The USA Hockey Podcast: A Youth Sports Conversation

In the final episode from Mental Health Awareness Month, the USA Hockey Podcast welcomes special host Abby Woodford back again for a thoughtful conversation with Dr. Kristen Dieffenbach of West Virginia University and the United States Center for Coaching Excellence. Together, they explore what it means to build a mentally healthy hockey culture, starting with respect, proactive education, open co...

In this Mental Health Awareness Month episode of the USA Hockey Podcast, host Zack Nowak and co-host Abby Woodford are joined by Dr. Erica Force, a lead psychological services provider with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Dr. Force shares practical insight on athlete mental health, mental performance training, handling pressure, staying present, building self-awareness, sleep and reco...

Dr. Sue Schimmel and Maureen Breeze join the USA Hockey Podcast, with Abby Woodford serving as special guest co-host, to discuss how parents can support athletes through pressure, burnout, failure and growth. The conversation explores practical ways parents can listen, ask better questions, model resilience, communicate with coaches and help athletes build ownership over their sport experience. Pu...

On this episode of the USA Hockey Podcast, host Zack Nowak is joined by Darren Elliott, former NHL goaltender, broadcaster, and VP of Hockey Programming and Facility Operations for the Vegas Golden Knights. Elliott shares how street hockey, multi-sport participation, skating out as a young goalie, and playing with older kids shaped his development and long-term view of youth sports. The conversati...

In this episode of the USA Hockey Podcast, host Zack Nowak sits down with Bill Kangas, head coach at NCAA Division III Williams College and one of the longest tenured coaches in college hockey. Coach Kangas reflects on more than four decades behind the bench and shares the lessons that shaped his approach to coaching and player development. The conversation explores the value of multi-sport partic...

Former NHL defenseman Alex Biega joins the USA Hockey Podcast to share his journey through youth hockey, multi-sport participation, college hockey at Harvard, and the perseverance required to earn, and sustain, a career in the NHL. In this episode, Alex reflects on the importance of patience in player development, how finding a role can shape long-term success, and why preparation, both mental and...

In this episode of the USA Hockey Podcast, former NHL player Ryan Suter shares his journey from youth hockey in Madison, Wisconsin, to playing in the NHL and representing the USA on the international stage. He discusses the importance of foundational skills, the impact of experiences at Culver Military Academy, and the transition to the National Team Development Program. Suter emphasizes the signi...

In this episode of the USA Hockey Podcast, host Zack Nowak engages with Dr. Julia Cawthra of the USOPC and Abby Woodford of USA Hockey to explore the critical role of mental health and performance psychology in sports. They discuss their personal journeys into the field, the evolution of psychological services at the USOPC, and the distinctions between mental health and mental performance. The con...

USA Hockey’s U18 National Team Development Program Head Coach Nick Fohr joins Zack Nowak for an in-depth conversation on player development, coaching adaptability, and what it truly takes to prepare young athletes for the highest levels of hockey. Fohr reflects on his own upbringing in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where outdoor rinks, unstructured play, and competing with older players shaped his ho...

Two-time Stanley Cup champion Rob Scuderi joins Zack Nowak on the USA Hockey Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on defensive habits, player development, and the mindset required to succeed at every level of the game. From growing up in a non-traditional hockey market and playing multiple sports, to learning how to adapt his game at Boston College, the AHL, and eventually the NHL, Scuderi shar...

In this episode, host Zack Nowak sits down with former NHLer Derek Ryan, whose remarkable career stands as one of hockey’s greatest examples of perseverance, adaptability, and late-bloomer success. From growing up in Spokane to Canadian university hockey, to Austria and Sweden, to finally earning a full-time NHL role at age 29, Derek shares how every stop along the way shaped him into the trusted,...

In this episode, hosts Zack Nowak and Derek Read sit down with 2025 USA Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Zach Parise to explore one of the most undervalued, yet game-changing, skills in hockey: net-front play. Parise shares stories from his youth hockey days, his development at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, and the lessons passed down from his father that shaped his relentless work ethic and leadership. He wal...

#47 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 2) How to use parents to help the player with Dr. Brady Flachs In Episode 47, we continue exploring the connections between education and hockey with Dr. Brady Flachs, a Professor of Education at Ferris State University. Brady, a father of four hockey-playing boys, brings over 20 years of teaching experience to the conversation. Host Zack Nowak, a former Special Ed...

