Glass and Out

In episode #258, we're joined by newly named Head Coach of the USHL's Omaha Lancers, Lennie Childs.

This comes following a two year run at Union College where he worked under Josh Hauge. Previously, he spent time with the  NAHL's Janesville Jets and the USHL's Des Moine Buccaneers.

As you'll find out, Childs's energy is infectious and is clearly riding a wave of momentum right now. The USHL has a long and impressive list of coaching alumni and it wouldn’t surprise us in the least if down the road, he joins that club. 

Listen as he shares why you always need to bring the juice, the importance of standing with your players through the good and bad, and coaching in the generation of "me."

In episode #257, we come full circle and welcome back the original co-host of the Glass and Out Podcast, Kelvin Cech.

We're proud to announce that Cech has rejoined The Coaches Site as our new Manager of Content Collaboration!

This comes after he spent four seasons in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. The first two were spent as the Head Coach and Gm of the Winkler Flyers, where he was awarded Coach of the Year in his first season. From there, he was appointed the Head Coach and GM of the expansion Niverville Nighthawks.

Listen as he shares why a growth mindset is integral for coaches, what he learned form coaching in hockey-mad small town, and what to expect from his new role with TCS.

In episode #256 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we revisit PWHL Ottawa and Czech Women's National Team Head Coach Carla MacLeod’s presentation on creating authentic connections, which she delivered at last year’s TCS Live coaching conference.

As you know, our flagship event, TCS Live, is coming up June 20-22 at the University of Michigan. Every year, the best presentations to come out of the event are linked to the presenters or coaches lived experience. The information is somehow linked to a challenge, adversity they’ve faced or a triumph.

In her presentation, MacLeod uses her experience of leading the Czech Team as the backdrop for how coaches create authentic connections with their players to drive performance on the ice.

Listen as she shares the four ingredients for team success, strategies for getting to know players, and why coaching is a privilege.

In episode #255 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome former NHL player and current Skill Development Coach for the Nashville Predators, Sébastien Bordeleau.

Coming up in Junior hockey, Bordeleau possessed a ton of offensive skill, which led to him being drafted by his hometown Montreal Canadiens in the 3rd round. However, as his pro career unfolded, he had the foresight to develop a new set of skills that would serve him as a bottom 6, penalty killing checker.

It's this experience that has served him well in his current role, both in terms of how he relates to the players he works with, but also in recognizing the importance of equipping players with a wide range of tools.

Listen as he discusses why instinct is the hardest skill to develop in hockey, utilizing small area games at the NHL level, and the success of hockey in Nashville.

In episode #254 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by seven-time Stanley Cup Champion and someone who is woven into the fabric of some of the best NHL teams of all-time, Barry Smith.

Smith spent 18 years behind an NHL bench, capturing back to back championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins as an Assistant Coach, three Cups riding shotgun with Scotty Bowman in Detroit, and two more with the Chicago Blackhawks as their Director of Player Evaluation.

His resume also includes time coaching Sweden, Russia, the NCAA, he got his NHL start with his hometown Buffalo Sabres and was even an Assistant Coach to Wayne Gretzky in Phoenix.

Smith be sharing his wealth of knowledge this June at TCS Live.

Listen as he shares his philosphy on developing hockey sense, working with coaching legend Scotty Bowman, and what it takes to win hockey's ultimate prize.

In episode #253 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome friend of the show, former presenter at TCS Live and one of the top young coaches in the game, Brennan Sonne.

At the time of this release, Sonne is leading the Saskatoon Blades in the first round of the WHL playoffs. This past season, his third at the helm, the Blades reached the 50 win mark for just the third time in franchise history, and captured the organization’s fifth regular season WHL crown.

At 36, Sonne is already over 10 years into his coaching journey, and to date hasn’t been shy about exposing himself to a variety of experiences and challenges.

