The Community First Igloo is pleased to announce that Paul Esdale has been named Director of Hockey Operations and will oversee the operation of all youth and adult hockey programs at the facility.
“I’m very excited to be part of the Community First Igloo, home of the Jacksonville Icemen and the community of Jacksonville, said Esdale. “I look forward to helping grow the game of hockey in Northeast Florida and assisting all players in their hockey journey. It’s our goal to give all families and players a positive experience, increase their passion for the game, facilitate their dreams and lead them to be positive contributors in sport, family, community and beyond.”
Esdale was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and was a standout hockey and tennis player. He played four years in the Alberta Junior Hockey League while reaching a Top 10 ranking in Canada for the Under 18 age level in tennis. His passion for hockey and play in the AJHL earned him a commitment from Brown University, a Division I hockey school in the ECAC. An All- Ivy and All- ECAC defenseman at Brown, Esdale graduated with a Business Economics degree in 2003.
Following his collegiate career, he played six years of professional hockey in the AHL, CHL, ECHL, IHL and also spent time playing in Sweden, Denmark and Germany. Esdale was known as a high scoring defenseman and played on numerous all-star teams. Following his playing career, Esdale was with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) for three seasons as an Assistant Coach and then Head Coach and General Manager. In his time in the BCHL, he was involved in sending 25 players to American and Canadian Universities to pursue their hockey and educational careers.
From 2012-2022 Esdale has been the Chief of Hockey Operations for the Jr. Reign Hockey Club in California which is the youth club of the Ontario Reign (AHL) and the affiliate of the L.A Kings (NHL). He has helped develop and grow the organization into one of the premier hockey clubs in the country. The Jr. Reign is 1 of 26 USA Hockey Model Clubs and partners of the Positive Coaching Alliance. In ten years they have grown to 20 plus club teams from 8U to Junior hockey with training and tournament programs.
Esdale looks forward to residing in Jacksonville with his wife Shannon and daughter Charlotte and becoming an enthusiastic, active part of the Jacksonville community.
