Michael Chao: Building Pickleball in Canada & Owning a Pro Pickleball Team

And welcome back to another episode of the PALS podcast. I'm your co-host Ricky Liordi and unfortunately today We did not have Danny in the studio. Danny is studying for her exams She's got a crazy December lined up between work exams and Danny. We wish you all the best She had a little bit of a slip up at home Which we'll obviously talk about and I don't mean slip up metaphorically. I mean a literal slip up where she almost broke her face I'll let Danny tell that story when she's back on in the new year But today we had a great episode. We had our pal Michael Chao on Michael Chao is a pro pickable player Also the owner of the northern lights the APA Canadian circuit and grand view pickleball club up in new market We try to all things pickleball so if you like pickleball this episode is for you if you don't like pickle It's still fun episode where you get to get an inside or a behind the scenes look at pro pickleball in Canada And what it entails and what pickleball is all about because it's the fastest growing sport in North America We all obviously know that but have you ever seen a behind the scenes like kind of long format talk about pickleball I know George and I have spoken about it on this podcast in the past But now it's nice to see an outsider coming in and while he is a rival and a fellow competitor We are also pals and we are friends off here So Chao love you buddy great job great having you and we will see you next time and for those listening if you enjoy this Share this with your friends send it to your best pickleball friend and let's fucking go All right, we have our biggest guest yet Michael Chao owner of the APA Canadian newly branded the Canadian Circuit owner of Grand Hill Grandview Grandview Pickable Club and most importantly one of the owners of the Northern Lights Pickable Club or Pickable Team That's me welcome Chao I'm not gonna lie you're probably one of the guests I'm most excited for because I know we're gonna talk a lot of shit this episode But before we do tell everyone how you guys started pickleball because you're like an OG pickleball guy You've been around for like almost 10 years. Yeah, no. I first started pickleball back in 2015 so literally 10 years literally 10 years It's crazy because I thought about it the other day. I was like I'm 30 now. I'm thinking wow I started pickleball when I was 20 years old that means I've been playing pickleball for one third of my life That's actually wild absolutely. So there's crazy actually the first time I was actually introduced to pickleball It's actually back in 2009 because every day after schools over we'll always go to a local community center And then before we started playing basketball and all that we see the local seniors play pickleball We always under what that was It's fucking crazy. Yeah, are you always good or like did you get like did you actually have to train hard to become good? To become really good you have to definitely have to train a good drill certain shots But like oh when I first started playing in 2015 was actually because I had a knee injury from basketball So I started working at a local community center a new market called the Magnus Center Right and then I will at first I wanted to be a gym honor for basketball and then they said that spots taken So you have to do pickleball like pickleball You want me to be involved in pickleball? And then I'm thinking know what I got paid a bill so I started doing pickleball and The first month or two I was like, this is really boring. I'm not really interested to be honest with you and then one of our friends Her name is actually Susan Ross. I coach her son call in in basketball and I saw her there and she actually taught me how to play and Ever since that day, I was like wow, this is actually a really fun sport Fuck that's how that's how you're sure I didn't know you're starting to pickleball accidental. Yeah, it's crazy Fuck yeah, you know my mind's crazy. I had that exact same for the first time I ever played was down in Florida where Lane and Frank They go come come play. I'm not playing pickball like I just ran a marathon. I'm not fucking playing pickleball I'm too athletic. I'm too fucking fit for the shit And then I got my ass pulled by like an 80 year old Florida man and I became hooked and that was my start It's crazy. So actually how I first like really gone to pickleball was okay. So when I learned the game They always asked me to play. I'm like, yeah, sure. I'll join them and I'm always being up on all these seniors And then a few months later comes by We have some tennis guys come in right and a big shout to Chris you who I still play with so today They came in and I taught them rules of pickleball They loved it and then a month later when they got really good. They challenged me to a game So I'm thinking huh these old guys want to challenge me to a game. Let's do it And I started playing against them and I absolutely got whoop because they're doing all these shots called a third shot drop These dinking and every time I try to speed up the ball all they do a dodge and like wow I'm really losing to these guys right so I was absolutely embarrassed and that night I went home due to how to play real pickleball and it showed me okay put the ball in the kitchen and They won't be able to attack certain balls. I'm like wow. That's crazy I think that's how it goes exactly. I feel like everyone's got a story like that I'm sure Geo's got a story of how he got into like Andrew same thing his parents got Andrew into it But it's funny how like when did you meet like guys like Cory and Rob Cory and Rob those guys actually No, I consider OG and pickleball before COVID actually. Yeah, that's a good way to put it Mm-hmm. I count mode over and that's so they're pretty cold. Those guys are OG's right anything after COVID I don't consider OG just cuz like Yeah, more Clementsons definitely OG as well Graham Hillier. Yeah, Graham Ryan Bowler's in the world, right? So yeah, who's the guy that runs the other big pickleball circuit Ryan? Ryan Haynes. Yeah, he's been around for Yeah, I think the first tournament I ever played in was a Ryan hands. It's turned out to work him Yeah, no, he ran he runs really good tournaments and before COVID He was one running tournaments camp Taylor as well. So I always play in those tournaments, right? So when did you or when maybe not when why did you start the APA for the and tell the people who don't know what the AP is? Yeah, the APA stands for the Association of Pickball Athletes I first started it back in 2024, but my first ever pickball term I ever ran with actually 2017 in Newmarket and Magna Center. I know it's crazy, right? I only had 20 people signed up I only had like a certain amount of divisions, right and it was a good time. I got two divisions Mm-hmm. You got over it over 3.5 and under 3.2 exactly and I only did one tournament just cuz I worked the community at the community center and The seniors wanted a termist all day. Yeah, let's give it a try and then at the time I was really heavily still involved in basketball so my focus was getting my basketball leaves and the teams I was coaching Focus on that. Do you still play basketball? I still play a little bit. I'm looking to get back into it just cuz like Still a good hobby is a good way to stay in shape. So it's good. What do you like better pickleball or basketball now? I definitely like pickable more the communities better and I breathe pickleball now, right? You're so intertwined in pickleball. You own a part of a team, you own a facility and you have arguably the biggest tour in the country What's your end goal then end goal like in 10 years? Where do you see yourself? That's a very good question, but if I'm gonna be real with you in 10 years I don't see myself being involved in pickleball no more really. Okay, that's the first hot take of the fucking episode First hot take child is not gonna be involved. Okay, so what are you doing in 10 years? Oh in 10 years operating we're 20 35 Yeah, hold them like closer. Yeah 2035. What are you doing? What are you doing? Definitely don't see myself in the pickleball scene no more. I see myself take on new business adventure But I also own a marketing company causes you advertising and marketing where we do event marking all across the GTA area. So I see myself still working in that space and other than that, it's I'm not too sure. Do you still see yourself in sports? Like you were in basketball first now you're you were a little bit into basketball now you're heavy into pickleball That's that's that's a good question if I see a new sport that's growing and I want to take part in it like I tried paddle for a bit I really liked it at the beginning, but it doesn't have the same love that I had for basketball and pickleball Do you okay? So let me ask you this because we get some hot takes here too. Where do you think like? Paddle is going to grow into in North America as opposed to pickleball so we know pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America But paddle in Europe is the fastest growing sport, right? So where do you see paddle evolving in the North American market? I definitely do see paddle growing because I recently There was a facility in Oakville that opened up called Core X and they have over 10 pickleball I'm sorry 10 paddle courts and they're one of the biggest in the country I do think it's going to keep growing but it'll never grow at the same rate as pickleball just because It takes up so much more space and the community and pickleball just much bigger and easier to learn an easier to play. I 100% agree with you. I think paddle is going to grow and I think the reason it grew in in Europe so much is because Europe as a continent is just so much more fit than North America like you can't have and I mean this nice like the Ryan Haynes is of the world Plane paddle, right? It's just it's so much more of it physically demanding sport Where's like Ryan Haynes is a fucking sick pickleball? 