SHERRIFF Named 2023 Coach of the Year, News (Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario)

With more than a decade of coaching experience, Hamilton's Bryson Sherriff has coached at almost every age division and at a variety of levels including House League, Select and BB/B.

Coach Sherriff has made many outstanding contributions throughout his involvement with minor hockey both on and off the ice, and he is truly deserving of this award.

The accolades for Coach Sheriff are just as long as his coaching resume and are a true testament to his commitment to the game.  Here are a just a few...

Bryson is extremely committed to developing our kids on the ice and more importantly, off the ice.  His approach to accountability and discipline will stick with these players for their lifetime.  Bryson demands a lot and pushes players to their limit knowing they have more to give and is able to pull it out of them.  He has a winning track record while coaching in the ALLIANCE and is able to develop individual skills, overall team structure & play, systems, create a practice plan and ultimately a game plan to overcome deficiencies and finding a way to win while making it fun for our players.  My son has has enjoyed every minute.  

Getting to know Bryson as a person and a head coach over the past 2 years has been an absolute pleasure.  He reinforces all the qualities I believe are necessary when coaching kids - compassion, organization, good communication and having the kids' best interest at heart.  His coaching goes beyond hockey.  Last year he invited various people to speak to the kids about different issues - overcoming major illnesses, mental health.  This year he provided regular talks on bullying, dealing with adversity, racism, discipline, and more.  Every practice is organized in advance with a practice plan.  The kids are constantly moving and every minute on the ice is maximized.  This is no small feat!  Plus he is always willing to talk and to provide feedback of areas to improve on. He is a great coach, leader and most importantly a good person. 

We have had many coaches throughout the years but I can genuinely say coach Bryson has been the most amazing coach and mentor! Not only has every single child improved on his team, he focuses on 'real world' values both on and off the ice; hard work, teamwork, performance at school, winning and losing graciously, and respect for all but especially parents and teachers. On top of both of those very important attributes in a coach he makes space and time in his dressing room to talk about mental health, breast cancer, bullying and many other issues affecting our players and their families. He has created a truly safe space where every kid feels valued. The longer time goes on and the more coaches we encounter, the more we realize how special coach Bryson is.

Bryson is an outstanding coach of 12 yr old boys in the BB division. All the players have flourished under his leadership, and he is a selfless, dedicated, player-development-centric coach. He is as focused on the development of the boys as people as he is on the success of the team. 

Bryson is an exceptional coach. He instills confidence in his players while pushing them to be the best they can be. He is fair, calm and he connects with each one of his players. He builds a team that plays so well together - they pass, they cover each other, they cheer each other on and they work so hard. Bryson goes out of his way to make a game day program each week that highlights each player on his team. He speaks so highly of each member of his team which is why many of his players keep coming back to play for him. He is very deserving of this award!

Coach Bryson exemplifies what it means to be a coach on and off the ice. His dedication to making a difference in tomorrow's society is what parents long for in a leader.  Bryson puts in an amazing effort to make sure he is prepared for practices, prepared for dressing room chats about relevant topics ranging from inclusion and diversity, bulling, accountability and what it means to be committed to your team and each other. 
Bryson spends time getting to know his players on and off the ice and even puts together a game day program highlighting each player on his team that gets distributed to parents on game days. Coach Bryson takes time to listen to his staff and involves them in practice plans on what the team needs.
The success that teams have under coach Bryson is no surprise.  The success is a direct correlation to the his preparations, dedication,  collaborative approach and challenging his players to be the best they can be on and off the ice.  

Coach Bryson not only is teaching the fundamentals of hockey and raising great successful hockey players, but he is teaching respect, and not only in sport. The boys on his team are being taught what it takes to be respectful and successful young men.

Thank you for your commitment and contributions to the game, and congratulations Coach Sherriff on being named the 2023 ALLIANCE Hockey Coach of the Year!



- About the ALLIANCE Hockey Coach of the Year Award
The ALLIANCE Hockey Coach of the Year Award recognizes outstanding contributions, involvement, & service to ALLIANCE Hockey in the area of coaching. ALLIANCE Hockey Coach of the Year Award recipients have displayed commitment to the ideals of ALLIANCE Hockey, have worked tirelessly for the improvement of the game at their local Association level and have made a notable impact on both the game and the players involved. The recipient must be active in hockey during the year of the presentation.