The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Topher wants to talk about centers winning draws. Possessing the puck is so important, and winning faceoffs is critical. We run a little long, but it’s because the guys have so much to say! (“If you’re not cheating a little, you’re not trying hard enough.” ~Toph on the art of winning faceoffs)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 Luke Croucher to the podcast. Luke plays Division III hockey at Neumann University and is doing some terrific things on social media for young players. We talk a lot about “what’s your why?” on this podcast, and Luke’s “why” is the first line of his social media bio: “Helping the hockey player I once was…”Always giving back - putting out terrific information for freeIn this episode we talk about:— Life lessons being caught not taught— How adversity has fueled his journey— Surrounding yourself with like-minded people to reach your goals— Building habits and confidenceAND 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! And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about the penalty kill forecheck!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, Topher wants to talk about the cycle. While it’s not a part of the game like it used to be, we talk about how to use (and defend) it effectively in today’s game.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 Duante’ Abercrombie to the podcast. Recently nominated for the NHL’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award by the Washington Capitals, we talk to Duante’ about his incredible journey in our sport and his work with The Rising Stars Academy in the Washington D.C. area. The Rising Stars Academy was designed to provide minority hockey players with elite on-ice skill development and off-ice training geared toward problem-solving and handling some racist elements in a sport that remains predominantly white.In this episode we talk about:— Grassroots hockey and its importance to the health of our game— The importance of teaching kids the idea of community— Having the courage the be differentAND SO MUCH MORE!Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and IceHockeySystems.com - PLUS, our newest sponsor, NHL Sense Arena! And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about O-zone faceoff plays. Great stuff in this one! 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, Topher asks Vechs what it means to be tough to play against, both individually and as 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 Wendi Irlbeck to the podcast. Wendi is a registered dietitian, certified sports nutritionist, and lifestyle coach with an M.S. in nutrition. Wendi specializes in enhancing health, athletic performance, and injury prevention by focusing on nutrition. A former collegiate athlete, Wendi works closely with teen, collegiate, and adult athletes of all calibers.In this episode we talk about:—The importance of having a positive relationship with food— How nutrition impacts sports performance, what to eat on game days, and what to eat before and after training sessions— Protein, creatine, supplementsAND SO MUCH MORE!Link to Wendi's Health & Performance Playbook that folks can purchaseQuick LinksThank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and IceHockeySystems.com - PLUS, our newest sponsor, NHL Sense Arena! And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about walking the line for D men, and ten minutes isn’t enough time for they guys to hit on everything!TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! (This episode runs a little long - it’s our week of “Medium Shift” episodes!)We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Topher wants to talk about wall play for wingers on the breakout! TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! (AND WE RUN A LITTLE LONG BECAUSE THE GUYS WERE ROLLIN’!)We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!