100% you know, I mean and you looked at him. You wouldn't think he would be a fucking sick pickleball player, but he dominates Right, so like and you know people like my mom and dad who you know aren't the most athletic people and they're you know on North side of 50 They can still play pickle on having a good exciting matches. Right. Whereas I in paddle. It would be so hard It wouldn't be as exciting. You'd be surprised like someone like Corey Osborne is really good at pickleball Yeah, and he's actually really good at paddle as well, so But you know what Corey? I've said this to him Corey. If you're listening, we love you, but I would love to see what Corey would have been like at pickleball when he was our age if he was like 30 Probably still a treasure as he is now. No, I think legit. I think he'd be one of the best players in the country if he was 30 No, I guess you know if he started this early and said a racket ball or something or pickleball was the racket ball back then because his hands are great And for a little bit of a heavier guy he moves so well It's absolutely insane like Corey if you're watching us. I love you, buddy Like you're one of my favorite players in the league. I speak more highly, but you know this fucking guy No, no child. Who's your favorite in Canada? Who's your favorite pickleball player? Who's my favorite pickleball player in Canada? Can't say yourself. That's a very good question Two one of the favorite guys I always grew I love watching I grew up watching him since he was a kid Louis Charles From Montreal, you forget how young he still is. It's crazy. I always thought he was like 2728. No, he's like 22 23 He's crazy. He's one of my favorite players to watch the what the things he can do on the core I tried to copy some of his tricks and all that so I'll probably go with L.C. for sure. Shut up. Munchy Alliance I'll really try back to back champs. Louis Charles. He cleans up at your tournaments, too I feel like every tournament he plays and like he won the triple crown and the Ottawa In Ottawa, he wants singles men's and mix, so that was a pretty and that was one of us. She or big tournaments Yeah, 400 people or something. Yeah, we have 500 players and a pro division one of the most stack pulls we've ever had I just want for him to get a triple crown pretty incredible for sure So if you're not going to be doing pickleball in 10 years, let's start with APA Where do you see the APA growing to and in let's say five years? Do you think you're still going to run it or are you going to kind of grow it? Sell it? What's your your long-term strategy with APA? That's a good question APA is definitely going to be running for 100% It's gonna keep growing until the end of times and then I was just named Tiffany Owl that works for me I can definitely see Tiffany taking over the operations and being the CEO of it and all while I walk away from it Yeah, that's good. That's that's nice. That's nice that you're aware enough because yeah, Tiff does a great job, Bruno So I feel like Tiff works more of those events than you actually do like you're the face behind it But every time I see her there 24/7 just clocking an hour So sure for sure she works hard, so that's why she's part of her board of directors She's our chief of mark chief. What is she marketing officer? Yeah How'd you start the APA? You just like fall into it or? So I ran my first term in 2017. Yeah, I market Markville 20 people. Yeah, back in Newmarket in the magna center and at that time I was like, yeah, I'm not sure if I can keep growing. Yeah, like it was fun. Okay, we only had 20 people and then It was actually during COVID where I was actually not making any money I had to work in real Canadians Superstore begging groceries and all that and during that time in COVID was a tough time for me, so that's when I put all my mind to it And I'm like, no, what when we do after COVID, right? What's going to explode? And I'm thinking, no, what? Pickable term is might be the future Right, so I saw that in that market and then When COVID finished, I ran my first term in 2021 Determine was called the World Cup and how I did the Royal Cup or the World Cup? The Royal Cup and then all my tournaments, my formats and everything I did was just on Pieces of paper cardboard and we had over a hundred people signed up and Yeah, it was really fun and then I kept doing that in 2022 and then my first indoor tournament after COVID was actually at high sports Sheldon to Alex Another OG pickleball guy I started running tournaments there and that's when I'm like, no, what? In 2024, I got to have a circuit You run, I arguably the tightest ship when it comes to people I don't answer a lot of tournaments anymore because one, you don't get the schedule to the Monday of And then if you play out Thursday, what if you play at noon and it's a four hours to play four matches You're like, fuck this or four games. Sorry Yours, you know, if you're playing three games, you know you're gone in two hours unless you make the medal round Which then you don't mind staying but you run a tight fucking ship And that's why I think so many people play your tournaments because they know exactly what to expect definitely so actually So when I ran my first tournament in 2017 and in 2021 My tournaments weren't perfect So and one of the biggest things in terms that people complain about is the wait times being too long kind of thing and I decided to know what Me and my team we made an algorithm for the pickleball schedule that really works to our favor now So yeah, no, no one really knows about our algorithm It'll die with me for sure All right pickleball, I'll take number two No, but you run a tight ship. I think you have I think you have it down to a science in terms of it Maybe it's your algorithm or how many players you got how many courts you got and like again I've never waited more than 30 minutes between games at one of your tournaments like yeah One of our bigger complaints these days our tournaments are That are she our tournaments like are going too fast people's like all we need more of a break in between games Michael This is going too fast. I don't know. Okay, or maybe. Oh delay. Well, how do you how do you handle that then if you get like I'm assuming you don't get much negative feedback because a lot of people keep playing your tournaments But have you ever had negative feedback and how'd you handle it? Oh, yeah, we definitely had a negative feedback because like There'll be times what what's your negative feedback like uh the thing is so our past like three four tournaments Uh each tournament we actually had a court that were able to be used for a few hours because like a vrain or two slippery So we have to work around the schedule and we had to tell people hey guys Uh work behind one court, but we do what the best we can to keep the schedule on on track, right? And then just gonna be patient kind of thing, right? And then uh if my tournaments ultimately the wait time are way too long And even I think it's too long. I'll just offer them a refund, right? Just go to do what they got Again, I've played probably four of your tournaments maybe five of your tournaments in the last year and a half and I don't think I've ever I've ever been there more than three hours even the tournaments. I've metaled that And that's what you want you all like again as much as we all love sitting around making friends in the pickleball community I don't want to spend six hours out of venue to play one fucking definitely unless you're the pro division Pro division for some reason they love the double elimination format and that takes forever And then I offer to do a round robin for them, but they're like no, we want to double elimination Actually, it's fun one negative thing I hear about your terms. You don't have enough women pro women singles, right? That's the only thing I ever hear. Yeah, that's the thing. It's funny because like I should have a lot of a woman's singles player asking Hey, Mike, why don't you ever have a woman's singles division? I want to play Oh, well you girls need to take an initiative. So one person signs up so one else will see and they'll grow and grow, right? We want a woman's singles pro division next year and we want more women's pro doubles team, right? We love watching you guys play you guys are great players and the can of scene for women is just Drawing bigger and bigger, right? What's what's your favorite? Like this would be fun to get geomike them to what's your favorite? Get them like dope. Yeah. Yeah. What's your favorite division to watch or your favorite event to watch out of the six or I guess five My favorite division to watch so men's singles women's singles men's doubles women's doubles mix doubles I guess my favorite division to watch would be mix because you just get the best of both worlds You get the women's playing you get the men's playing you got the top players both in the playing So I guess mix for sure see there's something about women's I just love watching like men I just think all the men are so powerful especially at the pro level that if the balls in the air It's done the game the the points over where it's like women's it's like not necessarily You know, I mean sometimes you're like all the balls in there. Okay. Like the jadas and the and so off Yeah, they're gonna put it