Hockey isn’t just about winning. For the coaches of the local Tom Thumb league, it’s about teaching young players to have a love and respect for the game–and helping them become a better person.
Many agreed they coach to spend more time with their kids.
“My boys wanted to play and I wanted to teach them not only how to play the game, but to have a love and respect for the game that would keep them playing throughout their life,” noted Don McCool of Skates & Blades, who has been playing hockey himself since he was four years old.
“I enjoy working with kids and my son always asked me to coach,” said Tagg’s Gord McCabe, who has been coaching for the past two years.
Clint Barton (Foodtown Fury) said he began coaching to spend more time with his son. “I curled for over 30 years and wanted a change. I wanted to spend time with my son,” he remarked.
Myron Romaniuk (West End Motors), who has been coaching for nine years, said his involvement stemmed from his children being involved in minor hockey.
“Like many other parents, our kids’ involvement in minor hockey brings us to the rink and being a parent with a hockey background, I felt it was only natural for me to help out,” he reasoned.
Shawn Jourdain, who has been playing hockey since he was three years old on a rink his dad built, said he decided to coach to help kids develop as players–and people.
“I decided to coach because I enjoy being on the ice with young players and my son, Shane,” echoed Larry Beck (West End Motors). “I hope to share my knowledge and make these young people better players and more productive people.”
Brad Badiuk (Times Tigers) who has been involved with hockey since 1967 said he got involved like many of the other coaches because of his kids.
“I have coached for six years and you meet and learn from other coaches,” agreed Brad Badiuk (Times Tigers), who has been involved with hockey since 1967. I
“I had to be at the arena so I thought I might as well help coach.”
Most coaches agreed the most important thing they want to teach their team is to play hard, have a good attitude, have fun, and develop skills that will help them not only through their hockey career but also through life.
“Play hard, have a good attitude towards your teammates, coaches, and opponents, and most of all, have fun and enjoy. It is a great game,” said Barton.
Wepruk said he teaches his players that hockey is a team effort, and that everyone relies on one another to work hard and do their best.
Evan McCabe, who plays centre for Tagg’s, said he plays hockey because it’s fun–a sentiment echoed by teammate Joe Bruyere.
“The best part of hockey is winning the games,” enthused Mike Jourdain of the Times Tigers, though he admitted the hardest part was playing his old team from last year (Skates & Blades).
And the fond memories can last a lifetime. Many of the coaches still remember the most exciting thing that ever happened to them when they were young hockey players.
“Being an ex-goalie, my most memorable moments were seeing Larry Beck on the ice,” noted Wepruk. “If he was on your team, you watched. If he wasn’t on your team, you worked.”
Doug Anderson, coach of the Foodtown Fury, said his favourite hockey memory was having his picture taken with Bobby Orr at a golf tournament.
“My favorite hockey memory was meeting the 1972-73 Detroit Red Wings,” recalled Bobczynski. “My cousin, Henry Boucha, played on the 1972 Olympic team and then the Red Wings
“I went to a Detroit game when they played in Minneapolis,” he noted.
Beck said his fondest memory was when he was playing for the Muskies while his brother was on the International Falls Broncos.
“It was special because I played against my brother, Gary, and I believe this was the only time brothers ever played against one another,” Beck remarked.
The local Tom Thumb league is hosting a 15-team tournament this weekend at the Memorial Sports Centre. Action gets underway Friday at 8 a.m. and continues all day Saturday.
The ‘D’ final is slated for Sunday at 11 a.m., followed by the ‘C’ final at noon, the ‘B’ final at 1 p.m., and the ‘A’ final at 2 p.m.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
