Youth Sports Community

Lawrence Dushenski reflects on growing up in Edmonton playing high-level youth soccer, where early success and strong friendships shaped his love for sports, though he eventually stepped away from club competition due to politics and pressure. He describes his athletic journey as largely social rather than intensely competitive, later developing a deep passion for basketball as a fan and coach despite not playing it at a high level himself. Dushenski highlights how youth sports have become increasingly professionalized, with early specialization, rankings, and financial barriers influencing development and opportunities. He emphasizes that while exposure and pathways have improved through social media and travel programs, qualities like mindset, teamwork, and character ultimately separate athletes who succeed at higher levels.Dushenski also discusses the importance of coaching influences, noting how positive mentors helped shape his perspective on sports and personal development. He reflects on the balance between pushing young athletes to improve and allowing them to enjoy the game without excessive pressure. He points out that many kids today face burnout due to overtraining and unrealistic expectations from parents and organizations. Ultimately, he advocates for creating environments where athletes can develop skills while still maintaining a genuine love for the sport.Our team:Nuance Hockey - Sean ConnautonMah Golf - Matt MahTaylor MedakBolt Media & Design - Dylan FlaschThank you to our guest & sponsors:Lawrence DushenskiEarth WaterBird and Barley - promo code YSC15 for 15%!FG Promotions - mention YSC for 5% off your 1st purchase!A new episode every 3 weeks on:YouTubeAppleSpotifyAmazonAudibleFollow us on:InstagramTik TokFacebookXThreads

Simon Bennett joins the community for Episode 9. Simon is a high-performance expert and former NHL strength and conditioning leader who emphasizes holistic athlete development and entrepreneurship. He reflects on his early experiences in rural Alberta, where unstructured play like skating on the river shaped his love for sport and creativity. Simon highlights the value of playing multiple sports in youth, explaining that diverse skill development builds a stronger athletic foundation than early specialization. He also discusses the pressures of modern sport systems, noting the balance between development, exposure, and avoiding burnout. Throughout, he stresses the importance of communication, self-awareness, and strong values in both athletic development and parenting.Bennett discusses his experience raising highly active, competitive children and emphasizes the importance of creating natural, pressure-free moments for communication rather than forcing structured conversations. He highlights that young athletes benefit from playing multiple sports early on, as it builds a broad range of physical and cognitive skills before specializing later. The conversation also explores parenting philosophy, stressing that each child is different and that support should be tailored to their individual needs and emotional state. Simon reflects on his own upbringing, noting how discipline, responsibility, and early work shaped his identity.Our team:Nuance Hockey - Sean ConnautonMah Golf - Matt MahTaylor MedakBolt Media & Design - Dylan FlaschThank you to our guest & sponsors:Simon BennettEarth WaterBird and Barley - promo code YSC15 for 15%!FG Promotions - mention YSC for 5% off your 1st purchase!A new episode every 3 weeks on:YouTubeAppleSpotifyAmazonAudibleFollow us on:InstagramTik TokFacebookXThreads

Scott Fellnermayr shares his journey from a late-developing youth hockey player in West Kelowna to becoming the head coach of the NAIT Ooks men’s hockey team. He explains how perseverance, mentorship—especially from a junior coach who believed in him—and strong support from family and teammates helped him overcome setbacks like injuries and early struggles in minor hockey. Fellnermayr emphasizes the importance of balanced development in youth sports, encouraging kids to build skills, play multiple sports, and maintain enjoyment rather than specializing too early. As a coach, he focuses on building relationships with players through regular one-on-one meetings, understanding their lives outside hockey, and supporting both their athletic and academic growth. Scott discusses the academic and personal support systems available to NAIT student-athletes, emphasizing the importance of resources like academic advisors, tutors, and maintaining a minimum GPA. He highlights how many athletes initially hesitate to seek help, but using available support ultimately improves learning, efficiency, and balance with their demanding schedules. The conversation also explores the role of one-on-one meetings between coaches and players, where discussions often extend beyond hockey to academics, team culture, and personal development. Fellnermayr stresses that strong team culture is built through mentorship from veteran players and open communication with the coaching staff.Our team:Nuance Hockey - Sean ConnautonMah Golf - Matt MahTaylor MedakBolt Media & Design - Dylan FlaschThank you to our guest & sponsors:Scott FellnermayrEarth WaterBird and Barley - promo code YSC15 for 15%!FG Promotions - mention YSC for 5% off your 1st purchase!A new episode every 3 weeks on:YouTubeAppleSpotifyAmazonAudibleFollow us on:InstagramTik TokFacebookXThreads

