the WHL Championship in 2004.
Dietrich graduated from the WHL alongside Love in 2005, and went on to play
four years of Canadian Interuniversity Sport hockey, which is known today as USports. After hanging up his playing days in 2010, Dietrich began his coaching
career as the bench boss for the West Vancouver-based Hollyburn Huskies U18
squad.
Following one season with the Huskies, Dietrich made the bold decision to fly
overseas to Hungary, where he took up a variety of head coaching positions for the
Fehrvr AV19 organization. After five years in Hungary, Dietrich joined Hockey
Canada in his present role as video coach.
Since joining the national program, Dietrich has represented Canada on the
international stage at the World Cup of Hockey, IIHF World Championships,
Olympics, and World Juniors. He’s helped capture four international men’s
medals, including World Cup gold in 2016-17. He was also a member of the World
Junior Championship winning team last January alongside Love.
“Having both a playing and coaching history with Mitch, I know first hand how
passionate he is and how driven we will be as a coaching staff,” added Dietrich.
“We will do everything we can to help these players develop and reach their goals.
The Saskatoon Blades are thrilled to welcome Tyler and his family into the Blades
organization and the community.
