Glass and Out (The Coaches Site)

For episode #237 of the Glass and Out Podcast, our team at The Coaches Site hosted a private event for members of the local Vancouver tech and business community, featuring a live interview with Bruce Cassidy, Head Coach of the Vegas Golden Knights.

The focus of our conversation was on the lessons in leadership that Cassidy has acquired throughout his career. There's no doubt that you'll come away with a deep appreciation for how humble he is, how he didn’t come from means and has had to earn everything in his career, and more than anything, how he prioritizes being a husband and father above all else.

And of course, his love of the game.

Listen as he shares valuable lessons in leadership, why team defence is crucial during tough times, and why you always have to be ready for your next job in hockey.

For episode #155, we're changing things up and revisiting one of our favourite presentations from this year's Virtual Hockey Summit. Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill shared valuable tips for planning and executing a successful practice.

During the conversation, Blashill gets into the preparation and attention to detail that professional coaches need to invest into making a great practice, a great practice. While the drills you select for a practice certainly matter, he explains that it's how you organize them within the structure of your practice, how you communicate the habits and details you want your players to pull out of each drill, and as a staff, how each coach plays a role in teaching and managing the flow of practice.

It’s clear the improvement and evolution of his approach has been rooted in being open minded and curious, in terms of what other coaches are doing, taking the time to watch how practices operate in other sports, and looking at how other industries educate their people and operate more efficiently.

Don't miss out on this must-listen for any coach looking to improve their practice habits!

The Hockey Factories Podcast is back for Season 2! TCS Contributor Matt Dumouchelle gives you an exclusive listen to the coaches, managers and players from some of the top hockey development program's in the world.

Check out this exclusive listen of episode 1, where we take a look at how science has crept into the sports world, maybe nowhere as clearly as Zug in Switzerland.

Dumouchelle gets to fan-girl a bit and we'll talk about skills that are becoming more prevalent like read and react and another that we seem to be losing because of the overwhelming increase of individual skills training.

Subscribe on now on Apple and Spotfiy to hear every episode from Season 1 and 2.

The Coaches Site is proud to announce the launch of the Hockey Factories Podcast! In this series, you will hear from the coaches, managers and players who helped bring the first five Hockey Factories articles to life. Listen as you get exclusive insight into the rooms where Sidney Crosby, Leon Draisaitl, Rasmus Dahlin and hundreds of others got their starts and developed into some of the brightest stars in the NHL.

Check out episode 1, where Matt Dumouchelle examines youth development and where Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, the Okanagan Hockey Academy, Adler Mannheim, Jokerit and Frolunda leave their marks on a player’s career. Subscribe now to the Hockey Factories Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

We welcome University of Michigan assistant coach Brandon Naurato for episode #162 of the Glass and Out Podcast.

As a former player development coach who worked primarily on-ice, Naurato is currently in his first season behind the bench. With a loaded line-up that features seven first round picks, plus getting a chance to work for his alma mater, there aren't many better settings to coach in early in a career.

Prior to joining Michigan, Naurato established himself as one of the go-to player development coaches in the Detroit area, working with the likes of Zach Werenski and the Hughes brothers. That led to his role with the Detroit Red Wings as a player development consultant, where he worked for three seasons with the players on the big club, prospects in Grand Rapids, along with the team’s draft picks at development camp.

Naurato presented at last year's Global Skills Showcase on connecting the missing links in a development plan, a must-watch for anyone looking to grow their player development knowledge. As you'll hear in this week's podcast, his knowledge and ability to break down skills and tactics to a basic level are something that every coach can learn from.

Find out his detailed thoughts on how to create and teach offensive hockey, what he's learned from working with some of the top coaches in hockey, and how video can play a crucial role in player development.

Welcome back for season 7 of the Glass and Out Podcast! For epsiode #226, we're joined by friend of the pod and Edmonton Oilers Head Coach, Jay Woodcroft.

He is entering his third season as the Head Coach of the Oilers with the best winning percentage of any coach in franchise history. 

Last season, the Oilers were eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the Vegas Golden Knights in round 2. This season, well, fair to say there is only one goal in the City of Champions.

Listen as shares his philosophy of repurposing disappointment, why it's important to "walk the talk" when it comes to building culture, and how a similar path in coaching led to a friendship with Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

In episode #206, we're joined by Tri-City Americans Owner and Head Coach Stu Barnes.

Prior to coaching, Stu enjoyed a long NHL career as a player and has a long list of coaches that he either played for or has coached with, including the likes of Dave King, Roger Neilson, Lindy Ruff, Ken Hitchcock, Marc Crawford, and Dave Tippett.

In today’s conversation, we discuss the type of relationship players value from their coach, how he collaborates with his coaching staff, and what he’s picked up from so many coaching greats.

For episode #245, we continue our look at the five coaches selected to present at our Global Skills Showcase. Kevin Galerno is the Co-Owner and Director of Total Package Hockey London.

He also holds roles as a Player Development Coach for the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins and the Skills Coach of the London Knights. 

At the GSS, Galerno will be providing members of The Coaches Site the framework to help your players enhance their decision making on the ice.

Listen as he shares what to expect in his upcoming presentation, utilizing variable training, and helping players through scoring draughts.

In episode #287, Head Coach of the Coachella Valley Firebirds Derek Laxdal stops by.

His coaching career has seen him climb from the now defunct Western Professional Hockey League, to the Central Hockey League, the East Coast Hockey League, to the Western Hockey League, the American League and finally, to the show.

During that time, he's successfully navigated the ebbs and flows of his coaching journey with his trademark optimism and enthusiam.

Today, Laxdal is the Head Coach of the AHL affiliate to the Seattle Kraken. No different than any other team he’s coached, he has the ‘Birds in contention as they make their way towards another playoff run. 

Listen as he shares why the skill of defending is lacking in today's young player, how to change the narritive after a tough loss, and how to stay optimistic through the challenges of a coaching career.

We've got a special edition of the Glass and Out Podcast for you this week. During the holiday break, Breakaway, the Minor Hockey Podcast, was joined by one of the most influential voices in hockey, ESPN Hockey Analyst Ray Ferraro.

In addition to his work on hockey broadcasts, Ferraro is also a sports parent, with four kids who played everything from hockey to soccer. Ferraro has seen first hand how the game and the parent-coach relationship have changed over time and he shared his coaching philosophy with Breakaway hosts Aaron Wilbur and Ian Taylor.

There were more than a few gems dropped by Ferraro on how to improve today's game. Hear this must-listen conversation on the Glass and Out Podcast!

In episode #208, we're joined by Head Coach of the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds, Matt O'Dette.

Coming off a season where he led the TBirds on an epic run to the WHL Finals, O'Dette has Seattle back in contention, currently sitting atop the Western Conference and ranked #4 in the CHL rankings with a roster full of talent.

Hear him share why every team needs its own library, being neighbours with your goalie and how the secret to keeping the fire burning in your players is to actually start a fire.

In episode #152 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome Cara Morey, head coach of the Princeton University's Women's Hockey team.

After a playing career that included a stop at Brown University and time with Canada’s National Team program, the Hensall, Ontario, native joined Princeton, spending six seasons as the program's assistant coach before taking over as coach prior to the 2017-2018 season. Under her leadership, the program has established itself as one of the top programs in the NCAA, which includes a ECAC championship in the 2019-20 season.

Find out why she feels humility is critical to team success, her unique experience as a coach at the Philadelphia Flyers Development Camp, and how the hockey community can continue to help support the growth of the women's game.

In episode #223, we welcome The Coaches Site Contributor and upcoming TCS Live presenter Greg Revak.

Revak is also the writer of the Hockey IQ newsletter and host of the Hockey IQ podcast.

Best known for his deep dives into the X’s & O’s or tactical side of the game, his work often goes outside the game, and in some cases sport, to find inspiration and to reinforce his thinking when it comes to teaching the hockey and specifically, developing the cognitive ability of players.

Listen as he discusses the evolution of the weak side D, why point shots suck and the traits required by a successful coach in today’s game.

For episode #161 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we’re joined by Scott Wheeler of The Athletic, who previews the upcoming World Junior Championship.

