Memorial services for Nikos Lykourinos were held July 13th 2008 at St. Gregory's Greek Orthodox Church in Mansfield, MA.

It is with a heavy heart that I deliver this very unfortunate news. NEH player Nikos Lykourinos, 12 years old, was struck and killed in an automobile accident this past Tuesday. Nikos recently moved to Greece with his family and was due to come back and visit this summer.

Nikos is the type of child that defines NEH in its enitirety. Beginning as a practice player, working his way to an alternate position, and then finally being rewarded with a full time position prior to moving to Greece. Nikos worked incredibly hard at practices and skills in order to continue his development and reach his goals. I can remember the smile on his face when Nikos got the news that he had reached his goal as a full time NEH player, oddly enough it was the same look as when he heard he was a practice player and alternate, grateful for the oppurtunity. Nikos felt fortunate to be a part of it all and accepted each role with enthusiasm and gratitude, he was well beyond his years.

I have spoken with his past coaches this week and we each have our own stories about Nikos, but we also had one similar story. After every practice, skills session or game, Nikos would always find his coach, have a big smile on his face, and thank them for the oppurtunity given to him that day. We actually thanked him for giving us the oppurtunity to coach him.

Nikos Lykourinos reminds us all to live our lives as if everything we receive and all that is offered to us is a blessing, no matter how big or small it may seem. Do not be misled, Nikos was a competitor which is proven by his rise through the NEH ranks, but Nikos also made sure he stopped and took a moment to enjoy what he had around him. For those of us that were fortunate enough to meet his Mom and Dad and call them friends, you can see where Nikos got these wonderful qualities.

On a personal note, I will never forget the way Nikos would skate around the ice at skills staring and waiting for me to turn my back in order for him to give me a whack on my skates with his stick. I would see him coming every time, and he knew I saw him coming, that never stopped him from making the attempt.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, his father Vasileios, mom Jeannie and little brother Pary. Your son and brother Nikos will always be remembered in our hearts and minds as the most positive, hard working and appreciative players we have ever had at NEH. Nikos and your family will always be a part of our family and he will be missed. To Nikos's younger brother Pary, I am sure your parents will tell you stories describing the enormous amount of pride Nikos took when showing you off around the rink to his coaches and teammates.

To Nikos, all of us at NEH, your coaches, teammates, Rob and Chrissy Barletta appreciate every moment we had with you and our deepest thanks to you for sending us one of those life's little reminders.

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."

All of us recognize and appreciate the oppurtunity we were given when Nikos Lykourinos was brought into our lives.