UNews - Spiros Anastas

Horns men's hockey adds experience, production with new recruiting class

trevor.kenney — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 21:15:03 +0000

After overhauling the roster prior to last season, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s hockey team announced its 2016-17 recruiting class by adding nine players; five forwards, three defencemen, and one goaltender.

Russ Maxwell, Garrett Hughson, Cory Millette, Ryan Chynoweth, Torrin White, Connor Sanvido, Ayrton Nikkel, Clint Filbrandt and Evan Wardley make up the group, one that includes considerable Western Hockey League experience.

“We are extremely happy with our newest additions,” says Horns head coach Spiros Anastas. “We have filled some holes while adding incredible depth at every position. Last season was a huge step in our process and we believe the ultimate step into the post-season will come this year. We have added great character, speed, toughness and scoring - all very important attributes that help our success moving forward.”

The ‘Horns will open the Canada West regular season at home on October 14 against the Regina Cougars.

Among the key acquisitions is Russ Maxwell, who joins his older brother Mitch on the ‘Horns and returns to hockey after serving a two-year mission with the Church of Latter Day Saints.

The Magrath native played four seasons in the WHL with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Seattle Thunderbirds, registering 61 goals and 86 assists in 278 career games. His best season offensively was during the 2012-13 season when he recorded 22 goals and 33 assists in 66 games for the Hurricanes.

“As Russ returns from his two-year mission we are fortunate that he has had the entire summer to skate and train,” says Anastas. “Russ brings a heart-and-soul element to our front line with an offensive touch.”

Garret Hughson, another southern Alberta product, has been brought in to solidify the Horns goaltending position after a record breaking 20-year-old year season in tier-2 Junior.

Hughson, a six-foot-three inch Foremost, Alberta product, spent three full seasons with the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL befpre a brief stint with the Ontario Hockey League's Windsor Spitfires. He returned to Alberta to lead the Brooks Bandits to an RBC Cup semi-finals appearance.

With the Bandits, Hughson went 14-3 in the regular season with a 2.27 goals-against-average (GAA) and 0.918 save percentage. In the Alberta Junior Hockey League playoffs, Hughson was nothing short of spectacular, losing only one game and sporting a stingy 1.10 GAA.

“Adding another starting goaltender was a priority for us this offseason,” says Anastas. “We finally have some size in net with Garret and his athleticism is incredible; his major junior experience with Spokane and Windsor will be valuable, and his confidence coming off a record shattering AJHL playoff run with Brooks will allow him to hit the ground running.”

Coming off the best statistical season of his WHL career, Cory Millette has decided to stay in Lethbridge after playing his 20-year-old season with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The left winger scored a career high 34 goals while adding 30 assists in his final WHL season.

Millette also suited up for the Red Deer Rebels, Saskatoon Blades, Prince Albert Raiders and Seattle Thunderbirds during his five year WHL career.

“We are very excited to be keeping Cory in Lethbridge,” says Anastas. “Cory is a scorer who plays in the tough areas and will add a much needed presence in front of the net, with natural leadership.”

For more on the recruiting class, check out GoHorns.ca.

Impressive recruiting class for Horns men's hockey team

trevor.kenney — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 21:58:32 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s hockey team has turned over a significant portion of its roster as head coach Spiros Anastas announced the commitment of 12 new players for the 2015-16 Canada West season.

Former Lethbridge Hurricane forward Jay Merkley, left foreground, and former Edmonton Oil King and Memorial Cup champion Blake Orban, right standing, are among 12 new recruits that will bring a wealth of major junior experience to the Horns program.

Within the group of 12, the program will add nine forwards and three defencemen, seven of which have Western Hockey League experience and who will be taking advantage of the WHL Scholarship program. Two other players have spent time in the NCAA and the other three join the program after playing exclusively in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.

“We are extremely happy with our recruiting class thus far for 2015-16 and we’re not done yet. We're expecting to announce two or three more players in the coming month,” says Anastas. “We will be a very young team but one that has significantly increased in skill and major junior experience.”

Three of the incoming freshmen also have direct ties to Pronghorns alumni, highlighted by forward Sam McKechnie. Sam is the son of Dana McKechnie, who was a member of the Pronghorns' lone ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Cup Championship team, while Blake Orban is also a second generation Pronghorn, after his father Scott played for the Pronghorns during their inaugural Canada West season in 1984-85. The third member of the group is former Olds Grizzly, Kyle Moore, who follows in his brother Dustin’s footsteps. Dustin is a former Pronghorn captain and Canada West first team all-star.

“Our WHL games played have nearly tripled from last year's roster and a number of these recruits have been captains of their Junior teams,” says Anastas. “It’s never easy to let go of as many players as we did at the end of last season, but the turnover was necessary to send this program in a new direction.”

Forwards Jay Merkley, Dalton Sward, Colton Sheen, Robert Lindores, Brett Roulston, and Bryson Gore and defenceman Tyler Hansen, Dustin Fostvelt and Austin Kernahan round out the group announced by Coach Anastas.

“I strongly believe that we are bringing in great people who want to be Pronghorns and great members of our campus community,” says Anastas. “We are excited for our returning players, our incoming recruits, and this hockey program. We have worked hard at this and plan to take some big leaps from the improved strides we made last season.”

For a look at each of the recruits, check out the GoHorns website.

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.

