Kevin Chats With Larry Wintoneak
By Kevin Martin
“Hockey has been very very good to me”
Larry spoke those words to me when we sat down for a chat recently. He was extremely grateful for how rich and full his life has become and it’s mainly because of his love of sports and hockey in particular.
The Thunder Bay native reflected on his life in hockey and how far he has gone. Obviously not everything was great but those things that weren’t great were part of his learning curve of life lessons.
“I had a dream to play senior hockey” said Larry and try as he might he couldn’t crack the line-up until he was 27 as the depth of talent was huge. He played in the Western Canadian League and won the Allen Cup in the late 80’s. Fitness was always a passion for him also and was taken under the wing of a Russian fitness coach who really cemented his desire to teach. The Thunder Bay Flyers of the USHL came calling looking for a fitness coach and of course, Larry answered the call.
Then in 1991 he had a big decision to make and he turned pro and played with the Colonial Cup winner. Next came an assistant coach position with his hometown Thunder Bay Flyers which turned into the head coaching position in 1995-96. It was a rocky start for this Jr. A team but they came together under his leadership and went to the Centennial Cup final but lost to Calgary.
Almost all of his years in hockey have been spent in coaching in one form or another and helping to mold young players to be their best physically and mentally. Larry’s resume is filled with different places he has coached; Thunder Bay, Flin Flin, Dryden, ONT., LaRonge. In 2006 the Kindersley Klippers called him and asked he would like to coach the Klippers and he jumped at the chance to come here. After 4 years he stepped back to allow other coaches to show their stuff but has always kept the Klippers in his heart.
Nowadays he can be found working at Supreme Source for Sports and running his gym on Main Street, still helping to train athletes about the importance of physical fitness and nutrition, as well as coaching an U15 team with past Klipper captain, D.J. McGrath. Larry always maintains that “passion is the key” that will take you far in life. Without it, you’re just putting in time. Well said Larry!
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