away But like sometimes the balls in there and you got some of these other women. We're saying okay It's not a guaranteed point over right? No, 100% not but I love watching mix just because like There's so much bickering on the core of the partners fighting each other and just I like the spacing depending on how players play exactly exactly some players Will let the partner take more and some doesn't like that. So I love it. What was your favorite to play my favorite to play? Uh, my favorite play is definitely men's doubles. I'm sure. Yeah. Are you a right side player left side player? To be honest, I'm on both side of players. So whatever that was just so good. Whatever the player needs kind of thing I feed off my partner. If you need to play on the left, he plays on the left. He needs to play on the right I'll play on the right kind of thing. If you need me to soften my game. I'll soften my game. Whatever it takes And who's your favorite player to play with? My favorite player to play with. Oh my god. There's so many One of my favorite was actually Snayha Iyer. She was actually my last one of my last mix pro partners and playing with her It's great. So actually solid. She's solid. Yeah, let's jump into what we'll get back to APA after. Let's jump into the Northern Lights CMP. So obviously you were one of the new GM's last year. You guys had a third place finish solid finish. You did a great job You were one of the hottest and coldest teams of the year. I definitely agree with you on that. Okay, so run us through how you picked your team Because you had some great players on your team. You had some good picks And then give us the highs and lows of the season because obviously, you know, there were some events I think you were not defeated and other events you didn't want a single fucking Yeah, no, so when I was first approached doing a CMPL and owning a team I wasn't really too interested. I've been asking multiple people Just I just wasn't sure what was there like I'm like how am I gonna make money off this Is am I actually have a good time is too political and all that and then after your first few times I came back with a good offer. I was like know what CMPL is the pro league in Canada and what we have And we need to make it grow. I'll like know what let's give it a try And then when I first accepted and while doing this, I'll kind of regretting it a little bit 100% because Uh, it's just so so political It is really political and a lot of people want to I didn't know how many people really want to be part of the CMPL All right, so after I took the GM job and ownership right and coach A lot of people reached out to me wanting to play on my team and it was so hard to draft because like I have so many friends I want to play in the league so many great players, right? So it was a tough one again also running your your circuit There's a lot of people that support your circuit. It should very well in your circuit, right? So that's how like okay, well he owns a team and I play in all tournaments and I'm winning a lot of his tournaments How do you not draft someone like that exactly right and uh the talent in Canada's just keeps growing and growing because like every time I go to like Facilities there's always new players. I'm looking at like wow, where'd you come from the hell are these guys, right? So it's crazy, right so so take us through the highs and the lows of the regular season obviously I think the regular season you finish fifth they're sixth. Yeah, we finished six, but you guys again the highs and lows undefeated tournaments winless tournaments. Yeah, so our first tournament was in London, right? We had a pretty decent start. Yeah, we finished off two and four and Beats yeah, we beat you guys. You guys also beat us. Yeah, the vibes are really good Right and I like how our team was going, right and then for me, I was a rookie coach, right? So there's a lot of things for me to learn and things I could have done better If I had known certain things before, I think we probably could have done better that first event like what? You know like how the Lions officially work, how the coin toss work and what's more important playing your best team mix one first or your best team mix two First, right? So that was a really big part that now I know so good better and then uh we went to bank BC Vancouver at Bernabé at iPop for that event Our expectation what's come first and just dominate and the complete opposite happened Right You guys had a tough week a very tough week, right? A big part of that due to me kind of thing Being an owner and coach, right? And I told certain players that we're gonna do this and that and I couldn't live up to that Expectation and do it kind of thing. So that's on me for sure and then what do you started in rub? What do you think specifically was about like? Because as owners and coaches, GMs, whatever the fuck we are There's so much we can do, but there's also a lot that's not in our hands at all So the fact that you're taking responsibility I respect that that takes balls to that, but what do you think specifically about what you did? Yeah, because I actually wanted to fly out my players and take them all out early kind of thing and then Without doing any research because I actually never been to BC before and I didn't know how expensive it is out there kind of thing Right after I saw how expensive it was it was tough for me to bring them out a little earlier to do this So I definitely made a mistake on that that I'll definitely not make again And then controlling certain personalities on team, right? That's really important, right? That's an owner Okay, what's gonna work best kind of thing right? Okay, that's this person wanted hang out with us before the game or after So those are things that I looked into kind of thing and for that event we didn't do too good But it's hard because again as as owners and managers and whatever It's our responsibility to build culture It's our responsibility to make sure the players have everything they need to that they can go in there Do they can go out there and do their jobs and obviously it's hard like people think like oh You just you stand on the bench and it's like man. It's not like it is definitely there is stressful things and even myself I've been doing this this was my third full season There's still things I wish I would have done better this year and like setting expectations for players and you know People are taking time off work to train and to give it their all and to fly out to different cities early And this and that and you know, it's tough because Part of you wants to be fair and do the right thing to people But then part of you has a responsibility as an owner as a manager to do what's best for the team on the court So there's two separate ways that look at it's like it's your job as the manager to do what's best for those six players overall Whatever's the best for the majority them not for any one individual player hundred and it's so tough It's tough like I was like you look I had a shitty situation this year with one of my players Like I still I beat myself up for it all day because they didn't handle it the way I could have and I should have Right and it's something that we learn and I'm sure in three years We're gonna sit down sitting down here having the same conversation and we're gonna Continue saying how we're learning other things and maybe it's not managing people and personalities But maybe it's learning to manage. I don't know expectations differently or learning to manage our budgets and forecasting better or whatever Next season's challenges will bring um 110% gonna agree more So how'd you go from going winless in Vancouver or having a stinker in Vancouver to winning the Oakville The the metropolitan split you guys you guys were lights out. Yeah, so after our Vancouver event It was a really stressful time for me for sure because all I'm thinking is I'm blowing up this team I can't believe how bad we did Can't believe how bad job bad job. I did I just needed a week to recuperate To talk to other owners our team Jason White. Hey shout out to Jason and then After that calm down a little bit and then had a talk with my top players, right? And then Talk to them and then know what before the Oakville event the Metro split I laid out some certain ground rules. What's gonna happen going forward? And that's what I should have done from the beginning of the season Right like instead of letting my players have too much power and control. I have to remember and know what This is my team here team you're in charge. I'm the coach on the manager This is what's gonna go down after I laid out those certain rules and the players followed it That's when we got really hot. Yeah, and it helps that you have Like Joel Peltier is in my opinion one of the top Canadian 100% Joel if you're watches, but you know you know how I feel about you I think he's a fucking dog He's someone that if I'm going to war and I'm going to the trenches I got no problem going in the trenches with that fucking hundred and ten percent So night and one of the nicest guys to you two men were both Lucas Wong and I don't know Lucas as well as I know Obviously, but Joel never forget the story and I don't even know if he'll remember this in year one We're playing them in the playoffs and you know he's got the fake teeth, right? I did not know that he's got fake teeth So and he's a hockey player. He's one of the boys, right? So at one point He wasn't wearing his teeth during the game and I look at my age all look down You forgot your teeth. He looks up kind of smirks. I mean and the ref gives me a warning. Hey, hey, none of that none of that Stay quiet. I