Tom Anastos Named Spartan Hockey Distinguished Alumnus Award Winner
2/24/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Feb. 24, 2004
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Former Michigan State hockey standout (1981-85) and current CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos has been selected to receive the Spartan Hockey 2004 Distinguished Alumnus Award. Anastos will be honored at the Hockey Awards Banquet on Monday, March 8 at the Holiday Inn South in Lansing.
"It's nice just knowing that you've even been considered for something like this," said Anastos on receiving the Distinguished Alumnus Award. "Through the years, there have been so many success stories that have come out of the MSU hockey program; I'm just happy to be part of the program's history. When I look at the names of the past recipients, several of which have been my teammates, it's truly an honor."
The Dearborn, Mich., native led the Green and White to an astounding record of 128-43-3 over his four-year career. The Spartans won four CCHA playoff titles, one regular-season championship and earned four NCAA tournament berths, including a fourth-place finish in 1984 during his playing days.
His college career consisted of 151 games, scoring 70 goals and notching 73 assists for 143 points. Anastos still shares the MSU single-season record for short-handed goals with seven in 1983-84 and sits tied for fourth all-time in that category (10).
As a senior in 1984-85, Anastos helped the Spartans to a 38-6-0 record and an .864 winning percentage, the best single-season mark in Michigan State history. He earned All-CCHA second-team honors, tallying 29 goals and 39 assists for 68 points in just 41 games. He also garnered CCHA All-Tournament honors and was a Great Lakes Invitational All-Tournament selection his senior year.
"Many people influenced my career choices while at Michigan State," remarked Anastos. "I've met so many people through my association with MSU that I've probably taken a little something from each of those relationships. However, without question, Ron Mason has undoubtedly been the one person at MSU who has had the most influence on my career. I learned so much through my association with him, and not just about hockey. I really learned through him about how to be competitive, and how important it was to be passionate about what you do."
Prior to his career at MSU, Anastos played with the Paddock Pools Saints in the Great Lakes Junior (A) League. He registered 55 goals and 54 assists for 99 points in 1980-81. He also helped the North team earn gold-medal honors at the 1982 National Sports Festival.
A sixth-round draft choice (124th overall) of the Montreal Canadiens in 1981, Anastos became the first player ever drafted directly out of the Detroit junior ranks. He spent just one year in the professional ranks before hanging up the skates for a job behind the bench at University of Michigan-Dearborn. As head coach from 1987-90, he compiled a 68-37-7 record, including a school-record 25 wins in his first season with the Wolves.
Anastos returned to East Lansing to join Ron Mason's staff as an assistant coach for 1990-91 season. After helping the Spartans to a NCAA Frozen Four berth in 1991-92, Anastos resigned from his coaching position to pursue business endeavors.
Anastos created The Suburban Hockey Company shortly after leaving the coaching ranks. The company owns both The Red Line Report, a publication devoted to rising young prospects and NHL hopefuls, as well as Michigan Hockey Magazine that features all the biggest stories in the Michigan hockey community.
After successfully establishing his private business undertakings, Anastos took the position of president of the NAHL (North American Hockey League) and in less than four seasons turned it back into one of the premier developmental leagues for college-bound players in the United States.
 Tom Anastos has served as the CCHA commissioner since March 1998.  | |
Anastos was appointed as the fourth commissioner in CCHA history on March 18, 1998. Since taking on the head spot in the league, Anastos has put the CCHA in the national spotlight with groundbreaking television contracts with College Sports Television and Canada-based Leafs TV, in addition to extensive coverage on Fox Sports Net Detroit. Anastos was also instrumental in the formation of the Ice Hockey Collegiate Commissioners Association and serves as President of the group that addresses common issues and concerns at a national level.
An active member of USA Hockey, Anastos is one of two NCAA representatives on the organization's board of directors. He is also a member of USA Hockey's Junior Council, which guides the direction of junior hockey, as well as the International Council, which oversees U.S. international programs.
"The goals I set in college were to pursue my degree in construction management with the hopes of someday owning a property development company and making a career out of it," remarked Anastos. "Athletically, I had hoped to pursue my interests in playing professional hockey. I never really thought much about getting into coaching, or athletics administration until after I retired from playing professional hockey.
"Ironically, in pursuing my interest in athletics, I ended up establishing a company that develops and operates recreational ice arenas. I've been very fortunate be able to combine my experience, both academically and athletically, with my passion for hockey and business, and make a career out of it."
Anastos, who earned his Bachelor of Science degree in construction management from Michigan State in 1987, currently resides in Farmington Hills, Mich., with his wife Lisa. The couple has five children - Lauren (14), Jenna (12), Alyssa (10), Andrea (8) and Drew (6).
MSU Hockey Banquet Information
The 2004 Hockey Awards Banquet will be held on Monday, March 8 at the Holiday Inn South in Lansing. Tickets are $50 each ($15 of that amount goes to the Ralph Young Fund for the hockey program). For applications or additional information, contact the Ralph Young Fund at 517.432.4610.
