Bio
John has been a coach in the Panthers organization for 15 years. He has had the privilege of coaching each of his four children in hockey and soccer for the past 18 years.
John's coaching philosophy:
"Coaching has become an integral part of who I am. I have shared my passion for sport and facilitating personal development while learning every year from all those that I have shared each season with. I have learned every year from the other coaches in our association and those that I have shared the role with.
Most importantly, I have learned from the girls who I have been honoured to coach. Each year the girls teach me, and remind me why they want to play hockey and how precious this time together with them really is.
The most important role that I assume as a coach is to help facilitate a team environment and culture that will allow each player to feel valued, and safe to be themselves. I believe in giving the girls permission to be imperfect, to be creative, and to play a fun style of play where the only “mistake” is being afraid to make one!
Competing at the highest level and reaching our potential as a team is important to me. However the true measure of success will the type of people that we all continue to become as a result of having been a team.
One of my coaching mentors once told me that the girls will not remember very much of the specific details that you teach them, but they will remember the way you made them feel. And I will say the same about my experience of being a coach, I will remember mostly how it feels to be a coach and to share in the lives of so many wonderful young people."