It’s one thing to bring out the full potential of your athletes, but another thing to develop that potential for future success. Our guest today is Will Morlock, Director of Hockey Performance from Michigan State University, where his primary role has been training the hockey program since he joined the Athletic Performance staff in 2022. We go in-depth about developing collegiate hockey players, and what it takes to maximize athletic development in an applied sports science setting. Will walks us through his people-first approach to coaching — how he builds team culture, amplifies adaptations through specialized training methods, develops microcycles during the in season, and more.   HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Which methods do I use within the Gain, Go, Grow model? 04:05 How do you utilize applied sports science with your collegiate players? 06:40 What to prioritize when building culture in a college setting. 09:40 How do you approach management versus development in high performance hockey? 13:25 The most important force plate measurements to look for. 16:40 How to make informed decisions using numbers. 18:15 The coaching philosophy that maximizes athletic development. 24:50 When and how to fit technology into your schedule. 29:00 Which methods do you use to amplify adaptations? 31:35 What are your tried-and-true methods? 34:05 Unpacking the current pendulum swing in high performance hockey.   RESOURCES + LINKS Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -  The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Contact Will via email | morlockw@msu.edu Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/ Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players

In order to be an Olympic level coach, you need the right methods to back you up. In this episode, I sit down with the man, the myth, the mad scientist Cal Dietz, Head Olympic Strength Coach of the University of Minnesota. He walks us through his triphasic training method, including the foundational principles he uses to turn on, train, and transfer the system. We unpack the pros and cons of free thinking versus thinking inside the box before deep diving into the physiology behind Cal’s go-to drills & exercises. Tune in for an educational hour unpacking elite tools & methods young strength coaches can rely on to correct patterns, drive results, and increase capacity in their athletes.   HIGHLIGHTS 00:00:00 What is on my reading list? 00:03:25 What are the foundations of triphasic training? 00:10:50 The importance of knowing how to think inside the box. 00:19:25 How to use exercises and patterns to test your programs. 00:27:50 What is the RPR system and how do you use it? 00:33:40 How RPR fixes patterns, even in elite athletes. 00:42:10 What are the three main foundations you address with RPR? 00:46:35 The magic & physiology behind the Olympic goat drill. 00:55:40 How do you use the supramaximal method to drive results? 01:05:05 Understanding the physiology of supramax loading phases. 01:09:00 Methods for fast-twitch capacity sequencing. 01:15:40 How to build programs that complement strength training. 01:23:20 Why placement of the foot is essential for transfer. 01:29:55 Which methods do you gravitate the most towards? 01:35:20 How do you want to be remembered?   RESOURCES + LINKS Check out Anthony’s reading list -  Triphasic Training by Cal Deitz Belfry Hockey by Darryl Belfry How to Make the World Add Up by Tim Harford Subscribe to Cal’s YouTube channel | https://www.youtube.com/@CalvinDietz Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -  The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/ Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players

What do young coaches need to know about working with high performing athletes in the private versus college sectors? In today’s episode, I sit down with Rob Dombrowski, the Director of Hockey Performance at Sacred Heart University. Prior to working in the college sector, Rob served at Prentiss Hockey Performance as a Director of Performance for nine years. Our conversation covers his unique experiences in both the private sector developing pro athletes & in the collegiate sector with the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams. We also unpack his programming philosophy, the main life lessons that shaped his coaching skills, and the go-to methods he uses to drive performance forward.   HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 How do you program jump training for hockey players? 02:45 Introducing Rob Dombrowski, the Director of Hockey Performance at Sacred Heart University. 04:55 What were your duties and responsibilities while working in the private sector? 08:55 How did you form your programming philosophy? 12:20 Unpacking Rob’s programming for hip health & hip injury prevention. 18:35 The main life lessons from working in the private sector. 26:10 How are you currently developing your performance-based model? 29:15 How to cultivate an ideal environment for growth right off the bat. 33:25 What values do you look for in technology and in testing? 40:50 The biggest ‘a-ha’ moments while using Catapult. 44:20 Programming differences for upperclassmen versus underclassmen. 47:05 What are your tried and true methods that haven’t changed? 50:50 How have you changed your methods to drive performance? 58:15 What are we doing well, and what needs to change?   RESOURCES + LINKS Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -  The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/ Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players

