On Fire To NHL Aaron Volpatti

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Welcome to the Mike Hartman Show. Mike is a performance coach and former Stanley cup champion with the New York Rangers. Topics on this show are focused around stories, mindset and champions. Mike will also go into details about helping you with your pain points and struggles and finding motivational solutions on how to have the mindset of a champion. Now, here's your host, Mike Hartman.

Hello, everybody. Welcome back. Today I have a very special guest. His name is Aaron Volpatti. And Aaron has an amazing story. He's done some amazing things. The grit, the determination, and everything he stands for is a person. You're really going to enjoy this one, everybody. Enjoy Aaron and, and I'm with the show. Thanks for being here. So we got connected through a mutual friend, Ryan Walter. So I get a really nice message from Ryan. He says, I really want you to meet this young forward, you know, young former hockey player, played about 100 plus games in the NHL. He's got a great story. And I said, absolutely would love to meet him. And, and we, you know, you and I connected. And then I, you know, I watched, you know, I looked you up and then I looked at your website and I said, holy cow. I said, unbelievable. Like, what a story you have.

So, yeah, no, thanks. It was, it's, it's been a good ride, to say the least.

Yeah. To say the least. So I, I don't want to share the whole story because I need you to share a little bit. But, you know, just so people know, a lot of what we do is about stuff, stories, mindset and champions and having that. Right mindset. And I kid you not, I had to watch, I had to watch the video that's on your homepage like two times. I said, I got to watch this again. Not only is it well done, but it just really will show people, people will ask me, so, hey, so what does it take, you know, to make it, what does it take to make it in business? And why don't you just start from the beginning? I, you know, just a little bit about when you were young and then your aspirations and let's take us right into the story. Love to hear it.

Yeah, yeah. I mean, I mean, to preface everything, you know, mindset and, and visualization specifically was, was such a monumental piece for me, you know, and like you said with that video, that video was actually made for, for a book promotion for my book that's going to come out next year. But it really sort of encompasses everything that I do with the coaching and stuff like that as well. But yeah, it's, it's and I tell people that, you know, this, that mindset and that visualization allowed me to, to go on this journey to the NHL, but it also, you know, saved my life after retirement just with a bunch of, you know, things that happened. You know, as we know life can happen and get a little crazy sometimes. So I guess that can take me sort of into, into my, you know, beginning. Grew up in a small town, Revelstoke, British Columbia. And you know, I, like, I had, I had a great childhood. I had no real adversity as a kid. You know, like, we didn't, we were a very middle class family. We didn't have, you know, a ton. I grew up in a little trailer and we just had our, our nice little family and I, you know, I played hockey and that was, that was kind of, you know, the first. Oh, God, I don't know, 18 years of my life. Really. 19 years of my life. You know, I, again, I went. Excelled at hockey a little bit.

And.

But that's a part of the story is that, you know, I was never that good. I mean, I was get. I got cut from, from summer league teams and triple A teams and, you know, I just, I just had fun and played hockey and enjoyed it and, and snuck into to Junior B and then snuck into Junior A as a fighter. And you know, when I tell people, you know, I had one goal my first year of junior hockey, and then they think, like, I think you and I played a similar role. Right, Mike?

Like, yeah, yeah, we, we played a similar role. But there's still a lot more to your story. Well, one thing you had. Listen, people will laugh. I was a 2.5 student, but I told my kids I was in the top three of my class every year. ABC C student every year. That's not funny for the parent. Okay, parents. I know you're saying, come on, Mike, you're supposed to be, you know, you're supposed to influence our kids. That's a joke, you know. Yes, but, but you went to an Ivy League school. I don't want to just cut in the middle of the story. So we are different. I mean, you know, as I, My understanding is, like with you, like, you, you just wanted to play junior hockey. Next thing you know, let's pick it up from there because it's really.

