The Hockey Think Tank Podcast (thehockeythinktank)

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher talk about the things they believe help maximize potential including: — Strive to constantly be learning — Who you surround yourself with matters — Self reflection/Self awareness AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS! DO NOT fast forward through the sponsor reads - we promise you’re going to want to hear them. Topher & Jeff trade places and hilarity ensues. Check out our link nordvpn.com/thinktank to protect your online activity.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph’s topic is LINE CHANGES! Vechs has opinions and the guys talk about how critical line changes can be - from shift length, how to change to gain an advantage, changing hard, AND SO MUCH MORE! TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on a culture and team building expert in Lee Elias!! This was such an amazing conversation on team culture - and we encourage you to get your pens and notebooks ready. On this episode, we talk: -Topher is going to Michigan! -Empowering and developing leaders -The power of accountability and standards -Defining team identity -MUCH, MUCH MORE!! What a conversation this was...we can't wait to bring it to you! We want to thank our sponsors GELSTX, TrainHeroic, IceHockeySystems.com, and CuredNutrition. We want to thank our podcast parent company BlueWire Pods. And we want to thank all of our amazing listeners who support our podcast!!

This week’s episode marks FIVE YEARS of the Hockey Think Tank podcast! To celebrate, the boys recorded this one LIVE and together in STL! Jeff and Topher reminisce about their start with the pod (while “murdering” protein shakes) before diving deep into five issues that are plaguing youth hockey: — Early sport specialization — The disconnect between parents and coaches — The privatization of rinks — Remembering that hockey development is a marathon, not a sprint — FOMO is a real thing AND MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about how coaches can plan practices to help their goalies. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs asks Toph about a HOT topic in the hockey world - Mike Babcock’s firing. Everyone has an opinion - including our guys! TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about the importance of creating buy-in and how coaches can go about creating it early to set the team up for success by setting expectations, standards, and accountability structure early. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Topher and Jeff talk to Brady Leavold about his INCREDIBLE journey from pro hockey to addiction to prison, and how he is now helping to ignite change in mental health and substance misuse in the hockey world. PARENTAL DISCRETION is advised as the conversation is real, raw and honest. In this episode we discuss: — Creating powerful conversations surrounding mental health and substance misuse — Brady’s response to the trauma of childhood abuse — Making a difference through The Puck Support Network Non-Profit Organization AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS - we do this podcast for YOU and appreciate you listening and sharing with your teams, players, parents and coaches! Check out our link nordvpn.com/thinktank to protect your online activity.

One of our best episodes yet! Topher and Jeff welcome Brett Beebe, a Western Michigan University hockey alum and former pro player who is in his 6th season of coaching with the LA Jr Kings. He won the gold medal with Team USA (U17) in 2006 at the 4 Nations tournament, and a USA Hockey National Championship as both a player and coach! We had some great conversation about the state of youth hockey, how our game can be better, as well as terrific perspective on player development and doing things the right way in our sport. In this episode we talk about: —The importance of playing multiple sports —The current culture of our sport —Organizations collaborating together to enhance development —Not confusing winning with development AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher talk about Topher's 5 P's of Leadership: -People -Perseverance -Perspective -Preparation -Present Although...the two talked so much about PEOPLE that there is going to be a Part 1/Part 2 on these topics. On this specific episode, Jeff and Topher talk about the importance of investing time and effort into PEOPLE and the importance of PERSEVERING in tough times. Great leaders understand these two ideals and work hard to facilitate environments to bring both to the forefront. We love talking leadership on this podcast, and our goal is to provide you with things you can use in your journey as a leader that can help you be the best you can be! Thank you to our sponsors - GelStx, TrainHeroic, IceHockeySystems.com. Thank you to Blue Wire Pods. And thank you to our amazing following...we know you'll enjoy this one!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Topher's topic is one that brings out ALL the opinions - FAVORITE HOCKEY MOVIES of all time! The guys weigh in on their favorites and why - including some of their favorite lines and characters! TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Topher's topic comes from a listener’s question about how coaches can handle lopsided games - on both sides. Great discussion and ideas on lessons to take away whether you’re winning big, or learning big. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about the things coaches need to consider when putting lines together - and the guys sound off on the types of players they liked playing with most.  TEN MINUTES STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on current Montreal Canadiens defenseman Chris Wideman! Chris trains with Jeff in the summers and played for Topher when he was a grad assistant at Miami (Ohio) and this was a really, really fun and insightful conversation. On this episode, they talk: -Playing for Martin St. Louis in Montreal -Being grateful for the good and the tough times -The importance of a support system in reaching your goals -MUCH, MUCH, MORE!! Thank you so much to Wides for hopping on the podcast. Thank you to our sponsors GELSTX, TrainHeroic, IceHockeySystems.com, and our podcast company Blue Wire. And thank you most of all to all of our amazing listeners!