Wheeler, who covers the NHL Draft and prospects nationally for The Athletic, is widely considered one of the top authorities in the hockey prospect community. Who better to help us get set for one of the biggest tournaments in hockey, featuring the best young players in the game!

Listen as he shares an in depth review of each team in the tournament, the top prospects to watch out for, and potential breakout stars. He'll also share how he sees the groups and round robin portion of the tournament playing out, his keys to winning in a short term tournament, and of course, medal predictions.

In episode #259, we welcome Ben Syer, who was recently named Head Coach of Princeton University's men's program.

Previously, he spent eight seasons as an assistant with Quinnipiac University and 13 with Cornell University. During that time, Cornell won an ECAC Championship and made 6 trips to the NCAA tournament.

Based on the outpouring of support he's received from his peers, there is no doubt that Syer is deserving of this new position and is set up to have success leading the Tigers.

Listen as he shares why positive peer pressure is the key to creating a competitive environment, finding the "wow" factor in a player's game, and the importance of improving the situation you're in, rather than jumping ship.

In episode #261, we're joined by Head Coach of the ZSC Lions, Marc Crawford.

Crawford's list of accolades are almost too long to list, but here are a few anyways.

NHL Head Coach at the age of 33, youngest winner of the Jack Adams Award, Stanley Cup championship in just his second season in the NHL, and Head Coach of Team Canada at the 1998 Olympic Games.

Currently, he’s enjoying his second tenure as the Head Coach of the Zurich Lions of the NLA, who he just led to a Swiss League Championship.

Listen as he shares why he decided to leave Gretzky on the bench, what he learned from working with a young Auston Matthews, and what all championship teams have in common.

In episode #210, Skills Coach Brian Slugocki stops by to join the show.

His current roles include Director of Skill Development for the Jr. Coyotes youth program, where he is also the Head Coach of the programs 10u elite team, Skill Development Consultant for the NHL Arizona Coyotes and prospects, Skills Coach for Total Package Hockey (TPH), all in addition to running private and small group training for youth players up to NHL players through his company Slugocki Hockey.

Slugocki will be presenting at the 2023 Global Skills Showcase on how to develop hockey sense.

Hear him discuss how you create a practice plan for elite players like Auston Matthews, what goes into creating a learning enivronment that develops hockey sense, and why you need to check for learning.

We've arrived at our final Glass and Out episode of the hockey season. For the finale, we welcome newly hired New York Islanders assistant coach Brian Wiseman, who joined us for another in-person interview at last month's TCS Live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Wiseman just completed his third season as an assistant with Edmonton, in which the Oilers made it to the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2006. He's an alumni of the University of Michigan as both a player and coach, where he spent eight seasons as an assistant coach. He now joins the Islanders, along with new head coach Lane Lambert and fellow assistant Doug Houda.

Hear Wiseman detail what went into the Oilers' lengthy playoff run, how his relationship and appreciation for legendary coach Red Berenson has helped shape his career, and how his transition from a press box role to on the bench helped him see the game from a different perspective.

We want to thank everyone for tuning in this season and making us a regular part of your weekly routine. If you missed any episodes, make sure to go back and check out our full catalogue here. We've got some exciting things planned for season 6, so stay tuned. We'll see you in September!

In episode #288, we welcome former NHL Head Coach Don Granato.

He is of course a member of possibly the most accomplished hockey family to come out of United States.  

He got his start coaching in 1993 with the Wisconsin Capitals of the USHL, and since then has been getting his reps in across a multiple of leagues and levels, most recently as the Head Coach of the Buffalo Sabres.

And as you'll hear, there may not be a better person to have a conversation about player development with. His story of how he positioned himself to enhance world class talent is fascinating.  We cover a lot of ground in this episode, and I sense you’re going to leave with pages of notes. 

Listen as he shares why experimenting in practice is key for team growth, why coaching less should be the objective, and the incredible story of switching from goalie to player.

In episode #295, we chat with Jeff Tambellini, who is the Director of Player Development for the Seattle Kraken.

He will be sharing how he develops long-term player development plans for the prospects of the Seattle Kraken at this June's TCS Live. Secure your seat now and see him live in person!

The former 1st round pick of the Los Angeles Kings played nearly 250 NHL games with the KIngs, Islanders and his hometown Canucks, before wrapping up his career in Europe.

From there Tambellini would step behind the bench, first with his alma mater University of Michigan and then returning to his roots in the BCHL as the Head Coach and GM of the Trail Smoke Eaters.

He then graduated into a scouting role with the Tampa Bay Lightning before joining the Kraken in his current role in 2022.

Listen as he shares why you need to get your players hooked on getting better, why processing speed is an underappreciated skill, and what we can learn from championship teams in other sports.

For episode #240 of the Glass and Out Podcast, ESPN's John Buccigross sits down with Quinnipiac University Head Coach Rand Pecknold for a special interview with the reigning National Champion.

While Bucci and Pecknold touch on the championship run and game itself, they also spend a lot time reflecting on Rand’s personal coaching journey, including the humbling start to his career, having to hold practices at midnight when he first arrived at Quinnipiac 30 years ago, to transitioning the program to the Div I level.

Listen as they discuss why you should never use bag skates, the mindest of attacking adversity, and how to make every practice a success.

Listen as we revisit two incredible careers, what they miss most about coaching and their thoughts on the state of today's game from a coaching and player perspective.

We're back for season 8! To kick things off, we share our exclusive sit down with Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving which took place at our inaugral minor hockey masterclass, TCS Live at St. Andrew's College.

The best part was that we got the privilege of donating $5,000 dollars to HEROS on Brad’s behalf. Hockey Education Reaching Out Society aka HEROS is a volunteer driven charity that teaches life skills and empowers marginalised youth through hockey. They provide free programs to youth of all backgrounds from grade four through post-secondary, and his donation is going to put 10 kids through their program this season. 

Listen as he shares how player development as evolved during his time in the game, how his management career started with a hockey league in Texas, and why mental health of players needs to be priority for everyone involved in hockey.

In episode #218, we welcome two friends to the show: Newly named Head Coach of the AHL's San Diego Gulls, Matt McIlvane, and his former Assistant Coach with EC Red Bull Salzburg, Ben Cooper.

Fresh off a second consecutive win2day ICE Hockey League championship with Red Bull, the two joined to give us a behind the scenes look on their road to a repeat. 

Listen as they the incredible story behind their final series comeback victory, why composure was a key element to overcoming adversity, and why championship teams need to get the locker room right.

Happy New Years! For episode #282, we thought we’d kick off the second half of the season by going back and looking at our most popular content on The Coaches Site from this past year. And to help us reflect on our biggest year yet, we've recruited our Director of Content, Derek Jory.

You know how great teams have “Glue Guys” or teammates that ensure everyone feels important and that the rink is a destination? Well, Derek is that person on our TCS team.

He has a unique background in that he spent 13 years with the Vancouver Canucks as their lead content writer for their website and social media channels. He is also is the MC of TCS Live and has become the star of the show with his wardrobe, larger than life hair and dad jokes.

Listen as we look back at the top 5 articles, TCS Live presentations, community content, and podcasts of the year. If you want to learn what goes on behind the scenes at The Coaches Site, you’re going to enjoy this episode.

For episode #227 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we were fortunate to attend the Minnesota Hockey Directors Conference and be joined by newly named Head Coach of the Minnesota State Mavericks, Luke Strand.

Strand is a friend of The Coaches Site, and needless to say our team is pumped for him and the Mavericks program. He’s earned this opportunity and has put together an amazing staff that knows how to prepare players for the rigours of professional hockey.

Listen as shares the importance of getting players out of their comfort zone, why simple is best, and handling player mistakes.

In episode #243 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we revist one of the more impactful conversations that came out of last year’s TCS Live conference, featuring University of Michigan Head Coach Brandon Naurato and Dr Kathy Babiak, a professor of Sport Management and Director of the Michigan Center for Sport & Social Responsibility.