Yeah, well, so, yeah, my, my, you know, my end goal was always to get a scholarship. That was where I wanted to get to. That was my NHL. Like, pro hockey was never even on my radar. Scored one goal my first year junior so like I had no reason to, to have aspirations for a pro career. And so that's what I was chasing. I was, I was chasing the scholarship and my parents always instilled the education and you know, I always did well in school, study medicine or something like that. And you know, if I can get a scholarship to do that, perfect. That's what I'm trying to do. And so that's what I did. So I played my first two years of junior hockey and again, I was a long shot. Like I wasn't, I was a third, fourth line fighter and so can't fight in college, right. So. And I wasn't just a fighter. I mean I was a hit, I was a good skater and I could, I could hit. Hitting was my, was my thing. And from that came the fighting. But to go right into the meat of the story, we were doing a team party and we went camping. And I mean I won't get into the, to the nitty gritty details, but I was, you know, like a lot of young kids, I, I was, I felt invincible and I was, you know, I did some stupid things and, and learn, learn lessons the hard way, I guess. And then this would be no different. But I was messing around with gas and around a fire and I had about a liter and a half of gas that had spilt on my torso. And you know, again, it's, it's pretty foggy, but about five, ten minutes went by. I, I knew I had spilled gas on myself, so I wasn't, you know, purposely getting close to a fire. But I went to throw my sweater in the fire and why I did that I, I'll never know. But I did. And you know, I thought I kept a safe distance. But what I would later learn was that, you know, those fumes are, you know, just as flammable, maybe more so than the actual gasoline itself. So I was like a walking, I was a walking bomb basically. And, and so I blew up and that's really where, where my, really my life journey kind of started. And so I don't know how I was on fire for who knows how long. Anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds. Like, it's pretty, it's such a weird, weird experience. It's a, it's definitely an out of body experience. That one for me, like, I just, I took off, I bolted and it was, for me, I was, I was fast. So I mean, guys were chasing me and trying to put me out and I mean I can, you know, I can tell the story and, and find humor and laugh about it now, but it was, it was very serious for sure. And so anyways, I, you know, the fire gets out, I get tackled and the guys put it out. And I just remember sitting there and I wasn't in any pain. No pain at all. And even in an experience, you know, I was, I just remember feeling very warm but not in pain. And I remember like I was in a pure panic, but I was also somehow thinking like, why is this not hurting? You know what I mean? Or maybe you don't know what I mean, I guess in that sense. But it was just a, it was a very crazy experience for sure. I mean there was definitely. So it was very traumatic, but no pain in that moment. So, you know, I remember sitting on the cooler. I had no clothes. Like they were all burnt off. There was nothing left of them. So I'm sitting there naked and I'm just looking at my body and you know, I start looking and, and, and now I know that, you know, I've messed up here pretty, pretty bad.

Well, well, you got. Well, what I read was I think 40% of your body was burned.

40% was second and third degree burns. So I was, I mean I was 100% burned. I mean like my, my face and, and everything else was like a first degree burn. But yeah, the. So anyways, yeah, I'll, I'll fast forward, I guess. But I, So I get the, the bad thing was is we were in an area with no service. We were way out of town. So I had, you know, we couldn't get an ambulance out there. So luckily we had one guy's girlfriend that, that wasn't drinking. And I mean we were partying, we were, you know, we weren't being smart. But she wasn't drinking so I could get a ride with her and her, her boyfriend who was on the team. And so we were about a 30 minute drive into town. That's when the shock started wearing off. And you know, I'll never experience pain like that again in my life. When that shock started wearing off and it was bad, I was, I was, I remember almost blacking out. It was so bad. So, and I, I've talked to her or to, to her boyfriend, you know, since then. And I'm like, man, I like just putting up with that. Like I remember screaming at them, like, drive faster. Like I'm passing out here. It was, it was, it was definitely serious. So long story short, I got airlifted to Vancouver that night, woke up the next day and like it was a mummy. I had no, Like, I just remember seeing a little bit of light through my, through my eyes and, and seeing my parents there. You know, their tears were rolling down their face like they didn't, you know, they got a call at 1 in the morning, your son's been in a serious accident. Like, the first thing they thought, I, you know, that I was dead. Right. So, you know, as a, as a father myself now, I, I cannot imagine.

