泊樂娛樂城app

If you were one of the 11 million unique Canadian viewers who watched the Masters Tournament you might have seen a unique set of shoes dawned by famous lefty Phil Mickelson.

The three-time Masters Champion and six-time Majors Champions wore custom Nike Jordan 1 Low shoes with custom colors, graphics and artwork, designed by former 泊樂娛樂城app (泊樂娛樂城app) student-athlete James deVos.

鈥淭he shoes were inspired by Phil鈥檚 victories at Augusta in 2004, 2006, and 2010 鈥� one of which I remember vividly watching when I was five years old,鈥� said deVos. 鈥淭hey also pay tribute to Augusta鈥檚 roots, being built on the former Fruitland Nurseries, famous for its exotic plants. That floral legacy still lives on in every azalea, magnolia, and camellia across the course.鈥�

Originally from Vanderhoof, BC, deVos played in the 泊樂娛樂城app with Okanagan Hockey Academy (OHA) from 2014鈥�2017. deVos hockey career ended after the 2016/17 泊樂娛樂城app season and his future seemed uncertain.

鈥淗ockey had been such a big part of my life for so long that when it came time to step away, I honestly didn鈥檛 know what was next,鈥� said deVos. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have a clear plan, but what I did know is that a good start would be to study business but it wasn鈥檛 a passion. I still had that drive in me for something new, I just needed to find the right outlet.鈥�

That outlet would come while pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Dalhousie University, majoring in accounting. deVos started experimenting with sneaker concepts in his spare time. It started small, but he quickly realized he loved the process of creating something from scratch, and turning an idea into a final product. 鈥淚t gave me a similar sense of purpose and challenge that hockey once did.鈥�

deVos first project was in 2020: a pair of custom Vans for a local board short/clothing brand, in exchange for free clothes, an offer he couldn鈥檛 refuse as a broke university student. While deVos has a 鈥�9-to-5鈥� at Marsh & McLennan Companies in the Captive Insurance sector, he鈥檚 been building his brand by networking through social media and taking on custom work for clients ranging from small businesses to professional athletes.

Along with Mickelson, deVos has created shoes for some notable people including rapper Mike (formerly Mike Stud), PGA Pro Max Homa, social media personality, podcaster, and entrepreneur, Jeff Wittek, writer and member of the 鈥榁log Squad鈥� Toddy Smith, Founder and CEO of 鈥楲.A.B. Golf鈥� Sam Hahn, founder of 鈥楩ull Wedge Golf鈥� Andrew McClelland, and Founders of Neighbourhood Creative and hosts of the 鈥楶odcast Money Buys Happiness鈥� Ernesto Gaita & Anthony Sorella.

鈥淭his project was a major milestone in my sneaker journey. Everything had to come together perfectly 鈥� late nights, last-minute tweaks, tight shipping deadlines. And even with all of that, there was still no guarantee they鈥檇 actually be worn,鈥� added deVos. 鈥淔ast forward, and not only did that dream come true 鈥� it happened with Phil Mickelson, one of the greatest to ever play the game wearing one of my designs at the biggest golf tournament in the world.鈥�

deVos is one of the many 泊樂娛樂城app student-athletes who have found success outside of the game, reaching new found hopes and dreams they may not have had as they developed and grew within the league, both on and off the ice.

鈥淚 played on four different teams during my three years there, bouncing around between teams, and eventually working my way up to the top U18 Prep team. That journey taught me a lot about perseverance. Those lessons have stuck with me and helped shape who I am today, both personally and professionally. Everyone defines success differently, and OHA helped me build the foundation for my version of it,鈥� remarked deVos. 鈥淭he work ethic I developed through sports helped me stay consistent, but more importantly, hockey gave me the confidence to connect with people and the ability to market myself 鈥� mostly by letting my work speak for itself. That mindset made the transition feel natural, even if it wasn鈥檛 the path I expected.鈥�

deVos career path has taken him on a journey he didn鈥檛 imagine as he pursued his hockey dreams at OHA and in the 泊樂娛樂城app. Today he resides in Oahu, Hawaii and mentioned a big perk of his job was connecting with like-minded individuals and learning from people who鈥檝e found success in their fields.

鈥淔or those kids in the 泊樂娛樂城app or other leagues, always remember: hockey is something you do 鈥� not who you are. It doesn鈥檛 define your identity. There will come a day when you hang up the skates regardless of what level you make it too, and that transition can be tough and one can almost feel lost 鈥� it definitely was that for me, more than I expected but it鈥檚 okay to feel that way. But my advice: find something else you love, and chase it. I know it sounds clich茅, but it鈥檚 a cliche for a reason. Whether it鈥檚 within the hockey world or a totally different space 鈥� if you apply the same work ethic and dedication you brought to the sport, you鈥檒l find success in whatever path you choose.鈥�

In terms of chasing his own dreams, in the short-term, deVos wants to keep creating custom sneakers for people who inspire him 鈥� whether that鈥檚 athletes, entrepreneurs, musicians, comedians, or creators, all while continuing to grow his brand and continue developing relationships in the golf and hockey industries, especially with the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the NHL.

Long-term, deVos would love to grow his brand into a full-time business and eventually work for himself 鈥� doing what he鈥檚 passionate about every day.

While deVos continues to build a career that would allow him to work for himself, he noted he couldn鈥檛 have done this alone.

鈥淔irst and foremost, my family 鈥� my dad Pete, mom Dy, and brother Andrew. Their support and sacrifices have meant everything, especially since I left home at 18 and moved across the country 鈥� and eventually across the world. That distance hasn鈥檛 been easy. I鈥檇 also like to thank my coaches from OHA, Jason Becker, Craig Bedard, Robert Dirk, Stu Barnes, Kip Noble, and Dixon Ward.鈥�

鈥淎nd last but absolutely not least 鈥� my girlfriend and best friend Samara. She鈥檚 been with me through it all: celebrating the wins, helping me through the losses, brainstorming ideas, and reminding me to enjoy every moment. To live in the present. Her support and continued belief in me have been truly meaningful,鈥� added deVos.

For those looking to follow deVos on his journey, you can do so through his Instagram (@jamesdeVos), YouTube (James DeVos) and website (https://deshoechef.com/).