The two discuss the burning issues facing today’s coaches, centered around Naurato's eventful 22-23 season that saw him be promoted to full-time Head Coach of the Wolverines and end with a trip to the Frozen Four. From a distance, it may have seemed like an overall success but as you’ll hear, it was a season that placed immense pressure on a first time head coach, his players, his staff, as collectively, they were tasked with facing a series of challenges that were out of their control.

Listen as he shares his philosophy of "good dudes only," why growth is only possible through failure and why it's important to show your players the real you.

In episode #239 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome good friend of TCS, Dr. Cassidy Preston. He is the Founder of CEP Mindset and co-host of the Beyond the X's and O's Podcast.

Dr. Preston recently released his book Mindset First and touches on how coaches and athletes can break free from focusing on results, performing with confidence and rise to the occasion.

You can check it out here.

Listen as he shares how the "Screw It" mindset can help you let go, why confidence is a word he tries to stay away from, and why coaches should avoid being too judgmental with players.

In episode #260, Assistant Coach for the San Jose Sharks and presenter at the upcoming TCS Live, Ryan Warsofsky stops by.

At just 36 years-old, Warsofsky just completed his first season behind an NHL bench after climbing the coaching ladder at a rapid pace. That includes time as a Head Coach in the ECHL and AHL, two Calder Cup championships and an ECHL record for fewest goals against in a season during his first season leading the South Carolina Stingrays.

He’s one of the top up and coming coaches in the game and is highly regarded by his peers in the industry. It will be fun to follow his coaching journey from here.

Listen as he shares why coaches need to find releases to deal with anxiety, importance of creating a process to avoid negativity, and why practice habits become game reality.

In episode #250 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome Head Coach of the Boston University Women's Team, Tara Watchorn.

She is in the midst of her first season of leading her alma mater and is only the second coach in the program’s history, taking over from the coach she both played for, and who brought her back as a Assistant Coach, Brian Durocher. 

You can catch her this June at TCS Live, hockey's premiere coaching conference.

Listen as she shares her strategy on making efficient line changes, why it's important to let player's become leaders of their own career, and how the PWHL has impacted the aspirations of young female players.

Head Coach of St. Cloud State women's hockey team, Brian Idalski, joins us for episode #217.

Idalski is coming off his first season leading the Huskies' program and was named the US College Hockey Online National Coach of the Year, as his team made significant strides in virtually every defensive and offensive area of the game.

Listen as he shares why pattern recognition is key to helping players process the game, coaching Team China in the Olympics, and how to get your team to buy into blocking shots.

The Glass and Out Pod wants to wish everyone a Happy Holidays! To celebrate the start of this year's World Junior Championships, we're revisiting one of our favourite conversations from 2020 featuring two former Gold Medal winning coaches, Brent Sutter and Phil Housley.

Brent Sutter led Canada to back-to-back gold medals in 2005 and 2006, going an incredible 12-0 in the process. The 2005 team is widely considered the best Canadian team of all-time, featuring a star-studded lineup of NHL All-Stars and future Hall of Famers. He would also return to coach in the 2014 tournament, where Canada finished fourth.

Phil Housley was twice an assistant coach with Team USA in 2007 and 2011, capturing bronze medals both years. He would then return as the program’s Head Coach in 2013, leading them to the fourth gold medal in the country’s history.

We hope you enjoy this very special talk, as the two share their experience leading their respective countries to Gold.

In episode #269, we're excited to have Rachel Flanagan, Assistant Coach of the newly named Toronto Sceptres of the PWHL, stop by.

Now heading into her second season with Toronto, she previously spent 16 seasons building the University of Guelph into a perennial contender, including a National Championship in 2019

Rachel presented at our inaugural TCS Live at St. Andrew's College in September and showed how you can manipulate your opponents forecheck by owning and breaking out through the middle of the ice. Stay tuned for that coming soon on The Coaches Site!

Listen as she shares the importance of constantly evolving your team, tips on building confidence to take risks, and why leading with a question is always the key to learning and growth.

In episode #279, we're joined by Craig Custance, who is the Head of Creative Development at The Athletic.

Custance recently released his second book, The Franchise: The Business of Building Winning Teams, which features in-depth interviews with some of the top team builders in hockey, including Tampa Bay Lightning GM Julien BriseBois, New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello, and many more.

The book showcases the unique path each of these individuals has taken to  land in their current roles, the challenges they’ve faced in their careers and the decisions that have led them and their teams to the pinnacle of the sport.

Custance got his start in hockey by covering the Atlanta Thrashers for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and joined ESPN in 2011 as a National Hockey writer. In 2017, he joined The Athletic and has played a pivotal role in growing the company into a global sports brand that today serves over 11 million subscribers.

Listen as he shares key lessons learned from hockey's top builders, the traits that all great leaders have in common, and future GM's to watch out for.

For the next five weeks on the Glass and Out Podcast, we’re going to be featuring the five coaches selected to present at our Global Skills Showcase. The event takes place from March 4-8 and showcases five of the top skills coaches in the worlds, presenting on how they teach a specific skill or tactic. 

In episode #244, we welcome skating coach Jill Plandowski, who will be presenting on improving a player's crossovers with an emphasis on the outside edge.

Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Plandowski has over 25 years of coaching experience. Her client list includes current NHL players like Drake Batherson, Morgan Baron, Justin Barrohn, Liam O’Brien, Ryan Graves and Noah Dobson, along with numerous prospects in the junior and college ranks. 

Listen as she shares common skating misconceptions, what the prime age for improving a player's skating is, and why proper mechanics allow players to play with freedom of thought.

In episode #153 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome Cam Abbott, head coach of Rögle BK in the Swedish Hockey League.

Along with his twin brother Chris, who is currently the GM of Rögle, the pair has been able to revive a franchise on the brink of relegation, to one of the top team's in the SHL - in just four seasons.

Cam and his brother have spent majority of their lives navigating careers in hockey together. That includes playing careers at Cornell University, a season spent time in the Central and East Coast Hockey Leagues, and seven seasons in Norway and Sweden.

Then, without any prior coaching experience, Cam was hired as head coach of the Vaxjo Lakers U20 squad and in one season, completely turned around the program. The success would result in him and his brother being recruited to Rögle.

Listen as Cam shares the incredible story of how he and his brother embarked on their pro hockey career together (which includes getting an offer to work at a canary), how they've been able to turnaround things around in Rögle, and thoughts on becoming a YouTube star.

For this week's episode of the Glass and Out podcast, we've decided to flip the script. Sitting in the guest chair will be none other than Glass and Out host, and The Coaches Site founder, Aaron Wilbur.

Taking over hosting duties will be Matt Dumouchelle, a new writer for The Coaches Site and Assistant GM for the GOJHL's Leamington Flyers.

Now into its 10th year as a company, the 'why' of The Coaches Site has always been a simple one: to provide the game's top coaches a platform to share their ideas, and ultimately help coaches provide a better development experience for their players.

In this week's podcast, find out about the origins of The Coaches Site, Wilbur's own personal coaching journey, and what he sees for the future of the hockey coaching industry.

For episode #238 of the Glass and Out Podcast, our team at The Coaches Site had the chance to visit the OHL's Kitchener Rangers facilities and sit down with Head Coach Jussi Ahokas.

Ahokas is currently in his first season in North America after spending the past four seasons as the Head Coach of TPS in the Liga, Finland’s top Professional league. During that time, he was named the Alliance of European Hockey Club’s Coach of the Year, the equivalent of the Jack Adams Award across all of Europe's top professional leagues.

Listen as he shares he shares the Finnish concept of "Sisu," why you'll always get better results when people enjoy the enviornment and why positionless hockey is the future of the game.

In episode #251 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by the USHL’s Vice-President of Hockey Operations, Ian Gentile.

In his role, Gentile has his hands in a numbers of areas that influence player development. His job description includes the USHL's central registry and drafts, player safety and supplemental discipline. The league's recent success has resulted in it becoming a major source of NHL talent. In fact, last season saw 51 players with USHL ties selected in the NHL, marking the 6th consecutive draft that over 50 players had been chosen.

