In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• How the game has changed since the 70s to today.
• How to cultivate higher performance through environment and culture as a coach.
• The culture of coaching in Europe versus coaching in North America.
• Examining the long-term athletic development model in Europe and North America, and how we can improve it.
• Advice for aspiring coaches, hockey parents, and young athletes.

Resources + Links:

Find Dave’s books on Amazon

The King of Russia

Loose Pucks and Ice Bags

Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov

Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov

Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast

Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast

Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/

Check out Anthony’s Books

Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions

The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players

Show Notes:

How do you become an elite hockey coach? You learn from the best! In this episode, we have Coach Dave King, an ice hockey coach with a lifetime's worth of experience and championships! We’ll journey through five decades of hockey, as we look at how coaching has changed and the evolution of the game itself. We also talk about differences between European and North American hockey from the perspective of a coach who has coached in five countries worldwide. What was it like coaching against the Russians in the 80s? What has been the effect of globalization on the game? What is the difference in technique and culture?

Then, we examine LTAD models from Europe and North America, and what we can do to improve our models for high performance players. If it’s advice you’re after, we’ve got you covered there: We’ll hear how to cultivate young players, build environment and culture, and develop trust and rapport from a coach who’s already done it all. See what has changed in 50 years from the eyes of a veteran coach still dedicated to the game!

0:00:00: Meet today’s special guest, Dave King. Dave has been an ice hockey coach since 1977, a NHL coach for 15 years, and has coached in five different countries worldwide!

0:02:55 What kept you coaching for so long?

0:04:10 How did you first get involved with coaching?

0:05:55 How did your background in high school teaching prepare you for coaching?

0:07:10 Who were your mentors?

0:08:55 How has the game evolved over five decades?

0:12:30 How has coaching changed?

0:16:40 The difference in technique between North America and Russian in the 80s.

0:20:25 When did the difference start to emerge in North America?

0:22:40 What were your relations with Russian coaches back then?

0:24:45 What are the differences between a North American game and a European game?

0:28:30 What are the four playing rules?

0:31:25 Are there any differences between LTAD models in Europe and North America?

0:34:50 Is it possible to have a club model in the US?

0:37:55 Improving the North American LTAD model.

0:39:15 Can we teach hockey sense?

0:41:20 How do you teach hockey sense?

0:44:35 What are some of your fondest memories?

0:46:15 What is the importance of cultivating environment and culture as a coach?

0:48:50 What are some qualities of an elite level coach?

0:54:30 The social aspect of coaching.

0:56:55 Why is it better to develop trust between a coach and a player?

1:00:25 How did you create a work-life balance?

1:03:55 What is your advice for young, aspiring coaches interested in high performance hockey?

1:07:20 What is your advice for hockey parents?

1:10:00 What about for young players?

1:13:35 Why did you write your book, and what is it about?

1:16:45 How do you want to be remembered?