Listen as he shares why confidence is a choice to make the next right decision, why playing good defence really comes down to compete, and what he learned trying to stop Connor Bedard.

In episode #252 of the Glass and Out Podcast, our guest is Philipp Pinter, the Head Coach of both Austria’s U18 and U20 National Teams.

If you didn’t grow up in Austria and play for the National Team, then it might be easy to focus on the reasons why Austria can’t be successful internationally. But Pinter doesn’t seem overly concerned with that. What he does seem focused on is creating a learning environment that makes his passion for hockey and representing Austria internationally contagious.

In addition to his coaching role with hockey Austria, he was recently named the Sports Manager for the Graz 99ers hockey club.

Listen as he shares why you have to first set yourself on fire before inspiring others, being your authentic self as a coach, and the importance of being an active listener

In episode #251 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by the USHL’s Vice-President of Hockey Operations, Ian Gentile.

In his role, Gentile has his hands in a numbers of areas that influence player development. His job description includes the USHL's central registry and drafts, player safety and supplemental discipline. The league's recent success has resulted in it becoming a major source of NHL talent. In fact, last season saw 51 players with USHL ties selected in the NHL, marking the 6th consecutive draft that over 50 players had been chosen.

Previous to his role with the USHL, Gentile spent 13 years with the Chicago Blackhawks that saw him hold the role of Senior Manager of Player Development and win three Stanley Cup Championships.

Listen as he shares the importance of putting an emphasis on the mental wellness of players, why parents should be encouraging their kids to play multiple sports, and why the USHL has become a major source of NHL talent.

In episode #250 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome Head Coach of the Boston University Women's Team, Tara Watchorn.

She is in the midst of her first season of leading her alma mater and is only the second coach in the program’s history, taking over from the coach she both played for, and who brought her back as a Assistant Coach, Brian Durocher. 

You can catch her this June at TCS Live, hockey's premiere coaching conference.

Listen as she shares her strategy on making efficient line changes, why it's important to let player's become leaders of their own career, and how the PWHL has impacted the aspirations of young female players.

Hey everyone! We're taking a pause the pod this week, as we're hosting the Global Skills Showcase!

The 5 day virtual event features five of the world's top hockey skills coaches, as they dive deep into the key elements and fundamental skills needed to develop elite hockey players.

Find out more about how to join here!

In episode #249 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by Cody Royle, who holds the position of Coach of Head Coaches.

Royle coached Aussie rules football at an elite level before leading Canada’s men’s National team. He is also a coach to 17 Head Coaches across 6 different teams sports, in 5 countries. These coaches are some of the top performers in their respective sports. His work is connected to the belief that the greatest advantage in professional sports is in optimizing the Head Coach.

You can catch Royle this June at TCS Live, hockey's premiere coaching conference.

Listen as he shares why teams become their leaders, why fear is a player's number one obstacle to success, and coaching isn't an art or science, but a craft.

We close out our look at the five selected presenters for this year’s Global Skills Showcase with Alexandre Chénier, Founder of Hockey Developpement.

A skills coach based in Amos, Quebec, he’s a certified Hockey Canada skills coach and mentor to coaches in the Gold Medal Pathway program, and the Development Coach for Val D’or of  QMJHL.

Chénier's approach to player development is a product of his formal education as a teacher, his relationships in and outside of hockey, his experience as a father and the community he lives in. 

Listen as he shares why player development is about connecting skills, why you should always on the person before the player, and his upcoming GSS presentation on optimizing pass receptions.

We are rolling along with our spotlight on the presenters who will be featured at this year’s Global Skills Showcase.

In episode #247, we feature Director of Player Development and Mentorship for the Western Canada Hockey Canada, Tyler Dittmer.

Based in Brandon, Manitoba, he is also a development coach with the U18 Brandon Wheat Kings, Brandon Minor Hockey and the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings.

