Jan 27, 2023
I interviewed Ted Nolan at a conference I hosted for the Coffee
Association of Canada. I could see how moved the audience was
by his life story, as was I. Thankfully our conversation was
recorded so I can share this incredible story with you.
Ted Nolan was the third youngest of twelve children in a house
without plumbing or electricity on the Garden River First Nation in
northern Ontario. Ted's first pair of hand-me-down skates were so
big he had to stuff his rain boots inside to wear them. The more
the school system tried to strip away his indigenous identity, the
harder the family fought to preserve it.
This is the inspiring and enchanting story of someone who made it
to the NHL in the most unconventional way. It was Ted's passion,
skill, grit, and ability to deal with rejection. Ted had to battle
racism with fans, opponents and even fellow teammates and
coaches.
The episode touches on his career as both a hockey player and a
coach who knew how to win by caring for his players. It also
showcases Ted's dedication to his community. His foundation has
provided over 300 scholarships. Ted and his two sons, Brandon and
Jordan, who also played in the NHL—created the 3Nolans, to create
hockey skills development camps for First Nation youth in First
Nation communities across Canada.
Ted is a great storyteller, and he unpacks some great lessons on
how to realize your dream, even with very little, and prioritizing
what you value versus what others value.
Alan Richardson, SVP of Talent Strategy and Solutions at RBC, and
someone who returns to talk about Future Launch, a $500 million
commitment to help Canadian youth find and pursue their path in
life. Alan has so much to say about attracting, developing and
retaining talent; I hope to have him anchor an entire future
episode.