03/24/2021
We awoke this morning to the very sad news that our old friend Alex Andjelic paseds away yesterday at 80 years of age due to complications from COVID-19.
Alex had a very long history with Roger Neilson's Hockey spending 20+ years working at our annual summer camp (many as the head on-ice instructor) and was a regular speaker at the Coaches' Clinic.
Alex and I met my first year at RNHC back in 1991. I was a guest goaltending instructor and Alex was the 'other' goalie coach even though he was not a goalie guy. He called us 'targets'. But, we formed a tremendous relationship and grew close over the years - enjoying our summers together at RNHC.
We had some incredible trips to Israel with Roger where we were part of the team that inaugurated 'Roger Neilson's Hockey Camp in Israel'. Alex's passion for the game and teaching played a big role in the development of the sport in Israel.
One of my all-time favourite memories of that first year in Israel came when hostilities in the northern part of Israel were on the rise and the tanks rolled in to protect the border to Lebanon - along with all major news agencies from around the world. We were safely back at our hotel when we got word that the President of Israel (Ezer Weizman) was on his way to the area to check on the locals and make sure all were well. The mayor of Metulla wanted to introduce the President to Roger (who we couldn't find). He was on his way to the arena - so Alex and I ran 5 minutes up the road to try and meet the President - we were barefoot having been at the pool and burned our feet on the sidewalks getting to the rink.
When we arrived, we were directed to where the President was and then were introduced. Alex was really excited to meet Weizman and urged me to make sure I took a photo. He shook the President's hand for what seemed like 3 min turning to the camera for me to get a picture. But, in the moment, I was terrified to snap a picture with all the security around the president, so I froze and did not get one. Alex was so mad at me and barked at me the entire walk back to our hotel.
The story didn't end there though. When we got back to the hotel, we finally found Roger by the pool (writing postcards) and told him what had happened. Alex was fuming that I missed the photo. We then got summoned to the front of the hotel as they brought the President to find Roger - and so, Roger in his bathing suit, ratty old t-shirt and ball cap (and barefoot, of course) made his way to the front of the hotel to meet the President. By now, I had been told it would have been perfectly fine to take a photo, so as Roger was introduced and was shaking the President's hand, I snapped a photo (Weizman told Roger he looked 200% Israeli in his bare feet). Back home in Canada, I had the photo blown up and framed and gave it to Roger (he was a big Weizman fan) - Roger hung that photo in his house proudly... and Alex never let me live it down that Roger had his photo with the President and he did not.
There are so many incredible stories of times with Alex. Thousands of kids around the world were mentored by Alex. Pros were influenced by him. Alex had an amazing relationship with Dallas Eakins who honoured Roger regularly by having him in as a guest skills coach with the Toronto Marlies and and San Diego Gulls.
He made everyone around him tougher. Would slash your ankles or shins while working with him on the ice - you always had to keep your head up. He both loved and epitomized 'old time hockey' - also one of his favourite sayings.
Alex coached right to the end - working in his adopted home country (Netherlands) this season plus contributing in Turkey and Yugoslavia (his birth country) in recent years.
He was a drills expert and his legacy will live on through his work with our friends at Hockey Coach Vision.
He was a fearless fashion guru and a lover of all new technology.
We last saw each other around 7-8 years ago - the last time he was a guest speaker at the Coaches Clinic. The day he presented, he wore very expensive Ralph Lauren golf shirt and our emcee Jim Ralph teased him that he looked like a jockey.
I'm sad that life has prevented us from seeing/speaking more regularly. But, I'm so grateful that he and I enjoyed a great Zoom catch-up several months ago near his 80th birthday. He was staying with his daughter and his granddaughter was with him - it was so special and now even more precious.
Alex, you will be so greatly missed by the hockey community and by all of your friends around the world. I wish we could have one more of your bone-crushing bear hugs.
Mike Dalhuisen said it best today - hopefully Roger was there to meet you today to hand you a new warm-up suit and whistle.
Our thoughts are with your entire family today. Thank you for making our lives better.
Lots of love!
Starky
https://www.iihf.com/en/news/24898/andjelic_passes_away...
Serb was Olympian and coached in several countries
