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The Hockey Think Tank Podcast brings incredible stories, interviews, and great perspective from some of the top hockey minds in the game. Hosted by Topher Scott & Jeff LoVecchio, our podcast will educate and inspire all those that love the game! For all the players, coaches, and hockey parents out there...make this your Go-To show on your way to the rink!
Episodes
Monday Mar 30, 2020
Monday Mar 30, 2020
On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we go across the pond and speak to a Finland National Team Coach, Tommi Niemelä. This was such an amazing conversation speaking about Finland's philosophy on hockey development, and think it will be one of the most influential episodes that we've done. It's amazing what Finland has done in the number of NHL players it has developed...and also what they have done in International Play in winning some of the top world tournaments...with so much fewer numbers of players than their competition. In this episode, we talk:
-Sport Specialization
-An incredible view of coach education
-Servant leadership vs. Authoritative leadership
-Development of intrinsic motivation
-Winning vs. Developing players
-Playing with "rhythms" during a game
-So.So.Much.More
We are so excited to bring this episode to you and feel like you will learn A TON. Thank you to all our listeners for supporting our mission to educate and inspire the hockey world! And thank you to our title sponsor, GelStx, for supporting our mission as well!
*Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)
Monday Mar 23, 2020
Monday Mar 23, 2020
On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on current Harvard University Assistant Coach, James Marcou. James was an unreal player, who broke the career assists record for UMASS Amherst. After his junior year there, he signed with the San Jose Sharks before concussions unfortunately ended his career after his first season. He is a rising star in the coaching ranks and is currently in his first year at Harvard. In this conversation, we cover:
-Playing for another crazy Russian coach growing up and the impact that had.
-What it takes to make it as a smaller player.
-What it means to "make players around you better."
-The importance of honesty in recruiting.
-Battling concussions as a hockey player.
-The Cornell/Harvard rivalry.
James is a great guy and a great coach, we know you'll enjoy this one! And as always, thank you to our title sponsor, GelStx...and thank you to all of our loyal fans for tuning in!
*Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)
Monday Mar 16, 2020
Monday Mar 16, 2020
On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we take you out to Western Canada and speak to former college star and 9+ year professional player, Brandon Wong. Brandon grew up in beautiful Victoria, BC and played his college hockey at Quinnipiac University where he was a Hobey Baker candidate (he scored A LOT of points). After his career there he played almost a decade of pro hockey before returning to Western Canada to become a dedicated hockey skills coach. We talk a lot of great topics including:
-The benefits of playing junior hockey
-What differentiates the kids that "make it"
-How much coaching to do on the bench during the game
-Much more!
Thank you to GELSTX, our title sponsor for supporting our show! And thank you to all of our listeners for keeping us going on this fun hockey podcast journey!
*Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)
Monday Mar 09, 2020
Monday Mar 09, 2020
On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we have what might have been the deepest conversation yet with acclaimed author and former college/professional hockey player, Ken Baker. Ken played college hockey at Colgate before figuring out that he had a debilitating physical disease that attacked his hormone levels. But after recognizing what was wrong...he put everything on hold (he was a celebrity reporter in Los Angeles and tells a few cool stories about that) to pursue his dream of being a professional hockey player! It's a really inspiring story, and we talk about:
-Falling in love with hockey because of the Miracle on Ice in 1980.
-The trap of the comparison culture.
-The importance of having BIG dreams and goals.
-The difference of being a dad to a girl and boy hockey player.
-Celebrity culture and how it relates to hockey.
This episode is brought to you by our title sponsor, GelStx! Head on over to gelstx.com, use the discount code "THINKTANK" and get a discount on the best training stick out there!
Thank you to all of our hockey player, parent, and coach supporters...we couldn't do this without you!
*Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)
Monday Mar 02, 2020
Monday Mar 02, 2020
On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on the person you've all been waiting for...
Topher's crazy Russian youth hockey coach, Stan Stopkin. This was an INCREDIBLE episode full of youth hockey gold...from a coaching, player, and parent perspectives. We talk about:
-Coaching development in Russia (insane!)
-Stan's first impressions of North American Hockey.
-How to teach competitiveness and puck support (what we think are two of the most important attributes of a good hockey player).
