About Coach Dan

I've been playing Hockey for over 40 years. I started my minor hockey career learning to play the game in London, ON at the age of 5. After that, I was able to play AAA for both Kitchener and Burlington.

I'm truly a student of the game, especially since I first had the opportunity to coach my own son and his teams from Tyke to Pee Wee. Since then, my son along with a few of my former players, now enjoy playing at the AAA level. I still coach many of those players today through my Elite Hockey Skills business.

In my many years in Hockey, I have continued to study and learn from as many great players and coaches as I can, both locally and around the globe, who share the same passion for Hockey that I do. I especially seek out those people that are thrilled to share how they're re-shaping the game of hockey, through the innovative ways they Teach and Coach Core Hockey Skills in a Fun, Unique, and Crazy Clever way.

My passion for this game has only expanded where I am now part of this evolution, teaching and coaching young players in the very same manner and adding my own twists and branding along the way.

I am a detail and goal-oriented person who takes great pride in everything I do, especially when it comes to teaching and coaching.

I strive to provide a Safe and Fun learning environment where my players know that I expect them to make tons of mistakes. I will push them outside their comfort zone, even to the point of falling, so that I can show them where the edge of their own abilities are. At the same time, I ensure they know they can rely on me to provide them with proper and immediate feedback to quickly learn from their mistakes.

Credentials & Track Record

• Founded Elite Hockey Skills: 2015. 10+ years operating summer camps and skills clinics.
• 1,000+ players coached: Both boys and girls, across rep, AA, AAA, and Junior levels.
• Collingwood Minor Hockey Association. Skills Coach: 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons. Pivotal contributor to the organization's move from Rep to AA classification across most teams.
• Wasaga Beach Minor Hockey. Skills Coach: 2024 season; multiple years of tryout-prep skills sessions over the past decade, most recently 2025.
• Personal hockey background: 40+ years in the game. Began minor hockey at age 5 in London, ON. Played AAA for Kitchener and Burlington.

Who I have developed

Players who have come up through EHS, many returning as Junior Instructors and Leaders to coach the next generation:

• Ethan Procyszyn. AAA graduate, 1st-round OHL draft pick, Captain of the North Bay Battalion, NHL 3rd-round draft pick, signed NHL Entry-Level Contract with the Anaheim Ducks. Multiple-time EHS camp athlete and former Jr Instructor at PA Day and summer camps.
• Avery McNamara, my son. PJHL and GOHL the last 2 seasons.
• Ryo Han (2011), coached since age 7. U16 OHL high-pick prospect.
• Drew Reed (2012), coached since age 6. Currently signed with Cortexx (agent representation).
• Kieran Potts, top Jr Leader in the EHS business; 2 seasons PJHL, AAA graduate.
• Cruz Doner, coached since age 6. OHL draft pick; played OJHL this past season.

Plus a current roster of U15 and U16 top-AAA athletes I coach today, and the broader 1,000+ players across the past decade.