FinnStar Hockey, Inc. ^TM, was founded in 1995 out of one simple desire and dream: "Create products and services for athletes and others that enhance their ability to enjoy playing and living."

Our first product, the SockJawz^TM Garter Belt, has undergone years of testing world wide, by professional and amateur players of all ages, and the patenting process. Designing the SockJawz^TM and sewing the first product by hand, our company founder and president, Terry Vayda, designed this product utilizing his practical years of experience as a player, coach, coaching educator, arena developer and administrator in the sport of ice hockey. Like our first product, our products are designed with your actual use in mind. Many more on are on the drawing board and in the testing phase to enhance your ability to enjoy playing and living.

 

Our Team:

• Finn the Starfish^TM
   

  • Position: Company Spokesman and Ambassador of Sport

  • Career Highlights: Finn arrived in the human world as a youth hockey player from the sea in 1995. Now a young adult with world experiences, Finn's promotion of principals about fair play, sportsmanship, teamwork are the foundation for all members of the FinnStar team in their business activities.

  • Stats: Finn plays for the World Deep Sea Team (2003 Champions). Actively plays in other leagues in the seas and land venues around the world. Pro players in the sea travel from venue to venue often playing for different teams to promote the game.
     
     

• Terry Vayda
   

  • Position: President

  • Career Highlights: Founded FinnStar Hockey in 1995, along with Product and Technical Consultant, Pat O'Shea, life long friends. Terry is the creative force behind the product line. Originally from the greater Chicago area, he has been a practicing attorney, an ice rink developer and owner (actively working with Terry Crisp, Stanley Cup Winner as Player and Coach, and Bobby Taylor, Stanley Cup Winner and NHL Broadcaster), and owner of other business ventures. His passion is ice hockey having devoted extensive volunteer hours on behalf of USA Hockey in Illinois and Florida. Founding member of University of Illinois at Chicago (Division I), Flames Blue Line Club, with such notables as Keith Magnuson, Chicago Blackhawks player and coach.

  • Stats: One year junior college hockey, Master Level Coach (USA Hockey Certified); Coaching Instructor and former Associate Coach-in-Chief for USA Hockey; founder and past president of the USA Hockey Florida State Affiliate, coach of numerous teams of every age level and ability since 1980, including national select teams. Continues to play, watch and participate in the game.
     
     

• Evan Andriopoulos
   

  • Position: Vice President of Sales and Marketing

  • Career Highlights: Evan first became involved with FinnStar in 1995 when Terry introduced Evan to the SockJawz garter belt when they were hockey teammates. A developing friendship and enthusiasm for this product sealed the bond for a positive working relationship. By utilizing his export consulting business years ago to assist FinnStar get off the ground, and then becoming a member of the FinnStar team, Evan is an energizing force for FinnStar with his extensive hockey contacts worldwide. Evan makes his home in Norway for the greater part of the year, the native country of his wife, giving FinnStar Hockey a global exposure and perspective.

  • Stats: Evan is a Connecticut native and played competitive hockey at University of Connecticut. He continues playing competitively using the same original model SockJawz garter belt from 1995 as a player/head coach in Oslo, Norway for AIK Hockey. Passionate about hockey and the benefits of amateur sports for youth and adults, Evan started several youth and men's teams in southeastern Connecticut. In Evan's words, "FinnStar Hockey products are by the players for the players".
     
     

• Casey Vayda
   

  • Position: Secretary / Treasurer

  • Career Highlights: Casey brings close to thirty years of experience to FinnStar having served as a former executive with a major airline and a software development firm. She is responsible for keeping the company on track financially and well organized, coordinating the efforts of all parties.

  • Stats: Ten years ago, Casey learned to play ice hockey and was active administratively in local and statewide youth hockey organizations. As the wife of one and mother of another serious hockey enthusiast, Casey is referred to by company personnel as the "Hockey Mom", not only for keeping everyone on track, but also for her enthusiastic penchant for the sport.
     
     

• Pat O'Shea
   

  • Position: Product / Technical Consultant

  • Career Highlights: When Terry first formed FinnStar Hockey, Pat was on board. A true entrepreneur, Pat's experience from active interests in other business ventures and real estate investments are invaluable to FinnStar. Juggling many responsibilities and job commitments, Pat always finds time to enhance the FinnStar product line with his eye for the detail.

  • Stats: Playing hockey with Terry from youth leagues through junior college, Pat advanced to the semi-pro level of play, with the Kenosha Flyers of the Continental Hockey League. Playing along side such notables as former NHL Stanley Cup Winner and Chicago Blackhawk, Reggie Fleming, Pat's semi-pro career lasted five years. As a coach, Pat's forte is teaching aspiring players the finer aspects of the game.