In any language, Sakaris means 'hockey'

Peter Sakaris has been learning how to speak Italian lately.

There are no trips to Rome planned. It's not because he's trying to get chicks or anything, because good-looking hockey players with gregarious personalities don't wont for female companionship.

"My mom is really big on me learning languages," the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders winger explained. "Me and my brother. So I just figured to make her happy, I'd try and learn my fourth."

Yes, his fourth. Sakaris' grandparents immigrated from Greece to Canada, so he speaks Greek. He's from Montreal, so he's got French and English down. Now it's Italian.

Tres bien, benissimo and p??? ?a??. Or "very good," depending on Sakaris' mood.

"It's not really that difficult because I already speak French and Greek fluently, and those two languages are very similar to other languages," he said. "So for me to pick up on another language is actually pretty easy.

"When I'm with my grandparents, I speak Greek ... When I'm with my parents, I speak English. When I (was at) school, I speak French."

The kid's got quite an interesting background, obviously, and it's not just because of his linguistic capabilities. His father, Petro, runs a jewelry business in Montreal with his mother, Bessie, who is a gemologist.

If you're looking for advice on a nice, shiny Christmas gift for your significant other, you might want to take Sakaris with you for advice.

"I know quite a few things," he said with a smile. "I've been able to pick up a few things over the years, just watching my parents and stuff. I never really helped them out, but I've been able to see some of the stuff they bring home from time to time. They've given me pointers on some of the key elements of a stone. I've seen a few (nice) things."

When it comes to the other ice, Sakaris has given the RoughRiders a few nice things as well. He has five goals and nine points in 14 games this season, looking to improve on his eight-goal, 20-point performance from 2009-10.

He's not big at 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, but he's fast and skilled and can bring a physical element as well. The 18-year-old originally committed to play college hockey at Clarkson University in upstate New York with his brother, Demitri, but both have changed their minds.

"He has improved, yeah," RoughRiders Coach Mark Carlson said. "His strength ... (He's) another young player that's worked hard and is off to a good start."

"I think I'm better," Sakaris said. "I worked on my game this summer, in every aspect. I worked on my speed, feel like I've matured as a player. I'm a little bigger, a little faster, a little stronger. Of course, some of that comes with age. I'm a year older now, so I've matured on the ice."

Here is Peter, showing off his language skills, answering questions in Greek, French and Italian. Thanks for being a good sport with this Mr. Sakaris.