The USA Hockey Podcast: A Youth Sports Conversation

In episode 26, we sit down and chat with the Youth Olympic Coaching Staff to discuss the upcoming tournament. The 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games are set to be played from Jan. 19 - Feb. 1 in Gangwon, South Korea. From the Youth Olympic Coaching Staff, we chat with Head Coach Joe Bonnett (Player Development Manager, USA Hockey) and Assistant Coaches Matt Gilroy (Asst. Coach NTDP), Jason Guerriero (Asst. Coach Northeastern) and Dave Caruso (Columbus Blue Jackets) In this episode, we chat about the coaching staff and their backgrounds in hockey, the difficulty in the selection process, how to manage a young team with high expectations, keeping the team in the moment, and much more. Episodes are live on Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Podcasts.

In episode 25, we return for the second installment of Coaches Corner, where we are chatting about a much-requested topic from parents and coaches, which is strategies for coaching kids with different learning needs. The host of the podcast, Zachary Nowak, is a former Elementary Intervention Specialist who has worked for many years to support kids with mild to intensive learning needs. Listen in as we chat about different ways we can support each individual kid on their learning journey. Join the discussion on Twitter @USAHockeycoach Reach out to Zack at Zachary.nowak@usahockey.org

For the 1 year anniversary episode, we are pleased to welcome Joe Bertagna. Joe has served in many capacities in hockey, from NCAA D1 goalie to NHL Goalie Coach and the longest-serving commissioner in college hockey. In episode 24, we chat with Joe about his journey and how he got to this point. We also chat about the state of goalie coaching and where the future lies in encouraging creativity.

In episode 23 we are chatting with Ken Martel of USA Hockey about how to better develop on-ice awareness in our players. In this episode we answer a few of the following questions around this topic. -What can we learn from the research? -What do the best players do? -What is scanning? -How do we get our players to look around? -What is next in the scanning world? Follow us on Twitter at @USAHockeyCoach

In episode 22, we have Manager of Coaching Education Brent Seidel on to discuss why you should become a coach, what it takes to become a coach, and some frequently asked questions about coaching in USA Hockey. Coaching Requirements: https://www.usahockey.com/coachingcertification For your CEP information: https://cepsearch.usahockey.com/ Find a Clinic: https://www.usahockey.com/coachingclinics Continuing Education: https://www.usahockey.com/coaching-continuingeducation

In episode 21 Zack has Steve Thompson back on the Podcast to talk about psychology in video game design and how we can use it to improve our practices. This is a long conversation, but an insightful one. Tune in and feel free to share your thoughts and ideas on Twitter/X @usahockeycoach

This episode is just Zack starting a new segment called "The Coaches Corner." In these segments, it will not be interview style as in previous episodes, but rather quick coaching hits that we can take to our current practices. In this episode, Zack talks about teaching skating to allow for individuality, adaptability, and developing dynamic skaters. We will touch on... -What is important for skaters to be able to do? -How do we make skating fun? -Practice design on and off the ice -Incentivizing behaviors we want to see in our skaters -Stealing from other sports and PE teachers After listening, if you want to contact a Player Development Manager in your area to have them run a dynamic skating coaching course in your area, follow the link below. https://www.usahockey.com/districtsandaffiliates

In episode 19, we chat with the USA 5 Nations Head Coach Scott Paluch. Not only is Scott the Head coach for the upcoming tournament, but he is also USA Hockey's Director of Player Development. Listen in as we chat about Scott's youth hockey history, then dive into the 5 Nations tournament, his staff, the players on the team, and what we can expect from the tournament. Follow the link below to check for the tournament schedule and streams: https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2023u17fivenations

In episode 18, we have Assistant Executive Director of Hockey Department Bob Mancini talk about his path through youth sport into coaching. We also talk about what USA Hockey is doing to create cohesion between the many different groups like youth, coaching, and officiating. To learn more, visit: www.usahockey.com

In episode 17, we have on former president of USA Hockey, Ron Degregorio. Ron served as president of USA Hockey from 2003 - 2015 before his retirement. After his retirement as the president, Ron is still continuing to help USA Hockey in many capacities. In this podcast, we discuss what he is doing to help grow goaltending at the grassroots and master levels. He was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015 and distinguished with the National Hockey League’s Lester Patrick Trophy in 2002, recognizing his outstanding service to hockey in the United States. Most recently, Ron received the Builders Award, which has only been given out seven times in its history and most recently in 2015. Tune in for some amazing conversation from "The Godfather of USA Hockey Goaltending" To donate to the Goaltending Fund: https://www.usahockeyfoundation.com/page/show/1910601-goaltending-development-fund