MiHockeyPeople – The Theros family’s contribution to the Ice Hawks

Welcome to MiHockey’s latest feature, something we’re calling MiHockeyPeople. Every day, we write about names like Modano, Miller, or Berenson. But what about the people just as attached to the game, who deserve just as much recognition as their celebrity counterparts? That’s where we – and you – come in. The MiHockey staff wants to celebrate people involved in hockey in a major way; people working to make our sport and our state a better place. Help us out by telling us about someone you know who deserves mention on our site, either by filling out the form at the bottom of this article, or by e-mailing MiHockey’s editor, Michael Caples, at mcaples@mihockeynow.com. We’re also never opposed to somebody reaching out via Twitter or Facebook. Help us honor the great hockey people in your life.

By Ryan Zuke – 

Louis and Patti Theros were searching for an organization where their oldest son, Jonathon, could be on a team that put the well-being of the kids first.

They found that organization in 2007—the Michigan Ice Hawks.

Myke Nevin, President of the Ice Hawks, founded the organization in 2006 and wanted to create a new travel hockey opportunity on the Eastside of Detroit using McCann Ice Arena in Grosse Pointe.

Like the Theros family, Nevin wanted a supportive and instructive hockey program that was focused on what was best for the players and their development.

Nevin laid out his vision of how he wanted to build the organization and the key philosophies he wanted to instill in the players, parents and coaches.

Those philosophies correlated acutely to a four-word phrase Louis Theros came up with to describe the atmosphere he wanted his children to play under.

“Let’s just play hockey.”

There really is nothing fancy to it.  Just put the kids first and build from experienced coaches that help teach the players on and off the ice.

And so far, it seems to be working.

The Ice Hawks have grown to 13 teams since the original ’98 birth-year team and are achieving success throughout the age groups.

“We truly have developed a large number of kids and to me, the phrase of ‘just play hockey’ is what has drawn so many people to our organization,” Louis Theros said.

Nevin gives the Theros family a tremendous amount of credit for the development of the organization.

“Louis and Pattie have been invaluable to the Ice Hawks,” Nevin said.  “The bottom line is that they’re not in it just for their kids.  That’s the key for the success of the Ice Hawks.  It’s not a ‘Me, Me, I, I’ organization.  It’s an ‘Us and a We.’  And Louis and Patti have spent countless hours donating their time.”

Louis, now the vice president of the Ice Hawks, is an attorney by trade and has used his law background to assist Nevin in upholding the organization legally.

“He’s been so valuable to this organization as far as looking over everything legally,” Nevin said.  “He’s like the Ice Hawks lawyer.  He lets me know you can and can’t do that.  He keeps things straightened out.”

While Jonathon played on the ’97 Ice Hawks, Louis also conducted manager duties such as making sure all the kids’ equipment were prepared, water bottles filled, etc.

Committing so much time to his work and the Ice Hawks, Louis admits he sometimes must find any small window of free time to get work done, whether it is in between games, or in the car on the way to one.  But he would not have it any other way.

“My wife and I just decided this is a time to be with the kids,” Louis said.  “The fewer hours I bill, the less money I make obviously, but I’m never going to have these years back.  My kids are only going to be 10 and 8, and 13 and 11 once right?  So to me, it’s really a no brainer.”

Patti has also played an instrumental role in the Ice Hawks organization.  She has coordinated many fundraisers and has written numerous articles for publications in the area.

“She’s the one who has gotten us squared away on fundraising and squared away with the state,” Louis said.  “She has been the momma bear trying to help out anywhere she can.”

The teams continue to participate in charitable fundraisers to raise money for certain causes.  Some fundraisers included raising money for breast cancer, the LiveStrong Foundation and participating in the annual Grosse Pointe/St. Clair Shores Crop Hunger Walk.

“It’s part of them learning that they are part of something bigger than just their team,” Louis said. “You’re not just one travel team part of an association.  You’re also part of your community and again, for the kids to realize that the fact that they are even playing hockey and their parents can pay a lot of money, that there are a lot of people out there that are less fortunate than they are.  And for them to give a little bit of their time and effort to raise money who are less fortunate, it really hit home for the kids.”

The brain trust of the Ice Hawks all believe the atmosphere the whole organization has created is the reason it keeps expanding.

For instance, the Ice Hawks started holding an all-team banquet that all the players and parents from every team would attend.  The goal was to make the players aware of how other Ice Hawks teams are doing among other age groups.

With the on-ice success and off-ice contributions to the community, the Ice Hawks continue to grow behind the backbone of four simple words that Louis describes how youth hockey should be – “let’s just play hockey.”

And for the Theros family, their younger son, Evan, is now playing on the ’00 Ice Hawks Red Team and they plan to continue to play a major role in the organization.

“Our family has a great time with hockey,” Patti said.  “The tournaments are a lot of fun with parents and the kids.  And some of our best friends have come from the Michigan Ice Hawks teams.”