Page 30 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 110

30 Issue #110 March 2022 www.sportsenergynews.com

Dave Stathos Goalie School Recently Named Ottawa’s

Best Youth Sports Program at the 2022 Ottawa Awards

By Molly Kett Cornwall were some of the best years ask them what they think and how
of my life. My first year, 1995-96, they feel when we try new things or
was the last season for the Colts at watch video. The goalie should be
the Si Miller Arena and we won the at the center of the learning, not the
championship in front of 5000 people coach. I am there to support and guide
for game 7 at the Civic Complex. but they are their own engine,” said
Junior hockey does not get better than Stathos. “Mario Viens, my goalie
Cornwall,” said Stathos. “I am very coach in Cornwall was a special
xperienced goalie coach Dave
EStathos’ goalie school has been thankful for the whole organization, influence on me. His level of energy,
named Ottawa’s Best Youth Sports and I keep in touch with many friends passion, and enjoyment of the game
was second to none. His presence
Program at the 2022 Ottawa Awards, from my years in Cornwall.” in the dressing room was felt by
and he couldn’t be prouder of his After three years with the Colts, everyone and he carried that same
team. Stathos was lucky enough to get
high energy, fun attitude on the bus
“It was a big surprise (to win) since recruited by Princeton where he trips and off the ice. I owe Mario a lot
hockey goaltending is a specific niche played for four years. for the person I am today.”
compared to other sports programs “Princeton was an amazing The best part for Stathos through
in the city. I think the people’s sense experience as well. I studied building his goalie school is the
of pride and belonging to our goalie Psychology and solidified my mental friendships he has built throughout
school might have motivated people game as a goaltender. I did most of the goalie community.
to vote for us,” said Stathos. “The my research on the psychology of “We have grown a lot since 2015
hockey community in Ottawa is a goaltending,” said Stathos. “Then, I and we are now operating out of both
small world and word travels fast went on to the Flyers camp followed the Bell and Richcraft Sensplex. A
when people are satisfied with your by three years in Helsinki, Finland lot of my focus has turned towards
services. The same can be said when where I met my wife, Johanna. We Photo Submitted training the next generation of goalie
people are unhappy which motivates then moved to Sweden where I coaches and educating head coaches
us to stay on our toes and constantly played for a town way up north called “My philosophy is to work hard and to plan goalie-friendly practices,”
strive to improve our programs.” play hard. My staff and I try to make said Stathos. “I deliver courses
Skelleftea, and my son Niklas was
our students and goalies really enjoy
Stathos spent his early playing born in Sweden. Hockey brought me the process of learning and working and conferences through Hockey
years in the Cornwall area, earning everything I have in life, and I am hard. It should be fun,” said Stathos of Canada and Hockey Eastern Ontario.
the skills that would ultimately lead very thankful.” his goalie school. “I choose my staff Coaching coaches allows me to
him to open his goalie school. very wisely to make sure they connect indirectly reach as many goalies as
Now, Stathos is a full-time teacher possible while keeping a manageable
“My three years playing in and a goalie school owner. with the kids first. Without the special schedule.”
connection between coach and When he isn’t coaching or spending
goalie, teacher, and student, it is very time with his family, Stathos is very
Match Your Area Knowledge difficult for any learning to happen active in two causes. First, October
Play Thom’s Trivia no matter how much you teach. The Saves Goalie Challenge which has
relationship is the most important. We allowed him to raise over $40,000 per
try to create a sense of belonging to
Q1) Name the member of the 1941-1943 Cornwall Flyers year for CHEO and cancer research.
from Winnipeg, stationed here during WWII. He returned out our goalie school and our staff where Goalies of all ages can participate and
west, eventually landing with Edmonton Flyers for his final all goalies are welcome, boys, girls, collect donations. The event started in
two seasons, 1949 -1951. hockey, ringette, and more.” the United States, but Stathos brought
Q2) - In February 1951, Ellery Maloney and Pete Piquette Stathos began coaching at a very it to Canada in 2019 when his wife
backstopped their respective teams known as the Birds and young age, which allowed him to had to battle cancer. The second is
think about what he was doing in the the Lift the Mask Foundation which
Moneymen. What were the actual names of these two Central Ottawa Valley
Hockey league clubs? net as a goalie. provides mental support to goalies
around the world. He is very proud to
Q3) - Can you name the former Royals Captain who scored the tying goal “That’s what I also want my goalies be an ambassador for the cause and a
for Emards against Keen Insurance in a CMHA Atom game on January 2nd, to do, think about what they are doing resource that goalies can reach out to
1961? Page 46 for Answers instead of being spoon-fed. I always
when they need help.