The High Performance Hockey Podcast

How far has strength & conditioning gone in the past 20 years? Here with me today is Sean Skahan, owner of Skahan Sport Conditioning with 20+ years of high performance under his belt! We’ll speak about Sean’s 2 decades worth of experience within the NHL and the strength & conditioning landscape as a whole. Sean reflects on his journey, going from an elite college setting to now owning + running a sport conditioning company working with young athletes. We’ll discuss coaching changes in the strength & conditioning field, how he navigated major transitions, and the important lessons he gained during his time in the high performance sphere. If you’re curious how much high performance sports has evolved, then you’re in the right place. Join the conversation for 20+ years of learnings, lessons, and reflections!   HIGHLIGHTS 02:00 What led you to becoming an NHL strength coach? 08:35 Then versus now: Coaching changes in the strength & conditioning landscape. 14:05 Unpacking the human element in the high performance sphere. 23:50 What were your biggest mistakes + goals during your first few years? 26:25 Check out the High Performance Masterclass! 27:45 How did you handle new coaching changes + transitions over 20 years? 33:00 A BTS peek into owning and running a sport conditioning company. 44:35 Education within the private sector. 49:05 What advice would you share with young coaches? 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

In This Episode, You Will Learn: The impact of A Coach’s Guide to Strength Development on coaches. Expert advice for young practitioners and coaches. The deeper fundamentals behind strength & conditioning. How to build a coaching culture for long term growth.   Resources + Links: Follow Stu on Instagram | @fingermash Follow Jordan on Instagram | @jordanstrength Learn more at https://www.jordanstrength.com/   Check out ALTIS - https://altis.world/   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   In a world full of noise, how can you find what really matters? Joining us once again is CEO of ALTIS, Stu McMillan, and Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary, Dr. Matt Jordan! This dynamic duo is back on the podcast to talk about their blog series, A Coach’s Guide to Strength Development, and the impact it had on younger and older coaches alike. We’ll dive into the different sections of the blog to gain a deeper understanding in the field of strength & conditioning. Through this insightful discussion, we’ll uncover the important fundamentals for all strength & conditioning coaches, including physiology, adaptation, personal leadership, periodization, and more. No matter if you’re just starting out, or a seasoned practitioner, tune in for an educational look into the world of strength coaching!   00:00:00 Welcome back to the podcast, Stu McMillan and Dr. Matt Jordan! 00:07:40 How did you two meet? 00:12:35 Who were your shared mentors, and why was that mentorship so important? 00:22:25 Check out the Gain, Go, Grow Manual for training intermediate to advanced players! 00:23:15 The beginnings of A Coach’s Guide to Strength Development blog series. 00:33:45 The fundamentals of physiology + adaptation for strength coaches. 00:38:50 Breaking down the three step process to focusing on what matters. 00:45:30 How have you built and managed your coaching culture? 00:53:50 The significance of learning to receive feedback as a coach. 00:59:05 What are the assumptions of periodization? 01:03:50 What are the biggest issues with the recent technology boom? 01:06:40 The future of the book + where to learn more.  

What does it take to build a sports performance department out of bare-bones? Our guest this week is Coach Doug Davidson. Doug is the Associate Director of Sports Performance and Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Vegas Golden Knights, being with the organization since the team’s inaugural season in 2017-2018. We will explore the foundational work + early years of slowly building up a sports performance department, starting from the ground level. You’ll get a closer look at the organization’s decision making process for technology, integration, and beyond, all from a sports performance lens. We also discuss Doug’s background and mentors, what his time in the AHL taught him + how it affected his tenure in the NHL, and his cooperative approach to communication with his veteran athletes. Join in as we break down everything from the VGK performance culture to the practice versus post-game mindset and more! In This Episode, You Will Learn: Major lessons from time in the American Hockey League, and how that information transitioned to the National Hockey League. The important elements of successful communication, cooperation, and decision-making. The early days of building a sports performance department for a new expansion team. HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Welcome to the podcast, Doug Davidson, the Associate Director of Sports Performance and Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Vegas Golden Knights! 01:45 What are your current responsibilities with the Vegas Golden Knights? 04:35 How did the experiences with your mentors shape you as a coach? 09:50 Major lessons from the American League + transitions into the National League. 15:40 The important elements of successful communication between athletes & coaches. 18:50 What are the foundations of building a sports performance department from ground level? 23:35 Check out the High Performance Hockey Masterclass! 24:55 How were additional hires integrated in the early years? 27:15 Breaking down the VGK performance model and culture. 30:40 How do your relationships bleed into decision making? 32:40 The three keys behind choosing technology. 36:35 How do you approach practice days versus post-games? 39:35 Balancing coaching and cooperation with veteran players. 42:10 What are the current gaps in holistic care from a performance standpoint? 47:05 What is coming up next for you? 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  

