Latinovich grateful for inclusion on Wall of Fame
Steve Latinovich chose books over pucks early on in his life.
The 76-year-old Welland native was signed by the Montreal Canadiens when he was 15 and sent to play with the Peterborough Petes but always had getting an education in the back of his mind.
“I decided when I graduated Grade 13 I would just give up this hockey stuff and go and get an education. Somehow I got good enough marks to get into Brock University so I went back to school.”
Latinovich was content to study and play hockey at Brock when the Chicago Blackhawks showed up at the university one day and asked if he would be willing to play for the St. Catharines Black Hawks.
Latinovich agreed, provided the team pay for his schooling.
Latinovich played two seasons in St. Catharines and another with their American League affiliate in Dallas, but saw the writing on the wall.
“All I remember is when we were coming out of junior we were owned,” Latinovich said Sunday the Seaway Mall where he was inducted into the Welland Sports Wall of Fame. “There was no draft. You were owned by your team and they would stick you down in the minors. Go to training camp and skate circles around them and you were just a practice dummy.”
He was also behind the likes of Bobby Hull, Dennis Hull, Doug Mohns, Reggie Flemming and Eric Nesterenko on Chicago’s depth chart.
“There was no future so thank god I was able to squiggle through my education,” he said.
Latinovich entered law school at Osgoode Hall at York University where he continued to play hockey while earning a degree in law and then playing two seasons in the Swiss National League. He was invited to training camp with the Buffalo Sabres but once again chose to began his law practice while playing for the Port Colborne Sailors of the Intermediate A League.
A year later he returned to Switzerland and played four more years before finally retiring in 1979-80.
Quite a whirlwind journey and one Latinovich said would not have been possible without the support of his wife Jan and their four children, Loretta, Ryan, Cassandra and Steven.
“My family, of course, deserves special thanks,” he said. “I had one of those careers where you never knew what was happening. Special thanks for their wayward support, love and encouragement.”
Latinovich didn’t take for granted how difficult it was for the family to pick up their roots and move halfway around the world.
“I am forever grateful to my children who would come with us to Europe, take school in a foreign language. They turned it into a great experience for all of us,” he said.
But the biggest thanks went to his wife, Jan.
“I better make a special shoutout to my wife who is, and always has been, the super glue of our family,” Latinovich said. “She is the one who made it all possible. It’s almost like I had a blessed life. She never complained when I left to go to Torornto for law school. Went to Dallas, not a word of complaint. Had a great time. Still remember this lady showing up at airport with four kids in tow, big heavy winter coat over her arm in August dragging everyone along, always with a smile.”
Latinovich, who also coached the Welland junior B Cougars after his playing career, was thrilled to be inducted on the Wall alongside his father, Casey “Mike” Latinovich, and other members of his extended family.
“It’s a special day for me to join the Wall of Fame because my dad Casey is up there,” he said.
Latinovich was also grateful to Bobby Wright for doing the leg work and nominating him.
“My good friend Bobby Wright took the bull by the horns, took some of the information I had — thank god for my father who collected everything — and thank you to the selection committee very much.”
This year’s indiction ceremony will be broadcast on YourTV Niagara Friday, May 10 at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 11 at 9 a.m. and Sunday, May 12 at 1 p.m.
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