Previous to his role with the USHL, Gentile spent 13 years with the Chicago Blackhawks that saw him hold the role of Senior Manager of Player Development and win three Stanley Cup Championships.

Listen as he shares the importance of putting an emphasis on the mental wellness of players, why parents should be encouraging their kids to play multiple sports, and why the USHL has become a major source of NHL talent.

In episode #280, we welcome Todd Nelson, Head Coach of the Hershey Bears and reigning winner of the Louis AR Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding coach.

Nelson and the Bears are coming off back-to-back Calder Cup championships and looking to add a third consectuvie this season. He is only the third person to capture the trophy as a player, an Assistant Coach and a Head Coach, and overall has been a part of eight championship teams throughout his playing and coaching career.

Having already made three stops in the NHL, twice as an Assistant Coach with Atlanta and Dalals and once as a Head Coach with Edmonton, we wouldn't doubt his call up to the top league is coming soon.

Listen as he shares why creating a family atmosphere is key to team culture, why you need to have a purpose to every drill, and why winning is the best form of development.

In episode #291, we continue our trip through Europe with a visit from HC Davos Head Coach Josh Holden.

Davos is of course the home of the Spengler Cup, a tournament that Holden and HC Davos won last season (his first with the team), the 16th in the club's history.

After a playing career in North America that saw Holden drafted 12th overall in 1996 by the Vancouver Canucks and spend time with Carolina and Toronto, he would travel overseas and evetually settle in Zug, Switzerland.

Zug would also be where he got his start in coaching, joining Dan Tangnes’ staff the season following his retirement. During his five seasons as an Assistant Coach, the club would capture one Swiss Cup and back to back NLA Championships.

Listen as he shares the difference between skills-skills and game-skills, the mentality of being "all in today," and what he learned from the infamous bench incident at the Spengler Cup.

In episode #289, we're joined Cognitive Behavioural Sports Specialist Larissa Mills for a very important conversation.

Whether it’s social media, sports betting, pornography or any number of other apps designed to highjack the focus of your players, smart phones have become an opponent we’re all grappling with.

Mills holds a BA in Sociology, Psychology, and a Masters of Science in Education, specializing in brain functionality and learning mechanisms. She is the Founder of the Mental Game Academy, an organization committed to empowering athletes, specifically by helping them overcome addiction to their phones.

She also gave a talk last year's at TCS Live on How Phones and Social Media Impact Athlete's Brains and Hockey IQ.

Listen as she shares why confidence is directly linked to phone usage, why gambling and porn have become a major issue for today's youth, and solutions for coaches on handling these many issues.

Our visits with the five selected Global Skills Showcase presenters continues in episode #246, as we welcome GM and Player Development Coach for the Czech Knights, Adam Jonak.

The GSS shines a spotlight on the top skill development coaches in the world, their area of expertise, specifically how they teach or transfer the skills to their players, and is available exclusively to subscribers of The Coaches SIte.

Jonak, who is also the owner of ABC Hockey Development and the Development Coach for the Pilsnen Wolves Hockey Club, has had a unique career that has taken him around the globe, and equipped him with the skills to develop high end players. Specifically, if you coach youth hockey or work with younger players, I think you’re really going to enjoy this one.

Listen as he shares why youth hockey is the perfect place to build confidence in creativity, the importance of letting players make decisions, and why you should also ask the purpose of a drill before borrowing.

In episode #211, we welcome Skating Coach Katy Jo West to the show.

She is the founder of Katy Jo Power Skating, based just outside of Denver, Colorado, where she works with everyone from two and three year-old’s stepping onto the ice for the first time, right up to NHL players.

West is also a presenter at this year's Global Skills Showcase, hosted by The Coaches Site.

Listen as she discusses the fundamentals of becoming a great skater, getting comfortable with being unconventional, and hacks to running a business that requires you to be on the ice 40+ hours per week.

In episode #256 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we revisit PWHL Ottawa and Czech Women's National Team Head Coach Carla MacLeod’s presentation on creating authentic connections, which she delivered at last year’s TCS Live coaching conference.

As you know, our flagship event, TCS Live, is coming up June 20-22 at the University of Michigan. Every year, the best presentations to come out of the event are linked to the presenters or coaches lived experience. The information is somehow linked to a challenge, adversity they’ve faced or a triumph.

In her presentation, MacLeod uses her experience of leading the Czech Team as the backdrop for how coaches create authentic connections with their players to drive performance on the ice.

Listen as she shares the four ingredients for team success, strategies for getting to know players, and why coaching is a privilege.

For episode #281, we're joined by a very special guest to help get you all set for this year's World Junior Championships.

As a part of TSN's WJC coverage, Ray Ferraro had a front row seat at the tournament for 12 consecutive seasons. During that time, he saw some incredible players and games, and is here to share some of those highlights.

Ferraro is of course a former NHL player who suited up for over 1,200 games. He currently works for ESPN and is one of the best analysts in hockey, and more than anything, is as passionate about the game as they come.

Listen as he shares standout teams and players during his time broadcasting the tournament, his broadcasting origins, and some incredible travel stories. 

This past weekend, our team at The Coaches Site had the opportunity to visit the Twin Cities and participate in the Minnesota Hockey Hockey Directors Conference. The event was an opportunity for Hockey Directors from across Minnesota to meet in advance of the season, learn about new ideas on both the player development and administration side of running a minor hockey association, along with picking each others brains.

Welcome back everyone!

The hockey season is finally here and we're happy to return for season 5 of the Glass and Out podcast.

To kick things off, we welcome Dr. Jody Carrington.

Dr. Carrington is a Clinical Psychologist who has spent most of her career working with children and families who have experienced trauma. Having grown up in Viking, Alberta, home of the Sutter brothers, she worked on the Mental Health Inpatient Units of the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary for 10 years. Through her experience she’s developed an affinity for helping teams and organizations solve their most complex, human centered problems.

Today, a lot of her work is focused on the Big People, as she describes them, who are in a position to look after the little people, or kids. As she puts it, through the relationships that young children have with their caregivers, they begin to develop the “story” of themselves and others around them. They decide two things: if they are worthy of love and support and if they are capable and competent beings. When they have these things in place, they have a much greater chance of developing into strong and healthy adults.

If you have ever questioned the importance of your role in the lives of the players you coach, you won’t after today.

In addition to her work as a psychologist, she’s also the best selling author of three books, Kids These Days, Teachers These Days and the soon to be released Feeling Seen.

Listen as she shares how we connect with our players, the importance of staying regulated and self-care, and why "lighting up" is every coaches superpower.

In episode #249 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by Cody Royle, who holds the position of Coach of Head Coaches.

Royle coached Aussie rules football at an elite level before leading Canada’s men’s National team. He is also a coach to 17 Head Coaches across 6 different teams sports, in 5 countries. These coaches are some of the top performers in their respective sports. His work is connected to the belief that the greatest advantage in professional sports is in optimizing the Head Coach.

You can catch Royle this June at TCS Live, hockey's premiere coaching conference.

Listen as he shares why teams become their leaders, why fear is a player's number one obstacle to success, and coaching isn't an art or science, but a craft.

In episode #257, we come full circle and welcome back the original co-host of the Glass and Out Podcast, Kelvin Cech.

We're proud to announce that Cech has rejoined The Coaches Site as our new Manager of Content Collaboration!

This comes after he spent four seasons in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. The first two were spent as the Head Coach and Gm of the Winkler Flyers, where he was awarded Coach of the Year in his first season. From there, he was appointed the Head Coach and GM of the expansion Niverville Nighthawks.

Listen as he shares why a growth mindset is integral for coaches, what he learned form coaching in hockey-mad small town, and what to expect from his new role with TCS.

In episode #285, we welcome Head Coach of the Windsor Spitfires, Greg Walters, someone who has thrived on his ability to be consistent and has never had a losing season.

He is currently in his first season with the Spitfires following a year suspension that involved an inappropriate altercation with another Owen Sound employee. In this episode, he shares what he learned from that experience and we believe it’s something that all coaches can benefit from hearing.

