Lessons on Leadership and Legacy: How Warren’s Hockey Career and Farming Teach Us About Building a Sustainable Future

When you think of legacy, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s about what we leave behind, the values we impart to future generations, or the impact we have on the world around us.

For me, Warren's journey through professional hockey, minor sports and his leadership in farming have taught me so much about the importance of leadership and mentorship in building a sustainable future.

Warren’s experience as a professional hockey player, a coach for elite-level minor hockey teams, and now a farmer has shaped how we approach life on our farm and in our community. These two worlds may seem vastly different, but the leadership principles he learned in sports have become the foundation for his work on the farm, and his approach to community-building has deep roots in his past as both a player and a coach.

In this post, I’ll share how Warren’s leadership and legacy from hockey have influenced the farm and how we aim to pass those lessons on to our next generation.

1. Leadership on the Ice: Mentorship, Discipline, and Teamwork

Warren’s career in hockey didn’t just teach him how to play a sport at a high level—it taught him invaluable leadership lessons about mentoring others, discipline, and teamwork. As a coach, Warren wasn’t just shaping young athletes to be great players; he was instilling in them the importance of responsibility, commitment, and working together as a team.

When Warren transitioned to full-time farming, those same leadership skills became the building blocks of his work here on the farm. Whether he’s working with me, our kids, or local farmhands, his coaching experience has shaped the way we approach tasks together. Farming, just like hockey, requires teamwork, communication, and collaboration to succeed.

As a family, we’ve learned that whether it’s planting season or harvest time, everyone has a role to play. Just like on a hockey team, we rely on each other to get the job done, and everyone’s contribution—big or small—matters. Warren’s coaching experience has taught us that great leadership starts with clear communication and empowering others, whether it’s on the ice or in the fields.

2. Discipline, Resilience, and Adaptability: Sports as a Foundation for Farming Success

When you think of a professional athlete, discipline and resilience are two words that immediately come to mind. Warren’s hockey career was a testament to this, as he endured the intense physical and mental demands of the sport. The same mindset that got him through gruelling seasons of hockey is now what helps him push through the tough days on the farm.

Farming, much like sports, requires long hours, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to the task at hand. There are seasons of high intensity—planting, harvesting, and the challenges that come with weather and market fluctuations. Warren’s disciplined approach, honed through his years in sports, has made it possible to manage the farm’s demands without burning out.

This discipline isn’t just about working hard—it’s about being adaptable when things don’t go as planned. In hockey, no two games are alike, and similarly in farming, no two seasons are the same. Whether it’s adjusting to an unexpected storm or figuring out a new approach to crop management, Warren’s ability to remain flexible and resilient is a lesson we carry with us daily.

3. Mentorship and Legacy: Passing Down Leadership to the Next Generation

One of the most important lessons Warren learned in hockey was the power of mentorship. As a coach, he had the opportunity to guide young athletes, teaching them not just the skills of the game but the principles of leadership, responsibility, and perseverance. Warren believes that leadership isn’t just about giving orders—it’s about inspiring others, sharing knowledge, and providing the tools they need to succeed.

This mindset has been foundational in how we approach our farm, especially as we raise our children and teach them the values that will help carry our farm’s legacy forward. Whether it’s helping us with the crops, learning about machine maintenance, or participating in the day-to-day operations, Warren is passing down more than just farming skills. He’s teaching our kids about resilience, adaptability, and the value of hard work.

It’s these lessons—rooted in sports and now applied to farming—that will shape the future of our family farm. By teaching our children the same values Warren learned through hockey, we’re ensuring that they have the tools to lead with integrity and build a sustainable future, both for our farm and in the world around them.

4. The Intersection of Farming, Sports, and Community Building

At the heart of both farming and sports is the sense of community. Hockey teams thrive on the strength of their collective efforts, and similarly, farming is about building strong relationships with others, whether it’s within the family or the larger farming community. Warren’s coaching background taught him that a successful team isn’t just about the skills of individual players—it’s about how everyone works together to achieve a common goal.

On our farm, we’ve embraced this principle by fostering a culture of collaboration, not just within our family but with our neighbours and local community. Whether it’s sharing knowledge, supporting each other through tough seasons, or offering help when needed, community involvement is at the core of what we do.

Warren’s influence in both worlds has helped shape the way we connect with others. Just like in hockey, we’ve learned that when we support each other and work together, we can achieve more than we could alone. It’s through these connections—both on the farm and within the larger community—that we’re building something sustainable for future generations.

As we reflect on Warren’s journey from professional hockey to farming, we can see how the leadership, mentorship, and values he learned in sports have become a fundamental part of our farm’s culture. By passing these lessons down to the next generation, we’re not just preparing our children to continue our work on the farm—we’re teaching them the principles that will help them build their own legacy, no matter what path they choose.

The intersection of sports and farming has shaped our understanding of what it means to lead, to serve, and to leave a lasting impact. And as we continue to grow and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of farming, we’re committed to building a sustainable future rooted in community, resilience, and leadership.

If you’re looking to build a sustainable future for your family or community, whether in farming or beyond, consider the power of mentorship, teamwork, and resilience. Join our community for more insights on cultivating leadership in all aspects of life.