Center Forward ∙ Shoots: Right

Jersey # 17

Born: June 17, 2004 ∙ Markham, ON

Height: 5’5 ∙ Weight: 120 lbs

# Of years playing hockey:   9 years — Started playing at 4 years old

Current Team / Level in Hockey: Toronto Jr. Canadiens “AAA”

Dream team to play for/favourite hockey team if different:

Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs

A Bit About Pano: 

“I am 12 years old, and a grade 7 student at Everest Academy. I have a younger brother and sister, and I come from a Greek background. Hockey is my favourite sport and I play for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens AAA Peewee team. I also play box Lacrosse for the Newmarket Redbirds, and for fun I enjoy playing tennis, golf, soccer, baseball, and basketball. I also enjoy swimming and riding my bike”

Why did you pick hockey?

“My parents tell me that I would watch hockey on TV with them as a little kid. When I started walking at 10 months old I would grab a mini stick and smack a ball around the living room and laugh every time. When I was 2 1/2 years old, my dad built a hockey rink in the back yard and would take me out to see if I liked it. It turned out that I loved being out on the ice and learned the sport quickly and loved playing it. I looked forward to getting on the ice, watching hockey on TV and sometimes going down to the ACC to watch a Leaf game as a treat. Over the years, I have improved my skills and my overall game and I’m still working hard and learning. When I’m off my skates for any length of time, I am always hungry to get back on the ice. It’s a sport that I enjoy playing, watching, and talking about.”

Favourite part of the sport?

“My favourite part of hockey is playing with my teammates and friends. I love going to the rink for practices and games. When I am asked, I sometimes go on the ice with my younger brother’s team for practice, so I can get some extra ice time to work on my game.

Practices are fun but I really love just playing the games. I love winning face offs, scoring goals or making a nice pass for an assist and then celebrating with my teammates.

I also love away tournaments. We get to stay in hotels and hang out playing mini sticks, go for swims, watch movies and have meals together. They are a great group of guys to be with. Some of us have been together for a few years now and we have become real good friends. They are like brothers to me and we have many great memories.

I love just being with my teammates and hanging out in the dressing room but the biggest thing I love is just being on the ice and playing the game. I am really looking forward to making many more memories playing the sport I love.”

Who is the biggest part in helping you make it this far?

“My parents have played the biggest role in helping me get this far in hockey.  They have been there for me the whole way through, supporting me in every way. They always tell me that if I don’t do good in school there is no hockey so that really motivates me to do my best at school. It’s working so far because I made the honour roll last year.

My dad was my coach for my first 4 years and taught me a lot about hockey. When he coached the teams I was on, he would always teach us that family comes first, then school, then hockey.

My parents make sure I eat healthy and gets lots of rest. They pay for everything and drive me around to all my practices, games and tournaments. My mom tries her best to make it to all my games, but sometimes it’s hard because our schedules are busy and my brother or sister have something going on as well. When my mom is there she always cheers me on. My parents and grandparents are my number one fans in the stands!  My grandfather really loves watching me play and hardly ever misses a game. He even comes with us to away tournaments. I think he enjoys it so much because it brings back memories of him watching my dad play growing up. I love it when he buys me hot chocolate and I smile every time he tells me I’m a much better player than my dad ever was.”

Typical Days Schedule:

• Wake up 6:45 am and have a healthy breakfast while watching sports highlights on TV

• Go to school for 8:30 am start – 1st class is 1h 15 minutes
• On the ice at 10:10 am for 1h 30 mins
• Eat lunch and back to class from 12:20 pm – 4:00 pm
• Go home eat an early dinner and finish any homework
• Quickly warm up and off to practice or game
• After practice or game head home grab a bite to eat and finish any homework
• Take a quick shower and go to bed around 9:00 – 9:30pm

Meal prep/menu:

• Breakfast: Eggs, bacon, fruit, and fruit / vegetable smoothie
• Lunch: Carbs (pasta), protein (chicken, beef or fish), and salad
• Dinner: Pasta, chicken, and vegetables
  • Drink about 3-5 500 ml bottles of water per day
  • Game day – eat meals 2 ½ – 3 hours before game
  • Eat a banana before games and practice
  • Drink 500 ml of chocolate milk and have a protein bar right after game or practice

Workout Routine/ Schedule:

Workouts rotate

Week 1-  Monday’s and Wednesday’s

Week 2- Tuesday’s and Thursday’s

• Roll out
• Cardio workout
• Upper body workout
• Lower body workout

Hockey Schedule (for the week):

• Monday: Hockey at school then practice with JRC team or possible    game
• Tuesday: Hockey at school, possible game
• Wednesday: Hockey at school, possible game
• Thursday: Practice with JRC or possible game
• Friday: Possible game
• Saturday: Possible game
• Sunday: Home game with JRC

What is your role in yours son’s hockey life?

“Our role in our son’s hockey is to have him as well balanced and prepared as possible, both mentally and physically. We try and have him well rested and eat as healthy as possible.

With three kids involved in sports so we have to divide and conquer, but we drive him to all his games, practices and tournaments. With our busy schedules, we try and teach him as much as possible about time management — to get things done, such as homework, chores, training and resting.

We have always stressed that school always comes before hockey, so we believe that is one of the reasons why he’s a great student at school and a focused hockey player.”

When did you know your son would make something of the sport?

“From a young age we could tell that Pano really loved everything about hockey and worked really hard at it. He learned how to skate from a figure skater at 3 years old which helped him develop the smooth stride he has now. He was excited and looked forward to getting on the ice and always had a hockey stick in his hand. We could tell when Pano first started playing hockey that he loved being on the ice and worked very hard at doing his best. He enjoys playing all sports but his passion is definitely hockey.

We decided 3 years ago, at the age of 9, to enroll both Pano and his younger brother, Andoni, at Everest Academy. This was to put them with likeminded kids where they could push themselves both academically and physically. Both boys have excelled at the school and with their hockey and lacrosse development.

We believe, like all parents, that our kids can do anything they set their minds on doing but it’s up to them. All we can do is help guide and encourage them to follow their dreams.

We don’t know if Pano will make something out of hockey but he has the drive, skill and mindset to strive towards being whatever he wants to be.”

Cost of Equipment:

• Skates   $550 – $700
• Helmet $175 – $225
• Gloves  $100 – $125
• Sticks   $200 – $300
• Pants     $100 – $150
• Shin Pads   $130 – $150
• Shoulder Pads $130 – $150
• Elbow Pads   $75 – $100
• Jock     $50 – $70
• Neck Protection $15 – $25

How much have you paid for equipment to date?

“Don’t know and I don’t think I want to know.

It’s hard to say but if I had to guess it would be around $7,000 – $10, 000 over 9 years.”

Equipment replacement:

“Equipment has to be replaced every year and sometimes throughout the season. The equipment is handed down to our other son, Andoni, who is 2 years younger than Pano. This helps out a lot with costs.”