Q & A
Q & A with Tommy Bodtker, former captain of the KIJHL's Revelstoke Grizzlies
Q: You accomplished some great things and experienced a lot of ups and downs in your hockey career. Looking back now, what are you most proud of? Anything you regret?
A: In hockey, it seems a lot of players get caught in the cycle of always reaching higher and higher while never really being content with the level they are playing at. For me, I am most proud of my decision to find a team/level where I was desired and where I could build the strongest possible relationships with that community. Whether it was coaches/management staff, volunteers, billet families, teachers, or employers, I carried myself with the intention of having long term relationships with everyone I interacted with. Now, five years separated from hockey these relationships have both given me a sense of community that I don’t have anywhere else and opened the door for me to start my career in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Q: You’ve got some distance now from your life and time as a competitive athlete. What would you say are the most important lessons that high performance sport taught you? How do you use those lessons in your life now?
A: The number of lessons I have learned from hockey that translate to my everyday life are endless, but for the sake of this answer I will use my three favourites: (1) always be working towards something, (2) learn how to work and communicate within a diverse team, and (3) keep yourself in shape. In junior hockey, although I decided to return to the same team/level for my four years, we were constantly working towards the final goal of winning a championship, and after four years of work and hardship to get there, the feeling of accomplishment was incredible. Now as a recent university graduate, the grind of working towards something new continues, and the feeling of accomplishment has become an addicting force which continues to push me everyday.
Hockey players, and any other high-performance athletes in a team sport, are lucky because we get an incredible amount of sport-specific skill work in an environment demanding teamwork. You don’t make it to a high level in any sport without being able to work in a team, alongside other people. Throughout university and now in my career, that continues to be one of my greatest skillsets. Teamwork will not end when team sports end, so learning how to be a good teammate will be critical to your success in university, professional jobs, and personal relationships.
Finally, keeping yourself in shape could be the most important of all because for me it has helped with the mental side of my life. High level sports set a standard in life for physical health, so why give up that standard once it has been set? I did not realize how important physical exertion was to me until stopped playing high-level hockey. Making time for physical exertion again has brought discipline back into my life, kept me busy, and is positively impacting my mental health.
Q: Can you describe some of the challenges you faced as you made the shift from life in sport to life after sport? Were there any feelings, assumptions or other things that surprised you about navigating that process?
A: I didn’t realize how much of a role hockey played in my life until I stopped playing competitively. Hockey contributed to a great amount of my self-worth and gave me something to be constantly working at day after day, however, once that was no longer a thing for me, I found that life became overwhelming. I was always known to myself as a hockey player, so trying to rediscover who I was or what I wanted to be was challenging and complicated. This was something I was not expecting, and I wish I was made aware of that challenge before I got to the stage, so I was more prepared for that hardship.
Q: What types of preparations, resources or supports might have made the transition away from high performance sport a bit less overwhelming?
A: Having another hobby was critical in my transition away from hockey. Camping, mountain biking, snowboarding, and recreational sports were specifically important to me, but it can truly be anything. It was helpful to have other things to be passionate about because hockey ends eventually for everyone, and I found it important to not let that be the only thing that I committed my attention and love to. If I could go back in time, I would focus on growing my social circle as big as possible because it is those connections and relationships that can really help you down the line. My hobbies away from hockey have been a new pillar in my life and have offered me with plenty of new opportunities to meet new people and involve myself with different crowds.
Q: What advice or encouragement would you give to other high-performance athletes who maybe haven’t given much thought to what life after sport might look like, or who are having a tough time moving from life in sport to life beyond sport?
A: Have a plan but make it a loose plan with lots of detours. Experience new things, continue to better yourself and be ready to jump on opportunities as they present themselves.
Take time to transition but be diligent that life must go on. In other words, do not rush into things but be ready for life to get even more competitive at university, work, and on Facebook marketplace when trying to find a place to live.
Maintain relationships with people you met through hockey and use those relationships to your advantage. Hockey is a great time to network!
Q: You accomplished some great things and experienced a lot of ups and downs in your hockey career. Looking back now, what are you most proud of? Anything you regret?
