“Obviously I have a job that I can be around the game a lot, but being around minor hockey kids and your own children (his son Nick, a Peewee-aged player, was one of the camp participants) when they’re playing is probably the most fun you’re ever going to have.”

Nonis stressed that hockey—or any sport for that matter—can’t be work for children.

“It’s something where if they’re dreading coming out, that’s not what you want to have,” he said. “Fortunately Nick likes to be around the game.”

Nonis fears as a society we’ve lost focus on what youth sport should be about.

“A lot of parents are looking for something more from their children than they’re going to get,”’ he said. “What they should be looking for is (that their children are getting a positive experience.

“Athletics is a big part of children’s lives and they should enjoy what they’re doing,” he continued. “It doesn’t mean they can’t be competitive, or learn about striving to be the best they can be. If some of these children end up being professional players that’s great, but at the very least they should learn to love the game, or love the sport they’re playing.”

Graduating with a masters of business administration degree from the University of Maine, Nonis said sports helped to prepare him for his future career in hockey management.

“You learn a lot about yourself through athletics, not necessarily just how good a player you can become” he explained. “There are a lot of life lessons you can learn.”

Other than his parents, he considers among his biggest influences his college coach Shawn Walsh, whom he followed to the University of Maine after initially expecting to go Michigan State following his B.C. Hockey League career with his hometown Burnaby Bluehawks.

Another major influence has been Anaheim Ducks’ general manager Brian Burke, who was Nonis’ agent as a player. The two became good friends and worked together in the NHL offices and later for the Canucks. Nonis replaced Burke as the Canucks’ general manager in 2004 after six years as director of hockey operations.

It was while playing at the higher levels, including a season in Denmark and a year as an assistant coach for Walsh, that Nonis learned the importance of self-discipline, training and competing. And not easily accepting defeat.

“A lot of those lessons you learn when you’re a little bit older, in a competitive environment, you can bring to everyday life,” he said. “It’s why I think a lot of things we’re teaching kids should be based on those principles, not necessarily becoming an NHL player.”

But for those who aspire to become NHLers, the level of instruction has never been better, he said.

GM Nonis went on to say “I’ve known Derek (Popke) a couple of years now and he’s done a good job with all levels of players from young guys all the way to professionals”. “And he relates well to children and mature players". While it’s hard to project where 18 year olds are going to be, it’s come a long way. The ability to train with specialized people like Derek (Popke) (whose forte is skating) and strength trainers have given those guys a leg up on guys from 15 to 20 years ago.”

That said, skating remains the most important skill in hockey, he stressed.

“It still comes down if you can’t skate, you can’t play,” Nonis said.

“It takes a real special player in other areas to be able to play the game without being a naturally quality skater. It’s the biggest component of our game. And there are different areas you have to be strong at, not just speed, but also power, quickness, agility, and the ability to change direction.

“To me, skating is something you have to concentrate on if a player wants to become good at whatever level, whether it’s just a good minor hockey player or a pro.“

Pulling back on his manager’s hat, Nonis said he enjoys working in an environment where hockey matters and expectations are great.

“I think it helps you do your job to your utmost abilities,” he said.

Ensuring the Canucks, or any team for that matter, is competitive in the salary cap era isn’t easy. And a team can’t simply use money to attract players.

“You have to create an environment where players want to play because they’re a lot freer. You want players to thrive in the environment and want to win and raise their families here. I think we’re moving in that direction, we’re in a pretty good spot compared to a lot of teams.”

Nonis also believes in building from the net out.

“Obviously we’ve got Roberto (Luongo in goal) and the back end is the most critical part of any team that has a chance to win. So our defence and goaltending is where we’re going to continue to focus.

“But, he said, “you also need to develop players better than you’ve ever done, young players that can contribute are more important than they ever were.

“It’s not like before where if you had a competitive team you could keep it together for five or six years if you had the money,” he said.

“Those days are over. You’re probably going to have two or three years if you have a chance, and then you have to retool.

“That’s why you always want to have young players coming,” Nonis said.