The USA Hockey Podcast: A Youth Sports Conversation

In this episode, hosts Zack Nowak and Derek Read sit down with 2025 USA Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Zach Parise to explore one of the most undervalued, yet game-changing, skills in hockey: net-front play.Parise shares stories from his youth hockey days, his development at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, and the lessons passed down from his father that shaped his relentless work ethic and leadership. He walks through what it takes to succeed in tight spaces, from mastering screens, tips, and rebounds to understanding timing, positioning, and mentality at the crease.Listeners get an inside look at how Parise practiced his craft, from driveway puck sessions and three-on-three games at Shattuck to his “stop at the net” habits that carried into an NHL career defined by grit and consistency. Coaches will also gain insight into how Parise now teaches those same habits to young players, emphasizing detail, repetition, and fun in every practice.Whether you’re a player learning to battle at the net front or a coach looking to teach scoring in the hard areas, this conversation delivers practical takeaways on how to create offense where goals are really scored, within five feet of the crease.Join the discussion on X: @USAHockeyCoach

#47 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 2) How to use parents to help the player with Dr. Brady FlachsIn Episode 47, we continue exploring the connections between education and hockey with Dr. Brady Flachs, a Professor of Education at Ferris State University.Brady, a father of four hockey-playing boys, brings over 20 years of teaching experience to the conversation. Host Zack Nowak, a former Special Education teacher, joins him to bridge the gap between classroom strategies and coaching on the ice.Each episode, we’ll tackle one key question, drawing from education research and teaching strategies to help coaches develop their teams more effectively.In this episode, we answer the question of How do we use parents as a tool to help the player?Join the discussion on X at USAHockeyCoach

#46 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 3): How do we help kids with following directions? with Dr. Brady FlachsIn Episode 46, we continue exploring the connections between education and hockey with Dr. Brady Flachs, a Professor of Education at Ferris State University.Brady, a father of four hockey-playing boys, brings over 20 years of teaching experience to the conversation. Host Zack Nowak, a former Special Education teacher, joins him to bridge the gap between classroom strategies and coaching on the ice.Each episode, we’ll tackle one key question, drawing from education research and teaching strategies to help coaches develop their teams more effectively.In this episode, we answer the question of 'How do we help kids with following directions?'Join the discussion on X at USAHockeyCoach

#45 Sport Institute of Finland and its Impacts on Coaching with Derek ReadIn Episode 45, we delve into the international aspect of hockey coaching development with Derek Read of the Blue Jackets Hockey League.Derek’s journey includes time spent at the VIERUMÄKI Sport Institute in Finland, one of the world’s premier centers for sport education. Host Zack Nowak sits down with him to discuss how these experiences shaped his approach to coaching, leadership, and player growth back home with the BJHLJoin the discussion on X at USAHockeyCoach

In episode 44, we sit down with Kenny McGinley, the president of the Arizona High School Hockey Association (AHSHA), to discuss what they are doing in Arizona to continue growing hockey in a non-traditional market.From marketing and branding to player and coach development, AHSHA continues to grow yearly and sold out in a record 15 minutes this year.Tune in to learn how they are making this growth and their plans for the future.To learn more: https://www.ahsha.org/

#43 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 2) How do we respond to behaviors on the ice? with Dr. Brady FlachsIn Episode 43, we continue exploring the connections between education and hockey with Dr. Brady Flachs, a Professor of Education at Ferris State University.Brady, a father of four hockey-playing boys, brings over 20 years of teaching experience to the conversation. Host Zack Nowak, a former Special Education teacher, joins him to bridge the gap between classroom strategies and coaching on the ice.Each episode, we’ll tackle one key question, drawing from education research and teaching strategies to help coaches develop their teams more effectively.In this episode, we answer the question of How do we respond to our players behaviors?Join the discussion on X at USAHockeyCoach

#42 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 1): Common Errors with Dr. Brady FlachsIn Episode 42, we kick off a new series exploring the connections between education and hockey with Dr. Brady Flachs, a Professor of Education at Ferris State University.Brady, a father of four hockey-playing boys, brings over 20 years of teaching experience to the conversation. Host Zack Nowak, a former Special Education teacher, joins him to bridge the gap between classroom strategies and coaching on the ice.Each episode, we’ll tackle one key question, drawing from education research and teaching strategies to help coaches develop their teams more effectively.In this episode, we answer the question of what the common errors are in coaching and education when working with kids with learning needs.Join the discussion on X at USAHockeyCoach

In episode 41, we chat with Josh Holmes who is the Director of Adult Hockey with USA Hockey.In this episode, we discuss the many benefits of playing Adult Hockey through USA Hockey and the fun and exciting events that are held across the country.To sign up for this years Adult Classic Tournaments: https://www.usahockey.com/classictournamentsnewTo learn more about Adult Hockey opportunities: https://www.usahockey.com/adulthockeyTo get in contact with Josh and the team: adulthockey@usahockey.org

In episode 40, we have Executive Director of College Hockey Inc. Sean Hogan on the podcast to talk about College Hockey Inc. and what they do. In the episode: -What players, parents and coaches need to know about the recruiting process -How college hockey changed over time -What the future looks like for college hockey To learn more about College Hockey Inc. or get in contact with Sean visit https://www.collegehockeyinc.com/

In episode 39, we have USA Hockey's Manager of Player Development Rich Hansen to talk about teaching offense through small-area games. Listen in as we chat about how we can create practice activities with intention and modify them to meet the needs of all our players through progressions and regressions. We also discuss Rich's path through hockey and his time working with USA Hockey. To contact Rich: richardh@usahockey.org