Coach of the Month - September 2008

Mike started coaching hockey after he graduated from college to pass on all of the knowledge he had learned from his coaches along the way. From playing hockey since the time he was two and throughout college, Mike offers a strong insight into the to the Avon Youth Hockey Bantam A team he coaches.

What team do you coach? I am the coach of the Avon Bantam A's. I am also the coaching director for Avon Youth Hockey, as well as the CHC ACE Director.

When did you first start playing hockey? When I was two years old in upstate New York

Who was the first team you played for? I played in a Mosquito Division, four to six year olds, In-House Team.

What position did you play? Defense

Who was your favorite hockey player when you were growing up? Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins

When and why did you start coaching? I started coaching in my twenties after college because I had learned so much from a lot of the coaches and wanted to give back.

Is hockey a sport that has been passed down in your family? Yes, my sister and brother both have children that played hockey in college and the pros.

What is your favorite drill to use with your players? Pushing tires, it is a good conditioning drill.

What is your favorite age group of players to coach? I like to coach the Peewee's when the players learn how to check and the Bantams as they get into more specialty areas of the game such as power plays, penalty killing and fore checking.

What is the oldest piece of hockey equipment you still use? My college hockey gloves

What do you do went you aren't spending time at the rink? I am working out as much as I can at the gym.

If you could coach any professional hockey team, what team would you coach and why? It would be the New York Rangers. It would be a challenge to coach in New York as you are under a lot of pressure.

How do you stay warm on the bench during games? I wear thermals under my clothes - sometimes that isn't enough.

What have you learned from your players? If they are having fun, then they are willing to develop skills quicker.

How do you think hockey can help kids develop as people? Hockey gives you discipline, structure, team concepts and teaches how to win and lose gracefully.

How do you encourage your team when they are not playing to their full potential in a game? To get enough sleep and watch what they eat before and after a game.

Is there a coach from when you played youth hockey who has remarkably influenced your own coaching style? First my high school coach, Stan Moore, and my college coach, Jerry York, both taught me the game of hockey.

What do you like most about being a coach? Watching the players "light up" when they figure out how the game is played.