John Paris Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Paris Jr. |
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| Hockey Hall of Fame, 2023 | |||
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| Born | August 1, 1946 Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) | ||
John Paris Jr. was born on August 1, 1946. He is a Canadian who played, coached, and scouted in ice hockey. John is from Windsor, Nova Scotia. He is known for being a pioneer in hockey. He played on many winning teams. John is also a member of the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.
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John Paris Jr.'s Hockey Journey
Playing Hockey
From 1962 to 1964, John played for the Windsor Royals junior team. He was invited to try out for several NHL teams. In 1963, a scout from the Montreal Canadiens, Scotty Bowman, visited John's family. John then tried out for the Junior Canadiens. He trained at the famous Montreal Forum.
At 17, John was quite light, weighing only 135 pounds. He also had an unknown health problem. He did not make the Junior Canadiens team. Instead, he played for the Maisonneuve Braves. In 1966, he played with the Junior A Quebec Aces. He played alongside future stars like Guy Lafleur. During this time, he earned the nickname "Chocolate Rocket."
John later joined professional minor leagues. In the 1967–68 season, he played for the Knoxville Knights. However, his health issues continued. He had Hodgkin lymphoma and ulcerative colitis. Because of these illnesses, his playing career ended after only nine games.
Coaching and Scouting
John Paris Jr. started coaching hockey in 1970. He coached minor and junior teams in Sorel, Quebec. He led the Black Hawks (later Les Éperviers).
In the 1986–1987 season, John coached the Riverains du Richelieu. His team won the 1987 Air Canada Cup. This was the national midget 'AAA' hockey championship. He was also named coach of the year. John was the first Black coach in Midget AAA Major hockey.
In 1987, John made history again. He became the first Black scout in the NHL. He worked for the St. Louis Blues. He also became the first Black coach and general manager in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He worked for the Trois-Rivières Draveurs. Later, he joined the Granby Bisons.
In the 1993–94 season, John was hired by the Atlanta Knights. This team was in the International Hockey League (IHL). They were a farm team for the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning. This move made him the first Black coach in professional hockey. The Knights won the Turner Cup with him as coach.
In 1996, John became the Head Coach and General Manager. He led the new Macon Whoopees team. This team was part of the Central Hockey League (CHL). From 2000 to 2003, John directed the hockey program at IMG Academy. He was also an assistant director for the United States Junior Development Program (USJDP). He coached there for 19 years.
John Paris Jr.'s Life Today
As of July 2025, John Paris Jr. lives in Fort Worth, Texas. He lives there with his wife and daughter.
In February 2023, Hockey Nova Scotia started a campaign. They wanted John Paris Jr. to be considered for the Hockey Hall of Fame. They wanted him inducted as a Builder. The campaign used the slogan "Paris to Toronto" on social media.
