

The Hockey Think Tank Podcast
thehockeythinktank
The Hockey Think Tank Podcast brings incredible stories, interviews, and great perspective from some of the top hockey minds in the game. Hosted by Topher Scott & Jeff LoVecchio, our podcast will educate and inspire all those that love the game! For all the players, coaches, and hockey parents out there...make this your Go-To show on your way to the rink!
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Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 16, 2023 • 1h 7min
Episode 282 - 5 Keys to Getting Recruited
On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Topher and Jeff sound off on the 5 Keys to Getting Recruited. Some great insight for players and parents trying to navigate the entire process from youth hockey and beyond.In this episode we discuss:— Focusing on what YOU can control— Remembering that it’s a marathon, not a sprint— The scouting and recruiting process— What scouts look for in a player— What players can do to proactively get on the radarAND SO MUCH MORE!Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

Oct 13, 2023 • 10min
SHORT SHIFTS - PLAYERS SHOWING STYLE
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about the insurgence of players’ personal style beginning to permeate the game. Love it? Hate it? Good for the game, or not? Here we go…TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

Oct 11, 2023 • 10min
SHORT SHIFTS - LATE BLOOMERS
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph’s topic is all about late bloomers! If you are one, a parent of one, or coaching one (or more) - this episode is for you!TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

Oct 9, 2023 • 55min
Episode 281 - Corey Cumiskey
On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Topher and Jeff talk to Corey Cumiskey of Humble Hockey. More than just a place to get custom team gear, Humble Hockey exists to celebrate the culture of hockey: grit, discipline, humility and integrity.In this episode we discuss:— The reality of youth hockey from a parent perspective— How Humble Hockey is making a difference in the team gear space— The unique way Humble Hockey gives back by helping KEEP kids in the gameAND SO MUCH MORE!Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

Oct 6, 2023 • 10min
SHORT SHIFTS - ON ICE INSTRUMENTS
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs asks Toph about a hot-button topic in the world of player development - the use of on-ice instruments! Do their benefits outweigh some of their limitations? Is there an optimal age to start using them? These questions and MORE…TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

Oct 4, 2023 • 10min
SHORT SHIFTS - PREGAME PEP TALK
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph’s topic is all about the pregame pep talk. Tips, timing, messaging and more!TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

Oct 2, 2023 • 1h 20min
Episode 280 - Common Components of Elite College and Professional Teams
On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Topher is flying solo! Back in 2011, Toph was on staff at Miami of Ohio as a Graduate Assistant and wrote his Masters Thesis on the Key and Common Elements of Successful College and Professional Programs and Coaches.Without a ton out (at that time) from a hockey-specific perspective, Toph turned to some of the all-time great coaches and programs: John Wooden, Coach K, Vince Lombardi, Phil Jackson, Tony Dungy, Lou Holtz, Pat Riley, Bill Walsh, Jim Tressel, and more!In this episode Toph hits on:— Big emphasis on people and personal relationships— Always had a look at the bigger picture (forward thinkers)— Different characteristics that these coaches possessed that set them apart— Habits (as individuals and what they preaches to their teams)AND SO MUCH MORE!Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

Sep 29, 2023 • 10min
SHORT SHIFTS - PENALTY KILL: AGGRESSIVE OR PASSIVE?
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs asks Toph is he’s a fan of the all-out pressure PK, or more of a passive penalty kill. GREAT conversation for coaches and players! (HINT: if you’re not a fan of youth players NOT being able to ice the puck on the kill, THIS IS FOR YOU because… development.)TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

Sep 27, 2023 • 10min
SHORT SHIFTS - LINE CHANGES
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph’s topic is LINE CHANGES! Vechs has opinions and the guys talk about how critical line changes can be - from shift length, how to change to gain an advantage, changing hard, AND SO MUCH MORE!TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!

Sep 25, 2023 • 1h 21min
Episode 279 - Mike Radja
On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher welcome former professional hockey player, Mike Radja. Mike, a former AHL player and Assistant Captain at UNH is now the head instructor at SpeedSkills Hockey doing tremendous things with player development in upstate New York!In this episode we discuss:— The absolute grind that being a professional athlete entails— Chicago youth hockey days of Radja and Toph playing against each other— Setting goals, being accountable, and finding success in your passion— Skill development should be FUNAND SO MUCH MORE!Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Helios Hockey, and IceHockeySystems.com. And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites!