Jeff Burridge

U18AA/A Alliance Seeded League

St. Thomas Jr. Stars

I was born and raised in London, Ontario, where my hockey career began. I started playing AAA hockey in Minor Atom, winning 7 Alliance Championships and 1 OHF.  I played AAA until Minor Midget, where I was drafted 3rd round to the Flint Firebirds. From there, I played 2 years of Junior A before earning a spot to play for the Halifax Mooseheads. I loved my time there until it got cut short due to COVID-19. I returned home to play for my hometown team, the London Nationals. Along the way, I learned that everything is not going to go the way you want it to go. There will be setbacks and hardships you go through, and that’s normal. I’m excited to teach and give back all the advice I once was given. I have a very high hockey knowledge, and I’m very excited to teach and show this team how and what it takes to be a good team/player on and off the ice.

Motivation/Inspiration:

My inspiration to play hockey was simply the love of the game, enjoying my time with my teammates and friends and making long-lasting memories. I want to teach and show my team what I have learned over my career and provide them with the knowledge that all my past coaches have taught me. Whether on or off the ice, I want to show them what it means to be a team player in all aspects of life. I take pride in now giving back to the up-and-coming hockey players as I once was in their shoes, and I know what it takes to reach the next steps, whether it be in hockey or life. 

Playing Experience: 

• 2017-2019 Junior A

• 2019-2020 QMJHL

• 2021-2022 London Nationals

• 2022-2023 Pro Hockey

Coaching Philosophy:

I want to create an environment where everyone is having fun, learning, and developing to become the best versions of themselves. Not everything is going to go the way you want it to, and that’s okay. It’s about learning from your mistakes and bettering yourself along the way. I want everyone to stay positive whenever the going gets tough and always find the bright side of a negative situation. 

Expectations/Goals for This Season:

My goals for this season are to have every player learn something on or off the ice, whether it be from me or a teammate. I expect hard work, dedication, time commitment, and a positive attitude when arriving to practice or any game. At the end of it all, your dedication and persistence to something you love will always pay off. Everything starts in practice, and that is where we will learn as a team that hard work and perseverance pay off.