just went oh shit, right? I mean Joel weren't friends like we are now So I think I'm like you know my bad man. I didn't want you to think I'm being disrespectful I was just crying. I was like bro. I played hockey my whole like you think that effect He's like bro come at me fires me up makes me want to beat you even more. I'm like this motherfucker And Joel is one of the only guys in this league and I could say that That has our number like Ernesto and and Louis Charles a little bit have our number but Since year one jules had our number and we were fortunate enough to take them down in the finals in year one, but jules always had Him and him and Kalim one of had some good battles and he's he's he's come out on top many times 100% like I even told Joel if it was if it was one person I would take to me at a bar fight is you 100% And he's like one of the nicest guys ever too. That's not even a hot take that is just Probably well in this league as I would agree with that to you but because he's like he's so He's like a fucking you know a B like you're not worried when he floats around you know he's good He's like pollinating the flowers and he's doing great things out there But when he gets mad he pulls out that stinger. I'm like oh, fuck no, I'm staying out of the way Like he's a dog on the court too, man Like when I drafted him I didn't even have a meeting with him because he wasn't actually not even on my radar Just because he wasn't from the Toronto area because and I thought for sure He was gonna be picked up the first two or three picks and when I saw him available as my second big And the great things I heard around the league about him as a person a player out there. Yeah, there's a no brainer I remember calling him because me and him obviously spoke and we he was a huge target for us as well And we were picking I think eighth overall And I remember columns like I think I heard you were gonna draft them or another team was gonna draft them So I remember calling and I'm like hey Joel. I just want to let's jump on a call as we jump on a call my jaw I just want to tell you I got good news and bad news. He's like okay. What's up? My the great news is you're gonna be a pretty high pick Top seven probably bad news is it won't be too united right right You're gonna get swallowed up my if you're available at eight. I will probably be jumping on you But you know everything worked out you guys had a good third place for a first-time running league It was obviously great. We had a second place. So obviously we had a great great season two But yeah, it's it's those characters that make this sport like he's again salt to the earth I absolutely love my team In 2025 it's gonna be one of the greatest memories I've ever had in pickle ball It's actually one of the best times I've ever had in pickle ball, right? Never got pickle ball only like I say this for anyone listening pickle ball makes zero dollars Okay, Charles APA makes money that for sure is a little bit a little bit profitable business. He's fucking staying humble right now That makes good money The league as a whole does not make much money here like Toronto United is probably the team that generates the most amount of sponsorships And we operated at a loss this year. So there is very little Slash no money to be made in professional pickle ball currently Currently down the road. There will be money TV rights bigger sponsorship deals in the idea But it is a very tough market to work in so that being said It is arguably one of the most fun fucking things I do in my life. Oh 100% like being only in a professional sports team Although it's even just pick up on it's such a small league and in the big picture is so much fucking fun Really? It's like playing stressful the fun stressful stressful. There are some days like probably like I would love to see my heart rate during these games Like any time I'm not even on the court doing it in my heart rates like our game their finals against you guys which we should have won Oh my heart was racing that last point With Joel was just going at it against I think it was a Jordi and Matt and And we were just that one we were we were a Joel pelty put away from making the finals. Well, no You're you're a Joel pelty overhand away from making it to a dream breaker to lose to us in a dream But in the dream breaker calls made us made buddy our team Respectfully before the floor with you guys before the playoffs We went actually all in five right. I'm like wow, we're the worst singles team ever and we did what did you go five in one in dream breaker? You're right, but come playoff time We had our first dream breaker in the playoffs against London smash against one of the better dream breaker Of dream breaker teams and we took them down and I'm like what a perfect time to start winning in dream breakers And then we actually had a really good lineup setup for you guys in a dream breaker single We were prepared for that and then ultimately you never got to happen. So it's a tough one. Yeah, it's a tough one No, it's fine child. I told you this after the first event I thought you did a great job at the first event I thought you carried yourself very well I thought you handled yourself very professionally, which I generally like especially because you're a new owner And you're you're one of the younger owners in the league called space rate I think no you actually might be the youngest owner in the league maybe yeah So I thought you did a great job you handled yourself well And I'm not just saying that because you're on the camera. I told you that privately And I you know me knew we we bicker and we have our differences and we talk shit to each other But I think you're doing a great job. I think I'm learning from you learning from you I think you I'm glad you took responsibility for For Vancouver because with the team you have There's no way you should have gone that way. So I'm not saying I'm not saying I was there and I don't know the inside I'm glad you took responsibility because with your team There's no way you should have had that record if my team ever goes Oh and four in a weekend. Yeah, you can point the fingers at me because I'm doing something hundred and ten percent. But yeah, you guys caught fire at the end and again a third place finish for a new owner And the league as tough it as is now is a fucking remarkable achievement 100% and I hope you know that too Oh, thank you. Yeah, no like our team would fill exactly the way I want it, right? Like if I'm one from the first pick to a six pick exactly what we wanted like I still think we have the best How the best men's duo in the league? Lucas and Joelle they compliment each other so well on the court, right? It's debatable. But yeah, you know, look again the top three men top three four men's pairs in the league were just They really turned our nestle call spaceway those guys are fucking no like so they they're they're two to the top players in the league But not the top men's team in the league. There's a difference. It's not a hot take hot take number three of the episode Gio, we need a hot take counter on the one. So we beat Montreal the Montreal men's team every single time we played though We had the strong two would you play twice three times was it twice a three times three times Yeah, those men are still great though calls, they're great, even as a man's pairs. Yeah, they knew they could win Okay, let's looking forward into 2026 now Knowing what you know now about the league and how everything runs and obviously you're not a rookie GM anymore How do you think that's going to change your approach into 2026 and what do you plan on doing differently to go from a third place to a second or a first place? For sure, so the biggest thing I learned the league because at first when I first wanted to make a team I was thinking as much as I wanted to win at the beginning I was thinking at the same time I wanted to be a fun team as well, right? And I'm thinking know what I want all my guys from Ontario. I want all my time Guys from the Toronto ever to practice together, but that's actually not what I want no more now It doesn't matter where you're from, right? I want to build a winning team a good culture team So we're from far away. I'm so interested in a jack thing you kind of think so If my six players aren't from Ontario So it's really mandatory until be it. So be it exactly. I'll pay for the travels things like that So that's the biggest thing I learned I'm not focused on know what this person has to be from Toronto. No, not about that. I'm focused on the best fit for our team But it happens that Joel Peltiers from Alberta and our Our star girl Danielle Bosch, she'll know Danielle She could be a top female in the league coming up like guarantee it. She's from the Bradford area So I don't think she gets enough credit. No, not at all. She's a fucking athlete She is an athlete and I don't think I think just because your men were so Your your men were the focal point of your team that I think she got overlooked a little bit because she is a stud No, she she's a map. She's a goddamn boss. I'll tell you that. Yeah, she's an athlete division one volleyball player It's an absolute dog. I'm telling you Right, that's one of the reason why I brought her back, right? Because Sometimes in a CMP all I kind of think that we're sometimes too nice to each other right on the players off the course things like that But when Danielle Bosch when it came to game time Danielle Bosch like guys don't forget As much as I love all these people in the league when it's game time fuck everyone else you guys are my teammates when she set that to me I'm like, let's go. I love fucking dick. That's more