Marek Chopra

Outside of hockey Marek is passionate about social and environmental justice and is a recent graduate of Carleton industrial design. Marek started playing field hockey at 5 or 6, and is one of the original 6 juniors of the Nighthawks. But he was really born into it. He started playing with his mom’s Nighthawks team before the junior program even began.

He has played in 3 summer games, 2 winter games, and coached 1 summer games. He played in 7 national championships tournaments and has been umpiring since he was 13. Marek started coaching at 15 and currently plays on the men’s team. He was part of the Bytowne Voyageurs who claimed gold at the HDM Easter tournament in the Hague, NED. He was also part of the FHC junior development squad for 2 years which included a tour to Belgium and the Nederlands. He probably has some of the most games played as a Nighthawk.

His achievements also include gold in The Hague, 2013 and 2017 national’s gold, gold medal as a coach in the 2016 OSG        

“I believe hockey is a lot like life; each player and staff member bring a unique set of skill to the squad but unless it is all pieced together as one team there will be no success. The game is an extension of me. Being on the pitch with my teammates brings out the best in me both psychologically and physically. I have learned so many skills from the game which I have been able to carry forward into my life off the pitch. It’s given me a new family and has allowed me to connect with people across the country and around the world whom I never would have met without hockey. FH and the Nighthawks have created a sub-culture which includes all ethnicities, races, genders and skill levels which I have never seen in any other sport. The Centre is going to be a big step for us, allowing FH to grow like never before. My dream for the game in Ottawa is to see a league involving clubs from across the city at junior and senior levels.”  – Marek Chopra