The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast we bring on one of the top strength and conditioning coaches in the game, Brian Galivan.  Brian runs GVN Performance in Chicago where he trains players from the NHL to youth levels.  He just got named the Head Strength Coach for the USA NTDP as well.  He worked his way up from the bottom through hard word and a positive attitude, which radiated throughout our entire conversation.  We talk leadership in hockey, recognizing the importance of individual differences in a team environment, old school vs. new school off ice training, and much more! What a genuine guy and an unreal conversation.  Thanks for tuning in!! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on someone with one of the best resumes in hockey we've ever seen...Matt Herr.  Matt is a 2x national champion at the University of Michigan where he also played baseball as well.  He then went on to have a very successful pro career including playing in the NHL and being an AHL Allstar.  After his playing days, he's gone on to coach prep school, be an ADM Manager for USA Hockey, was executive director for the Pittsburgh Pens elite program, and now he is the Senior Director for Youth Hockey and Growth for the NHL.  It was an awesome conversation spanning his hockey journey, to his job now where he travels around growing the game from the grassroots levels.  Such amazing perspective on the game, we learned a ton from this episode. Thank you again to everyone that is tuning in! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

It's been a while since we took some listener questions from social media...so here we go with our latest mailbag episode! Thank you to everyone who sent us their questions, we had a lot of really good things to talk about.  We discussed some great topics, including what we would do if we started a youth hockey organization...what to do with the zillion emails you get for camps and tryouts in the summer...underrated skills we should be teaching...and even our favorite wedding songs! It was a blast answering your questions, we love hearing your feedback.  Thank you again for tuning in to our podcast!!! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we chat with Head Coach of the Reading Royals of the ECHL, Kirk MacDonald.  His hockey journey is incredible and has come with a few really big ups and downs. In 2005, as captain of RPI, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and missed an entire season.  He beat it, came back better than ever, and went on to signing an NHL contract and played 6 years pro. We talk about his battle...and then get into some great hockey talk including the importance of building willpower, what he's learned going from player to coach, and much more! Thanks for tuning in! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on Vinny Smith, who helps run one of the most successful midget programs in the US in the North Jersey Avalanche.  Under Vinny and his team's watch, North Jersey has moved an incredible amount of kids to the junior and college ranks through their emphasis on player development.  In this episode, we talk about many topics relating to high level youth hockey including Exposure vs. Development, Coaching the Individual AND the team, the college commitment process, and even the new emphasis on USA Hockey's "no banging on the boards" rule.  It was a great conversation with a lot of insight...thank you for tuning in!! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we welcome on Nick Petrecki a former first round draft pick of the San Jose Sharks.  With the NHL draft coming last weekend, we talk about the exciting lead up to the draft, the pressures of being a first rounder, and the difficult journey of becoming an NHL player. We go through Nick's journey from junior, to winning a national championship at Boston College, to signing early and struggling to find his way to being an NHL player. We also talk about the importance of mental health and the difficulties of transitioning outside of hockey.  It was a great conversation with a great guy, thank you again for tuning in to the podcast!! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on current NHL player Connor Carrick! Connor grew up in Chicago and then played his junior days at the US National Development Program.  We talk about the ups and downs of playing there, and then we go into Connor's choice to play in the OHL, where he played for AHL Calder Cup winning coach Mike Vellucci, and what it was like to play for him.  Connor was extremely open and candid about the game we love and where he sees it right now, the all-so-important coach athlete relationship, and ways to better yourself on and off the ice...especially as a defenseman.  Connor is a great ambassador for our game, and this was an incredibly insightful conversation! Thanks again to everyone for tuning in! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on Travis Turnbull...on of Jeff's best friends and currently playing his 10th year professionally in Europe.  We go through Travis' amazing hockey journey...from growing up in St. Louis to the University of Michigan where he tells us why that program is so great and throws in a few hilarious Red Berenson stories. Travis tells us about his time playing pro in the USA, including his brief stint with the Buffalo Sabres where he scored his first goal at Madison Square Garden on Henrik Lundqvist.  We go through the ups and downs of playing pro, getting called up and sent down, and Travis talks about the grind of trying to make it in the game we all love.  This was an insightful and hilarious conversation with a true workhorse and amazing teammate (and shower guy). A great listen for everyone out there that loves the game.  Thank you again to everyone that tunes in!! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we chat with Duncan Fletcher who is the founder of a company called Game Change.  Duncan and his team put in a lot of time researching athlete development from the youth all the way to professional levels.  One of their current projects deals with "behavioral analytics" which we think is one of the waves of the future in sports. Duncan lets us know that one of the best things to do for an athlete is have other interests, even for the pros at the highest levels. Game Change also works closely with the NHL and NHLPA on the player transition to the real world.  We talk a lot about this transition and how difficult it can be.  This was an awesome conversation with one of the most knowledgable guests we've had on...we think you're going to really enjoy it! Thank you again for tuning in!! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast we have a great conversation with Head Coach of the USA National Development Team Program, Seth Appert.  Seth grew up in Minnesota, played hockey at Ferris State, and then has gone on to be a great coach in the college ranks.  He made a name for himself as an assistant coach at Denver University where he won two national championships.  After Denver, he became Head Coach at RPI for a decade before taking his current role with the NTDP. We talk a lot of great hockey including what it's like coaching at the NTDP, how to build relationships with players, building a team of coaches, and the joys of coaching a kid like Jack Hughes who will be the number one pick in this year's draft. Thanks again for tuning into the podcast!! *Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)