GRATITUDE

One big thank you! It’s the only topic I could possibly justify as the first blog post here on the new site. Simply, it’s the right thing to do. And it’s what I’ve been taught to do by the hockey community from the very beginning. Work hard, be nice, and show sportsmanship and gratitude to those who share their time and energy with you and for you.

FAMILY:

Yes, my whole hockey family. But first I owe it to my immediate family:

MOM (NANCY), DAD (GARY), ERIC, GINA, GREGG, ALL OF MY AUNTS, UNCLES, COUSINS, GRANDMAS, GRANDPA'S, ALL OF YOU. And yes, my wife and kids (you’ll get your own thank you later in this article...patience). Thank you for all of your love and unwavering support. The endless energy and investment into this journey with me. This endeavor still moves forward and lives on because of your love and belief in me and my stubbornness to never compromise or give up doing what I love since I was 2 years old. The love you’ve given and the sacrifices you’ve made move me to tears. I can’t express to you just how thankful I am. Just know that I feel it, even when I don’t outwardly show it. THANK YOU!

NEIGHBORS:

To all of my neighbors from Rainbow Drive. Before I officially say thanks, I’ll start with an apology. I’m sorry for all the noise! I realize now how selfish it was to constantly shoot pucks, day after day, hours upon hours without relenting, even on weekend mornings at 7:00am. But never once, in the 18 years I lived there, did a single one of you complain. Instead, you expressed a genuine interest in my hockey pursuit and my life. You cared about me enough to accept what a pain in the ass I was sometimes. I knew all along that we were the luckiest kids on the planet having grown up there in Deer Park, but it had nothing to do with the nice houses or material things we all had. It was YOU; each of you, that made it so special. THANK YOU!

COACHES:

I’m so fortunate to have grown up in Pittsburgh when I did. The coaches I had growing up were the very best a young player and person could ever have...especially you, DAD! The original hockey nut! Your love for the game and genuine kindness, and positivity toward anyone who’s ever crossed your path at the rink (or anywhere else for that matter) is an inspiration to me. You and Mom are everything I want to be. The best role models in the business.  

To my coaches at the following organizations: Mt. Lebanon Hornets, SHAHA Panthers, Pittsburgh Hornets, Thomas Jefferson High School, West Virginia University.

To Marianne Watkins & Barb Benedetti.

To Dave Hanson, Mark Chavez, Joe Mullen, Kim Clackson, Jim Lilja, Todd Gibson, Chris (Sluggo) Stern, Joe Gaul, Don Powell, Adam Blaine, Matej Kret, & Jeff Anderson.

To my fellow coaches, managers, parents, equipment managers, and trainers that have coached with me: I can’t possibly name you all but here’s a few: Marianne Watkins, Blaine Buterbaugh, the RMU crew, Dave Hornack, Sluggo, James Paloscik, Dan Bylsma, Ray & Karen Shero, Tim Bosack, Tim Heneroty, Matt Nicholson, Brian Burke, Chris Schornack, Joe Hurley, Bernie McDonnell, Rick Matchett, Austin Sutter, Dr. Mike Flores, Denis Burk, Si Bishop, Ed Wietholder, Adam Blumen, Chad Williams, Steve Preite, Jeremy Hoy, Joe Redlinski, Frank Kilger, Bob Hudson, Chris Phillips, John Bak, Tom Kowalski, Shannon Malley, Joe Cione, Jim Chase, Tom Schlief, the Southtowns crew, the USA Hockey Carolina Crew, and especially my brother, Eric Attanucci. I’ve learned so much from each of you, and I’ve enjoyed every single second of it. Eric, I’ve learned way more from you than you might think, and I’m so happy that you’ve decided to be a coach too. Your players are so lucky to have you educate them, inspire them, laugh with them, and instill in them the love of the game that runs through our family's blood. Hockey needs all of you, so I hope that each of you continue to contribute your time and energy to the game as we move forward. THANK YOU!

FRIENDS & TEAMMATES:

To my friends and teammates that I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the locker room, classroom, ice, gym, bus, hotel, training room, game day meals, travel, parties, adventures, and every other extracurricular activity I’ve been fortunate to experience. This whole process has been worth it just to share it with you. Even the pain of losing in the U18 USAH National Championship game, which still stings all these years later, was worth it because of all the experiences we shared and memories we made together. What resonates beyond the State Championship, League, and Tournament wins (and losses) is the daily grind. The bond that’s built at practice, on the road, at each other’s homes, and in the room is one that will never die. I love and miss you guys - NUCCI. THANK YOU!

PLAYERS:

To all the players that I’ve had the privilege to coach. You boys & girls; men & women are what it’s all about. Helping you grow in sport and life, sharing the ice or the gym with you, and pushing you toward your dreams is my life’s work. I am grateful for every single second I spend with you. I can’t wait to share more time with you soon. Just promise me when each of you are done playing, you’ll turn back around and extend your own hands out to help the next generation, if you don't already do so. THANK YOU!

OFFICIALS:

To all of the officials that selflessly serve our game. You are the glue holding our sport together. Without you, there is no hockey. And yet, you are constantly ridiculed and under appreciated (yes I was guilty of this when I was younger too). But you continue to serve anyways! PLEASE KEEP SERVING! Just because there's a few jerks in the stands or on the benches, I like to think that there's way more quality people in our game that truly appreciate what you do and realize that you are, in fact, a real person doing your best to get things right and serve the game.  I’m grateful to call each of you my own teammates now (I’ll share my new experiences in a different article). THANK YOU!

MY FAMILY:

To my wife (KELLY), kids (MACRAE & TUCKER), & our dog (BAUER). You have changed my life forever. I am the luckiest man in the world. And I know that isn’t just something people say anymore. It’s how I really feel. It hasn’t always been easy during this ride so far, but it has certainly all been worth it. Everyday is a gift.  And when we spend it together, it's even better. When I’m at the rinks or traveling with my mistress named HOCKEY, just know that you’re always with me. And I’m forever grateful for your understanding and support for my obsession with the game.  THANK YOU!

HOCKEY:

My dad always told me growing up, you’re either a “Hockey Player” or you’re “someone that plays hockey”. Well, I’m a “HOCKEY GUY”: player, coach, trainer, official, fan...everything HOCKEY. You’ve given me countless memories, lessons, relationships, and emotions. It’s even how I met my family! It’s how I’ve defined myself and my existence for all these years (I know I'm not supposed to define myself by hockey, but I do anyways because I'm stubborn like my mother and I like it that way!). It’s how I’ll continue to define myself until the day I leave this earth. You’ve given me so much, and in return, I promise not to give up. I promise to give everything I have back to you, HOCKEY.  THANK YOU!