On this LOST episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we re-release our conversation with one of the top hockey strength and conditioning coaches in the world, Mike Boyle! Mike is the legendary strength coach of many of the top Boston University programs and he works with a ton of top level NHL talent as well. In this episode, we talk: -Coaching with Jack Parker at BU -Filling up the buckets in development -Working with top NHL talent -MUCH MORE Thank you so much to our sponsors GELSTX, TrainHeroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you most of all to all of our amazing listeners!!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring recognized skill development coach, Dwayne Blais! In this conversation we talk: -The most important skills in hockey and breaking them down -Unstructured play -Isolated vs. transferrable skills -Being a development coach for the Washington Capitols -Much More!! Thanks to our sponsors GELSTX (gelstx.com), icehockeysystems.com, TrainHeroic, and all our awesome listeners. For some great hockey content from Dwayne, visit thensda.com!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on the Head Coach of Army Hockey, Brian Riley. The Riley family has held the Head Coach position at Army for the last 70 years, and to hear Brian talk about the passion he and his family have for the program is nothing short of amazing. We also talk: -Creating a culture of family -The legacies Derek Hines and Thomas "TK" Kennedy, two of his players killed in action -What makes an "Army kind of player" on the recruiting trail -The importance of adversity This was one of the most inspiring episodes that we've done, amazing. Thank you to Coach Riley for sharing his wisdom and thank you to our sponsors GelStx, TrainHeroic, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to all of our amazing listeners, you are going to love this conversation!

This week Topher and Jeff welcome newly promoted GM of the Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL), Trevor Edwards, who is also the Program Director for the Pittsburgh Pens Elite youth program! Tremendous conversation about the journey from youth hockey to the elite levels and what the development process should look like for the health of the players and our sport. In this episode we talk about: — The pressures that younger players feel today versus years ago — The value of being patient in the development process — Helping players develop their passion for the game — Some unreal advice for parents navigating youth sports AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and, our newest sponsor, NHL Sense Arena!  Visit NHL Sense Arena and use DISCOUNT CODE TANK-72A36D to get 10% off an annual plan of NHL Sense Arena. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on Director of Hockey Operations for the University of Wisconsin and Topher's former junior hockey teammate, Shane Connelly! Shane was a big time goaltender playing in multiple tournaments for Team USA and won a National Championship at the University of Wisconsin. He was a great player and now a great coach, and we dive into some really amazing topics including: -Coaching Cole Caufield at Wisconsin -Scoring goals through a goalie's eyes -The makeup of championship teams and its leadership -Coaching elite talent -MUCH MORE!! Thank you to Shane for coming on and for the awesome conversation! Thank you to our awesome sponsors - GELSTX (gelstx.com), TrainHeroic, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you most of all to our amazing listeners!!!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher talk about being present in the moment and living every day, starting TODAY! Tomorrow is not promised, and we talk strategies to help make the most of every day we are given. The episode gets a little emotional as Toph pays tribute to one of his best friends and college teammate, former NHLer, Ray Sawada, who passed away unexpectedly last week while playing the game he loved. A GoFundMe was set up to help his wife and two daughters during this unimaginably difficult time. If it’s on your heart to do so, please consider donating or sharing: In memory of Raymond Sawada https://gofund.me/d35db5a4 Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about tips, tricks, and hacks for parents to help players grow with their gear. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we talked with former BC star and current Bishop Kearney Hockey Director, Chris Collins! He has some terrific stories from his playing days as well as his personal journey to giving back to our great game! In this conversation we talk about: — Doing what it takes to get better and create success — Evolve Hockey and the “Just Get Good” motto — How a kid from Rochester ends up running an elite hockey academy in his hometown AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS! This episode was a long time coming with our good friend Chris and his insight was worth the wait! Check out our link nordvpn.com/thinktank to protect your online activity.

