The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

This week, Topher and Jeff bring on Bill Taylor, founder and CEO of Sports Conflict Lab. His company helps athletes and teams learn how to have hard conversations and turn conflict into a competitive advantage. His book, Managing Sports Conflict: Five Tools to Master Conflict, is a great read for any athlete or coach. In this episode we talk about: — How your approach matters when dealing with conflict — Parents fighting their kids’ battles and what they can do differently — Why avoiding conflict usually makes it worse — Setting your team’s culture to encourage accountability AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, Helios Hockey, Next Path Franchising, and Crossbar! Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/THPN10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Bill Taylor's Book: Managing Sports Conflict JOIN HTTU TODAY! HTT MERCH Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about the skills we discussed on our most recent Short Shifts episode and how to develop them. If you haven’t listened to that conversation yet, go check it out first! TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Friday Faceoff supporter: Titan BattleGear Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about the four necessary skills to be great at anything you do, especially if you want to be a great hockey player. If you want to make it far in your hockey career, obviously you need the requisite hockey skills, but what are the other necessary things you need? TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week Topher brings on USHL Head Coaches Scott Gomez (Chicago Steel), Brett Skinner (Fargo Force), and Ron Fogarty (Omaha Lancers). Listen for their amazing advice and insight for those wanting to play in the USHL. In this episode we talk about: — The importance of mentorship at every level — How versatility is necessary if you want to play at the higher levels: work on your weaknesses, not just your strengths — Communicating intention behind drills — The secret sauce to building retention AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, Helios Hockey, Next Path Franchising, and Crossbar! Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/THPN10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! JOIN HTTU TODAY! HTT MERCH Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph brings on HTT teammates Matt & Steph to talk about the necessary separation of the hockey side and the administration side within a youth hockey board. Oftentimes, one person takes on all roles or there is not a good balance between the two sides. Let’s talk best practices when it comes to running an efficient hockey board. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Friday Faceoff supporter: Titan BattleGear Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about a trait that is common among the best athletes: curiosity. What are some of the best questions you can ask your coaches, mentors, or yourself, if you are innately curious and find yourself always wanting to know more? TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week Topher and Jeff bring on hockey legend, Tony Granato. Granato played college hockey at the University of Wisconsin and played over 13 seasons in the NHL. After playing, he coached at the NHL level, college, and the men’s USA Team at the Olympics. In this episode we talk about: — Granato’s advice in order to play in the NHL today and how it is very different than the advice he received — The things you can do to get noticed — Picking the right people to compete against, not just your buddies — The importance of having a village AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, Helios Hockey, Next Path Franchising, and Crossbar! Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/THPN10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! JOIN HTTU TODAY! HTT MERCH Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about how to handle having a slow start to your season as a coach. Maybe you’re winless in your first couple of games or can’t seem to get the team gelling. What do you do as a coach if you come out of the gates really slow? TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Friday Faceoff supporter: Titan BattleGear Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about offense in the neutral zone. We at the HTT think the neutral zone is the most important zone, both offensively and defensively, so let's talk about it! TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week Topher and Jeff bring on USA Hockey’s National Coach-In-Chief, Mike MacMillan, to talk about the new Development League. This new league is one of the many major changes in the hockey landscape as we know it, so join us as we break down what it entails and how it will affect youth hockey moving forward. In this episode we talk about: — Our thoughts on the new league and what it entails — The benefit for coaches when we collaborate — Finding ways to make your organization better so kids aren’t tempted to leave AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, Helios Hockey, Next Path Franchising, and Crossbar! Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/THPN10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! JOIN HTTU TODAY! HTT MERCH Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about how to best get through an injury, both mentally and physically. And then when you’re almost ready to return, how do you prepare? TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Friday Faceoff supporter: Titan BattleGear Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to answer a listener’s question: how do you turn around a bad game when you’re in the middle of it? Tune in for our best advice on how to reset mid-game. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week Topher and Jeff bring on Tony Gasparini, the current General Manager of Sioux Falls Stampede in the United States Hockey League. Gasparini’s long hockey career includes playing college hockey at the University of Minnesota Duluth, later becoming head coach at Sioux Falls, and a scout for the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. In this episode we talk about: — The quote, “I’m gonna hug you, but I’m also gonna hold you accountable” — Defining compete and why scouts love it — How everything about scouting is subjective — The importance of having the ability to self correct AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, Helios Hockey, Next Path Franchising, and Crossbar! Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/THPN10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! JOIN HTTU TODAY! HTT MERCH Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph brings on HTT teammates Matt & Steph to talk about the lack of parent education in youth hockey. We commonly find that this is the time of year that parents start to get unhappy with what they signed up for. As a parent, how do you stay grounded if you are feeling this way? TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Friday Faceoff supporter: Titan BattleGear Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about using the back of the net in two different ways: on the breakout (with your own net) and in your offensive zone (with the other team’s net). TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week Topher and Jeff bring on Pete Lenes, Elev802 Hockey Training owner and famously known on Instagram as Swaggy P. During his 10-year professional hockey career, Lenes played in the AHL, ECHL, and in both Denmark and Austria. Lenes now uses his platform and training company to help the next generation of hockey players develop a love for the game. In this episode we talk about: — How working hard can take you anywhere, even beyond the game — Bag skates and if they really are a discipline tool — Prioritizing fun first, but still putting in the work — As a coach, adapting mid practice if your players are not mentally in it AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, Helios Hockey, Next Path Franchising, and Crossbar! And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! JOIN HTTU TODAY! HTT MERCH Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about what you should know and how to handle transitioning to the next level, whether it's AA to AAA, high school to juniors, college to professional, etc. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Friday Faceoff supporter: Titan BattleGear Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to share the 5 keys he’s learned from some of the game’s best coaches to planning and executing a successful practice. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week Jeff is back from paternity leave and joins Topher to talk about things bigger than the game. Hockey, and sports in general, teaches us great life lessons that carry far beyond the rink. In this episode we talk about: — Toph’s personal choices that led him to step away from coaching — The impact of setting boundaries — Recognizing that mistakes are not the end of the world and giving yourself grace — How success is never an accident AND SO MUCH MORE! Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, Helios Hockey, and Crossbar! And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! JOIN HTTU TODAY! HTT MERCH Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph brings on HTT teammates Matt & Steph to talk about one of the most controversial topics in youth sports: the stay-to-play model. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Friday Faceoff supporter: Titan BattleGear Follow us: IG: @HockeyThinkTank X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.