than fuck. Yeah. Oh, yes I love that. I love that. What's that? What's your stress? Oh, and for those of you don't know so chau Sorry, the northern lights had the third overall pick. They traded down to seven But then moved up a few picks are probably like five picks later on in the fifth and the fourth and the fifth round as well So what's the idea behind trading down because trading down is always an interesting thing because you know The top five picks are always so valuable top three or even more valuable and you traded down What was the strategy behind that? Well for us our five and six we were pretty low picks that we finished really high At the finals, right? So we need a higher picks of my fifth and six picks are very important to me For my team culture and all that for team culture. Okay, team culture cool and Like I said, it's possible to open right and anything can happen during the season where know what injury happens that fifth and sixth player I need them to play right I need them to The finish it off the season right so that's why I wanted a higher picks there and With the rule that you can only have a americans elite one per team or sorry international players one international I know there's gonna be enough international players where they're not gonna be taken So I might be able to slide in and take them later kind thing right so I did the math on a bit But Brandon you kind of screw me over a bit doing that trade with Ricky. So So He traded down from three to seven and then I traded up from 10 to three. I have I own what is originally or sorry Tronnie United owns what is originally the northern lights third overall pick And the way the picks work for those of you at home listening Each player you resign or sign of free agency loses a pick you have to resign a minimum of one player And you can resign or sign of free agency a maximum of three players So going into the draft you can have as little as one as maximum is three Every team except two teams except three teams kept To three players and then three teams kept two players So the northern lights were the top team of the three that only kept two players. So he had the third overall pick When I saw that trade I thought found it very interesting because Now you in what would have could have got you one of arguably the best American or international men or international women Now you don't necessarily guarantee that anymore You're still gonna get a very solid international player But you might not get one of those upper echelon ones. That's what I thought was a little interesting I get it you moved up later on and you know if you think it's a deep draft Which obviously it is again with all these international players coming in and new talent You know, we've got your miracle Kowski coming into the league this year. That's a top talent You've got you know a Luis Wong is another top female coming into the league that players that weren't in you have learned damn from the states Who's coming in you've got all these other you? We've got Kelsey. We've got a Abbey Abigale Abica. What's that? She's another international woman. That's really solid We've got all these international area on a area on a no, but there's another one to another I forget her name Anyways, we got you know you got a dozen or so Top international players coming into the league. So I get it. You can still grab one later on. It's just Moving from three is is an interesting spot. Definitely But I also think because like so the northern lights are holding a CMPL draft qualify. Yeah, tell us about that because I'm curious You know what the fuck you're doing with that like you're doing a combine tournament like what is it? Yeah, so I gotta send you to the last one's not my LP event This is a draft combine like they did the first two years And I wanted this for my specifically because I know how a player plays with their friends when they bring a team in I know they were chemistry with that for me as a player I want to be able to see like for example like Lucas Wong I want to see how Lucas Wong plays with this player I want to see how Lucas Wong plays with that player and how he plays with a stronger player How he plays with a weaker player and how he's added to becomes kind of thing, right? So we want not just talented players, but we want people That can connect with other players even when they're not the greatest out there Are you are you holding like a skills competition? Are you gonna do like drills and shit? We're thinking of doing drills. We might not do that. We might just do a straight-up Just a round robin where we'll do men's games women's games makes games in some singles games as well Okay, and it would be a photo shoot and all that stuff So we want we for us. We could have interviews with all the players with most of the players anyways And we want to give everyone a shot in Canada or outside of Canada for a chance We're making a CMP. Okay. How many players you expecting? Uh, honestly, we're full right now. We have a wait list. So there's a good chance we're completely 30 people 50 people. I don't know. We're up 50 something right now. So I think I think I'm going to open up into two sessions Just give more players a chance out there for sure. Awesome. Yeah, we're excited. Okay, so let's talk dross dross dross You know what I'm saying? You got some hot talks hot takes here. What do you show? You know, I've got the third pick Who do you want? I'm going woman For sure woman. I've got three and I've told you off air. Who might you tell me now? Sure So I it's no it's I'm not hiding it. It's you know, it's fairly public knowledge I'm going to get one of the three of them almost guaranteed so we um we're in a Well, you're guaranteed to do if you want to get one of the three so I'm in a very fortunate position that we We can We're going to grab one of these right? So um, it's going to be a very It's going to be a very exciting draft, I think I've made it very clear to that the my fifth and six players are going to be very for the benefit of The team and you know, I want people with good attitude and and these people aren't going to be playing as much unless You know something happens or let's say they they catch fire and they heat up and they earn their spot My fifth and six players are going to be people who are good for the organization good for the bench But also when they jump in and they get their turn. They're ready and excited to play I want people that are going to bring big energy big smiles good attitude and people who are also friendly and good on camera too You know, we have beyond the kitchen and that's a big part of of our 100% of our of our season next year. So Um, that's what our strategy is. What's yours? Our strategy you know, just think we should probably bleep out some of those names. Just in case Just in case the owls and the and the problems listen so for us like you said We're a monopoly because like I'm not set on any picks right now just because like what the fuck does we're a monopoly mean Meaning that anyone could be picked you if I say someone now it might not even happen kind of thing because like the reason why I wanted to hold my draft combine to last one of the last days possible is because it gives them a chance to train Following up just before the draft. So I'm gonna know what This person could be ready by may Do you think the extra four weeks you're giving people is gonna make a huge difference hundred and twenty percent like look at that What's that girl hot take what's a girl named one Detroit? What's American girls named it Detroit? CV patrol. Yeah, so there's one of the reasons why we lost in Montreal Lions got actually had a really good game plan against them What I didn't know is she grew a foot over the past two months And she hit puberty and all of a sudden oh my strategy changed and her forehand was crazy. Yeah, I was not I was not expecting her to turn to Stevie man over the summer that fast so I was like Okay, so that's why so J. W. E. as well. I knew she was gonna be good Jada lights out 100% Jada you know we love you Jada You should have been on my team by the way Hot take number five. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Jada and Max figured it out together and they were lights out. I think out of the 10 our 11 matches they played between Oakville and or sorry the 12 matches they played between Oakville and London They lost maybe one or two right they were they were lights out at the end and they had beaten some really strong strong teams as well um I I get what you're saying with the Stevie patropolises of the world and the Jada booze of the world and the people who are just picking up I don't think You're four weeks now is gonna make any difference 100% is gonna make a big difference It's not just the four weeks It's also the players that are coming that are able to come in January that couldn't come in December Okay, there we go. I agree with that. I think that's a very valid point because yeah Christmas time, you know, whatever and I do think that we should have more qualifiers in November and more Combines of November and so we need more of that with owners there, right? That's what brings it players out Players don't want to do it unless owners are there washing up. That's why I want to set this up 100% you didn't ask me if I was available for but you I did you didn't I told you no, but this was after you already put our name on it You know, I tried you know, I'm like, you have an australia there, but you guys scout there We are we are going to send Jill maybe we send you maybe you're our scout you sent that random guy the first year So yeah, we did send a random guy the first year Jim here the