In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The qualities that make up a great coach, leader, and role model.
• What it was like playing with Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier.
• What coaches need to be aware of, and the difficulties they can face.
• The key to creating a healthy, balanced team culture.
• Advice for young hockey players and aspiring coaches.

Resources + Links:

Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov

Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD

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

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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:

Do you want a real, behind the scenes look into the world of coaching? Then you’re in luck! Today, we have Craig MacTavish, a former National Hockey League player turned head coach who played 17 NHL seasons and won the Stanley Cup four times! We will be discussing his playing career as well as his transition into coaching. Who were the mentors he looked up to and learned the most from? What did his team cultures look like and what was special about them? How does he approach coaching on ice as well as from an analytics perspective? 

We’ll explore what it was like to play and work alongside legends such as Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. Then, MacTavish shares his invaluable advice for aspiring coaches and what they need to be aware of, as well as advice for young hockey players. Whether you’re a veteran coach or just starting out, you’ll be able to take away something new from this episode!  

0:00:00 Meet Craig MacTavish, a former NHL player & head coach with 17 seasons under his belt!

0:01:25 What qualities led to your longevity?

0:03:15 What were the qualities that got you to the National Hockey League?

0:07:40 Who were your mentors in your early career? What made you look up to them?

0:09:30 What mentors did you learn to emulate?

0:12:35 Taking a look back at the Russian style of play.

0:16:30 What was it like playing with Wayne Gretzky?

0:19:40 Is it possible to teach hockey sense?

0:21:55 What made Mark Messier such a good leader?

0:23:55 What was special about your team’s culture to be able to win the Stanley Cup four times?

0:27:50 How has the game changed since your last NHL game?

0:29:30 What led you into coaching?

0:34:20 The three pillars of Oilers culture.

0:37:45 What are your passions away from hockey?

0:38:50 What are some of the difficulties coaches face?

0:41:15 How do you approach coaching the newer generations?

0:44:50 Taking the directive approach.

0:47:20 Where do analytics and metrics fit into your decision making?

0:51:45 What advice do you have for young, aspiring coaches?

0:53:40 What do people need to realize about coaching?

0:56:15 What advice do you have for young hockey players?

0:58:10 What is coming up next for you?

0:58:50 How would you want to be remembered?