When Bill Bestwick signed on as the new general manager and head coach of the Victoria Grizzlies back in the spring, he was looking to get back into the sport he loved.
The former Nanaimo Clippers bench boss always had time to share his passion and willingness to talk and strategize about the details of hockey.
His return, into enemy territory in Victoria, however, was debated in watering holes and arena lobbies by anyone and everyone who had an opinion.
The naysayers were proven wrong Tuesday as Bestwick was recognized as the B.C. Hockey League’s coach of the year in the Coastal Conference, the third time he’s been bestowed with the Joe Tennant Memorial Trophy. It’s one Bestwick shares with the entire organization and especially assistant GM and associate coach Craig Didmon.
“Make no mistake, I’m not a big fan of individual awards in a team sport,” said Bestwick. “It really seems to be a bit of an oxymoron that there are individual awards.
“I can see leading scorers and such, but there is absolutely no doubt that this honour is shared with every person with our hockey club, from Craig who has done a wonderful job, to our strength and conditioning people, training staff, behind-the-scenes people who have so much more responsibility.
“The way I look at this is, I have the opportunity to accept this on behalf of all of us,” Bestwick added. “It shouldn’t necessarily have my name on it. It should have everyone’s. It’s a team achievement. I tip my hat to everybody in our organization who has contributed.”
There is little doubt that Bestwick’s efforts have managed the turn-around season the Grizzlies have enjoyed. Victoria was 12 wins and 33 points better (finishing second overall) in 2012-13 than it was the season previous when the Grizzlies were last in the conference and third-worst overall.
“I think we had a collective objective to bring pride and excitement back to Bear Mountain and our objective was to finish .500 and make the playoffs,” said Bestwick, whose team went far better. “We wanted to re-establish our organization’s culture and become a proud member of the Victoria sporting community.”
And he did it back in the sport he cherishes.
“I really missed the energy, the camaraderie,” said Bestwick who was relieved of his duties in Nanaimo, where he still remains a councillor. “I think when people lose their chosen passion or profession, whether they do it voluntarily or otherwise, you miss that.
“I can understand why it’s so hard for people to leave something that they have come to enjoy so much. The last year, not being involved, was really a difficult winter.”
And now he’s hoping for a fabulous spring as the Grizzlies get set to entertain the Powell River Kings in the first round of the playoffs. Game 1 goes Friday at 7:15 p.m. at Bear Mountain Arena.
IN THE DEN: Ryan Lough of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs was chosen the most sportsmanlike player in the conference.
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