A: In hockey, it seems a lot of players get caught in the cycle of always reaching higher and higher while never really being content with the level they are playing at. For me, I am most proud of my decision to find a team/level where I was desired and where I could build the strongest possible relationships with that community. Whether it was coaches/management staff, volunteers, billet families, teachers, or employers, I carried myself with the intention of having long term relationships with everyone I interacted with. Now, five years separated from hockey these relationships have both given me a sense of community that I don’t have anywhere else and opened the door for me to start my career in one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Q: You’ve got some distance now from your life and time as a competitive athlete. What would you say are the most important lessons that high performance sport taught you? How do you use those lessons in your life now?
A: The number of lessons I have learned from hockey that translate to my everyday life are endless, but for the sake of this answer I will use my three favourites: (1) always be working towards something, (2) learn how to work and communicate within a diverse team, and (3) keep yourself in shape. In junior hockey, although I decided to return to the same team/level for my four years, we were constantly working towards the final goal of winning a championship, and after four years of work and hardship to get there, the feeling of accomplishment was incredible. Now as a recent university graduate, the grind of working towards something new continues, and the feeling of accomplishment has become an addicting force which continues to push me everyday.
Hockey players, and any other high-performance athletes in a team sport, are lucky because we get an incredible amount of sport-specific skill work in an environment demanding teamwork. You don’t make it to a high level in any sport without being able to work in a team, alongside other people. Throughout university and now in my career, that continues to be one of my greatest skillsets. Teamwork will not end when team sports end, so learning how to be a good teammate will be critical to your success in university, professional jobs, and personal relationships.
Finally, keeping yourself in shape could be the most important of all because for me it has helped with the mental side of my life. High level sports set a standard in life for physical health, so why give up that standard once it has been set? I did not realize how important physical exertion was to me until stopped playing high-level hockey. Making time for physical exertion again has brought discipline back into my life, kept me busy, and is positively impacting my mental health.
Q: Can you describe some of the challenges you faced as you made the shift from life in sport to life after sport? Were there any feelings, assumptions or other things that surprised you about navigating that process?
A: I didn’t realize how much of a role hockey played in my life until I stopped playing competitively. Hockey contributed to a great amount of my self-worth and gave me something to be constantly working at day after day, however, once that was no longer a thing for me, I found that life became overwhelming. I was always known to myself as a hockey player, so trying to rediscover who I was or what I wanted to be was challenging and complicated. This was something I was not expecting, and I wish I was made aware of that challenge before I got to the stage, so I was more prepared for that hardship.
Q: What types of preparations, resources or supports might have made the transition away from high performance sport a bit less overwhelming?
A: Having another hobby was critical in my transition away from hockey. Camping, mountain biking, snowboarding, and recreational sports were specifically important to me, but it can truly be anything. It was helpful to have other things to be passionate about because hockey ends eventually for everyone, and I found it important to not let that be the only thing that I committed my attention and love to. If I could go back in time, I would focus on growing my social circle as big as possible because it is those connections and relationships that can really help you down the line. My hobbies away from hockey have been a new pillar in my life and have offered me with plenty of new opportunities to meet new people and involve myself with different crowds.
Q: What advice or encouragement would you give to other high-performance athletes who maybe haven’t given much thought to what life after sport might look like, or who are having a tough time moving from life in sport to life beyond sport?
A: Have a plan but make it a loose plan with lots of detours. Experience new things, continue to better yourself and be ready to jump on opportunities as they present themselves.
Take time to transition but be diligent that life must go on. In other words, do not rush into things but be ready for life to get even more competitive at university, work, and on Facebook marketplace when trying to find a place to live.
Maintain relationships with people you met through hockey and use those relationships to your advantage. Hockey is a great time to network!
Questions from athletes, Answers from the Network:
Q: I'm an 18 year old elite athlete. I'm doing really well right now. I'm healthy, I know where I'll be playing at for the next couple of seasons, I don't think I'll be traded, released or get hurt, my team says they'll help me if I want to take some school courses or get a part-time job, and I'm going to keep playing as long as I can at the highest levels possible. Why would I need the Next Shift Network?
A: Great to hear that things are going well for you. It's always nice to feel certainty and confidence! If you're the kind of athlete that sees the value in being proactive and intentional about planning and preparation in your sport and your life (we call it creating a Plan B while you're living Plan A), some potentially helpful connections available to you through the Next Shift Network include:
Q: I'm an 18 year old elite athlete. I'm doing really well right now. I'm healthy, I know where I'll be playing at for the next couple of seasons, I don't think I'll be traded, released or get hurt, my team says they'll help me if I want to take some school courses or get a part-time job, and I'm going to keep playing as long as I can at the highest levels possible. Why would I need the Next Shift Network?
