Get to Know Axemen Recruit Daniel Poliziani

Storm Stories is a Guelph Storm original weekly feature for the 2012-13 season spotlighting current Storm Players and giving readers a behind-the-scenes look at the player’s lives on and off the ice.

At the core of what defines Daniel Poliziani as an athlete and as a person is an unwavering love for the game of hockey; it’s easy to find and obvious to anyone that knows the Burlington, Ontario native. It’s in his blood.

Daniel’s grandfather Danny played his junior hockey for the Barrie Flyers and Quebec Aces, coached along the way by legendary “Hap” Emms and “Punch” Imlach. As a professional, he was a member of the Boston Bruins organization, and later suited up for Hershey and Providence in the American league.

“When I was growing up, my grandfather would tell me countless stories about his hockey career,” Poliziani says. “I’d sit there for hours; I loved them. I could never get enough.”

His father, Dan Poliziani, spent his playing days at the college level for Yale University and then as a professional for New Haven in the American Hockey League. After a tragic on-ice eye injury cut Dan’s playing career short, he went back to Yale where he spent the next twelve years coaching varsity hockey.

He also coached his son Daniel during his early hockey years.

“As soon as Daniel was old enough to recognize the sights and sounds of the hockey rink, he wanted to put skates on,” Dan says. “Not so much to skate, but to be carried around the ice and feel the cold breeze on his face.”

Thinking back to those days, Daniel says “Hockey players always remember the 6:00am practices. But I loved getting up early, and I remember my dad always helped me get half dressed at home so I could get out on the ice that much sooner.”

“And for whatever reason I always loved the smell of freshly zamboni’d ice.”

Daniel credits his father with the development of his work ethic and character.

“My dad has always been a great motivator.  He would talk about playing hockey, about working hard, and about his injury,” Dan says about his dad. “He helped me understand at an early age that I have to take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way, because you never know when those opportunities will be taken away.”

“That’s what I think about when I’m tired, or sore, or I don’t feel like working hard as hard as I know I should. I always think back to his story and remember his advice: don’t take anything for granted.”

At 5’8 and 170lbs, Poliziani has been classified by some as an “undersized” defenseman. But he’s been beating the odds for years, turning heads and making his mark with skill and poise instead of size and stature.

“We watched Daniel evolve as a capable player over the years,” says his dad. “He developed a confidence and vision that just seemed to push him forward. He could match the bigger players in skill and creativeness, and was able to surpass many with his decision making and skating abilities.”

“We always saw what made him special, and just hoped that others would be able to recognize it as well. “

Obviously, they did. In 57 games with the Guelph Storm this past season, in what was Poliziani’s first taste of OHL action, he put up one goal, six assists, and carried a +1 rating on the year.

While Daniel Poliziani’s dream has always been to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and become a professional hockey player, his focus remains entirely on the present.

“This season I want to put up more points than I did last year and have a better season overall,” he says. “I don’t think I really showed who I am as a hockey player last year. I want to play my style of hockey and I’m determined to contribute to this team as much as I can.”

Paired with team captain Matt Finn on the blue line, Poliziani will figure prominently in the Storm’s plans for success this season and should see a steady amount of ice time to showcase his talent.

What life holds after the OHL isn’t yet clear for Poliziani; whether or not he’ll become a professional hockey player or move on to another venture of his choosing. What is clear is that when it’s all said and done, Daniel will miss the little things the most.

“Above all else, I think that I’ll miss waking up early and going to the rink; the schedule and the lifestyle of being a hockey player. Hanging out in the dressing room with the boys. Those are the things that I’ll miss the most.”

But fall has come, and another season has just begun. Daniel Poliziani still has a lot of hockey left in him, and there’s no doubt that he’ll be cherishing every minute of it.

Rich Davidson is a freelance hockey writer covering the Guelph Storm this season. Follow Rich’s work at:

www.rdsportswriter.com