-Pushing kids outside their comfort zones and interesting ways to do it.
-Reminiscing back on a year we won a youth hockey National Championship. And es, we talked about when we beat Jeff's St. Louis team where we played the entire game without a goalie too...
This was an unforgettable episode that we are so excited to share with you. Thank you to all of our listeners for supporting our podcast, and thank you to GelStx for being our title sponsor!
*Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)
Monday Feb 24, 2020
Monday Feb 24, 2020
On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on current goaltender for the Tuscon Roadrunners (AHL affiliate of the Arizona Coyotes), Tyler Parks. Get ready to be inspired...because this guy's story is UNREAL. His resume includes being cut from AAA, his HS team as a junior in high school, junior teams...spent a year playing Division 3 hockey, cut in the ECHL and SPHL...but he absolutely persevered and now has earned his first callup to the AHL!!!!!!! Parsky's story is incredible and should be a must listen for any kid out there looking to follow their dreams! Thank you to Parksy for being so open with this conversation, we think it is going to change lives. Thank you also to all of our listeners for supporting our podcast, we couldn't do it without you. And thank you to our title sponsor, GELSTX...the best shooting training aid in the business!!!
*Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)
Monday Feb 17, 2020
Monday Feb 17, 2020
On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, Jeff and Topher talk a little hockey! With the overwhelming positive feedback we got from the episode where we broke down the Power Play and Penalty Kill...we wanted to take another opportunity to talk about another concept in hockey that people are starving for information, THE FORECHECK. We go through different habits and reads, different structures and concepts, and how the forecheck vs. the breakout is one of the more fascinating chess matches in hockey. We hope you enjoy, thanks for tuning in and for supporting our podcast!! And thank you as always to our title sponsor, GelStx sports!
*Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)
Wednesday Feb 12, 2020
Wednesday Feb 12, 2020
On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we continue with our Minnesota week and bring on Bloomington HS coach and New Programs Director for Minnesota Hockey (arm of USA Hockey) Mike Terwilliger. This was another great conversation into the depths of the state that produces the most players. We get into:
-Playing on the ponds and building creativity
-Playing for Pierre McGuire
-Coaching and Teaching parallels
-Community based models
So much great information from Mike in this episode, thank you to everyone who tunes in! Thank you also to our title sponsor, GelStx.com...use the coupon code "THINKTANK" at checkout to get a discount on unreal weighted training sticks!
*Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)
Monday Feb 10, 2020
Monday Feb 10, 2020
On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we kick off a two-episode week dedicated to Minnesota Hockey and bring on the Head Coach of Warroad High School, a powerhouse in the state. Jay grew up in Warroad, played at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and went on to a long pro career in the minor leagues before coming back home and becoming the head high school coach. Warroad is a town of close to 1800 people but has produced 5 NHL players, 7 Olympians, 80+ Division One players, and more. In this episode, we cover...
-What makes the city of Warroad so special.
-Playing for 2x defending National Champion Scott Sandelin at Minnesota-Duluth.
-How big of an influence TJ Oshie, Brock Nelson, GiGi Marvin, and other great players have been on the kids in the town.
-Much more!!
Thank you to all of you that have tuned in, we love bringing you these conversations with awesome hockey people! And thank you to our Title Sponsor, GELSTX Sports!
*Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)
Monday Feb 03, 2020
Monday Feb 03, 2020
On this episode of the Hockey Think Tank podcast, we bring on the Head Coach of the AHL's Binghamton Devils and one of the best people in the game of hockey, Mark Dennehy. Mark is widely known as one of the most respected coaches in the game. He spent 13 years as the Head Coach at Merrimack before now taking the Head Coaching job in Binghamton. On this episode we talk about:
-Growing up outside of Boston in the Bobby Orr days
-Hockey serving as a vehicle to teach life lessons
-The importance of playing meaningful games in youth hockey
-The difference between coaching in college and the pros
-What private rinks can do in the summer to keep the lights on but not have the kids be on the ice all year.
This was an awesome conversation! Thank you to all of the listeners for tuning in and thank you to our title sponsor, GelStx for your support of the podcast.
*Opening music: Forget the Whale - Take to the Skies (Instrumental)