The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

This week Topher is flying solo and recorded LIVE from Nashville with Mike Berra and Kevin Muller of the Jr. Preds organization. Both have worked at multiple levels to grow the game and we had a fantastic conversation about community hockey, non-traditional markets, player development, and what it takes to make an impact as a coach in today’s youth hockey environment.In this episode we talk about:— The importance of building relationships as a coach— Defining culture and the role it plays in a team’s success— Preparation & being a detail-oriented coach— Taking individual skill and having it translate to team structure & successAND SO MUCH MORE!Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and NHL Sense Arena! Visit NHL Sense Arena and use DISCOUNT CODE TANK-72A36D to get 10% off an annual plan of NHL Sense Arena.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!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about the roles of a coaching staff, and the differences between head coaches, assistant coaches, and the expectations to grow and develop in each role to be successful.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, Toph wants to talk about finishing and the importance of players practicing having a finish mentality when it comes to shooting and scoring.TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

This week Topher and Jeff welcome Larissa Mills from The Mental Game Academy to the podcast for an eye opening conversation about how phone use and social media is affecting our kids (and adults, too). The data is staggering - from mental health and even to hockey sense and physical ability, this episode with Larissa is going to cause a lot of folks to pause and rethink the routines they employ with respect to “smart” devices. In this episode we talk about:— Kids losing their skill sets— The worst time to check your phone— Advice for parents on strategies to help mitigate screen use— Tips for coaches on how to help decrease screen use among their playersAND SO MUCH MORE!Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and, our newest sponsor, NHL Sense Arena! Visit NHL Sense Arena and use DISCOUNT CODE TANK-72A36D to get 10% off an annual plan of NHL Sense Arena.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!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about controlled breakouts - when, why, and how to use them effectively.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, Toph wants to talk about D zone faceoffs (and how important they are for a team).TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

This week Topher and Jeff welcome newly promoted GM of the Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL), Trevor Edwards, who is also the Program Director for the Pittsburgh Pens Elite youth program! Tremendous conversation about the journey from youth hockey to the elite levels and what the development process should look like for the health of the players and our sport.In this episode we talk about:— The pressures that younger players feel today versus years ago— The value of being patient in the development process— Helping players develop their passion for the game— Some unreal advice for parents navigating youth sportsAND SO MUCH MORE!Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and, our newest sponsor, NHL Sense Arena! Visit NHL Sense Arena and use DISCOUNT CODE TANK-72A36D to get 10% off an annual plan of NHL Sense Arena.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!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about how parents can help their players when their confidence is low.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, Toph wants to talk about some great ways to end a practice.TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

This week Topher and Jeff welcome pod producer Steph to join them on the other side of the mics to get a hockey mom’s perspective on the youth hockey journey.Steph has two kids in hockey (a daughter playing in college and a son playing 18U), a husband that coaches, she worked for her local youth association for 11 seasons, and has experience on the facilities side of our sport as well.In this episode we talk about:— Embracing the youth hockey journey— How best to support your player during the highs and lows— Staying focused on what’s best for your player’s development amidst the noise— Acknowledging that FOMO is real, and how to navigate some of the crazinessAND SO MUCH MORE!Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and, our newest sponsor, NHL Sense Arena! Visit NHL Sense Arena and use DISCOUNT CODE TANK-72A36D to get 10% off an annual plan of NHL Sense Arena.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!