Coach/Volunteer of the Month - October 2008

Greg Juliano's enjoys coaching "the little ones" in the Greater New Haven Warriors Program even though he did not start playing organized ice hockey until he was in high school. Throughout his time as both a hockey parent and a coach, Greg realized it wasn't about his players being in the NHL, but leaving a positive mark on player's lives impacting them for a lifetime.

What team do you coach? The league's Learn to Skate and our Clinic/Introduction to Hockey Program.

When did you first start playing hockey? Unlike our players of today, I didn't start playing hockey until I was 11 or 12 years old and then it was only pond hockey.

Who was the first team you played for? My high school, which was Wilber Cross in New Haven, CT., and I had a lot of catching up to do.

What position did you play? Left Wing

Who was your favorite hockey player when you were growing up? I'd have to say, "Mister Hockey" Gordie Howe.

When and why did you start coaching? I've always had a passion for the game so when my son Jeffrey who was 4 at the time came home from school with a Learn to Skate flyer and said "Hey Dad, can I do this?" Well that's all it took for me to get back on the ice. That was 22 years ago.

Is hockey a sport that has been passed down in your family? My father was a big hockey fan of the New Haven Blades and would always take me to the games. I played in high school and college, my brother played and he is presently the head coach of our Squirt A team, my two sons played youth hockey and high school, as well as 4 of my nephews so I guess you can say that hockey runs in our family.

What is your favorite drill to use with your players? The "Rat Trap", you got to see it to believe it.

What is your favorite age group of players to coach? The little ones as I call them, 4 years and up.

What is the oldest piece of hockey equipment you still use? Well I don't really skate in them, but I still have a pair of CCM Skates used back in high school and college. Paid $20.00 brand new and I remember when Northland sticks were $12.00.

What do you do when you aren't spending time at the rink? I like to garden and I do all the cooking in our household.

How do you stay warm on the bench during games? I'm not really on the bench anymore. Most of my time is out on the ice with my players. With all that's going on, there's not much concern about staying warm; we all work up a sweat!

What have you learned from your players? Over the years I've learned that players who are instilled with a strong passion and a determination to play and exceed, no matter what their skill level is, they will put their hearts into the game. It doesn't matter what their record is for the season, they play every game like they are all winners.

How do you think hockey can help kids develop as people? I realize times have changed and it's a different world than when we played youth hockey, but it still can be a valuable experience for kids. The biggest advantage of playing organized sports, even at this beginner level, is you learn everything in sports that you are going to learn in life and that's teamwork, discipline, responsibility and friendship. These are valuable lessons to be learned for participants at any level. I also realized early on that my kids were not going to the NHL (it was a nice dream though); I honestly didn't care if my kids ever moved beyond playing at the youth level. What mattered to me most was that they had fun and benefited from those lessons.

How do you encourage your team when they are not playing to their full potential in a game? When I was coaching travel teams I would always ask my players to give 100 percent of their dedication, stay focused and give it your best each and every shift because if we lose, we'd have nothing to be ashamed of. If we won, well that's the bonus and something to be proud of.

Is there a coach from when you played youth hockey who has remarkably influenced your own coaching style? No one when I was younger, but throughout my years as a parent of two players and as a coach in youth hockey, I have witnessed many individuals who have served as role models for me as well as for my children both on and off the ice. They are the ones that "go beyond" the role of coaching and stand for those qualities that enhance players' lives. They make a lasting impression on young people.

What do you like most about being a coach? As a parent and coach, my greatest thrill as well as my greatest reward, is watching the children at this beginner stage in their hockey careers, who are the future of this league, excel in developing their skills and most important of all have fun. If they're not having fun, then why put them out on the ice. Seeing them having fun while they are learning and growing is what it's all about. A child's life is like a piece of paper on which every person he or she comes in contact with leaves a mark and I hope that I, and we as a league have left a positive mark on that piece of paper.