Glass and Out

In episode #218, we welcome two friends to the show: Newly named Head Coach of the AHL's San Diego Gulls, Matt McIlvane, and his former Assistant Coach with EC Red Bull Salzburg, Ben Cooper. Fresh off a second consecutive win2day ICE Hockey League championship with Red Bull, the two joined to give us a behind the scenes look on their road to a repeat.  Listen as they the incredible story behind their final series comeback victory, why composure was a key element to overcoming adversity, and why championship teams need to get the locker room right.

Head Coach of St. Cloud State women's hockey team, Brian Idalski, joins us for episode #217. Idalski is coming off his first season leading the Huskies' program and was named the US College Hockey Online National Coach of the Year, as his team made significant strides in virtually every defensive and offensive area of the game. Listen as he shares why pattern recognition is key to helping players process the game, coaching Team China in the Olympics, and how to get your team to buy into blocking shots.

In episode #216, we welcome Performance Coach and Founder of Deviate, Ryan Blanck. To date, Blanck has worked with over half of the team’s in the NFL, including the league itself, the iconic entertainment industry agency, the William Morris Endeavor, professional athletes, leading universities such as Penn State, Clemson, Vanderbilt and Stanford, along with executives from major corporations to start-ups. He will also be presenting at TCS Live, taking place June 22-24 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Hear him discuss why empathy is the number one skill needed by leaders, what erodes culture and what it takes to be a leader worth following.

In episode #215, we we're joined by Detroit Red Wings Assistant Coach Jay Varady. Varady has had a remarkable trajectory since his early coaching days with the WHL's expansion Everett Silvertips, and yet there is much more to be written in his story. Today, we discuss the origin of analytics in hockey, implementing process & structure into a program, and how to navigate when to make the jump in one’s coaching career.

In episode #214, we welcome former NHLer and current Cognitive Performance Coach Aaron Volpatti. He is also the author of the book FIGHTER: Defying the NHL Odds, an autobiography on how he turned tragedy into triumph on his unlikely journey to playing in the National Hockey League. Listen as we discuss how he learned to leverage his mind to make an unlikely return to the ice following his severe burns that almost took his life, how that experience became a skill later in his career, and how coaches can offer support in their athletes visualizing their own peak performance.

In episode #213, USA Hockey's National Coach-in-Chief Mike MacMillan joins the show. MacMillan's role, along with the regional coach-in-chiefs, is to make decisions on how to best educate hockey coaches, and ultimately have a direct influence on the development opportunity afforded to young players in the US. Listen as he discusses the pageantry that is the Minnesota High School Championships, how tech is evolving coach education, and the positive role the game plays in supporting the overall development young boys and girls.

In episode #212, Erie Otters Head Coach Stan Butler stops by. Butler recently returned behind the bench after a two year break and is currently in his 26th season coaching in the CHL. He’s coached in over 1,600 OHL games and won 742 of them, ranking him in the top 5 in league history in both categories. Hear him discuss the influence his teaching career has had on his coaching career, the decision to stay in Junior hockey, and why he still has the juice to chase that elusive OHL crown with the Erie Otters.

In episode #211, we welcome Skating Coach Katy Jo West to the show. She is the founder of Katy Jo Power Skating, based just outside of Denver, Colorado, where she works with everyone from two and three year-old’s stepping onto the ice for the first time, right up to NHL players. West is also a presenter at this year's Global Skills Showcase, hosted by The Coaches Site. Listen as she discusses the fundamentals of becoming a great skater, getting comfortable with being unconventional, and hacks to running a business that requires you to be on the ice 40+ hours per week.

In episode #210, Skills Coach Brian Slugocki stops by to join the show. His current roles include Director of Skill Development for the Jr. Coyotes youth program, where he is also the Head Coach of the programs 10u elite team, Skill Development Consultant for the NHL Arizona Coyotes and prospects, Skills Coach for Total Package Hockey (TPH), all in addition to running private and small group training for youth players up to NHL players through his company Slugocki Hockey. Slugocki will be presenting at the 2023 Global Skills Showcase on how to develop hockey sense. Hear him discuss how you create a practice plan for elite players like Auston Matthews, what goes into creating a learning enivronment that develops hockey sense, and why you need to check for learning.

In episode #209, we connect with Paul Dyck, Head Coach and General Manager of the MJHL's Steinbach Pistons. The Pistons have been one of the most successful and consistent Junior A programs in Canada since Dyck stepped behind the bench part way through the 2012-2013 season. Listen as he discuss why great coaches find reasons why a team CAN succeed, the role grit plays in winning Championships and why you need to appreciate feedback from your fans, even if they interrupt your breakfast.