The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

This week Topher and Jeff talk with John O’Sullivan, founder of Changing The Game Project. His company’s mission is to provide those involved in any youth sport with the resources they need to create a healthy and rewarding experience. This is a great episode for coaches and parents looking to foster a positive environment. In this episode we talk about: — Recognizing hockey isn’t the easiest spor...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to debate utilizing the community model vs the professional model for youth hockey by comparing Minnesota and Massachusetts stats. We’ve got STRONG feelings about this one so let’s go… TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter):...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about the habits and concepts that can help defense break the puck out. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkT...

This week Topher and Jeff talk with PJ Atherton, former college and professional hockey player. Atherton grew up playing Minnesota hockey and joins us this episode to talk about how the community-based model shaped his career and how he views the game. In this episode we talk about: — Community-based hockey and always playing for the logo on the front of your jersey — Learning to dominate multiple...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss how to handle cutting players: should it be posted online or done in person? Let’s dive into the emotions and best practices of player selection. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @H...

Here is the last of our top three favorite Short Shifts episodes to get your 2025 going! … On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Topher wants to talk about the transition game: what is winning in transition and how important is being good in transition both offensively and defensively? TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social...

This week Topher and Jeff talk with Jakub Dobeš, current Montreal Canadiens goaltender. Listen as we dive into the mind of an elite athlete to understand what it takes to make it to the highest stage in our sport. In this episode we talk about: — Dobeš’ “late bloomer” path to the NHL — An inside look into life as an NHL player — How the most valuable thing you can bring to a team is consistency —...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss a question he received: “What does the youth hockey world need more of, better, or something different than it already has right now?” TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThink...

Here is another one of our favorite past Short Shifts as we get back into the swing of the new year! … On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph’s topic is - NUTRITION. It’s such an important component for any athlete to reach their potential and Vechs HAS THOUGHTS that you’re not going to want to miss! TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and s...

This week Topher and Jeff talk with Derek Stephens, former college and professional hockey player. Stephens is currently involved at the youth level with his own kids playing and joins us this episode to discuss the taboo topics of youth hockey. In this episode we talk about: — How you never know when someone is watching, so strive to be your best self every day — The internalized pressure of feel...

In place of today’s Friday Faceoff episode, Toph reads a letter his dad sent to Jess, Toph’s little sister. Grab the tissues and send this episode to all of the moms and mom figures in your life 🤧 We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank...

Happy New Year fam! The boys are on holiday break, so we have a rerun of one of our most popular Short Shifts for you guys! On today's SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about consistency. What players, and coaches, can do individually (with preparation, routines, habits) to help with team consistency. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rat...

This week Topher and Jeff are home for the holidays in Chicago with the whole fam to bring you a Christmas special episode. This episode helped us remember our why and we hope you enjoy getting to know us and those closest to us a little better. Happy holidays from all of us at the Hockey Think Tank! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, Heli...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph and Vechs discuss the controversial topic: what age should we allow youth players to start checking? TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simpleca...

Merry Christmas fam! On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to answer a question from one of our listeners: how do you best coach really young players? What drills can you do to balance making it fun, but also continue to develop their skating and stick abilities? TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Shout...

This week Topher and Jeff talk with Drew Shore, former college and NHL player. This is a must listen episode for those aspiring to play high level hockey. In this episode we talk about: — How development is a process: find the best fitting program, not the flashiest — Earning more rope by working hard every day — The emotions of the game and trying to let things roll off your back — Shifting your...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph and Vechs debate allowing icing on penalty kills at the youth level. Are you pro icing or pro non-icing? TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Sim...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about teams that have a wide range of skill and how to best coach the skill discrepancy. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitte...

This week Topher and Jeff continue their heated discussion from our latest FRIDAY FACEOFF episode on AAA Mite Hockey. We had so much to say on that episode, that we had to keep it going and transition into the topic of the professionalization of youth hockey. In this episode we talk about: — The pressure to perform and how it’s making kids fall out of love with the game — Encouraging kids to diver...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph and Vechs discuss the controversial topic of Mite AAA hockey. Pop in your headphones and buckle up as we got FIRED UP this episode. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! (...plus a couple of minutes again, excuse our rant!) We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @Ho...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about playing 4 on 4. We discuss defensive and offensive strategies that we recommend to master 4 on 4 play. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!  We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair   Follow us: IG: @Ho...

This week Topher and Jeff talk with guest Nick Robone, current University of Nevada, Las Vegas Men’s Ice Hockey Associate Head Coach. We cover so many different topics in this episode, it’s truly a listen for any player, parent, or coach of the game. In this episode we talk about: — Prioritizing relationships over the X’s and O’s in coaching — American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) hockey a...

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph and Vechs discuss the cost of hockey. We asked on our socials if you can play Tier 1 hockey for less than $20,000 per year, and we received A LOT of responses, so let’s get this 🔥 conversation going. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! (…plus a couple of minutes!) We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Follo...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about angling. We’ve talked about it a lot on the pod, but since angling is such a huge part of the game, it's time we dedicated a full episode to it. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening &am...

This week Topher and Jeff discuss the six C’s of hockey development. There are six traits players should have to succeed. We covered the first three C’s in our Part 1 episode, so go check that out first if you haven't already! In this episode we talk about: — Community — Charisma — Confidence AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, CuredNutri...