At a time when the world of minor sports often bemoans the lack of new faces undertaking critical roles as volunteers, the Sudbury hockey scene is enjoying a breath of fresh air with a slew of volunteers putting in time with several teams simultaneously.
Over the past few years, Vagelli Sakellaris has become a regular at local arenas, usually helping out with completely different squads.
For the only child of Greek-born parents, it’s been a gradual development that has brought him to this point. A natural athlete, Sakellaris prospered in both the competitive soccer and hockey settings as a youth, with a more recreational approach to golf mixed in, just for good measure.
It was a little daunting initially, even though you’re a 25-year-old adult trying to teach 14-year-olds.
Vagelli Sakellaris
Lasalle hockey coach
“Even though I played competitive soccer as well, hockey was always the main focus,” Sakellaris said recently in an interview at Lasalle Secondary School, where he now teaches.
As a player, Sakellaris was something of a “field general,” a trait that seemed to follow him throughout the year.
“I was a puck moving defenceman, a strong skater who could see the ice well,” he said. “I think I got that from soccer. I was a midfielder in soccer, so there’s perhaps a transition between the two sports.”
That skill set on the ice allowed Sakellaris to suit up with countless AAA teams over his days in minor hockey, eventually signing on with both the Rayside Sabrecats and Sudbury Northern Wolves of the NOJHL.
Not surprisingly, some of the coaches who have most influenced his approach to hockey came along at the tail end of his playing days. Sakellaris said Wayne Goudreau (Bantam AAA), Mike Heaphy (Midget AAA) and Kenny Mackenzie (Sabrecats), all provided their own unique impact on him.
“Unfortunately, at the time that I was a player, I wasn’t ready to think about coaching, so I didn’t write down a bunch of the drills,” he said, with a laugh. “But I have definitely borrowed from all three.”
In fact, it wasn’t until his university days were over and he had reached his mid-20s that the coaching bug would bite the energetic young teacher. Having just turned 30, Sakellaris has not only spent the past three years guiding a highly successful Lasalle Lancers boys hockey team, but juggled time with the Red Wings Minor Bantams, as well as both the Bantam and Midget AAA teams on the side.
In a very short time, the young man, who has enjoyed the opportunity to partake in a national midget hockey championship both as a player and as a coach, has also garnered a strong conviction of how he likes to see the game of hockey played.
“High tempo, high intensity, skating and speed in the game,” Sakellaris said. “I like the offence, because I was kind of a puck-moving player when I played, so I like that style of game, with a mix of defensive responsibility.”
By the same token, Sakellaris said there remains a great deal of coaching development still to come.“I’m getting much more confident going into the (dressing) room,” he said. “It was a little daunting initially, even though you’re a 25-year-old adult trying to teach 14-year-olds.”
In fact, he singled out the general area of “motivation” as being top on his list of skills requiring improvement.
Although there is always something new to learn, Sakellaris brings a solid grasp of the sport to the rink each and every time he steps out to run another practice.
“I like the drills where lots of guys are moving, where there is a point to the drill, the kids are learning something, but it’s fun for them as well,” he explained.
And if most young hockey players have the poster of a favourite NHLer stuck to their wall, Sakellaris can draw on highly visible NHL coaches to provide a guiding light. “Mike Babcock (Detroit Red Wings), because he’s such a good motivator and gets the most of his players, and Jacques Lemaire (New Jersey Devils), who is a very good systems guy — some mix of those two would be great,” Sakellaris said, with a smile.
Pretty good company indeed, for just one of the new wave of young hockey coaches cutting their teeth in the Nickel City.
