Burford, ON – General Manager Ben Beechey has confirmed that the Burford Bulldogs Jr. C Hockey Club has promoted Dakota Stafford from Director of Player Personnel to the position of Assistant General Manager for the 2020-2021 season.

With the appointment of Stafford, Jason Hopkin will remain within the Bulldogs organization but will take on more familiar roles as Director of Player Personnel and as a scout going forward.

Born and raised in Woodstock, Dakota was introduced to hockey at an early age by his father and grandfather. Stafford remembers an inspiring moment of when his grandfather, coaching in the Tavistock minor hockey system at the time, would lead his team to a 2nd overall finish in the OMHAs. Those early memories would inspire Stafford to go on and play for the Woodstock Jr. Navy Vets Rep program until the age of 15.

Stepping away from the game for 3 seasons, Stafford worked hard to get himself back into the swing of things when he moved to Burford. The fruits of his labour came to light as he would land a position with the Burford Juvenile Rep team and during the 2018-2019 season, Dakota made the jump to Jr. C to play for his hometown Bulldogs. One of his fondest memories was being awarded the team’s Most Improved Player during that same season.

Keeping local, Dakota became an Assistant Coach and Trainer with the Burford Coyotes Midget Rep team in addition to his Director of Player Personnel role with the Bulldogs. During the 2020 off-season, Stafford has shown a key eye for detail and has earned his way to becoming the Assistant General Manager of the Bulldogs.

"I'm excited to get started and bring a positive hockey culture to Burford," stated Stafford. "We're working harder than ever and it's a great feeling and a great group to be a part of."