story Some first listen to this one. Do you actually had an interview with them too? Do you know if I ever told you the story? So in year one during the qualifiers each team had to have a representative at the out of qualifier So the there was no Toronto qualifier. It was Ottawa and there was one in western Canada. Yeah, and if you didn't go You got fined right that was the the idea right 250 bucks or something 300 bucks So we it me and George had our he had had George's cousins wedding one of our other littered best friends We're in the wedding party. So there's no Getting out of this like we're in the fucking wedding party So my fuck when I'm like I call Mike and this is before me and Mike are actually friends He's like no you have to sense of those rules like can't set a bad precedent. So I'm like, okay So I called everybody I know from Ottawa nobody's available So I literally post on Instagram like does anybody know anybody in Ottawa that knows anybody anything about pickleball So some guy mess and he's like yo like I know pickleball, but I can't go on my fuck. He's like my boy can go. I'm like okay cool He said I just assumed he knew pickleball because it was his boy and he recommended his boy No, this was like a random dude that didn't know anything about pickleball She's like would you and then I sent them questions to ask people and I got the answers back and I was like bro, what the fuck dude These are terrible. This is terrible But yeah anyways, it worked out for us. We dropped it a fucking winning team Matt Calmoto and the third fucking round has got to be the steal of the CMPL history that I can agree with you on that for sure. He should have been way higher So it was we got very lucky that year anyways, but yeah, I get with what you're saying the combines. I do think are important And I do think even next year tronny night will probably host their own mini combine or mini try out or something because I want to think it's good to build the brand. It's good for the community. It's good to be Inviting these players in for these events and doing stuff 100% I think it's a very fun and exciting thing as well 100% I do think so what are you looking forward to most about next year? What am I looking for? Honestly We want one we want to win the title You should let me do you want to talk about it. We want to win a title in 2020. How do you think you win a title in 2026? How do you sit across from me and say I'm going to beat you next year? Like what's the strategy with the game plan? Well, I'm taking notes by the way That's a great question starting off with like so The resigning process was really hard right because uh one of my best friends was on the team right hitting his grand hillier So obviously having to not take him. Yeah, obviously not having being able to take him back really hurried Because one of my best buddies and I definitely still think he is still one of the most underrated player in the league It's not gonna be close, right and me and Lucas Wong Me and him became great friends and he's one of top players in the league He got picked up by the pronghorn. Yeah, the Metro split. He was uh the Metro split in Oakville, right? He absolutely killed it. He was number one, right? And I really wanted him back on our team, but It's just something hit me, right? And then I knew for sure he was I picked up anyways I knew the pronghorn's had a new management and I knew they were really interested in Lucas Wong So if I didn't take Lucas, I know he was going to go to a good place for sure Fair enough Fair enough. So let me ask you again. How do you think you beat us and the Lions and the smash and Whoever else is going to be a top team? Well, you guys you guys have the three same players Uh, we know most of your weaknesses and all that Your players can't get better don't get it wrong, but like you said, we were a peltier put away from being the singles dream breaker He gets that and things sort of gone sideways and then like I said I was Montreal. I wasn't ready for Montreal Stevie just grew a foot and that changed everything I was like we were supposed to just pick on Steve like the first time we played much y'all We just kept picking on Stevie and there was and I mean this respectfully There is no weakness in that line's team Louis Charles's 10 out of 10 or nestles 10 out of 10 and so was 11 out of 10 So the only 9 out of 10 was Stevie. Yes, so it's the only option you have yes You had to pick on Stevie and women's you had to pick on with Stevie and mix too and then you go to the tie breaker And you hopefully take them that time. That was the the only strategy is actually and then I thought so when we played a Munchy doll and Stevie grew and became a 10 out of 10 to our goal was to go to and I'll like the first two games win the women's and win the men's And then I knew we were going to win the men's we always had a strategy for Louis or nestle women's I thought we did and then Stevie just came out of nowhere. She would not in our scouting report So that one I got to take part on but next year We're gonna have we're gonna be much better. I promise you that Okay, and we we have an idea who we want to pick right but I'm leaving options open And you can't tell us because you don't pick till seven now. Uh-huh You pick what seven and ten seven something something like that. So I got two picks there So I'll keep in my options open and yeah, I'm excited. All right. All right. Who are some players that really impressed you this past season and who are some players you're excited to watch next season? One of the most impressive players was definitely Ancestry Yeah, so when she got when she first got drafted in the CMPL last year As she pulled out there to the CMPL draft I played her in a tournament. I told I told snails no way we're losing to her Right we played them we beat them up pretty good right and then to see her Her game just grow to another level and probably possibly the top female in Canada. I was like 100% is insane And Antoinetta as well. I was actually high on ancient and Antoinetta and ultimately I didn't pick her. I went with Isabelle Antoinette I can't believe how much better she got as well because like last year she was a Benchwormer on the much level, right? Yeah, but now she's one of the starry players in the league And Sof is A stud there's no taking away from her. She hits the ball hard and consistent. Oh man. She picks her corners like You know you I'm obviously biased and I love Jada and Jada's signed resigned with us and I love it You know and Sof just fucking hits the ball so smooth and crazy like it's crazy. You know and it's consistent So aside from Jada, I you know, I think and Sof is is you know right there. Yeah And so I have Jada the Ansofi Antoinetta Danielle boss. That's some of the top females. Yeah I agree with that on the let's say on the new coming side where some will do women now we're on women Then we'll go to men after who are some women you're excited to see in the league next year. Oh definitely excited to see the Louise Quang Excited to see Marie Klosski finding maker debut in the league. Yeah I think she's absolutely destroyed and we have a girl coming from New Jersey. I think to icon by Ariana Rodriguez She's gonna be one of the top females in the league. President Christina Chen also shout out to Christina Christina. We love you exactly. Yeah, but she's on Montreal. So that seems to be just as good. They were last oh this past 100% I'm also really excited to see a lot of the women who were a little bit newcomers to the league last year that You know in an offseason way where they're drilling consistently playing with really solid cult like an avica least like she's someone that You know she wasn't even full-time people. She was still doing tennis last year. Right. You know now she's got another year She's only 21 as well. I think she's 20 or 21. So she's got another year playing and she's gonna get a little bit better People like that Audrey same thing love Audrey loves watching her play and look at Tiffany hour right like I didn't think she'd be picked Oh, she didn't make the drop. Oh she didn't get dropped this year, but she got picked up by the Brewers And she won her first ever game with more Clemson, right? Yeah, so Man tough if you're listening I told him to smarten up because if he doesn't draft you, there's a chance we do So this fucking guy doesn't step up. You might fucking end up on United. You never know tough I told you I look I got my five and six picks are sorry my fifth and my six players are players that I generally love their attitude I love their energy and I love what they can bring to that are also ready to play at any notice Yeah, that's very important. Let's get on the men's side now who are some of the men you're most excited to watch next year And then we'll get into the newcomers. So I'm very excited for Joel Peltier because he's hungry Because after his first season making the finals He he loves his league. He breathes his league. He said he puts his life on a lion Well, he's the only player in this league to have a top three finish every year Yes, you're one. He finished in second. You're two. He finished in third. You're three. He finished in third Yeah, so he's hungry for a championship because We both know that if that girl doesn't go down on the Wolverine they play be holding the trophy, right? Hot take number five. You tell me you tell me. Oh, Zuko has said Zuko doesn't go down But they're probably holding a trophy. You tell me though So they're a bit of ass rigged. You know, we were up to not we were at that game, but we beat a Zuko. It was mixed It was women's we were up in that women's match. So we would have been up to