The Briercrest hockey program is excited to announce that 16 year NHL veteran Mark Osborne will be assisting with the team’s training camp this Fall.  From Tuesday, August 26 until Friday, August 29 Osborne will be helping with different aspects of the training camp as well as with evaluating players and serving as an advisor to the coaching staff.

Mark’s experience as a player, coach and hockey analyst will be an incredible asset for the program as it continues to take steps forward this season.  He played the game at a high level and continues to live his life with passion.  Briercrest head coach Jamie Ramer commented that even more important than his experience in the game is what he brings off the ice.

“Who he is as a person and how his faith has been a huge part of all aspects of his life,” Ramer said. “He has seen many ups and downs over his life inside and outside the game and has relied on his faith to work through and grow from them. I know our program will benefit greatly in having and hearing from him and I am very thankful that he is willing to join us.”

Former Briercrest hockey head coach John Bechtold will also be at the training camp from Sunday, August 24 until Wednesday, August 27 to provide an extra set of eyes for evaluation during the camp. Bechtold, who coached the Briercrest hockey team from 1985-86 until the 2003-04 season, was instrumental in transitioning the Briercrest Hockey team into the ACAC.

Bechtold, who holds the Briercrest record with 192 ACAC games coached, was recently selected as one of the “ACAC Hockey Online’s 50 of the 50^th” for his contributions to the ACAC. He currently lives in Strathmore AB and is the WHL and SJHL Chapel Coordinator with Hockey Ministries International. His middle son, Alex, currently plays for the Cowichan Valley Capitals of the BCHL while his youngest son, Markson, plays for the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL.

 

Notes on Mark Osborne:

After being drafted in the second round of the 1980 NHL draft by the Detroit Red Wings, Osborne played for four NHL teams from 1981 until 1995, totally 212 goals and 531 points in 919 games.. The majority of his career was played with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but also had stints in Detroit, New York and Winnipeg. His career was highlighted by a 26 goal, 67 point rookie campaign with the Detroit Red Wings and a 73 point 1989-90 season playing alongside Gary Leeman and Ed Olczyk on the GEM line. He helped the Leafs reach the Conference Finals in two consecutive season, 1993 and 1994.

He ended his career as a player-coach for three years with the Cleveland Lumberjacks of the IHL, before retiring prior to the 1997-98 season.

Since retiring he has had a variety of off-ice hockey experience, including working as the assistant coach and also the general manager of the Toronto St. Michael’s Majors of the OHL, assistant GM of the Mississauga IceDogs, and hockey analyst for The Score Television Network and Leafs TV.

He works extensively with Hockey Ministries International at many levels throughout the year.   As well as serving as the chapel leader for the Toronto Maple Leafs and their AHL affiliate the Marlies.  Osborne is a liaison to the NHL as a whole, speaks at various events and serves at HMI’s summer hockey camps.

 

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