Following eight seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Sarnia Sting to begin his coaching journey, Walters took over the Georgetown Raiders of the Ontario Jr A league for eight seasons, guiding them to 295 wins, a league championship and earning himself both coach and executive of the year honors.

He would then return to the OHL as a Head Coach in Oshawa and Owen Sound, before landing in Windsor following the aforementioned suspension.

Listen as he shares what he learned from incident that led to his suspension and the work he's done to overcome it, why good defence starts with breaking out the puck, and creating a culture of quality and self-evaluation.

In episode #242 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by Head Athletic Trainer, and Strength and Conditioning Coach of the University of North Dakota men’s hockey team. 

Poolman's reputation precedes him and it’s no secret that UND is a pipeline of NHL talent. The alumni list includes the like’s of Jonathan Toews, Zach Parise, TJ Oshie, Jake Sanderson, Ed Belfour, Brock Boeser, just to name a few. To put it in perspective, last season alone, 23 former UND players suited in the NHL. 

Listen as he shares off-ice training tips for youth players, why sleep is critical to player performance, and how to deal with stress as a coach.

In episode #151 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome Ontario Reign assistant coach Chris Hajt.

Hajt is entering his sixth season with the LA Kings AHL affiliate, which includes a Calder Cup championship in 2015 while the team was located in Manchester, New Hampshire. During that time, Hajt has played a key role in the development of many of the Kings' top prospects and has faced the challenge that many AHL coaches deal with: how do you balance the development of young players with team success.

Find out how he approaches the challenge, what he learned during his two years as an assistant with the Buffalo Sabres, and why it's critical to be in-tune with your players in terms of listening to them and providing them a voice in their own development.

In episode #157 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by Digit Murphy, President of the Toronto Six, members of the Premiere Hockey Federation (formerly the National Women’s Hockey League).

Murphy has a diverse and decorated background in hockey and is one the leading advocates for women's sports.

She spent 22 seasons as the head coach of the Brown University women’s program, capturing six ECAC Hockey titles and five Ivy League titles, and was the first female coach to reach 200 wins. She made the jump to the Canadian Women’s Hockey League in 2012, joining the Boston Blades. The Blades won the Clarkson Cup in two out of her three seasons at the helm and she was also the recipient of the league’s Coach of the Year award in 2014.

Follow her time in Boston, Murphy was recruited by the Kunlun Red Star, the KHL team located in China, to establish a team to participate in the CWHL and assist in developing their Olympic women’s team in preparation for the 2022 games. In her lone season with the Red Star, Murphy led them to the league final.

On top of all that, Murphy is also the co-founder of RUTH, an organization that prepares and connects female athletes with careers in the corporate world.

Find out her thoughts on progressing the women's game, the key to keeping her energy and passion high throughout her career, and her philosophy on building a culture with a new franchise.

In episode #263, we're joined by Steve Sullivan, who currently holds the position of Head Coach with the the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 18U AAA.

Following a playing career of over 1,000 NHL games, Sullivan joined the Arizona Coyotes as a Development Coach and would eventually work his way into management and become the club’s General Manager in 2019. Following a change in ownership, he remained in Phoenix and began coaching in the Jr Coyotes program. 

Sullivan is an open book when it comes to how he develops players, runs practice and prepares players for the next stage of their career. Guaranteed you’re going to steal a thing or two. 

Listen as he shares how to improve a player's goal scoring ability, why stubbornness played a key role in his hockey journey, and why team success is about being predictable within but unpredictable to your opponent.

For episode #169 of the Glass and Out podcast, we're joined by power skating instructor Cathy Andrade. She is also one of the 10 coaches selected to present at our upcoming Global Skills Showcase!

Through hard work, striving to master her craft and word of mouth, she's built a reputation as one of the top skating coaches in hockey.

Andrade grew up in Calgary, Alberta, where she competed competitively as a figure skater before obtaining CFSA certification, which is comprised of Gold Figure, Gold Free-Style and Gold Dance.

In the early 90s, she set up shop in San Jose, California, and by the turn of the century, was training hockey players exclusively. Today, she trains a lot of the top players to come out of Northern California, as well as many of the top players who move to the Bay Area to play professionally, including current San Jose Shark Kevin Labanc and former Shark Joe Pavelski.

Find out her philosophy on creating better skaters and athletes, how she's gained the trust of some of the top players in hockey as a former figure skater, and how her Global Skills Showcase presentation on "3-Turns" will challenge your players like never before.

In episode #171 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by Brad Ralph, Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Florida Everblades of the East Coast Hockey League.

Ralph is currently in his sixth season with the Everblades, quietly helping them develop into one of the top programs in the ECHL.

During his tenure, Florida has captured four South Division titles and advanced to two conference championships. In the 2017-2018 season, he helped the club set a record for most wins (53) and points (112) in a season. The Blades also advanced to the Kelly Cup final and he was awarded the Jack Brophy Award as ECHL Coach of the Year. His 45 career wins in the Kelly Cup playoffs currently ranks him fifth all time in the ECHL.

Ralph got his coaching career start at just 30-years-old in Augusta, Georgia, with the Augusta RiverHawks of the Southern Professional Leagues. After being handed the keys to an expansion franchise with no coaching experience on his resume, he led the team to the league final and was recognized as Coach of the Year.

After three season with the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads, he made a brief stop in the Western Hockey League as Head Coach of the Kelowna Rockets, during which he led the team to a 48-20-4 record and an appearance in the Western Conference Championship.

Find out his strategies for managing the grind of an ECHL season, why preparation is key to developing relationships with his players, and why he believes every player has the potential to achieve their dream of playing the NHL.

In episode #221, we're joined by friend of the show, Calgary Flames Assistant Coach Ryan Huska.

He recently wrapped up his 5th season with the Flames and will be joining us at TCS Live, hockey’s premiere coaching conference, next June at the University of Michigan. Huska will be presenting on the penalty kill and as you’ll hear in this episode, has a lot to offer on the subject.

Listen as he discusses the special teams chess match that takes during a playoff series, being intentional about finding time to build relationships with players and the coaches he admires outside of hockey.

Welcome back for season 5 of the Glass and Out Podcast!

We have an amazing guest to kick things off, as we welcome Tom Ward, Head Coach of the Shattuck-St. Mary's Boys Prep Team.

Shattuck is the prep school hockey powerhouse based out of Faribault, Minnesota, that has produced the likes of Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Toews, Zach Parise, Jack Johnson, Drew Stafford, and many more. But while the list of elite talent and number of championships is impressive, what really stands out about the program is a culture grounded in hard work, sweat and a philosophy that every player, regardless of their pedigree or resume, has to earn their spot.

In this week's podcast, we find out about Ward's coaching journey, that includes a stop in the NHL, the importance of developing the person before the player, and his role in creating one of the top prep programs in all of hockey.

In episode #254 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by seven-time Stanley Cup Champion and someone who is woven into the fabric of some of the best NHL teams of all-time, Barry Smith.

Smith spent 18 years behind an NHL bench, capturing back to back championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins as an Assistant Coach, three Cups riding shotgun with Scotty Bowman in Detroit, and two more with the Chicago Blackhawks as their Director of Player Evaluation.

His resume also includes time coaching Sweden, Russia, the NCAA, he got his NHL start with his hometown Buffalo Sabres and was even an Assistant Coach to Wayne Gretzky in Phoenix.

Smith be sharing his wealth of knowledge this June at TCS Live.

Listen as he shares his philosphy on developing hockey sense, working with coaching legend Scotty Bowman, and what it takes to win hockey's ultimate prize.

In episode #209, we connect with Paul Dyck, Head Coach and General Manager of the MJHL's Steinbach Pistons.

The Pistons have been one of the most successful and consistent Junior A programs in Canada since Dyck stepped behind the bench part way through the 2012-2013 season.

Listen as he discuss why great coaches find reasons why a team CAN succeed, the role grit plays in winning Championships and why you need to appreciate feedback from your fans, even if they interrupt your breakfast.

Nick Oliver, Head Coach of USHL's Fargo Force, stops in for episode 200 of the Glass and Out Podcast.

