In February 2025, Nick had a chance meeting with Luc Tardif, the President of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Nick explained the work ReTribe was doing with a growing group of players in the United Kingdom. Luc listened, paused, and said, “Nick, you are doing what we are not doing.
”That moment changed everything.
Following that conversation, Nick was invited to speak at two major IIHF World Championship events.First came the Women’s World Championships in České Budějovice, where Nick delivered a session for the Women’s Leadership Seminar.
Speaking to the national team captains, he explored the idea of leading from the middle with integrity. The session focused on self-awareness, values, and the pressure of being the connection between coaches and players. It was very well received and sparked meaningful conversations about culture and leadership in the women’s game.
Nick was then invited to the Men’s World Championships in Stockholm to deliver a presentation to 250 coaches from around the world at the IIHF Coaching Symposium. The session was titled Not Softer, Stronger, Coaching the Full Spectrum of Human Performance.
In that presentation, Nick introduced the principles of Tough Through Tender and showed how balance in the changing room can elevate performance. He challenged some of hockey’s long-held traditions and explored how resilience, vulnerability, accountability, and compassion all contribute to the full spectrum of human performance.
The message landed. Coaches left the room with a different perspective on how to support their athletes as whole human beings, not only as performers.Since those two events, Nick has taken Luc Tardif’s words seriously. He has continued to meet with federations, teams, and leaders to share what ReTribe is building and to help shape healthier, more human-centred environments across the sport.
ReTribe’s work with the IIHF marked the beginning of a wider cultural shift that is now gaining momentum across the hockey world.