My name is Zach Mark and I am extremely excited to be the 2023 – 2024 New Hamburg Jr Firebirds Head Coach. Although tryouts are not until September, we as a coaching staff are already hard at work trying to plan for next season, and we are super excited about building a highly competitive program and team.
Our Staff
Head Coach: Zach Mark
Forward Coach: Evan Denison
Defense Coach: Lucas Bast
Assistant Coach: Greg Yeoman
Goalie Coach: Isaac Seltzer
Trainer: Brennan Mirt
Manager: Al Denison
Player Personnel: Eric Vander Eyk
Last season, I was lucky enough to be part of the Jr Firebirds staff, with taking on much of the Head Coaching responsibilities from Rod Lichti, with the idea of having a non-parent coach with the Jr Firebirds program for awhile. My plan is to ideally be here to help our local NHHA players reach the next level of life (in hockey, school, work, and life in general) for awhile. Our 2023/24 staff has a phenomenal resume, with 6/8 staff members graduating from the Jr Firebirds program, and 6/8 of us graduating from the Jr C Firebirds program. Being young, non-parent coaches, allows us to connect more to the players, as we were in the exact same shoes as them just 7 years back.
Personally, I love the game of hockey, and all sports in general. Growing up in New Hamburg, I played my early years in NHHA, eventually going to play in the Waterloo Region at the AAA level. Ultimately, I decided to return in Major Bantam, and finished my minor hockey career with the Jr Firebirds. After minor hockey, I moved on to play Jr C in New Hamburg for 5 seasons, and also calling up at the Jr B level. I was lucky enough to win the Doherty Division Championship with the Firebirds in 2021/22, serving as team captain. Currently, I still continue to play competitively for the Tavistock Royals Sr AA Team. Having served in the game of hockey at many levels (Sr AA, Jr B, Jr C, AAA, A) and many capacities (player, coach, referee), I strongly believe myself, and our coaching staff, has a strong understand of the game and are able to adapt to the challenges we are faced with.
What is the Coaching Staff Looking for in a Jr Firebird?
· Passion. We want players that have a passion to play highly competitive hockey, and a want to win.
· RESPECT. This is the biggest one for us. We expect respect to everyone, in every area (coaches, players, opponents, referees, opposing arenas, hotels, etc.)· Athleticism, individual skill, hockey sense and hockey knowledge.
· Work Ethic. A strong work ethic and commitment to improvement on and off the ice. We do not expect players to be perfect, but we expect a perfect effort.
· Commitment. Players that are committed to the sport and the team for the entirety of the season.
· Team Atmosphere. We are building a “brotherhood”. We are a team. We do everything as a team.
· Focus and positive response to feedback. Willingness to learn and attention to detail is extremely important to us.
What Can You Do Before Try-Outs Begin?
If you are thinking about trying out for this team, reach out and contact me by telephone/text (519-504-6275) or email ([email protected]) so that I know some things about who you are and so that you have an opportunity to ask questions about the team and our program.
I do encourage everyone to reach out as I could talk about hockey for hours.
Thanks again! I look forward to seeing everyone in September, as we have some unfinished business to attend to.
Zach Mark
Head Coach
New Hamburg Jr Firebirds