Pronghorns men's hockey team adding recruits

trevor.kenney — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 16:49:20 +0000

With training camp just around the corner, first-year ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns men's hockey head coach Spiros Anastas has secured his first recruits, and is pleased to announce six commitments for the 2014-15 season.

In the first six signings of the offseason, Anastas has added a good mix of youth and experience by securing two CIS transfers, two NCAA transfers and two true freshmen.

Joining the program for this coming season are goaltender Warren Shymko, forwards Greg Trichilo, Brandon Clowes, Manny Gialedakis, Justin Valentino and defenceman Cody Bardock.

Shymko joins the Pronghorns after one season with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Ottawa Gee Gees. The six-foot-one goaltender from Calder, Saskatchewan saw action in 19 games for the Gee Gees and accumulated a 10-5 record with a 2.76 goals-against-average and a 0.900 save percentage. Prior to joining the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Ottawa, Shymko played four seasons in the SJHL with the Yorkton Terriers and Kindersley Klippers.

Shymko will be immediately eligible after the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Ottawa suspended the hockey program for the 2014-15 season and the CIS eligibility committee granted players an open one-time transfer.

“Warren is a great competitor who will challenge for the starting role in our program,” says Anastas. “He has earned everything in his career and took a struggling team last season on his shoulders and carried them into the playoffs. His size and skill set makes us deeper and better in the crease and I am excited for the battle he will bring in camp and throughout the duration of the season.”

The second CIS transfer, Greg Trichilo, comes to the ‘Horns after a season with Wilfred Laurier ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, but will not be eligible to suit up for the ‘Horns until the new year as per CIS transfer rules. A six-foot-one, Trichilo suited up in only nine games last season for the Golden Hawks and recorded three assists.

For a look at all the recruits, visit gohorns.ca.

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.

Horns tap Red Wings organization for new men's hockey coach

trevor.kenney — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 20:54:40 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Pronghorns Athletics has named Spiros Anastas as the new head coach of the men’s hockey program, the eighth in team history.

Spiros Anastas becomes the program's eighth head coach.

“It’s an exciting time for Pronghorns men’s hockey, it’s hard not to get excited by the enthusiasm and vision of excellence Spiros brings to the program,” says Executive Director of Sports and Recreation, Sandy Slavin. “He’ll be building on the strengths of the program and taking advantage of the opportunities that are out there. He is a highly motivated individual who brings a strong coaching skill set to our program and is coming from an organization that prides itself on developing a winning program; he’s looking forward to bringing that attitude to the Pronghorns.”

Anastas, originally from Toronto, Ont., is presently an assistant coach with the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins, the top affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. Currently in his second season behind the Griffins bench, Anastas started with the Griffins as the team’s analytics and advanced scouting coach and helped the Griffins to the Western Conference and Calder Cup Championship in 2013.

“I am honoured to be joining the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge hockey team, and look forward to starting my career as a head coach,” says Anastas. “Through the first five years of my career I have been fortunate to work under some great men like Andy Murray and Jeff Blashill. Furthermore, the accessibility of Mike Babcock and his staff in Detroit has been beneficial to my development."

Babcock, of course, is the program's most noted former head coach. He led the Pronghorns to their lone Canada West title and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Cup national championship during his only season with the program in 1993-94. He has since gone on to win a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings and has led the Canadian men's team to two Olympic gold medals.

Meanwhile, current Red Wings assistant coach Bill Peters was also the head coach of the Pronghorns men’s hockey program from 2002 to 2005. Peters went on to win a Memorial Cup with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League and is in his third season in Detroit.

Anastas has had the opportunity to work closely with the Red Wings during his time in Grand Rapids, serving as an assistant coach during the Red Wings development camps and NHL Prospects tournament.

Prior to joining the Griffins, Anastas served as the general manager of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL).

A former player with Lebanon Valley College, NCAA division III, Anastas began his coaching career with his alma mater, serving as an assistant coach during the 2010-11 season, before moving on to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Western Michigan. While there, he served as an assistant coach and video coordinator, working under former NHL head coach Andy Murray. During his only season with the Broncos, Anastas helped the team win only its second CCHA Championship in the program’s history and earn a NCAA tournament berth.

“I am excited to put all I have learned to work with the Pronghorns hockey team," he says. "The level of competition in the CIS, and especially Canada West, is high and we definitely have a challenge ahead of us. Getting the wheels in motion right away is a priority and I am confident in the support I'll receive from both the school and the Horns alumni as we rebuild this program.”

Anastas will fulfill his duties with the Griffins this season, remaining with the team until the completion of the American Hockey League regular season and playoffs. The Griffins sit atop the Midwest Division with 94 points.

“This is an exciting time for Pronghorns hockey as we look to the future," adds Anastas. "My fiancée, Lindsay, and I look forward to joining and being heavily involved in the Lethbridge community. I thank Sandy Slavin and the committee members for entrusting me with this program and the hard work they put forth throughout the entire process."

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge men’s hockey coaches
Dave McDowall (1984-1989)
Dave Adolph (1989-1993)
Mike Babcock (1993-94) – ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Cup Champions
Ron Kraft (1994-97)
Dean Holden (1997-98)
Doug Irwin (1998-2002)
Bill Peters (2002-2005)
Greg Gatto (2005-2014)
Spiros Anastas (2014-present)

UNews - Spiros Anastas

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