VB Hockey: Coaching on the Continuum

 

Fast forward to Saturday, March 21, where a late power-play goal ended our season in the CSSHL East championship semi-final, our 63rd game of the season. All those practices, the games, the travel and hotels just ends. As exciting as that first day is, that final buzzer on the season that seemed too far away in September all of a sudden feels like it sounded in blink of an eye, but at the same time the body and mind feel the fatigue of year. 

I have already written many of the chapters that help tell the story of this season, and I don’t plan on simply writing a conclusion to our season, but again would like to try to highlight the life lesson side of teenage sports. 

When I was 9 or 10 years old, I played hockey for a wonderful man, Mr. Hussey. He would keep his wallet in his sock as he walked into the rink and was more of a football guy than hockey guy, but he understood being a team and having fun. Most coaches try to keep playing out of the hotel pool, Mr. Hussey wanted everyone to be in the pool having fun until it was time to go play. Reality is you can’t really tire out a 9-year-old – trust me, I try daily. I needed this type of coach then because I was fighting in my head whether hockey was fun. Thanks Mr. Hussey. 

 

For a few years after, I played for Mr. Bell and Mr. Leslie. Both passionate men, leaders and builders. They worked tirelessly for our team and allowed us to have unique experiences. We travelled to Europe and played in the Quebec Peewee Tournament. We had a great team and a close team. From players to parents, our winters were always full of fun. 

Mr. Dion was my high school hockey coach at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School. He made it cool to play high school hockey. I got cut in Grade 9, but I can still picture that walk home with my buddy John with our new bags flung over our shoulder. High school hockey for me was the best. Walking the hall on game day with our jerseys and playing for my school was never matched anywhere else in my playing years. This is why we are all so lucky to be in our setting!

 

When all of these experiences were wrapping up, I was set to play for the Pickering Panthers, who were managed by a man I have the upmost respect for: Mr. Frank Robinson, a true hockey lifer. A calm, cool and well-spoken man who never met an arena he didn’t like. I always say that Mr. Robinson saw me play almost as much as my dad did during my midget years. In the end, I chose university over playing for Pickering, and Mr. Robinson was as supportive of that decision as you could imagine. He remains in the game, recently winning a Memorial Cup as a scout for Saginaw of the OHL, and we remain in contact until today. A mentor and a sounding board throughout the years. 

 

As a coach these men and many others helped me become the coach I am. You take the good from some coaches, learn from the bad from others and create the recipe that works. It has been such a privilege to lead this group of young men this year. Together we have lived, laughed and cried.

 

When the calendar flipped from 2025 to 2026 and we were down five players, all that I had learned didn’t give me a playbook to deal with that exact situation, but all that I had become told me to stay the course as the motivator, educator and positive player-centric coach that I am. In a season that could have gotten away from us, we got better. 

Proudly I said to the players on Saturday night that I would consider the last three months my most successful stretch of coaching because we created an environment that saw our group and every individual improve beyond expectation through their hard work. 

Our group got closer together, we embraced the help that joined us game in and game out from the prep team, and we never let ourselves think we couldn’t be successful. We never gave up, we always fought hard, and we won more than we lost. 

 

It has been an emotional final few months on many levels, but the hugs and the words that we all shared on Saturday speak volumes beyond the scoresheet. Our growth in life and our abilities to push forward will be lessons we will carry forward for years to come. With our season over and emotions raw, I appreciate the words that you expressed to me. 

 

Together we made this year great, and together we helped each other become better people. There is no better classroom for life than sports. 

 

Thank you, Spartans, Spartans parents and family. Thank you, Coach Vanasse and Coach Durocher.

 

Boys, as I keep saying, I believe in you and I am proud of you. My phone is always on for you. 

 

Coach T