The Hockey Lab Podcast

Is the minor hockey system actually building better players — or just keeping kids busy until the off-season? In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards welcome back NHL legend and GRP founder Gary Roberts for a wide-open conversation about development, sacrifice, and what the best players in the world actually have in common. Gary pulls from his own path — Double A hockey...

What's the real difference between playing on a Stanley Cup contender… and a rebuilding team? In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast, NHL forward Ty Dellandrea breaks down the mindset shift between Dallas and San Jose, what it actually takes to stay consistent at the NHL level, and why development isn't as simple as "just win more games." We get into: • Rebuild vs Cup-contender culture • Why "d...

Denver Barkey returns to The Hockey Lab Podcast to break down the moment every player dreams of — getting the call to the NHL. From packing his bags in under an hour… to skating at Madison Square Garden… to learning how to be a pro every single day, Barkey shares what the jump from junior to the AHL — and then to the NHL — actually feels like. This episode dives deep into: • Coachability at the hi...

In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast , Coaches A and Gards bridge the gap between the rink and the pitch by welcoming world-renowned individual skill specialist Saul Isaksson-Hurst . With over 20 years of experience at elite academies like Chelsea and Tottenham, Saul joins the lab to break down why individual mastery is the missing link in modern "team-first" coaching systems From the biomech...

In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast , Coaches A and Gards usher in 2026 by exploring the enchantment of outdoor hockey and the tough realities of international competition. From wild anecdotes at local outdoor rinks to the intense scrutiny of Canada's World Junior performance, the hosts delve into the environmental elements that influence a player's growth. They also celebrate a significant...

In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast , Coach A and Coach Gards break down five core things every hockey player needs to nail — regardless of position, level, or age. From watching the World Juniors in Christmas pajamas to skating with pros, the conversation starts light and quickly gets real. The guys dig into what actually separates players who progress from those who stall. They cover: Mult...

Episode 59 dives into a bunch of things every hockey family deals with but no one really talks about — late-night game times, rink shortages, kids getting home at 1AM, and how it impacts performance the next day. We get into tournament season too. Silver Stick, Buffalo, Vaughan, Marlies… it's non-stop, and for a lot of players the year ends before January. Then we shift into something that actuall...

In Episode ___ of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards sit down with GRP coach Mateo DeBlasio to unpack one of the most unconventional hockey journeys we've ever featured. From house league at 12 years old… to AA , AAA , Junior C , OJHL , NOJHL , GOJHL , D3 NCAA , and even pro hockey in the FPHL —Mateo's path is the definition of non-linear. His story is a masterclass in persistence, la...

In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast , Coach A, Coach Gards, and Sylvie dig into one of the biggest challenges for athletes — fueling properly. From moose meat chili to late-night snacks, they break down how nutrition, sleep, and recovery tie directly into performance. You'll learn: 🔥 Why most athletes under-eat (and how to fix it) 🥩 How to fuel between skates, lifts, and games 💤 Why sleep...

If you want to be great at anything, you've got to learn to love the boring stuff. The truth? Success isn't built on highlight reels — it's built on repetition, focus, and doing the same small things right every single day. Effort. Over. Time. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPONSORS OF THE POD This podcast is proudly sponsored by  Ga...

This week on The Hockey Lab Podcast , Coach A and Coach Gards dive deep into what makes the game special — and what it really takes to build a player, on and off the ice. They talk about the joy that sports bring to families, fans, and communities, the memories that stay with us forever, and how hockey can unite people across generations. ❤️🏒 Then, the guys shift gears into one of the biggest que...

Struggling to adjust after moving up a level? Whether it's a new league, new team, or higher competition, that jump can feel uncomfortable — but that's where growth happens. Coach A breaks down how to make the transition smoother: 👉 Focus on the basics 👉 Control what you can 👉 Build confidence one shift at a time Don't rush the process. Stack good reps, good habits, and good days. -------------...

