NEWS: Paul Heavey Joins Clan Academy
One of British Ice Hockey’s most successful home-grown coaches has joined the newly formed Clan Academy in a key consultant role.
Glasgow born Paul Heavey, who enjoyed great success as a player and as a Head Coach has taken on the role of Senior Advisor on Coaching & Player Development for the newly formed junior club.
Paul started his professional career with the Glasgow Dynamos in the early 1980s, and after an incredible hockey journey, now finds himself back in his home city, passing on his wealth of knowledge to the next generation of coaches and kids.
As a player he won a British Championship medal with the Murrayfield Racers before gracing the ice with Solihull Barons, Peterborough Pirates, and on to 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. After the Scottish Eagles demise after a brief spell in Braehead, he 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 GB set-up, as Assistant Coach with the GB Mens 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.
“Paul is someone who brings a wealth of experience and commands a huge amount of respect for what he’s achieved in the sport” said Clan Managing Director, Gareth Chalmers.
“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’d like thank Kevin McCoskrie, Gareth Chalmers and the Clan organization for giving me this opportunity.
‘I feel very grateful to be involved in something that can make a real positive difference in young lives – especially here in my hometown, doing something I really love.
‘I’ve been blessed to have been involved in hockey for almost 50 years and this game has given me so many great experiences. Emotions, memories, stories and friendships. It’s the best team sport in the world.
‘I’m really looking forward to working with a great Organization and group of coaches who also love the game. Guys like myself who are students of the game, always wanting to learn grow and develop, share ideas and do whatever is best for the kids.’
Speaking of his hopes for the Academy, Paul said, ‘I want us to create an environment and culture where these children absolutely love what they’re doing, can’t wait to get to the Arena, and don’t want to leave. They’ll be learning hockey skills, life skills, respect, discipline, trust, resilience, confidence and the freedom to express themselves.
‘It’s a very exciting beginning – a blank sheet of paper, and we are all holding the pen. We can all contribute, small step, by small step, and write our own story of Clan Academy.’
Paul’s role with the Academy will see him share his knowledge with the Academy’s team of coaches, help them set the direction for player development, as well as lacing-up, when available, to be personally involved in some of the on-ice coaching sessions.
