The Hockey Think Tank Podcast
The Hockey Think Tank Podcast brings incredible stories, interviews, and great perspective from some of the top hockey minds in the game. Hosted by Topher Scott & Jeff LoVecchio, our podcast will educate and inspire all those that love the game! For all the players, coaches, and hockey parents out there...make this your Go-To show on your way to the rink! Join our Community here!
FRIDAY FACEOFF - HATE TO LOSE OR LOVE TO WIN?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss the phrases “hate to lose” vs “love to win.” Which one suits you best and what does it say about you as a player or coach?
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SHORT SHIFTS - ONE-TIMERS
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about one-timers. What are some of the most important things you should know about this type of shot?
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Growth Isn’t Always Linear: It's About Getting Back on the Path with Guest Matt Fornataro, Performance Coach - EP 403
This week Topher and Jeff talk with Matt Fornataro, former professional hockey player and now performance coach. Fornataro played in the United States Hockey League, then played for University of New Hampshire, and later went pro for a couple of years.
In this episode we talk about:
— How one bad game doesn’t make you a bad player
— The difference between goals and standards
— How kids don’t have time to be bored anymore
— How you see a different side of your kids than what their coach sees
AND SO MUC...
FRIDAY FACEOFF - FINISHING THE SEASON STRONG?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Vechs is flying solo for the first time ever and he wants to discuss how to finish the season strong. While everyone is stressing about playoffs or next season, Vechs encourages players, coaches, and parents to stay present and be in the moment.
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SHORT SHIFTS - BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR PLAYERS
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about the importance of building relationships with your players. How much time are you investing into getting to know your players as individuals away from the rink?
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Letting Kids Be Kids with Guests Luciano Aquino and Carlo Colaiacovo, Former Professional Hockey Players - EP 402
This week Topher and Jeff talk with Luciano Aquino and Carlo Colaiacovo, former professional hockey players. Aquino played at the collegiate level and OHL level and Colaiacovo was a first round pick for the Toronto Maple Leafs. With their own professional careers, and now personal experiences as hockey dads, they join us on the podcast to talk all about prioritizing letting kids just be kids first.
In this episode we talk about:
— Benching kids mid-game
— How kids are on the ice way too much
— Our thoughts on the Brick Tournament
— Ho...
FRIDAY FACEOFF - RADICAL TRANSPARENCY?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss the need for youth hockey organizations to be radically transparent in everything they do. The more you effectively communicate at the beginning, the fewer fires you will have to put out during your season.
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SHORT SHIFTS - PLAYING OFFENSIVELY BEHIND THE NET
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about using the back of the net in the offensive zone. The game is constantly changing, so let’s discuss the modern ways of playing behind the net.
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What Good Defensive Hockey Looks Like - EP 401
This week Topher and Jeff fly solo to talk all about keeping the puck out of your net. What does good defensive hockey look like? Listen as we nerd out and talk about the best defensive habits, concepts, and team strategies.
In this episode we talk about:
— How little things become the big things
— To play high level hockey you have to be good at tracking
— The whole point of playing good defense
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Tra...
FRIDAY FACEOFF - WAYS TO BRING POSITIVITY TO THE GAME?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss different ways we can bring positivity to the game. We’ve talked at great lengths about how hockey is heading for the worst and that it's up to all of us to give back to the game that gave us so much. Listen as we suggest a few small acts that can have a huge impact on others.
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SHORT SHIFTS - FAVORITE ANGLING DRILLS
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about angling drills. We discuss our favorites that help develop this essential skill.
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The Common Trait That the Best Athletes Share with Guest Mike Brown, Former NHL Player - EP 400
Happy 400th episode Think Tankers! This week Topher and Jeff talk with Mike Brown, former National Hockey League player and teammate of Topher’s. Brown played for the National Team Development Program, the University of Michigan, and played in over 400 games in the NHL.
In this episode we talk about:
— What Brown consistently did throughout his hockey career to make it to the NHL
— How hard work wins over skill every day
— Brown’s hilarious story of his NHL draft experience
— How to process and handle getting scratched
AND SO MUC...
FRIDAY FACEOFF - DWINDLING ENROLLMENT NUMBERS?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss the dwindling enrollment numbers on the boys side in North American youth hockey and how they are starting to affect competition at the higher levels. Are the outrageous costs and toxic culture to blame?
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SHORT SHIFTS - HOW TO BEAT HIGHLY SKILLED TEAMS
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about how to beat a really skilled hockey team when you are the underdog. What do you do as a coach as far as your tactics, motivation, etc.?