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Differences between North America and the KHL in terms of culture, game play, structure, performance, and schedule. The current strength & conditioning scene in Europe compared to North America. Advice for young strength coaches considering going abroad. The importance of communication, consistency, and simplicity as a coach.   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   Show Notes: Ever wondered what high performance hockey looks like across the pond? Today, we are joined by Brandon Bovee, the Strength & Conditioning Coach for Ak Bars Kazan in the KHL. Brandon is a 12 year strength & conditioning veteran who has coached all over Russia, from Moscow to the far east in Vladivostok. We have a fascinating conversation uncovering his unique journey from North America to the Eastern bloc + his experiences and formative years abroad. We’ll break down the key differences between North American leagues and the KHL, from culture, game play, structure, performance, and more. Brandon also shares his advice for coaches considering Europe, the importance of building trust in communication, and how he simplifies the process by filtering out the noise. Tune in to broaden your view of the high performance world on a whole new level! 00:00 Introducing a 12 year KHL veteran and the Strength & Conditioning Coach for Ak Bars Kazan, Brandon Bovee! 01:35 How did you get from North America to the KHL? 08:05 Formative first years + building buy-in in a foreign country. 10:20 The North American high performance model versus the KHL high performance model. 13:50 Discover the key to training intermediate and advanced players with the Gain, Go, Grow Manual! 14:40 Breaking down KHL legacy, playing style, and schedule. 18:40 What does a typical week of a physical preparation coach look like? 20:15 Comparing the strength & conditioning scene + off season programs in the KHL. 22:05 Who have stood out as your mentors and peers while in Europe? 26:00 What advice would you give a young strength coach considering Europe? 30:00 What does the future hold for you? 32:15 How to focus on consistency and simplicity above the noise. 37:00 Asking ‘why’ to find the best path forward.  

Join Luke Chilcott, skating coach for the Dallas Stars, as he discusses textbook skating mechanics, coaching strategies for young versus professional players, and equipment modifications for optimal hockey performance. Learn about the importance of efficient skating, ideal body builds, and using video analysis to enhance skating skills.

In This Episode, You Will Learn: An in-depth exploration of the five phases of the return to sport clearance continuum. How to become a Swiss Army knife in the professional sports world. The current state of comprehensive athlete care + return to play.   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   Show Notes: How can you approach the return to sport clearance like a pro? Joining us today is Dr. Pete Draovitch, Athletic Performance Specialist and Associate Athletic Trainer of the Jacksonville Jaguars. His current role assists the medical staff and strength & conditioning staff to work closely with injured players in the rehabilitation programs. With his diverse background in professional sports, including golf, ice hockey, and football, Dr. Pete will teach us how to become a Swiss Army knife within the high performance sphere. We’ll also be deep diving into a 2022 article of his in order to break down the five phases of the return to sport clearance continuum, including debunking misconceptions and providing useful modalities to implement for return to play. Join us for a thorough and interesting conversation on the current state of comprehensive athlete care!   01:40 What was your background with the Rangers and what are your current duties in the NFL? 05:20 Becoming the Swiss Army knife of professional sports. 09:20 What first principles do you go by? 14:40 What tools + modalities do you utilize during the repair phase? 17:50 The High Performance Hockey Masterclass ad. 18:40 What goes into the rehab + recovery phase? 23:45 Why is the reconditioning phase the most misunderstood? 29:05 How to get baseline tests of the season + the most important metric for return to play. 33:20 Return to performance versus return to play. 37:45 Where is the pendulum swinging regarding comprehensive athlete care? 41:20 Expert advice for young practitioners. 42:55 How do you want to be remembered?  