As you'll hear, Dittmer's commitment to his craft and the care he has for his players is very evident. He offers a lot in this conversation and you'll no doubt steal a few of his tips and add them to your coaching toolbox.

Listen as he shares his eight different processes for developing a skill, why coaches need to be a battery for players at practice, and his GSS presentation on creating a lethal shot.

Our visits with the five selected Global Skills Showcase presenters continues in episode #246, as we welcome GM and Player Development Coach for the Czech Knights, Adam Jonak.

The GSS shines a spotlight on the top skill development coaches in the world, their area of expertise, specifically how they teach or transfer the skills to their players, and is available exclusively to subscribers of The Coaches SIte.

Jonak, who is also the owner of ABC Hockey Development and the Development Coach for the Pilsnen Wolves Hockey Club, has had a unique career that has taken him around the globe, and equipped him with the skills to develop high end players. Specifically, if you coach youth hockey or work with younger players, I think you’re really going to enjoy this one.

Listen as he shares why youth hockey is the perfect place to build confidence in creativity, the importance of letting players make decisions, and why you should also ask the purpose of a drill before borrowing.

For episode #245, we continue our look at the five coaches selected to present at our Global Skills Showcase. Kevin Galerno is the Co-Owner and Director of Total Package Hockey London.

He also holds roles as a Player Development Coach for the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins and the Skills Coach of the London Knights. 

At the GSS, Galerno will be providing members of The Coaches Site the framework to help your players enhance their decision making on the ice.

Listen as he shares what to expect in his upcoming presentation, utilizing variable training, and helping players through scoring draughts.

For the next five weeks on the Glass and Out Podcast, we’re going to be featuring the five coaches selected to present at our Global Skills Showcase. The event takes place from March 4-8 and showcases five of the top skills coaches in the worlds, presenting on how they teach a specific skill or tactic. 

In episode #244, we welcome skating coach Jill Plandowski, who will be presenting on improving a player's crossovers with an emphasis on the outside edge.

Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Plandowski has over 25 years of coaching experience. Her client list includes current NHL players like Drake Batherson, Morgan Baron, Justin Barrohn, Liam O’Brien, Ryan Graves and Noah Dobson, along with numerous prospects in the junior and college ranks. 

Listen as she shares common skating misconceptions, what the prime age for improving a player's skating is, and why proper mechanics allow players to play with freedom of thought.

In episode #243 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we revist one of the more impactful conversations that came out of last year’s TCS Live conference, featuring University of Michigan Head Coach Brandon Naurato and Dr Kathy Babiak, a professor of Sport Management and Director of the Michigan Center for Sport & Social Responsibility.

The two discuss the burning issues facing today’s coaches, centered around Naurato's eventful 22-23 season that saw him be promoted to full-time Head Coach of the Wolverines and end with a trip to the Frozen Four. From a distance, it may have seemed like an overall success but as you’ll hear, it was a season that placed immense pressure on a first time head coach, his players, his staff, as collectively, they were tasked with facing a series of challenges that were out of their control.

Listen as he shares his philosophy of "good dudes only," why growth is only possible through failure and why it's important to show your players the real you.

In episode #242 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by Head Athletic Trainer, and Strength and Conditioning Coach of the University of North Dakota men’s hockey team. 

Poolman's reputation precedes him and it’s no secret that UND is a pipeline of NHL talent. The alumni list includes the like’s of Jonathan Toews, Zach Parise, TJ Oshie, Jake Sanderson, Ed Belfour, Brock Boeser, just to name a few. To put it in perspective, last season alone, 23 former UND players suited in the NHL. 

Listen as he shares off-ice training tips for youth players, why sleep is critical to player performance, and how to deal with stress as a coach.

In episode #241 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome Dan Ceman, Head Coach of HC Košice, the reigning Champions of the Slovakian Extraliga. 

His coaching journey, which began in 2010, has seen championships follow him at essentially every stop. Four as a Head Coach, in addition to winning two as a player. If your goal is to be a career coach, there is a lot you can take away from how he approached his career. Ultimately, it seems that a big part of his focus is creating a supportive environment for his players.

