After concluding a six-year professional hockey career in 2009, Nathan Gillies sought out the opportunity to continue his involvement in the game, as an extension of ‘the dream’, by training and developing hockey players through youth hockey on-ice instruction and off-ice training.  However, after seizing an opportunity to explore a newfound passion of his; firefighting, Gillies enrolled in the customized FESTI (Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute) Program offered exclusively to current and former Members of the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA), and says it was “the best thing I ever did”.

After graduating from Union College in 2003 where he recorded 36 points in 34 games during his senior year, Gillies spent time playing in the American Hockey League with Binghamton and Bridgeport, the ECHL with Charlotte and Phoenix, and finally with Rocky Mountain in the Central Hockey League before calling it a career, and embarking on the business side of the game.

Gillies founded Drop The Puck, which encompasses on-ice training, coaching, and teaching programs, with an off-ice training component labeled Fortitude Training Inc.

While juggling the responsibilities of organizing and facilitating hockey camps, along with managing the business, Gillies put in countless hours which caused him to reflect on the importance of family and prioritizing a healthy work-life balance.

“I didn’t want to give up the dream so I thought I’d pass on the dream to kids. Although it has been successful, and there have been some highs and lows, I have learned over the last five years that although this is awesome and it’s what I love, I’m also going to need something that is more stable, secure, and actually allows me to spend time with family and not soak all my emotion and energy into something.”

Gillies realized that he needed a change of pace to fulfill the lifestyle he wanted.  “Life. It changes.  I’ve been in business for five years, with a hockey company as well as a fitness company, working 60 – 90 hours per week.  I soaked in more time, energy, and effort into starting a businesses after hockey than I did when I played the game. This is a decision for my family and I.”

Enter the FESTI Program housed at the Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Ontario which recently graduated it’s second class comprised exclusively of current and former professional hockey players.  The training involves an online component which players complete throughout the hockey season, before partaking in a challenging and rigorous 4-week on-site training program.

Gillies explains that the online coursework can be challenging, but the hardest part is just getting started. “Once you get through the things that are more exhausting and get into the tools, break and openings, ventilation and past all the difficulty of learning how to study again, you get into a rhythm.  It’s easier to do the hands on, but I like how the studying and assignments are organized into sections, so it forces you to get it done. The instructors keep it exciting in a very fun and informative environment. A lot of action. They hold you accountable on a daily basis.”

For hockey players, there is an emphasis on camaraderie amongst teammates, and in many cases, players have a difficult transition to their post-playing careers as it can be difficult to adjust to an office setting or a career change. “The feeling of being in it to win it as a team drew me to do this as a job. There’s nothing else I want to do. With the firefighting, I’ll be able to go into the hall and talk to all the guys like they’re my best buds, and talk to them like they’re my team.” 

“The great thing about this program is the team environment; it forces you to be competitive and you learn faster”, says Gillies. “It’s hands on, which we all love. In a classroom setting, I think you would feel individual successes, but we thrive in a team environment, so being with the all guys and doing everything together drills out those inhibitions and feels like our natural environment.”

Pursuing a career in firefighting, while cutting back his hours dedicated to his hockey and fitness businesses will hopefully allow Gillies to dedicate more time to his family. What he didn’t know going into the FESTI program is just how much he would enjoy the training. “It’s my family that motivates me. Just realizing that I want to be a great Dad. Now that I have a kid, it entirely changes my perspective. That was pretty well the deciding factor to join this course. It was the best thing I ever did.”

As he approaches the next step in pursuing his passion, Gillies looks to sign on with his next team and round out his resume towards securing a full-time firefighting job. Now that he has completed the FESTI program, he will undergo mental, physical, and psychological testing.

What separates Gillies, and other hockey players who have partaken in the FESTI program or are pursuing firefighting, however, is their unique community service efforts while playing professional hockey. “We have a lot of stuff that we can put on our resume like community service and hospital visits from playing pro,” explains Gillies. “You’re basically improving your community, so those are all important bullet points on the resume and are check marks in the application process. The more check marks you get, the better chance you have to secure an interview.”

Although he is six years removed from his playing days, Gillies knows that the transition to retirement can be difficult for hockey players. He encourages other players, whether it be former teammates, opponents, or others in the hockey community to pursue the FESTI Firefighting program through the PHPA, as he feels players would significantly benefit, not only professionally, but personally. “It’s unbelievable. This program is second to none. For us, as hockey players, this is exactly how we’ve always lived our life. I don’t think there would be anything else to substitute that.  Working a desk job would make some guys go crazy.”  

Larry Downes, the PHPA Career Enhancement Program (CEP) Coordinator applauds Gillies’ efforts.  “Nathan is a classic example of transferring the essential skills he learned in his pro hockey career to a viable second career,” said Downes.  “The CEP recognized that firefighting and other community service occupations would be appealing to professional hockey players because not only do they possess the necessary skills, but they tend to excel in a team environment.”

“I personally loved the experience,” added Gillies.  “As soon as I got through the first week, I honestly wanted to sign up for another month.  It was unbelievable, so much fun.”