If you ask Tyler Maxwell what his plans are for each day of the week, odds are each day is focused on a different component of his hockey employment.

Yes, the 26-year-old Manhattan Beach native is a hockey junkie.

He’ll be the first to admit that.

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On the home front, Maxwell and his wife, Chanel, and son, Ryder, recently welcomed a baby girl, Ivy, to the family on Sept. 27.

In his work life, Maxwell runs the Maxwell Hockey Camps, coaches with the OC Hockey Club, scouts for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the British Columbia Hockey League and enters his first season as head coach at USC – the first Los Angeles-area native to serve in that role for the ACHA program.

“I take naps – sleep is absolutely sporadic,” laughed Maxwell. “However, I must say having a supportive wife is beneficial for your heart, no doubt. Additionally, by setting manageable goals each day, and being able to meet priorities, we are able to balance our day-to-day operations. Communicating effectively with my spouse, co-workers, instructors, assistant coaches, etcetera, makes our daily life much more polished. Over and above all, you need to know when it is time to give yourself a break.”

Going back a few years, Maxwell literally grew up with hockey. His father’s side of the family is from the Canadian province of Ontario and his mother’s side is from St. Louis – two prevalent hockey hotbeds.

“They instilled this love for the game in me at the early age of three and my passion for the game has grown stronger ever since,” Maxwell said. “I have always wanted to perform at the highest level with whatever task I have taken on in life. Ice hockey is a challenging sport and the will to succeed at an elite stage is what drives me.”

Drafted by United States Hockey League (USHL) and Western Hockey League (WHL) teams, Maxwell realized in his teen years that his skill set could potentially take him to college and/or pro hockey. He signed with the WHL’s Everett Silvertips in 2008 after a handful of games with the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers the year prior. During his last junior season in 2011-12, Maxwell was dealt to the Edmonton Oil Kings and was part of a WHL championship team.

“When I was drafted to the WHL and USHL, I knew it was time to put up or shut up,” Maxwell said. “I quickly halted my other extracurricular activities and sports and focused solely on my game. Of course, schoolwork was a top priority, especially ‘no honor roll, no sports.’ My parents insisted, and I agreed.”

After the WHL, Maxwell skated four seasons in the ECHL for six teams and also saw stints in Austria and Italy.

“I genuinely enjoyed my time playing professionally,” said Maxwell. “Was it a grind? Of course, but the juice was definitely worth the squeeze. I was able to travel the world, playing the sport I was in love with. I created numerous lifelong bonds with character teammates and amazing, ultra-supportive fanatics. I was able to gain NHL experience. Those memories are something you will never fail to recollect. Plus, I met my wife during the journey, and I am forever grateful for that.”

These days, Maxwell has goals he still aspires to achieve in hockey and away from the rink.

“My main goal is to develop the sport of ice hockey, specifically in the region of Southern California, and especially along the West Coast,” Maxwell said. “Honestly, the sport teaches deep-rooted qualities that are engrained for life. Away from the rink, I am a family man through and through. Building a legacy, and providing opportunities for my family and my players are a few of the aspirations I pride myself upon.”

— Matt Mackinder

(Nov. 1, 2017)