How they felt and I can't imagine how you felt. I'm thinking for a second they remember like we were in fifth grade, science or no fifth grade. They were talking about if you touch a hot stove, instantly you get a burn and it goes. What does it go from your spinal cord to your brain, or your brain to your spinal cord. But anyways, it's like instantly. That hurts. I can't even imagine. I mean, I, I, I don't want to imagine. I can't even imagine what you went through in that, in that, at that time. Like, it's, it's in, I can't fathom it.

Yeah. I always say now to people that ask me, you know, what, what's a burn unit like? And it's, it's one of the most special places, but it's also one of the most horrifying places because, man, the screens that come out of that place and the pain, it, it's not good anyway. So, yeah, like, that's really where my journey started. I, you know, talk about adversity. I, I really got, you know, thrust into, into that. I mean, again, like, I didn't have any growing up really, you know, that just things that every kid, you know, goes through and all that, but nothing, nothing like this. Right. So, and that's where the, my whole journey started. So I, you know, my career was over. I remember the first few days were a little bit of a blur. I was stable. Like my, I wouldn't say my, my life was in danger, but they really have to monitor when you have that much trauma of, you know, smoke inhalation and just shock. Your body can go into shock when you're, when you're that traumatized with that amount of, you know, third degree burns. So. But again, I was pretty stable, you know, for the most part, just in a lot of pain and a lot of fogginess. And then I remember, you know, we didn't really know much because I, I was fully bandaged for the first, for the couple days. Right. And then when they finally got a look and I mean, hey, we could talk all day about my, my Six weeks in that hospital. It's pretty gruesome some of it, but, and we don't, I don't have time to get into all of it, but I don't know if you know what debriding is, but they essentially skin you alive with, with, with a jet. So it's like a high powered jet because they have to, they have to keep that, those third degree burns clean because infection's a huge risk and they have to keep it fresh. Meaning like flesh. Yeah, I guess you could say fresh flesh for those skin graft sites. Right. So.

Right. There's nothing protecting you. It's like, and where do you get most, you get like a, I mean, that's why people in the hospital, you have a little cut, I mean, come on, a little cut on your hand or anywhere. And they're worried about staph infection, let alone your, your body, your, most of your body. I, I, like I said, I can't believe what happened. So I know you can talk about it for 10 hours.

Yeah. So we, we go ahead, we can get on to the, the journey, I guess. Yeah, but you're in a lot of pain after this. I mean, morphine doesn't really do much after, after these ones. And you know, I remember talking to the doctor for the first time since they, they got a good look and I, you know, I just remember asking like, what about, you know, hockey? Like, so we got, whatever it is, four months until our season starts up because I, you know, I'm going into my last year of junior and I'm trying to get a scholarship and the, I just remember the look on the doctor's face and he, I just, it just said, this poor kid thinks he's gonna play hockey, you know what I mean? And he just, you're not going to be playing hockey for a while. You got a long, you got a long road in here, all summer long kind of thing. And so that was it for me, you know, I, I, because, I mean, I had one more year of eligibility, so I kissed my hockey career goodbye in that moment and be able to make a full recovery and live a relatively normal life. You know, I, I wasn't going to have any major scarring on my face and you know, and really have life changing, I guess, scars, you could say. So, you know, also just, okay, well, I can make a full recovery and it's going to be a rough year, two years here, but you know, I can bounce back from this kind of thing. That was my, that was my mindset. And so two Weeks go by and, you know, again, you're just going through the motions and dealing with this pain every day. And it's, it's, it's a, it's a grind for sure. And then I remember getting a call from my coach and this is really where I had this epiphany with, with the visualization is I got a call and he, you know, he said, hey, how you doing? And I said, yeah, you know, why not great, obviously. But we were talking and they're looking for this type of player, you know, who could skate, hit. I think his words were, the coach's words were, I need a guy that can put the fear of God into the defenseman of the Ivy League. And my coach said, I have the perfect guy for you. There's just one problem. And I'm not supposed to play hockey again. And so he's like, just call him. And I know, you know, the future's uncertain. So I called the assistant coach from Brown and he just basically said, we're really sorry to hear what happened. We hope you just take care of yourself. Very open ended like that. And so I just remember, I hung up the phone and I just remember, you know, crying and getting really emotional. Like I had worked, I'd worked my whole life, almost 20 years for that opportunity and. And now I'm stuck here and my career's over. Right?