At the time of this recording, Oliver had the Force sitting atop the USHL standings, but what is most impressive about his story is the rapid rise he’s made up the coaching ladder since completing his collegiate career at St. Cloud State University.

Despite no prior experience, the Wannaska, Minnesota native got his coaching career started when he was invited to join the Sioux Falls Stampede's staff as an Assistant Coach and Director of Scouting.

Three seasons later, he returned to St Cloud, where he was captain his senior season, to join the staff of current Head Coach Brett Larson. During his three seasons at St. Cloud, Oliver assisted the program in reaching three straight NCAA tournament berths and one NCHC regular season Conference Championship.

He then returned to another of his former teams, the Fargo Force, where he has been the Head Coach since May of 2022.

It’s worth noting that throughout his career, Oliver has been surrounded by accomplished coaches. It goes without saying that young coaches can do themselves a great service by focusing on aligning themselves with coaches who have a broad range of experiences.

Hear Oliver discuss how is father (a former coach) helped guide his career, the various mentors who have influenced him, and how he's used the Christmas break to prepare his team for the upcoming playoffs.

The talk is a foundational piece of content for coaches of all levels and provides a practical framework, particularly at the youth level, on how to handle adversity and shape their approach to the season.

Over the past 28 years, McLellan has been a coach in the SJHL, WHL, IHL, AHL & NHL, and in all but three of those seasons, he’s been at the helm. He’s in his eighth season as NHL Head Coach and third with the Los Angeles Kings.

McLellan has a Stanley Cup under his belt from his time with the Detroit Red Wings in 2007-08, and on January 2, 2022, he won his 500th NHL game, becoming the 27th coach in league history to accomplish the feat.

Listen as McLellan shares his thoughts about why there certainly is an I in team, a player’s mindset versus a coach’s mindset, and how to develop a player support system that promotes individualism.

In episode #275, we're revisiting one of the highlights of last year's TCS Live conference. International speaker, best-selling author and Founder of the Changing the Game Project John O’Sullivan took to the stage to share how to take your coaching from transactional to transformational.

O'Sullivan has dedicated his life to enhancing the experience kids have with youth sports by educating and inspiring the adults in the equation, namely their coaches and parents. He’s been featured on CNN, ESPN and NBC Sports, along with speaking at TEDx, and to the US Olympic Committee, US Soccer, USA Wrestling, USA Swimming, US Ski and Snowboard, Ireland Rugby and Australian Rugby League.

And with that in mind, Our team at The Coaches Site are excited to announce that we have collaborated with John on a course focused on the How To’s of Transformational Coaching. You can learn more about the course here.

Listen as he shares why great coaches win the relationship game, why we must be outcome aware but driven by process, and why every coach has the ability to change a person's life for the better.

In episode #298, we're joined by Bethany Brausen, Head Coach of the University of St. Thomas Women's program.

Brausen just completed her first season with St. Thomas after taking over as interim Head Coach in November and being name full-time coach just a few months later.

She is also in the process of completing her PhD in Organizational Leadership Policy & Development, and as you’re about to hear, her education in leadership and organizational development is clearly woven into how she’s building the Tomies program.

Following her playing career that included captaining the University of Minnesota, she joined Brad Frost’s staff with the Gophers as an Assistant Coach for 5 seasons, before moving across town to St. Thomas.

Brausen will be joining us as a speaker at the upcoming IIHF Coaching Symposium, hosted in Stockholm during the Men’s World Championship. Stay tuned for that presentation on The Coaches Site!

Listen she shares why players need to create a self-governing culture, what we get wrong about real leadership, and the importance of understanding that every person has their own story.

We're joined by Nadine Muzerall, Head Coach of the National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes, for episode #177 of the Glass and Out podcast.

While most would associate OSU with their legendary football program, Muzerall has been building a tradition of her own with the women's hockey program since she arrived on campus in 2016.

In her six seasons, the Buckeyes have gone from a sub-500 team to a perennial college powerhouse, qualifying for NCAA tournament on four occasions and capturing the 2022 NCAA Frozen Four Championship as the top seed in women's college hockey. Muzerall has also been recognized as the WCHA Coach of the Year twice.

The Mississauga, Ontario, product played her college hockey at the University of Minnesota, where she was named an All-American in 1998 and 2000, while also earning Team MVP honours during those seasons. Muzerall had the honour of becoming the first women hockey player to be inducted into the University’s Hall of Fame.

She joined her former Head Coach Brad Frost as an Assistant Coach with her alma mater in 2011. During her return to the Gophers, the program captured four National Championships in five seasons.

Hear about how Muzerall reshaped the culture at OSU, her unique mentorship from John Tortorella, and the offensive philosophy that led to her squad putting up a staggering 175 goals in only 29 games.

In episode #284, we're joined by the Manager of Goalie Development for USA Hockey, Steve Thompson.

It’s no secret that the US has become a bit of a goaltending factory. For example, last season, of the goalies who played a minimum of 15 games in the NHL, four of the top six, seven of the top 11, and nine of the top 20 in save percentage were American. As Thompson explains it, this surge in goaltending development starts with focusing at  the grassroot levels.

The native of Alaska played college hockey at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and immediately jumped into developing the next wave of goalies upon graduation.

As you’re about to hear, Thompson's enthusiasm for the position is contagious, and much of what he offers from a development perspective applies to players of all positions.

Listen as he shares why retention should be a youth coaches number one measure of success, why every goal against is an opportunity to learn, and the importance of keeping your goalies in mind during practice planning.

In episode #290, we welcome current Head Coach of EV Zug Dan Tangnes.

He grew up in Norway and represented his country internationally at the U20 level, and eventually made his way to Sweden where he would turn pro.

Tangnes started coaching in the Rogle academy and eventually would work his way up to coaching Linkoping HC in the SHL, Sweden’s top league. From there, he would join Zug in 2018 and lead them to a regular season title in his first season. He continued to invest in relationships and along with his players, created a culture that would support Zug capturing back to back NLA Championships in 2021 and 2022.

Next season, he will be returning to Rogle to become their next Head Coach. In the meantime, he’s focused on bringing a third Championship to Zug.

Listen as he shares why filtering information down to what matters most is a key skill for coaches, why playing a possession game comes down to the players without the puck, and why integrity needs to come first before wins and titles.

In episode #278, Kim Weiss, Video Coach of the Colorado Eagles, stops by to chat.

She is a trail blazer who has relied on one tried and true method to advancing in her coaching career: learning how to make the players better.

Previously, she would become the first female to earn a win as a Head Coach in North American junior hockey with the Maryland Black Bears and was also named an Assistant Coach with the mens team at Trinity College, her alma mater, making her the first female to coach at the NCAA level on the male side.

In addition, Weiss is a two-time TCS Live presenter, covering Strategy for OT and Shootouts and Incorporating Wall Play into Practice.

Listen as she shares advice for aspiring female coaches, why coaching is all about helping players get better and why wall play is an undertaught skill.

In episode #224, we're joined by good friend of The Coaches Site  and upcoming TCS Live presenter Glen Gulutzan.

When he steps on stage at TCS Live later this month at the University of Michigan, it will mark the 5th time he has presented at one of our events, and in the process he will hold the pole position when it comes to the most presentations all-time at a TCS event.

But while there is a ton tactical knowledge he’s shared at the conference, the insights you can gleam from his coaching journey  in today's interview are equally as valuable.

Listen as he discusses constraints, or lack of them on the power play, cutting your teeth as a coach in Las Vegas, and how he’s learned from all the coaches he’s worked with throughout his career.

For episode #172, we welcome a familiar face to the Glass and Out podcast. Dr. Cassidy Preston is a High-Performance Coach and the Founder of Consistent Elite Performance. He is also the co-host of the Beyond the X's and O's podcast, and has been a regular contributor at The Coaches Site and presenter at our past virtual events.

On top of all that, he will be presenting at TCS Live, our in-person hockey coaches conference taking place at the University of Michigan from June 15-17th. 

Dr. Preston grew up in North Bay, Ontario, where he played hockey; he was selected in the 4th round of the OHL draft and played five seasons of junior hockey. Following a brief professional career, he attended and played hockey at York University and later the University of Toronto, where he obtained a PHD in Sport and Performance Psychology. In addition, he also spent time coaching hockey at the grassroots levels in the Toronto area.

