Maybe it’s a common thought as we age but more and more, I reflect back on what has brought me to this place in life. I am so fortunate to get to do what I love every single day. It wasn’t always easy, it still isn’t easy, but it’s incredible. Almost 15 years ago I was trying to navigate my path in goalie coaching (and life). My brother mentioned to me this camp he knows called the Korn Camp and it came to Duluth every year. He said I should connect with him and see if I can come and push pucks around or see if I can coach there. I’m going to be honest (boo me) I had no idea what it was or anything about it. I had never heard of it. I grew up in way Northern Michigan. No goalie camps came up there and traveling to other camps was not obtainable for me. Goalie coaching growing up was my dad coming on the ice and trying to figure it out how to help me in a time that had no social media. I am a big believer that when you have a relentless work ethic and you’re passionate about what you want to do, things happen when you’re ready. Not when you want it l, but when you’re ready.

Back when my brother told me about Mitch Korn I reached out to the email on his website. I was incredibly immature and it took a lot of unfortunate things to happen for me to get my shit together. At this point I knew what I wanted to pursue but I wasn’t ready. I sent an email to Mitch and asked him how he recruits coaches or selects them. He emailed back and told me he keeps his students in the program and they become his counselors/coaches. He typically doesn’t invite anyone else to join them. He told me to submit a resume and he’d look at it. Resume? I didn’t have one. In fact, I almost blew it off. My girlfriend at the time helped me build one and I send it in. I was sitting in the school library studying for an exam. I’ll never forget it. I got a phone call from this guy named Mitch Korn. He was opening his program to “Mentor Coaches” and he wanted to invite me to join them in Nashville, TN. in June 2017.

I didn’t know what to do. This was a big step outside my comfort zone. Goalies Inc. was more of a hobby than a job and I was still trying to navigate a direction in life. Plus, I had a Goalies Inc. camp that ended at 5pm in Wisconsin the day before Nashville camp started at 7am. Goalies Inc. had maybe 8-10 camps getting 15-20 goalies per camp at this point. I said yes but I was scared shitless. I drove all night and got to Nashville (my first time there) at 3-4am. Tried to sleep a little but was at the rink at 7am.

I got there before most, but when Mitch showed up everyone stood at attention. You could tell the atmosphere had shifted. I won’t go into detail, but I couldn’t have imagined how amazing he and his staff were to me and making sure I had every opportunity to be a part of the team and be involved. I felt extremely encouraged after that week and I’ll never forget that feeling. There is no better staff that makes everyone feel included and involved than at a Korn Camp. Who knows where I would be if it wasn’t for that week in 2017. If I’d never met Dylan (Goose), Adam and crew. I don’t think I’d be coaching hockey. Without that week I don’t think Goalies Inc. would exist in 2026. I may not have been ready before, but I know I was supposed to be in that place in that time.

Fast forward to 2026 I have been with that crew every year since. I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to join this crew for anything. Through my time Mitch has not only allowed me to pick his brain but has encouraged me in a business where not many can relate to what we do and also takes a genuine interest that my business is going well. I can learn all I can on the ice but the biggest lessons I learned is how much Mitch loves his people. How much he demands out of everyone around him but more importantly he teaches all to expect much more out of themselves. As I look around this week you can see the immense impact he has had on each of us in that room.

The real magic of Mitch isn’t his deep knowledge of teaching the position, it isn’t all the years of stories he shares with everyone, it’s his love for his people. In my opinion that’s what makes Mitch and the Korn Camp crew special. Something I am fortunate to be a part of and only hope to achieve myself with my people.

As I reflect back on things that have shaped me. I am fortunate I stepped out of my comfort zone and said yes. Without being ready for that opportunity many of you probably wouldn’t know me or Goalies Inc. it is really amazing the impact one person or group of people can have. I can only hope that I can show my appreciation by paying it forward. In my head, I’m still a small-town kid from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I would have never dreamed I’d be nearly 40 and still coaching hockey. I have had so many insane experiences and opportunities in my life that would not have happened without the first week in Nashville’s in 2017. To the man and crew that completely changed the trajectory of my life. THANK YOU.