Listen as he shares why you can't win a champonship with cheating, why body language is just as important as what you say, and how to create a positive enivironment for players.

For episode #240 of the Glass and Out Podcast, ESPN's John Buccigross sits down with Quinnipiac University Head Coach Rand Pecknold for a special interview with the reigning National Champion.

While Bucci and Pecknold touch on the championship run and game itself, they also spend a lot time reflecting on Rand’s personal coaching journey, including the humbling start to his career, having to hold practices at midnight when he first arrived at Quinnipiac 30 years ago, to transitioning the program to the Div I level.

Listen as they discuss why you should never use bag skates, the mindest of attacking adversity, and how to make every practice a success.

In episode #239 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome good friend of TCS, Dr. Cassidy Preston. He is the Founder of CEP Mindset and co-host of the Beyond the X's and O's Podcast.

Dr. Preston recently released his book Mindset First and touches on how coaches and athletes can break free from focusing on results, performing with confidence and rise to the occasion.

You can check it out here.

Listen as he shares how the "Screw It" mindset can help you let go, why confidence is a word he tries to stay away from, and why coaches should avoid being too judgmental with players.

For episode #238 of the Glass and Out Podcast, our team at The Coaches Site had the chance to visit the OHL's Kitchener Rangers facilities and sit down with Head Coach Jussi Ahokas.

Ahokas is currently in his first season in North America after spending the past four seasons as the Head Coach of TPS in the Liga, Finland’s top Professional league. During that time, he was named the Alliance of European Hockey Club’s Coach of the Year, the equivalent of the Jack Adams Award across all of Europe's top professional leagues.

Listen as he shares he shares the Finnish concept of "Sisu," why you'll always get better results when people enjoy the enviornment and why positionless hockey is the future of the game.

For episode #237 of the Glass and Out Podcast, our team at The Coaches Site hosted a private event for members of the local Vancouver tech and business community, featuring a live interview with Bruce Cassidy, Head Coach of the Vegas Golden Knights.

The focus of our conversation was on the lessons in leadership that Cassidy has acquired throughout his career. There's no doubt that you'll come away with a deep appreciation for how humble he is, how he didn’t come from means and has had to earn everything in his career, and more than anything, how he prioritizes being a husband and father above all else.

And of course, his love of the game.

Listen as he shares valuable lessons in leadership, why team defence is crucial during tough times, and why you always have to be ready for your next job in hockey.

In episode #236 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by the Director of Youth Hockey Programs and Fan Development for the Vegas Golden Knights, Sheri Hudspeth. She is also a coach in the Jr Golden Knights program.

Not every NHL team has a role like Hudspeth in their organisation and her hockey journey is unique in and of itself. The learning she has done on the ground in Vegas is invaluable because hockey wasn’t the natural choice when it came to parents selecting what youth sports program they had to sign their kids up for.

Listen as she shares why it's important to have strong coaches for our youngest players, why parents need to let coaches do their job, and how we can empower women coaches.

In episode #235 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we sit down with Roger Ronnberg, Head Coach of the Frolunda Hockey Club.

Ronnberg is widely considered one of the top coaches in Europe, his name routinely comes up when the topic of European coaches breaking into the NHL is mentioned. He is respected by the top coaches in the game as someone who has demonstrated that putting people first, and prioritising individual development, in all facets, is the process that leads to sustained performance by a team.

Listen as he shares why he wants no thinking and no excuses from his players, breaking down systems into habits, and why coaches should strive to make every player successful.

In episode #234 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome Head Coach at Minnetonka High School, the reigning AA State Champions in Minnesota, Sean Goldsworthy.

Last season, they captured the title with a 2-1 win over rival Edina High School in the State Tournament in front of a sold out crowd at the Xcel Energy Centre. This was the second State title under Goldsworthy's watch.

