Mitlin Money Mindset®
Building Champions On and Off the Ice with Gordie Stafford
Key Takeaways
- The transformative lessons sports teach and their relevance to life
- His philosophy of nurturing both athletic skill and personal character in young athletes
- The evolving opportunities in women's hockey and his role in paving the way for players
- How fostering gratitude, joy, and resilience shapes success on and off the ice
- The critical role of mentorship and creating an environment of mutual growth for students and coaches
Meet the Guest
Gordie Stafford
Gordie Stafford, born in Banff, Canada, signed with the Edmonton Oilers after three seasons in the Western Hockey League. During his eight-year professional hockey career, primarily with the Milwaukee Admirals, he earned a degree in Secondary Education and a master’s in Educational Psychology.
He began teaching and coaching at Marquette University High School before coaching the St. Albert Saints in Canada. Since 2000, Stafford has been at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Minnesota, where he became Girls’ Hockey Director and Prep Coach in 2004. Under his leadership, the program has won 17 national championships, including 10 by the Prep team.
Stafford has guided players to Olympic competition, Division I success, and prestigious honors like the Patty Kazmaier Award. Inspired by his work, he pursued a PhD (ABD) in Sports Psychology. Married for 40 years, he is a proud father and grandfather. His son, Drew, had a 14-year NHL career.
Show Notes
What does it take to create champions both in sports and life?
For Gordie Stafford, it’s a blend of discipline, teamwork, and a lifelong passion for mentorship.
In this episode, Larry Sprung sits down with Gordie Stafford, Girls Prep Head Coach and Director of Girls Hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary’s.
Gordie touches on how hockey can instill life skills, the importance of developing good character, and fostering a winning mindset. From shaping the next generation of female hockey stars to his enduring love for teaching English, Gordie shares his reflections on making a difference through sport and education.
Resources
Learn more about Larry Sprung's book, "Financial Planning Made Personal."
The JOY and Productivity Journal by Lawrence Sprung
JOYful Finances for Couples
About the Podcast
Welcome to Mitlin Money Mindset®️! With your host, Larry Sprung, CFP®️, Founder and Wealth Advisor at Mitlin Financial Inc®️. With over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur in the financial services industry, Larry thrives to help you achieve your goals while finding JOY in the journey.
Each week, he’ll go deep with engaging guests who provide tangible takeaways and a whole lot of JOY along the way. Here, we don’t just talk about money; we celebrate it as a catalyst for JOY and possibility. Whether you’re saving for the future, planning your next big adventure, or just looking to add some spark to your daily money management, you’re in the right place.
We hope you enJOY these conversations as much as Larry enJOYed having them. And remember to ask yourself, what did you do today that brought you joy?®️