📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

This 36-Year-Old Accountant Just Made His NHL Debut, and It Shows Why You Should Always Keep Your Skills Sharp Be ready for opportunity.

By Nina Zipkin

entrepreneur daily
Chase Agnello-Dean | Getty Images

You never know when opportunity will strike, so you should always be prepared. A prime example of rising to the occasion happened during the Thursday night NHL matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Winnipeg Jets.

After the Blackhawks lost their first and second string goalies to injuries, they called in emergency backup Scott Foster.

As his title might suggest, Foster isn't usually logging time on the ice. He attends Chicago home games in case he's needed, but usually his evenings are spent having dinner and watching his teammates play.

Related: Revealing the 70 Most Entrepreneurial Superstars in Sports

The 36-year-old Foster is the married dad of two and his day job is pretty prosaic, though probably busy this time of year -- he's an accountant. He was a college player who now keeps up his skills in two recreational leagues.

So when duty called, he made it happen.

He signed a contract, put on the uniform and stepped into the rink. And he handled himself admirably. He stopped all seven shots that came his way and helped the Blackhawks secure a 3-1 victory.

Related: 15 Motivational Quotes From Legends in Sports

"A few hours ago I was sitting on the computer typing on a 10-key," Foster told reporters after the game. "Now I'm standing in front of you guys having just finished 14 and a half minutes of NHL hockey."

How do you keep your skills sharp? Let us know in the comments.

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Growing a Business

This Is the Overlooked Partnership You Need to Overhaul Your Growth Strategy

One beneficial relationship could make the difference when it comes to engaging more customers and lifting your company to new heights.

Starting a Business

Most People Have No Business Starting a Business. Here's What to Consider Before You Become an Entrepreneur

You need to find the right business opportunity at the right time and take the right steps to beat the odds.

Growing a Business

Starting or Growing a Business? Here's How to Know When You Should Hire Your First Employee.

When enlisting help, follow these steps to make the best decision for your company.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Marketing

How New Businesses Can Create a Content Marketing Strategy

Follow these steps to develop and execute an effective content marketing plan for your business.