UNews - Canada West

Horns rugby program brings in national team recruit

trevor.kenney — Tue, 03 May 2016 21:10:14 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s rugby program received a boost today with the commitment of national and provincial team member Sydney De La Mare for the 2016 season.

“Sydney has high praise from all the coaches involved in her brief rugby experience,” says Horns head coach Ric Suggitt. “In speaking with a number of them, we find all the qualities that we are searching for in a student athlete; Sydney is intelligent and thoughtful and that does not surprise me. Her physical attributes are also second to none, she is big, strong and fast.”

De La Mare, a St. Albert, Alta. product, just returned from a tour in England with the Canadian U18 team. De La Mare started the first game at lock and was a reserve for game two.

“The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge was a perfect choice for me,” says De La Mare. “First, the school is ranked #3 by Macleans for undergraduate degrees, I was accepted into a combined degree program in kinesiology and education, and the rugby program has been growing tremendously. I am also very excited to be playing for Ric and I can’t wait to get to work.”

De La Mare has also suited up for the Alberta U18 team and is a member of the St. Albert Rugby Football Club. The 5’10” lock or number 8 also played at Paul Kane High School in St. Albert.

“Syd is a fantastic addition to our rugby program and we are expecting her to excel to the highest level of rugby in Canada,” says Suggitt.

The Horns will continue to add to this year’s recruiting class in the coming months and will host the Canada West Championships in the fall.

Millman, Latrace earn Pronghorn Athletics athlete of the year honours

trevor.kenney — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 19:45:23 +0000

Canadian throwing champion Peter Millman won his second consecutive Male Athlete of the Year award as Pronghorn Athletics hosted its annual Blue and Gold Banquet recently to honor outstanding athletes in athletic performance and academic achievement.

Over 300 athletes, administrators and special guests were in attendance for the social and awards ceremony at the Lethbridge Lodge, where Millman and fellow track star Sandra Latrace earned the top honours.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Peter Millman defended his CIS shot put title and won a second straight athlete of the year.

Fourth-year thrower Peter Millman laid claim to the Pronghorn male athlete of the year award for the second year in a row. Millman followed up a stellar 2014-15 campaign with an even better one this season.

The Truro, Nova Scotia product picked up his third consecutive Canada West Athlete of the Year award for field events after sweeping the conference throwing events. Millman led the Horns to a second consecutive sweep of the podium in the shot put and won the event by nearly 1.5 metres. In the weight throw, Millman’s nearest competitor was more than two metres behind his best throw.

At the CIS Championships, Millman was the first Pronghorn since Jim Steacy to lay claim to the CIS Athlete of the Year for field events and went on to defend his CIS title in the shot put. Millman had the four furthest throws of the competition and earned his second consecutive gold medal with a top throw of 17.20 metres. Millman also finished fourth in the weigh throw.

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Rookie Sandra Latrace was the best long jumper in the country.

First-year jumper Sandra Latrace burst on to the university track scene and has been nothing short of spectacular in her first season.

At her first Canada West Championships, Latrace showed she had a flare for the dramatic and on her final attempt in the long jump she moved into the gold medal position with a jump of 6.10 metres, winning the event by only two centimetres. She followed that up with a silver medal in the triple jump, an event she had only picked up earlier this year.

On the strength of her performance at the conference meet, Latrace was named the Canada West Athlete of the Year for field events and the Canada West Rookie of the Year.

At the CIS Championships, Latrace was also named the CIS Rookie of the Year. She went on to claim her first CIS gold medal in the long jump and then authored a huge personal best jump to take home a silver medal in the triple jump.

Other major award winners from the Blue and Gold Banquet included:

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

For the second year in a row, Alycia Amatto of the women’s soccer team took home the prestigious President’s Award, given to the student-athlete with the highest academic standing at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Amatto achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA in pursuit of her Bachelor of Science, while balancing her large commitment to her team.

TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD

For the first time in the award's history, there was a tie for the Team Academic Award. With a combined GPA of 3.15, the women’s basketball team and men’s track and field team emerged as co-winners of the honour.

ALUMNI LEADERSHIP AWARD

This year’s Alumni Leadership Award recipient is fifth-year Science student Jared Baker, who has been described by Hrns men's basketball coach Mike Hansen as an exceptional leader and a "glue guy". He does all of the little things and brings so much energy and passion to the game. As a three-year starter and team captain, he has sacrificed his personal achievements for the betterment of the team.

