Andrew Harkness
Andrew Harkness Bio
I am a father of 2 boys who are coming through the Halton Hills Thunder program. I have been around hockey my whole life. I grew up in Quebec playing for my home town and eventually my high school. My father was my coach throughout my early career and gave me a love for the game that I carry through my volunteering for my men’s league hockey to this present day. If you can’t find me coaching my minor hockey team you will find me playing a men’s league hockey game as the passion lives on!
Other noteworthy details about me, I manage high performing teams in my day job and I find a lot of crossover between managing teams at work and managing teams in minor hockey. I pride myself in being transparent, authentic and genuine in my dealings at work and in this volunteer position. I believe myself to be a strong communicator and a passionate leader.
My own volunteering journey started years ago when I was coaching teenage soccer programs in Quebec, but my recent hockey volunteering started again with my youngest son. After receiving some mentorship with more experienced coaches through my older son’s team, I decided to become involved as a volunteer myself in 2021 with the IP program as an assistant coach. The following year I was named head coach of the U10As and most recently I had the honour of coaching the U11As.
My coaching philosophy anchors on the following principles:
1. With younger athletes, my #1 priority is that they love hockey more at the end of the season than when they started. Development gets absorbed much more easily when the kids are chomping at the bit to get back on the ice.
2. We focus the kids in on their controllable assets. Attitude, Concentration, and Effort (ACE). We will teach them skill, we will teach them strategy, all they have to bring is their ACE.
3. I am not in the hockey business, I am in the kids experience and lifelong memories business. The inclusive culture, the life-skills that we teach and the bonds that they form with their team mates will last much longer than the memory of their won loss ratios. Our selection of tournaments, team building activities and opportunities to give back to the community are the core moments we strive for during a season.
Lastly, as for hockey development, our priority is skating, passing, team play and energy/effort. We look to build and re-enforce all of the good habits that will stay with them all the way through their playing career. We also rely heavily on specialized development instructors to teach the technical part of the game. I focus on culture and ACE, and we bring in the experts to teach the fine details of this great game.
Looking forward to seeing everyone on the ice! Greg Geim
Greg Geim Bio
Greg Geim brings over 21 years of coaching experience to the rink, having worked with players at various levels and ages in minor hockey. His deep knowledge of the game, combined with his commitment to player development, makes him a respected figure in the hockey community.
Greg has worked with both competitive and recreational teams, focusing on developing the skills, discipline, and sportsmanship of young players. His coaching philosophy is rooted in building confidence, encouraging teamwork, and ensuring that each player feels valued and motivated to improve both on and off the ice. Greg believes that hockey is not just about developing physical skills, but also about fostering leadership, communication, and resilience that players can carry with them throughout their lives. Greg strives to ensure that each player feels empowered to reach their full potential.
Having played hockey at the minor level himself, Greg knows firsthand the joy and challenges the game can bring. Greg’s love for hockey runs deep and is something he’s carried with him throughout his life, the sport became more than just a game—it became a passion. This passion for hockey is not only evident in his coaching but also in his dedication to Halton Hills Minor Hockey as a Coach Mentor.Jason Swit
Jason Swit Bio
Hockey has been a constant in my life, shaping who I am both on and off the ice. I still remember the early mornings at Meadowvale Four Rinks, where my love for the game first took root, and the long drives through GTHL traffic to chase my hockey dreams. At 15, I transitioned from forward to defense—a challenge that pushed me to grow as a player and solidified my understanding of the game. Battling injuries in my draft year only strengthened my determination, leading me to the QMJHL with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, where I led all rookie defensemen in points and set franchise records. One of my toughest lessons came in the playoffs when we lost a hard-fought series to the Val-d’Or Foreurs, led by Brad Marchand and Kris Letang, after being up 3-0 in the series. My journey continued at Western University, where I won the Queen’s Cup, earned Academic All-Canadian honours, and had the incredible experience of competing against the Czech World Junior Team. But beyond all the on-ice moments, hockey gave me something even greater—I met my wife at Western, where she played for the women’s team.
After my playing career, my passion for the game naturally led me to coaching. With over 10+ years of coaching, I’ve worked with players at all levels, from minor hockey to mentoring elite NCAA and NHL athletes at BTNL. Now, through S13 Hockey, the development program my wife and I run together, we focus on helping young athletes build their skills, confidence, and love for the game. I’ve been coached/instructed multiple teams with the Halton Hills Thunder and North Halton Twisters, and I stay actively involved in hockey with both of my kids. Beyond minor hockey, as a teacher, I’ve also coached high school teams to multiple OFSAA championship appearances, reinforcing my belief in player development at all stages.
At the heart of my coaching philosophy is a simple but important goal: to help players develop their skills while fostering a genuine love for the game. I believe that hockey should be challenging, rewarding, and, above all, fun. By building strong relationships with players, tailoring instruction to their individual needs, and encouraging a growth mindset, I hope to create an environment where they can compete, improve, and create lasting memories.
Hockey has given me so much, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back. And while my competitive playing days may be behind me, I still love lacing up the skates for pickup games with my wife—a reminder that, no matter the level, hockey is a game meant to be enjoyed.Luke Beamish
Luke Beamish Bio
I’ve been around hockey my whole life, playing and learning from great coaches and mentors around the game.
I’m a passionate hockey coach with two years of coaching experience, but my journey in the game goes back much further. Before stepping behind the bench, I had the privilege of playing in the Ontario Hockey League, which gave me firsthand knowledge of the game's intensity and intricacies. That experience shaped my coaching style, allowing me to not only teach technical skills but also to instil a love for the game in my players.
Since I started coaching, I’ve been dedicated to developing young athletes both on and off the ice. I emphasize teamwork, discipline, and a strong work ethic, all while fostering a fun and supportive environment. Watching players grow in their skills and confidence is one of the most rewarding aspects of coaching for me, and I’m excited to continue helping players reach their full potential as they chase their dreams in the game.Wally Lawless
Wally Lawless Bio
With a passion for developing young athletes, Wally is dedicated to fostering skill development, teamwork, and a love for the game. As a coach for U11 hockey players, he focuses on building strong fundamentals, improving hockey IQ, and creating a positive, competitive environment where players can grow both on and off the ice.
With experience playing competitive hockey throughout his entire childhood and coaching fort he past 7 seasons, Wally emphasizes hard work, discipline, team play and sportsmanship while making sure players enjoy the process. Whether it is refining skating technique, developing puck control, or learning strategic gameplay, he is committed to helping young athletes reach their full potential.