Paul Dixon’s Guildford Flames are flying high in the Elite League, with the penalty kill integral to their recent success. In a recent interview with British Ice Hockey, the former defenceman lifted the lid on recruitment, netminding, and more.
Here is the first part of a two-part interview series with Dixon, click here to read part two:
Guildford Flames’ Paul Dixon, Question & Answers
Question: The Flames lead the Elite League in penalty kill rate and have the lowest penalty minute total – is that an area you prioritise?
Flames’ Paul Dixon: “We’ve obviously always tried to work on the penalty kill and power play and, over the years, we have always had a really good penalty kill no matter [which players were on the team]. You need to have guys who are willing to make sacrifices by blocking shots, getting in lanes, and being active.
“It’s all about sacrifice and we have guys who are willing to do that.”
Question: Do you enjoy coaching the penalty kill more than other areas?
Flames’ Paul Dixon: “I don’t know, maybe that’s the former defenceman in me. I was pretty fortunate to play on the power play and penalty kill in my career. I actually used to like blocking shots. I took great pride in that: I would prefer to throw myself down in front of puck than score. I wouldn’t say I spend more time on the penalty kill, if anything I spend more time on the powerplay.”
Question: There is an art to blocking shots, is there anyone on your current roster who you look to for blocks?
Flames’ Paul Dixon: “I can touch on all of the guys who are on the penalty kill: they’re all willing to get in front of shots or block a passing lane. It also starts with your goalie – there’s a saying in hockey that your goalie has to be your best penalty killer and that’s true. [Eamon] McAdam and [Taz] Burman have been great on the kill for us.”
Question: Your netminders are both above the .900 save percentage-mark and you have credited them for winning you games at times this season – how impressive have they been for you?
Eamon McAdam, formerly of the Toronto Marlies (Image: AHL)
Flames’ Paul Dixon: “I have nothing but admiration for both of our goalies. They both use very different styles but they have both done really well for us. When you bring in a tandem, it’s important that they have a working relationship. They don’t have to be best friends, but they need to be able to work together and it just so happens that they do. They both have great attitudes and are really professional.
“These guys are in the gym, look after themselves, and have a really good relationship. That’s key, especially in a tandem, and they have a good friendship from what I see.”
Question: It must be especially pleasing to have Burman, who is a first-year professional after playing in USports [Canadian University Hockey], performing so well as the junior member of the tandem?
Flames’ Paul Dixon: “Mack has a few years as a professional under his belt and was a very high draft pick in his younger days – and then we have Taz, who is a first-year pro. Mack can guide him on a few things in the professional game, where he has the experience and Taz is looking to prove himself.
“But, if you look at the Elite League, you have [Sheffield Steelers netminder Matt] Greenfield leading the way. He was a USports goalie for the University of Calgary, which speaks to the quality of the league and the players that come out of there. You also have [Taran] Kozun on the Cardiff Devils who was from the University of Saskatchewan.”
Question: Fans can sometimes be underwhelmed when a signing is made out of USports as opposed to the NCAA or ECHL, as two examples. Do you feel the league is underrated?
Paul Dixon, Guildford Flames (Image: Scott Wiggins)
Flames’ Paul Dixon: “It’s a difficult one because that is how it’s perceived unless you really know the league. But it doesn’t necessarily mean you will get a better player just because you sign a guy from the AHL, ECHL, or somewhere in Europe than you would from USports.
“I think the secret is out with USports: there are guys coming out of there who are getting signed to NHL contracts. The players who go there are very good hockey players but they’re also getting an education, so it’s a very smart decision to make.
“There are some really good players in USports and you only have to look in the Elite League and some of the top leagues in Europe to see examples of that.”
After Paul Dixon of the Guildford Flames, who would you like British Ice Hockey to interview next? Join the discussion by tweeting @BritIceHockey.
