Angela Como has been with Delaney Hockey for about a year, but her impact on the players reaches far beyond these twelve months. We took time to get to know Angela, learn more about her skating expertise and her favorite part of being a coach.
Delaney Hockey: How many years have you been skating?
Angela Como: I’ve been skating practically my entire life—since age three.
DH: Where else have you coached?
AC: Although I’ve only been with Delaney Hockey for a year, my coaching experience has spanned several. I began coaching at the Oakton Ice Arena in 2007 and the Franklin Park Ice Arena in 2008 as a figure skating class instructor. In college I worked at the Pepsi Ice Center in Bloomington Illinois where I taught private lessons. Currently, I hold the title of Senior Instructor at the Niles Park District IceLand Arena where I have been a staff mentor speciality instructor and private lesson instructor for five years.
DH: What do you specialize in coaching?
AC: I am the skating instructor at Delaney Hockey so I work mostly on skating and edge development, and conditioning skating.
DH: What’s your favorite part of coaching?
AC: I love when I see a student make improvement on a skill they have been struggling with. Knowing that you were a part of that process is something special.
DH: What’s your favorite memory as a coach?
AC: My favorite memory as a coach has been working with the players at the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association (AHIHA) camp. They are a group of young deaf hockey players from all over the country that come to Chicago and train in the summer. My father worked with the organization when I was young, so being able to coach at this camp is something very special. The players are so driven and dedicated to their sport and it shows. The atmosphere on the ice is electric.
DH: What is the most rewarding part of being a hockey coach?
AC: I love that I get to play so many roles. I have established bonds with many of my players, and have seen them grow as hockey players and as individuals. Oftentimes I’ll be asked for advice unrelated to hockey, and knowing that they trust me enough to talk about their life is really special for me.
DH: What advice do you have for young players starting their hockey careers and/or players who are trying to move up to the next level?
AC: Get on the ice whenever possible and work on skills alone. There is no substitute for ice time, and now more than ever there are opportunities to skate.
DH: How do you think hockey benefits a young athlete?
AC: Hockey is a sport that requires a great amount of time commitment. Most players are on the ice multiple times during the week, and traveling for games on the weekend, which requires dedication and time management skills. Once players make higher level teams they are required to travel and miss school. Unless they are on top of all aspects of their life, this is nearly impossible. Student athletes usually have the same commitment and drive in the classroom as they do on the ice. This keeps them grounded and encourages them to work harder in all aspects of their life.
DH: What are a few things all players can do to increase their skill level?
AC: Pay careful attention to what their coaches tell them. Attention to detail is key when making positive corrections. Working out off the ice—conditioning as well as practicing hockey skills—is also beneficial.
DH: What’s a fun fact about you?
AC: I am a professional skater in an ice show! I skated for a company called Holiday on Ice and performed on six continents during my time with them.
DH: If you could have dinner with a famous hockey player or coach, who would it be and why? What would you talk about? What would you eat for dinner?
AC: I would choose to eat with Herb Brooks. The way he inspired a group of players to be great is something all coaches should strive for. I would like to know how he got players that were so different to work together so well.
DH: What other organizations are you involved with outside of Delaney Hockey?
AC: I hold coaching ratings in the Professional Skaters Association and U.S. Figure Skating. I am also a professional member of the Ice Skating Institute.