Donne Tallifero: His Path to the Rink

[Wally 6]

Janesville, WI - It has been a long journey for Donne, who parents were both assembly line workers in Janesville, WI, for many years.  It was a commonality for many community members to graduate high school and begin working at the local General Motors plant.  That was until nearly a decade ago the auto industry fell into a crisis and General Motors closed one of their mid-sized car manufacturing facilities.

 

Donne was six years old at the time his parents were laid off and with the town struggling the local rink offered free Learn to Play clinics for youth in the area.  Son of a football standout, his parent's knew he had the athletic ability, but without an income they couldn't afford anything at the moment. 

 

"I remember the day we took him to the local ice arena it was just chaos.  Kids everywhere, equipment everywhere... Coaches yelling, but Donne just was excited to get on the ice.  We got that helmet on him and put the skates on... He was off.  Both his love for the sport and on his face.  We quickly discovered his natural ability." Karen, his mother, explained rather excitedly.

 

Donne would make a name for himself in the program for his quickness on steel and rapid IQ as he would progress through Pee Wees, Bantams and on up to the Midget program before joining the local high school team. 

 

"We were excited when Talli made the jump to the Varsity squad as a freshman.  His towering presence on the ice made for a significant mismatch at that age and we knew he still had more growing to do.  It was crazy the relax aura he would bring to the locker room and knew we would only have a couple seasons to capitalize on the presence.  Not often do you see a player of his stature develop at a high rate.  Regardless, it was a bonus for our program... He made everyone around him that much better.  He expected it out of them and they expected the world out of him.  He always was there to deliver." Darryl Sauter, former Varsity head coach explained.

 

Donne enters the VHLM at 6'5" and 245 pounds, an enforcer by size... but more of a puck mover by trade.  It will be interesting to see how the Saskatoon utilize his presence on the ice with his large frame and quick reactions.  There is no doubt that he is ready, but what remains to be seen is the path of his trajectory.  Coaches have yet to determine what kind of focus he will have, but one thing is known for sure... and that is he is all in in becoming a significant piece in a future VHL lineup.