Kolias makes "right decision" in Union

by Ryan Fay

Vas Kolias, a defenseman for the U.S. Hockey League's Youngstown Phantoms, announced on Monday that he committed to Union for next season.

It was a decision the 19-year-old wishes he made long ago.

Kolias in action with the Youngstown Phantoms.
(photo courtesy Youngstown Phantoms)

Kolias originally committed to Boston University in the fall of 2013. The Dutchmen were also among the programs interested in his services at the time, but he looked at things differently than he does now.

"I was a little more immature at a younger age. I committed at 16-years-old," Kolias said during a phone interview Tuesday. "The name of a school and all that can kind of get you wrapped up. Boston University was a powerhouse and a bigger name."

The allure of playing for a storied program like Boston University – the Terriers have made 22 Frozen Four appearances with five national titles – was so enticing that Kolias didn't even visit Union at the time.

But he started to have second thoughts about joining the Terriers after assistant coach Steve Greeley left in August to become the assistant director of player personnel for the New York Rangers. Greeley recruited Kolias into the program.

"It was the right move for me at that point in time to move on and find a better fit," Kolias said.

Once he returned to the open market, Union was interested again, as were a few other schools. In the end, he said his decision came down to Union and Harvard.

After making the visit to Union that he didn't make the first time around, he knew the Dutchmen were the best program to continue his career with.

"The visit was incredible," Kolias said. "If I could go back and do it again, I would have gone on that visit and made the right decision the first time. The campus is perfect for me. It's a bit smaller, and everyone's tight knit. The coaching staff is incredible. I stayed with a couple of the guys, and the camaraderie in the locker room is great. It was just a great environment, and somewhere I knew right out of the gate that I'd love to be at."

At 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, Kolias will never be the most physically imposing player on the ice. But the Dutchmen's track record of developing smaller defensemen like Shayne Gostisbehere and Mat Bodie also helped sway him to Schenectady.

"The way they develop smaller defensemen is amazing," Kolias said. "I don't think there's a better spot in the country if you're a small defenseman and want to develop. The focus the coaching staff puts on you is incredible."

Kolias is in his second season with the Phantoms. The Schaumburg, Ill. native had three goals and 14 assists in 48 games a year ago. This season, he has four goals and 14 assists in 45 contests.

Phantoms head coach John Wroblewski praised Kolias for his vision in the offensive zone and his ability to find the open man. But he said his calling card is his skating ability.

"He's the most dynamic skater in the entire USHL," said Wroblewski. "It's something when you see him going from his defensive zone. He either gets it and wheels with it or gets a breakout pass from his partner or supports underneath.

"He beats defensemen to the outside a minimum of three or four times per game. It doesn't always end up in the net, but he puts a ton of pressure on the opposition and adds a dynamic that very few guys in the league have."

With the departure of junior defenseman Noah Henry (family reasons) and the pending graduation of senior defenseman Sebastien Gingras, there could be chances for Kolias to showcase his skills early in his collegiate career.

He envisions settling in as an offensive defenseman, but one who also contributes on the defensive end, an area where Wroblewski said he has improved this season.

But Kolias knows nothing will be given to him.

"Everything that I want to do will be earned," he said. "That's probably my favorite part about [Union's] coaching staff. There's no such thing as being handed something. Everything is earned."

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