Mark Burgin, who has been coaching for more than 30 years, says his philosophy is to encourage players through the power of suggestion.

“I’ll say, ‘Did you see what he did there? That was a good move.’ So, I would talk out loud so they can hear me, so I wouldn’t have to tell them what to do,” said Burgin.

Growing up in Winnipeg, Burgin played a variety of sports, but he found his true passion in coaching.

Three decades ago, he moved to Surrey and found his second home at the Excellence Ice Rink.

“Just pick out that one thing they do well, and only talk about that. Because the next time they’re on the ice, they’ll do well. With all the hard work a lot of them put in, I get my greatest joy watching them succeed.”

And now, his dedication to coaching and the community has earned him a nomination for the NHL’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero award.

Burgin says he was brought to tears when the league called him with the news.

Although he has taken a break from coaching, he can still be found around the rink giving advice to any player or parent who asks for it.

“I don’t see myself as a hero, I just want to be available. If athletes are playing this sport, if parents have questions, they can reach out to me, I can be someone who’s around. I can help out,” said Burgin.

One of his notable mentees include WHL Medicine Hat Tigers’ Cayden Lindstrom, who’s a top prospect for the upcoming NHL draft.

Burgin currently sits on the board of BC Hockey and is the founder of Diversity Athletics Society. He says if he wins the award, he plans to donate the $25,000 prize money towards a charity that helps put more kids into sports.