Yeah, you weren't thinking, now this is a long shot. Was it Danny Brooks?

It was Danny Brooks.

Oh, man. He's like, oh, my, do I know him? I used to do the development stuff with these.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Okay, we have to talk about that a different time. But no, we're very close. And he's a great guy. He's a great guy.

Yeah.

Yeah, we did, we coached together. I did some Team USA coaching.

Oh, did you?

Yeah, I played, I played on the world junior team and then I played for the. I also played in the, you know, the qualifying rounds for the world championship, and I played for Lou Vero. And then Lou had me do some work with the women's Olympic team. And then he said, hey, and. Or they had the coaches there with the Olympic team, but Luke got me involved and Lou finally said, hey, do you want to do the select 14s? Top kids in the country? I said, yeah, you're gonna meet this guy, Danny Brooks. And we hung out every day. But anyways, what a great guy. What a perfect guy to talk to.

Oh, guy, he's a legend. I love Danny. And like, so, you know, I grew up in a Small town in British Columbia. I had never heard a Boston accent or, I mean, he's more Rhode Island. Heavy. Heavy accent, right. So I remember he calls me up, he's like, what's up? Brava. Like, and I'm like, who is this guy? But yeah, it's just he's super charismatic, Funny, funny guy. And yeah, I mean, we could chat about that another time all day. But yeah, I got some other good stories about him too. But, yeah, so I just, you know, again, was. Was really quite emotional after that and, you know, having that, you know, taken away from you and like, again, I'd work, you know, basically my whole life to get that opportunity. And, And I just remember sitting there that night, a few hours later, I decided ask myself, why? So, like, why. Why can't I play hockey? The doctors are telling me, you know, I'm pretty banged up here, obviously, but, I mean, so the pain is going to be too much and the risk of infection is too high, and the skin grafts are going to be too limiting. Like, there's, there's this big list of reasons. I just started thinking, I'm like, that's not a good enough reason for me. Like, I'm okay with pain, you know, And I, I. So I just made a choice that night and I said, no, that's not going to be me. And, and that's what, what opened me up to, to the visualization specifically, where. Because again, I couldn't move like I was, I was bedridden for, for the first month, our first three weeks, maybe towards a month. And I just started thinking, and I said, no, that's not going to be me. I've worked too hard for this. And I started thinking every, you know, every day, just walking out of that hospital, I started at a cellular level faster. And walking out of the hospital and playing that next day, and I would visualize going to Brown and physically signing the commitment letter. Every day. I would just see it and I'd see it, and it took me on a rough journey. I got to that hospital in six weeks, which was a lot sooner than I was supposed to, and I ended up getting kidney stones the next day, and I ended up back in the hospital in Vernon. And then. So at that point, I had, I think, maybe two months before camp, and I, like, I couldn't walk for another. I couldn't walk for another month or six weeks because I had just fresh skin grafts on my legs. So if I stood up, all the blood would rush to my legs and I'd start Bleeding from my graft. So I was just, you know, I was kind of like ape. I call it monkey walking or ape walking. Like, I use my, my arms to get around the house. So, you know, I got strong that way. Just using your arms and. But I was pushing my body, you know, way harder. But my body was not ready to, to play hockey at all. And so, you know, I, I finally got back on the ice about two weeks before camp, just myself. And you know, it's very stiff and I ended up getting a week before camp or, or something like that. Eight days before camp. My body was just basically saying, like, what are you, what are you doing, man? Like, we're shutting down here. We're trying to fight this massive burn injury you have. And, you know, I. People are asking me, like, pushing myself so hard, and they had to actually cut through my skin graft in my stomach to get the appendix out. I just, I remember waking up, I'm like, what is this pain now? Like, I've had enough pain and now I have this, like, this new pain. And they're like, yeah, you need to get this appendix out now. And they looked at my stomach and they were like, what, what? They were just shocked, like, what the hell did you do to yourself? You know, like. And I'm like, yeah, I just had skin graft surgery like two months ago. And they're like, oh, whoa. So that was just the start of the journey. And then I had to go on and play and I ended up suiting up that opening night a week later. And my, the pain just, it, it just kept getting worse and worse. That, that whole last year of junior, I only ended up playing, I think, 24, 25 games that season, all at the beginning. Because, you know, when you have that much trauma, like, my third degree burns were, were very severe, like deep third degree burns, enough that, like, the muscle was compromised in my legs and where I could barely skate. And I was like, this is when you could get shot up with all the painkillers you wanted, right? And I was like, I need. Shoot me up with everything just so I can play. Because I, I was, you know, I was dead set. I'm like, I'm getting this scholarship and I, I can, I taste it. I'm so close. And so that was my journey. So. And then, long story short, I, I ended up committing to Brown. They came and saw me play, and I remember I had to get shot up with painkillers just so I could walk down the hallway to go talk to our guy, Danny Brooks. Because I was in that much pain just to play the game. And anyway, so I ended up committing to Brown a couple weeks later and then I shut it down and no one really knew what was really going on behind the scenes of what I was dealing with and going through. Can't imagine but like again, I, that the visualization and the mental, the mindset was, it wouldn't have been possible without that for me. It just, it's so powerful that stuff. And, and again, like, it, it, the adversity opened my mind up to this whole new world. I didn't even know, you know, I, I, I could have just accepted it. And, and I, I, I wonder that every day I'm like, where would I be right now if I, if I didn't really believe in myself and, and if I, if I gave up, you know, and, or lost hope, you know.

