Get to Know Axemen Recruit Daniel Poliziani
Poliziani-From final round pick to blueline fixture
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 playerβs 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; itβs easy to find and obvious to anyone that knows the Burlington, Ontario native. Itβs in his blood.
Danielβs grandfather Danny played his junior hockey for the Barrie Flyers and Quebec Aces, coached along the way by legendary βHapβ Emms and βPunchβ 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.
βWhen I was growing up, my grandfather would tell me countless stories about his hockey career,β Poliziani says. βIβd sit there for hours; I loved them. I could never get enough.β
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 Danβs 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.
βAs soon as Daniel was old enough to recognize the sights and sounds of the hockey rink, he wanted to put skates on,β Dan says. βNot so much to skate, but to be carried around the ice and feel the cold breeze on his face.β
Thinking back to those days, Daniel says βHockey 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.β
βAnd for whatever reason I always loved the smell of freshly zamboniβd ice.β
Daniel credits his father with the development of his work ethic and character.Read more »