Dustin Kohn reflects on his early love of hockey, from “Tom Thumb” youth leagues and outdoor rinks to being an Oilers fan who obsessed over NHL gear and video games like NHL ’94. He emphasizes how unstructured play at outdoor rinks—competing with older and younger players—helped build skill, confidence, and a healthy competitiveness. Kohn credits his time in the Donnan hockey academy as a hugely positive environment, balancing sport with school while surrounding him with supportive teachers, teammates, and early mental skills exposure that was “ahead of its time.” He also describes overcoming early setbacks like not being drafted in bantam, growing physically and mentally, earning opportunities through supportive coaches, and eventually making the Calgary Hitmen while benefiting from strong billet-family support and low-pressure parenting that kept his love of the game central.Kohn focuses on how expanding pathways (especially NCAA eligibility for major junior players) will reshape junior hockey by increasing player choice and changing league incentives. While more options can benefit athletes at the elite level, they argue too much choice in minor hockey can reduce stability, accountability, and long-term development. Kohn highlights affordability as the biggest threat to the sport, warning that rising costs are pushing talented kids out of hockey entirely. Dustin emphasizes that development and winning should align, but only when coaches, parents, and systems prioritize long-term growth over short-term results. Our team:Nuance Hockey - Sean ConnautonMah Golf - Matt MahTaylor MedakBolt Media & Design - Dylan FlaschThank you to our guest & sponsors:Dustin KohnEarth WaterBird and Barley - promo code YSC15 for 15%!FG Promotions - mention YSC for 5% off your 1st purchase!A new episode every 3 weeks on:YouTubeAppleSpotifyAmazonAudibleFollow us on:InstagramTik TokFacebookXThreads

Travis Bouchard of Vimy Esports shares how growing up in Sherwood Park shaped his love for sports, starting with baseball as his first passion and later adding hockey and other school sports more for fun and social connection than elite performance. He credits his laid-back, supportive parents for helping him enjoy competition without pressure, which allowed him to stay involved in sports long-term and eventually move into coaching. He also describes gaming as a lifelong interest that evolved from early consoles and local multiplayer into online communities and long-term friendships. Travis describes how those experiences helped him build Vimy Esports by blending traditional sport values—teamwork, structure, respect, and data-driven development—into scholastic esports coaching.Travis pushes back on the stereotype that esports athletes “just sit and play,” explaining that serious programs treat players like real athletes with strength, cardio, posture, and hand-eye training to sustain performance in long matches. He describes borrowing drills from traditional sports (like goalie reaction drills and tennis ball work) and tailoring fitness to esports needs rather than raw strength.Our team:Nuance Hockey - Sean ConnautonMah Golf - Matt MahTaylor MedakBolt Media & Design - Dylan FlaschThank you to our guest & sponsors:Travis BouchardEarth WaterBird and Barley - promo code YSC15 for 15%!FG Promotions - mention YSC for 5% off your 1st purchase!A new episode every 3 weeks on:YouTubeAppleSpotifyAmazonAudibleFollow us on:InstagramTik TokFacebookXThreads