#46 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 3): How do we help kids with following directions? with Dr. Brady Flachs In Episode 46, we continue exploring the connections between education and hockey with Dr. Brady Flachs, a Professor of Education at Ferris State University. Brady, a father of four hockey-playing boys, brings over 20 years of teaching experience to the conversation. Host Zack Nowak, a former...

#45 Sport Institute of Finland and its Impacts on Coaching with Derek Read In Episode 45, we delve into the international aspect of hockey coaching development with Derek Read of the Blue Jackets Hockey League. Derek’s journey includes time spent at the VIERUMÄKI Sport Institute in Finland, one of the world’s premier centers for sport education. Host Zack Nowak sits down with him to discuss how th...

In episode 44, we sit down with Kenny McGinley, the president of the Arizona High School Hockey Association (AHSHA), to discuss what they are doing in Arizona to continue growing hockey in a non-traditional market. From marketing and branding to player and coach development, AHSHA continues to grow yearly and sold out in a record 15 minutes this year. Tune in to learn how they are making this grow...

#43 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 2) How do we respond to behaviors on the ice? with Dr. Brady Flachs In Episode 43, we continue exploring the connections between education and hockey with Dr. Brady Flachs, a Professor of Education at Ferris State University. Brady, a father of four hockey-playing boys, brings over 20 years of teaching experience to the conversation. Host Zack Nowak, a former Speci...

#42 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 1): Common Errors with Dr. Brady Flachs In Episode 42, we kick off a new series exploring the connections between education and hockey with Dr. Brady Flachs, a Professor of Education at Ferris State University. Brady, a father of four hockey-playing boys, brings over 20 years of teaching experience to the conversation. Host Zack Nowak, a former Special Education te...

In episode 41, we chat with Josh Holmes who is the Director of Adult Hockey with USA Hockey. In this episode, we discuss the many benefits of playing Adult Hockey through USA Hockey and the fun and exciting events that are held across the country. To sign up for this years Adult Classic Tournaments: https://www.usahockey.com/classictournamentsnew To learn more about Adult Hockey opportunities: htt...

In episode 40, we have Executive Director of College Hockey Inc. Sean Hogan on the podcast to talk about College Hockey Inc. and what they do. In the episode: -What players, parents and coaches need to know about the recruiting process -How college hockey changed over time -What the future looks like for college hockey To learn more about College Hockey Inc. or get in contact with Sean visit https...

In episode 39, we have USA Hockey's Manager of Player Development Rich Hansen to talk about teaching offense through small-area games. Listen in as we chat about how we can create practice activities with intention and modify them to meet the needs of all our players through progressions and regressions. We also discuss Rich's path through hockey and his time working with USA Hockey. To contact Ri...

In episode 38, we chat with TC Lewis General Manager of Aerodrome Ice Skating Complex, about what brought him to hockey and what his facility and community does to bring the same enjoyment to kids playing hockey. TC discusses how we can create more engaging experiences to our communities from jerseys, to halloween on ice. He also talks about his experiences working as a Team Leader for many of our...

In episode 37 we sit down and Chat with Rick Murray Associate Coach in Chief of Goaltending for the Southeast District. Rick is also a professor with Hendrix College. In this episode, we chat with Rick about some research that he and a few others are diving into regarding the most age-appropriate net and rink sizes for goalies and players alike. Listen in as we discuss the impacts of net and rink...

In episode 36 of the USA Hockey Podcast, we sit down with Culver Hockey to discuss what makes Culver unique from a school, hockey, and leadership perspective. Nathan Phillips (Goalie Coach), Kevin Patrick (Boys Coach), and Cory Whitaker (Girls Coach) walk through a day in the life of a Culver Hockey player, from their leadership training to their on-ice training. For more information on Culver or...

In episode 35 of the USA Hockey Podcast, we are starting a new segment called Driving Excellence where we sit down with Youth Clubs around the country to hear what makes them unique and drives their player development and retention. In this episode of Driving Excellence, we sit down with Gino Cavallini, Club President of the Chicago Mission AAA Youth Hockey Club, to explore what makes this elite p...