The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on Associate Head Coach of the Western Michigan Broncos Pat Ferschweiler.  If you are a kid that wants to play college hockey...this is the episode to listen to!  In this episode we give you an inside look into college hockey recruiting.  What it takes to get there, what coaches look for, and we bring you behind the scenes of what coaches do in identifying and landing players.   Fersch also spent times as an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings...and he has an UNREAL story about Pavel Datsyuk that will knock your socks off (HINT: he works really hard).  This is an inspiring episode, that really peels back the onion of youth hockey, college hockey, pro hockey, and more.   Thank you to all of our supporters out there following us...and thank you to our title sponsor, GELSTX Sports... and our episode sponsor Train Heroic! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on acclaimed filmmaker Gabe Polsky...who produced and directed two major hockey films that have circulated the hockey world with "In Search of Greatness" and "Red Army".  Gabe also was a hockey player himself, having played growing up in Chicago and then Division One at Yale University.  In this conversation, we talk a lot about the film "In Search of Greatness" where Gabe interviews Wayne Gretzky, Jerry Rice, Pele, and other academic authors on why/how the Greatest of All Time became that way.  We talk: -Sport Specialization -Passion -Building Hockey Sense/Game Sense -Providing the right environment for development -Much More!! This is a film that is a must-watch for any parent, player, or coach with dreams of achieving great things.  Gabe does such an amazing job with this movie, and it was enlightening talking to him about it on our podcast.  Thank you to all of our listeners for continuing to tune in, and thank you to our title sponsor GelStx for supporting our podcast! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

On this 100th(!) episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on ESPN Sportscenter Anchor and huge #cawlidgehockey advocate John Buccigross!!!! This was a phenomenal conversation and Bucci brings so much passion...we had an absolute blast.  On this episode we talk: -His early career in getting to ESPN -The NHL2night days -His love for hockey, especially #cawlidgehockey -The origin of the #bucciotchallenge -The love of being a hockey parent -The unbelievably inspiring story of Brendan Burke We want to take this chance to thank all of you listeners. We literally can't believe we are at 100 episodes of this podcast. Your support has driven us to keep this thing rolling, and we really wanted a special guest for you for our 100th.  Bucci absolutely brings it, and we're so honored to continue bringing you a little bit of education, and a little bit of inspiration, regarding THE GREATEST GAME ON THE PLANET. And thanks always for the support from GelStx as well...you guys are the best. *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on Head of Player Development for Frolunda in the top Swedish league overseas.  Frolunda is highly regarded as one of the top programs in Sweden, and getting the chance to speak with Tobias did not disappoint! He has coached and developed the likes of Rasmus Dahlin, the number one draft pick overall to Buffalo a few years ago...and Lucas Raymond who is projected to go in the Top 5 of next year's NHL draft.  In this conversation, we talk to Tobias about: -Sweden's development model for developing players. -Communicating with today's athlete and building trust. -The importance of competition and small area games. -What sets the truly elite talents apart from their peers. -Coaching the individual within a team structure. -Much, much more!!! Thank you to all of our listeners for your continued support for our podcast. Can't believe we're on episode Gretzky (99)! Thank you to our title sponsor, GelStx as well for your continued support for what we do.  *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we go across the pond and speak to a Finland National Team Coach, Tommi Niemelä.  This was such an amazing conversation speaking about Finland's philosophy on hockey development, and think it will be one of the most influential episodes that we've done. It's amazing what Finland has done in the number of NHL players it has developed...and also what they have done in International Play in winning some of the top world tournaments...with so much fewer numbers of players than their competition. In this episode, we talk: -Sport Specialization -An incredible view of coach education -Servant leadership vs. Authoritative leadership -Development of intrinsic motivation -Winning vs. Developing players -Playing with "rhythms" during a game -So.So.Much.More We are so excited to bring this episode to you and feel like you will learn A TON. Thank you to all our listeners for supporting our mission to educate and inspire the hockey world! And thank you to our title sponsor, GelStx, for supporting our mission as well! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on current Harvard University Assistant Coach, James Marcou.  James was an unreal player, who broke the career assists record for UMASS Amherst. After his junior year there, he signed with the San Jose Sharks before concussions unfortunately ended his career after his first season. He is a rising star in the coaching ranks and is currently in his first year at Harvard. In this conversation, we cover: -Playing for another crazy Russian coach growing up and the impact that had. -What it takes to make it as a smaller player. -What it means to "make players around you better." -The importance of honesty in recruiting. -Battling concussions as a hockey player. -The Cornell/Harvard rivalry. James is a great guy and a great coach, we know you'll enjoy this one! And as always, thank you to our title sponsor, GelStx...and thank you to all of our loyal fans for tuning in! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we take you out to Western Canada and speak to former college star and 9+ year professional player, Brandon Wong. Brandon grew up in beautiful Victoria, BC and played his college hockey at Quinnipiac University where he was a Hobey Baker candidate (he scored A LOT of points). After his career there he played almost a decade of pro hockey before returning to Western Canada to become a dedicated hockey skills coach. We talk a lot of great topics including: -The benefits of playing junior hockey -What differentiates the kids that "make it" -How much coaching to do on the bench during the game -Much more! Thank you to GELSTX, our title sponsor for supporting our show! And thank you to all of our listeners for keeping us going on this fun hockey podcast journey! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we have what might have been the deepest conversation yet with acclaimed author and former college/professional hockey player, Ken Baker.  Ken played college hockey at Colgate before figuring out that he had a debilitating physical disease that attacked his hormone levels. But after recognizing what was wrong...he put everything on hold (he was a celebrity reporter in Los Angeles and tells a few cool stories about that) to pursue his dream of being a professional hockey player! It's a really inspiring story, and we talk about: -Falling in love with hockey because of the Miracle on Ice in 1980. -The trap of the comparison culture. -The importance of having BIG dreams and goals. -The difference of being a dad to a girl and boy hockey player. -Celebrity culture and how it relates to hockey. This episode is brought to you by our title sponsor, GelStx! Head on over to gelstx.com, use the discount code "THINKTANK" and get a discount on the best training stick out there!  Thank you to all of our hockey player, parent, and coach supporters...we couldn't do this without you! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on the person you've all been waiting for... Topher's crazy Russian youth hockey coach, Stan Stopkin.  This was an INCREDIBLE episode full of youth hockey gold...from a coaching, player, and parent perspectives.  We talk about: -Coaching development in Russia (insane!) -Stan's first impressions of North American Hockey. -How to teach competitiveness and puck support (what we think are two of the most important attributes of a good hockey player). -Pushing kids outside their comfort zones and interesting ways to do it. -Reminiscing back on a year we won a youth hockey National Championship.  And es, we talked about when we beat Jeff's St. Louis team where we played the entire game without a goalie too... This was an unforgettable episode that we are so excited to share with you.  Thank you to all of our listeners for supporting our podcast, and thank you to GelStx for being our title sponsor! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)  

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on current goaltender for the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL affiliate of the Arizona Coyotes), Tyler Parks.  Get ready to be inspired...because this guy's story is UNREAL. His resume includes being cut from AAA, his HS team as a junior in high school, junior teams...spent a year playing Division 3 hockey, cut in the ECHL and SPHL...but he absolutely persevered and now has earned his first callup to the AHL!!!!!!! Parsky's story is incredible and should be a must listen for any kid out there looking to follow their dreams! Thank you to Parksy for being so open with this conversation, we think it is going to change lives.  Thank you also to all of our listeners for supporting our podcast, we couldn't do it without you.  And thank you to our title sponsor, GELSTX...the best shooting training aid in the business!!! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)