Sticking on a path to NHL

While building her frozen empire, she purchased Wang's Ontario Junior Hockey League club King Rebellion.

Beijing's successful bid and later hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympics gave a strong push to hockey promotion, consolidating the family's faith in pushing Wang forward in the sport.

"The government put so much money into encouraging the children to (be involved) in these sports, so I began to get involved in the business," Willa told The Athletic.

Thanks to his own dedication to hockey while balancing study pressure and overcoming culture shock, Wang's game grew faster than expected, helped by his advisor John Walters of The Will Sports Group and John's dad Joe, who drove him to games and offered him tips.

Wang said his hockey IQ was sharpened during those car rides.

"He really put the game in front of me piece-by-piece. That's when I really started to develop my overall game and then started to develop my other skills," said Wang, who helped the Generals reach the league championship series with five assists in 53 total games in his first OHL season last year.

Looking forward, Wang said his ultimate dream also involves representing China on the international stage alongside the country's native-born, overseas-developed younger generation.

"I know a lot of (Chinese) kids in Toronto, and they have a really good future ahead of them," said Wang.

"I am really excited for them, and for the rise of Chinese hockey that we're going to see in the next five to 10 years. And I can only imagine (the game's development in China) is going to get faster and faster."