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Emery steps down as Canfield’s hockey coach
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After seven seasons, Randy Emery has stepped down as the Canfield High School hockey program’s head coach. Before that, Emery coached Canfield’s developmental team for three seasons. Replacing him will be former Youngstown SteelHound captain and assistant coach Chris Richards.
By Tom Williams
CANFIELD
When his sixth season as Canfield High School hockey team’s head coach ended, Randy Emery was ready to hang up his skates.
Changing that plan was the then-uncertain status of the Youngstown Phantoms and the fate of Boardman’s Ice Zone.
Youngstown and the Phantoms had yet to reach an agreement of the team’s fifth season at the Covelli Centre. Phantoms owner Bruce Zoldan announced plans to close The Ice Zone, Canfield’s home skating rink.
“That’s when I was going to step away,” Emery said. ”But with all that stuff going on, I didn’t want to add to the burden to our program of looking for a new coach.”
The Phantoms and Youngstown eventually agreed on a deal, keeping The Ice Zone open because the Phantoms need a backup practice facility when the Covelli Centre is unavailable.
“I’m glad I stayed because it bridged the gap,” said Emery of The Ice Zone’s fate. “So this is the right time for me to go. It’s time.”
Joe Villano, the Canfield head coach before Emery, said the Cardinals might not be skating now had not Emery taken charge and stuck around after his son Riley graduated in 2011.
“The program wouldn’t exist if he hadn’t come along,” said Villano, explaining that a team funded solely by parents needs a coach dedicated to more than worrying about his child’s interest. “Randy kept Canfield hockey going in the face of a lot of obstacles.”
Villano remains an assistant with the Cardinals.
Canfield High School provides the program its name, but parents contribute more than $1,000 per season per player for ice time, equipment and insurance.
“It’s expensive, we all know that,” Emery said. “There certainly is a passion that comes out that I haven’t seen in any other sport.”
Chris Richards, who was a Youngstown SteelHounds captain and assistant coach, will replace Emery as Canfield’s coach.
For the past 15 years, Emery’s day job has been working for AT&T in customer service in Columbiana County.
“I’m climbing poles and am in people’s houses,” Emery said. “I can’t sit still, that’s my problem. My wife, she’d like me to sit still a little more.”
Emery grew up in Girard where he played football and sometimes pond hockey. He started coaching in Canfield’s developmental team when Riley began playing.
“I was pretty involved.” Emery said. “It was one of the best things for both of us. It was really an enjoyable experience.
“You talk about quality time.”
That extended to his stepson, Collin Fishel, who played for Canfield the past two seasons. “It really was about family. We all love the game.”
Coaching the only high school hockey team in the area was not easy. The nearest road games were played in Kent and Aurora.
“The travel is tough, but if you ask the kids who have gone through our program, that’s one of the most memorable things for them,” Emery said. “The bus rides, the camaraderie, the fellowship. Half of your season is a road trip.”
Victories were special. One that Emery remembers best came in 2010 against Notre Dame Cathedral Latin,
“We had played eight times and never beaten them,” said Emery, recalling that Canfield trailed 2-0 at The Ice Zone before rallying to tie it and then being assessed a penalty in overtime.
“Riley is out on the penalty kill and pokes the puck away at the point. He gets in for a breakaway and scores,” Emery said. “The place went bananas. It was one of those tingly moments.”
So was this year’s regular-season finale, an overtime win over Aurora.
“JP Clendenin got a pass from Danny Drotleff right in front of the net,” Emery said. “Just a sweet ending.”
Emery’s next project is helping his brother Gerry manage The Wonder Bar in Girard.
“We coached together, so I don’t see why we can’t ...,” he said before starting to laugh.