MEET KRYS

It all started for me standing at the front screen door, watching the neighbourhood kids play street hockey.

Then my brother and I got permission to join them. It wasn’t long after I was eager to sign up for hockey, but it took some convincing as my parents had other ideas in mind for us, like the arts, chess club, and theatre.

Roller hockey, street hockey or mini sticks… we were always playing, even off the ice. I remember in our first house I had a room in the basement and the couch we had was lined up with the wall the TV was on. My dad would let me stay up a little later when the Calgary Flames were playing and hide me in the pillows on the couch, so no one knew I was still awake. Pretty sure my mom knew the whole time.

I attended Boston College on a hockey scholarship and really found my footing midway through that season. That summer I was drafted 19th overall by the Arizona Coyotes. My second season at BC we won the NCAA Championship, and I capped off a great year scoring the OT winning goal in that final game. I made the tough decision to leave BC the following year and attend the Coyotes training camp. Before the season started, I had signed my first NHL contract.

That first season I was awarded Rookie of the Month and selected to play in the Young Stars Game. I was also fortunate enough to represent Canada at the World’s in 2003 where we won a gold medal.

I suffered some career altering injuries early on but continued to play my game to earn spots with some amazing organizations. A highlight was definitely playing in my hometown for the Calgary Flames. I played this game for 20 years and any retired athlete will tell you that when you find your purpose, your personal legend, run towards it.

Early in my career playing in Houston under the mentorship of Kevin Constantine, Kevin pushed me to excel that season and spent hours of extra time with me analyzing my video. Not long after, I was rehabbing an injury and going to my brother’s games, really watching him closely, taking notes, and offering him development feedback while in Arizona. That was the first time I ever coached a player. The first time I realized that I see the game differently. That season Mark went on to win Rookie of the Year and the Championship.

I love staying connected to the game. I can work with players on those fine details that no coaching staff ever has time to pay attention to. This game is continuously evolving, but I have a passion, and a purpose, for helping players evolve, and elevate their lives… in and outside of the game.