This week Topher and Jeff devote the entire episode to some awesome questions and topics that we have received from the Hockey Think Tank Community. If you’d like to join, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out! In this episode we talk about: — Mentorship — Transparency — Cultivating your child’s passion while embracing that it’s their journey — Development, synthetic ice, lazy coaching, problem parents, & the cost of youth hockey AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and, our newest sponsor, NHL Sense Arena!  Visit NHL Sense Arena and use DISCOUNT CODE TANK-72A36D to get 10% off an annual plan of NHL Sense Arena. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on the Academy Director of DC United Soccer Club, Pat Ouckama! We are huge proponents of playing multiple sports, and it was awesome to bring on someone with both a soccer and hockey background to speak about development. Pat runs one of the top soccer academies in the US, with his 16u team winning the National Championship this year. In this conversations, we talk: -The similarities of each sports game tactics -What he sees in players that succeed at the next levels -The value of studying other sports as a coach -MUCH MORE! Thank you to Coach Ouckama for taking time to come on our podcast! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, TrainHeroic, IceHockeySystems.com, and our podcast company BlueWire Pods. And thank you most of all to all of our amazing listeners! We appreciate you so much and you are going to love this conversation. Enjoy!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Jeff’s topic is: How to talk to refs. The shortage of officials in every youth sport is a crisis, and part of the problem is the culture surrounding their treatment in games. Are they always right, and always good? No. But neither are we - and the example we set during the challenging games is critical to team energy and success. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk all things F1 and “Crazy Legs LoVecchio” is HERE FOR IT! Tips, tricks, and F1 hacks (play chess, not checkers) and habits is ON THE CLOCK! TEN MINUTES STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on one of Jeff's former teammates who had an unbelievable journey to the NHL...going from an undersized and undrafted player to ultimately reaching his dreams of playing in the show. We talk: -Routine and preparation -Playing the role of an agitator as a smaller player -The grind of making it to the NHL. -MUCH MORE!! This was such an inspiring episode with a lot of nuggets for all kids that have dreams of playing at the highest levels of hockey. Thank you to all of our sponsors - GELSTX, TrainHeroic, IceHockeySystems.com, and our podcast platform family BlueWire. And thank you to all of our amazing listeners!!!! We love you and can't thank you enough for all the support you've given us on our crazy podcast journey!!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher talk about ways to get a great start to the season! Whether you’ve worked hard all summer or had some bumps along the way (or both), it’s not too late to dial it in and get a great start TODAY! Coaches, setting the tone early with culture and expectations will help your team throughout the season. In this episode we discuss: — Strategies to earn your confidence — Setting a team identity early — Focusing on small details, consistently — The importance of goal-setting AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

This week Topher and Jeff pay tribute to Grandpa Scott, Bob Sr. who was the energy of the family. He lived life to the fullest, he worked hard, loved hard, and was the guy we wanted to be like. In this episode we share some of our favorite Grandpa stories and we talk about: — The life lessons he taught us about hard work, sacrifice, and the importance of family — The impact his energy had on the legacy he leaves behind — The love he showed our Grandma, always AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and, our newest sponsor, Crossbar!  And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out! This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp.

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Topher and Jeff talk about one of the most divisive topics in our sport: the cost of playing our great game. In this episode we discuss: — The financial barriers that exist in youth hockey — The costs involved in perpetuating those barriers — Questions parents can be asking to assess their families ROI AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS - we do this podcast for YOU and appreciate you listening and sharing with your teams, players, parents and coaches! Check out our link nordvpn.com/thinktank to protect your online activity.

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we release a LOST EPISODE and talk with Chicago Blackhawks development coach Brian Keane of Prodigy Hockey. We get REAL in depth on youth development and youth hockey on this episode - it is one of the most downloaded we have ever done. It's a different type of episode as we use clips from one of the best youth development debates between experts Malcolm Gladwell and David Epstein to talk about what we see in the youth hockey world today. We talk: -Early sport specialization -Unstructured vs. structured play -How to teach anticipatory skills -The 10,000 hour rule -Deliberate practices, and so much more! This was the episode we dive the deepest into the research and we're excited to bring it to you! Thank you for tuning in to our podcasts!!  Thank you to our sponsors, GelStx, TrainHeroic, IceHockeySystems.com, and CuredNutrition. And a special thank you to all of our amazing podcast listeners!!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs tackles a topic that every coach and parent has an opinion about - PHONES! The guys talk about the reality of players using their phones and how they can affect - negatively or positively - the team culture, productivity, development, and more!  TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about the things that kids can do at home to work on creativity, skills, mindset, and having fun. It’s a walk down memory lane for the guys to Toph’s basement and Vechs’ garage! TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Topher and Jeff sound off on what it takes to play in the NHL - and how very improbable, statistically speaking, reaching that level is. A terrific and realistic conversation from two guys that have played, coached, and been around high level hockey their whole lives. In this episode we discuss: — The importance of goal-setting and consistency — Being intentional with your effort, energy and routines — Staying true to your why AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS - we do this podcast for YOU and appreciate you listening and sharing with your teams, players, parents and coaches! Check out our link nordvpn.com/thinktank to protect your online activity.

Let's try this again! On the latest SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about how coaches can plan practices better for their goalies. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Apologies if this episode downloaded twice for you - Apple Podcasts wasn't playing nice the first go-around!