nothing She got injured there. She really can't wouldn't made it come back. It's so Hot take number six here. They were the they were the most dominant team all season that you know, they weren't they were the rush were The rush rush for the Rocky the Rocky Mountain rush finished first over on they got upset by the Northern they got upset about Cory and Rob. Oh, yeah, they did right But yeah, no, I'm not taking away from the Vancouver. They were sorry the bank West Coast Wolverines, whatever they're called They were a solid team very very solid team. I just also we we were fucking lights out the second like that event I don't even think we had a dream breaker in all of the playoffs Yeah, we just we steamrolled everybody you're right. You're right. You're right. So said either way. That's that's what we mean She does that a zuckel girl doesn't go down. Yeah, okay with different conversation. Um who else who else you're really excited And you know what I one thing I really liked about Joel this year and we had a good conversation at one of the events I asked them I said Joel like you know, what are you doing to prepare differently? I think this was in in Oakville because I saw him doing breathing techniques He's like I've really yeah, I've really stepped up my like being connected to the body taking deep breaths and Learning a different side of my body because he also lost a lot of weight Yes, I'm just shit. He does before the pregame. I look at I'm just like no, just do you just you do Okay, so obviously Joel uh So obviously I'm the enviast because it's guys I'm actually excited really excited to watch Lucas Wong play again Right, especially when he plays us guy. I know he's really hungry to be that's for sure, right? Uh newcomers right like the there's the mayor of the international players come in Uh, I'm really excited for that, but who my only really excited to see for the male side I'm not too sure I think the male side is the the difference between the top and the bottom is going to be very tight this year Right on the men's side specifically because I just think Any of the men that weren't in the top last year knew they had some work to do so they're grinding the ones at the top You already know our grinding. I'm excited. I'm excited to know where more climbers in them zone. Yeah My clems is gonna end up on the prongorns, right? We know that. He's gonna. He's gonna pick Whatever the second prongorns overall pick is they they better draft. I don't know man Don't I'm gonna. He's I'm like shacks lying to me. Shacks might have other plans. I don't know, man So I think this is why I think this is why you get such bad information because people don't trust you You told me and sof was going to the prongorns. You almost believe I thought like I only believe it because you were so convinced I was the one that told you she was going to first up you told me that if you're listening to this the fact that Anselfees not on your team you guys had oh man. So you guys gave up oh you guys so child calls me So I heard you got I heard you on the answer of sweepstakes. This is when the free the resigning period was ever free agency hadn't even started And I'm like, what do you talk? I was like, bro. We know she's going to your team. We all know it. I said that you told me you called me you called me to tell me that no I said that into the prongorns. No, no first you told me she was going to me. Yeah, I thought she was going to I haven't even done anything Oh, but we know we know Jada's not coming back. I'm like, how do you know Jada's not coming back? Oh, she's not coming back Like you sure because we were already in the chats with Jada. Is it even for sure she's coming back? Like she's coming back, but like what was she does the pull the hand of Blast? Did you hear the hand of black come back? Nope, there you go. It's the same shit. No, it's a little different. So we've had a good conversation about this. Jada's coming back. We love you Jada Jada, please shut this guy up when we plan to just child. We got to shut this man off. Oh, what's your dad's name again? 10 No, 10. Yeah, I showed to you. You motivate me. I love it Hot take number seven So before Jada resigned child told me that and so if it's coming, I'm like, child, I haven't even talked to her yet. You're like, bro, we all know she's going to me. I mean That's why I wrote in our group child. I'm like, yo, if anybody's fucking tampering, hope you know it's fucking bullshit because if child thinks I'm doing it That means other people think I'm doing it and if other people think I'm doing it, they're going to go and do it and it didn't have Anyways, and then child called me a week later Telling me that and sof is going to the prongorns Which I knew she wanted to go to the team with a good ownership group Which I had a feeling would have been us or the owls and I don't think the owls made a big push Right now so I'm sorry not us or the owls the smash or the owls right so I knew or I had a strong feeling the whole time She was going to smash cuz I had a feeling she might go to smash you. I just thought Like the Antoinette. Yeah, but you didn't tell me that you said she's going there. You didn't say I think Oh, she's done deal. It's a done deal. I heard an answer her now and so net are our best friends anyways So that's why I think people give you bad information sometimes see I'll tell you shacks screwed up on that one The prongorns screwed up on that one you would because you can't talk to yourself You can't talk to the players us owners can't talk to players, but the players can talk to the players So I would have told Antoinette Get her at all cost that's what it would have yeah, but that's a little I didn't tell my players to do anything I was like guys let's say put with free agency happens. You already had three So you weren't going to get anyone anyways. Yeah, but at that point we didn't know if Jade was coming back for sure Still in the air, right? Yeah, um Anyways, I do think the league is going to be a lot better this year I think child I think if you don't pull any wild bullshit in this draft I think you have a chance to do very well next year Don't you guys worry? We're coming back. We're gonna be a top team Guaranteed we all know who the two bottom teams are you guys listening you guys know who you two bottom teams are I'm not gonna call it blue Child just throwing daggers out. I hope you guys listen and those guys fucking on one man just on Child, who do you think should be the best team in the league next year? Can't say can't say you're on team. I don't even know more than lights Northern chaos besides us is probably gonna be the London smash one smash. I agree. Yeah. I think they are they are No matter which top international you know ed doesn't know much about pickle wall shall it to ed Hot take number eight guy runs one of the top facilities in the country Has some of the best programming in the country and was runner up GM of the year And we've got chow saying he doesn't know shit Hot take number eight they're gonna be good though. They're gonna be good They're gonna be fantastic and it does know about pickle wall That's why they're gonna be fantastic because he went out and he won the anthill sweepstakes I love calling it that the anthill sweepstakes I would say torsion one, but let's share we'll go with that. Hey, it doesn't matter I think I think that's a big reason why she went there is probably torsion and just Because yeah, we in this whole thing we've missed the whole calimoto conversation about the calimoto family and those two individual players Matt isn't Matt and Jess are both OG pickleball players. They are some of the nicest people in the sport and the family as a whole Is it's remarkable to have that family and pickleball knowing that no matter What time we play who we play knowing that we've got 20 fans in the stands every every match cheering us on Linda big shout-out to you are probably one of the greatest people in this sport in this country Her energy that she brings out the constant cheering like fuck she's gotta be she's gotta be gassed after those events 100% fun fact I've been playing against the calimoto since 2015 term is you've been losing to the calimoto. Yeah, let's go over that The first calimoto I ever played was actually linda calimoto Sure, it makes no place. Yeah, let's fucking say man even tom Like when you see so everyone the tom is mat calimoto's mother mat calimoto is my franchise player He's been signed with us for three years coming on to year four. He was the the hands-down league MVP in year one Just one of the greatest individuals in the league off the court an amazing player on the court And if you would have asked me who I was most excited to see this year I would have obviously biasly said mat and max specific because mat is one of the players that told me that He felt that his leadership off the court was great his coach. He was great But he felt that his play on the court this past season wasn't where it needed to be Which is a very hard thing to admit as a player So you know he's grinding working his fucking ass off this off season because he wants to step it up He's been dominating pickleball for for many years with this is the first year. He did a dominate right? This is the first year where it was like holy fuck mat like Heads up buddy like punches are coming right like all hundred percent boys are swinging at you because they know you're at the top right? Last year was a little bit different. We didn't have the team as a whole this year. We had the team and you know He took he took a couple of metaphorical punches And then someone like max wild who'd only been in the sport for a year Well