A true student-athlete, Baker has a cumulative 3.7 GPA through his three years at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

In the community, his involvement goes well beyond team initiatives. He lives to serve others and that is a big reason why he is pursuing medical school following the completion of his degree and basketball career. He exemplifies what it means to be a great teammate and a student-athlete in the CIS.

When teammate Brent Watkins was involved in a serious car accident, Baker took it upon himself to start fundraising to aid Brent's family's medical costs. In less than a week, Baker had helped raise over $33,000. In total, over $50,000 was raised for Watkins and his family through Baker's help.

Baker also volunteers at Our Lady of Assumption elementary school, reading with kids and promoting literacy. Baker and his wife volunteer in the recreational therapy program with the long-term care facility at the Raymond hospital and organize activities for youth at their church each week.

Baker was the Canada West nominee for the CIS Ken Shields award for student-athlete community service.

Team Most Valuable Players

Men’s Soccer – Chris Rushworth
Women’s Soccer – Kim Shellenberg and Micaela Stone
Men’s Hockey – Mitch Maxwell
Women’s Hockey – Kirsten Reeves
Men’s Basketball – Brandon Brine
Women’s Basketball – Mariah Miller
Women’s Rugby – Frederique Tremblay
Men’s Track – Peter Millman and Ryan Sommer
Women’s Track – Sandra Latrace
Men’s Swim – Scott Hunter
Women’s Swim – Ardelle Layden

Trinh assumes head coaching role, drops interim tag

trevor.kenney — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 16:41:12 +0000

Fred Trinh has had the interim tag removed from his title and will lead the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s soccer program moving forward. Longtime former head coach Ilsa Wong will remain with the program and move into an assistant coach's role.

“I am very pleased that both Fred and Ilsa have renewed their commitment to our program,” says Sport and Recreation Executive Director Ken McInnes. “Their leadership, and the removal of the interim coach title for Fred, will bring much needed stability to the program. Fred and Ilsa’s hard work and passion for the sport is clear and they have been instrumental in the development of women's soccer here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.”

Last season under Trinh’s guidance as the interim head coach, the Horns went 2-9-3 and made their first playoff appearance since 2007. The club lost a one-game playoff to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan.

“It is with great joy that I am named head coach moving forward,” says Trinh. “Not only do I get to work with a great group of players and coaches (Gui Costa, Layne Hamilton, Jesse Dyck, Jared Evans and Chris Tuck) but we also get to welcome Ilsa Wong back as assistant coach after a year away from the sidelines.”

“In my opinion the real winners are the student-athletes as they gain the wisdom and experience of two excellent coaches,” adds McInnes. “I am looking forward to watching the coaching staff and athletes build on their quarter-final playoff appearance of last year.”

Trinh, a long standing member of the southern Alberta soccer community, holds a CSA National B license and in addition to his longtime role with the Pronghorns, he has been the head coach for the Sunny South District Soccer Association and led the Coaldale Thunder U10 team.

Trinh has also served as Learning Facilitator for the Alberta Soccer Association. Learning Facilitators (LF) play a key role in the LTPD Coaching Pathway. The LF takes on the responsibility for training and developing coaches who are looking to enhance their own individual experience and qualifications through formal training and certification programs.

Prior to last season, Wong decided to take a step back from the program after 15 seasons as head coach. The Horns made two playoff appearances during her 15 seasons at the helm of the program, with the last being in 2007 when the club lost in the Canada West quarter-final. Wong was also named the Canada West coach of the year that season.

“Ilsa will be a welcomed addition to our day-to-day coaching staff as she brings a great deal of experience," says Trinh.

The Horns will open training camp for the 2016 season in early August and the 2016 season will commence in early September. The finalized 2016 Canada West schedule will be announced in June.

Horns track team debut is impressive

trevor.kenney — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 23:24:39 +0000

Competing for the first time as a team this season, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns track and field team jumped out of the gates and produced exceptional early season results this past weekend at the Golden Bear Open in Edmonton.

Making her debut on the university circuit, freshman Sandra Latrace served notice that she will be a threat this season in both the long jump and 60-metre sprint. In the long jump, Latrace moved to the top of the CIS rankings by more than 15 centimetres and claimed the top spot at the Golden Bear Open with a leap of 6.17 metres. The mark in the long jump was also an Alberta junior and under-23 record.

In the 60-metre sprint, Latrace moved into the CIS top 10 with a time of 7.72 seconds, which placed her second among university finishers at the meet this past weekend.

