The USA Hockey Podcast: A Youth Sports Conversation #51 Player Development Through NTDP with Nick Fohr
USA Hockey’s U18 National Team Development Program Head Coach Nick Fohr joins Zack Nowak for an in-depth conversation on player development, coaching adaptability, and what it truly takes to prepare young athletes for the highest levels of hockey.
Fohr reflects on his own upbringing in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where outdoor rinks, unstructured play, and competing with older players shaped his hockey IQ and love for the game. He connects those early experiences to how the NTDP intentionally challenges players today by placing them in demanding environments that force adaptation, creativity, and growth .
Now leading the U18 NTDP group, Fohr breaks down how the program balances high-volume practice, elite competition, and a long-term development mindset. He explains why practice density matters, how small-area games drive competitiveness, and how drills can be designed to “teach the concept” without over-coaching. Throughout the episode, Fohr emphasizes that development, not short-term winning, is the true priority at the national level .
Listeners will also hear:
- Why practice-to-game ratios matter in elite development
- How competitiveness is intentionally built through environment design
- Why players must learn to adapt when they no longer have a size or skill advantage
- How coaches individualize development without treating players “equally”
- Why loving the game and maintaining balance off the ice are critical to long-term success