NEWS

(pictured - Pickering Panthers' captain Mark Tenuta is the epitome of a leader both on-and-off the ice - photo credit:  Shawn Muir/OJHL Images)

Inspiring others to do great things, creating a positive environment, exemplifying ways to be extraordinary. These are just some qualities that make a leader who they are. They aren’t always the flashiest, they aren’t always the ones talking. But a true leader is respected and has respect for others. This can happen naturally or sometimes people are born with it.

Mark Tenuta, captain for the Pickering Panthers, was born a leader.

“I’ve always been a leader. I’ve always been told that by the coaches I’ve played for”, says Tenuta.

The soon-to-be 20-year old (November 25) is in his third season with the Panthers, a place he had to work hard to get to. In his draft year, Tenuta played 'AA' hockey with the Markham Waxers, followed by two years in Midget 'AAA' with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens before joining Pickering.

“I was just trying to get on a team. My first year here I was just trying to make it, there were no guarantees as to how long I would be around for”.

That was motivation for Tenuta, and that motivation is what he tries to pass along to the younger players.

“I think it is important for the younger guys to have someone to look up to. It was a hard road for me to get here, so having a guy like me around for the young guys who are so much further ahead than where I was, I think it helps them keep their heads on straight.”

Tenuta’s leadership has certainly helped a Panthers squad that has seen its fair share of ups and downs this season. A coaching change midseason that left a lot of players angered and confused, and a losing streak that has lately seen the team lose grip of first place in the division are just two examples of the obstacles that has faced this group of players so far this season.

It is no easy task to keep everyone focused. But that’s part of the job. Even former head coach Mike Galati knew what kind of person and player Tenuta was.

“He’s been a leader since he walked through the doors,” said Galati.  “He’s a leader on and off the ice. He’s a kid that is respected in the room, and he just goes out and does his job every night and does what he is told. He has a lot of respect from everyone and has respect for 
everyone. He’s been (their) leader here from Day 1 and now he is (their) main guy.”

With the departure of last season's captain Mike Walker, there was a void that needed to be filled within the Panthers dressing room, but it was an easy choice for the coaching staff to make. When asked about receiving the captain's duties before the season began, Tenuta 
couldn’t help but smile with excitement.

“I was happy, it really meant a lot to me. It’s been an accumulation of all my hard work in the last three seasons and it meant a lot.”

There is no doubt that on the ice he leads by example, and while it may not always be with scoring goals, there are many other ways that Tenuta contributes to the team. Tentua is one of Pickering’s best penalty killers, laying his body on line to block shots in the dying moments of a game, and occasionally scoring a goal to get the team started on a comeback.

“I always play my game hard-working and never play out of my role and try to do too much”, explains Tenuta.  “That being said, I do try to do more offensively, I want to bring my game up.”

Tenuta’s goal is to move on to the CIS after his OJHL days. His preferred school of choice would be the University of Toronto, which he currently attends for part-time studies.

“I would like to play there if I get a chance, that would be a goal”.

Rino Mattucci covers the OJHL North Division for In The O... and more articles by the author can be found at intheoradio.com. In The O...goes beyond conventional coverage of junior hockey providing unprecedented coverage of Minor Midget, OJHL, CCHL and the OHL.