CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced that Pat McLaughlin, the organization’s chief operating officer and executive vice-president of strategy, will step down from his role on Dec. 31, 2024 to open his own executive coaching, leadership development and consulting practice.

After working in the Atlantic Centre of Excellence for Hockey Canada from 1995-99, McLaughlin was the organization’s director of marketing services and events until 2001. He re-joined Hockey Canada in September 2018 as vice-president of operations and was promoted to chief operating officer in February 2023, before adding the title of executive vice-president of strategy later that year.

“Pat has made so many significant contributions to Hockey Canada and hockey in Canada throughout his time with our organization, but in particular it’s important to recognize the leadership he demonstrated to help guide Hockey Canada through an extremely challenging time in late 2022 and early 2023,” said Katherine Henderson, president and chief executive officer of Hockey Canada. “While we will miss working with him, we are excited for this new opportunity for him and his family.”

“On behalf of the Hockey Canada Board of Directors, we thank Pat for his leadership and dedication to the organization for so many years,” said chair Jonathan Goldbloom. “He stepped up at a critical time and played a key role in onboarding the transition board. He also helped ensure that Hockey Canada lived up to our commitment to move forward with the Action Plan that was announced in 2022.

“Thanks in part to his leadership, we are well on our way to restoring the confidence of Canadians in our organization.”

A long-time minor hockey volunteer and coach, McLaughlin was the co-executive lead for the inaugural Beyond the Boards Summit that was hosted by Hockey Canada in September 2023 and developed the organization’s most recent strategic plan.

“Working for Hockey Canada is a privilege and one that I have never taken lightly,” said McLaughlin. “I am tremendously grateful to all the staff, Members, board directors, partners and volunteers who I have worked alongside, and I look forward to watching the organization continue to grow and deliver gold medals on and off the ice.

“Executive coaching, leadership development and management consulting have always been passions of mine and I am very excited to open my own practice, while cheering for Team Canada in men’s, women’s and para hockey and watching the game continue to grow at the grassroots level across the country.”

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