So that's just amazing. But then you make that journey there and you, there was no, and you said there was no thought of playing pro hockey. It wasn't even on your radar. It wasn't even a thought. And then what happened from, I mean, then you said, I know, you know, we go, we could talk for three hours and you talked about, I think, I think you mentioned something like the players didn't even know you didn't complain about it. And that's a whole mindset thing in itself or mental toughness that people probably can't even understand. But then what happens after Brown? Like, because usually kids get drafted. The NHL, you're drafted at 18 or, you know, what happened after that?

Yeah, so the first I go to Brown and you know, I'm still recovering. Like, even my first year at Brown, I was still like, I wore a full body suit for two full years for my skin grafts. And so I was still recovering like my freshman year at Brown. And but for the most part, you know, I got to Brown and my first three years I just, you know, I was enjoying everything there is to enjoy with college life and I was enjoying being a student athlete and all that good stuff. And again, I, you know, I was really proud of like where I'd come from, you know, with that, with that injury and all that. So something like that happened. It really puts things into perspective. And I mean, everyone will tell you that. So it really, really, I was just focusing on having fun and just enjoying being a student athlete. Right. And, but I had lost that, I had lost that drive for something new. Like, okay, so what's next? Like, don't stop there. And so I stopped because that was my NHL. That was, you know, I had made it, like, again, when I got to Brown, I was a third, fourth line guy. You know, same thing in junior. I'm like, it wasn't on my radar. And so he's like, you know, there's some teams, like, you know, I think if you really worked at your game and the skill stuff, I think you could have a good, like 10 year minor pro career. And I said, really? I'm like, wow, okay. I mean, thanks, That's. That's a good compliment. So I went home that night and again, it was like another. It was another epiphany for me where I thought back to that, that burn unit experience. And I'm like, man, if I can, if I can go through that, like, why can't I make the NHL? You know, that was my thought. And I basically made a decision that night right then and there. I'm like, I'm going to play in the NHL. And through, like, again, through that talk with the assistant coach. And so I went back to that mindset and the visualization every single day of, you know, using that adversity and where I'd come through basically, like, as a superpower, I'm like, I can do anything if I can do that. And I lived out in Providence that summer and I trained, I lived at the rink and I just, I worked on everything. You know, I put on like 20 pounds of muscle and I worked on my skills for four or five hours a day because that was what I needed to do. I needed to add that other element to my game. Right, right. And. And the crazy thing was it, it worked again. Proven to be so powerful. So I had more, I mean, you can look at my stats, like, I had more points my last year of college than I did my first three years combined. And that. And the thing is with the visualization and the mindset, you know, the more that you're like, man, this is, this is really working, the more you do it. And then it just snowballs and snowballs. And that's what happened for me is I, you know, within a year I was 24 years old. Like, that's why pro hockey wasn't on my radar. Like, I didn't talk to anyone. I'm 24. Like, I didn't. That just, you know, wasn't on my radar. And so to, in one year being probably a top five prospect in the ncaa, like, I mean, I was like playing the physical role. Like I was killing guys because I'm 24, turning 25. I'm 215 and I'm playing against 18 year olds that are coming in. I was hurting guys bad and. And then I added this offensive element and you know, team started noticing real quick. And, and yeah, that's. And that's the whole story. The visualization of. I, like, I saw it happening. I just knew it was going to happen because I made that decision. Decision. This is the movie of my life. That's where I'm going. And. And it worked again. And so it was just crazy how it happened.

