Roster, U10 Rep A (Elgin Thames Minor Hockey)

Mark John

Mark John is a Canadian hockey coach for the U10A Elgin Thames 73's. Born in Oakville, Ontario, Mark is the first Canadian-born member of his family, who originally comes from the Czech Republic. Growing up with influences from both Canadian and European hockey cultures, Mark has blended these philosophies into his coaching style.

After spending his first two seasons with the Dorchester Dragons, Mark is excited to begin his third year, now in the inaugural season for the Elgin Thames 73's. Mark’s coaching revolves around creating an environment where players are inspired to grow, both on and off the ice. He focuses on building strong relationships with his players, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere that ignites their passion for the game and excitement for coming to the rink.

As a head coach, Mark emphasizes the importance of teamwork and teaches valuable life lessons through hockey, preparing players for the challenges of advancing to the next level of competition. His expectation for all players is to bring hard work and dedication to every practice, with a focus on preparation for the upcoming games. Practices are designed to reflect game intensity, with a focus on Energy, Effort, and Execution. Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, Mark sees this as a key opportunity to not only grow as a coach but also to continue teaching players the value of challenging themselves. He is focused on helping players develop leadership skills and reinforcing the mindset that hard work will always outpace talent.×