The Rockport High School boys hockey team will have a new face behind the bench when the 2008-09 season begins in the winter.
Derek Papalegis will take over the reigns from Mike Greel, who stepped down after last season. Papalegis, who is 26-years-old, was an assistant coach at Salem High School for the last three seasons, and hopes to rebuild a struggling Vikings program.
"Rockport has a similar program to Salem given that both programs have to work hard for everything they get," Papalegis said. " So I thought my experience at Salem made Rockport a great fit. I am really looking forward to working with the players and improving the program."
Papalegis played hockey for Salem High School from 1996-99, where Gloucester High School head coach Don Lowe was an assistant at the time. Papalegis, a University of New Hampshire graduate then became an assistant for the Witches after finishing college. Rockport will be his first head coaching job.
Papalegis inherits a Rockport team that finished 4-12-3 last season playing in the Commonwealth Conference. Despite their record, the Vikings were a snake bitten team, losing six games by one goal. The team looks to improve this winter after losing only four players from last season's team.
Papalegis stressed that the team will need to improve in one-goal games, he also wants to implement a winning attitude.
"I'm going to stress a commitment to winning," Papalegis said. "I want the team to be ready to go from day one, and after meeting the team I think they will. They are a good group of kids and there are a lot of good hockey players returning. These kids play with Gloucester kids in Cape Ann Youth Hockey, so we know there is talent there."
The first-year head coach brings an aggressive style of hockey, stressing hard work. Papalegis wants his players to work for everything they get, play hard and play with passion.
"We are going to fight for every inch," Papalegis said. "The team is going to work hard in the corners and work hard every day in practice. Good things will come with a good work ethic."
Papalegis is hoping a good season can propel the program into a consistent winner.
"Hopefully a couple of winning seasons can snow ball into something good," Papalegis said. "I am excited to get going and thankful for the opportunity."