Want a deeper understanding of a coach's approach to training high performing, professional athletes in the private sector? We've got the right guy. In today’s episode, I speak with Curt Truhe, the Director of Performance for Excel Sports Management. Curt has over 13 years of experience training athletes across multiple professional sports leagues – including NHL, NFL, MLB, PGA, and more. We dig into everything you need to know about developing and working with elite athletes at the highest level. Curt shares his advice for young coaches, the skills & qualities that separate a good coach from a great coach, and foundational measurements he looks out for. Tune in to discover how to ignore the noise and move the needle forward for your athletes.   HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 My top recommended books & their biggest takeaways. 04:10 What did your path as a young coach in the private sector look like? 08:40 How do you develop elite athletes at Excel Sports Management? 16:50 Which metrics & measurements did you value the most? 22:40 How to test health and performance in athletes. 28:50 The right and the wrong way to use data. 34:05 Where is the pendulum swinging in the performance landscape? 39:15 Advice for young coaches who want to work with professional athletes. 46:05 What qualities do you admire for a coach on your staff?   RESOURCES + LINKS Get your copy of Force by Dan Cleather on Amazon HERE Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -  The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Curt on Instagram | @curt_truhe Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/ Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players

What were the biggest lessons I learned over the past year? Today’s episode is a reflection and contemplation of 2024. It’s now the second year of the HPH podcast, so let’s take the opportunity to look back on what has been a year full of growth – both personally and professionally. I share my favorite nuggets of wisdom from previous guests of the podcast, including some of the most impactful quotes that have stuck with me. I also highlight practical advice for coaches, young or seasoned, who are looking to grow the game in 2025 and beyond.   HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 2024: A year of reflection and contemplation. 01:40 My biggest teaching lessons from coaching a U10 team.  08:10 How to find what you’re looking for & fix what you need to fix. 11:30 Where do measurement errors come from? 15:50 A cooperative approach to communication with advanced players. 17:25 How do you become a good coach? 20:50 My 2024 must-read books.   RESOURCES + LINKS Check out my 2024 recommended books - The Coach’s Guide to Teaching by Doug Lemov Force by Dan Cleather The Little Black Book of Training Wisdom by Dan Cleather Strength Training for Hockey by NCSA, edited by Kevin Neeld and Brijesh Patel Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -  The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/   Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players

What does a lifetime pursuit of high performance look like? Today’s guest is the President of Strength Tek Fitness and Wellness, Lorne Goldenberg. As a strength & conditioning OG, Lorne brings extensive experience in high performance sports and has worked with thousands of pro hockey stars over the years. We dive into his career high points, including his early days in the NHL during the 80’s and 90’s and how the landscape has changed in present-day. We also explore his aerobic training concepts and methods, pendulum swings in technology and coaching, and the fundamentals for driving your players forward. Tune in for a fantastic conversation all about strength and performance, backed by over 40 years of experience.   HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 What advanced training methods do you use for your athletes with large training ages? 04:00 The early days as an NHL head strength & conditioning coach. 10:20 What qualities did you admire most in your mentors? 13:55 What did you value the most as a young coach? 18:45 The main concepts of Lorne’s aerobic training article.  25:05 Methods for working the aerobic system. 27:30 Pendulum swings in the technology landscape. 33:45 What is the metric burger? 35:24 How can high performance coaching improve? 38:00 Fundamentals for young strength & conditioning coaches. 40:15 Advice for parents and young athletes. 43:55 How do you want to be remembered?   RESOURCES + LINKS Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -  The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/ Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players

We’re answering an important question all coaches ask: How can we leave our profession in a better place? Today’s guest is a friend and mentor of mine, Mike Robertson. Mike is the Founder and President of Robertson Training Systems with over 20 years of coaching experience. In this episode, we talk extensively about coaching in the private sector. Mike shares the biggest changes and mistakes young coaches can make, as well as unpack his current business model and training philosophy. From step by step training systems to technology, we discuss everything aspiring coaches need to know to sustain a level of high quality for their athletes.   HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 How does in-season programming change from a philosophy standpoint? 06:00 Where did you get your start with coaching? 10:30 How to teach work ethic and curiosity to the next generation of coaches. 15:40 What steps are young coaches skipping? 18:35 How has your business model changed? 23:00 The secret ingredient to sustain quality in your business. 29:00 The current landscape of coaching burnout. 32:30 What is the R7 training system? 35:50 How to efficiently on-board clients in the private sector. 40:30 The most valuable technology from a coaching perspective. 45:00 What metrics do you look for and why? 48:45 How to fuse skill with weight touches. 52:00 What are the best resources for coaches? 55:10 How do you want to be remembered in our field?   RESOURCES + LINKS Become an elite level coach at https://robertsontrainingsystems.com/ Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -  The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/ Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players

