ISBHF

George Gortsos

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George Gortsos - Player/Coach Accomplishments, CAN

5 Time OBHA Champion -4 Time CBHA Champion – Midas Topguns/Fernview Rangers
1988, 1992, 1993, 1995 CBHA All-Star Defenceman
1994 CBHA Player of the Year
OBHA & CBHA Hall of Fame Player
1996 Gold Medal at first ISBHF Tournament as “Captain” of Canada
1996 ISBHF All-Star Defenceman
Coach of Team Canada to 4 Gold Medals in 2001, 2003, 2005 & 2007 and a Silver Medal in 1999 - 10 Year record of 49 Wins – 3 Losses – 1 Tie ISBHF Hall of Fame Coach
Only person to have won ISBHF World Gold as a Player and Coach
Presently Director CBHA High Performance oversees all 5 Canadian National Teams
Playing in first Over 40 Master’s World Championship in 2010

Interview

What can you tell young players about playing defence at the highest level of ball hockey.

To be in defenceman in the sport of ball hockey is to be a student of the game. You must know the best and most dangerous offensive players on the opposing team and be prepared for the offensive movements they utilize to succeed. Whether it is speed, size or certain dekes. You must know and be ready to stop them. As a player and coach I knew what these players did.

The best quality I also had as a player that enabled me to dominate players defensively besides knowing the opposing players was my fitness level. To play defence is not easy and really you must be a hard worker to overcome and defend against the player who has the ball. Without question the fact that I was in better shape than the opposing player added an advantage to me in the offence versus defence equation. I used fitness as a defensive weapon.

Finally a defenceman at the World Level must be a good ball handler and passer. These are some fundamentals that I concentrated on as a player.

What is the most memorable game that you took part in?

This is a real tough question for me. So many games to choose from. But I would have to consider three or four. One of the most memorable games had to be the 1996 World Championship in Bratislava , when Canada defeated a very good Czech Team in the final. It really was incredible to win the World championship with guys who were very close and tight knit. The first one. And what a party we had in Bratislava. I can remember coming out of the club at 6am to catch our bus to the airport at 7am!!

Another game is one Canada lost. The final in Zvolen which Canada lost to Slovakia in front of a large crowd was a incredible game. The way the Slovak crowd cheered Canada when we came to be awarded the Silver medal was a proud moment. It was also great to see Slovakia win its first Internationale World Championship. It also motivated me to work harder to win!!

The final memory is the first Golden Goal of our history. When Robert Marchese scored to beat our arch rivals the Czechs in Overtime. A game the Czechs could have easily won. Nevertheless to win in such a fashion and start us on a run of four World Championships was special.

What was the World Championship Site and tournament you enjoyed the most.

I really thought that 2003 World Tournament in Seirre was the best for the uniqueness it presented to our players. It was a great village that got behind the event. There was a festival around the games. And the players could walk to the rink and play. The crowds were big for the big games. And the Swiss just did a great job. I am not sure if another World Championship can be like this one ever again. They even had a parade with the teams going through the city!!

What was like getting ready to play your biggest rivals?

This of course for us comes to the countries and players of Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Fantastic players and teams. We knew as players and later as a coach that we would have to be at our best to win these games. Looking back at my career and the teams I was on. Well the thing I am most proud of is the record we had in games these two countries. To play teams of this calibre in the tournaments we were part of 15 times and only lose once in regulation team is a testament to the respect we had for these programs and how well prepared the players were for that game.

What or who were the best players you competed or coached against at World Championships?

I have to say that a player I admired that I played against and coached against from the Czech Republic was Pavel Kormunda. Always in great shape and really a hard worker. He could have easily played on our running teams with Canada!! The most dangerous offensive player was Richard Kral. We paid attention to his long reach and how smart of a offensive player he was. The smartest opposing player was Peter Babak of Slovakia who led his teams with his great understanding of the game and leadership qualities.

What would you tell a young person about wanting to aspire to play at the World Championships?

Ball Hockey is a game of passion. The passion and love that demonstrates how much someone loves hockey. If you want to be the best in the game of ball hockey you need to be in great shape, and you need to work on the skills with the ball that will separate you and make you a great player. One can only do this through the love of the game of hockey.

Once a player has made the sacrifice to become a great player. There can be no greater challenge than to play the game at the highest level against the great counties that come to the World Championships. You get to see other countries and you get to see if you have what it takes to become a World Champion. It is a great life experience. And makes you a better person.

You are the only person to have won a World Championship as a player and Coach. Do you think there will be others?

Without question yes I do!! I would hope that one day some of these young players who have World Championships and who will win in the future will return the favour of teaching young players how to win at our sport. So I guess I put the challenge out to the players of today. If you are a World Champ today as a player or have been, come back and mentor players to win more than you did as a Coach. This is a reward and something that I cherish. And am thankful to our players for their commitment and excellence. And yes one day you can do better than the record I have with Canada.

How would you like to be remembered as a player or coach?

In no order of importance. A intense competitor, a players coach, a motivator, always prepared as a player and coach to attain victory on and off the floor and a relentless and fast runner and hard working player. Who was a team leader. And one part of the winning equation.

Where do you think the sport of ball hockey will go in the future?

People ask me this question all the time. I know everyone talks about the Olympics, and maybe one day we will. But I honestly do not see this realistically happening anytime soon. I think our sport need to understand that the level of World Championships are played is our greatest asset. I would say the future is that for us. Make our ISBHF World Events the best they can be. Get more counties involved and make sure we have very good A, B & C pools forcing teams of like skill levels to push themselves. I would also hope that we continue to build our Women's division as this will only serve to show the diversity of our game. My final hope is that the leading countries of our sport continue to be good role models and show a good example of working for the good of ball hockey in unison. With these simple formulas our sports potential is endless.

What are you final thoughts of your career with Canada in the ISBHF?

I think about the great style of play that Canada displayed in our heyday. A team built on skill, speed and defence and great goaltending. A Canadian team built on very good discipline that played the game in breathtaking fashion. People came out to watch our team play. And I am proud of this because myself and Tony Ianitto designed these team like machines. It was a thrill to be behind the bench to watch these wonderful athletes perform. Just unbelievable ball hockey. I would also like to thank our great opponents over the years for without you the victories we attained with so much great competition would not have meant as much as it did. It was a honour to be apart of the ISBHF and the events that I had a chance to be part of. I thank the organizers, board of directors for provided us the opportunity to show what we can do. And I say to young players around the World who love hockey to look at the great game of ball hockey and rise up and work hard to become a World Champion and play our game.

President's note

George Gortsos
ISBHF president

This past weekend I had the honour of becoming the third President of the ISBHF. I believe that as a player and coach I have always strived to play ball hockey in a skilled and team way. Now I have a chance to work with all the great leaders of our sport throughout the World who love the game like we all do. I met some great people in Paris. And I would like to thank the representatives of all our member nations who voted me in on behalf of ball hockey players around the World. This is an honour I will handle with the honesty and hard work that made me a successful player and coach. I want to share the main keys that I will strive to work with my fellow board members to make this game better around the World.
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