Ex NHL Pro Paul Healey Set To Lead CoE – Fort Lauderdale

TPH is excited to announce that Paul Healey will lead its Fort Lauderdale division as Director & Head of Hockey ahead of its inaugural Center of Excellence (CoE) school year.  A former professional hockey player with 15 years experience competing at the NHL, AHL, ECHL and European pro levels, Healey will bring a combination of playing, coaching and local hockey experience to TPH-Fort Lauderdale student-athletes.   

“Paul Healey is a genuine, hard-working, high-character leader whose background will speak to our Southeast Florida student-athletes and families,” TPH CEO Nathan Bowen said.  “As a player, Paul reached the highest levels in our sport by leading with the primary character quality of a TPH student-athlete- hard work.  He has been the new face in a veteran-laden dressing room, has also been the experienced voice for young players to follow and since retiring from the game, has put down roots in Southeast Florida.  Paul loves development, loves the area and is passionate about using the athletic and educational reach of the Center of Excellence model to help aspiring-elite student-athletes Study, Train and Play to their full potential.”

Keith Fine, General Manager of the Panthers IceDen echoed Bowen’s enthusiasm about Healey leading TPH-Fort Lauderdale.   

“We join TPH in congratulating Paul Healey on earning the opportunity to become TPH-Fort Lauderdale’s first Director & Head of Hockey,” Fine said.  “Throughout the interview process, TPH kept its ears open for the right person whose core beliefs meshed with their desire to create an environment that helps student-athletes grow inside and outside of sport.  While we did the same, it was also important to the Florida Panthers that we select an individual with passion for the development and growth of hockey in Southeast Florida.  Paul Healey is that person.  All of us with the Florida Panthers and Panthers IceDen are committed to supporting Paul in every way possible so that TPH-Fort Lauderdale successfully executes TPH’s overall vision of positively impacting the lives of student-athletes.”

As a player, Healey, a native of Edmonton, Alberta, was part of four National Hockey League organizations.  He captured championships on two occasions, first as a member of the AHL’s Philadelphia Phantoms in 1998, and then, 10 years later, while playing overseas in Slovenia with Jesenice.  A three-time captain with the AHL’s St. John’s Maple Leafs, Lowell Lock Monsters and San Antonio Rampage, Healey concluded his professional career in 2010, having totaled over 1,000 games played.  After hanging up his skates, Healey spent one season as the Assistant Coach with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades.  

But as CEO Nathan Bowen mentioned, it was more than just Healey’s deep, respected playing resume that led him to be selected to lead TPH-Fort Lauderdale.  For the past 14 years, the 46-year-old has dedicated himself to mentoring Florida youth hockey players.  Since 2011, Healey has served as Hockey Director for the Miami Toros organization, where he has also coached at the Tier II level.  In addition, he has run successful hockey camps, has coached with the Florida Alliance ‘AAA’ program and has served as a member of the SAHOF board, which is the governing body for youth hockey in the Sunshine State.  

“I am humbled, grateful and most importantly, ecstatic to have the opportunity to become the Director & Head of Hockey for TPH-Fort Lauderdale,” Healey said.  “The Center of Excellence model is perfect for Southeast Florida because it will allow dedicated student-athletes to chase their athletic goals, receive a quality, customized education and play for their local teams during non-school hours.  Along the way, we will incorporate field trips, do community service projects and invite local leaders into the CoE to pass along valuable messages to our student-athletes.  Our kids will grow as young leaders, and if they haven’t already, they will learn to embrace and appreciate exactly what I have for the past 14 years: that Southeast Florida is a wonderful place not just to live, but now, to also play sports, go to school and grow as a person, as part of the TPH-Fort Lauderdale Center of Excellence family.”

Families interested in engaging with Director & Head of Hockey Paul Healey are encouraged to click here to request more information on the Center of Excellence model.  

The first formal step in registering for the Center of Excellence for the 2021-2022 school year is to apply to be part of the TPH-Fort Lauderdale inaugural class.  The application fee is $95 and begins the formal admissions and interview process for the upcoming school year.  Families who are ready to apply and reserve space for their student-athlete may do so by clicking here.