The new-look Burford Bulldogs

By Darryl G. Smart

After an at times frustrating regular season and playoff that only lasted four games thanks to a sweep at the hands of the Tavistock Braves, the Burford Bulldogs have been champing at the bit to turn things around.

As a result, general manager Ben Beechy has been a very busy man trying to create a whole new foundation off the ice for the Provincial Junior hockey League team that has struggled over the last several years.

Behind the bench, Keith Gorman replaces former head coach Josh Hussey.

Gorman comes to the Bulldogs with a variety of experience at a number of levels as a player and coach.

With some junior B experience as a player, Gorman coached in the Burford minor hockey system, as well as at the AAA level. He returns behind the bench after taking time off to watch his son play junior hockey for the Bulldogs PJHL Doherty rival Wellesley Applejacks.

The Bulldogs also added Craig McLaren behind the bench as an assistant coach.

McLaren spent the last seven seasons coaching in the Cambridge minor hockey system.

Originally from the Ottawa area, Craig played for the Pembroke Lumber Kings and captained the Ottawa Jr. Senators of the Central Canada Hockey League.

He would go on to play at St. Francis Xavier University and won two senior AAA championships with the Truro Bearcats, appearing in 2 Allan Cups.

The Bulldogs have also promoted former director of player personnel, Dakota Stafford, to the team’s assistant general manager, as well as Nick Sakellis, who is the new hockey and in charge of the team’s operations and communications.

Like every team in the PJHL and Ontario Hockey Association, there is a ton of uncertainty when it comes to the start  of the 2020-21 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the team has set its mini camp for August 15, 16, while the main camp is August 17 to 29.

For more information, contact Beechey at 519-774-8486, or Stafford at 226-387-2534.