Tim Vitek

I started minor hockey in Dresden at the age of 5. I played in Dresden until Chatham got their first Triple A team - then moved to play out the rest of minor hockey in Chatham.
We won 2 All-Ontario Championships while playing Triple A hockey. My biggest influence in Triple A (or minor hockey in general) was Gary Robertson. He taught me my basic fundamentals which have served me well over the years.

Junior hockey started with the Dresden Jr. Kings when I was 15. My coaches were Al Houston and Wayne Cowell. They coached me through the huge step from minor hockey to a junior game. At such a young age they helped make the transition an enjoyable one. I only played the 1 year in Junior "C" and the moved on to Junior "B" with the Chatham Maroons and head coach Dave Torrie, who really gave me the time and patience to develop and enhance my skill level. We won back to back League Championships during my 2 years with the Chatham Maroons. During this time I was also scouted and received a hockey scholarship to the University of Massachusetts. I was also drafted by the London Knights in the OHL draft but my chose my scholarship and education over playing in the OHL.

I played 4 years at the University of Massachusetts. My time there taught me a lot about off-ice preparation and time management which allowed me to succeed to the next level and ultimately become a better player mostly on but off the ice as well. The highlight of my university hockey career was playing in the Hockey East Championship game at the TD Waterhouse Arena (where the Boston Bruins play) against University of Maine, even if we lost in triple overtime. I graduated with a degree in economics.

I started my pro hockey career in the CHL with the Corpus Christi Rays, followed by 4 more years playing in Florida, New Mexico and Tennessee. We won 2 League Championships with the Knoxville Icebears. Pro hockey was an adjustment from university hockey by not having a structured school regiment to follow and having to balance your personal life with the off-ice preparation. It was a definitely a challenge. All in all pro hockey was one of the best experiences of my life. I met a lot of great people and players and gained some life-long friends no matter how far they live. It was amazing being able to play the sport I love for this long, and actually playing for a living was a dream come true. Having been able to play from Florida to Alaska, from Maine to Arizona has left me with memories and stories that are priceless.
I retired in April 2010 and am now living in LaSalle working for a medical sales company.
Looking back on my hockey career I would like to thank my parents for first giving me the chance to play and then letting me continue with something that ultimately changed my life. They were my biggest influence constantly instilling in me the proper work ethic and drive to take me everywhere it did.

Thanks,
Tim