Then it got, well, it goes deeper. The cool thing is now that, you know, we, we do it in coaching, like, we, we try to tell people that, you know, if you can't see it, nobody else will type of thing, right? Or we, we like, we do imagery and they say, well, does that really work? But you are like, like when Ryan Walter says, I need to talk to you. And Ryan is like. It's funny. When I, when I played the NHL, I looked up to Ryan Walter and he was with the Montreal Canadiens. He's the youngest captain ever to play. He was on our show before. And I look up to Ryan. I became friendly with Ryan years ago in. I was in Vegas during this, this event and he was there together. So we just spent a lot of time together. And I said, wow, this really a smart guy. He's got his master leadership. And. And then when he said, you need to learn about, you need to learn about Aaron, I said, I remember him. He played. He goes, yeah, but forget about playing. This guy is what you call one of the hardest working guys. This guy will do it, whatever it took. And you did whatever it took. And then you, you get a phone call from your hometown, correct?

Yeah. You mean from the. Where I signed?

Yeah. Right. You could.

Sure, that. Yeah. So, I mean, so Vancouver was one of the first teams interested. And I mean, the best part about this whole story is that I never told my family anything because it wasn't on my radar. It wasn't on their radar. Like I had made it. I had, I had gone where I said I was gonna go when I was a kid. You know, I was gonna get a scholarship. And you know, they, they knew I was playing well my senior year. Like, I was, I was playing a lot and I was getting some attention. Pro teams and they're like. And, but they thought, you know, minor pro. And they're like, oh, that'd be really cool if you went in and did that for a bit. And. But they didn't know to what to what degree? Right. And so, yeah, long story short, I end up signing with the Vancouver Canucks after we get bounced out of the. Of the college tournament there. And I said, you know, you remember how I said that? I, you know, had been talking with some pro teams and they said, yeah, yeah. And, well, I said, well, you know, by pro, I meant like, NHL. And they're like, what? And I. I'm like, yeah, I actually just signed with. With Vancouver. They did not believe me. And they're like, my dad, he's like, get. He's like, come on, man. Like, get real here. I'm like, dad, I'm serious. I, like, I just signed with Vancouver and. And of course, everyone started crying and it was pretty emotional. Just, you know, where I. Where I'd come from. Yeah.

So I did. Because I love that. I love these stories. You don't hear a lot of these type of stories. And people. I don't think most people really understand how hard it is to make it. Well, we both made it, but the numbers are there. So each year it gets tougher and tougher and tougher. So you don't get drafted. Oh, there's another 400 players going through the draft. Oh, there's more players. And then there's only four left wingers on a team, and they carry an extra guy or two. And now you have 25 guys up, but then there's another 15 left wingers in the. In the organization. So. So you made it. And. Well, I mean, come on, you made it also because of your. What people have to realize it's not always about talent, but. But you're outside your compete and everything that you stood for. So.

Totally.

So you play for the Canucks, and I, we saw some great videos. I'm gonna have everybody go to your website site. Not that I'm promoting your business, but they have to watch your video, and we're going to do that at the very end. But. So from Vancouver, you end up scoring your first goal in front of. Was that in front of your friends and family in Vancouver?