This week Topher and Jeff welcome Neil Lodin - the founder (and creator) of MyHockeyRankings.com - to the podcast to talk about why he REALLY started the site! We asked a lot of questions and Neil shed some incredible light on so much for us. In this episode we talk about: — How the algorithm works — How teams/coaches/parents are misusing the site — How the site can (and should) be used for development and retention AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and, our newest sponsor, Crossbar!  And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out! This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about the insurgence of players’ personal style beginning to permeate the game. Love it? Hate it? Good for the game, or not? Here we go… TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs asks Toph his thoughts on what age is “too young” to leave home. So many factors these days in kids deciding to leave home at younger and younger ages and the guys discuss in TEN MINUTES… ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher create a podcast surprise Christmas present for a few certain people that have been some of the best role models in their lives. Tune in to find out who and listen to a podcast full of love, family, and of course...hockey.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Topher wants to talk about the skating stride! Not only stride mechanics, but Toph wants to hear from Vechs about what players can be doing in the gym and off ice to improve their skating stride. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about how coaches, players and parents navigate the reality of multi-sport athletes, in-season. It’s one thing to say we want our athletes to have a diverse skill set, and to say we encourage players to play multiple sports - but it’s an entirely different thing to manage that as a coach, parent and player.  TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to continue on his topic from last week focusing on the defensive side of the puck - and this week he asks Vechs about defending 3 on 2s! TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about not only the importance of players learning how to talk to their coaches, but tips on HOW to effectively navigate initiating them.   TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

This week it’s a MAILBAG episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast! Jeff and Topher tackle the AWESOME questions sent in by listeners with some bonus (and unreal) stories about their most memorable special jerseys, their first hockey fights, and so much more! BUCKLE UP (and shoot us a DM if you have a topic or question for our next Mailbag episode)! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Topher wants to talk about the penalty kill forecheck and things that worked for Vechs over the years - from speed, vision, pressure, systems, and everything that helps teams have success on the kill. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher do another MAILBAG from your questions on social media. They cover: — The balance between emotion and discipline — Ways to conquer point slumps — Training through breaks/weeks off for higher level players AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS! We love doing these episodes - so DM or email us your questions any time and we will get to them on the next MAILBAG! Check out our link nordvpn.com/thinktank to protect your online activity.

WE HAVE A NAME FOR THE NEW SEGMENTS! (And THANK YOU to everyone who submitted suggestions. You guys are awesome!) Welcome to “SHORT SHIFTS” with the Hockey Think Tank Podcast! Each week, we will put out two of these (Wednesdays & Fridays); Toph & Jeff take turns bringing a topic that the other one doesn’t know ahead of time - and the boys get it done in ten minutes! In this episode, Toph wants to talk about the importance of a preseason parent meeting to set the tone and set the standard to start the season! TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we talk to former pro hockey player turned futures trader, James Sixsmith who started a company while still playing to set himself up financially for life after the game. In this conversation we talk: — Sixer and Vecchs playing against each other overseas — What smaller players need to be successful at the highest levels — The work ethic that high level players have translating to success off the ice AND SO MUCH MORE Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS! This episode is a great reminder that hockey teaches valuable life skills like humility and unmatched work ethic. 

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher take YOUR mailbag questions on anything and everything college hockey! With the NCAA Tournament in full swing, they take you behind the scenes of what college hockey is about. Jeff also takes you through his visit with to the USA National Team Development Program at their annual tryout showcase. Some questions the guys tackle on the podcast include: -What is it like to play in the NCAA Tournament? -How does University of Minnesota Duluth coach Scott Sandlin do it? -How do you get recruited and do summer showcases matter? -What are the best college hockey conferences? -What is the toughest college hockey rink to play in? This one was a lot of fun and made the boys really get nostalgic about their time playing college hockey. We want to thank our awesome sponsors GELSTX, TrainHeroic, and IceHockeySystems.com. We also want to thank our amazing listeners and supporters! We appreciate you and know you are going to love this conversation on #cawlidgehawkey

At 17, he was a high school JV goaltender. He is now a starting goalie in the AHL. Tyler Parks is a true inspiration. On our podcast we talk ALL.THE.TIME about the importance of resiliency and sticking to it through all of the failures that come with trying to achieve something great. Tyler Parks is the embodiment of these values. As a relatively unknown, this podcast episode is one of our most downloaded of all time with how inspirational it was. We wanted to re-release it for anyone with a dream and needs a little bit of motivation. Enjoy!!

This week Topher and Jeff welcome Minnesota Hockey legend, Brian Bonin to the podcast! He grew up in the State of Hockey and lived every Minnesota youth player’s dream; this is an absolutely unreal episode. In this episode we talk about: — The MN Hockey mode — Youth hockey development — Winning Minnesota Mr Hockey, Hobey, and playing for the Wild AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and, our newest sponsor, Crossbar!  And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out! This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, we are switching it up and Vechs is going first this week -  he wants to know what Toph misses most from the old playing days!  TEN MINUTES STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on the new Associate Head Coach at Michigan State Jared DeMichiel! What an awesome conversation with one of the rising stars in college coaching coming off of a National Championship and turnaround at UMASS. In this conversation, we tackle: -Turning things around at UMASS leading to a National Championship -College recruiting and the transfer portal -The power of earning opportunities instead of guarantees -MUCH MORE! Thanks to DeMike for hopping on...and we have some other people to thank as well. Thank you to our sponsors GelStx (gelstx.com), TrainHeroic, IceHockeySystems.com, and our podcast parent company Blue Wire Pods. Thank you to all of our amazing listeners - if you leave us a review on Apple Podcasts you'll be registered to win one of Jeff's hip mobility workouts for free!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about tipping pucks and this is absolutely in Vechs’ wheelhouse! Toph tees it up and Jeff runs with it! Unreal insight for forwards and defensemen… TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about O-zone faceoff plays. Great stuff in this one!  TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on 13 year professional hockey veteran Cody Lampl! Cody is one of Jeff's former teammates that grew up in a non-traditional hockey market (Idaho) yet has had an incredible hockey career! We talk: -Cody starting out in figure skating and how that's helped him as a hockey player -The importance of mobility in your game -PASSING being an essential skill in hockey -His unique hockey journey coming from Idaho Thank you to Cody for a really inspiring episode! Thank you to our sponsors GELSTX, TRAINHEROIC, and ICEHOCKEYSYSTEMS.COM. Thank you to Blue Wire Pods, our podcast parent company. And thank you to all of our amazing listeners!!!