now he's got a year and a half when there's belt and he is in my opinion one of the most electrifying men in our league So um those two I would have I would say are fucking great, but the Linda sorry Linda Tom mat mat. I lean is the third sister What's the third combo to stuff Like that whole family is just salt to the earth time of the 10 great people. So Another player that I'm really excited to To see is is torsson this year torsson. Yeah torsson league MVP last year. Um, he's having a baby All right, so congratulations to torsson that you're having a baby in a couple months Becoming a father is a very difficult thing to do look at Joel pelte. Joel but does Joel have two? I don't know I swear he has like six. Yeah, I think he had two or three but Becoming a father and being a new father Right before the start of the season is going to be tough Sleep's not going to be what it is. I'm excited because I know he's an athlete and torsson's a fucking dog I'm excited to see how he combats Fatherhood while also being a professional athlete because He's not someone who takes being a professional athlete lightly. He trains his body. He trains his mind He's he diets. He works his ass off. He does everything that he's supposed to do as a professional athlete Okay, well now it's a little different. You're gonna have a little baby Your sleep isn't going to be perfect. You're not going to be Eating at certain times and being all fucking clockwork athlete like it's going to take a toll in your body So I'm excited to see him and I and I believe he'll still be one of the top players in the league next year Nope, but it'll be interesting to see how he combats fatherhood and and professional pickleable. No 100% like it says it's going to take a lot But this is someone that can do it. He can't right. So I I agree with you. I agree with you Child we are nearing the end of this. We're probably at an hour geo. Um, buddy time flies and you're having fun big guy time flies and you're having fun That's how these aren't car shades up I'll end it off on this if if you could give a piece of advice to your younger self We're not even your own self, but to child that was, you know, 2020 Bagging groceries at law blogs during COVID. What would you say? Um, just keep working hard at it and yeah, honestly I'm not too sure to be honest. Yeah, it's great. Keep working hard as a fucking great. Yeah, keep working hard Are you fucking gonna work your ass off of good things? Well, I've never been a million years. I thought I'd be owning a professional pickleable team Uh The APA circuit owning the third best team in the league. Sorry, not just owning right you only third currently third best team and owning a Pickable facility selling the Grandview Pickable Club a new market. So we didn't even really get to that But you know, we got lots of time. We could do it another time Um, but yeah, that's actually more more random. I'm just curious for this myself If there was a movie about your life who would play you could be anybody that are alive. Oh, man Got to find I guess what's that Chinese guy's name Simon Lou? Yeah, maybe him. Oh, I think good one. I'm just a good looking at him, right? Hot take number nine Child, just give us another hot take so we got 10 on the episode Honestly, I honestly Well, we definitely I think we definitely got the best team in the league coming up in 2020 I honestly thought our 2025 Northern life team with the best team in the league and like said a few Tweaks here and there that I could have done differently. We be holding the trophy and not the much you said That was your last hot take because I agree that is a hot take. I think you had a great team, right? Um, to say you have one of the best teams going into next year when you only have two out of six players sign is kind of Two of the top players in the league so that helps her. I do believe you got two really strong players on a look We we stroked off to all for 20 minutes on this episode. So I love him. We gave Danielle her flowers too And I think that was great, but um, I think a lot of other teams have really strong Players re-signed as well obviously your united does does as well. We're building a culture here at Northern lights You'll see what's going to happen. All right. Cultures you before we end three words to describe what your culture is at the at the Northern lights three words Dog grit and grind Dog gridden and grinding 100 percent Fuck child. That was great. Our teams about don't we want dogs aren't team right like you said when it comes down to business I want dogs. I'm gonna go forget about all the other players in the league. It's us and you guys let's go fucking do it Right. That's what it wants Right So get about being nice to them, right? Sure. They're friends off the court But when it comes to game time, right? Screw everyone else. It's us against them. That's what it wants Right? Fuck. I got one more. That's why I fucking love Joel pelty. I look. I love Joel pelty too. I he and he knows that If you could if you could Describe what a dog is. How would you describe it? A dog would be me right because I come from a high basketball background. I'll take number 11 All right, so before the game starts during a warm-up I wouldn't even talk to another team. I just stare them down like you guys are going down, right? And when tip all comes boom, let's go Right, so yeah, I describe it a little bit differently, but yeah, no, no way it comes game time. I'm a dog. What I'm saying Yeah, no Just fucking want to go to war right that just want to grind it out and do whatever it takes to get the job done They don't care how long it's gonna take. They are gonna sit there Minute after minute hour after hour day after day and told the job is done because that's what dogs do dogs We don't give up when the dogs got to eat. It doesn't matter. It will fucking eat 100% man like I said I'm probably not gonna be making anymore trades until the season starts kind of thing to what you but I know exactly Charles gonna try and move up to three again. I'm kidding. Charles. Thanks for thanks for joining us This was honestly generally a lot. Fuck. We didn't even talk about the United Open is that cuz We got we got five minutes for the fireman United Open is Now Toronto United's first ever tournament powered by the APA in conjunction with the APA So it's gonna be a 350 to 300 person tournament hosted at picklers hub I give child credit where credit is due he runs the tightest ship when we decided we wanted to do a tournament We actually called child is like child like if I'm gonna run a tournament. I want you to run it for us So we decide on that. I'm very grateful that you are gonna be running this tournament for us cuz like I said Like I said, I give flowers where flowers are due you run the tightest ship in Canadian pickable when it comes to running events and tournaments So I'm very thankful that we're doing this together. What are you looking most forward to for this tournament? Honestly Just a talent level right not even just from the pros like seen a three old a three five to four and the four five division How much better they are because every division I play and watch that's always someone complaining Why is this person in that division? I'm just like because there's always that better player in that division in that Termin right so I'm so excited to be hosting the United Open at picklers hub shell to my Filipino love y'all Shots of Filipinos shout to geo. Oh That's geo's home court, bro. Yeah plays it all time. He takes elves there Actually, I gotta I gotta bronze them on a child's turn. No, I don't want a child's turn. It's you hosted at picklers hub No, I never hosted one. This is my first one I had to do eventually told me for hard. Oh, I will run one at picklers hub We got the time child appreciate you coming on, but I always a pleasure sitting down with you if people want to find out more about you What you're doing your events your venues your team? Where can they go? How can they find you? Yeah, no you wouldn't follow me on my journey of myself Follow me on instagram at mchau 95 and you want to follow or pickable follow the northern lights pickable page and APA circuit on Instagram as well and We also have a website ap circuit dot c a and if you guys are ever interested in playing some good pickable around the jorky region area Come to grandview pickable club in new market. We're a great club And we love to have you guys there and we're gonna be hosting a big tournament there as well. So shout out to new market That was a nice that was a nice way to wrap it up and you did a great job. I'm not but yeah guys Give child follow follow this team Don't support the team more than you support Toronto night But if you want a secondary team, you can obviously we the north baby Watch 2026 watch what happened in 2026. He also told me this in 2025 I don't know guys if you made today's we appreciate you. Thank you for listening We miss you Danielle Danielle obviously took the week off because she's during That was meeting her so she Danielle usually is on the podcast But she's she's got a stressful time the year right now because she's obviously working at the end of the year for work But she's also an exam in the damn season for her CPA. She's gonna be an accountant. So Danny we miss you. We love you as always But yeah, I think that's yeah, you'll meet child the next I actually know you've met her already She's been to some of our events. I am pickle on the mall stuff. So uh, yeah guys if you made it to them We appreciate you. We love you guys. Thank you give child follow give myself a follow share this with a friend like subscribe And we will see you guys. Oh [MUSIC]