Two-time reigning CIS champion Aaron Hernandez continued to prove he will be the man to beat in the triple jump as he moved to the top of the CIS rankings with a solid meet winning jump of 15.19 metres.

The Horns other reigning CIS champion, Peter Millman, continued the team’s strong performance in the throwing events by winning both the shot put and weight throw in Edmonton. The 2015 CIS shot put champion moved into second place in the CIS rankings in both disciplines. The Pronghorns placed 1-2 in the shot put with Millman taking top spot with a toss of 16.62 metres, while teammate Ryan Sommer finished second and moved into the top ten in the CIS rankings with a throw of 14.80m.

Millman won the weight throw by nearly four metres with a toss of 18.78 metres. Rookie teammate Ben Ingvaldson made his mark in Canada West in the weight throw, finishing third with a toss of 14.64 metres in his first university meet, while Ryan Sommer was fourth.

In the women’s throwing circle, Diane Marin placed fourth in weight throw with a mark of 13.80m while teammates Lara Roth, Ariel Chessall and Amanda Weiler finished fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.

On the track, the top results on the men’s side came from senior sprinter Phillip Rockerbie and rookies Matthew Knapik and Garrett Mckay. In the 60-metre hurdles, Rockerbie finished third with a time of 8.70 seconds, while Knapik was second in his 300-metre heat with a time of 36.32 seconds and McKay won his heat with a time of 36.67sec.

“Sandra’s results in the 60m and long jump were definitely the highlight of the weekend, but we had strong results from the majority of the team,” says head coach Larry Steinke. “This is the third competition for most of the teams in Canada West and our first, so to have this strong a showing is definitely promising for the rest of the year."

Next up for the Horns is a split trip on the weekend of February 5-6 when they head to Winnipeg for the Bison Classic and to Edmonton for the Alberta Indoor Games.

Outstanding season earns Ronsky a spot on Maple Leaf roster

trevor.kenney — Tue, 17 Nov 2015 17:53:33 +0000

Following a season in which she was named a second team All-Canadian, a Canada West All-Star and a CIS Championship tournament all-star, fourth-year wing Nicole Ronsky of the Pronghorns women's rugby team has been named to Canada's Maple Leaf roster for the opening round of the 2015-16 HSBC Women's Sevens Series to be held in Dubai Dec. 3-4.

The Maple Leafs, a developmental team, will play in the International Invitational portion of the Dubai tournament and will face South Africa, the Belgium Rugby 7s and Tabusoro Angels during day one of the tournament.

Nicole Ronsky, here in action against the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta, will play with the national developmental team at the 2015-16 HSBC Women's Sevens Series to be held in Dubai, Dec. 3-4.

"It is an outstanding opportunity for Nicole and I think that it is great for Canada West and CIS to have our athletes make that next step and get an opportunity to represent Canada," says first-year Pronghorns head coach Ric Suggitt. "Our team getting into the playoffs was a bit of a surprise to most people, but what was no surprise was Nicole's ability to perform in high pressure situations."

Ronsky, who turned heads two weeks ago with her performance at the CIS Championships in Kingston, will make her first appearance with the national sevens program and will head to Victoria on November 24 to prepare with the team for the Dubai tournament.

"I am overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude for this amazing opportunity," says Ronsky. "It wouldn't have been possible without my amazing coaches, teammates and administrators and the continuous support from my incredible family. It's so good to be a U of L Pronghorn."

This season, Ronsky was named a Canada West All-Star for the third year in a row and finished tied for the team lead in tries.

At the Canada West final four, Ronsky scored twice in the Horns' semifinal win over the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary Dinos, which secured a berth in the CIS Championships. She scored another try in the Horns' loss to the Victoria Vikes in the Canada West Championship game.

At the CIS Championships in Kingston, the Calgary, Alta. product led the Horns in tries, scoring three times in three games. She scored twice in the team's final game, a loss to the Vikes in the fifth-place consolation contest.

"Not only does Nicole have the ability to break it open and race to the goal line, she is also a fierce tackler," says Suggitt. "I think it was her tackling count that caught the eye of National Team Coach John Tait."

Former Pronghorns Ashley Steacy (nee Patzer) and Kayla Moleschi are also members of the Canadian National Sevens program, which has already qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Steacy will miss the Dubai tournament due to a knee injury.