This week, we finally reveal the project we've been working on for months... We've built an ONLINE COMMUNITY to connect like-minded and passionate hockey people in our great game. When Topher first started the Hockey Think Tank as a passion project, his dream was to create this type of positive, enthusiastic community...and that dream is finally a reality! Whether you are a coach, parent, or player, this community is here to help enhance your journey in the game of hockey. As you listen to the episode, we'll reveal all the details. But here are a few things to get you started: -There's a link at the bottom of this podcast description to take you to where you can enter your information and let us know that you are interested in joining our community. From there we'll send you all of the details on how to register. -Each day of the week our community will have a theme to get conversations rolling for our members to collaborate and share their perspective and ideas. We will provide thought provoking prompts and then let the conversations fly. The themes include: Motivation Mondays - How to get the most out of ourselves and our teams Tactics Tuesdays - Learn the in's and out's of hockey development, habits, structure, drills, etc... Wellness Wednesdays - All about your physical and mental health  Therapy Thursdays - We'll present a topic we know people find hard to navigate in the hockey world and we'll all provide perspective on the journey Friday Fundays - We will have fun prompts and discussion topics to increase our love for the game Wildcard Weekends - We have some fun things planned... -Some awesome perks for joining the community: Access to a "10 Questions" segment with our guests that will only be hosted on our community page Access to watch Topher and Jeff do their "Short Shifts" episodes LIVE on our community page Access to a monthly Zoom call creating connection within our group and to have some fun Access to major discounts from the Hockey Think Tank and Jeff's GMBM training (listen to the episode for these details) -This community is not for people to come on and spread negativity or complain. It's about sharing ideas, gaining perspective, and making the game better one individual at a time through collaboration and positivity. With that, this will be a paid community to make sure people in here want to be here and contribute their ideas and knowledge for the betterment of the group. However... - We are doing a week-long discount where registration to be a part of this community is 50% off!! We want to support the people who have supported us on our journey and make sure you know we love you and appreciate everything you have done for us. This deal for our Ride-or-Dies will last from Monday 1/22 - Sunday 1/28. So go to thehockeythinktank.com TODAY, let us know you’re interested, and from there we'll get you everything you need to join our community and help change the game. Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

This week Topher and Jeff welcome Wendi Irlbeck to the podcast. Wendi is a registered dietitian, certified sports nutritionist, and lifestyle coach with an M.S. in nutrition. Wendi specializes in enhancing health, athletic performance, and injury prevention by focusing on nutrition. A former collegiate athlete, Wendi works closely with teen, collegiate, and adult athletes of all calibers. In this episode we talk about: —The importance of having a positive relationship with food — How nutrition impacts sports performance, what to eat on game days, and what to eat before and after training sessions — Protein, creatine, supplements AND SO MUCH MORE! Link to Wendi's Health & Performance Playbook that folks can purchase Quick Links Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and IceHockeySystems.com - PLUS, our newest sponsor, NHL Sense Arena!  And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph’s topic is from a listener who wants to know how a coach should handle players who start dogging it after making a team. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on the hosts of Boston Bruins recap show "Morning Bru with Jaffe and Razor", Billy Jaffe and Andrew Raycroft! This was an awesome episode if you love to get the inside scoop of the Boston Bruins and we talk a lot of hockey as well. Some of the topics include: -Tuukka Rask - How the Bergeron/Marchand/Pastrnak line creates their chemistry -Charlie McAvoy's leadership -An UNREAL story about Brad Marchand chasing criminals... Tune in for a fun conversation with two incredible hockey guys. Thank you to our sponsors GELSTX (gelstx.com), TrainHeroic, IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to all of our AMAZING listeners. You're gonna love this one, especially if you are a Bruins fan.

On this week’s episode, Topher and Jeff welcome athletic development coach, Jeremy Frisch. He’s one of the best follows on social media, and this was an unreal conversation for any parent looking to help their kids become a better athlete. His approach to training kids is truly organic and embraces long term athletic development principles. In this episode we talk about: — Movement, Strength & Conditioning — Building a foundation for kids so they love being in the gym, moving, and competing — Jeremy gives an INCREDIBLE off-ice workout for coaches of younger players; get your notebooks ready - great stuff! AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher welcome Stanley Cup champion and former first round draft pick, Eric Fehr. Some incredible stories on his journey from growing up on a farm to playing over 650 NHL games! In this episode we discuss: — What it was like playing alongside BOTH Ovi & Sid — An UNREAL story about learning a new position AT THE NHL level!  — Eric’s new company and the product that is changing the game for athlete recovery AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS - we hope you had a happy new year and we look forward to bringing you more great guests in 2023! Check out our link nordvpn.com/thinktank to protect your online activity.

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Topher and Jeff sound off on the 5 Keys to Getting Recruited. Some great insight for players and parents trying to navigate the entire process from youth hockey and beyond. In this episode we discuss: — Focusing on what YOU can control — Remembering that it’s a marathon, not a sprint — The scouting and recruiting process — What scouts look for in a player — What players can do to proactively get on the radar AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk 2-on-1s, but with a twist -  from the D-side. Some awesome tips and tricks when defending a 2-on-1, Vechs gets to drop one of his favorite sayings, “play chess, not checkers," and we tee up the age-old debate on this for defensemen: to slide or not to slide! TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on the Head Coach at Dartmouth College Reid Cashman. Cash is a great coach who came to Dartmouth from being an Assistant Coach with the Washington Capitols and this was a fantastic conversation on hockey development and the hockey journey. Cash grew up in MN and played his college hockey at Quinnipiac where he was a two-time All-American. He played a few years professionally before going behind the bench at his alma mater Quinnipiac. From there he went on to coach in Hershey of the AHL, followed by Washington and now Dartmouth. This was an epic conversation where we tackle: -What defense development looks like -The importance of habit building in practice -What it was like coaching the best players in the world in Washington -MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors for this podcast - GelStx, TrainHeroic, and IceHockeySystems.com. Thank you to our Podcast Family BlueWire Pods. And thank you to all of our amazing listeners!

This week Topher and Jeff welcome NHL Hall of Famer, Stanley Cup Champion, 2-time Olympic Champion with over 18 years in the NHL - Chris Pronger! Absolutely unreal episode with someone that has found success at every level, and drops knowledge that EVERY player and EVERY player needs to hear! In this episode we talk about: — Defining success on your own terms — The importance of finding balance and taking breaks — What a championship mindset looks like and how to cultivate it — What the hockey (and youth hockey) journey should look like and be about AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and, our newest sponsor, NHL Sense Arena!  And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on mental performance coach and resiliency expert Matt Caldaroni! Matt and his company Molliteum work with high achieving athletes from the professional to youth levels and is a big part of working with the Chicago Steel who just won the USHL's Clark Cup this weekend. On this episode, we talk: -The definition of mental toughness -The benefits of having a performance alter ego -The importance of being "realistically optimistic" -MUCH MORE!! This is a must listen to episode for anyone trying to develop their mental toughness and mental game. Thank you to our title sponsor GELSTX, our drill sponsor icehockeysystems.com - listen to the intro for a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT from them, TrainHeroic, and BlueWire Pods. And most of all thank you to all of our amazing listeners!!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher welcome former professional hockey player, Mike Radja. Mike, a former AHL player and Assistant Captain at UNH is now the head instructor at SpeedSkills Hockey doing tremendous things with player development in upstate New York! In this episode we discuss: — The absolute grind that being a professional athlete entails — Chicago youth hockey days of Radja and Toph playing against each other — Setting goals, being accountable, and finding success in your passion — Skill development should be FUN AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this week’s episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast we talk to two of the leaders from the University of Michigan hockey team - this past season’s captain, Nolan Moyle and the upcoming 23-24 season captain, Jacob Truscott. Their paths to play for the Wolverines were so different - and the conversation is incredible. Their stories are part of what have made them such unbelievable leaders. In this episode we discuss: — Learning to overcome adversity —Creating habits to be successful  —Versatility & knowing your role on a team — Michigan’s run for the national championship this season AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this SHORT SHIFTS episode, Topher wants to talk about BREAKAWAYS and Vechs is here for it! Successful breakaways and shootout moves, including tips to increase your chances of scoring. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we have our Windy City Storm roundtable detailing our ORGANIZATIONAL WEEKEND we executed the week prior. This ORGANIZATIONAL WEEKEND was an idea we tried getting all of our youth teams in our rink for a weekend to build our culture and get everyone excited about being part of the Windy City Storm family. Here's what we did: -Split practices and games with an older team and younger team on the ice at the same time. -Info sessions for our players and parents with our hockey directors -Info session with our strength coach on off-ice philosophy -Intrasquad games with older players coaching younger teams and vice versa. IT WAS AWESOME!! Our hope by doing this podcast is that other youth organizations take the idea and run with it. I think over the weekend we were able to build a camaraderie with all of our teams and families and taught the players that what the crest in front of the jersey means more than the names on the back. Check it out!! Thank you to our sponsors GELSTX, TrainHeroic, and IceHockeySystems.com. Thank you to our podcast platform BlueWire. And thank you to our amazing listeners. We know you'll get a ton out of this one!!!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about handling nerves. Every player experiences nerves - learning how to channel them to be your best on the ice is a skill. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to pay tribute to legendary hockey broadcaster, Bob Cole, who recently passed. The guys talk about their favorite/most memorable broadcast calls over the years (and yes, Vechs brings up the call of one of his own goals! EPIC!), as well as some of their favorite broadcasting personalities. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about the penalty kill forecheck! TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, with Vechs out on paternity leave, Toph is joined by his good buddy Nick Petraglia! They coached at Miami together and Trags is now the Executive VP with the AAA Blue Jackets. As a goalie himself, Toph wants to tap into Trags’ expertise and talk about how coaches can help develop goalie hockey sense. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to break down the 1-3-1 power play. How to be successful if you’re playing it - how to stop it if you’re killing against it.   TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs asks Toph his thoughts on bag skates. Are they useful? Necessary? Appropriate? TEN MINUTES… ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we welcome former Major League pitcher, Jacob Turner. The 9th overall draft pick by the Detroit Tigers now helps young athletes manage their money and mentors them for financial stability after their playing days. In this episode we talk about: – The life lessons that sports provides – Resiliency – Confidence – The transition to life after being an elite athlete AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