With his education and the experience gained from his different positions in the game, he decided to create Consistent Elite Performance, an organization that assists athletes, coaches, teams and businesses in enhancing their mental performance and well-being.

In this week's podcast, find out his thoughts on the evolution of performance psychology, hear tips on how to get your team into the optimal mindset, and why he feels process over results is the key to an athletes and team success.

In episode #272, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Iowa Wild GM Matt Hendricks at the Minnesota High School Hockey Coaches Association’s Fall Clinic for a live interview.

Prior to being named the GM, Hendricks spent five seasons as the Wild’s Assistant Director of Player Development. Of course, prior to that he suited up for over 600 NHL games, spending time with the Avalanche, Capitals, Oilers, Jets and Wild.

Growing up, he captained Blaine High School to a Minnesota State Championship and if you’ve never spent time in Minnesota, that is a HUGE deal in that part of the world.

Listen as he shares what makes hockey in Minnesota so special, why there's no forward button on player development, and why small area games are key, even at the NHL level.

In episode #236 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by the Director of Youth Hockey Programs and Fan Development for the Vegas Golden Knights, Sheri Hudspeth. She is also a coach in the Jr Golden Knights program.

Not every NHL team has a role like Hudspeth in their organisation and her hockey journey is unique in and of itself. The learning she has done on the ground in Vegas is invaluable because hockey wasn’t the natural choice when it came to parents selecting what youth sports program they had to sign their kids up for.

Listen as she shares why it's important to have strong coaches for our youngest players, why parents need to let coaches do their job, and how we can empower women coaches.

We are rolling along with our spotlight on the presenters who will be featured at this year’s Global Skills Showcase.

In episode #247, we feature Director of Player Development and Mentorship for the Western Canada Hockey Canada, Tyler Dittmer.

Based in Brandon, Manitoba, he is also a development coach with the U18 Brandon Wheat Kings, Brandon Minor Hockey and the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings.

As you'll hear, Dittmer's commitment to his craft and the care he has for his players is very evident. He offers a lot in this conversation and you'll no doubt steal a few of his tips and add them to your coaching toolbox.

Listen as he shares his eight different processes for developing a skill, why coaches need to be a battery for players at practice, and his GSS presentation on creating a lethal shot.

In episode 198 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome Dan Muse, Head Coach of the US National Development Programs U18 Team.

If you attended TCS Live this past June, then you would have seen Muse on stage presenting on The Importance of the Second Player in Puck Support and Puck Pressure. Stay tuned for that presentation coming later this season on The Coaches Site.

Muse got his start in coaching as an Assistant Coach at Milton Academy, following a four year playing career at Stonehill College, where he majored in Criminal Justice.

He worked his way into the Div I ranks, beginning at Sacred Heart University, before joining Keith Allain’s staff at Yale. In 2013, Yale captured the programs first ever National Championship. While at Yale, Muse also participated in the World Junior Championships on two occasions as the Video Coaches for Team USA.

In 2015, he was named the Head Coach of the USHL’s Chicago Steel. Despite the program having gone seven seasons without the reaching the post-season, Muse led them on a remarkable turn around, capturing a Clark Cup Championship in only his second season.

From there, Muse was hired by Peter Laviolette and the Nashville Predators, where he spent the next three seasons and was a part of the 2017-2018 Predators team that captured the NHL’s Presidents Trophy.

Muse then joined the US National Development Team Program, where he is now in charge of the U18 team.

Listen as he discusses the benefits of teaching a high school history class, why you should focus on habits and concepts with your team, and why great coaches invest in the other coaches on their staff.

In episode #225, we welcome two-time presenter at TCS Live, Paul Boutilier. 

He has worn a lot of hats during his career, but currently works as a Defenceman Specialist, consulting with approximately 40 defenceman, several of whom are current NHL super stars through his company, the 44 Second group.

As you'll find out in this episode, you'll be hard-pressed to find someone who has thought as much about playing defence as Paul has.

Listen as shares his methods for improving a Dman's posture, why the funnel approach to defending should be flipped, and the importance of helping players understand concepts by writing it down.

In episode #212, Erie Otters Head Coach Stan Butler stops by.

Butler recently returned behind the bench after a two year break and is currently in his 26th season coaching in the CHL. He’s coached in over 1,600 OHL games and won 742 of them, ranking him in the top 5 in league history in both categories.

Hear him discuss the influence his teaching career has had on his coaching career, the decision to stay in Junior hockey, and why he still has the juice to chase that elusive OHL crown with the Erie Otters.

In episode #265 and the season finale, we welcome Lee Moffie, Co-Founder of State & Liberty Clothing Company.

As you likely know, State & Liberty is the presenting sponsor of Glass and Out. Their line of performance clothing designed for athletic men is worn by athletes in the NHL, NFL, MLB, NCAA, UFC and almost every other professional league.

During our recent trip to Ann Arbor for TCS Live, Moffie and his teamn were gracious enough to host a VIP event for our community at their flagship store the night before the conference. That included a sit down with Moffie, who also happens to be a former University of Michigan hockey alumni.

Listen as he shares the story of founding a clothing company with no past experience in the idustry, leadership lessons he's taken from his career in hockey, and tips on creating a culture for high functioning teams.

This week's guest isn't a household name in the hockey world quite yet, but if you follow or are a member of The Coaches Site, then you'll recognize the name.

Dan Arel has quickly become one of the most popular TCS contributors. In addition to his writing, Arel is the Director of Coach & Player Development for the San Diego Oilers Hockey Club. In our world, that’s a potent combination, because while there are lots of experts out there when it comes to developing elite players or leading professional teams, there are few experts, at least few of them who are willing to share their experiences, at the grassroots levels.

And that’s Arel's wheelhouse. Coaching and developing programs focused on players who have yet to turn professional and likely never will.

In addition to his Director role with the San Diego Oilers, he is also the Head Coach of the programs U12 A team, where he coaches his son. He holds his Level 4 certification through USA Hockey and in 2020 was named the San Diego Gulls Foundation Coach of the Year.

In today’s episode, we’ll discuss making the most out of half ice practices, the challenges of being a parent-coach and how he believes we can keep kids playing the game, regardless of skill level.

In episode #216, we welcome Performance Coach and Founder of Deviate, Ryan Blanck.

To date, Blanck has worked with over half of the team’s in the NFL, including the league itself, the iconic entertainment industry agency, the William Morris Endeavor, professional athletes, leading universities such as Penn State, Clemson, Vanderbilt and Stanford, along with executives from major corporations to start-ups.

He will also be presenting at TCS Live, taking place June 22-24 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Hear him discuss why empathy is the number one skill needed by leaders, what erodes culture and what it takes to be a leader worth following.

In episode #268, we're joined by Ben Barr, who is entering his 4th season as the Head Coach of the University of Maine Black Bears.

Maine hockey was a wagon through 90’s capturing two National Championships under the legendary Shawn Walsh, and would remain in contention up until 2007 under Tim Whitehead.

But since then, the program had made only one tournament appearance, in 2012, until last spring when they were again recognized in the National rankings and returned to the big dance under Barr's leadership.

Listen as he shares how he's helped revive the Black Bears program, dealing with the challenge of a losing season, and why it's important to find the value in players other than goals and assists.

In episode #215, we we're joined by Detroit Red Wings Assistant Coach Jay Varady.

Varady has had a remarkable trajectory since his early coaching days with the WHL's expansion Everett Silvertips, and yet there is much more to be written in his story.

Today, we discuss the origin of analytics in hockey, implementing process & structure into a program, and how to navigate when to make the jump in one’s coaching career.

In episode #214, we welcome former NHLer and current Cognitive Performance Coach Aaron Volpatti.

He is also the author of the book FIGHTER: Defying the NHL Odds, an autobiography on how he turned tragedy into triumph on his unlikely journey to playing in the National Hockey League.