No, that was in St. Louis in my second game. I mean, the first game was. I mean, you know what it's like. It's just. I played hockey night in Canada in Vancouver. I had, like, all my family there. It was just awesome. But again, like, to your point, back to, you know, you sign with an NHL deal, like, that's just the start, too, right? Like, you gotta slug your way through the minors. And so that's another thing. You can sign with the NHL team that doesn't mean anything. Right. So. Because it's two way contract. So I had to play in the minors for, you know, for a few months and work my way up through there, which was a great experience. And. But yeah, no, my first game was in Vancouver and then my, I scored my second game and in St. Louis and I'm like, oh man, maybe, maybe I can put up some points here. But you know, it didn't go that way. But you got to fill a role and that's the big thing too of, you know, there's so many people and you know that Mike, that it's like, man, why did that, why did that guy never make it? And again there's. You got to separate yourself and do something like, and fill a role. Right? And that's, that's what you and I did is we filled that role. Right. And embraced it.

Yeah. Some guys spend seven years in the minors, some guys never play a game like first round draft picks play 13, 14 years in the American League and they're in their lifers there. And I could think of guys on my mind that I, I hit Graham Bonner on our show and what a great guy he is. Six foot three, Team Canada. He deserved to play in the NHL. You know, I feel, sometimes I feel like, man, it's even uncomfortable for me because this guy was the best junior player in the Ontario hockey league, scoring 6 foot 3. But he gets drafted by Montreal, a team that was already stacked with their players and you know, they start their guys in the minors or for whatever reason, it didn't work for him. So sometimes I pinch myself and say, man, you did it. And I can only. I'm not speaking for you, but just by, you know, you and I started talking quite a bit on the phone and getting to know each other and we do the same thing. So people would say, you know, I. And I love, you know, we do a lot of the same thing. But I think people should really look at, look at what you're doing. And, and then the story goes on a little bit. So you play your time in Vancouver and then you get picked up by Washington Capitals and, and then you played there for a little bit and then, you know, you could share a little bit about how that worked out.

Yeah, no, I mean, and that was the thing. Like I made the NHL and I became a regular. But yeah, the injuries just like I had, I had my shoulder reconstructed the one year, so I missed most of that year and then was just starting to get a regular in Washington and then I, I Got hit from behind and end up with a bad neck injury and had to get a C spine. Fusion, you know the one. I don't know if we. I'm sure you have some hockey fans that are listeners like, so the same thing that Jack Eichel's going through. I had the Fusion done and ended up not being able to come back from that. It's a. It's just a tough one, like, with the stiffness and. And then my career was over kind of in the blink of an eye. You know, five and a half years goes by quick and. And again, then that's a whole nother story. And that's like. That's sort of part two of my book is. Is what sort of happened, you know, on a personal side. Got. Got really crazy, to say the least for me. And I'll kind of maybe leave it at that. I know we've been chatting for a bit and just leave it as maybe like a teaser for some of the books.

We'll leave it at that. But you. But just looking at everything you've done and I want. This is inspirational. I've had a couple people, even coaches, say, hey, what is the mindset of a champion? I said, really? I said, it's really hard to explain. You watch guys in the playoffs and they, you know, they get a slap shot in the ankle or they're taking one for the team or doing whatever they could do. But, I mean, you're lucky you're alive. You've done something that's amazing. You're an inspiration to everybody. And I'm telling everybody, I need you to spell your name. I know how to spell it. I could even do it for you now. But if you want me to tell people to go to your website, because I want them just to watch the video. I've sent this on to a couple of my clients, and we're in the same business, which is great, too. But I sent this on and I said, I want you to watch this. I sent it to this as a hockey player. He plays for Fredonia. And I just want people. Yeah. I just want them to see people say, well, what does it take to make it? I sent it to a baseball player who I work with, and I sent it also to somebody that works at one of the major banks, three people. And they go, wow. And I've sent it on because it's not just inspirational, but it's real. So thank you so much for doing this. It's been great having you on the show to watch the video of Aaron Volpatti Go to Aaron V O L P a t t I.com watch the homepage. It's really inspiring. Aaronvol patty.com.

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