From Player to Coach:
Allan Sirois
By: Audrey Pfitzner
From on the ice to behind the bench, Allan Sirois, head coach of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, utilizes his own playing experience to foster and grow the passion of his players.
Despite originally not wanting to take the coaching position, the opportunity to be around hockey once again drew him back to the ice.
“It [coaching] never was really on my radar at all. I was pretty much asked to coach because they had no one else…I said I would give it a shot and see what happens. Now it has been nine years and I still love it,” said Sirois.
Since taking the position during the 2015 season, Sirois has taken the program to new heights with his extensive hockey background.
Growing up in Riviere-du-Loup, a city in the French province of Quebec, Sirois was accustomed to hockey being a staple in Canadian culture.
From on the ice to behind the bench, Allan Sirois, head coach of the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, utilizes his own playing experience to foster and grow the passion of his players.
Despite originally not wanting to take the coaching position, the opportunity to be around hockey once again drew him back to the ice.
“It [coaching] never was really on my radar at all. I was pretty much asked to coach because they had no one else…I said I would give it a shot and see what happens. Now it has been nine years and I still love it,” said Sirois.
Since taking the position during the 2015 season, Sirois has taken the program to new heights with his extensive hockey background.
Growing up in Riviere-du-Loup, a city in the French province of Quebec, Sirois was accustomed to hockey being a staple in Canadian culture.
Allan Sirois, captain of the 1995-96 Rimouski Océanic.
Sirois began his hockey career close to home in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. However, during the 1996-1997 season, the St. Louis Blues organization gave him the opportunity to play at a higher level. Sirois was assigned to the Baton Rouge Kingfish, the Blues’ ECHL affiliate in Louisiana.
He spent his professional career playing for several teams across the ECHL. After short stints in Baton Rouge and Jacksonville, Sirois found himself in a more permanent position in Florence, South Carolina with the Pee Dee Pride.
Through seven seasons with the Pride, Sirois accumulated 432 total points in 486 games played. He made his impact on the franchise record books, holding all-time marks in goals, assists and points.
“A big part of it is just loving the game. Loving to be out there every day and working hard,” Sirois said. “I have had amazing teammates. I have played on really good lines with really good, skilled players.”
After a successful minor league career, highlighted by two all-star game appearances and his name etched on the all-time points top ten list, Sirois was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame in 2016.
“It was amazing to get recognized after doing something well for multiple years,” said Sirois. “It was fun to have my wife and daughter there. My family from Canada couldn’t be there, but they did send a surprise video which got me emotional…It was also great to see the other guys after a long time. There were a ton of people there.”
On the ice, Sirois was known as a “power forward,” recognized for his scoring abilities, but not afraid to get physical. His “old school” style of play is something that he instills in his program, but he also recognizes the evolution of hockey.
“All the experience I have changes the way I see things, but I always have to adapt. Players today are not the same players as when I was playing. The game is different. Guys are unbelievably skilled, and the game is less aggressive in a way,” said Sirois.
Allan Sirois player card from the PeeDee Pride.
After spending ample time in the Carolinas during the course of his career, Sirois is pleased to contribute to the growth of hockey in the South. He credits his student-athletes’ dedication and commitment for the support the team has garnered on campus and community alike.
“It’s been amazing and that really goes back to the players themselves. I am not saying Southern people don’t like hockey, but they are not used to it. They didn't know we were here, and social media helped with promoting both the team and school,” said Sirois.
While the team’s social media, ‘Cock Hockey’ has brought positive attention, highlighted by over 16.3 thousand followers on Instagram, it is the atmosphere that brings fans out to the rink.
“When you see a game live, it is so much different than on television. When you experience the live action, it makes you want to come back. I definitely see that rolling in big time,” said Sirois.
The Gamecocks ended first semester action with a 10-3-1 record. Sirois is looking forward to seeing what his team does as the regular season wraps up and tournament play gets under way.
Sirois has confidence that his team is prepared to achieve the high goals that they have set for themselves this season. All the players need to do is bring their best to the ice in each of the remaining matchups.
“The number one goal right now is a championship. That is really all we have been talking about all year, all last year. That is all we are looking forward to,” said Sirois.
ABOUT College Hockey South: Founded in 2008, College Hockey South is a 29-school, 46 team intercollegiate hockey conference spanning seven southeastern U.S. states that competes in AAU College Hockey. College Hockey South is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization.