The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher come to you LIVE from Jeff's apartment! It was amazing to get in the same room to riff on what they believe are the most important attributes and actions of leaders in the hockey world. They talk: -The importance of making it HARD -Consistency is the key -What kind of coach would you want to play for? -MUCH, MUCH MORE! Thank you to...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on one of our most popular guests in hockey development coach Brian Keane! Keaner is a development coach to some of the top players in the world including Patrick Kane, and works as a consultant with the Chicago Blackhawks. This was an amazing episode in talking hockey, where we go through: -How to develop better decision makers -The curio...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we MAILBAG it and take some hockey listener questions! We had a ton of fun with this one, including questions on: -How much hockey should kids do in the summer? -How would you approach a coach as a kid regarding an issue you may have? -As a coach how do you handle a parent asking you about ice time? -Many More!! Thank you to our sponsors GELSTX, Tr...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we talk to six Cornell Women's hockey alumni playing for Team Canada in this year's World Championships...Rebecca Johnston, Brianne Jenner, Jillian Saulnier, Kristin O'Neill, Jaime Bourbonnais, and Micah Zandee Hart!! Topher got to interview all six women as part of raising awareness for a charity hockey game at Cornell benefitting Racker, a school...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on best selling author and business/leadership coach Craig Ballantyne! Craig has worked with numerous leaders around the world to help grow their businesses and has had incredible success especially with up and coming entrepreneurs. There were so many great parallels between his coaching and what we talk about regarding leadership in sport...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on Justin Dowling...who newly signed an NHL contract with the Vancouver Canucks on Free Agent Frenzy Day! We love telling stories like Justin's on this podcast...as he went undrafted in juniors and the NHL but is now going into his 11th year playing professionally. We talk: -How to make it as a smaller player. -Playing with the Dallas Star...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on the new Head Coach at the University of Maine, Ben Barr! Fresh off a National Championship at UMASS as the Associate Head Coach, Ben comes on to the podcast to share his knowledge and wisdom of what it takes to win at the college level. We talk: -The recruiting process -The importance of open, honest conversation -Creating and changing...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher take us through some of the toughest times in their careers...and how they got through them. We are big believers on this podcast that adversity makes you stronger if you frame it right, and the guys detail their own times of adversity and what it took to overcome it. They talk: -Getting cut at the youth levels -Topher narrowly miss...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on Coach Jeremy, the founder of How To Hockey and one of the top social media influencers in our game. He does such an amazing job providing content through videos on youtube, social media, his website howtohockey.com that entertains and educates the hockey world at large. On this episode, we talk: -Spreading and growing passion of the gam...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on two junior hockey players who started an UNBELIEVABLE mentorship program for other players looking to get into junior, college, or professional hockey. They founded the Fellowship of Hockey Advancement to help younger players navigate the crazy process of higher level hockey. What an amazing gift from these two young men. On this episod...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on Alyssa Gagliardi - Former Team USA national player, Cornell captain, NWHL/PWHPA pro hockey all-star, and now working with the Carolina Hurricanes to grow the sport in Raleigh. This was an UNREAL conversation on player development...while we hardly spoke at all about hockey. Development is so much more than what happens on the ice and Ga...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher talk about anything and everything hockey tryouts. They give advice to players on how to stand out and prepare, talk about the process of evaluation and scouting, what they would do if they led a tryout, and go through why the process is so complicated in the lower ages of hockey. Thank you to our title sponsor GelStx (gelstx.com),...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on the hosts of Boston Bruins recap show "Morning Bru with Jaffe and Razor", Billy Jaffe and Andrew Raycroft! This was an awesome episode if you love to get the inside scoop of the Boston Bruins and we talk a lot of hockey as well. Some of the topics include: -Tuukka Rask - How the Bergeron/Marchand/Pastrnak line creates their chemistry -C...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we share Topher's presentation to all college hockey coaches at the AHCA (America Hockey Coaches Association) Coaches Convention. This is the 4th year in a row that Topher has been asked to speak in front of this esteemed group of coaches, and this year he tackles what he's learned from his relationships with coaches at the highest levels of hockey...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring back on Adam Nicholas of Stride Envy Hockey to talk about player development and his journey with the Chicago Steel as they just hoisted the Clark Cup as the USHL champions. This is the fourth time Adam has been on the podcast, and it doesn't disappoint for a second! We talk: -Individual Player Development Plans -Working through relationsh...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on mental performance coach and resiliency expert Matt Caldaroni! Matt and his company Molliteum work with high achieving athletes from the professional to youth levels and is a big part of working with the Chicago Steel who just won the USHL's Clark Cup this weekend. On this episode, we talk: -The definition of mental toughness -The benef...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on Sioux City (USHL) Assistant Coach and one of Jeff's former coaching mates, Mike Berra. One of the most frequent questions we get asked is from young coaches trying to break into the business. They want to know what it takes and how to break in to coach at the higher levels. Well, we thought we'd bring someone on who has done it. Mike st...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher navigate the last year of Topher being a youth hockey director. They don't hold back and talk about the good, bad, and the ugly side of youth hockey. They tackle: -Parents -Setting a Culture -Dealing with Covid -What went well, what didn't, and what was learned -Much More! Take a listen to get into the nitty gritty of what is great....

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on Evan Rankin, a former teammate who played over 500 professional games. This was an awesome conversation that covered: -Playing for Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper in midget hockey -How to score as a net-front player -The value of a team that has each other's backs -Much, Much More! Thank you to all of our sponsors, GELSTX, TRAINHER...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, get ready for a Masterclass on Leadership from Jen Baker – Athletic Director at Johns Hopkins University. Jen went to college at Navy where she was a National Champion Club Lacrosse player and graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering. She then spent 7 years in the Navy as a pilot and facilities manager before going to Cornell University to...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on Head Coach of Norwich University, Cam Ellsworth! Cam is the reining D3 NCAA Coach of the Year after leading Norwich to being a runner up in the National Championship and breaking 9 NCAA D3 records including having a GAA under 1.00!!! Prior to being at Norwich, Cam helped lead the resurgence at UMASS Lowell. On this podcast, we talk: -Hi...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on the Head Coach of Army Hockey, Brian Riley. The Riley family has held the Head Coach position at Army for the last 70 years, and to hear Brian talk about the passion he and his family have for the program is nothing short of amazing. We also talk: -Creating a culture of family -The legacies Derek Hines and Thomas "TK" Kennedy,...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on Matt Fornataro - former professional hockey player that started a multimedia company (torchpro.com) taking you behind the scenes of some of the best players in the world. In this conversation, we talk: -Why Joe Pavelski is so great -Playing for Jon Cooper -How repetition leads to excellence -The importance of always adding skills to you...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on NHL Draft writer and one of the top hockey journalists in the game, Chris Peters! Chris has done some awesome work writing for companies like CBS Sports and ESPN. On this episode, we cover all things NHL draft including... -Old school vs. New school scouting -Learning from your mistakes -How important is character when drafting? -Skill...

On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring recognized skill development coach, Dwayne Blais! In this conversation we talk: -The most important skills in hockey and breaking them down -Unstructured play -Isolated vs. transferrable skills -Being a development coach for the Washington Capitols -Much More!! Thanks to our sponsors GELSTX (gelstx.com), icehockeysystems.com, TrainHeroic,...