prohockeypod

Jordan is another Burlington guy who I grew up with and spent a lot of time training together. He is known for his hard work ethic and I have seen that first hand. Jordan went the OHL route, was drafted to the NHL and played 9 seasons of North American Pro in the AHL, which also included 50 games in the NHL. He then headed off to the KHL in Russia before coming to Germany. He is currently in his 3...

The Union Dutchmen alumni are back. Happy to have been able to chat with Wayne Simpson this week. Wayne is currently in his 11th pro season and 5th with the ERC Ingolstadt in Germany. We talked about his childhood in Georgia and how he grew up in an athletic family with a passion for doing well in both sports and in the classroom. Wayne talked a lot about the importance of being confident and how...

It was awesome to sit down with Shea Tiley this week. Shea is a Clarkson Alumni who won 2 National Titles and has represented Canada on multiple occasions internationally with the women’s team. She has been a big part of the growth of the women’s pro league in NA and continues to help promote the brand. Shea educated me on the progress of the new league and everything that goes into it behind the...

It was great to sit down with ERC Ingolstadt GM Tim Regan this week. Tim grew up in Massachusetts before earning himself a D1 Scholarship to RPI for hockey. After earning his degree, Tim headed to Germany (for 1 year) and hasn’t returned since. He carved out a long playing career, been a coach on the German National Team and is now a GM. He had some great insight and advice on how he got to where...

This week I wanted to take some time to discuss the importance and remind athletes to Appreciate the Game and Enjoy the Ride. I talked about different levels of a player’s hockey journey and what I feel is important to learn/remember with each step. At the end of the day, be grateful to the game and enjoy the experience. Its YOUR journey, do not compare it to others and take it all in. Hope you en...

Jake is a guy who has shown throughout his career that progression is possible if you are willing to put in the hard work. From the USHL to Clarkson University before signing an NHL contract and now playing in Europe, Jake has always found a way to keep improving his game and being a wanted addition to any team. He shared a lot of good insight on his experiences and lessons he learned along the wa...

Robby is a professional hockey player who grew up in California and is currently playing in Slovakia. We talked about what drew him to the sport and how it was for him playing hockey in Cali at a young age. He went on to play 4 years D1 for St. Cloud University and earned himself a degree in broadcasting. Robby is big on reflection and enjoying the moment, which I believe is a good for everyone to...

Mat Bodie joined the prohockeypod this week. He is a long time pro and leader by nature. We took a trip down memory lane from his time at Union College where he ended as a National Champion before embarking on his professional career. We dove a lot into how he is a leader and his belief on the best characteristics to be one. Honestly, i can see why his teammates look up to him and have so much res...

Brett Thompson joined the prohockeypod this week. Brett is a product of the OHL who went the USports route after before heading over to Europe to embark on his pro career. He is currently playing in the top league in Denmark. We dove into his dream of playing in the OHL and being able to do it for some years in the Soo. We talked about everything he learned along the way and that has helped him co...

Current Assistant Coach for the Powell River Kings of the BCHL Kyle Bodie joined the prohockeypod this week. Kyle was a product of the BCHL himself, who went on to play D1 at Union College before playing professionally in NA and Europe. We talked a lot about his experiences in College and how he has transitioned to the coaching side. We also took a deep dive into what he communicates to his player...

Time to change things up and share my personal story. From Peterborough to Germany, I have had my share of experiences and adventures. A lot of ups and downs, battling through adversity and finding a way. It is easy to look back and say I wish I did certain things differently but it made me who I am today. I learned a great amount along the way and hope I can influence people through my experience...

Austin is currently going into his 9th pro season and 3rd in Slovakia. He grew up in Illinois, which is where he first learned to play, before heading to Fargo and eventually University of Minnesota-Duluth. We talked about Austin’s immediate jump to Sweden after college and how he found success in 2 great leagues there. We also took a deep dive into concussions and his experience. Austin spoke on...

Burlington has produced a lot of pro athletes and this week the prohockeypod welcomed another. Justin is a guy I grew up training with, who is currently playing for the Straubing Tigers in the DEL in Germany. Justin is a product of the OHL and was able to receive an NHL contract after his overage season. He played 7 seasons in the AHL before heading to Germany. We talked about how he got to where...

