“You don’t need permission to be great. You just need the courage to be real.”
—Walter Aguilar

April 12, 2025. A date that will be forever etched in Tommy Budnick’s heart. That was the day he got the call most young hockey players only dream about. The general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins offered him a contract to play for their AHL farm team, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Here’s the part that hits deep: it happened on the anniversary of his grandfather’s passing, who was a big supporter of his hockey dream. That wasn’t just a coincidence. That was life reminding him that every hard moment, every small effort, and every conscious choice along the way mattered.

But let’s rewind for a minute. Tommy’s story didn’t begin with headlines or hype. It started in cold rinks, early mornings, long drives, and a whole lot of heart. He began in U-12 AA hockey. No fanfare. Just raw effort. He didn’t just play the game. He competed with something extra, something you can’t teach. That edge moved him quickly into AAA and set the tone for everything that followed.

His family saw that spark early on. They poured into him. From standing rink side through freezing mornings to being the voice in his ear reminding him of who he was when things got hard, they showed up. Always. Not because it was easy, but because the dream was real, and they believed in it as much as he did.

At 15, Tommy was drafted to the OHL by the Kingston Frontenacs. Big moment, right? But then the world shifted. COVID turned everything upside down. As a rookie on a team stacked with veterans, Tommy barely got on the ice, just three to seven minutes a game. However, he didn’t pout. He didn’t point fingers. He put his head down and worked hard. By the end of the season, he had earned an average of 18 to 20 minutes a night. That kind of growth doesn’t come from talent. It comes from grit.

The pandemic interrupted his next season, which was his draft year. No combine. No eyes on him. He went undrafted. The year after that, a couple of serious injuries held him back again. He still couldn’t show the hockey world his best. Only having played 16 games that season, he was passed over. No draft. No contract. He was then traded to Guelph Storm the next season.

This is the point where most players start to fade out, but not Tommy.

His mom, with the kind of love and awareness only a mother has, brought in someone who could help: mental performance coach Walter Aguilar. Walter specialized in helping athletes understand the deeper connection between mind, energy, and performance. Tommy wasn’t so sure at first. He was skeptical but open to it. However, over time, the work started to stick. He began to realize the real battle wasn’t with coaches or injuries. It was with himself. He learned about the 7 levels of energy that affect performance. His self and outer awareness increased. He learned how to manage his thoughts, energy, and ultimately his performance.

Those realizations and shifts changed everything.

Tommy stopped trying to be what he thought others wanted. He decided to be unapologetically himself. That one profound mind shift—leaning fully into who he truly is without holding back—was the turning point.

Shortly after, he was traded to the Brantford Bulldogs. New team. New opportunity. The coach and GM sat him down and told him why they traded for him and to just be himself. To let that competitive fire loose. Don’t hold anything back. They truly had his back, and Tommy was inspired.

Tommy took off. The Bulldogs surged from fifth place all the way to becoming a playoff contender. His game leveled up because he was finally showing up as the real him, no mask, no fear, no playing small. He was demonstrating complete belief and effort. He inspired his teammates and became a fan favourite.

What makes Tommy’s story even more powerful is what he did off the ice. While playing high-level Junior A hockey, he juggled five university-level courses. He maintained a 3.85 GPA and received the OHL Roger Neilsen recipient award as the scholastic player of the year. That speaks volumes. It shows this young man doesn’t cut corners. He gives 100 percent to whatever he commits to: school, hockey, growth, and life. In addition, his faith in God created in him an unwavering sense of purpose that kept him humble and focused through it all.

When that offer came from Pittsburgh, on the same date his grandfather passed, it wasn’t just a contract. It was a message. A reminder that nothing goes unseen. That the small things matter. Staying true to yourself and trusting the process can lead to unexpected and beautiful outcomes.

To every young player reading this, hear me clearly.

It’s not about being the most talented kid in the room. It’s about being the most authentic version of yourself on and off the ice.

It’s not about having the perfect path. It’s about having a meaningful one.

It’s not about trying to please everyone. It’s about finding the courage to be exactly who you are, no filter, no apologies.

Your story, just like Tommy’s, is still unfolding. The moment everything will begin to change is when you stop chasing approval and start owning who you are.

If you are struggling with this, reach out to me, Walter Aguilar. I can support you in developing a success formula and blueprint to navigate your own unique hockey journey.