Regarding hockey, Lindsay Hofford is a renaissance guy with more than 30 years of experience. Beyond his renowned playing and coaching careers, he also has extensive knowledge of the hockey industry.
Getting young players into higher leagues was Hofford's first love as a coach. Professionally, Hofford coached in the Ontario Hockey League, the Western Hockey League, and the Canadian Hockey League. Hofford coached at many different levels before starting and building his own successful business.
Currently, Hofford is the proprietor of Pro Hockey Development, one of the largest hockey development firms in the world, and the Eastern Director of Scouting for the National Hockey League.
A Decade and a Half of Hockey Coaching Experience from Lindsay Hofford
Hofford spent a large portion of his career assisting young hockey players in improving their abilities so that they might advance in the industry. During the early 1990s, he established Pro Hockey Development and led it as its chief executive officer. He also worked as the director of hockey at Ontario's Hill Academy in Vaughan.
After coaching in the minor leagues, Hofford moved to the Ontario Hockey League's junior tiers. He spent three years as an Ontario Hockey League coach before moving to the Western Hockey League's Lethbridge.
Hofford transitioned from coaching to scouting between the years 2010 and 2019. From 2010 to 2015, he oversaw the amateur scouting for the London Knights, and from 2015 to 2019, he did the same for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Coaching at the AHL, OHL, CHL, and CJHL levels, Lindsay Hofford was successful at every level. More than 200 active or retired NHL players have played for him or been drafted with his assistance, including Corey Perry, Mitch Marner, Austin Matthews, Brent Seabrook, and Rick Nash.
Moving Away from Pleasure and Towards Business
Hofford was sure he'd spend the rest of his life working in hockey in some capacity, but he didn't feel destined to be a coach. Hoffman ultimately quit coaching to concentrate on expanding his company. Also, at this time, he was promoted to the position of Director of Scouting for the London Knights. For six seasons, he led the league in scouting success.
Sometime afterward, the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs noticed Hofford for his scouting skills. Hoffman was promoted to Eastern Director of Scouting after only one season as a scout for the Leafs. He continues to serve in this capacity now.
Education
To get where he is today in the hockey industry, Lindsay Hofford had to juggle several commitments, including employment, education, and sports. He usually got up at 5:30 in the morning to start helping out on the family dairy farm. He attributes his achievements in ice hockey, as a coach, and in business to the work ethic, he acquired.
After finishing secondary school in Wellington, Ontario, Hofford continued his education at the University of Guelph. While playing ice hockey for the Guelph Gryphons, he majored in sociology and politics.
I was raised and went to school in Sudbury, Ontario.
Attending secondary school in Wellington, Ontario, till graduating at the age 18
Attending the University of Guelph, I uprooted my life and moved to Guelph, Ontario.
Hofford started working as a corporate employee for a computer corporation just two days after he graduated from the University of Guelph, a fact that ultimately led to his relocation to Toronto. While working as the Marketing Representative for an air purification company in Toronto, he began instructing hockey on the side.
Lindsay Hofford's coaching career took off in Toronto, and she was soon promoted multiple times. He eventually left the air filtration firm to launch his rival, Pro Hockey Development. He had no idea that a low-level volunteer coaching gig in Toronto would be the springboard to a professional hockey coaching career.
After 26 years, Pro Hockey Development has grown into a significant player in the North American hockey industry.
A Priority for Family
While Hofford's passion for hockey is undeniable, it is no match for his devotion to his loved ones. He's the proud parent of Callum Hofford, Rachel Hofford, Adam Panacci, and Nicole Panacci. Adam Panacci is now playing hockey in Bonnyville, Alberta, before beginning his university studies, while Callum and Rachael both graduated from Western University. Nicole Panacci follows in her father's footsteps by enrolling at the University of Guelph.
For those curious, Callum Hofford was born in 1994 and went to school at Salem State.
Western University student Rachael Hofford, was born in 1996.
Bonnyville, Alberta, native Adam Panacci was born in 1999 and is a former ice hockey player.
Originally from Ontario, Canada, Nicole Panacci attended the University of Guelph after her birth in 2000.
Hofford says that his unbounded pride in his children and his emphasis on family are both products of his nurturing upbringing. He was the second of Ian and Catherine Hofford's three kids. The accident that left Lindsay Hofford's father, a quadriplegic, occurred when Lindsay was just two years old.
Throughout his childhood, he saw his mother provide for the family by caring for his father. Hofford's inspiration to work hard comes from seeing his mother accomplish seemingly impossible tasks.
