Greyhounds Goaltending Coach Mark Visentin reflects on OHL journey
Mark Visentin’s journey in hockey has come full circle, from playing in the OHL as a goaltender to shaping the stars of tomorrow as a coach. Today, he continues to make an impact in the community through his hockey school, and as the Goaltending Coach of the Soo Greyhounds.
A native of Waterdown, Ont., Visentin began his OHL career in 2008 after being selected by the Niagara IceDogs in the third round (55th overall) of the OHL Priority Selection. Over four seasons (2008-12), he played 166 regular season games, amassing a record of 89-55-4-12 with a 2.75 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. His 14 career shutouts included a single-season record of 10 in 2011-12, an achievement that still stands today.
“Those years in Niagara were the best,” Visentin shared. “The fans, the city, and watching our team grow every year with a great core group, it’s something I’ll never forget.”
During his time in the OHL, Visentin earned recognition as the OHL Goaltender of the Year in 2011 and recorded the League’s best goals-against average that season (1.99). A two-time OHL All-Star, he also became the seventh goalie in OHL history to score a goal, achieving that milestone in 2012.
Visentin’s standout performances led to his first-round selection (27th overall) by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2010 NHL Draft. He played five professional seasons and made his NHL debut at age 21. Although injuries forced him to retire in 2017, his passion for hockey never changed.
Today, the 32-year-old dedicates himself to developing young goaltenders as the Goaltending Coach for the Soo Greyhounds. “It’s been a ton of fun being back in the league,” he said. “I feel like I can relate to these guys and help them navigate challenges both on and off the ice.”
In addition to his work with the Greyhounds, Visentin founded his own hockey school, Visentin Goaltending, where he mentors goalies of all ages. His program focuses on providing accessible, high-quality training to help players reach their full potential.
“I love working with great people, and all the goalies I’ve coached so far have been phenomenal,” he said. “Helping them improve on the ice is important, but I also focus on teaching them balance. A healthy mindset goes a long way in this game.”
Visentin also developed NetMinder, a mobile app designed to teach young goalies skills ranging from basic fundamentals to pro-level techniques. “I wanted to give the next generation access to tools that are otherwise expensive, at a fraction of the cost,” he explained.
From his record-setting days in Niagara to his current role in the Soo, Visentin remains deeply committed to the OHL. “The OHL gave me so much, and I’m proud to now be helping the next generation of players succeed.”
Reflecting on his journey, Visentin also credits the OHL with teaching him valuable lessons. “I learned resilience, and my career got better and better,” he said. “I’m very fortunate to have been part of such a great league.”
As a coach and mentor, Visentin is dedicated to passing on those lessons, helping to shape a bright future for goaltending in the OHL.