A: Great to hear that things are going well for you. It's always nice to feel certainty and confidence! If you're the kind of athlete that sees the value in being proactive and intentional about planning and preparation in your sport and your life (we call it creating a Plan B while you're living Plan A), some potentially helpful connections available to you through the Next Shift Network include:
- Current and former elite athletes who have successfully made the shift from life in sport to life beyond sport. These mentors have "been there" and "done that" and can provide insights, advice and encouragement regarding what you're experiencing now and what you might experience later.
- Mental, physical and spiritual healthcare providers. These experts can improve your confidence/mindset, your competitive fitness & performance, and your overall well-being.
- Career/vocational and educational assessment providers. These people can help you identify interests, skills & aptitudes you've never considered and suggest different educational and training programs that best suit you.
- Professionals, entrepreneurs and business leaders. Our roster of established business people and professionals can provide you with valuable insights into potential career options and experiences, discuss the best ways to enter into various labour markets and find business opportunities, and talk you through how your skill sets might be utilized in their profession or business.
Q: I missed part of last season with a pretty serious injury. I've recovered now and am training hard but I'm a little worried that my spot on my team's roster might not be very secure anymore. I don't think I really want to play anywhere else if I'm cut but I don't know what else I'd do, especially if I'm released once the season has started. Saw your post about being intentional and wondered if you could help me think things through?
A: First of all, props to you for having the courage and insight to reach out. Truth be told, for an elite athlete in a high-performance team sport, it's the exception, not the norm to know that your roster spot is 100% secure in any given season. Taking the time to think about strategies and options regarding your future is really smart!
So, how can Next Shift help? Would you like to speak to a fellow athlete (in your sport) who has faced and overcome some of the same pressures and uncertainties you're facing? Would you like to hear how that athlete navigated the situation? We can connect you. Would you want to explore some potential education or career paths and have your aptitudes and skills assessed? Our network has people who do that. Do you want to work through the emotions and uncertainties you're wrestling with and create strategies to help you be at your very best, mentally and physically, when the season starts up? We can refer you to experts who'll help with that too. Reach out when you're ready to chat!
A: First of all, props to you for having the courage and insight to reach out. Truth be told, for an elite athlete in a high-performance team sport, it's the exception, not the norm to know that your roster spot is 100% secure in any given season. Taking the time to think about strategies and options regarding your future is really smart!
So, how can Next Shift help? Would you like to speak to a fellow athlete (in your sport) who has faced and overcome some of the same pressures and uncertainties you're facing? Would you like to hear how that athlete navigated the situation? We can connect you. Would you want to explore some potential education or career paths and have your aptitudes and skills assessed? Our network has people who do that. Do you want to work through the emotions and uncertainties you're wrestling with and create strategies to help you be at your very best, mentally and physically, when the season starts up? We can refer you to experts who'll help with that too. Reach out when you're ready to chat!
Q: I'm a junior hockey player. I've graduated from high school. My team says players can "take courses" during the season but they don't really help us players who aren't in high school figure out what courses to take (or why). Last season I never ended up taking anything and me and the other players who weren't in high school would just help out with minor hockey teams and volunteer in local schools sometimes. I feel like I should try to take something or build my resume somehow this season. Any suggestions?
A: Thanks for your question! You've described what happens to a lot of junior hockey players who've graduated from high school and find themselves playing away from home, usually in a small town or city, with some but not a lot of "free time". Feel free to reach out for more specific information based on your location, but as a starting point, maybe consider exploring one of these options?
A: Thanks for your question! You've described what happens to a lot of junior hockey players who've graduated from high school and find themselves playing away from home, usually in a small town or city, with some but not a lot of "free time". Feel free to reach out for more specific information based on your location, but as a starting point, maybe consider exploring one of these options?
- Take an online university or college course in an area of interest
- Consider apprenticeship training in a trade
- Do a coaching certification course through the National Coaching Certification Program
- Look at getting some Google "Career Certificates," perhaps in digital marketing & e-commerce, data analytics or cybersecurity
- Get a CPR, basic life support, or emergency first aid certificate
Q: A former competitive athlete here. Just wanted to leave you a comment.