This week Topher and Jeff welcome former UMD captain and eight year pro player, Jon Francisco to the podcast! Following his hockey career, he served as a firefighter for 10 years in California and Wisconsin before leaving the fire service to build Francisco Hockey & 4Check Hockey which make major impacts in hockey, training, skills and safety. In this episode we talk about: — Fostering passion as a parent — Encouraging multi sport athletes and how parents can help navigate the overlap during the season — Teaching players how to give and receive hits in today’s game — His experience parenting a player on their journey to the NTDP AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and, our newest sponsor, Crossbar!  And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out! This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Topher wants to talk about BODY CHECKING! The guys tackle some of the best ways to teach how to hit, how to take a hit, and when to start introducing those concepts that will translate to success and confidence. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we reached out to YOU to see what your hot button topics are in the game of hockey and you delivered with some awesome questions and issues! We addressed what triggers you about the hockey world and got a little heated ourselves! We talked: -The "Me" Attitude of players today -Coaching communication struggles -Anonymous message boards (really?) -Lack of preparation from players and coaches -Participation trophies -MUCH MORE This was a fun episode as we always love interacting with our listeners and hearing what you want us to talk about. We had SO MANY people reach out, THANK YOU! Thank you to our sponsors GELSTX.COM, ICEHOCKEYSYSTEMS.COM, and TRAINHEROIC training app!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, it’s all about HOCKEY PARENTS! Jeff & Topher talk about what some of the best hockey parents do right and answer questions they’ve received from parents over the years. In this conversation we talk: — The car ride home — Burnout & injury prevention — Life lessons that the hockey experience teaches AND SO MUCH MORE Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. Thank you to new sponsor NordVPN - an internet streaming and security company where you can get a great discount by going to nordvpn.com/thinktank. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS! This episode is a great reminder that hockey is a journey for the whole family that starts and ends with a love of the game!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about the different ways that players prefer to tie their skates (for efficiency, speed, comfort, stability, etc.) and why. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher record a LIVE episode from GRANDMA’S BASEMENT! It’s a MAILBAG episode featuring YOUR questions, and as always, there are some awesome ones! In this episode we discuss: — Who was better at knee hockey — How to encourage communication on-ice — Creating parody in youth hockey AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We love hearing from you so be sure to reach out on our social sites! Check out our link nordvpn.com/thinktank to protect your online activity.

