Congratulations Nathan Papirny, our Elite Sporswear Coach of the Week.
We received a tearjerker of a letter from Nancy, explaining just why Nathan truly deserves this award.
Jason,
I would like to nominate Nathan Papirny from the South Side Athletic Club (SSAC), Don Wheaton Midget AA hockey team.
Nate was my son, Cam’s head coach during the 2011/12 season . I was impressed with him from the moment the team hit the ice at the start of the year. He was very clear on what he expected from his players, from his bench staff, and from parents. The team came together really early in the season and the boys all liked playing with each other and for each other — they were having fun. In club hockey, you don’t always see a coach roll all lines; however, Nate looked at the development of players and insisted that he chose character players for various reasons and roles. This meant that everyone saw the ice regularly every game and everyone improved throughout the season as a result.
To say this team went from tragedy to triumph is an understatement. In November, one of our players and assistant captain, Kyle Fundytus, was fatally injured during a hockey game while blocking a shot. When Kyle was taken from the rink to the hospital, Nathan sat at the hospital with the family while the rest of us prayed for a miracle. He pulled the team together the next morning breaking the news that Kyle didn’t survive his injuries. Nathan demonstrated Leadership like no other that day — all while his wife was at home expecting the arrival of their second child at any moment. The team mourned the loss of their team mate and friend together. Nate went above and beyond the call of duty of what any of us would have expected him to do. He participated in press conferences, supported the family, supported the team (players, coaches, and families). He cancelled all upcoming games/practices and told the boys that it was up to them when/if they wanted to return to the ice. He continued to support the boys when they decided that returning to the ice was essential in their healing process. They decided that they would return at the end of November to play their first game back against the other SSAC Lakewood Midget AA team and that it would be a fundraiser for the memorial scholarship created in memory of their lost friend/player. The day before this game was to occur, the Lakewood’s team bus crashed while on a road trip and almost every player was injured (various degrees). Once again, Nate communicated with everyone on the team, providing regular updates on the medical conditions of their friends from the other team (thankfully, everyone is expected to fully recover from these injuries).
It turned out that our first game back was for a tournament in Banff. The boys had skated a few times at practice to get the rust out, but we weren’t sure what to expect. This was a very emotional return. Prior to our first game on the Friday vs. Spokane, there were many tears in the dressing room. Spokane was a good team, but we were better and won 5-2. The next day would be even more emotional as we were playing the Maple Leaf Athletic Club (MLAC) and it was against this team that we were playing the day of the tragedy. The MLAC team was emotional too. We were down 4-2 after the 2nd period, but somehow came back in the 3rd to win 5-4. Now we are playing Sunday for the tournament win against Airdrie. They were a BIG team, with a HUGE goalie. We were evenly matched and it was close throughout the entire game: 1-1, 2-1, 2-2 — back and forth all game. Lots of scoring chances both ways, but both teams had great goaltending. Then with 2 1/2 mins left in the game Airdrie scored to make it 3-2. We (in the stands) were crushed, but not the boys! In the last 2 1/2 minutes they somehow found a way to score 3 goals to win 5-3! Even the dads in the stands were crying and hugging each other. This team simply just refused to lose. Nathan told the players that they were playing with “too many men” all weekend. We all believed it!
Our season finished strong — not winning the league, but playing with such determination and emotion. Nate turned out to be so much more than a hockey coach to these young men. He is a mentor and a role model; someone you want your boys to grow up to be; someone you want your daughters to marry. Soon the 2012/13 hockey season will start. Nathan will once again choose his team based not just on skill, but on character. I don’t wish a season such as the one we had on any other person, but for the players chosen for this upcoming team, may you enjoy your time spent with Nate and his assistant coaching staff and learn all you can from them.
Thank you so much for your consideration of my nomination. I can’t think of anyone more deserving.
Regards,
Nancy Toma
If you would like to get your coach recognized, email gregor@theteam1260.com