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Avoiding Comparison Culture by Growing & Developing at Your Own Pace with Guest Josh Dunne, Buffalo Sabres Player - EP 399
This week Topher and Jeff talk with Josh Dunne, current NHL player with the Buffalo Sabres. With the knowledge and experience from his impressive hockey career, Dunne joins us to talk about one of our favorite topics: development. This is a great conversation for any kid with a dream of playing at the highest levels.
In this episode we talk about:
— Dunne’s competitive childhood growing up with multiple siblings that played hockey
— Being tough in smaller situations so that it comes naturally in bigger moments
— How development is not linear and how...
FRIDAY FACEOFF - DEALING WITH TEAMMATES THAT TAKE BAD PENALTIES?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss a listener's question about dealing with teammates that habitually take bad penalties. What should you do as a coach? What about as a player?
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SHORT SHIFTS - OLYMPIC ROSTERS
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about Team Canada's and Team USA's rosters for the 2026 Olympics. We discuss building a roster for a shorter tournament and give our thoughts on who was left off.
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Game-Changing Hockey Gear with Guest Andries de Villiers, Titan BattleGear Founder - EP 398
This week Topher and Jeff talk with Andries de Villiers, founder and CEO of Titan BattleGear. His company is making waves in the hockey community with their innovative cut-resistant base layers and neck guards.
In this episode we talk about:
— How currently only a few neck guards on the market today are actually cut-resistant
— The story behind Titan BattleGear and its design that makes players actually love to wear it
— The importance of the neck guard mandate
AND SO MUCH MORE!
TITAN BATTLEGEAR
HAGENS' HELPERS CHARIT...
Best of 2025 Short Shifts - EP 397
With the boys on holiday break, we pieced together our 5 best Short Shifts episodes from 2025. From all of us at the Hockey Think Tank, we wish you a Happy New Year!
In this episode we talk about:
— Intangible Things That Scouts Look For
— Team Toughness
— How Do You Help Skilled Players with Low Confidence
— How to Motivate Your Best Player
— How to Shut Down Opponents’ Top Player
Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, Helios Hockey, and Crossbar!
And thank yo...
FRIDAY FACEOFF - HELIOS’ NEW FEATURES?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph and Vechs bring on JP Buckley, the VP of Sales & Business Development for Helios Hockey. Buckley joins us to talk about all of the awesome new features Helios will be rolling out in the new year.
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SHORT SHIFTS - WHAT HAS LED TO TEAM USA’S WORLD JUNIORS REIGN
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about the reasons behind USA winning World Juniors for the last two years and how they are going for a three-peat this year. Listen for the 3 key reasons that have led to their current reign.
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The State of Youth Hockey: 2025 Edition - EP 396
This week Topher and Jeff fly solo to talk about the state of youth hockey. We get so many messages from parents, coaches, and players; so we thought what better way to close out 2025 than to address the 5 biggest things we hear about the most in youth hockey.
In this episode we talk about:
— The need for more ice rinks
— Too much focus on elites
— Lack of parent education
— Early professionalization
— Not enough collaboration
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Thank you to our title sponsor Ic...
FRIDAY FACEOFF - HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR INJURED PLAYER?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss a listener's question about supporting your player through an injury. Maybe this is the first time they are experiencing an injury, or maybe your player has battled several injuries. Either way, we’re here to help guide you through how to handle this difficult time.
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SHORT SHIFTS - CONSTRAINTS LED APPROACH
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about a topic one of the coaches in our HTT Coaching Mentorship group brought up: demystifying the Constraints Led Approach. What is it and how does it help your players?
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Show Me Your Circle & I’ll Show You Your Future with Guest JJ Howland, Wrestling Coach - EP 395
This week Topher and Jeff talk with Jacob “JJ” Howland, USMC Vet and wrestling coach. With over half a million followers on Instagram, Howland inspires athletes of all sports to be the best version of themselves.
In this episode we talk about:
— Not having to be the most skilled, just consistent
— Coaching each athlete differently according to what they need
— Reframing situations to help fuel you instead of hurt you
— Howland’s huge announcement
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well a...
FRIDAY FACEOFF - HOW TO MAKE A CAREER OUT OF COACHING?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss a listener's question about making a career out of coaching full time. Maybe you don’t have the confidence, maybe you don’t have high-level playing experience, or maybe you don’t even know how to get started. That doesn’t mean you can’t be a great coach. Let’s talk about what you can do if coaching is the dream and how to get yourself out there.