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher dive into MENTAL TOUGHNESS. -What is it? -How do you get it? -Why is it important? They share stories from their own careers (during and post-hockey), those from others they know, and detail strategies they have learned or seen that could lead to being a more mentally tough hockey player and person. Some of the areas they tackle include: -Handling adversity and success -The importance of a routine and preparation -Creating an accountability structure -SO MUCH MORE This conversation had so much for anyone that wants to be more mentally tough!!! Thank you to all of our supporters and sponsors, including GelStx, IceHockeySystems.com, and TrainHeroic. And thank you most of all to all of our amazing listeners who continue to tune in with us every week!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on the Co-General Manager of the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL and Detroit Little Caesars' 15O coach Jason Deskins! This was a great conversation as Jason has so much great perspective with all of the hats he wears in the hockey world. The boys tackle: -Using the downs to motivate you -What he looks for in players as a GM in junior hockey -How to get into the business as a young coach -GOAL SCORING -LEADERSHIP -So Much More Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, TrainHeroic, IceHockeySystems.com...and thank you to all of our AMAZING listeners!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on sports psychologist, Michael McElhenie, PhD. With years of experience helping bring successful leadership strategies and organizational culture in the corporate world, Michael now works to change the social and emotional intelligence landscape of sports one athlete, team, coach, and parent at a time with his company, Exult Athletics.  In this conversation we talk: — What’s RIGHT with the youth hockey landscape, and where improvement can happen — Redefining masculinity (high performance and high compassion can, and should, coexist) — How visualization and other techniques can be incorporated in the development path both as a player and person AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS! There is something for everyone who wants to be better in this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher welcome the father-son dynamic duo, Jimmy & Rutger McGroarty! Jimmy coached our very own Vechs in juniors and is currently the GM for the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL). His son, Rutger, played for the USNTDP, was a first-round draft pick for the Winnipeg Jets, and is entering his sophomore year for the University of Michigan. In this episode we discuss: — The impact that coaches can have in players’ lives — The story of Rutger’s NHL draft experience from both of their perspectives — What strong leadership looks like — What it was like for Rutger growing up around high level players, and then putting in the work to reach the national team (where he says the REAL work started) AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about some great ways to end a practice. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on 14 year professional player now leading a mentorship program for youth hockey players, Ryan Vesce! Ryan hails from Long Island, NY and played his college hockey at Cornell. He then went on to play 14 years pro over 7 different countries, including a stint with the San Jose Sharks where he scored his first professional goal on an assist from Joe Thornton (we talk about it on the pod). We also talk: -Developing a mindset for getting out of a slump -Some incredible prank stories -Scoring his first NHL goal in his hometown -The value of mentorship as you go through your journey -MUCH MORE! Thank you to Ves for this awesome conversation - you'll get a ton of insight into becoming an elite hockey player. Thank you also to our sponsors GelStx, TrainHeroic, IceHockeySystems.com, and our podcast parent company BlueWire Pods. To check out Ryan's incredible Mentor Program matching up former and current professional and college players, visit https://matterhornmentors.com/ And thank you to our amazing listeners...you're going to love this episode!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on NHL Draft writer and one of the top hockey journalists in the game, Chris Peters! Chris has done some awesome work writing for companies like CBS Sports and ESPN. On this episode, we cover all things NHL draft including... -Old school vs. New school scouting -Learning from your mistakes -How important is character when drafting? -Skill vs. impact -Much more on the NHL Draft This was an awesome conversation! Thank you to our title sponsor GELSTX (gelstx.com), our drill sponsor icehockeysystems.com, our training sponsor TrainHeroic, and all of our amazing listeners!!

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring back on Adam Nicholas of Stride Envy Hockey to talk about player development and his journey with the Chicago Steel as they just hoisted the Clark Cup as the USHL champions. This is the fourth time Adam has been on the podcast, and it doesn't disappoint for a second! We talk: -Individual Player Development Plans -Working through relationships between coaches and player development coaches -Methods of teaching development to high level athletes -The Chicago Steel Clark Cup run and the development relationships built with their players

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we talk to the founder of State and Liberty Clothing Company and former University of Michigan Hockey captain, Lee Moffie. In this conversation we talk: — Resiliency — Leadership & Transparency — Entrepreneurship — Culture and communication AND SO MUCH MORE Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. Check out our friends at Nord VPN: nordvpn.com/thinktank And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS! This episode is another great reminder about the skills and lessons that can be learned through hockey and applied throughout the rest of your life.

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher do another MAILBAG from your questions on social media. They cover: -Earning confidence -How to make a positive impression at the start of camp -Building connection -Jeff eats cookies!! -SO.MUCH.MORE!!! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, TrainHeroic, CuredNutririon, and IceHockeySystems.com! And thank you most of all to our amazing listeners!!!!!!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph’s topic is - NUTRITION. It’s such an important component for any athlete to reach their potential and Vechs HAS THOUGHTS that you’re not going to want to miss! TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network

On this week’s episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher are talking about all things player leadership and its importance to any team. What does it look like? What do great player leaders do? What characteristics do great leaders they’ve played with (or coached) over the years possess? As Vechs says in this episode, “better leadership equals better everything!” ALL OF THIS AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about consistency. What players, and coaches, can do individually (with preparation, routines, habits) to help with team consistency. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about how to handle setbacks and injuries. Every player - every person - has to learn how to navigate situations and circumstances that don’t go their way. Setbacks WILL happen, injuries WILL happen. How you deal with them will ultimately define your success on and off the ice. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about what an ideal game day schedule looks like for a player to be at their best.   TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, the guys talk about what happens in the locker room during intermissions, and what players do between periods. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!