Erin Brennan, a certified mental performance consultant and owner of Mind Over Matter Performance, shared her journey from a multi-sport youth athlete in Peace River, Alberta, to a leader in sport and performance psychology. Growing up, she played basketball, fastball, volleyball, swimming, and curling—her main competitive sport. Influenced by her father, a coach, and her family’s community involvement, she learned discipline, teamwork, and commitment early on. Erin emphasized the benefits of multi-sport participation, noting how it builds adaptability, communication, and problem-solving skills that extend beyond sport. A turning point came when she represented Team Alberta and worked with a mental performance consultant named Claire, whose mentorship inspired her career. She now advocates balancing structured training with unstructured play to foster creativity, resilience, and lifelong enjoyment.Erin also addressed the growing importance of mental health in youth and professional sports. She highlighted how increased awareness and access to resources like Kids Help Phone and the Canadian Mental Health Association support young athletes. As mental wellness becomes integrated into sport, she stressed the need for open communication, peer support, and understanding cultural and gender differences in emotional expression. Erin noted that even traditionally “tough” sports like hockey are embracing mental performance coaching, recognizing its competitive value.Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868Our team:Nuance Hockey - Sean ConnautonMah Golf - Matt MahTaylor MedakBolt Media & Design - Dylan FlaschThank you to our guest & sponsors:Erin BrennanEarth WaterBird and Barley - promo code YSC15 for 15%!FG Promotions - mention YSC for 5% off your 1st purchase!A new episode every 3 weeks on:YouTubeAppleSpotifyAmazonAudibleFollow us on:InstagramTik TokFacebookXThreads

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 ConnautonMah Golf - Matt MahTaylor MedakBolt Media & Design - Dylan FlaschThank you to our guest & sponsors:Nathan DempseyEarth WaterBird and Barley - promo code YSC15 for 15%!FG Promotions - mention YSC for 5% off your 1st purchase!A new episode every 3 weeks on:YouTubeAppleSpotifyAmazonAudibleFollow us on:InstagramTik TokFacebookXThreads

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 ConnautonMah Golf - Matt MahTaylor MedakBolt Media & Design - Dylan FlaschThank you to our guest & sponsors:Lindsey KotylakEarth WaterBird and Barley - promo code YSC15 for 15%!FG Promotions - mention YSC for 5% off your 1st purchase!A new episode every 3 weeks on:YouTubeAppleSpotifyAmazonAudibleFollow us on:InstagramTik TokFacebookXThreads

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 ConnautonMah Golf - Matt MahTaylor MedakBolt Media & Design - Dylan FlaschThank you to our guest & sponsors:Kael MouillieratEarth WaterBird and Barley - promo code YSC15 for 15%!FG Promotions - mention YSC for 5% off your 1st purchase!A new episode every 3 weeks on:YouTubeAppleSpotifyAmazonAudibleFollow us on:InstagramTik TokFacebookXThreads

Anthony Reid, a dedicated grade four teacher, is passionate about shaping future leaders by helping students recognize and unlock their potential. He emphasizes perseverance, hard work, and lifelong learning—values he reinforces both in the classroom and through his roles as a hockey coach and spin instructor. Raised in Toronto, Anthony was deeply influenced by his father, a former rugby player from Ireland, who introduced him to sports and encouraged competitiveness, while his mother fostered structure and support through a vibrant, active family life. Early experiences—like sailing lessons, bike rides, and camping trips—instilled in him independence and resilience that now inform his teaching philosophy.Anthony’s admiration for his parents’ discipline and consistency profoundly shaped his character. His father’s early mornings and work ethic, paired with his mother’s steady commitment to family and routine, taught him the quiet strength of perseverance. Their example showed him that grit is lived, not lectured. Influential coaches such as Dean Ross and Mr. McKee also molded his leadership style—Ross through demanding expectations and McKee through encouragement and belief in his potential. These lessons taught Anthony to blend accountability with compassion, inspiring those he mentors to strive for excellence. Through sports and teaching alike, he continues to champion respect, teamwork, and resilience—core values that define his life and guide his mission to empower others.Our team:Nuance Hockey - Sean ConnautonMah Golf - Matt MahTaylor MedakBolt Media & Design - Dylan FlaschThank you to our guest & sponsors:Anthony ReidEarth WaterBird and Barley - promo code YSC15 for 15%!FG Promotions - mention YSC for 5% off your 1st purchase!A new episode every 3 weeks on:YouTubeAppleSpotifyAmazonAudibleFollow us on:InstagramTik TokFacebookXThreads