Built From Steel Podcast

What should we actually be doing for skill development? In Part 5 of our Parenting Through Sports Mini-Series , Eric and Andy break down the realities of skill development in youth hockey, what actually translates to games, and how families should approach training in a world full of options. From the explosion of private coaching and “elite” training environments to the pressure of doing more, ea...

Every parent and player will face it at some point - frustration with a coach. In Part 4 of our Parenting Through Sports Mini-Series , Eric and Andy break down the realities of coaching in youth hockey, what families should actually expect, and how to handle conflict when things don’t go your way. From ice time, favoritism, and communication gaps to deeper issues like misalignment, politics, and d...

Development isn’t one-size-fits-all, and timing matters more than most people think. In Episode 3 of our Parenting Through Sports Mini-Series , Eric and Andy break down what age-appropriate development actually looks like from the earliest years all the way through U18. Using real examples and current conversations around events like the OHL Cup, they walk through what players should be focusing o...

In Episode 2 of our Parenting Through Sports mini-series, Eric and Andy dive into the most common pressures parents face navigating the youth hockey world. • When should you move to AAA? • How should you approach extra skill development? • Is spring hockey actually worth it? • Should you switch organizations or stay where you are? • Do you really need an agent? • What are the true costs: financial...

Youth sports are filled with passionate parents, but very little guidance on how to actually navigate the journey. In Episode 18 of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy begin a six-part mini series focused entirely on parenting in youth sports. This first episode sets the foundation by addressing why parent education is one of the most overlooked parts of player development. From understand...

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast , we break down one of the most misunderstood areas of hockey development: in-season training . Many players and parents assume lifting should stop once the season begins. Others go to the opposite extreme - training too hard, too often, and destroying recovery between games. The reality sits somewhere in the middle. We discuss how to structure train...

This week on the Built From Steel Podcast, we share a full conversation with Brian Prout, Assistant General Manager of the Saginaw Spirit (OHL), who spent time speaking with our U16 and U18 teams about what actually matters at the next level. This wasn’t a highlight reel conversation. It was honest, direct, and educational. Brian breaks down the Five Pillars of OHL Scouting, what scouts really wat...

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, we unpack one of the most misunderstood words in youth hockey: toughness. We break down the difference between physical toughness and emotional toughness, why yelling doesn’t build resilience, and how real toughness is trained through intentional adversity, not fear. Coach Andy shares his coaching philosophy, why he’s stepping back into youth coachi...

Phones are shaping today’s athletes - for better or worse. In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Coach Eric and Coach Andy tackle one of the most relevant topics in modern youth hockey: cell phone use. From sleep disruption and social media comparison to personal branding and digital discipline, this is a balanced conversation about how devices are influencing development on and off the...

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric is joined by former NHL forward and current player development coach Brian Willsie. Brian shares insights from his 15-year pro career including time in the NHL, AHL, and Europe and how that experience now shapes his approach to developing youth players. From his transition into coaching and mentorship to his current work with Washington Capital...

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast , Eric and Andy dive into one of the most loaded questions in youth hockey: When is it the right time to move away from home? From the pressure to chase better teams and “big-name” programs to the reality of playing with, and against, weaker players, this episode unpacks how development actually happens… and how families can make better long-term dec...

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, we take a deep dive into what NCAA hockey programs truly look for in players, and how USA Hockey approaches long-term development. This episode features two insightful conversations recorded live at the Matterhorn Fit All-Ivy Showcase:🎙 Matt Gilroy — Assistant Coach at Harvard, former NHL defenseman, and Hobey Baker winner 🎙 Jason Guerriero — USA Ho...

Sometimes the score doesn’t tell the real story, but your response always does. In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast , Eric and Andy take lessons from the World Juniors and connect them directly to youth hockey. From how Latvia and other small nations compete against the best in the world, to how players should approach mismatched games at the youth level, this episode is about mindset...

Recruiting isn’t a moment, it’s a body of work. In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast , Eric and Andy break down what actually matters when it comes to r ecruiting, scouting, showcases, and promotion in youth hockey. From the myth of “being seen” at tournaments to the rise of agents and advisors at younger and younger ages, they cut through the noise to give players, parents, and coaches...

Bad call? Good . Tough weekend? Good . Didn’t get the bounce, the shift, or the outcome? Good . In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast , Eric and Andy take a hard look at adversity and why how you respond matters more than what actually happens. Starting by recounting the officiating at a recent tournament, they dive into the mindset made popular by Jocko Willink’s “Good” philosophy , and...

More Information on the Matterhorn Fit All-Path Series: ⁠ All-Path Ontario - Windsor, Ontario - May 15-18 2026 ⁠ ⁠ All-Path Quebec - Montreal, Quebec - May 29-June1, 2026 ⁠ ⁠ All-Path Western - Calgary, Alberta - June 11-14, 2026 ⁠ Hockey is a vehicle - for education, leadership, and life. In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast , Eric is joined by Ryan Vesce, Co-Founder and CEO of Matterh...

Tournaments and Showcases are about who can handle the grind. In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast , Eric and Andy break down the mental and physical demands of tournament weekends and why so many teams and players can fall apart over just a few days. From preparation to pressure, they unpack what it really takes to perform when the schedule is stacked, emotions are high, and there’s no...

Youth hockey today is overflowing with noise. Too much instruction, too many commands, and too many coaches trying to look smart instead of developing players. In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast , Eric and Andy break down the problem of overcoaching in youth hockey, why it’s hurting development, and how a simpler, more player-first approach leads to better long-term results. From unde...

Your role on a hockey team isn’t fixed - it’s earned, adapted, and redefined throughout your journey. In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast , Eric and Andy dive deep into the reality of team roles,  how players can develop the mindset to contribute, how parents can support without pushing, and how coaches can guide without limiting growth. From navigating lineup competition to earning tr...

The OHL Draft is a milestone, not the destination. In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy break down the pressure, the misconceptions, and the mindset that surround the OHL Priority Selection. From how scouts actually evaluate players, to how parents and coaches can support (or sabotage) the process, this episode delivers real-world clarity for players in their draft year a...

Coaching at the youth level isn’t just about systems and skill drills - it’s about shaping people. In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy unpack what it really means to coach youth hockey today and how it compares to coaching elite-level athletes. From managing parent expectations to avoiding the trap of “overcoaching,” this conversation dives into the real challenges coach...

Dan Crosby is the founder and CEO of BioSteel, the driving force behind BioSteel Sports Academy, and the visionary behind the Built From Steel movement. He also oversees a broader portfolio of ventures through Coachwood Group. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on what drives Dan as a builder, leader, and creator. From humble beginnings to launching a full performance ecosystem, this is the...