Horns' Veldman captures national award

trevor.kenney — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 16:57:51 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge graduating forward Kim Veldman became only the second member of the Pronghorns women's basketball program to win a CIS major award after she was named the 2015 recipient of the Sylvia Sweeney Award at the CIS National Championship awards ceremony on Wednesday night.

Fifth-year forward Kim Veldman has been recognized by the CIS for leadership, academic achievement and community involvement.

The Sylvia Sweeney Award recognizes excellence in basketball, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and community service. Veldman, a fifth-year forward, has been a leader on and off the floor for the Pronghorns and will go down as one of the best players and student-athletes to ever come through the program.

On the floor, Veldman was the conference's second leading scorer this season, averaging 18.6 points per game. She leaves the Pronghorns as the school's all-time leading rebounder and second leading scorer with 805 boards and 1,391 points over the course of her five campaigns with the team. She was named a Canada West first-team all-star in this, her final season.

While excelling on the court, she also shone in the classroom, earning her Bachelor of Nursing degree in four years, while being named an Academic All-Canadian every year. She will be well on her way to a fifth AAC award while beginning her Master of Nursing program.

"As a humble and even-keel player, Kim has had to work hard to develop her leadership skills," says Pronghorns head coach Erin McAleenan. "Over the last three years of working with her, she has grown immensely not only as a player, but as a person. She has become a confident leader both on and off the floor, and she inspires her teammates on a daily basis. Kim has changed the culture of our program and has had a tremendous impact on the players, coaches and community."

Veldman has been heavily involved in community service as well. She has volunteered as a coach within the Jr Horns basketball program and worked at skills clinics and summer camps; participates in the Reading Buddies program; volunteers one day a week in an elementary classroom and twice a week to lead their co-ed basketball intramural program; volunteered with the Special Olympics where she taught the participants basketball skills and drills; and is active within her church as part of the Trinity Reform Church youth group.

Acadia guard Aprille Deus, Laval wing Raphaëlle Côté and Wilfrid Laurier guard Lee Anna Osei were also nominated for the award.

Veldman joins former Horns head coach Louisa Zerbe, who received the Peter Ennis Award as coach of the year in 1985, as the only other CIS major award winner in program history.

Horns men's hockey team opens new season, new era

trevor.kenney — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 16:50:26 +0000

Coming off a second consecutive season where the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s hockey team missed the post-season, the page has been turned and a new era of Pronghorn hockey is set to begin under first-year head coach Spiros Anastas.

The ‘Horns open the 2014-15 Canada West season Sept. 25, hosting the front half of a home-and-home series with the Mount Royal Cougars. Game two of the home-and-home series will go Saturday night in Calgary.

Anastas was hired this past April and joins the Horns after spending the past two seasons as a member of the Detroit Red Wings organization, being an assistant coach with the Red Wings AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins.

The ‘Horns return 19 players from last season’s team and Anastas has added a good mix of youth and experience with eight new recruits.

Among Anastas’s first recruiting class are two NCAA transfers, two CIS transfers and four true freshmen. Forwards Brandon Clowes and Manny Gialedakis took advantage of the CIS eligibility repatriation rule and set right into the Horns' line-up.

Goaltender Warren Shymko transfers from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Ottawa and will push returning goaltenders Damien Ketlo and Dylan Tait for time in the crease. Shymko had a solid freshman season with the Gee Gees, putting up a 2.76 goals-against-average and a 0.900 save percentage.

An area of strength for the Pronghorns this season should be their blue line, as the Horns return their entire top six defensemen from last season. Tim Campbell, David McMullen, Corbin Karl, Cason Machacek, Hayden Rintoul and Brent Henke will be the keys to Horns success this season.

“Our success relies on our six returning defensemen being able to play a solid all-around game, while making defence a priority,” says Anastas.

After scoring a league low 52 goals last season, the Horns forwards will need to up their production if the team is to have a resurgence this year. Following solid freshmen seasons, there are big expectations for Ryon Moser, Mitch Maxwell and Brock Hirsche.

Hirsche finished tied with Cass Mappin for the team lead in goals with seven, while Moser recorded six goals and 10 assists in 26 games last season.

Newcomers Clowes, Sam Wilbur and Artsiom Kalashnikov have shown some offensive flare during the Horns non-conference schedule and will be counted on to produce during their first season with the program.

Wilbur finished second in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) scoring last season with 36 goals and 50 assists, while Kalashnikov picked up 52 points in 55 games last season in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL).

