Going concern

Grant Skinner, CA,
President and CEO,
Wellington West Pro Ice Management Inc.

Company profile: In 1979, Grant Skinner turned down an NHL free-agent contract with the Winnipeg Jets to become a CA. Today, he offers tax services to more than 100 hockey players, and as CEO of Pro Ice Management acts as CFO to the families of 30 current and retired professional hockey players. Clients include Wade Redden of the Ottawa Senators and former Toronto Maple Leaf Doug Gilmour.

The company manages their finances, from budgeting, taxes and immigration issues, to endorsements, estate planning and prenuptial agreements.

Hot factor: First, there’s a new economic order in the NHL with players encouraged to focus on finance and investments. Second, Skinner’s son, Tyler, is following in his accounting footsteps. Pro Ice plans to triple its employee base and recruit another 70 hockey families as wealth management clients within three years.

Cool projects: Earlier this year, Wellington West purchased an interest in LA-based One Capital Management, there-by providing Pro Ice access to an in-house wealth management firm, which will facilitate US expansion.

In his own words: “A key thing about our training as CAs is attention to detail. In my company, we are there to protect hockey players. They need to have someone piloting the plane while they are busy with their careers, which are so short. They still have a whole life to live and that’s when my business ramps up. It’s a lifelong involvement with these hockey families. We’re much more than a Jerry McGuire.”

Tom Arnold