A program turned around

By Matthew Ondesko, Associate Editor

Not a bad way to go out.

Canisius High School won its second-straight Section VI Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation Catholic School title.

And for coach Terry Miller it will be his last.

Miller coached his last Federation game as he is stepping down to devout more time to coaching his son and coaching the Regals 16 and under team.

Before Miller came to Canisius 10 years ago, the team was known more as the bottom feeders of the league and the Catholics.

You never heard discussions of Canisius having a chance of playing for a Catholic state title. It was always Timon or St. Joe’s.

But, in 10 years, Miller has made a program, which was known as a laughing stock, into a legitimate contender year in and year out.

“When we first got here we were the bottom feeders,” explained Miller. “It was a lot of hard work, not just from me, but my entire staff and from the school backing us to build this entire program. It’s not just me that changed the program, but the attitude of the kids. It was the attitude of the coaches below me and it makes my job easier, but it was all 10 coaches in the program that turned it around.”

After 10 years on the job one would think it would be tough to walk away – especially after all the success the program has had the last two years (two Federation titles and state title).

For Miller, however, walking away isn’t tough – it’s the right thing to do at this time.

“I don’t think it’s tough,” stated Miller. “Ten years is a long time to be doing something and I wanted it to stay fresh for the kids and it’s a lot of work and I wish the successor all the luck in the world.”

A lot of people didn’t like the style or the way Miller went about things when it came to his hockey team on the ice.

I for one didn’t have a problem with the way Terry ran his team during practice or during games. Yes, he did get a little angry at times, but to me that meant he just wanted to win.

And I have no problem with that.

Whoever takes over the job at Canisius will have some big shoes to fill.