BY SCOTT
HADDOW
In the world of hockey, a player coming full circle is as
common as slap shots.
Peter Michelutti Jr. has completed this cycle after being named
the new head coach for the Sudbury Nickel Capitals AAA midget
hockey club, a team for which he once played.
Michelutti suited up for the Capitals for one year, followed
by a stint in Junior B hockey with Owen Sound. The Sudbury
Wolves drafted him, but it didn't pan out. Michelutti moved to
Saskatchewan to play for Kindersely.
He earned a four-year scholarship with Northern Michigan,
where he played four years of NCAA Division I hockey.
Michelutti then brought his act to Europe, where he played
in Italy, making the Italian national squad.
This past year, he came back to the Nickel City and took up
coaching with the Sudbury major peewee AAA team.
Then the opportunity to come full circle and join the team
he once played for appeared.
"When I came back to Sudbury I wanted to stay involved in
hockey and there were opportunities to coach," said the
27-year-old. "I put my application in for the Nickel Capitals
job...and got it. It's a good honour, especially since I once
played there and for the success the club has had over the
years."
Michelutti plans to put his stamp on the organization right
away.
"I want to change a few things," said the former Lasalle
Secondary School graduate. "I will bring in a new system. I
want a fast team to take advantage of the Olympic-sized ice
(Countryside Arena) the team plays in."
Sudbury was ecstatic to land the services of a former
player.
"I hired Peter in anticipation of a change in how the rules of hockey are enforced...The NHL and major Junior play a very different game than they did before the lost season," said general manager Bob MacLean. "Bringing in someone as young as Peter will make the transition to the 'new game' much easier. The main reason is his youth and experience. They're attributes young elite players demand from coaches. He's the type of coach that will attract players. His college and European experience will be a great asset."
With his recent experiences in Italy still fresh in his mind,
Michelutti also plans to incorporate it into his team.
"I have the actual experience of playing highly competitive
hockey and  I will use it to help our players," said
Michelutti. "My experiences over the last 10 years will be an
advantage as well because it will be exactly what a lot of the
current players will go through."
Michelutti is also blessed with learning lessons from two
high profile coaches from his days at Northern Michigan.
"I learned from some of the best," said the business degree
graduate. "My first three years at Northern Michigan I was
coached by Rick Comley, who is in the Top 10 for wins in the
NCAA. My last year, I was coached by Walt Kyle, who was the
head coach of the United States World Junior Championship team.
I will be ready to adjust to the new job."
Michelutti will be looking for skilled warriors, who aren't
afraid to give 100 percent all the time.
"I want us to force other teams to adjust to our play," said
Michelutti.
Michelutti knows there will be the pressure of coaching in
his hometown and putting a winner on the ice. He also knows the
Nickel Capitals are in a tough spot competing against the
juggernaut known as Sault Ste. Marie, who have been pounding
the competition into submission over the last few years.
"Expectations are always high," said the former Nickel Capitals player. "You always want a winning team...and win the league championship. I also want to help each player improve individually and team wise. There's a good rivalry with Sault Ste. Marie. One goal will be to step up to them and take that top dog down."
