Coach Fay,
“I just wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. After spending one season as a leaf before heading off to college, I never gave you the thanks you deserve for the influence you brought to my young life. As a kid, I spent countless hours at the Laconia Arena, not only as a player but as a worker during the summer it was being built – which kept me focused on my dream of playing Div. 1 Collegiate Hockey.
You have the patience, dedication and ability to influence your player’s careers and lifestyles on a daily basis – and as I look back on my playing career, much of my former success can be attributed to your guidance. You most likely do not hear how much you have the ability to influence young men’s lives, so take this message as proof positive, as I’m sure there are many other former players, who if they had the chance, would say thanks as well.”
Jonny Williams - Estimator
The Dow Company, Inc.
Bentley College
The Leafs experience, gave Ben such an opportunity to mature, both as a young man and as a hockey player. As parents we don’t always realize that Junior hockey is not about how many games the team wins. It is about development… personally as well as athletically, and the possibilities our son may have in the future. I’m grateful to the Leafs organization for making such a difference in my son’s life.
Judy DiMarco
Laconia Leafs Parent 2007-2008
Dear Will,
Your former Leafs are doing awesome! We have been successful in the early part of the year and most of that is due to the players from Laconia. They have great work ethic and have been playing like veterans. Hopefully we can get more guys like them from you in the future. Thanks for all your help.
Erik Noak
Head Coach, Johnson & Wales University NCAA ECAC
Email dated December 14th, 2004:
"The Leafs program is well organized and coached. When I first came to Laconia, I didn't know what to expect. I wasn't familiar with North American styles and how another team might run their organization. I soon heard comments from other players, and was very happy to have come. The staff have done an excellent job on not only hockey, but also in preparing us for life, with or without the sport. I know already that I have improved the mental aspect of my own game.
I have been very happy with the community as well. It is always a joy to play at our rink, we know there will be many fans! Many people take time to help the team, even if their own child isn't a Leaf. I am thankful as a "late bloomer" for the chance to develop my skills with the Leafs. I strongly recommend the Leafs program to any player."
Einari "Eikka" Sutinen
Leafs Foreign Import Player - Rovaniemi, Finland 1999-2000
"My wife and I would like to extend our deepest thanks for having Jim participate with the Leafs this season. His host family was so kind to take Jim in, and look after him. I was not very familiar with the Laconia area before Jim went, but became very impressed with the many people that reached out to help him find work, help with school, etc.. Also, the time Will Fay put forth putting together the 1999-2000 team really paid off. Jim had a great time, making friends from across the country and Europe. The discipline instilled in Jim was clearly evident when he first returned home after being away for six months. Once again, we thank the Leafs for everything, and we look forward to next year!"
James & Leslie Sweeney
Leafs Parents 1999-2001
"We would like to thank Will Fay and the Laconia Leaf organization for the opportunity they provided our son Matt. Starting with his senior year in high school including 2 post-graduate seasons, providing an opportunity to play hockey in a highly competitive environment. An opportunity, being from a non-traditional hockey state, that was unique for him and us as a family. Over the course of three seasons, Laconia became his home and has verified the advice he was given by a veteran Leaf player the previous summer , ''Play for the Leafs if you can make it, they'll take care of you in Laconia."
The situation the Leafs organization offers with regards to the amount of ice time, exposure to import players, convenience of the rink, community college, community support and fine host families provides a venue for anyone that is seriously interested in becoming a seriuos student-athlete. The organization has been watchful and fair with our son and has provided him with a college hockey opportunity that under the circumstances of where he is from would have been unavailable to him. It is hard to overstate, as parents, the gratitude, positive results and luck by association we have experienced with the Leaf organization."
Pam & Dave Groh
Leafs Parents 2000-2003
Open Letter to Laconia Leafs Prospects/Parents/Guardians;
As parents of a Laconia Leafs player for two seasons, 2003 and 2004, Joan and I would like to offer our sincere gratitude to the Coach Fay & the Leafs for providing such a positive experience for Adam. . Them, along with the infusion of Mike Poirier as the “all-around-good-guy” served as positive role models and inspiration for overcoming a variety of challenges in life.
The Leafs mission of preparing each student-athlete to have a solid foundation of life skills and getting them ready academically, socially and athletically for “life after Leafs” is made possible through the hard work and dedication of this staff of coaches. Their understanding of the age group, sense of humor and dedication to their growth as individuals helped our son and his teammates prepare for “the next level”.
In addition to enjoying two regular season league championships, two playoff championships and two appearances in the national tournament, many of the players over the last two years have moved on to “the next level”.
The team conducted a variety of community outreach activities including community “clean-ups”; work with youth programs and honoring various local individuals and causes. The friendships and team bonding that result from these experiences are like MasterCard. Priceless.
These athletes are encouraged to work part-time, attend classes at local colleges or high school, participate in SAT Preparation coursework or join one of the local fitness facilities.
The positive growth that we observed as parents over two years was just what our son needed. The experiences that he gained in life and in hockey through the efforts of these coaches and teammates enabled him to reach “the next level” as he embarks on a new phase of life and hockey next year at Johnson and Wales University. We owe many thanks for that opportunity to Will Fay, Charlie, Tom, Eric and Mike for allowing him to attack some “unfinished business”.
With the continued involvement of this group of coaches, the Leafs will always be a “winning team”.
Best wishes for many more successful seasons.
Sincerely,
Joan and Jerry Frew
Leafs Parents 2002-2004
"My Involvement with the Leafs has been a wonderful experience for my entire family. The players and management have been role models for our own children, the local hockey association members, and the community at large."
Tom O'Flaherty Jr
Former Medical Director - Laconia Leafs
