The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about what to do with your weak-side winger on the breakout. Join us as we get nerdy about their different breakout options.

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This week, Topher and Jeff celebrate HTT’s 8 year anniversary. Throughout our show, we have heard common messages from all of the incredible guests we’ve had on. We thought what better way to celebrate this milestone than to share the top 8 takeaways from the last 8 years.

In this episode we talk about:

— People aren’t the problem, so what is?

— The need to experience adversity

— What to look for in the people you surround yourself with

— What we should actually judge coaches on

AND SO MUCH MORE!

Th...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about how as coaches, we need to put an emphasis on passing. Too often, we see players at the younger ages try to beat opponents 1-on-1. Put an emphasis on passing in practice, and see what it does for your players’ development.

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On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk all about time and space, and how it affects a player’s ability. You give a good player time & space, they become a great player; if you take away their time & space, they become an average player.

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This week, Topher and Jeff bring on Bill Taylor, founder and CEO of Sports Conflict Lab. His company helps athletes and teams learn how to have hard conversations and turn conflict into a competitive advantage. His book, Managing Sports Conflict: Five Tools to Master Conflict, is a great read for any athlete or coach.

In this episode we talk about:

— How your approach matters when dealing with conflict

— Parents fighting their kids’ battles and what they can do differently

— Why avoiding conflict usually makes it worse

— Setting your team’s culture to...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about the skills we discussed on our most recent Short Shifts episode and how to develop them. If you haven’t listened to that conversation yet, go check it out first!

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On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about the four necessary skills to be great at anything you do, especially if you want to be a great hockey player. If you want to make it far in your hockey career, obviously you need the requisite hockey skills, but what are the other necessary things you need?

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This week Topher brings on USHL Head Coaches Scott Gomez (Chicago Steel), Brett Skinner (Fargo Force), and Ron Fogarty (Omaha Lancers). Listen for their amazing advice and insight for those wanting to play in the USHL.

In this episode we talk about:

— The importance of mentorship at every level

— How versatility is necessary if you want to play at the higher levels: work on your weaknesses, not just your strengths

— Communicating intention behind drills

— The secret sauce to building retention

AND SO MUCH MORE!

Thank you to o...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph brings on HTT teammates Matt & Steph to talk about the necessary separation of the hockey side and the administration side within a youth hockey board. Oftentimes, one person takes on all roles or there is not a good balance between the two sides. Let’s talk best practices when it comes to running an efficient hockey board.

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On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about a trait that is common among the best athletes: curiosity. What are some of the best questions you can ask your coaches, mentors, or yourself, if you are innately curious and find yourself always wanting to know more?

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This week Topher and Jeff bring on hockey legend, Tony Granato. Granato played college hockey at the University of Wisconsin and played over 13 seasons in the NHL. After playing, he coached at the NHL level, college, and the men’s USA Team at the Olympics.

In this episode we talk about:

— Granato’s advice in order to play in the NHL today and how it is very different than the advice he received

— The things you can do to get noticed

— Picking the right people to compete against, not just your buddies

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about how to handle having a slow start to your season as a coach. Maybe you’re winless in your first couple of games or can’t seem to get the team gelling. What do you do as a coach if you come out of the gates really slow?

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On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about offense in the neutral zone. We at the HTT think the neutral zone is the most important zone, both offensively and defensively, so let's talk about it!

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This week Topher and Jeff bring on USA Hockey’s National Coach-In-Chief, Mike MacMillan, to talk about the new Development League. This new league is one of the many major changes in the hockey landscape as we know it, so join us as we break down what it entails and how it will affect youth hockey moving forward.

In this episode we talk about:

— Our thoughts on the new league and what it entails

— The benefit for coaches when we collaborate

— Finding ways to make your organization better so kids aren’t tempted...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about how to best get through an injury, both mentally and physically. And then when you’re almost ready to return, how do you prepare?

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On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to answer a listener’s question: how do you turn around a bad game when you’re in the middle of it? Tune in for our best advice on how to reset mid-game.

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This week Topher and Jeff bring on Tony Gasparini, the current General Manager of Sioux Falls Stampede in the United States Hockey League. Gasparini’s long hockey career includes playing college hockey at the University of Minnesota Duluth, later becoming head coach at Sioux Falls, and a scout for the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings.

In this episode we talk about:

— The quote, “I’m gonna hug you, but I’m also gonna hold you accountable”

— Defining compete and why scouts love it

— How everything about scouting is subjective

— The importance of ha...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph brings on HTT teammates Matt & Steph to talk about the lack of parent education in youth hockey. We commonly find that this is the time of year that parents start to get unhappy with what they signed up for. As a parent, how do you stay grounded if you are feeling this way?

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On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about using the back of the net in two different ways: on the breakout (with your own net) and in your offensive zone (with the other team’s net).

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This week Topher and Jeff bring on Pete Lenes, Elev802 Hockey Training owner and famously known on Instagram as Swaggy P. During his 10-year professional hockey career, Lenes played in the AHL, ECHL, and in both Denmark and Austria. Lenes now uses his platform and training company to help the next generation of hockey players develop a love for the game.

