The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher talk about ways to get a great start to the season! Whether you’ve worked hard all summer or had some bumps along the way (or both), it’s not too late to dial it in and get a great start TODAY! Coaches, setting the tone early with culture and expectations will help your team throughout the season. In this episode we discuss: — Strat...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher welcome Amanda Mazzotta Alessi, former Cornell goaltender and current Assistant Coach for Quinnipiac Women’s Hockey. Terrific discussion about Quinnipiac’s reputation of being consistently hard to play against and how they maintain that year-to-year. In this episode we discuss: — Player accountability, goal setting and developing cu...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher welcome the captain of the Quinnipiac Bobcats, Zach Metsa. An unreal story of his start in youth hockey, to the culture at Quinnipiac that helped them earn a National Championship this season - it was a terrific conversation with so much for coaches, players and parents alike. In this episode we discuss: — Playing Squirt House B and...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher turn to the D side of the puck and talk about Defensive Habits that teams and players must develop for success!  In this episode we discuss: — COMMUNICATION — Gaps, Stick pressure, Tracking, and Transition — D Zone — Neutral Zone — Forecheck AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHoc...

On this week’s episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast we talk to one of Jeff’s longtime clients, Jakub Dobeš who just signed with the Montreal Canadiens after two seasons between the pipes for The Ohio State University. In this episode we discuss: — His journey that included leaving his home in the Czech Republic for the U.S. — His work ethic and outlook through adversity, and the support system...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher continue the talk about offensive habits and the attributes that will lead to success in today’s game. PLAYERS: Learning to do the simple things well, over time, make the biggest difference! In this episode we discuss: — Ozone habits — Neutral zone and entries — Breakouts — Puck protection, separation, shoulder checks and scans, and...

On this week’s episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast we talk to two of the leaders from the University of Michigan hockey team - this past season’s captain, Nolan Moyle and the upcoming 23-24 season captain, Jacob Truscott. Their paths to play for the Wolverines were so different - and the conversation is incredible. Their stories are part of what have made them such unbelievable leaders. In th...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher talk about offensive habits and the attributes needed to have success in today’s game.  In this episode we discuss: — Communication — Puck support — Having a finishing mentality — Positionless hockey AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com . And thank you to our AMAZ...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher welcome Jack Smiley! You may have heard some of Jack’s story when he suffered a stroke on the ice in 2022 while playing at Endicott College - but its the story of his journey back to hockey that is unbelievably inspiring. In this episode we discuss: — Resiliency and motivation — The impact of your own words, to yourself — Realizing...

On this week’s episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher are talking about all things player leadership and its importance to any team. What does it look like? What do great player leaders do? What characteristics do great leaders they’ve played with (or coached) over the years possess? As Vechs says in this episode, “better leadership equals better everything!” ALL OF THIS AND SO...

This week’s episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast - fresh off of winning the USHL’S Clark Cup Championship (with a Finals sweep) - we talk to Youngstown Phantom’s Head Coach, Ryan Ward and Co-General Manager, Jason Deskins. In this episode we discuss: — How team culture & identity impact success — The pressures that today’s players face — The importance of earning your players’ trust AND SO MUC...

This week it’s a MAILBAG episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast! Jeff and Topher tackle the AWESOME questions sent in by listeners, hitting on some of our favorite Inspo follows as well as advice for players and coaches. In this episode we discuss: — How much ice is too much during the summer/off-season — How to reach out to junior or college teams  — How best to empower your leadership group AN...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher talk with long-time Detroit Red Wings defenseman, Danny Dekeyser about his journey through Western Michigan University to a decade in the NHL as an undrafted free agent for his hometown team. In this episode we discuss: — His unconventional route in Juniors (he’s proof there is no ONE path) — Playing for Jeff Blashill at WMU and in...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher talk about what it means to be hard to play against as both a player and a team. In this episode we discuss: — Players who never quit on the puck — Relentlessness, speed & a good defensive stick — Discipline, finishing checks — Tracks, gaps & defending all the way up the ice AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher welcome back THIRD TIME GUEST Alyssa Gagliardi to talk all things DEFENSE! A stud in her own right (Shattuck, Cornell, Boston Pride), Alyssa offers some unreal insight on D development. An absolute must listen for coaches and players. In this episode we discuss: — Manipulating the play without the puck — Learning what it means to be...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher talk about EMBRACING THE GRIND! In life, in hockey, in ANYTHING you do, success requires finding joy in the details, the process - the grind. In this episode we discuss: — Strategies to approach the process — Winning the day with short-term goal setting — The importance of accountability partners — Perspective  AND SO MUCH MORE! Tha...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher talk to Brian Renfrew! Brian, currently an amateur scout for the Winnipeg Jets, won an NCAA National Championship while coaching at Michigan State, and played for Western Michigan University. He has some terrific stories, unbelievable insight, and absolutely loves our great game! In this episode we discuss: — Some UNREAL stories fro...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher talk about being present in the moment and living every day, starting TODAY! Tomorrow is not promised, and we talk strategies to help make the most of every day we are given. The episode gets a little emotional as Toph pays tribute to one of his best friends and college teammate, former NHLer, Ray Sawada, who passed away unexpectedl...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher talk about BIG MOMENTS! In hockey and in life, learning how to get the best out of yourself in the biggest moments is a skill that can - and should - be cultivated. In this episode we discuss: — Preparation gives you confidence — Pressure is a privilege — Being in the moment AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher talk about MOTIVATION! A deep dive on the topic and how it can affect successful, or not, outcomes. In this episode we discuss: — Intention and passion — Goal-setting — Action — And identifying YOUR why AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic, CuredNutrition, and IceHockeySystems.com . And thank you to our A...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we talk to the founder and CEO of Athletix Testing, Robert Novotny. Athletix offers hockey-specific performance testing and data analysis services to support the development of athletes, teams, and organizations in North America and Europe. In this conversation we talk: — How data & analytics have evolved to monitor player development — The benefit...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher bring another MAILBAG of awesomeness from your questions on social media. They cover: — When it’s the right time to change teams/coaches — Advice for coaches on setting expectations & team culture — How to help foster positive environments for players and organizations AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our sponsors GelStx, Train-Heroic...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher talk about TRYOUTS! Often times called “the silly season” (for good reason), they offer a unique perspective from both the player side as well as the coach’s side, and how to handle the stress, uncertainty and opportunity presented. In this episode we discuss: — Players embracing what THEIR strengths are and being their best at THOS...

At 17, he was a high school JV goaltender. He is now a starting goalie in the AHL. Tyler Parks is a true inspiration. On our podcast we talk ALL.THE.TIME about the importance of resiliency and sticking to it through all of the failures that come with trying to achieve something great. Tyler Parks is the embodiment of these values. As a relatively unknown, this podcast episode is one of our most do...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Topher and Jeff celebrate their 250th episode with friend, podcast listener, and NHLer, Paul Stastny! Stas and Vechs have been friends since they were playing squirts together - one has over 800 NHL points, has notched over 1100 NHL games, is a US Olympian and an NCAA National Champion (HINT: it’s not Vechs)! In this episode we discuss: — What it t...