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With the Coach: Ryan Maliska
Enthusiasm bridges experience gap
John Meagher
The Gazette
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
With the Coach is a weekly series featuring a conversation with a local coach.
Coach: Ryan Maliska, 18-year-old Dorval resident and Vanier College student
Team: Hockey West Island atom C Knights hockey team
Years coached: First
Playing experience: Youth league hockey and CEGEP rugby
Best coaching tip: Hard work is the key to success.
At 18, Ryan Maliska is one of the youngest minor hockey coaches in the West Island.
But what the Vanier College student may lack in bench experience, he is making up for in enthusiasm with the Knights, an atom C team that includes his youngster sister, Victoria.
How did you get involved in coaching hockey this year?
Maliska: I put my name in to be an assistant, but they needed head coaches, so I took the team. It’s been great experience so far. They’re great kids and they’re easy to get along with. I like joking with them. I find that they make a good team. They’re always happy and they show up to all the practices, even the 7 a.m. practices.
How does your younger sister feel about having you as a head coach?
Maliska: She likes it. It’s her first year of hockey, so she wanted me to help coach the team. There are other girls who she is friends with on the team, so she is enjoying herself.
How do your team’s hockey parents react to having a teenage coach?
Maliska: The parents have been very supportive. We do a lot a fun things with the kids. We have team parties and we also skate outdoors once a week at Viking Park in Pointe Claire. We invite the parents to come out, too. The recognition I get from the players and parents is nice. It makes you feel appreciated.
What skills need the most attention at the atom C level?
Maliska: Mostly skating and stickhandling. We’ve got a lot of kids who are just learning to play hockey, so I try to keep our practices fun.
Do you still play hockey?
Maliska: I still play youth league hockey a couple of times a week.
Do you want to continue coaching after this year?
Maliska: I’d like to continue coaching Victoria’s team. My younger bother Jamie (6) is in pre-novice this year and I’d like to help coach his team one day, too. My older sister Olivia (20) also plays hockey. I’ve been playing since I was 6.
What part of coaching do you enjoy most?
Maliska: When the kids come off the ice and they’re super happy because they just had a great game. I really try to teach them that they have to put a lot of effort into everything you do. If they’re having trouble, you help them through it. You help them to keep pushing forward.
What is your team budget?
Maliska: Good question. It’s about $120 per player. It’s not a lot for a C team. We enter two tournaments and we also use the money for parties. The outdoor ice we use is free. We share the rink with the other atom C team, the Kings. There is lots of bonding between the teams because a lot of the kids are friends.
How is your team doing so far?
Maliska: Not bad. We’ve got two wins, five ties and three losses. We play a total of 18 games. I tell them to learn, play different positions and have fun.