The prohockeypod was happy to have on another Burlington alumni who went on to have a long playing career. Brett was always known for his work ethic on and off the ice, as well as his elite skating. Brett shared how he was able to become such a good skater at a young age and how that helped him throughout his career. We talked about his NA pro grind, ECHL Championship season, and heading to Europe...

Another Burlington Cougar Alumni joined the prohockeypod this week. Greg and I were teammates for 2 seasons and I still have bruises on my glove hand to prove it. Greg was known for his NHL caliber shot and that is a big reason why he still holds records in Junior. Greg went on to tear up NCAA at St. Lawrence University for 4 years before embarking on 8 year pro career. Greg shared what he learned...

Cory’s journey has taken him from a small town in St. Thomas, Ontario to living full time in Switzerland. A very humble guy with a tremendous work ethic, Cory has always been known as a solid 2way player that does everything the right way and always finds a way to be an important part of the team. A piece of the puzzle. Cory talked about being fortunate to play in a great situation on the OHL, mak...

Nathan is a former long time professional player who has now shifted his focus to athletic training, both on and off the ice. Nathan was fortunate enough to play 20 years professionally in various countries and took me through his journey. Nathan was always known for his skating and fitness, which we dived into detail about. He talked about his time in the OHL, NA pro before heading over to the bi...

Episode 24: Larry Mitchell. Larry is one of the more well known/respected people in hockey in Europe. He has been through it all. Larry was fortunate to have a long playing career in Germany, followed by a short stint as a hockey stick rep in North America, before returning to Germany as a Coach/GM and now a Sports Manager in Switzerland. Over the years, Larry has been known for his eye for scouti...

Episode 23: Daniel Carr. Another Union Dutchmen Alumni joined the prohockeypod this week. Daniel was kind enough to take some time to talk about his path and everything he has learned along the way. We ofcourse chatted about the famous Union College spring workouts, but more importantly what he learned over his 4 years at school, ending it as a D1 National Champion. Daniel and I went into the dept...

Episode 22. This week the prohockeypod sat down with current Canadian/German pro hockey player Steven Deeg. Steven and I have known each other for about 2 years. Steven is a product of the USports route is going into his 6th professional season in Germany. Steven talked in depth about his journey and how CIS hockey was some of the best hockey he has played. We also talked about topics like playing...

Episode 21. Long time AHLer Troy Grosenick joined the prohockeypod this week. Troy is a Union College grad who is going into his 10th year of professional hockey in the AHL. Troy talked about the effort his dad made at a young age to help his son’s passion of hockey. We also talked about how focusing on 1 sport at a young age is the wrong approach and kids should be as active as possible for multi...

Episode 20. Alex Hutchings joined the prohockeypod this week. Alex is another hockey player from Burlington who was a teammate of mine with the Burlington Eagles. Hutch was always known for his speed ability and shot growing up. He played 4 seasons in the OHL for the Barrie Colts and was a 4th round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Alex touched on how he battled through adversity a few times...

Episode 19. This week the prohockeypod was fortunate to be joined by a special guest. Josh Jooris, currently plays for Genève-Servette in the top Swiss league and is going into his 11th season of professional hockey. But the story begins way before this. We grew up around the block from each other, went to school together and were teammates in minor hockey with the Burlington Eagles. I personally...

Episode 18. Former long time professional hockey player and current coach of the Burlington Cougar’s, Mark Jooris stopped by the prohockeypod this week. I have known Mark since I was 12 years old. He coached me as I was growing up, taught me a lot about hockey and opened my eyes to new paths such as NCAA and European Pro. To be completely honest, my career might not have been the same without his...

Episode 17. This week the prohockeypod was joined by Nick Miglio. Nick is another product of D3 hockey, who is currently playing for the Selber Wölfe in the DEL2 in Germany. Nick talked about his path playing hockey in Texas, attending Utica College, the North American pro grind and his transition to Germany. Nick also shared how he stayed motivated and believed in his abilities. Hope you enjoy!