Mark Soares is the Owner and lead instructor of Maxx Force Professional Hockey Development. He founded his company after retirement from professional hockey. Although unable to play at a high level anymore, his passion and love for the sport of hockey continues.  Hockey has led him down this path to help give back to young hockey athletes looking to achieve their goals through hockey, whether that be making the next rep minor hockey team to Junior A, University or further more to play professional hockey in the NHL or in Europe.

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Mark has had a tremendous experience through hockey playing alongside many great players who currently play in the NHL and overseas in Europe. Hockey has opened many doors for him that most didn't think was possible. Thanks to the support and sacrifice of his parents, family, friends and of course all the coaches along the way to help guide him down the right path of hockey, he would not be where he is today. 

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Hockey taught Mark many lessons along the way, all of which relate to the real world. Focus, hard work, determination, teamwork and friendship, and most importantly it taught him that anything is achievable if you just put your mind to it.

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Mark who is  considered small in stature standing at 5'7" and 170lbs, against the odds with his size and constant reminder that maybe he was just too small to play at the high levels of hockey pushed though and proved at every level that his size did not matter.

 

"Its NOT the size of the dog in a fight, It is the size of the fight in the dog" a quote he stood by all these years of playing hockey got him to where most struggle to go.

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Just turning the age of 16 he tried out for three different junior A hockey teams, two of which said he was too small and not ready. Slightly discouraged, but with no intention of giving up his last try out of the summer before the new season was with the Coquitlam Express. He gave his all and was determined to play Junior A. He was selected for rookie camp and went on to make main camp proving he belonged at that level and gave ownership and coaches no excuses for cutting him. The first two teams that Mark tried out for eventually admitted to him while they coached him for the BCHL All Star Game held in Victoria, BC that they never should have cut him and had regretted their decision after seeing his success with the Express. 

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Mark Soares at the age of 16, known for his speed, no fear grit and quick release shot started out with the Express at just 5'4" 140lbs and there he played for 5 years for the same organization leading the team to a National RBC Canadian Championship in 2006 with the Burnaby Express. Mark was given the honor of having his jersey retired with the Express and goes down in team history with most games played and a record of most points scored for the organization. A record that still holds today. As a Burnaby boy this was a proud moment for him and his family.  

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