The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, the guys talk about what happens in the locker room during intermissions, and what players do between periods. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for adv...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Topher wants to talk about one of the greatest parts of the game - CHIRPS! The guys talk about the best hockey chirps they’ve given, received, or heard on the ice. We try to keep it PG-13, ish. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pc...

On this week’s episode, Topher and Jeff welcome Blake Geoffrion & Sam Jefferies. Sam wrote the book, “Legacy On Ice,” about Blake’s life as a fourth-generation NHLer and hockey royalty. In 2010 Blake became the first University of Wisconsin hockey player to win the Hobey Baker Award, and in 2012, his promising NHL career was cut short by a devastating injury that almost cost him his life. Blake’s...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about the advancements in hockey technology with respect to player development. One of our new podcast sponsors, Helios Hockey, offers an affordable option (don’t forget to use our discount code: THINKTANK) - and the guys talk about how technology in general (and access to it) has changed so much since their playing days. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOC...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about the importance of creating buy-in and how coaches can go about creating it early to set the team up for success by setting expectations, standards, and accountability structure early. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz...

On this week’s episode, Topher and Jeff welcome acclaimed author, motivational speaker, and world series champion as a mental performance coach with the St. Louis Cardinals, Dr. Jason Selk. Regarded as one of the top performance coaches in the United States, he’s worked with professional and olympic athletes as well Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 executives and organizations, training individuals and...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs brings an awesome topic - should there be limits for youth coaches with respect to the number of years they’re coaching the same team and the same players? Some terrific conversation about the upside of having limits for coaches in youth programs and the potential impact on player development. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen,...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Topher wants to talk about the skating stride! Not only stride mechanics, but Toph wants to hear from Vechs about what players can be doing in the gym and off ice to improve their skating stride. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See...

This week, we finally reveal the project we've been working on for months... We've built an ONLINE COMMUNITY to connect like-minded and passionate hockey people in our great game. When Topher first started the Hockey Think Tank as a passion project, his dream was to create this type of positive, enthusiastic community...and that dream is finally a reality! Whether you are a coach, parent, or playe...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs has an intriguing question for Topher: If you, overnight, became the head of USA Hockey, what are the first three things you'd implement?  TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collectio...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Topher's topic is one that brings out ALL the opinions - FAVORITE HOCKEY MOVIES of all time! The guys weigh in on their favorites and why - including some of their favorite lines and characters! TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud member...

This week’s episode is a long time coming! It’s a 10 QUESTIONS episode, and the guys take turns asking each other some hockey and non-hockey related questions - some serious, some hilarious (like fighting duck-sized horses), and some that were supposed to be serious that turned hilarious.  Some topics they touch on: — Pregame routines & roadtrip roommates — Best hockey movies — Greatest fears — Wh...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Topher's topic comes from a listener’s question about how coaches can handle lopsided games - on both sides. Great discussion and ideas on lessons to take away whether you’re winning big, or learning big. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz comp...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about the new PWHL PK “jailbreak” rule, which awards the team who scores a shorthanded goal on the PK by ending their penalty. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network Hosted by Simplec...

One of our best episodes yet! Topher and Jeff welcome Brett Beebe, a Western Michigan University hockey alum and former pro player who is in his 6th season of coaching with the LA Jr Kings. He won the gold medal with Team USA (U17) in 2006 at the 4 Nations tournament, and a USA Hockey National Championship as both a player and coach! We had some great conversation about the state of youth hockey,...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs is STILL in the holiday spirit and wants to take a walk down memory lane to talk about some favorite hockey presents he and Toph have received over the years! TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Topher wants to talk about player feedback - when and how should messages be delivered for maximum efficiency and player development? TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWi...

Happy New Year! It’s our first episode of 2024 and it’s a great one! On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, it’s just Topher and Jeff talking about the life lessons they’ve learned through hockey that have helped them earn success off the ice. In this episode we talk about: – Teamwork: Understanding you are part of something greater than yourself – Learning how to compete: To show up ev...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about how to handle difficult teammates. The conversation turned to teammates that bully - and it got personal for Topher. This one struck a chord, and goes a little longer than our normal ten minutes - but it’s absolutely worth a listen! TEN (PLUS) MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and shar...

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 sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network Hosted...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we welcome former Major League pitcher, Jacob Turner. The 9th overall draft pick by the Detroit Tigers now helps young athletes manage their money and mentors them for financial stability after their playing days. In this episode we talk about: – The life lessons that sports provides – Resiliency – Confidence – The transition to life after being an...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk all things Power Play and asks Topher what his favorite PP was and what, specifically, he liked about it. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz compa...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Topher wants to talk about the penalty kill forecheck and things that worked for Vechs over the years - from speed, vision, pressure, systems, and everything that helps teams have success on the kill. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we throw it back to a “10 Questions” episode (from 2020) that Topher did with Brad Berry (North Dakota Head Coach) & Mike Schafer (Cornell Head Coach) - the Co-Winners of the Spencer Penrose award as the top coaches in college hockey to talk about their seasons and their programs! In this episode Topher asked them: – What was it about your specific...

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about the different ways that players prefer to tie their skates (for efficiency, speed, comfort, stability, etc.) and why. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating and share on your social sites! The Hockey Think Tank Podcast is a proud member of The Hockey Podcast Network Hosted by Simplecast...