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Hello Athletes, Agents, Parents, Trainers, & Business Owners,
Welcome to a new season ! If you’re new to this newsletter, our goal is to highlight some achievements from players in our circle, and share some interesting & useful information pertaining to money management skills, physical / mental health, investing and hockey specific hacks. Good luck to those chasing roster spots and everyone putting their hard work and sacrifice on display on a fresh sheet.
In this Issue:
- Matthew Gard
- Clay Stevenson
- Carter Yakemchuk
- Do’s & Dont’s for Canadians Earning NIL $$$
- How to Score More Goals in the NHL – Chris Kreider
- Even Elite Athletes Get Nervous – How to Cope Under Pressure
- Solving The World’s Biggest Problems
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Matthew Gard
Join us in a couple of clicks for Winnipeg native Matthew Gard who attended his first NHL Training Camp, and playing in his first pre-season game vs Montreal on September 23. Gard has since returned to Red Deer, and lit the lamp in his first game with the Rebels as he works towards another breakout season in the WHL and was recently named assistant captain as well.
Another Major Milestone Achieved – We Look Forward to Cheering You On This Season Gards!
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Clay Stevenson
Clay put forth an exceptional performance for the Washington Capitals last week against the Philadelphia Flyers, stopping 15 of 16 shots (.938 Sv %) in a 5-1 win, furthering his chances to become a mainstay NHL goaltender to GM’s across the league.
One Save At A Time, You Got This Mud !
| Source: TheHockeyNews.com | |
Carter Yakemchuk
Ottawa Senators prospect Carter Yakemchuk wasted no time making his presence felt at the 2025 Prospects Showdown in Montreal. The 20-year-old defenseman scored twice and added an assist as the Senators opened the four-game rookie event with a 4–3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday afternoon at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
Yakemchuk, Ottawa’s first-round pick (7th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft, was a difference-maker throughout the prospects game, displaying the offensive instincts that nearly earned him an NHL job last fall.
Proving a Strong Case Carter… Keep it Up !
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All About NCAA Players Earning NIL $
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Canadian players eyeing the NCAA (or already there) are now stepping into the NIL era—real money for your Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). That’s exciting, but one wrong move can put your visa, eligibility, and tax situation at risk. The rules are simple in principle—where you do the work, what your contract says, and how you report the income—but the consequences for getting them wrong aren’t. This note is for players, parents, and advisors who could be affected, so you can maximize opportunity without jeopardizing your season. Before you sign anything, loop in school compliance and a cross-border tax pro—get it right the first time.
NIL is on the table: NCAA athletes can earn from name, image, likeness (NIL)—sponsorships/endorsements, social monetization, autographs, merch, and school “collectives.”
Canadians in the NCAA (visa rules): Most Canadians attend on F-1 student visas, which prohibit U.S. employment income. Violations can jeopardize status.
Tax basics on NIL: NIL income is taxable and athletes are treated like independent contractors (can deduct legit business expenses). International athletes must report at home too.
Do’s & Don’ts for Canadians Earning NIL $
Top 3 DOs
- Do the work in Canada. Shoot promos, sign merch, and post on socials from home; put “services performed in Canada” in the contract and get paid to your Canadian account.
- Get a U.S. work visa first (O-1/P-1) before any paid appearance/shoot/signing in the U.S.
- Plan for taxes. Set aside 30–40%, keep receipts, and file in both countries with a cross-border accountant (if done properly, you will have Tuition Tax Credits to off-set your taxable income)
Top 3 DON’Ts
- Don’t do paid work in the U.S. on a student (F-1) visa. No exceptions— this is a major status risk.
- Don’t sign restrictive/conflicting deals. Run contracts past your agent/school compliance; avoid clauses that lock you in or require U.S. work.
- Don’t assume money is tax-free. Parts of scholarships and all NIL income can be taxable; watch day-counts that affect tax residency.
If you’re receiving NIL $ and want to chat in further detail, please reach out and we’ll connect you with a knowledgeable cross-border accountant who can help you stay onside with NCAA eligible, US Immigration and the IRS/CRA !
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How to Score More Goals
The Money Ball Approach by Chris Kreider
- Shift in Goal-Scoring Strategy:
Kreider experienced a dramatic change in approach after consulting with NHL Goaltending Coach Steve Valiquette, and began focusing on leveraging analytical insights to improve scoring efficiency—particularly by exploiting high-probability shooting zones like the double slot line.
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Speed and Positioning Over Precision:
Rather than aiming for perfect shots, the Kreider emphasizes quick releases and strategic positioning, noting that even elite goaltenders struggle to react to fast, well-placed shots. The human eye cannot reliably track a puck that crosses the middle of the ice and is released in under 0.5 seconds
- Consistency and Confidence:
Kreider has adopted a mindset of persistence, trusting that consistently putting himself in high-danger scoring areas would eventually lead to success, even if results aren’t immediate. The best and worst goalies allow goals at similar rates for these types of shots because reaction time is biologically constrained
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I’m an MLB All-Star and I still get nervous before every game. Here’s how I deal with it
Even MLB stars feel the pressure. Steven Kwan, a two-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner, admits he still gets nervous before every game—and explains how breathing, perspective, and even self-doubt help him thrive in the biggest moments.
Turning Nerves into Focus: Kwan uses breathing exercises during the national anthem to calm racing thoughts and simulate the mental chaos of an at-bat, transforming anxiety into readiness.
Impostor Syndrome as Fuel: Despite multiple All-Star nods, Kwan still questions if he belongs. That doubt drives him to stick to routines like meditation, journaling, and reading to stay sharp through a 162-game grind.
Grounding in Perspective: His wife, a nurse who “saves lives,” reminds him baseball isn’t life or death. That perspective—and her support—keeps him balanced when the pressure peaks, like his clutch All-Star Game at-bat with the tying run on third.
Kwan’s story is a reminder that nerves aren’t weakness—they’re part of greatness. By embracing anxiety, leaning on routines, and staying grounded, even the most intense moments can become opportunities to shine.
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Nutrition, Flavours & Fragrances: The Secret Sauce Behind Everyday Products
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One of our Portfolio Managers, Finn McKay, recently added the company DSM-Firmenich to the VPI Sustainability Leaders Portfolio. DSM-Firmenich is a global company that creates ingredients that gives products their taste, smell, and health benefits. Think: the flavor in your candy, the scent in your shampoo, or the ingredient that makes your skin glow. This company doesn’t sell directly to you, but their creations are in products you use every day & they’re helping solve big of the biggest global issues: Obesity, Malnutrition & Food Sustainability.
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Does DSM-Firmenich Meet our Definition of a Durable Business?
Is it Difficult to Live Without? ✅
Ingredients essential to adding nutritional value, flavours, and aromas to everyday products such as beverages, food, personal care items.
Is it Difficult to Compete With? ✅
Switching ingredients is difficult in consumer products whose identities are defined by a particular texture, flavour, or scent.
Is it Difficult to Replicate? ✅
16,000 patents with deep expertise in green chemistry, bioscience, data science, and sensory perception.
| | Remember: The Difference Between a Great Business & a Great Investment is the Price You Pay For It! | | Forward-looking EPS is essential to estimate where a company is headed—rather than only looking at where it’s been (historical prices) | | |
We get it—there are a lot of questions that can feel “dumb”… but trust us, they’re not. In fact, we’ve probably asked them ourselves. This is your space to ask anything, without judgment and with full confidentiality.
You’ve worked hard to earn this opportunity—don’t let uncertainty hold you back. Book a time below and let’s talk about how to make the most of it !
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