Horns round out roster, open pre-season on weekend

trevor.kenney — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:02:02 +0000

Horns open pre-season play with weekend games at Nicholas Sheran Arena

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's hockey team has undergone some major changes over the summer months, all in the hopes of putting two disastrous seasons in the rear view mirror.

On Wednesday, the Horns put the finishing touches on the 2014-15 roster by adding three new names, all with unique backgrounds.

Joining the ‘Horns is a trio of forwards, including one each from the United States, Belarus and Canada. Head coach Spiros Anastas introduced Sam Wilbur, Artyom Kalashnikov and Aaron Enns, bringing his inaugural recruiting class to nine fresh faces this season.

Wilbur, a Michigan native, comes to Lethbridge after finishing his junior career with the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL). In 56 games last season, Wilbur finished second in NOJHL scoring with 36 goals and 50 assists. He added another 15 points in 14 playoff games to help lead the Miners to a NOJHL Championship.

The six-foot-two inch right winger also spent two seasons with the Blind River Beavers and accumulated 144 points in 108 career NOJHL games.

“We are fortunate to be adding Sam this late in the recruiting process as he garnered a lot of attention from NCAA institutions this season,” says Anastas. “Sam is a big body forward who protects the puck well, and he has a knack for scoring at every level that he has played. I am confident that his game will transition well into the CIS.”

Originally from Minsk, Belarus, Kalashnikov comes to the program after a successful 20-year-old season with the Virden Oil Capitals in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. Kalashnikov finished second on the Oil Capitals in scoring last season with 52 points in 55 games. He added another 12 points in 10 playoff games.

Kalashnikov, who moved to Canada with his family when he was 15, has also played with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Brooks Bandits and Nipawin Hawks. During the 2012-13 season he represented Belarus at the World Junior Championship (Division 1) and registered two points in four games.

“Arty comes highly recommended from many coaches in the Tier II loop,” says Anastas. “He is a crafty forward who can play both centre and wing. He has played at the international level, and is a fierce competitor; he brings some much needed depth up front with the ability to make a lot of plays.”

Enns is transfering to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and will have three years of eligibility left after spending a season each with the Simon Fraser Clan in the British Columbia Intercollegiate Hockey League and Manhattanville College in NCAA III.

With the Clan last season, Enns recorded 32 points in 22 games. He suited up for 11 games the year before with Manhattanville. Prior to joining Manhattanville, Enns played three seasons with the La Ronge Ice Wolves, winning two Saskatchewan Junior Hockey Championships and making an appearance in the Royal Bank Cup in 2010. He was also the Ice Wolves captain during his last season with the team.

“Aaron came to camp committed and determined to make the team as a walk-on, and he impressed our staff immediately,” says Anastas. “With two years of collegiate experience under his belt, including a year in the NCAA, he will add character and hard-nosed play to our forward unit, really adding to our depth up front."

The ‘Horns will face their first non-conference action this weekend by hosting Portage College of the ACAC. The puck drops Friday night at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. at Nicholas Sheran Arena. Admission is free to both non-conference games.

Anastas rounds out Horns men's coaching staff

trevor.kenney — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 21:20:48 +0000

Beginning a new era of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorn men’s hockey, first-year head coach Spiros Anastas has rounded out his staff for the 2014-15 Canada West season by adding assistant coach Sean Gillam, athletic therapist/equipment manager Brennan Mahon, director of hockey operations Jesse Hale, and strength and conditioning coach Austin Davenport.

A Lethbridge native, Gillam joins the program with more than 10 years of coaching and scouting experience, serving as an assistant coach in the ECHL and CHL with the Jackson Bandits and Rio Grande Killer Bees.

The former Detroit Red Wings draft pick was also the head coach of the Fayetteville FireAntz in the SPHL and most recently worked as a scout for the Victoria Royals (WHL).

“It is exciting to be adding a coach of Sean's caliber to our program,” says Anastas. “Sean's extensive experience in recruiting and player development will be a huge asset for us. His professional coaching and playing background is impressive, and having played for two familiar hockey colleagues, Mike Babcock in Spokane and Glen Merkosky during his time in the Red Wings organization, makes him a perfect fit.”

Mahon comes to the ‘Horns with extensive CIS experience working with both Mount Royal ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta hockey teams. Most recently he worked in professional football with the Edmonton Eskimos.

Mahon earned his bachelor of physical education from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta, his athletic therapy diploma from Mount Royal and is certified through the Canadian Athletic Therapy Association.

