#440 Scott Allen, Washington Capitals Asst. Coach on Being a Great Assistant, the Importance of Loyalty, and How to Make Every Individual Better in a Team Environment
Way of Champions Podcast
Mental Resilience in Sports
This chapter explores the critical psychological factors influencing athletic performance, particularly in hockey. It emphasizes the fluctuating nature of confidence and the individual mental challenges athletes face while balancing personal development and team dynamics. The discussion also highlights the profound impact coaches have on athletes' psychological well-being and the importance of fostering supportive environments for growth.
Scott Allen is the assistant coach of the Washington Capitals of the NHL. Prior to joining Washington, Allen spent three seasons with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL). With Hershey, Allen served as an assistant coach for two seasons before being named the Bears’ head coach ahead of the 2021-22 season. Under Allen, Hershey finished with a record of 34-32-6-4, clinching a Calder Cup Playoff berth, and ranked tied for 11th in the AHL in goals against (209).
The New Bedford, Massachusetts native has coached professionally for more than 25 seasons, including assistant positions with the New York Islanders (2009-12), the Florida Panthers (2016-17) and the Arizona Coyotes (2017-19). With Arizona, Allen worked with the Coyotes' defensemen and penalty kill. During the 2018-19 season, Arizona ranked tied for first in the NHL in penalty kill percentage (85.0) and tied for fifth in goals against per game (2.68). In Allen's one season with Florida, the Panthers finished with the second-best penalty kill percentage in the NHL (85.3). Additionally, Allen has coached in the AHL for 14 seasons. Allen played professionally for 10 seasons in the All-American Hockey League, Atlantic Coast Hockey League, Colonial Hockey League, Central Hockey League and ECHL. Allen, a forward, won back-to-back Kelly Cups with the Carolina Thunderbirds in 1989 and the Greensboro Monarchs in 1990.
This podcast is a an amazing one. if you want to learn what it takes to coach at the highest level, to be a great assistant coach, to connect with athletes, and more, get ready to take some notes because Scott Allen is going to blow you away.
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