During my athletic career, I'd say I did all the right things (I was competitive, dedicated, had a strong work ethic, I was coachable, mentally strong, a good teammate, etc.). I achieved a measure of success because of that. If I'm being honest though, I never reached the highest levels of success I had dreamed of and nothing came easy. I wasn't considered a "top prospect", I was rarely "a lock" in any tryout I participated in, and my family didn't have the sports pedigree or connections to smooth the way for me. I worked hard for every opportunity I got, and worked even harder to stay on the top-level teams I made.
While I'm a successful professional now, I'll admit that it took me a while to get comfortable with my life after sport. At first, I wasn't sure who I was or what to do if I wasn't training, competing and being an athlete. I wasn't sure how to apply my athletic mindset in new environments. I could have used some input and guidance from an organization like Next Shift Network and its roster of people (especially former athletes and professionals or business people who could have mentored me). Anyway, keep encouraging elite athletes to set the stage for their future opportunities outside sports even while they are competing. To any elite athletes reading this, use the resources and relationships offered here! It'll help.
A: Thank you so much for this! It's always awesome to hear from former elite athletes and to learn about what their journey away from competitive sports looked like ... what worked, what didn't, and what would have helped them navigate the new challenges and opportunities they encountered. Hoping you get many opportunities to speak into the lives of elite athletes who are looking to move from success in sport to success in life.
During my athletic career, I'd say I did all the right things (I was competitive, dedicated, had a strong work ethic, I was coachable, mentally strong, a good teammate, etc.). I achieved a measure of success because of that. If I'm being honest though, I never reached the highest levels of success I had dreamed of and nothing came easy. I wasn't considered a "top prospect", I was rarely "a lock" in any tryout I participated in, and my family didn't have the sports pedigree or connections to smooth the way for me. I worked hard for every opportunity I got, and worked even harder to stay on the top-level teams I made.
While I'm a successful professional now, I'll admit that it took me a while to get comfortable with my life after sport. At first, I wasn't sure who I was or what to do if I wasn't training, competing and being an athlete. I wasn't sure how to apply my athletic mindset in new environments. I could have used some input and guidance from an organization like Next Shift Network and its roster of people (especially former athletes and professionals or business people who could have mentored me). Anyway, keep encouraging elite athletes to set the stage for their future opportunities outside sports even while they are competing. To any elite athletes reading this, use the resources and relationships offered here! It'll help.
A: Thank you so much for this! It's always awesome to hear from former elite athletes and to learn about what their journey away from competitive sports looked like ... what worked, what didn't, and what would have helped them navigate the new challenges and opportunities they encountered. Hoping you get many opportunities to speak into the lives of elite athletes who are looking to move from success in sport to success in life.
Q: Hey. I aged out of junior hockey after last season and didn't get any offers to play USports or NCAA or ACHA. I'm at school now at XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX but I'm finding it tough to be motivated, to make new friends (I'm older than a lot of other first years), and to be enthusiastic about my life right now.
A: Really applaud you for being honest here and so sorry that you're feeling a bit disconnected and unmotivated. As you move into life beyond sport, it is totally natural to feel the loss of connection and camaraderie with teammates, and to find it a bit bewildering when you no longer have a set team schedule, defined performance goals, and coaches to give feedback and demand accountability. We'll be in touch directly with the names of the people in our network you might want to talk to. For now though, just a few practical suggestions:
A: Really applaud you for being honest here and so sorry that you're feeling a bit disconnected and unmotivated. As you move into life beyond sport, it is totally natural to feel the loss of connection and camaraderie with teammates, and to find it a bit bewildering when you no longer have a set team schedule, defined performance goals, and coaches to give feedback and demand accountability. We'll be in touch directly with the names of the people in our network you might want to talk to. For now though, just a few practical suggestions:
- Create a schedule for yourself. As an athlete, you were required to be disciplined with your time so don't completely abandon that model. Schedule time to exercise, time to study, time to connect with mentors and friends, time to get involved in something new, time to relax.
- Explore new opportunities! What are you naturally good at? What have you always wanted to try? Do you think you might like to coach? Can you find a volunteer opportunity that allows you to give mack & get connected? Check out campus clubs and activities?
