The Junior A Golden Rockets have named local Evan Tsadilas as team captain for the 2024-25 season. Born and raised in Golden, this honour is especially meaningful for Tsadilas, who grew up playing minor hockey in the area and fondly recalls watching Rockets games as a child with his family. Now, he dons the ‘C’ on his jersey and is inspiring the next generation of young hockey players in Golden.
“I was a bit surprised actually, but I enjoy the leadership role,” he told me when I caught up with him recently.
A self-described “power forward,” Tsadilas idolized Boston Bruins legend Patrice Bergeron growing up. He plays a tough, physical game while demonstrating excellent puck control and strong skating skills.
“I wear number 9 because it was my dad’s number when he was growing up,” says Tsadilas, who still works at his family’s business in town, The Turning Point restaurant, when he’s not scoring goals for the Rockets. “I enjoy cooking and am pretty good at it.”
Now 18 years old, Evan is in his third season with the Golden Rockets. Given his birth year, he will be eligible to play one more season in 2025-26. Ideally, he’d like to attend university and play hockey there, but he emphasizes that school is his main focus. Eventually, he hopes to play professional hockey, which is certainly a possibility for a player of his caliber.
Evan’s journey to becoming captain of the Golden Rockets didn’t come without sacrifice. Like many talented young players, he had to move around to compete at the highest level possible and refine his skills. After finishing Pee Wee hockey in Golden, he played in Revelstoke and Invermere, then joined the regional team in Kimberley/ Cranbrook before advancing to the Thompson Blazers U16/U17 AAA program.
When asked what it’s like growing up in Golden and now playing for the Rockets, he said, “When I was young, I remember meeting players who were billeting in Golden, and I looked up to them. I always wanted to play for the Rockets. Now that I do, my little cousin looks up to me. It’s pretty cool.”
And he’s not the only one. Rockets home games are well attended by families and young fans, all cheering on the team.
When he isn’t practicing or playing for the Rockets, Evan helps out with minor hockey. He also enjoys cooking and spending time outdoors with his friends, playing disc golf or tossing a ball around.
I asked Evan about his role as captain and what he tells the other players about being part of the Golden community. “My role in the dressing room has evolved. Sometimes I have to step in and calm the guys down or give them a reality check. As for living in Golden, I tell them it’s a good little town. They’re not in the big city, so they have to be respectful, otherwise the coaches will probably find out. It’s important for the team to be out in the community, making connections.” As for his personal goal for the Rockets this season, he said, “To make a deep run in the playoffs. To get there, we have to focus on the little things: cut down on penalties (including myself), score more goals, and take it one step at a time.”
