When you talk about the best offensive forward players to play the game, in Canada that discussion always includes Gus Kourousis. In the Canadian Ball Hockey Association, names like Alex Burrows, Kourousis, Benoit Gilbert, Yvan Breton, Robert Marchese and Claudio Lessio are the pedigree beacons. These were the offensively gifted bandits that the CBHA created. And make no mistake besides Burrows, Kourousis may have been the most complete player both offensively and defensive to play the game, and who also really had the hands of an NHL superstar. Combine that with a passing vision of a computer. And most importantly a winning pedigree. Mr. Kourousis finished his playing career with 3 CBHA National Titles and 2 World Championships. He also gathered numerous all-star and MVP awards.
Like Alexander Burrows, he had become a complete superstar type of player, who was able to play the game at both ends and in any situation. He was the Tournament Leading Scorer of the first ISBHF World Championships in Bratislava held in 1996. After his dominating one game performances ever in a big game a World Championship Gold medal game, the Slovakian crowd began chanting his name.
“He had the best vision of anybody I’ve ever played with.” said former teammate Nat Macri. “Gus could make plays from anywhere in the zone, and sometimes you would think he’s about to lose the ball and then bang, the ball is on a teammates stick to make a play because Gus just found a way.”
He returned to represent Canada in 2001 and played on Team Canada’s first line, along with his childhood friend Rob Marchese and Nelson Lajuenesse. After this Gold Medal, Mr. Kourousis decided to wind down his competitive ball hockey career to focus on his family.
However, seven years later in 2008 he was he was asked to help establish and lead the Hellenic Ball Hockey Association, which represents Greece at ISBHF tournaments, to success. Through his leadership and mentoring, he helped lead young Hellenic players in learning the many winning lessons he learned during his esteemed career. Not only did Mr. Kourousis lead them to the ISBHF B pool championship in 2009 in their first ever World Championship, he donned the pads once again. Leading by example on the floor and in the locker room, Gus led the team in scoring. In a sport dominated by the stamina of youth, this was an unheard of achievement for any ISBHF Hall of Famer.
“What Gus did in 2009 was nothing short of amazing. This game relies so much on stamina, which is why around 30 a lot of guys don’t make the national team because they may still have their speed but they just don’t have the stamina that our youth gives us. But Gus adapted his game so well and played what was really the smartest style of hockey anyone could have played. Never out of position, always knew where to go with the ball, and really showed the Greece newcomers what it takes to be the best.” said former Team USA Forward Bill Sullivan.
We asked Gus to talk about his career.
“I began playing ball hockey at the age of 7 on the streets of Toronto just like a lot of other kids, and was fortunate enough to be part of a street team called the Westmoreland Bombers. I think back now, and recall at the age of eight we had to participate in a camp which involved running around the block, and doing pushups and sit-ups. I still remember being in the captains house trying to complete my third sit-up. That whole experience stuck with me for life because it taught me at a young age that I had to work hard to make the team.
I was blessed with the ability to play this game at a young age and fell in love. I guess my skills were developed by competing against kids much older than me when I was younger. Also we used to play three on three on a driveway that was no bigger than ten feet by twenty feet. That would really help develop stick handling abilities.
My first worlds was an amazing experience. To be able to say that you are a world champion at a sport is wonderful achievement, and to have memories that last a life time is precious. The crowds in Bratislava were fantastic. To hear the crowd chant your name in a foreign country sent chills up and down my spine and I will never forget it. When I had the opportunity to play again in 2001 at home that also was special, especially in the fashion that we won which was overtime. I had a chance to celebrate a championship with two really close childhood friends in Ross Ferreira and Rob Marchese who was my linemate.”
As of 2024, Mr. Kourousis has retired as a player from competitive ball hockey, but is still involved with the sport through his enthusiasm for coaching youth teams in his native province of Ontario, CA,, He also helps the HBHA recruit and assess players for their National Teams.
2025 U16 Men's World Championship
2025 U20 Men's World Championship