- Be forward looking & optimistic. Be proud of and content with your hockey accomplishments but don't spend too much time looking in the rear-view mirror. Sports helped make you who you are. It also gave you the attitudes & aptitudes that will fuel success that is new and different.
Q: Hey, I'm an athlete in my first year of university (not going to say where or what sport). I didn't know this before I got here, but apparently my team's former coach was a total tyrant and XX abusive methods have left many of my teammates with a lot of damage to their self-esteem, body image, confidence, mental/physical well-being. We've had a few discussions about this as a team but as a first-year player, I don't want to ask for more details and don't want to say things that make any of my teammates' issues resurface or get worse. I'm wondering if you guys could connect me with a sports psychologist or even with other athletes that went through something like this? I think i need to get some advice/tools for how to be sensitive and supportive, but also for how to focus on my own game and not be distracted by my teammates issues. It can be tricky and awkward.
A: This is tough stuff. Sorry you find yourself unexpectedly in the middle of it. Sincerely sorry too, that your teammates have been left to navigate the emotional carnage and physical damage caused by the coach who had been entrusted with their development and well-being. Absolutely - we can connect you with both a sport psychologist and with former athletes familiar with situations such as this. Email us at [email protected] or DM us and we'll make it happen.
A: This is tough stuff. Sorry you find yourself unexpectedly in the middle of it. Sincerely sorry too, that your teammates have been left to navigate the emotional carnage and physical damage caused by the coach who had been entrusted with their development and well-being. Absolutely - we can connect you with both a sport psychologist and with former athletes familiar with situations such as this. Email us at [email protected] or DM us and we'll make it happen.
Q: Not sure if you can give me any help or suggestions here but my team has had a totally brutal start to our season. We had a bunch of vets leave at the end of last year, we're now a pretty inexperienced group, and the constant losing is starting to get tough to handle. Everyone's pretty down. I'm one of the older guys now and want to find ways to encourage and get the best out of our group and maybe turn this around. If we can't its gonna be a long season.
A: Thanks for getting in touch! You're demonstrating a ton of leadership, maturity and commitment by looking for solutions in what sounds like a really tough situation. The short answer to your question is 'yes'! Many of our mentors who are former players have been in situations just like yours. They'd be happy to share some strategies, habits, game and practice ideas, and even team-building activities you might be able to use to get your group over this hurdle. Let us know the best way to contact you and we'll have a network member reach out asap.
In the meantime, stay committed to the process of improvement.. Pay attention to detail. Keep things simple. Lead by example as a veteran & encourage each player to find ways to contribute effectively with a specific dimension of their skill set. Most of all, seek to maintain a positive and forward-looking attitude as you practice and acknowledge the improvements (however small) your group makes game by game. You've got this!
A: Thanks for getting in touch! You're demonstrating a ton of leadership, maturity and commitment by looking for solutions in what sounds like a really tough situation. The short answer to your question is 'yes'! Many of our mentors who are former players have been in situations just like yours. They'd be happy to share some strategies, habits, game and practice ideas, and even team-building activities you might be able to use to get your group over this hurdle. Let us know the best way to contact you and we'll have a network member reach out asap.
In the meantime, stay committed to the process of improvement.. Pay attention to detail. Keep things simple. Lead by example as a veteran & encourage each player to find ways to contribute effectively with a specific dimension of their skill set. Most of all, seek to maintain a positive and forward-looking attitude as you practice and acknowledge the improvements (however small) your group makes game by game. You've got this!
Q: Hey. I'm thinking I might want to go into firefighting after I finish playing junior hockey. Wondering if you guys have any old players who are now firefighters I could talk to about the process and if they like it?
A: Hey there! Good to hear that you're thinking about your post-hockey options and looking for counsel from guys who've done what you're thinking about doing.👏🏻 We're all about creating Plan B while you're doing Plan A! Absolutely, we have network members who are former junior hockey players turned firefighters! They'd be happy to speak with you. Email or DM us and we will connect you.
A: Hey there! Good to hear that you're thinking about your post-hockey options and looking for counsel from guys who've done what you're thinking about doing.👏🏻 We're all about creating Plan B while you're doing Plan A! Absolutely, we have network members who are former junior hockey players turned firefighters! They'd be happy to speak with you. Email or DM us and we will connect you.