GAME On The Sideline: Coach Gibbons

GAME On The Sideline: Coach Gibbons

Q & A with Toby Gibbons, Varsity Boys Ice Hockey Coach, South Kingstown

School Profile:
South Kingstown High School, The Rebels
Wakefield, Rhode Island
Public enrollment, 1,200 students
163 Rhode Island Team Athletic Championships
No RI Boys Ice Hockey Titles

1) What’s been exciting about this season?  

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The exciting thing this season has been the continued growth and improvement of the team as a whole.
 
2) Where is your team going?

Hopefully to the playoffs.  We have won 8 in a row.

3)  What’s been your greatest success as a coach?  

  Helping young adults use hockey to get them some advantages and advancements in their future lives.  Whether placing them in prep schools or college through the aid of their personal and mental development as players, that is something I am very proud of as a coach.
 
4)   What’s been your biggest failure? 

Not getting different players to reach their potential - athletically and academically.  When players make poor decisions and do not learn the lifelessons along the way, I take that very hard.   

5)   What is your coaching experience? 

I coached at Private Boarding schools from 1991-2004.  I have coached at South Kingstown High School since 2006.  I am also a Volunteer coach for 4 different age levels with Southern Rhode Island Youth Hockey Association, as my 4 children are all playing for them.  I also spent 4 years coaching hockey schools and power skating for Paul Vincent's Dynamic Skating.
 
6)  Who have been the best players you’ve coached?  

Patrick Rissmiller, when I was at Williston.  Pat came in to Williston as a gangly, 6' 3" kid, but had amazing hockey sense and hands.  After Williston, I placed him at the Hill School in PA for a PG year.  From there, he played 4 years at Holy Cross and has been a professional since then.  He played three years in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks.

Also, Glenn Robichaud, when I was at Proctor Academy.  After Proctor, he went back home to Canada and played 4 years at the University of Moncton.  

7)   How do you motivate your players? 

In a multitude of ways.  Some need quiet talks, while others need to be benched or encouraged in a loud manner.  Each player is different and it is the role and duty of the coach to get the most out of each player, which takes a great deal of time.