Cochrane Minor Hockey Association - Coach Mentor Announcement

Cochrane Minor Hockey Association - Coach Mentor Announcement

Cochrane Minor Hockey is excited to announce the addition of a Coach Mentor position for the 2025-2026 season.  Bringing on a coach mentor is an investment in the future of the association. By ensuring high-quality coaching, fostering player development, and maintaining program consistency, a coach mentor strengthens the foundation of any minor youth hockey program, leading to long-term success for both players and coaches.  

We are pleased to announce that Mark Deyell will take on the role of Coach Mentor for CMHA for the 2025-2026 season.  Mark brings a wealth of coaching and playing knowledge to our association, and truly loves to help young hockey players get the most out of their minor hockey experience.

Mark Deyell Bio

Mark Deyell was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, and is a Former Canadian Professional hockey player.  Deyell's hockey journey began with the Saskatoon Blades in the Western Hockey League (WHL).  Over 3 seasons (1993-1996) he amassed 314 points in 205 games.  His standout performance came in the 1995-96 season, where he led the league with 159 points (61 goals and 98 assists) in 69 games, earning the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL's top scorer and runner-up of MVP in the league to Jarome Iginla.  

Recognizing his talent, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Deyell 126th Overall in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. He spent the subsequent seasons with the American Hockey League (AHL) St John's Maple Leafs.  He had the opportunity to play in 7 NHL exhibition games with the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Over 3 seasons (1996-99) Deyell recorded 163 points in 191 regular season games with the Baby Leafs.

In April 1999, during an AHL playoff game, Deyell suffered a significant eye injury when struck by an opponent's stick.  This injury sidelined him for the entire 1999-2000 season.  Attempting a comeback, he signed with the Edmonton Oilers in September 2000. He played 17 games for their AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, in the 2000-01 season playing alongside Shawn Horcoff, Jason Chimera, and Fernando Pisani.  He also had brief stints with HC Davos in Switzerland's Elite League and participated in the 2000-01 Spengler Cup with Jokerit, Finland.  In 2001, Deyell fully retired from the game of hockey residing in Calgary, AB.  

Despite his promising career being curtailed by injury at the age of 22, Deyell's impact on junior hockey remains notable.  After retiring from professional hockey, he transitioned into an NHL-certified agent for 11 years and has coached at all levels of hockey since 2002 applying his extensive knowledge of the game to help develop the next generation of players and has worked in the Oil & Gas sector in Calgary for the past 15 years.  His passion for the sport remains strong with his private company Next Chalk Inc. (2002-present) as he continues to mentor aspiring athletes and coaches at various levels.  

Benefits of a Coach Mentor

A Coach Mentor can be a critical investment for a minor youth hockey association that can support its coaching quality at all levels.  

The benefits of having a coach mentor within our association are:

Improved Coaching Quality -  Many volunteer and entry-level coaches lack formal training in skill development, game strategy, and player management. A coach mentor provides ongoing guidance, ensuring that all coaches follow a consistent, structured approach to teaching the game effectively.

Enhanced Player Development -  A well-trained coaching staff directly impacts player development. A coach mentor ensures age-appropriate skill progression, proper practice design, and effective in-game strategies, helping young athletes reach their full potential.

Consistency Across Teams and Age Groups -  Without standardized coaching methods, player development can become inconsistent. A coach mentor can help to align all teams with the association’s philosophy, ensuring a seamless transition for players as they progress through different age levels.  

Support for Volunteer Coaches -  Most minor hockey associations rely on volunteer coaches who may have enthusiasm but limited experience. A coach mentor offers real-time feedback, practice templates, and troubleshooting advice, reducing frustration and increasing coaching confidence.

Long-Term Organizational Growth -  An association known for strong coaching will attract more players, retain talent, and develop a reputation for excellence. A coach mentor helps build a structured program that sustains long-term success. 

Coach Mentor Role

Our new coach mentor role will be refined throughout the season, but will initially encompass:

High-Performance (HP) teams - assist in coach selection process, and work with the HP coaches through the summer to develop season plans and coaching strategies.  Assist with evaluations and team selection as necessary.  During the season, attend some practices and games to help our HP coaches work through issues and provide mentorship and feedback on practices and in-game coaching.  Be a resource for these coaches to call anytime to discuss ideas and challenges.

Association-Wide - be available to work with coaches who are looking for help and advice on any aspects of their coaching position.  Hold coaching symposiums available to all coaches, where coaches can come together and discuss common challenges and share successes.