For 12 seasons, Buchholz has followed his son’s hockey journey while building a coaching journey of his own
As communities across Canada celebrate National Coaches Week, the Greater Toronto Hockey League is recognizing the people who give their time, knowledge, and energy to help make hockey a positive experience for players at every level.
For Adam Buchholz, that experience has now spanned 12 seasons — and nearly every level of hockey the GTHL has to offer.
His journey behind the bench began with the East York Bulldogs, coaching in House League and Select while his son was beginning his own hockey experience. When his son moved into competitive hockey with the East Enders, Buchholz went with him. A move to ‘AA’ hockey with Willowdale followed shortly after.
Wherever his son’s hockey journey took him, Buchholz found a place behind the bench.
Over more than a decade, that path has given him a unique perspective on minor hockey. From House League and Select to competitive hockey, Buchholz has seen the different experiences the game can provide — and, just as importantly, the value each one brings.
While the level of competition, commitment, and development may change, Buchholz believes there is something meaningful to be gained at every stage of the game.
For him, coaching was also influenced by his own experience as a young player.
Buchholz remembers having a number of great coaches growing up — people whose influence extended beyond teaching the technical side of hockey. Looking back, he believes those experiences helped shape his own desire to step behind the bench and give back to the next generation.
Toward the end of his own youth hockey career, Buchholz also began to see himself as a leader within his team. Years later, coaching has provided an opportunity to share some of the lessons, values, and experiences he gained through the game with the players he now works with.
That cycle — learning from coaches, growing into a leader and eventually becoming a coach himself — reflects the impact coaches can have well beyond a single season.
National Coaches Week, taking place September 14–20, celebrates that impact and recognizes the thousands of coaches across Canada who help participants develop skills, confidence and a sense of belonging through sport.
Buchholz’s 12 seasons behind the bench are one example of that commitment within the GTHL community.
His coaching journey may have started simply by following his son to the rink, but along the way it became an opportunity to help other young players enjoy the game, grow through it, and benefit from the same kind of positive coaching that influenced him years ago.
This National Coaches Week, the GTHL says #ThanksCoach to Buchholz and to all of the coaches across the League who continue to give their time and leadership to the next generation.
