08/03/2026
🏒MEET THE COACHES BEHIND THE NANAIMO HOCKEY ACADEMY🏒
Great athletes deserve great mentors.That's why we've assembled a coaching staff with one goal in mind: to provide our student-athletes with an elite development experience every single day.
Our coaches don't just teach hockey—they build confident, disciplined, and intelligent players who are prepared to compete at the next level.
Every member of our coaching team was selected because they share the values that define our academies:
🏒 Proven experience
📈 A passion for player development
⚡️ Outstanding character and leadership
Over the course of our 35-week academy, athletes receive consistent, high-quality coaching through small-group instruction, individualized skill development, strength & conditioning, video analysis, and mentorship. It's this daily commitment to excellence that helps players make meaningful, long-term improvements—not just for next season, but for their entire hockey journey.
More Than a Hockey Academy
The Nanaimo Hockey Academy (NHA) is a not-for-profit School & Sport Academies designed for student-athletes in Grades 5–12.
Each morning, athletes participate in professional on-ice development, off-ice strength & conditioning, and leadership programming before transitioning into teacher-led academics each afternoon.
Our academic program is delivered through School District 71 (N.I.D.E.S.), following the BC curriculum in a small-class environment that allows for personalized instruction and greater academic success—giving athletes the opportunity to pursue excellence in both the classroom and on the ice.
Coach Jamie Wood
Jamie Wood brings decades of coaching experience at every level of hockey, from minor hockey to collegiate athletics and elite player development. A former captain at Middlebury College, where he earned a degree in Education, Jamie has built a career focused on developing athletes on and off the ice.
A two-time National Champion as Head Coach of Elmira College, Jamie has also coached at the University of Minnesota and the University of New Hampshire. As a certified Power Edge Pro Skills Instructor, he has helped athletes advance to the NHL, NCAA, CHL, Olympic programs, and other elite levels.
Known for his passion and attention to detail, Jamie creates a challenging, supportive environment that helps players build confidence and reach their full potential.
Goalie Coach Marcus Beesley
Now residing on Vancouver Island and originally from Alberta. Marcus was the senior head goalie instructor for World Pro Goaltending.
Currently Marcus is the goalie coach for the Nanaimo Clippers and the Nanaimo Buccaneers and has taught over 10,000 private sessions and trained goalies at the Junior A, WHL, and pro levels.
Marcus has trained many high level goalies such as WHL Goaltender of the Year and Canadian World Junior, Ian Scott (WHL / AHL), Kurtis Chapman (WHL / USports), and Nolan Kent (AJHL / NCAA).
Marcus brings a good measure of experience to the ice along with his strong shooting skills, enthusiastic approach, and positive energy.
👀 One More Big Coaching Announcement Coming...
We've saved one more exciting coaching announcement for just a little later.
Let's just say... it's worth the wait. 😉
Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we reveal the newest addition to our coaching staff.
If you're interested in joining the Nanaimo Hockey Academy this season, we'd love to connect with you.
📧 [email protected]
You can also find our registration package through the LINKS in our Instagram bio.
Develop your game. Challenge yourself daily. Become the player you're capable of being.
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