Coach heads home to find ice hockey stars of the future

ONE of British ice hockey’s most-respected coaches is coming home to discover and coach the stars of the future.

Paul Heavey has had a sterling career playing for and coaching pro ice hockey teams all over the UK.

Now aged 63 and with a wealth of experience at club and national GB team level, Paul has taken on the role of Senior Advisor on Coaching and Player Development for the Glasgow Clan’s newly-formed Clan Academy for junior players.

His role will see him share his knowledge with the Academy’s team of coaches, help set the direction for player development, as well as taking some of the on-ice coaching sessions.

Paul started his professional career with the Glasgow Dynamos in the early 1980s, and after an incredible hockey journey, now finds himself looking to develop the next generation of young players and coaches.

As a player he won a British Championship medal with the Murrayfield Racers before gracing the ice with Solihull Barons, Peterborough Pirates, and the Cardiff Devils. Paul played there for four seasons, captaining the side, before stepping into the head coach role – a position he held for five successful seasons, winning the Superleague title with the Devils in 1997.

Paul went on to coach the Ayr Scottish Eagles, winning the Challenge Cup in 2002. He then moved on to coach the Manchester Phoenix in the Elite League, before spending two seasons as head coach of the Sheffield Steelers. He also enjoyed a long involvement with the Great Britain set-up, as assistant coach with the GB Men’s Team, as well as with GB Under-20s.

For the past two decades, Paul has specialised in coaching youngsters – as Director of Coaching with Best of British Ice Hockey Camps.

Clan managing director, Gareth Chalmers said: “Paul brings a wealth of experience and commands a huge amount of respect for what he’s achieved in the sport.”

“He’ll bring energy and professionalism to the Academy, and is a perfect addition given his many years of developing young players all over the UK.”

Speaking about his involvement, Paul said: “I feel very grateful to be involved in something that can make a real positive difference to young lives – especially here in my hometown, doing something I really love.

“I want us to create an environment and culture where the young people absolutely love what they’re doing, can’t wait to get to get on the ice at Braehead Arena and don’t want to leave the rink.

“They’ll be learning hockey skills, life skills, respect, discipline, trust, resilience, confidence and the freedom to express themselves.”