Nathan Dempsey, a former NHL player from Spruce Grove, Alberta, shared his path from youth soccer and school sports to professional hockey. Early influences from coaches and hours on outdoor rinks sparked his creativity and love for unstructured play. He credits multi-sport participation—basketball, soccer, and track—for building athleticism, teamwork, and competitiveness, noting that early specialization often limits young athletes today. Transitioning to junior hockey with the Regina Pats, Dempsey learned discipline, resilience, and the rigors of the WHL during a tougher, less resourced era. Mentors, including his father and coaches, balanced guidance with independence, shaping his approach to leadership. Now leading the hockey academy at Vimy Ridge, he promotes diverse activities like yoga, curling, and basketball to create well-rounded athletes.

Reflecting on his pro career in the NHL and overseas, Dempsey highlights consistency, adaptability, and mental toughness as keys to success. Veteran mentorship inspired his own coaching philosophy, centered on communication, trust, and passion for the game over pressure. He emphasizes visualization, confidence, and emotional control as the traits that elevate good players to great ones. For Dempsey, success means balancing competitiveness with joy and learning through failure. His story underscores respect, resilience, and the goal of developing not just athletes, but self-aware, well-rounded individuals.

Our team:

Nuance Hockey - Sean Connauton

Mah Golf - Matt Mah

Taylor Medak

Bolt Media & Design - Dylan Flasch

Thank you to our guest & sponsors:

Nathan Dempsey

Earth Water

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Lindsey Kotylak, a PGA professional from Edmonton, grew up immersed in sports—hockey, golf, badminton, squash, soccer, and track—developing coordination, adaptability, and a strong competitive spirit. Winters were spent on the ice, while summers revolved around golf at the Derrick Club, where he gained independence and confidence playing with both peers and adults. Supportive parents encouraged him without pressure, while his brother and older teammates pushed his growth. Informal mentorship from coaches and assistant pros, along with creative motivators like his badminton coach, nurtured his skills and taught him to value fun and learning over win-at-all-costs coaching.

His passion for golf, fueled by countless hours at the Derrick, eventually led him to pursue it professionally. After working at Safeway and studying science, he joined the Grant MacEwan golf program, which blended business and golf training and required passing a rigorous PGA playability test. Years of competitive play built his confidence under pressure, helping him earn his card with ease. Beginning his career at Leduc, Lindsey quickly learned the profession’s demands—long hours, multitasking, and high expectations. His journey highlights how passion, perseverance, and mentorship can turn early enthusiasm into lifelong success as both a golfer and teacher.

Our team:

Nuance Hockey - Sean Connauton

Mah Golf - Matt Mah

Taylor Medak

Bolt Media & Design - Dylan Flasch

Thank you to our guest & sponsors:

Lindsey Kotylak

Earth Water

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FG Promotions - mention YSC for 5% off your 1st purchase!

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Kael Mouillierat began playing hockey at a young age, driven by his father’s discipline and his mother’s encouragement, which instilled accountability and confidence. Outdoor rinks, neighborhood tournaments, and long days with friends fueled his love for the game and created lasting memories. Rather than highlight reels, Kael learned by watching full games, studying the details that built hockey IQ. He credits supportive coaches, teammates, and his upbringing for helping him succeed at elite levels. Playing multiple sports like baseball and golf made him a more complete athlete and prevented burnout. After a professional career spanning the AJHL, NCAA Division I, NHL, and seven seasons in Europe, Kael retired in 2023 and now coaches in Edmonton, passing on the lessons he learned as a pro.

Kael attributes his longevity to preparation and luck, avoiding major injuries aside from a scratched cornea. His training evolved from heavy lifting in college to flexibility and injury prevention later on, and his nutrition improved over time with guidance from his wife. Starting in the East Coast League with Idaho, he embraced the grind—low pay, travel, and shared apartments—using each challenge as motivation. Honest, demanding coaches pushed him to improve, ultimately leading to his NHL debut with the New York Islanders, where he scored on his only shot. Kael’s story reflects resilience, adaptability, and the value of being both a versatile player and a great teammate.

Our team:

Nuance Hockey - Sean Connauton

Mah Golf - Matt Mah

Taylor Medak

Bolt Media & Design - Dylan Flasch

Thank you to our guest & sponsors:

Kael Mouillierat

Earth Water

Bird and Barley - promo code YSC15 for 15%!

FG Promotions - mention YSC for 5% off your 1st purchase!

A new episode every 3 weeks on:

YouTube

Apple

Spotify

Amazon

Audible

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