John Paris Jr
John Paris, Jr. - U16 Head Coach
239-877-0900 / jpj0194616@yahoo.com
John Paris, Jr. began is hockey coaching career when Scotty Bowman and the Montreal Canadians organization recruited him as a Junior player. He has served as Head Coach and General Manager for various Professional, Tier I and Junior A programs.
John was appointed Head Coach for the U.S. Junior Development program and was the originator of the Elite Development section for advanced Junior Players. During his lengthy hockey career, Paris was appointed Head Coach and General Managers for the Vancouver Seals (FPHL), Macon Whoopee (CHL), Atlanta Knights (IHL), Nashville Knights (ECHL). John has also served as Director of Player Development for the Nashville Knights (ECHL) and Quebec Midget AAA Development program and as a Scout for the St. Louis Blues.
In the 1993-94 season, Paris was hired by the Atlanta Knights of the International Hockey League (IHL), and became the first African-Canadian to coach in professional hockey. His move to professional hockey proved to be a good one when he led the Knights to the Turner Cup championship. He continued a successful professional coaching career in the IHL and the Central Hockey League, with his teams posting a winning record five out of six seasons.
Because of his experience, Paris was hired to perform the duties of Coach, Speaker and Consultant for the Swedish Ice Hockey Foundation and Finnish Ice Hockey Foundation. Most recently, Paris served as a consultant for junior and professional hockey players and programs and has a Master of Science in Sports Psychology. John has coached and prepared over 240 college and professional players and 11 first round NHL draft picks.
As a certified sports psychologist, John Paris Jr. has a special ability to motivate his players as well as a vast hockey knowledge that covers all aspects of the game.
