Mahtomedi High School Class of 2025 student Max Egan didn’t know the 2024 State Hockey Tournament would be his last appearance with the team. The 6 foot 2 forward known for his humble demeanor and family-focused attitude, was a member of the 2023 State Championship team and the 2024 team that advanced to the State. It would be the last time Egan would be in a hockey tournament.
An injury in the spring of 2024 left Egan legally blind in his left eye, and no longer able to participate in contact sports. According to Egan, “Hockey was everything to me.” It was something that was so much of who he was and how he spent his time, yet it was no longer an option.
Finding a new path and purpose for his life took effort and encouragement. He credits his motivation to persevere to his mother, “My mom motivates me to be the best version of myself and to always work hard. She has been the biggest supporter and pushes me to keep working hard.” For Egan this has meant maintaining a 4.037 GPA in school and leadership positions in both National Honor Society and Mahtomedi Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA).
Finding a new purpose has also meant honing his interest in business and becoming an entrepreneur. Family is important to Egan, one of five boys, so it makes sense that he started a business with his brothers, Egan Brothers Stickhandling, an off-ice training program. He is also a USA-certified student hockey coach and uses these credentials in his employment at the Lumberyard Hockey & Sports Center, where he referees and coaches hockey.
Recently, Max took this passion for business to the next level, as a participant in Rotary Camp Enterprise. Max was one of 75 students in Minnesota who were selected for this opportunity; the Rotary Club of White Bear Lake advanced his application. Camp Enterprise is a three-day camp for high school students designed to introduce students to the free enterprise system, encourage entrepreneurship, and develop ethical business practices. During the event, Max collaborated with a team to create a business and present their business to a team of judges. He credits his finance class and DECA with his confidence in understanding business concepts and public speaking presentation skills. The event also included career exploration speakers who provided tips on entering the business world.
Hockey has been a big part of Max’s family and life. His grandfather, Jim Redpath, who also played hockey for Mahtomedi, now serves as inspiration for another reason. Max finds inspiration from his grandpa, owner of a tax, accounting, and business services company because he sees himself on that same path. Max hopes to major in finance in college and become an investment banker and entrepreneur. He is confident that his experiences this past year will provide him with the skills to move through future challenges. He shared, “I learned that by not giving up, nothing can stop me. I give 100% effort and keep working hard.”
Photos: Beth Donahue, Photos by Beth D