In this episode we talk about:

— How working hard can take you anywhere, even beyond the game

— Bag skates and if they really are a discipline tool

— Prioritizing fun first, but st...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about what you should know and how to handle transitioning to the next level, whether it's AA to AAA, high school to juniors, college to professional, etc.

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On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to share the 5 keys he’s learned from some of the game’s best coaches to planning and executing a successful practice.

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This week Jeff is back from paternity leave and joins Topher to talk about things bigger than the game. Hockey, and sports in general, teaches us great life lessons that carry far beyond the rink.

In this episode we talk about:

— Toph’s personal choices that led him to step away from coaching

— The impact of setting boundaries

— Recognizing that mistakes are not the end of the world and giving yourself grace

— How success is never an accident

AND SO MUCH MORE!

Thank you to our title...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph brings on HTT teammates Matt & Steph to talk about one of the most controversial topics in youth sports: the stay-to-play model.

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On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph brings on HTT teammate and former college coach Matt Thomas to talk about how to play a 1-on-1 defensively.

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This week Topher and Jeff bring on Greg Rallo, AHL Milwaukee Admirals Assistant Coach. Rallo played only one year of Tier 1 hockey before playing junior hockey in the North American Hockey League, and then went on to play at Ferris State for 4 years. He later played 12 years professionally in the ECHL, AHL, DEL, and NHL. Since retiring, he has now been a coach at the professional level for over 9 years.

In this episode we talk about:

— Chasing coaches, not programs

— How the pros make the same mistakes as kids

— How you can’t...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph brings on Mandy Holmes to talk about her company, Sponsor My Athlete. With the rising costs of youth sports, many families are getting priced out of participating. This episode is a must-listen for any family looking to reduce the financial cost of their child’s sport.

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SPONSOR MY ATHLETE

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On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph brings on Chris Howard from Ice Hockey Systems to share the ultimate resource for coaches. We discuss 3 important things to focus on when it comes to designing drills.

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This week Topher and Jeff bring on Gordie Stafford, current Mental Performance & Mindset Coach and former Head Coach of the Shattuck-St. Mary’s women’s ice hockey team. Stafford has coached some of the top players in the game and brings incredible wisdom to this episode. To get more awesome insight, go check out his new book, “The Journey and Its Rewards: Stories and Observations From A Lifetime in Hockey.”

In this episode we talk about:

— How winning is the outcome of a process & you have to embrace the grind

— Tips and advice for those wa...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about a hot topic in the youth hockey world: private equity. With rising costs and stay-to-play requirements, many families are getting priced out of youth hockey. Listen for our thoughts on the future of our sport regarding private equity.

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On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about our favorite battle drills. We’re feeling fiery today, so let’s get that battle level up!!

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This week Topher and Jeff bring on HTT teammates Matt & Steph to talk about the top qualities of the most successful youth hockey directors, presidents, coaches, and parents. Matt & Steph work with some of the best organizations across North America every day, so they join us to share what they’ve learned.

In this episode we talk about:

— What a good board president looks like

— How hockey directors are the “teacher of teachers”

— Putting our egos aside as coaches and letting the players play

— Tips on how to be a good youth h...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph brings on HTT teammates Matt & Steph to talk about one of the major challenges hockey clubs face: buy in. An organization can have the best development philosophy on paper, but if your coaches and families don’t understand the why behind the way you’re doing things, your chances of success greatly reduce.

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On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about the three most memorable coaches of his hockey career and what they did to have such a profound impact on his life even beyond the game.

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This week Topher brings on his dad to revisit some of our favorite clips from the almost 8 years we’ve been doing this podcast. Whether you’re a long time fan or a new listener, this episode is a must-listen to get incredible advice from some of the top minds in the game.

In this episode we talk about:

— Advice from Martin St. Louis, Caroline Harvey, Brianne Jenner, plus other top guests we’ve had on over the years

— Talent can only get you so far, you have to be coachable

— The best coa...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about what happens when a player and their family leaves a hockey organization. We talk about both sides; how to handle the situation as the organization itself, and how to handle it as the family that is leaving.

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On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about on-ice small group training and how to maximize your practice plan. As a coach, what should you focus on and how should you prepare?

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This week Topher and Jeff bring on Toph’s cousin, Tyler Greenberg, to talk about his hockey journey and the incredible company he recently founded. Greenberg played Tier 1 hockey, junior hockey, and a bit of D3 college hockey before enlisting in the Navy & graduating BUDS. These collective experiences motivated him to create D1RT (Do 1 Right Thing), his supplement company that has a huge focus on bringing positivity to the world.

In this episode we talk about:

— How people are the best part of any sport, so take the time to find your community

—...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph brings on HTT teammates Matt and Steph to talk about the life skills needed to make it to the higher levels of the game. It is a common misconception that as long as you’re a great hockey player, you’ll make it far. We’re here to tell you that being a good person is just as, if not more, important as your hockey talent.

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On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about his prized custom Super Chexx Bubble Hockey game. We bring on Greg Kania, Director of Home Games of Innovative Concepts in Entertainment (ICE) to talk about the famous game we grew up with.

THINKING OF GETTING YOUR OWN BUBBLE HOCKEY GAME?

Use discount code GMBM!

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