Andreas Athanasiou talks upcoming NHL campaign, giving back at Red Wings Youth Camp

By @StefanKubus –

DETROIT – When Andreas Athanasiou was just a kid, he had the opportunity to take part in a hockey camp with then Toronto Maple Leafs forwards Darcy Tucker and Shayne Corson.

And on Monday, it was the Red Wings’ speedy forward doing the teaching this time as a guest instructor at the Detroit Red Wings Youth Camp inside Joe Louis Arena.

“You can see how happy the kids are to be out here and get the opportunity just to skate on this ice, it’s probably a dream come true for them,” Athanasiou said. “I think being around them, they’re having a lot of fun. It’s always fun to be a part of that.”

Athanasiou added how special it was for the kids to be able to experience an environment like Joe Louis Arena – something they may only do this one time in their life. The kids’ jerseys even sported the “Farewell Season at The Joe” logo on the shoulder.

“It’s such a big thing, you get the opportunity to do that, you get to be around other kids who want to do the same thing, which is always fun to be around,” Athanasiou said. “You give them the chance to be in this arena, there’s so much history, it’s the last year, so it’s definitely a big thing for these kids.”

The biggest thing Athanasiou wanted the kids to take away was for them to discover their weaknesses and continually work at them.

“Just pay attention to detail. Obviously, you’ve got to have fun, too, so you don’t want to be too hard on them. They’re just learning the game, so get their touches in and keep working at what their weaknesses are, whether it’s skating or handling the puck, but they’re doing a good job out there.”

When it comes to his own weaknesses, Athanasiou has been training at home in Vaughan, Ontario in the same spot he has trained for the past eight years. Given his success in a limited role last season, it’s evident his routine is working.

But the next step for him is finding consistency to be on top of his game every night. Fortunately for him, he possesses arguably the most coveted aspect of hockey.

“I think just being consistent, being the player I can be every night,” Athanasiou said. “I think I can play the game. I’ve done it my whole life.”

“I’m fortunate enough to be blessed with speed. Everything else can come hand-in-hand with that. I’ve got one of the hardest parts of the game down pat. So the other parts can come and it’s just gonna be work.”

Perhaps a positive sign for the young forward, Athanasiou said in his exit meeting with the Red Wings’ coaching staff and management group, “they were happy with me.”

So now, all he can do is continue to train and enter September’s training camp prepared to take a roster spot for himself.

“Just take it day-by-day and come September, I’m gonna be ready to play, and it’s their hands what they wanna do, so I’ll try to make their decision as easy as possible.”