Benton Gibbons
U9 MD2
St. Thomas Jr. Stars
I was born and raised in Brantford, Ontario, where my passion for hockey became apparent at a young age. Early on, I played for multiple teams, getting on the ice as often as I could, with a love for the game. Throughout my minor hockey career, I had the honour to play and compete at a high level, earning MVP at the Brad Tiley Development camp in Owen Sound, Ontario and an invite to their Owen Sound Jr. B Training camp. These years were foundational in shaping my path to higher levels in sports. In High School, I made the decision to play football as well as hockey, which led me to an opportunity to compete at the NAIA level, playing football in Missouri. After my University football career came to a close, I still had the dream of playing professional
hockey. Moving back to Brantford, Ontario, I was connected with former coaches of mine and began the journey of training and developing as a hockey player. I was invited to training camp with the Huntsville Havoc of the SPHL. After overcoming numerous challenges and setbacks, along with many memorable experiences along the way, I continued to play hockey wherever
the opportunity came. I now focus on helping develop others' skills and love for the game I myself have a passion for.
Coaching Experience:
• Assistant Coach BCI High School Hockey 2012-2014
• Head Coach U9LL St Thomas Jr. Stars 2024-2025
MOTIVATION:
My motivation to coach hockey stems from a strong passion for the game and a care for the next generation of athletes. I played hockey because I loved coming to the rink and had coaches that invested into my development as a player and person. I love putting together programs and drills that are fun, and still challenge skaters to grow in new ways. There’s nothing better than watching them surprise themselves with what they can achieve. Being part of their journey—not just as athletes, but as people—is what keeps me inspired and excited to coach.
PHILOSOPHY:
My Coaching Philosophy:
My approach to coaching is centred on 3 guiding principles:
1. Being a Good Teammate - Hockey is a team game, and success starts with how we treat one another. I believe in
creating an environment where players support, respect, and encourage each other,
building a culture of unity that makes everyone better.
2. Listening - Strong teams are built on communication. I want players to feel heard and valued, both
by their coaches and their peers. Listening with respect not only strengthens
relationships but also helps us grow together as a team.
3. Giving Your Best Effort - Hard work is something every player can control. I encourage players to bring their best
effort to every practice, game, and drill—pushing themselves, learning from mistakes, and celebrating progress. Effort lays the foundation for both personal growth and team success.
2025-2026 SEASON GOALS
This season, our focus will be on learning to play together as a team. We’ll work on making unselfish plays—like passing to open teammates and creating scoring chances as a group, so that every player feels involved and supported.
Along with teamwork, we’ll continue to build strong individual skills in skating, puck handling, and decision-making under pressure. A big focus will be on skating as the better skaters we become the better hockey players we become. As players gain confidence, we’ll begin introducing more advanced ideas, such as working together on line rushes, transitioning from defence to offence.
Our goal is for players to grow in their understanding of the game while becoming more confident, cohesive, and competitive as a team. Most importantly, we want to help them develop the values of sportsmanship, teamwork, and perseverance—qualities that will serve them not only in hockey but in life.
What to Expect This Season
Our season will run from September through April and will provide a fun and competitive experience for all players. Teams will typically practice 1–2 times per week, with games scheduled about 1–2 times per week as well. Along with the registration fee, team fees will be collected during the season to help cover costs such as jerseys, player development, and tournament expenses. We expect to participate in around 3 tournaments this season in Aylmer, St. Thomas, and Ayr.
Every player trying out will have a fair chance to earn a spot on the team. Players will be evaluated on their skills, effort, game play, and willingness to listen and develop. Coach ability and a positive attitude are just as important as skill.
To make sure the process is fair and transparent, independent evaluators (in addition to the head coach) will be at each session to help with team selections.