Quinten was only three years old when his dad helped him lace up his first pair of ice skates. Two years later, he picked up a hockey stick, and the rink became his entire world. Quinten advanced through the hockey ranks. He was drafted to the Ontario Hockey League in 2022, spent a season playing in the U.S., and returned to Canada to join the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League. With every move, his parents were right there beside him.
By the time Quinten started thinking about life after hockey, a lot had changed, but his family’s support stayed the same. With that encouragement, Quinten shifted his focus to the trades.
Now, college is also part of that support network. Through the Construction Techniques – Plumbing - 584 program, Quinten is putting the discipline he gained on the ice into practice, and his enterprising approach is already taking shape.
“You can’t control everything, but you can control how hard you work,” says Quinten, recalling his dad’s most memorable piece of advice. “I’ve taken that into me being at Mohawk every day. I can control how attentive I am, how hard I’m working. And that’s been huge for me.”
Gaining confidence through industry-led training
With that attitude, Quinten has approached postsecondary education with focus, honing the skills that will guide his future in the trades.
The one-year Plumbing program introduces students to the first level of the trade’s in-school curriculum. Through industry-led learning, they work with essential tools, become familiar with best practices and explore opportunities within the field.
For Quinten, the program suits his learn-by-doing style. While he takes pride in the technical skill set, it’s the professionalism he’s developing that stands out the most.
“I’ve learned how to work with purpose, manage my time effectively, and take pride in doing things the right way,” he says. “The hands-on environment has allowed me to develop real skills while understanding what it takes to succeed in a professional setting. Overall, Mohawk has helped me build confidence in my abilities and prepared me for the next step in my career.”
A clear focus
Inspired by his dad, who owns a promotional products business, Quinten wants a career that will eventually lead to running his own company. To get there, he’s focused on securing an apprenticeship to gain hands-on industry experience. Mentorship is also a key part of the journey—something familiar after years of guidance from his hockey coaches.
“I’m hoping I can learn from a mentor who can push me day in and day out,” he says. “I’ve been used to that with the coaches I've had growing up. I think that’s moulded me into the person I am. [I’m looking for] a mentor who has high standards as well for me to reach.”
Quinten’s drive isn’t just about ambition. It’s also shaped by one of the hardest moments of his life: losing his brother. That experience changed how he looks at life and gave him a stronger sense of purpose. Going through loss taught Quinten resilience, and why it’s important to make the most of every opportunity, including the chance to expand his skills at Mohawk College and work toward a future he really cares about.
His brother’s memory and the desire to make his brother and entire family proud continue to motivate Quinten as he pursues his goals.
“I think [it’s about] building a life where I can give back to my family for the sacrifices they’ve made for me,” he sums up.
Published January 7, 2026
