One of the most enjoyable aspects of my volunteer position with the Lindsay Jr. A Muskies is getting a chance to meet and get to know the players. Often they come to the team as young men, in some cases away from home for the first time, many grow as people and players while a part of our organization and then graduate on to a higher level of hockey, an educational opportunity, or maybe both. One of the things that I do in my role with the team is to gather and write up some of the information that appears in the game night program, including the section that we call the Player Profile. Head Coach Dan West hands out the profile questionnaires to the players during the preseason and then he gives them back to me once they are completed. Sometimes a lot of the answers are similar. The kids all seem to like pasta before a game, they enjoy working out and hanging with their friends, and in the future they hope to play hockey at the highest level they can while getting an education. All great goals. But last week as I was reading through that weeks profile sheet I was struck by one that was very unique. Meet Noah Vandervinne. Noah came to the Muskies last year as part of a trade with the Pickering Panthers. In his second year with the team he is the current points leader on the squad. He mentioned in his profile that his plans for the future included running a successful company that would help him to be able to provide for his family. He went on to say that his hobbies off the ice included running his own clothing company...not something you often hear from a Jr. A hockey player. I caught up to Noah after a game one Friday night as I wanted to ask him if he could elaborate at all. It didn’t take long to realize that this really is a passion for him, and although he too would like to continue his hockey career as long as he can, he is definitely getting plans in place for after it ends. Vandervinne, who is a 19 year old Ajax, Ont. native told me later by email that the name of the company that he runs is called Lifestyle Athletic Apparel. A quick visit to the website showed pictures of Vandervinne and others modelling the various items from T-shirts, to hoodies, hats, shorts and many other items. “It’s a clothing company that I started around a year and a half ago. I’ve always loved being active, and loved clothing and just thought to go about and put those two passions into an athletic clothing company”, he explained. “I do everything myself for the company from designing products, taking measurements of all the clothing, talking to my supplier, marketing and shooting and creating all the photos. I love being able to create my own products, wear them, getting compliments from people and also seeing others wear it”. Things seem to be going well with the company. He reports having shipped items all across Canada and the United States, but also to Ireland, Australia, Sweden, Asia, and Switzerland. I was left to wonder how he finds time to do it all. On average the Muskies play three or sometimes four games a week, and there are a number of practices to fit in as well. He also went on to let me know that he works at the Real Canadian Superstore, the Ajax Community Center, and takes part time classes. Muskies Head Coach Dan West had nothing but great things to say about Noah both on and off the ice. “Vandy is having a great start to the season. We liked him 3 years ago when he tried out with us, he was one of our last cuts and had an opportunity in the CCHL”, said West. “He plays in every situation and can be relied upon on and off the ice”. West also shared his thoughts on Noah on a more personal side. “After getting to know him, it is easy to see how driven to succeed he is, he is mature beyond his years. He is calculated and passionate about his interests and is always willing to learn and try new things. No matter what he chooses to do, he will find a way to succeed. He is the kind of player we want more of in our association. We are extremely proud of him.” From my point of view I have had a great time getting to know him . It has been a pleasure both to watch play hockey, and to learn about his business endeavours. Please take a moment to visit his website at www.lifestyleathleticapparel.ca or check him out on Instagram at @lifestyleathleticapparel