This week on The Hockey Lab Podcast , Coach A and Coach Gards break down what makes hockey culture so special — from PWHL players getting ready for training camp and wild goalie stories to one of the biggest contract discounts in the league. They dive into: The pre-camp grind and how players prep for the season 🏒 Rent-a-goalie stories you won't believe 🧤 Why one NHL star's massive pay cut is a l...

In this Mindset Monday episode, Coach A breaks down one of the hardest moments in any athlete's journey — being called out by your coach. From his own experience as a fighter training under coach Linden Whitlock, he shares how learning to separate intent from delivery changed everything. If you struggle with feedback, this is your playbook for emotional control, accountability, and growth. 🎙 Hoste...

In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast , Coach A and Coach Gards sit down with K arl Stewart — former NHL player and current NHL scout — to talk about what it really takes to make it in hockey. From the disappointment of going undrafted to carving out a career through grit, adaptability, and identity, Karl shares stories from his time in the OHL, the NHL, and overseas — and the lessons that sha...

In this episode of Mindset Monday , Coach A breaks down one of the biggest mindset traps in sports — comparison. We live in a world of constant metrics, rankings, and highlights. It's easy to compare yourself to teammates, players in the league, or even the best in the world. But comparison kills growth. Sports should be about personal development — becoming a better version of yourself each day....

In Episode 54 of The Hockey Lab Podcast , Coach A, Coach Gards, and Coach Sylvie (Director of Nutrition at GRP) break down how athletes can fuel properly during the season — from game day meals to recovery strategies, and even how parents can help set their kids up for success. From keeping weight on during a busy schedule, to late-night tournament meals, to why sleep is just as important as prote...

In Episode 76 of Mindset Monday , Coach A shares a simple but powerful message: you'll rarely have perfect conditions — in training, in school, in business, or in life. But you can still choose to execute with what you've got. From athletes battling injuries to everyday challenges where nothing feels ideal, the answer is almost never "do nothing." There's always something you can do — train your c...

In Episode 53 of The Hockey Lab Podcast , Coach A, Coach Gards, and Coach Brian break down the full cycle — from how this offseason shaped up at GRP HQ, to the chaos of training camps, and what smarter in-season training should actually look like. From injuries and nagging issues that players carry into summer, to the demands of junior and pro camps, the guys share stories, lessons, and practical...

In this episode of Mindset Monday , Coach A breaks down one of the biggest difference-makers in success: your environment . Talent, skill, and even the perfect program won't matter if the people and culture around you are pulling you in the wrong direction. Your environment should challenge you, hold you accountable, and push you toward the version of yourself you're chasing. 🎯 In this episode: W...

In this episode of Mindset Monday , Coach A breaks down a powerful truth: you don't always have to believe in the end goal right away — you just need to believe in your ability to get better. Doubts and insecurities are normal. The championship, the top line, the NHL, the big dream — all of it can feel overwhelming. But progress doesn't come from believing you'll win it all on Day 1. It comes from...

In Episode 51 of The Hockey Lab Podcast , Coach A and Coach Gards cover a little bit of everything — from the infamous "beep test vs. beef test" slip-up, to pros vs. joes moments at GRP HQ, to the wild sticks and setups some of our players bring through the door. But the real meat of the convo dives into the jump from minor hockey → junior → pro: 🔥 What the demands actually look like at each leve...

In Episode 50 of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards break down the end-of-summer grind at GRP HQ and what it means as athletes transition into training camp season. From the bad habit of rushing through drills to the lessons players should carry into camp, they dig into how attention to detail separates the good from the great. 🔥 In this episode: Why rushing through drills can kill d...

In Episode 49 of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards are back after a long overdue break to talk all things GRP's new era —from the chaos of opening our brand-new facility to the culture that's been building between pros, youth athletes, and executives under one roof. They break down summer training takeaways, lessons learned from world-class players, and why simplicity in training oft...

In this episode of Mindset Monday , Coach A delivers a must-hear message for every athlete: if you want to see real progress, you have to build season over season . Whether it's strength, speed, skill development, or nutrition— results don't happen in 8 weeks . They come from showing up, stacking reps, and doing the work when no one's watching. 🎯 In this episode: Why one great offseason isn't eno...