Get ready to level up your strength training know-how for high performance hockey! Kevin Neeld and Brijesh Patel return to the podcast to discuss Strength Training for Hockey, an important resource for hockey players and coaches alike. We’ll dive into the core aspects of the book, who it’s for, and the gap it fills in the ice hockey performance world. As we go, our guests share advice for young strength coaches to get ahead of the game and equip themselves with higher knowledge of strength training. Don’t miss your chance to learn from one of the most invaluable resources for high performing athletes and coaches.   HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Introducing Strength Training for Hockey with Kevin Neeld and Brijesh Patel. 03:50 What led to you getting involved with the book? 07:20 How young strength coaches can get more opportunities in the field. 14:55 Strength training for hockey versus other sports. 19:10 What was the BTS process for choosing contributors for the book? 22:15 What are the main lessons and takeaways of the book? 26:20 Foundational principles for designing a training program. 34:10 What have been the biggest changes in sports performance? 40:35 The future of high performance hockey.   RESOURCES + LINKS Get your copy of Strength Training for Hockey on Amazon Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -  The High Performance Hockey Masterclass   Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov   Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/   Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players  

As coaches, how can we instill our team with one of the most important skills in the game: hockey IQ? Joining us today is Troy Smith, the owner of Hockey IQ – an outstanding, elite video breakdown resource for hockey players and coaches alike. Our conversation is all about hockey IQ + how we can teach and improve it. We’ll dive deep into the X’s and O’s of the game, breaking down game patterns and principles with Troy’s expert eye. Whether you’re training the next generation of athletes or working with professionals at the NHL-level, this episode will equip you with the knowledge they need to play at their smartest. HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 How do you write better programs as a young coach? 04:35 Who were the mentors + influences that shaped you? 10:55 The difficulties of transitioning from player to coach. 15:25 How to develop your craft as a young coach. 18:00 How do you navigate a hard tragedy? 21:30 Strategies for teaching + improving hockey IQ. 25:35 Breaking down game patterns and principles. 34:00 How to teach D-Zone skills to young + pro players. 39:35 What are basic concepts for the neutral zone? 45:15 The NHL-level patterns of the O-Zone. 47:45 How to utilize shared terminology with your team. 49:50 What is your vision with Hockey IQ? RESOURCES + LINKS Check out Hockey IQ - https://www.hockeyiq.ca Follow Hockey IQ on Instagram | @hockeyiqcan For questions and more info, just Email - info@hockeyiq.ca   Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -  The High Performance Hockey Masterclass   Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov   Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast   Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/   Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players  

What is the best way to set up the next generation of high performing athletes for success? Joining me today is Mark Fitzgerald, head coach for Kelowna High Performance + founder of Elite Training Systems in Ontario, who has spent the last 15 years working with athletes from a variety of sports at every level. We have an educational hour diving into long-term athletic development for youth hockey. We’ll unpack everything there is about coaching young hockey players, from the pitfalls of the “more is better” mentality to the current state of affairs and its future. Mark also shares his game plan for developing athletes, building team culture, and training for sustainable success on and off the ice. Whether you’re a coach or a parent, you’ll gain key information to best support your young athlete! HIGHLIGHTS 00:00:00 Youth development: long-term process over short-term success. 00:04:00 How did you step into your current appointment? 00:11:35 How to build culture + relationships in a new position. 00:21:00 Building team culture then versus now. 00:28:50 How do you build trust with your athletes? 00:33:05 Reframing the “more is better” mentality in youth hockey. 00:45:45 The common pitfalls of coaching youth hockey. 00:52:30 How do you teach + train for long-term success? 00:59:45 The most consistent way to get results. 01:05:20 How can we make youth hockey better? 01:10:00 What advice would you give to young coaches? 01:17:50 The key to balance work, life, and relationships. RESOURCES + LINKS Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -  The High Performance Hockey Masterclass   Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov   Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast   Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/   Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players