The Niagara North Board proudly announces Francis Balah as the Head Coach of the U13 Stars. Francis is a dedicated and player-focused coach with deep ties to the Niagara North Stars organization. With a coaching career spanning over a decade, Francis emphasizes the development of complete athletes—focusing fundamentals, teamwork and culture.
Coaching Background & Experience
With 10 years of hockey coaching experience, I bring passion, energy, and a deep love for the game to every team I work with. My coaching journey began at the IP level, working with the youngest players in the sport—an experience that reignited my own love for the rink and shaped my commitment to player development from the ground up.
I spent two seasons as an Assistant Coach with the U18 program at Niagara North U18, supporting high-performance athletes in their development both on and off the ice. Most recently, I served as Head Coach of the 2014 age group at Niagara North Hockey Association for two seasons, leading team growth, skill progression, and fostering a positive, competitive environment.
My coaching philosophy centers on passion for the game, strong fundamentals, player confidence, and creating an environment where athletes can develop skills, character, and a lifelong love of hockey.
Playing Experience
I grew up playing minor hockey in the Niagara region, where my love for the game first took shape. My experience as a player gave me a deep appreciation for the fundamentals, teamwork, and culture of the sport.
Not playing at the highest levels ultimately became one of my greatest strengths as a coach. It pushed me to become a true student of the game—continually learning, studying systems, refining skill development strategies, and seeking mentorship to better understand the details that drive success. My playing background allows me to relate to athletes of all skill levels, emphasizing growth, work ethic, and passion over pedigree.
The lessons I learned as a player continue to shape my coaching philosophy today: stay curious, stay humble, and never stop developing.
Coaching Philosophy & Beliefs
My coaching philosophy begins with a simple belief: the person always comes before the player. When you build a genuine relationship with an athlete—when they know you care about them beyond the scoreboard—you earn their trust. And when you earn their trust, you get their absolute best. Development starts with connection.
I believe in pushing players to reach their potential, but doing so within an environment built on respect, honesty, and support. Clear communication and transparency are foundational to my approach—not only with players, but with their families as well. It is never lost on me that, as a coach, I have influence over what is most important in the world to parents: their child. That responsibility is something I take seriously every single day.
I work hard to clearly communicate expectations, define standards, and create accountability, while ensuring every player understands both where they stand and how they can improve. My goal is to challenge athletes, support them, and help them grow—not just as hockey players, but as confident, resilient young people.
Goals for the Upcoming Seasons
As I look ahead to the upcoming season, my focus remains on building a culture rooted in trust, accountability, and daily development. My priority is to continue putting the person before the player—establishing strong relationships early, setting clear expectations, and creating an environment where athletes feel supported, challenged, and motivated to grow.
This season will be about details and habits. We will emphasize strong fundamentals, hockey IQ, compete level, and consistency in preparation. Development does not happen by accident; it happens through structure, communication, and commitment to daily improvement. My goal is to push each player outside their comfort zone while ensuring they understand the standard and the path to reach it.
Proudest Coaching Moments
One of my proudest coaching accomplishments came during my time with the U18 program alongside Coach Brody Kritsch at Niagara North U18. Over that period, more than 20 players advanced to junior hockey, including two selected in the OHL U18 Draft and one who was eventually drafted into the NHL. Being part of a staff that helped prepare and guide players to the next level was incredibly rewarding and reinforced my belief in structured development, accountability, and daily habits.
At the 2014 level with Niagara North Hockey Association, I am equally proud that every player I coached continued on to play AAA hockey the following season. Seeing an entire group progress together spoke not only to their work ethic, but to the culture of development, confidence, and standards we built as a team.
Outside of Hockey
Outside of hockey, I am a father of three, all of whom share my passion for the game. Balancing family life with coaching and business ownership has taught me the importance of time management, perspective, and leading by example—both on and off the ice.
As a business owner, I bring the same commitment, discipline, and strategic thinking to my work as I do to coaching. These experiences help me connect with players and families, understand challenges from multiple perspectives, and model the values of accountability, perseverance, and hard work.
Family, business, and personal growth keep me grounded, and they allow me to bring energy, focus, and purpose to every season and every athlete I coach.
Staff & Development Team
The 2014 staff will be extremely fortunate to have Dustin Quinn join us for the upcoming season. Dustin brings passion, energy, and a deep commitment to the game—he is a true student of hockey and is on the path to becoming a Head Coach in the very near future.
I am also incredibly fortunate to be supported by Terry O’Farrell and Steve Poirier. Both have extensive minor hockey coaching experience, have played at the junior level, and bring a shared passion for developing young athletes. They are invaluable resources for the team and also great friends, providing guidance and support as we create a positive, competitive environment.
In addition, I rely heavily on Marko Ferlez and Brody Kritsch, two of the Niagara Region’s elite skill development coaches, whose expertise ensures our players are continually improving their fundamentals and hockey IQ. I also count on Rick Girhiny, an exceptional coach with decades of junior-level experience, to provide strategic insight and leadership throughout the season.
Together, this staff combines passion, experience, and knowledge, creating a strong foundation for our players to grow, compete, and enjoy every moment on the ice.