Listen as he shares how uses the 'multiple puck' practice tactic, why culture is a non-negotiable, and how to prepare your team for the big stage.

In episode #233 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by Dwayne Blais, who is a Player Development Consultant with the Detroit Red Wings, and for our money, one of the top development coaches in the world.

Blais has over 20 years of experience in the game, specifically focused on how players improve on the mechanics and habits that exist within their individual game, so that they can bring more value to their respective teams.

Check out his TCS Live presentation on Implementing Skills to Play with Pace and his Global Skills Showcase video where he Breaks Down the Skill of Deception.

Listen as he shares why kids should be carrying their own hockey bags, why playing fast is about more than just skating fast, and why the key to skill development is simply more touches.

In episode #232 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Steve Hamilton, Head Coach of the WHL’s Calgary Hitman. The interview took place at Hockey Calgary's second annual Leadership Day for Coaches.

Currently in his fifth season with the Hitmen, Hamilton has spent his entire 22 year coaching career in the province of Alberta, including capturing a 2014 Memorial Cup as an Assistant Coach with the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Listen as he shares his philosophy of What's Important Now, serving information to your players in spoonfuls, and why the coach-player relationship is more than ever about being a partnership.

In episode #231 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined the inaugural Head Coach of the PWHL’s Boston franchise.

She no doubt has her hands full in preparation for this season. She’s coaching what is effectively an expansion team, in an expansion league, that as of the time of this recording still had not assigned names to its respective franchises.

Listen as she shares how she's approaching her first season in the new league, why empathetic honesty is more effective than brutal honesty, and what the next step in growing women's hockey is.

In episode #230 of the Glass and Out Podcast, Director of Development for the IIHF Kalle Valiaho stops by

Valiaho has a fascinating role that encompasses balancing having a pulse on the latest trends in the game, specifically when it comes to individual player development, in addition to how we design learning environments that engage with young players and foster the growth of the game. 

Listen as he shares the importance of having passionate people to grow the game, building positive learning environments for players, and how Finland has grown into one of the top nations in hockey.

In episode #229 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by Dave Barr, who at the time of this recording was days away from opening training camp with the Chicago Wolves, where he begins his first season as the club’s Assistant Coach.

After turning pro in 1981, Barr has spent every single season since then as a coach or General Manager in professional hockey, with the exception of 5 seasons, between 2003 and 2008 that he was with Guelph of the Ontario Hockey League.

Check out his TCS Live presentation on How to Sell Your Game.

Listen as shares methods for improving a player's scanning, why even elite players need feedback, and his experience coaching a 15 year-old Connor Bedard.

In episode #228 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome Manny Viveiros, who’s beginning his first season as the Head Coach of the WHL’s Vancouver Giants.

Viveiros has had an incredible journey of ups and downs, including a battle with two types of cancer during his season coaching the AHL's Henderson Silver Knights. Thankfully, just prior to last season, he was deemed cancer free.

Listen as shares how an emphasis on mental health helped him in his battle with cancer, lessons learned during his season playing for the legendary Herb Brooks, and how to implement pace into your team's play.

For episode #227 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we were fortunate to attend the Minnesota Hockey Directors Conference and be joined by newly named Head Coach of the Minnesota State Mavericks, Luke Strand.

Strand is a friend of The Coaches Site, and needless to say our team is pumped for him and the Mavericks program. He’s earned this opportunity and has put together an amazing staff that knows how to prepare players for the rigours of professional hockey.

Listen as shares the importance of getting players out of their comfort zone, why simple is best, and handling player mistakes.

Welcome back for season 7 of the Glass and Out Podcast! For epsiode #226, we're joined by friend of the pod and Edmonton Oilers Head Coach, Jay Woodcroft.

He is entering his third season as the Head Coach of the Oilers with the best winning percentage of any coach in franchise history. 

