The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

This week Toph and Jeff welcome the co-founder of TOP Sports, Kevin Shier, to the podcast. After seeing early specialization, hyper-competitiveness, and toxic sports environments become the norm in Toronto, TOP Sports was founded to create a more balanced youth sports model by focusing on player experience, long-term development, and a seasonal, set schedule that encourages multi-sport play.  In this episode we talk about: — Importance of playing multiple sports — Importance of falling in love with the game — Thriving through adversity — Character building AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and Crossbar!  And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out! This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about killing plays fast, from both a player and a team perspective.  TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank

Explore the world of postgame routines with insights on essential recovery practices. Discover the importance of hydration, nutrition, and emotional management for athletes. Learn how personalized routines can enhance performance while avoiding the pitfalls of superstitions. Dive into strategies for effective self-reflection and letting go of game outcomes to improve future play and sleep quality. Enjoy light-hearted discussions and tips on how technology can impact your rest and recovery.

This week Jeff is back from paternity leave and joins Toph for a full-throttled conversation on some of the biggest issues in youth hockey. We have mentioned some of them before, but today we hit them head-on and offer some insight on how the experience can be better. In this episode we talk about: — Recruiting vs. Development — Disconnect with clubs and parents — Lack of cohesion within clubs — Cost AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and, our newest sponsor, Crossbar!  And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out! This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs is happy to be back in the podcast saddle as a NEW DAD, and he’s building on Wednesday’s Short Shifts episode (about tipping pucks) by talking about deception when shooting.   TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! IG: @HockeyThinkTank  X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, VECHS IS BACK and Toph wants to talk about something Jeff did a lot throughout his career - tipping pucks!  TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

This week Topher is flying solo again as Jeff is on paternity leave this week (WELCOME TO THE WORLD SOPHIE TAYLOR LOVECCHIO), so Toph decided to follow up last week’s episode on individual habits for success and focus this week on what it takes for a team to be great.In order for a team to win championships, they need to be able to answer “yes” to the following questions:— Are you the closest team?— Are you the hardest working team?— Are you the most resilient team?Toph dives in to each of these, plus, so much more!Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and, our newest sponsor, Crossbar! And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out!This podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, with Vechs out on paternity leave, Toph is joined once again by his good buddy Nick Petraglia! They coached at Miami together and Trags is now with the AAA Blue Jackets in Columbus. Trags’ brings the topic - and the expertise - and wants to talk about how to help coaches who didn’t play the position themselves, be their best for their goaltender’s development.TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, with Vechs out on paternity leave, Toph is joined by his good buddy Nick Petraglia! They coached at Miami together and Trags is now the Executive VP with the AAA Blue Jackets. As a goalie himself, Toph wants to tap into Trags’ expertise and talk about how coaches can help develop goalie hockey sense.TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

This week Topher is flying solo as Jeff is on babywatch (and doing all the nesting things getting ready for her eventual arrival), so Toph decided to share some insight on a topic we get asked about A LOT: What does it take to be great?Whether it’s on the ice, or in life away from the rink, here are some non-negotiables to be your best:— Grit and resilience— The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people— Learning how to be present and understanding your why— Responsibility and accountability AND SO MUCH MORE!Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and, our newest sponsor, Crossbar! And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out!