Dedicated Volunteers Don’t Quit The Game Even After Their Kids Do


We've all seen the famous picture of Bobby Orr flying through the air like Superman.

Then just 21 years old, #4 had just potted the game-winner in overtime - clinching the Stanley Cup for the Boston Bruins - before tripping over goalie Glenn Hall's stick and into the history books.

But here's a piece of trivia for hockey heads: Who set up Orr from behind the net on that score? 

We all remember Bobby Orr, but his iconic moment doesn't happen without an assist from Derek Sanderson or the hustle of Don Awrey.

While it may not be the Stanley Cup Finals, it's not a stretch to point out that our own young skater's moments in the sun don't happen with an assist here or there, or plenty of hustle behind the scenes.

I'm sure your local team, like our Syracuse Nationals Girls' squad, wouldn't run as efficiently without our team parents - such as Jennifer Thieben, John and Angela Cipullo - booking hotels, coordinating travel, finances, team dinners and the dreaded fundraising ideas.

Still, there's another team that is integral for all teams to succeed and they're not in it for their kids. In fact, they no longer have kids who play hockey. They're members of the wonderful world of volunteers.

For my son's former coach, it's all about giving back to the game that has given so much to him and his children. After Mike Zandri's children went off to college, he was asked to coach an initiation program. I spotted him on the job one day at the rink and was caught by complete surprise to see a familiar face among the fresh new faces of the littlest skaters in the rink. Bending down, smiling and laughing.

It was in sharp contrast to my memories of the intense Bantam coach who led intense practices and was always ready to draw something up on his white board.

"It is very different without my own child," Zandri admits. "I don't have to get anyone home to do homework or chores or anything else. This leaves time to answer parents and coach questions, mostly to share all aspects of the game."

The same holds true for Chuck Gridley, who wears many hockey hats within the USA Hockey family. In addition to coaching three teams, he is the New York District coach in chief, serves as an instructor for the Coaching Education Program and is on several other committees. His son, who he used to coach, now helps him coach all three teams, including the CNY Flyers Sled Hockey Team. 

"It's been great to have the opportunity to not only coach my son when he was young, but to now be able to work with him as a coach," Gridley says.

A love of the game and a desire to share that with the next generation of hockey players keeps Gridley in the game.

"My involvement with the Coaching Education Program gives me the opportunity to help shape the next generation of coaches, and have a real and lasting impact on the game," he says.

There are plenty of volunteer opportunities, Gridley says, who believes it's an asset to have experienced coaches and administrators who are not connected to a child on the team.

The hockey season can take a lot from us - time, warmth, money and even a little bit of our sanity. But if we look at how the game rewards our families with lessons and friends will last a lifetime, it's easy to see why volunteers are so eager to give back.

After all, once you've been through the ringer as a hockey parent, you know how much everyone can use an assist and some hustle to help the next generation soar through the air.

 

Issue: 
2019-03

Poll

Who is your favorite 2023/2024 NHL Rookie?
Connor Bedard
59%
Matthew Knies
12%
Brock Faber
29%
Logan Stankoven
0%
Logan Cooley
0%
Total votes: 17