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Measurement error and building conceptual models in applied settings. How to collect, analyze, and compute better information from both a sports science and a strength & conditioning perspective. The issue with reliability + validity in tests.  The fundamentals of assessing and calculating errors.   Resources + Links:   Measurement in Medicine by Henrica C. W. W. de Vet   Probably Overthinking It by Allen B. Downey   Analyzing Baseball Data with R by Jim Albert and Benjamin S. Baumer   Calling Bullshit by Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West   Against the Gods by Peter L. Bernstein   The Lady Tasting Tea by David Salsburg   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   Show Notes: Is it possible to have data that is both reliable and valid? Today, we have an informative podcast all about measurement with special guests, Dr. Patrick Ward and Dr. Scot Morrison. Dr. Patrick Ward is the Director of Research and Analysis at the Seattle Seahawks and a Statistics Professor at Lehman College, with a PhD in Sport and Exercise Science. Dr. Scot Morrison is currently working as a Senior Sports Scientist in MLB and boasts a diverse career in sports medicine.   Our conversation focuses on measurement, error, and conceptual models in an applied real world setting. We’ll hear their expert answers to several important questions from a sports science lens: What are the logical fallacies regarding reliability & validity in tests? How can we successfully collect & analyze better information? What are the basic fundamentals we need to know? Join us for an incredible educational talk centered around measurement in high performance sports!   0:00:00 Introducing Dr. Patrick Ward and Dr. Scot Morrison, here to discuss everything related to measurement! 0:03:40 Unpacking bad data, measurement errors, and skewed models. 0:08:35 What kind of validity should we be looking for in data? 0:14:45 How to measure external load on a case by case basis. 0:18:15 The issue of measurement reliability. 0:24:25 How can we successfully compute credible probability through error? 0:28:45 Assessing metric errors from a strength & conditioning perspective. 0:34:00 Steps for operationalizing and applying data models throughout a season. 0:39:25 What are the fundamentals of calculating error & noise? 0:42:10 The High Performance Hockey Masterclass ad. 0:43:30 Identifying the difference between testing errors. 0:47:05 Which measurements have you thrown out due to noise?  0:53:00 The importance of conceptual framework in decision making. 1:00:55 What can we learn from conceptual framework? 1:03:30 How do you build models from a sports science lens? 1:08:10 Navigating the truth & lies of models in applied settings. 1:13:40 Knowing what you know now, what advice & resources would you give aspiring performance coaches?  

In this episode I have an incredible conversation with Sunaya Sapurji about youth hockey development models around the world. Sunaya is a senior editor at The Athletic who has covered hockey for many years and written insightful pieces comparing different countries' approaches. We discussed the similarities and differences between programs in North America and Europe. Some of the main takeaways from our discussion included the challenges of cost and participation rates, as well as the importance of coaching education to ensure development frameworks are properly implemented.   01:15 Hockey development models in the US and Canada.  08:45 Hockey development and retention strategies for youth growing up in the sport. 11:15 What challenges is the sport of ice hockey facing with cost across the globe? 18:30 Hockey development in Scandinavia.  26:45 What are the differences between the club model in places like Denmark vs the free market you see in the US? 32:30 Hockey coaching, player development, and retention today.  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    

In This Episode, You Will Learn: The importance of generalist knowledge in sports medicine.  Periodization of treatment for optimal athlete performance. How Dr. Jeff Cubos creates a collaborative high performance culture.   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   Show Notes: In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jeff Cubos. Dr. Cubos is a consulting chiropractor for the Edmonton Oilers and has over 20 years of experience working with athletes at all levels. We had a great discussion about the importance of being a generalist in sports medicine and understanding principles from different fields. Jeff also shared insights into his daily role with the Oilers, from morning meetings to game day preparations. Tune in to hear us cover the emphasis on regular assessments for asymptomatic players to ensure optimal performance and prevent potential issues down the road.    01:30 Curiosity, communication, and interdisciplinary connections.  04:15 What is your treatment philosophy and information you consider for assessments in sports medicine? 13:00 Athlete care and focusing on player driven decision making. 19:15 Periodization and communication in sports performance.  25:30 How do you approach hockey player development and high performance culture? 35:00 Athlete monitoring and injury management in hockey.  40:45 Are there any objective measures from the medical staff that you look at and measure? 48:00 Teaching curiosity and self-directed learning. 

In This Episode, You Will Learn: How to build trust with players through open communication Managing training loads to prevent overtraining during season Using objective metrics and testing for return to play decisions 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   Show Notes: I'm here with Mike Donohue, the head strength coach of the Dallas Stars, and we had a great discussion about building a performance program at the NHL level. Mike shared his experiences in the AHL and how that prepared him for the challenges of the NHL. We talked about the importance of building trust with players, monitoring training loads, and using objective data to guide return to play. It was fascinating to hear Mike's perspective on balancing theory with practical application in professional sports. Whether you're a coach or player, I think you'll find a lot of valuable insights on building an effective long-term development program.   01:30 Building a strength conditioning program for a professional hockey team.  05:45 Building trust and providing valuable insights as a strength and conditioning coach. 09:15 Impact of first gig in American Hockey League.  13:15 Coaching in the NHL and AHL.  19:45 Managing stress and recovery in professional ice hockey players.  23:15 Training loads and recovery for professional hockey players.  27:00 Athlete autonomy in training programs.  32:15 Using data and metrics in sports training.  37:00 Using data to guide athlete development in hockey.  43:45 Hockey player care and the gap between theory and practice.