
The Hockey Think Tank Podcast
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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Latest episodes

Apr 9, 2025 • 10min
SHORT SHIFTS - HOW TO CHALLENGE THE KIDS THAT ARE NATURALLY GOOD
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about how to challenge the kids that are naturally good at hockey and things come easy to them. Sometimes it can be difficult to motivate them because they don’t have to try as hard as their teammates, so here are some of our ideas to help them.
TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!
We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!
Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair
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Apr 7, 2025 • 1h 10min
You Asked, Toph & Jeff Answered: Mailbag Episode - EP 359
This week Topher and Jeff sit down for a mailbag episode to answer some of the questions our listeners have submitted recently. If you have a question you’d like for us to answer, DM us on our socials and we’ll include it in our next mailbag episode!
In this episode we talk about:
— “Should I post my kid’s clips to social media to get seen?”
— “How do you deal with toxic teammates?”
— “How do you encourage smaller players when others underestimate them?”
— The changing landscape of college hockey
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, 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!
USA HOCKEY'S NDL FAQS
PARENTS & RECRUITING 101 COURSES
BLUEPRINT ORGANIZATION REFERRAL
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Apr 4, 2025 • 11min
FRIDAY FACEOFF - WHAT TO SAY TO YOUR KID WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW THE GAME?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about how to support and talk to your player when you don’t have a hockey background or know the game.
TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!
We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!
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TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank
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Apr 2, 2025 • 12min
SHORT SHIFTS - RACES & BATTLES
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about the importance of incorporating races and battles to make your practices better and more game-like.
TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!
We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!
Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair
Follow us:
IG: @HockeyThinkTank
X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank
TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank
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Mar 31, 2025 • 1h 5min
How to Improve Game Performance With Guest Barry Smith, 7 Time Stanley Cup Winning Coach - EP 358
This week Topher talks with Barry Smith, 7 time Stanley Cup winning NHL coach. Smith shared some of his extensive hockey knowledge with us and what he’s learned in his years working with Scotty Bowman and numerous other NHL Hall of Famers.
In this episode we talk about:
— Improving game performance by replicating the game in practice
— Introducing contact younger, so that players don’t have to think about it later
— How there are a lot of skilled players, but not smart players
— Smith’s personal experience in the NHL
— How players can’t be fearful of losing & the need to find ways to reward players other than winning the game
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, 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!
PARENTS & RECRUITING 101 COURSES
BLUEPRINT ORGANIZATION REFERRAL
Follow us:
IG: @HockeyThinkTank
X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank
TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank
Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank

Mar 28, 2025 • 11min
FRIDAY FACEOFF - FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY IN YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about the biggest taboo topic in youth hockey: the money. One of our listeners asked what the normal practice is for financial transparency in youth organizations, so let’s get to it!
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

Mar 26, 2025 • 11min
SHORT SHIFTS - HABITS FOR WHEN THE PUCK GOES LOW TO HIGH
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about the important habits and concepts you need to know when the puck goes low to high in the zone, both offensively and defensively.
TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!
We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!
Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair
Follow us:
IG: @HockeyThinkTank
X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank
TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank
Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank

Mar 24, 2025 • 1h 8min
The Art of Coaching With Guest Jesse Hale, Calgary Northstars General Manager - EP 357
This week Topher and Jeff talk with Jesse Hale, the general manager of the Calgary Northstars, a Tier 1 organization in Calgary, Alberta. Hale has worked with Hockey Canada and Hockey Alberta, and now runs one of the youth organizations that we work with in our Youth Organization Blueprint.
In this episode we talk about:
— How to get your foot in the door professionally
— Not just running a drill to run a drill
— Coaching the coaches and the importance of having your coaching team on the same page
— Hockey Alberta’s commitment to development for not only the players, but also the coaches
— The importance of parent education
AND SO MUCH MORE!
Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, 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!
PARENTS & RECRUITING 101 COURSES
BLUEPRINT ORGANIZATION REFERRAL
Follow us:
IG: @HockeyThinkTank
X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank
TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank
Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank

Mar 21, 2025 • 11min
FRIDAY FACEOFF - INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM DURING THE TRADE DEADLINE?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about the exciting and contentious landscape of the NHL trade deadline. We discuss some of the most recent trades this season and get an inside look of the emotions behind the trade deadline.
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

Mar 19, 2025 • 10min
SHORT SHIFTS - WHEN TO PULL YOUR GOALIE
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about the crucial timing of pulling your goalie to help win the game.
TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!
We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!
Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair
Follow us:
IG: @HockeyThinkTank
X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank
TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank
Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank