Women’s Hockey
TOP 10 TUESDAY: Defending champion Manitoba opens at No.1 in women’s hockey
U SPORTS sits down with one key athlete, coach, and staff member of each U SPORTS athletic program in our new interview series “Getting to know…”
- Name: Stacey Colarossi
- School: Laurentian University
- Sport: Women’s hockey
- Position: Head coach
- Seniority: Six seasons
- Previous school/position: Assistant coach, York Lions
- Hometown: Georgetown, Ont.
1. How did you first get involved in coaching? What was your path to your position as head coach of Laurentian Voyageurs?
My playing career ended young due to concussions. Once I realized my time playing had come to an end, I wanted to find a way to still be involved. Coaching seemed to be the most logical path. I started in minor hockey, just pushing pucks and evolving to skills coaching with junior programs. I was then fortunate to receive an opportunity with Dan Church at York University to help work with his forwards. This position evolved over time and I believe best prepared me to start the program at Laurentian with a solid foundation.
2. Who are the people that have influenced you most as a coach?
Funny enough, it is people with minimal experience in high performance hockey coaching who have been involved in sport at elite levels as both athletes and coaches. Their knowledge and experience in dealing with a variety of personalities over their careers keep me balanced and reminds me that it’s about the players well-being and management.
3. How would you describe your coaching style?
I would consider myself a players’ coach, with clear cut expectations, and direct with my information and assessment.
4. Which coach do you admire the most, and why?
I admire Pat Summitt, head coach of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball. I followed her career and read about her pathway as a trail blazer in women’s sport and coaching. Her style demanded competitiveness and a strong work ethic. She had a true passion for her players as people. She is certainly one person who I would have loved to have had the opportunity to sit and have dinner with.
5. What is the most “out-of-the-box” thing you’ve done as a coach?
For those who know me and my “randomness,” I like to keep my team on their toes while having a bit of fun. For example, most recently, we went paintballing and I told them I was a free target for the day with no strings attached. I came home with a couple welts, but not as many as I anticipated.
6. What is your greatest coaching moment or achievement?
I have two that I am very proud of for very different reasons. My first league game behind the bench as the inaugural head coach of our Voyageurs program. Second, most recently, the past two summers being the head coach of the U SPORTS All-Stars at the Hockey Summer Showcase and having success against the Canada’s National Women’s Development Team and Team Japan.
7. What’s the best advice you can give to an athlete and/or athlete’s parents?
Enjoy the game and play for the right reasons. If university hockey is your goal, be sure to select a school that fulfills both your academic and hockey needs.
8. How have you changed as a coach over time? What principles/values, etc. have remained the same?
My values and principles have remained the same throughout my career. However, as I have grown as a coach, my ability to see the big picture and focus on the process has changed to being patient with the plan.
9. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not in coaching mode?
I enjoy being outside in my yard, enjoying the beautiful nature of the north. Spending time with friends and family, whether it be at the lake, by a pool or around the fire pit.
10. What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you as a coach?
My team plays a game called “odds.” I lost the bet and had to honour my challenge. I had to coach a league game, at home ice, in my slippers, which I had to wear on the bench through the game, and onto the ice to shake hands at the conclusion. I believe you are only as good as your word.