For Mahesh, coaching hockey in British Columbia is about more than strategy and skill development. it’s about sharing his passion for a sport he grew up playing and inspiring young athletes. It recognizes the importance of representation and sees its role as a way to empower players from different backgrounds.

Mahesh is originally from Vanderhoof, British Columbia and is the younger brother of Abbotsford Canucks assistant coach Harry Mahesh. Harry served as an inspiration to Gary, following in his big brother’s footsteps as a player and then coach.

Growing up with few South Asian role models in hockey, Mahesh also found inspiration from pioneers like Gary Toor and Manny Malhotra and he now strives to be the same beacon of possibilities for young players.

“The game doesn’t owe us anything,” says Mahesh, “but we owe it everything. It has given me and my family a lot and it is our responsibility to give back.

“There’s a big (South Asian) hockey community, and they can relate to our background, our culture, and we can kind of blend the two.”

Gary played junior hockey in Alberta, British Columbia and is a two-time BCIHL champion with Trinity Western University. As soon as he entered the job market, once his playing career was over, he trained players on the side and his contacts in the hockey world continued to approach him to ask if he could get more involved.

“The rink has always been a second home. Our parents worked a lot, my father worked at the sawmill, my mother in a restaurant and when I was a child I was either in school or in an arena or in my mother’s restaurant and it was like another house. I just felt very comfortable in an arena. I’m lucky every time someone reaches out to me and says, “Hey, can you come help me?” Or do you want to become a coach? it was comfortable to come back,” Mahesh said.

He has coached junior hockey for the past decade and is currently in his third season as an assistant coach with the Langley Trappers of the Pacific Junior Hockey League. Mahesh was part of the 2021-22 Trappers team that won the Cyclone Taylor Cup Provincial Championship, winning the PJHL Regular Season Championship and the PJHL Playoff Championship.

He is a strong advocate that to get the best out of people, you have to allow them to be themselves, and for hockey players, that means playing to their strengths.

“It’s about connecting with the players as individuals,” he explained, emphasizing how each player’s needs shape his approach. If he notices that an athlete might need support or a different training approach, he taps into his list of contacts to help bring out the best in his players.

“You can’t be a one-size-fits-all coach. It’s important to have a mindset of continuous learning, networking and using your summers to educate yourself,” he said.

Insider Extra

Growing up, hockey was at the heart of his family’s ties and, over the years, it left them with special memories. This past weekend marked a significant moment for Mahesh and his family who were all together for the first time in 20 years to attend the Abbotsford Canucks home opener to support Harry. It was a weekend-long celebration, also celebrating their father’s 75th birthday.