While continually achieving new heights in hockey and business, Lindsay Hofford has never stopped being there for his loved ones.
Getting young players into higher leagues was Hofford's first love as a coach. Professionally, Hofford coached in the Ontario Hockey League, the Western Hockey League, and the Canadian Hockey League. Hofford coached at many different levels before starting and building his own successful business.
Currently, Hofford is the proprietor of Pro Hockey Development, one of the largest hockey development firms in the world, and the Eastern Director of Scouting for the National Hockey League.
A Decade and a Half of Hockey Coaching Experience from Lindsay Hofford
Hofford spent a large portion of his career assisting young hockey players in improving their abilities so that they might advance in the industry. During the early 1990s, he established Pro Hockey Development and led it as its chief executive officer. He also worked as the director of hockey at Ontario's Hill Academy in Vaughan.
After coaching in the minor leagues, Hofford moved to the Ontario Hockey League's junior tiers. He spent three years as an Ontario Hockey League coach before moving to the Western Hockey League's Lethbridge.
Hofford transitioned from coaching to scouting between the years 2010 and 2019. From 2010 to 2015, he oversaw the amateur scouting for the London Knights, and from 2015 to 2019, he did the same for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Coaching at the AHL, OHL, CHL, and CJHL levels, Lindsay Hofford was successful at every level. More than 200 active or retired NHL players have played for him or been drafted with his assistance, including Corey Perry, Mitch Marner, Austin Matthews, Brent Seabrook, and Rick Nash.
Moving Away from Pleasure and Towards Business
Hofford was sure he'd spend the rest of his life working in hockey in some capacity, but he didn't feel destined to be a coach. Hoffman ultimately quit coaching to concentrate on expanding his company. Also, at this time, he was promoted to the position of Director of Scouting for the London Knights. For six seasons, he led the league in scouting success.
Sometime afterward, the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs noticed Hofford for his scouting skills. Hoffman was promoted to Eastern Director of Scouting after only one season as a scout for the Leafs. He continues to serve in this capacity now.
Education
To get where he is today in the hockey industry, Lindsay Hofford had to juggle several commitments, including employment, education, and sports. He usually got up at 5:30 in the morning to start helping out on the family dairy farm. He attributes his achievements in ice hockey, as a coach, and in business to the work ethic, he acquired.
After finishing secondary school in Wellington, Ontario, Hofford continued his education at the University of Guelph. While playing ice hockey for the Guelph Gryphons, he majored in sociology and politics.
I was raised and went to school in Sudbury, Ontario.
Attending secondary school in Wellington, Ontario, till graduating at the age 18
Attending the University of Guelph, I uprooted my life and moved to Guelph, Ontario.
Hofford started working as a corporate employee for a computer corporation just two days after he graduated from the University of Guelph, a fact that ultimately led to his relocation to Toronto. While working as the Marketing Representative for an air purification company in Toronto, he began instructing hockey on the side.
Lindsay Hofford's coaching career took off in Toronto, and she was soon promoted multiple times. He eventually left the air filtration firm to launch his rival, Pro Hockey Development. He had no idea that a low-level volunteer coaching gig in Toronto would be the springboard to a professional hockey coaching career.
After 26 years, Pro Hockey Development has grown into a significant player in the North American hockey industry.
A Priority for Family
While Hofford's passion for hockey is undeniable, it is no match for his devotion to his loved ones. He's the proud parent of Callum Hofford, Rachel Hofford, Adam Panacci, and Nicole Panacci. Adam Panacci is now playing hockey in Bonnyville, Alberta, before beginning his university studies, while Callum and Rachael both graduated from Western University. Nicole Panacci follows in her father's footsteps by enrolling at the University of Guelph.
For those curious, Callum Hofford was born in 1994 and went to school at Salem State.
Western University student Rachael Hofford, was born in 1996.
Bonnyville, Alberta, native Adam Panacci was born in 1999 and is a former ice hockey player.
Originally from Ontario, Canada, Nicole Panacci attended the University of Guelph after her birth in 2000.
Hofford says that his unbounded pride in his children and his emphasis on family are both products of his nurturing upbringing. He was the second of Ian and Catherine Hofford's three kids. The accident that left Lindsay Hofford's father, a quadriplegic, occurred when Lindsay was just two years old.
Throughout his childhood, he saw his mother provide for the family by caring for his father. Hofford's inspiration to work hard comes from seeing his mother accomplish seemingly impossible tasks.
While continually achieving new heights in hockey and business, Lindsay Hofford has never stopped being there for his loved ones.