Cole yukking things up for Purple Ghosts
Everywhere Mike Cole has gone to coach hockey, he's brought an unconventional style with him.
You'll never hear Cole serve up harsh criticisms or belittle any player. Instead, the former stand-up comedian is keeping things humorous for the Alexandria hockey team this season. The Purple Ghosts have been all smiles with a 3-1 record, including two Northern Athletic Conference wins, heading into Wednesday's game at Norwood-Norfolk.
"It's not the traditional way that each guy coaches," said Alexandria captain John Downey of Cole's approach. "He makes it fun. The guys look forward to coming to practice."
One sample of Cole's motivational tactics came in his first year as Watertown High School's head coach in 1991. As the Cyclones were in the early stages of a losing streak, Cole promised not to eat solid food until they won a game. Watertown dropped 13 consecutive games before getting its first win.
"I joked that they should stop losing on purpose so I don't starve to death," Cole said.
Cole's coaching pedigree is no joke, though. He directed Watertown to the Section 10 Division II championship game in 1994. Cole was the coach and general manager of the St. Lawrence Muskies, a junior hockey team that played in the Empire Junior "B" Hockey League in 1997.
Cole has had coaching stints with a junior team in Minnesota and a club squad at Marquette University, and he came back to lead Indian River in 2001. After a brief hiatus, Cole is on Alexandria's bench with a few more stimulating ideas.
"You set an example by your behavior," Cole said. "Everyone wants to be (a coach), but we wonder if we have what it takes. I know what it takes to coach these kids because I know what they need to develop."
Downey said the team has warmed up to Cole's inclusion of rhyming chants during games. The aura is similar to that of a softball game, but the Purple Ghosts are feeding off Cole's sense of humor. If it translates to more wins, they'll keep cheering and laughing with their coach.
"'Kumbaya' might be coming out shortly, but we might have to leave that one in the bag for a while," Downey said.
EPPOLITO NEARS MILESTONES
Joe Eppolito was there for the genesis of Thousand Islands varsity hockey in 1985, and he's been the man behind the Vikings' success ever since.
The longtime head coach at Thousand Islands is inching toward two personal records. Eppolito is seven wins shy of 200 for his career. Barring any postponements or schedule changes, he'll also coach his 400th game for the Vikings on Jan. 7 against Potsdam.
"I'm not all that excited about personal achievements or goals," Eppolito said. "I didn't get into hockey coaching for that. It was more of an opportunity."
Eppolito's original chance arose when he accepted the head coaching position at Thousand Islands 23 years ago. He said the longevity and progress in the area's minor hockey programs have made the Vikings competitive in the Northern Athletic Conference. On top of that, the community involvement in hockey and sharing the rink with the kids has made it even more appealing.
"I just turned 50 this year," Eppolito said. "Turning 50, you seem to think that you're getting older, but I've had the pleasure to work with kids. The kids keep me young."
After Eppolito took six years off of coaching to watch his daughter, Chelsea, play through minor hockey, he returned to the Vikings' bench in 2001. The climax in his coaching career occurred last season when Thousand Islands made its first appearance in the state Division II championship game. Even if it's the last time Eppolito gets a team to Utica for a title shot, he said there has been nothing but joy in his coaching journey.
"I put my heart and soul into it for a long time, and it's been an enjoyable experience," Eppolito said.
JUMP TO JUNIORS
It's commonplace for area hockey players to leave high school early and go elsewhere to pursue their college hockey aspirations.
Several north country skaters have infiltrated rosters in three proximate junior hockey leagues. Here is a breakdown of area players who've competed in the Eastern Junior Hockey League (EJHL), the Empire Junior "B" Hockey League (EJBHL) or the Central Junior Hockey League (CJHL) this season:
EJHL:Dillon Black (IHC), forward, Syracuse.
EJBHL:Devin Coon (Ontario Bay), defenseman, Syracuse; Jared Lehman (IHC), forward, Syracuse.
CJHL:Shane Avery (Salmon River), wing, Cornwall and Hawkesbury; Cory Bercume (Potsdam), defenseman, Brockville; Alex Boak (Norwood-Norfolk), defenseman, Brockville; Taylor McGraw (St. Lawrence), center, Hawkesbury; Devin Simons (Alexandria), defenseman, Brockville and Ottawa.
WRESTLING ON TV
The Frontier League interdivision match between South Jefferson and Sandy Creek will air at 7 p.m. today on Time Warner Sports, channel 26.
South Jefferson enters the match at 12-0 overall and 2-0 in the Frontier League. The Spartans won 10 matches in the Hedgesburg Duals in West Virginia to finish first in the tournament. Last season, South Jefferson placed fourth in the Frontier League tournament and third in the Section 3 Class B tournament.
Sandy Creek is coming off of a banner year in which it finished first in the Frontier League "C" Division, second in the Frontier League tournament, first in the Section 3 Class C tournament and third in the Section 3 Division II Tournament.
Sportswriter Max DelSignore covers high school hockey for the Times. You may reach him at mdelsignore@wdt.net. Daniel Kajdas contributed to this report.