Listen as we discuss how he learned to leverage his mind to make an unlikely return to the ice following his severe burns that almost took his life, how that experience became a skill later in his career, and how coaches can offer support in their athletes visualizing their own peak performance.

In episode #159 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome Tomas Montén, head coach of the Swedish National U20 Team.

It’s the holiday season, and that means the start of the World Juniors is fast approaching. Now heading into his eighth tournament with Team Sweden (and sixth as head coach), Montén makes the perfect candidate to discuss what the tournament experience looks like through the lens of a coach.

In total, he’s helped Sweden capture two silver medals, one bronze, and was a part of Sweden’s incredible 54-game unbeaten streak during the round robin portion of the tournament, a streak that was halted by Russia during last year’s event. During his tenure, he’s had the opportunity to work with some of the top young talent in the game, such as Elias Pettersson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Lucas Raymond, to name a few.

At our inaugural Virtual Hockey Summit in 2020, Tomas gave an outstanding presentation on how he prepares Team Sweden for the World Juniors. It offers a ton of strategies in terms of how teach efficiently and to get your players comfortable playing in your system.

In this week's episode, find out why the tournament is so special to him, how small area games have helped Sweden have success internationally, and what goes into building a fast team.

In episode #235 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we sit down with Roger Ronnberg, Head Coach of the Frolunda Hockey Club.

Ronnberg is widely considered one of the top coaches in Europe, his name routinely comes up when the topic of European coaches breaking into the NHL is mentioned. He is respected by the top coaches in the game as someone who has demonstrated that putting people first, and prioritising individual development, in all facets, is the process that leads to sustained performance by a team.

Listen as he shares why he wants no thinking and no excuses from his players, breaking down systems into habits, and why coaches should strive to make every player successful.

In episode #203, we're joined by Ken Martel, USA Hockey's Senior Director of Player & Coach Development. In his newly appointed role, he is charged with developing a framework for associations in the US to follow that leads to an enhanced player and coach development pathways.

Listen as he shares his thoughts on what’s next in the evolution of player and coach development, how he approaches developing hockey in non-traditional markets, and the experience of growing up playing hockey in a pre-Gretzky California.

In episode #264, we had the honor of being joined by Gardiner MacDougall, live and in person at last week's TCS Live coaching conference.

MacDougall presented on "Creating the "WOW" Factor from Your First Team Meeting" and also stopped by our Overtime event at the Circ Bar in downtown Ann Arbor.

He is coming off an unprecedented 3 year run, which saw him capture back to back USports National Championships with the UNB Varsity Reds, the second of which included an undefeated 43-0 season, a Gold Medal leading Canada at the U18 Championships, a Gold Medal at the FISU World University Games and a Memorial Cup Championship with the Saint John Sea Dogs. 

After 24 seasons leading the University of New Brunswick, which included 9 National Championships, Gardiner is moving on to coach the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats. He'll be working alongside his son Taylor, who will be the club’s General Manager.

Listen as he shares why losing can be necessary for overall team success, how to build a players confidence, and why simplicity is key to an effective practice plan.

This week on the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds head coach John Dean.

Dean is entering his fifth season behind the bench in the Soo. During his tenure, the Greyhounds have qualified for the playoffs each season (keeping in mind the playoffs were cancelled in 2020 and 2021) and advanced to second round on both occasions.

Dean and his staff have developed eight NHL draft picks and continue to make the Greyhounds program a destination for prospective prospects.

He began his coaching career with the North York Rangers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, starting as an assistant coach, before being promoted to the club’s head coach after two seasons.

In 2014, he returned to North Bay, where he played his junior hockey, to join the North Bay Battalion on Stan Butler’s staff.

After three seasons in the OHL, Dean returned to the OJHL, this time with the Toronto Patriots, where he led the team to a regular season title with a 40-8-3-3 record and was named the league’s Coach of the Year. He would also be named the head coach of Team East at the CJHL Top Prospects Game.

In this episode, we discuss what a game day in the Soo looks like, how he uses running as a form of staying mentally healthy, and how he sets and enforces a high standard with his players.

In episode #182 of The Glass and Out podcast, we're joined by Luke Strand, Head Coach of the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers, to discuss the process involved in bringing a fourth Championship to Sioux City, and his 20 season coaching journey, which has seen him spend time in the NCAA, USHL, AHL, as well as working in the NHL as a scout.

He got his start as an Assistant Coach with St. Nobert College, a Division 3 school based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In 2003, he moved across town to join the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. After a two-year stop with the AHL's Houston Aeros, Strand jumped back to the USHL, for his first stint with Sioux City.

In 2011, he made his way to the West Coast, to join Troy Ward, who had just been named the Head Coach of the Abbotsford Heat, then the AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames. The next few seasons would see him return to the USHL in Sioux City and Madison, join the University of Wisconsin Badgers coaching staff and take on a scouting role with the Calgary Flames.

In 2017, Luke returned to Sioux City for a third time, this time, leveraging his past experience to build a contender and eventual championship team. 

In this week's podcast, hear how Strand has established himself as one of the top developers of talent in the game, how his introduction to analytics has influenced his coaching, and the details of this season's Clark Cup championship.

In episode #255 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome former NHL player and current Skill Development Coach for the Nashville Predators, Sébastien Bordeleau.

Coming up in Junior hockey, Bordeleau possessed a ton of offensive skill, which led to him being drafted by his hometown Montreal Canadiens in the 3rd round. However, as his pro career unfolded, he had the foresight to develop a new set of skills that would serve him as a bottom 6, penalty killing checker.

It's this experience that has served him well in his current role, both in terms of how he relates to the players he works with, but also in recognizing the importance of equipping players with a wide range of tools.

Listen as he discusses why instinct is the hardest skill to develop in hockey, utilizing small area games at the NHL level, and the success of hockey in Nashville.

We close out our look at the five selected presenters for this year’s Global Skills Showcase with Alexandre Chénier, Founder of Hockey Developpement.

A skills coach based in Amos, Quebec, he’s a certified Hockey Canada skills coach and mentor to coaches in the Gold Medal Pathway program, and the Development Coach for Val D’or of  QMJHL.

Chénier's approach to player development is a product of his formal education as a teacher, his relationships in and outside of hockey, his experience as a father and the community he lives in. 

Listen as he shares why player development is about connecting skills, why you should always on the person before the player, and his upcoming GSS presentation on optimizing pass receptions.

In addition to his writing, he is also currently the Assistant GM for the Leamington Flyers of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.

In episode #273, we're honored to welcome Army West Point Head Coach Brian Riley.

At the end of this season, Riley, who has been the Head Coach at Army since 2004, and prior to that an Assistant Coach for the program for an additional 12 seasons, is retiring. 

Combined with his father, who coached at Army for 36 seasons, and brother Rob, who coached 19 seasons, the Riley family has spent for over 75 consecutive seasons in charge of the Black Knights program. To say that the Riley family is a part of the DNA of the United States Military Academy would be an understatement.

Listen as he shares what makes West Point the preeminent leadership insitution in the world, carrying the responsibility of honoring every player's legacy, and why creating the power of of one is the key to overcoming any obstacle.

In episode #229 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by Dave Barr, who at the time of this recording was days away from opening training camp with the Chicago Wolves, where he begins his first season as the club’s Assistant Coach.

After turning pro in 1981, Barr has spent every single season since then as a coach or General Manager in professional hockey, with the exception of 5 seasons, between 2003 and 2008 that he was with Guelph of the Ontario Hockey League.

Check out his TCS Live presentation on How to Sell Your Game.

Listen as shares methods for improving a player's scanning, why even elite players need feedback, and his experience coaching a 15 year-old Connor Bedard.

In episode #228 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome Manny Viveiros, who’s beginning his first season as the Head Coach of the WHL’s Vancouver Giants.

Viveiros has had an incredible journey of ups and downs, including a battle with two types of cancer during his season coaching the AHL's Henderson Silver Knights. Thankfully, just prior to last season, he was deemed cancer free.

Listen as shares how an emphasis on mental health helped him in his battle with cancer, lessons learned during his season playing for the legendary Herb Brooks, and how to implement pace into your team's play.