Last season, the Oilers were eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the Vegas Golden Knights in round 2. This season, well, fair to say there is only one goal in the City of Champions.

Listen as shares his philosophy of repurposing disappointment, why it's important to "walk the talk" when it comes to building culture, and how a similar path in coaching led to a friendship with Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

Happy hockey season everyone!

In episode #225, we welcome two-time presenter at TCS Live, Paul Boutilier. 

He has worn a lot of hats during his career, but currently works as a Defenceman Specialist, consulting with approximately 40 defenceman, several of whom are current NHL super stars through his company, the 44 Second group.

As you'll find out in this episode, you'll be hard-pressed to find someone who has thought as much about playing defence as Paul has.

Listen as shares his methods for improving a Dman's posture, why the funnel approach to defending should be flipped, and the importance of helping players understand concepts by writing it down.

In episode #224, we're joined by good friend of The Coaches Site  and upcoming TCS Live presenter Glen Gulutzan.

When he steps on stage at TCS Live later this month at the University of Michigan, it will mark the 5th time he has presented at one of our events, and in the process he will hold the pole position when it comes to the most presentations all-time at a TCS event.

But while there is a ton tactical knowledge he’s shared at the conference, the insights you can gleam from his coaching journey  in today's interview are equally as valuable.

Listen as he discusses constraints, or lack of them on the power play, cutting your teeth as a coach in Las Vegas, and how he’s learned from all the coaches he’s worked with throughout his career.

In episode #223, we welcome The Coaches Site Contributor and upcoming TCS Live presenter Greg Revak.

Revak is also the writer of the Hockey IQ newsletter and host of the Hockey IQ podcast.

Best known for his deep dives into the X’s & O’s or tactical side of the game, his work often goes outside the game, and in some cases sport, to find inspiration and to reinforce his thinking when it comes to teaching the hockey and specifically, developing the cognitive ability of players.

Listen as he discusses the evolution of the weak side D, why point shots suck and the traits required by a successful coach in today’s game.

In episode #222, we're pleased to be joined by John O’Sullivan, best selling author, Ted Talk speaker and the Founder & CEO of the Changing the Game Project.

O'Sullivan's work and mission are to give Youth Sports back to our kids. He has made it is life’s work to provide a blueprint to providing kids a more holistic sporting experience, in which success is not predicated on kid’s eventually earning a paycheck or a college scholarship.

Listen as he discusses the optimal mindset for a coach, how both youth and professional coaches need to focused on relationship building, and the impact of a positive sports experience for young people.

In episode #221, we're joined by friend of the show, Calgary Flames Assistant Coach Ryan Huska.

He recently wrapped up his 5th season with the Flames and will be joining us at TCS Live, hockey’s premiere coaching conference, next June at the University of Michigan. Huska will be presenting on the penalty kill and as you’ll hear in this episode, has a lot to offer on the subject.

Listen as he discusses the special teams chess match that takes during a playoff series, being intentional about finding time to build relationships with players and the coaches he admires outside of hockey.

In episode #220, we had the honor of being joined by John Paris Jr., the first black coach in professional hockey.

During the 1993-94 season, he was hired by the Atlanta Knights of the now defunct, International Hockey League, marking the first time a person of colour had been appointed the Head Coach of a pro hockey team. The move paid off as the Knights would capture the Turner Cup and an IHL Championship that same season.

Listen as he discusses how he overcame the adversity of being a black hockey player and coach, the story of being scouted by Scotty Bowman, and the drive to get him inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

In episode #219, we're joined by Lee MJ Elias, who can be best described as a bit of a Swiss Army Knife in that he has accomplished a lot in our game, albeit in a number of different roles.

Elias is an award-winning author and currently the Co-Chair of the Hockey Operations Committee and Assistant Coach of the Puerto Rico Men’s National Team. He is also the co-host of the Our Kids Play Hockey Podcast, which was awarded the top hockey podcast by the Sports Podcast Awards in 2022.