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SHORT SHIFTS - ADDING VERSATILITY TO YOUR GAME
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about a topic one of our listeners submitted: adding versatility to your game by improving your “B Game.” We talk about how to make yourself more marketable to coaches you’re playing for.
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5 Keys to Earning Your Confidence Daily - EP 394
This week Topher and Jeff fly solo to talk about a huge thing hockey players, and athletes alike, struggle with: confidence. Listen for the 5 things you should do every day to build your confidence and become the best athlete you can be.
Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, Helios Hockey, and Crossbar!
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FRIDAY FACEOFF - SPLITTING GAMES FOR GOALIES?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss a listener's question about splitting games for goalies when there is a skill discrepancy, but both pay the same amount of money to play. Should it be 50/50 and how should it be communicated to the goalies and their families?
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SHORT SHIFTS - TRAILING IN THE THIRD
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about what you should do when you are down a couple goals and are heading into the third period. How do you handle trailing and should you change anything?
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A Deep Dive into Coaching with Guest Darryl Belfry, NHL Player Development Author, Analyst, & Consultant (Rerun) - EP 393
On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on hockey development pioneer who works with some of the top names in the game, Darryl Belfry. Darryl's client list includes the likes of Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, Auston Matthews, John Tavares… among others of the NHL's elite. Darryl also just came out with a book, "Belfry Hockey: Strategies to Teach the World's Best Athletes."
On this podcast we cover so many great topics, including:
— Darryl's journey to working with the top players in the world
— Can you teach offense?
— Manipula...
FRIDAY FACEOFF - ADVANCED 3 YEAR OLDS?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss a marketing flyer we shared to our socials. The flyer is from a Toronto club advertising a 2021 birth year identification skate that is open to “advanced 2022 birth years.” Yep, that means advanced 3 year olds. As you can imagine, we just HAD to talk about it.
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<...
SHORT SHIFTS - THE CAR RIDE HOME FOR COACHES
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about the car ride home for coaches. We talk a lot about what parents should say to their kids on the way home from the rink; but coaches, what should you tell yourselves on the way home from a game?
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Chasing More than Just Wins on the Scoreboard with Guest Bobby Scott, Topher’s Dad - EP 392
This week Topher and Jeff talk with Bobby Scott, Toph’s dad. As a former D1 hockey player and someone who has been around youth hockey for years, Scott joins us to share his wealth of knowledge regarding the game.
In this episode we talk about:
— Not only chasing wins in youth hockey
— What scale are you using to measure how hard your kids are working
— Raising go-getters
— How you have a choice in everything you do
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Thank you to our title spon...
FRIDAY FACEOFF - COACHING WHEN THINGS AREN'T GOING WELL?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss a listener's question about coaching when things aren’t going well. Sometimes things aren’t connecting with your players, and instead of writing them off, let’s figure out how to help.
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SHORT SHIFTS - WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A SMART HOCKEY PLAYER
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about what it means to be a smart hockey player. What do we see in players that have a high hockey IQ?
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Advice for Parent Coaches & How to Create a Challenging, but Fun Environment with Guest Jason Guerriero, USA Hockey Player Development Manager - EP 391
This week Topher talks with Jason Guerriero, USA Hockey Player Development Manager. We brought Guerriero back on for round two to talk about creating a challenging environment that also facilitates a love for the game.
In this episode we talk about:
— Setting clear boundaries as a parent coach
— How being challenged is what makes the game fun for kids
— That failure is inevitable, but it’s about how you get through it
— How we’re creating more stress than we need to for players
AND SO MUCH MORE!
FRIDAY FACEOFF - SHOULD KIDS PAY THE PRICE FOR BAD PARENTS?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about a controversial topic in the hockey world: should kids/players have to pay the price for their bad parents? We posted on our socials an example of a Division One Head Coach not recruiting a player because his dad was yelling from the stands. This one got you guys fired up, so let’s talk about it!
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SHORT SHIFTS - CROSSOVERS
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about crossovers and the importance of them in the game. Vechs explains how to master this element of your skating, on and off the ice.
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Building a Thriving Hockey Organization that Prioritizes Development with Guest Josh Levine, Fortis Academy Founder - EP 390
This week Topher and Jeff talk with Josh Levine, founder of Fortis Academy in Minnesota. With over a decade of experience training and coaching athletes at all age levels, Levine helped revive a dormant community organization. We talk about building an organization that is efficient and prioritizes development over profits.
In this episode we talk about:
— How players inhibit themselves by not being good people off the ice
— Utilizing volunteers to coach the age groups below them
— Letting the kids swim at hockey tournaments
— The effect of screens on depth pe...