“We are pleased to be adding Brennan to our staff in a much needed position,” says Anastas. “Brennan's experience in all sports gives him a variety of talents and skills required to help us in daily operations and keep our student-athletes healthy; he is a great young professional and I am excited to work with him.”

No stranger to the Pronghorn hockey program, Hale returns to the team after a year hiatus. Hale served as the team’s equipment manager for six seasons and will rejoin the program with an expanded role. An alumnus of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, he works as the regional coordinator for Hockey Alberta.

“Jesse has been critical in the program's transition between coaches and has added great value over the years,” says Anastas. “He has played a big part in identifying talent and getting me acclimated to the workings of the CIS game.”

Also returning to the program is former Pronghorn Austin Davenport, who will be working solely with the men’s team as the strength and conditioning coach. Davenport played with the ‘Horns from 2007-11 and suited up for 83 games in four years with the team.

“Having someone who is familiar with the needs of a hockey player and our program will benefit us greatly,” says Anastas. “As a Pronghorn alumnus, Austin cares deeply for our success and has shown excellent commitment to building programs and models for the optimal health and fitness of our student-athletes.”

New Horns head coach eager for opportunity

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 17:45:02 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s hockey coach, Spiros Anastas, will enjoy two honeymoons this summer, and if things go as planned, the honeymoon bliss will last far into the future.

The Pronghorns present the first head coaching assignment for Anastas.

Anastas, hired as the program’s ninth head coach, has a lot on his plate throughout the summer months. He’s moving across both a continent and a border, and is assuming two new roles simultaneously, that of husband to Lindsay and head coach of the Horns.

“We’re extremely excited, it’s going to be a busy summer but we’re excited to come back to Canada and the opportunity that we have here in Lethbridge,” says Anastas.

What the rookie coach lacks in experience, he more than makes up in pedigree, having been introduced to the program by mentors and former Pronghorns coaches Mike Babcock and Bill Peters. Babcock is the current head coach of the Detroit Red Wings and Peters one of his assistants. Anastas has been working with the Red Wings’ American Hockey League affiliate in Grand Rapids for the past two seasons.

“Right away they had nothing but good things to say about the U of L and credit this institution with basically jump-starting their careers,” says Anastas. “That’s a testament to the hockey program and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as a whole, that two guys at that level really believe in this place and think it is somewhere that can have a lot of success.”

Looking back on both the Babcock and Peters eras at the U of L, it would have been hard to project their coaching arcs, given they were both unproven when they came to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Anastas is now where they once were, ready for his opportunity to be the lead man of his own program.

“I look forward to the challenge because it’s my chance to do it on my own and really show people what I’ve got,” he says.

Anastas is up front about the task he has inherited. The Horns won just 4 of 28 games last season in Canada West play and have qualified for the playoffs just once in the past five years. Describing himself as detail oriented, Anastas sees a program in need of a culture change.

Anastas has hit the ground running, meeting with media, players and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community in his first few days on campus.

“I’ve worked for a lot of different types of coaches and I like to think I’m a transformational coach and that’s getting a new belief system in place,” he says. “I believe in the process. I don’t coach to outcome, I coach the process. You can win a 2-1 hockey game and the process be terrible, so over a long period of time that’s going to catch up with you.”

His philosophy on recruiting for the program begins not on the road, but internally.

“The first step in recruiting is identifying what you have right here. The players are your best recruiters and if they are enjoying their experience, more will come,” he says. “My message to the guys who are already here is, remember what got you to the WHL, remember what got you drafted and what gave you success, what got you recruited to come here. They all have the ability. We have some very capable and accomplished players on the roster and this is their chance to hit the reset button.”

Anastas had the opportunity to work with Babcock, Peters and the entire Red Wings’ coaching staff during development camps and prospects tournaments, but says the bulk of his learning came off the ice.

“The best part for me was the after-hours part, when you’re sitting at the restaurant or at the hotel evaluating the day,” he says. “Just to be able to have those hockey conversations with them has been extremely beneficial to me as a young coach. The surprising thing to me is that they are always learning as well.”

Anastas describes conversations where Babcock would elicit his opinion on some of the work they were doing.

“I’m thinking, why is he asking a second year coach for an opinion? He might not even take it but he likes to hear what’s out there, what’s in young minds, what’s the new thing,” says Anastas. “That’s why he has maintained his success because he’s always learning, adapting and changing, and that’s the number one thing I’ve learned from him.”

Will it be enough to garner Anastas long-term success behind the Horns’ bench? Like marriage, only time will tell.

UNews - Canada West

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