Calgary’s Howell to lead Canadian men’s hockey at 2025 FISU Winter World University Games
U SPORTS announced Tuesday that Mark Howell, Head Coach of the Calgary Dinos, will serve as head coach of the Canadian men’s hockey team at the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games from January 13-23 in Torino, Italy.
“I am extremely honored and humbled to be named Head Coach for the U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Team, who will represent Canada at the 2025 FISU Games in Italy. I have always gained valuable experiences and memories representing Canada over the years and am looking forward to the challenge ahead of us as we prepare for January 2025. It has continually been a great learning experience, working with some of the best coaches across our country as well as the top athletes who will make up Team Canada.”
Howell’s name should be familiar to fans of Canadian university hockey, as he heads into his 16th season as Head Coach of the Dinos. Calgary has made the Canada West playoffs in each of Howell’s 15 seasons behind the bench, winning the Canada West championship in 2023.
The Dinos have made four National Championship appearances in that time, and Howell has been named Canada West Coach of the Year three times (2011, 2014, 2023), and U SPORTS Coach of the Year twice (2011, 2023).
“Mark’s international experience with Hockey Canada and previous FISU Games make him the perfect choice to lead Team Canada into Torino 2025, said Calgary Dinos Director of Athletics, Ben Matchett. “We’re thrilled for him to have this opportunity as Canada aims to defend its gold medal from Lake Placid 2023.”
On top of his tremendous resume leading the Dinos program, Howell brings a wealth of experience in international hockey with him. He was part of the gold medal effort as Associate Coach and General Manager for Canada at the 2023 Games in Lake Placid, New York, and was an Associate Coach for the 2015 team that earned a bronze medal in Spain.
The Red Deer, Alberta product served as Video Coach for Canada at the 2000 IIHF World Championships, as well as at the 2000, 2001, and 2002 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships, winning a trio of medals in the process.
“I take the responsibility very seriously and my past experiences at previous FISU Games will be valuable as we prepare for the Games in Italy. Knowing the expectations of putting together a Gold Medal caliber team is very important, ensuring we don’t miss important steps. Having been to past FISU games provides the blueprint for setting the direction we will take in selecting players to put together the best “Team”. Our mandate is to build a team, with the best players, coaches, and support staff available to us and focus on getting the group to bond quickly, leading us to the championship final. The FISU Games is a tremendous event, and the experience promises to be exceptional, providing everyone with an experience of a lifetime.”
Howell, who played at the CIAU, WHL, ACAC, and BCJHL levels in his career, will work to build the team’s coaching and support staff in the coming weeks.