As a first-generation immigrant, Jack Han’s entry into the hockey world came as a pleasant surprise to his family. Han fell in love with the game of hockey and started skating at the age of 7. Han played for his high school’s Varsity hockey team in Montreal. At the age of 18, Han realized that playing hockey professionally was likely not in the cards for him, but he wanted to stay connected and make a career out of what he loved the most.
He has more than achieved his goal of working in hockey and is now a highly sought-after coaching consultant.
Let’s rewind. In 2007 Han got his first experience in coaching as an Assistant Coach for College Jean-de-Brebeuf U14 hockey team. After spending some time coaching, Han realized that he had other interests in hockey beyond just coaching. In 2013, he spent a year writing for the Montreal Canadiens. This allowed Han to spend time around those at the highest level of the sport, while also enhancing his media skills.
After spending a year in the writer’s box, Han transitioned to a more team-focused role joining McGill University’s Women’s Hockey Program. Here, Han served as the Video Coach and Analytics Coordinator. This experience allowed Han to get a better feel for how teams use data information and break it down into a game plan that leads to success.
A decade after starting his professional hockey journey, Han was brought on by the Toronto Maple Leafs as a member of the Leafs’ Player Development Department. Han took a focus on scouting and analytics with the Maple Leafs using many of the skills he acquired from working with McGill University.
Han’s ability to work with analytics and focus on player development landed him the Assistant Coaching role just down the street with the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate the Toronto Marlies. At the conclusion of the season, Han made a slight career change focusing on being a coaching consultant. Teams that Han has worked with include the Connecticut Whale [PHF], ZSC Zurich [Swiss NL], and Tappara Tampere [Liiga] along with others.
Along with his hockey journey, Han has also written a yearly book series called Hockey Tactics. Han started the series in 2020 and has continued to evolve and update the series each year. Han provides readers with an in-depth understanding of what tactics hockey teams are employing each year. He dives into the X’s and O’s of the game and provides simple and easy-to-understand diagrams that explain different systems teams at the highest level of the game run. What makes Han’s writing stand out from the rest is the detailed analysis that he provides as a professional coach who has worked with video and analytics his whole career.