Listen as he shares how to best manage your time to ensure you get the right stuff accomplished, strategies for growing the game, and why sports is a vehicle to bring people together.

In episode #218, we welcome two friends to the show: Newly named Head Coach of the AHL's San Diego Gulls, Matt McIlvane, and his former Assistant Coach with EC Red Bull Salzburg, Ben Cooper.

Fresh off a second consecutive win2day ICE Hockey League championship with Red Bull, the two joined to give us a behind the scenes look on their road to a repeat. 

Listen as they the incredible story behind their final series comeback victory, why composure was a key element to overcoming adversity, and why championship teams need to get the locker room right.

We're joined by a coaching legend and one of the true gentlemen in hockey for episode #160 of the Glass and Out Podcast.

Andy Murray's coaching career has spanned four decades, multiple countries and leagues, and every major international tournament.

The Souris, Manitoba native includes representing Canada on multiple occasions, capturing six Gold Medals in six appearances at the Spengler Cup, three Gold Medals at the World Championships, and he was also an assistant coach during the 1998 Olympics.

Murray spent 16 seasons in the NHL, highlighted by a 1991 cinderella run Stanley Cup Final with the Minnesota North Stars, coming just short to Mario Lemieux and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Following his dismissal from St Louis in 2010, he was announced as the head coach of Western Michigan University in 2011, a program he would oversee for 10 seasons.

The topic of old school versus new school coaching tactics has long been debated. And if you look at Murray’s bio, it would be easy to assume he’s on the old school side. But as you'll find out in this podcast, he has always leaned into new school coaching methods, long before the shift in leadership practices that we’re experiencing today.

Find out about his title as "Mr. Spengler Cup," how his reputation as a tactician helped him throughout his career, and why it's important to coach out of your comfort zone.

Head Coach of St. Cloud State women's hockey team, Brian Idalski, joins us for episode #217.

Idalski is coming off his first season leading the Huskies' program and was named the US College Hockey Online National Coach of the Year, as his team made significant strides in virtually every defensive and offensive area of the game.

Listen as he shares why pattern recognition is key to helping players process the game, coaching Team China in the Olympics, and how to get your team to buy into blocking shots.

In episode #216, we welcome Performance Coach and Founder of Deviate, Ryan Blanck.

To date, Blanck has worked with over half of the team’s in the NFL, including the league itself, the iconic entertainment industry agency, the William Morris Endeavor, professional athletes, leading universities such as Penn State, Clemson, Vanderbilt and Stanford, along with executives from major corporations to start-ups.

He will also be presenting at TCS Live, taking place June 22-24 at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Hear him discuss why empathy is the number one skill needed by leaders, what erodes culture and what it takes to be a leader worth following.

In episode #215, we we're joined by Detroit Red Wings Assistant Coach Jay Varady.

Varady has had a remarkable trajectory since his early coaching days with the WHL's expansion Everett Silvertips, and yet there is much more to be written in his story.

Today, we discuss the origin of analytics in hockey, implementing process & structure into a program, and how to navigate when to make the jump in one’s coaching career.

In episode #214, we welcome former NHLer and current Cognitive Performance Coach Aaron Volpatti.

He is also the author of the book FIGHTER: Defying the NHL Odds, an autobiography on how he turned tragedy into triumph on his unlikely journey to playing in the National Hockey League.

Listen as we discuss how he learned to leverage his mind to make an unlikely return to the ice following his severe burns that almost took his life, how that experience became a skill later in his career, and how coaches can offer support in their athletes visualizing their own peak performance.

In episode #213, USA Hockey's National Coach-in-Chief Mike MacMillan joins the show.

MacMillan's role, along with the regional coach-in-chiefs, is to make decisions on how to best educate hockey coaches, and ultimately have a direct influence on the development opportunity afforded to young players in the US.

Listen as he discusses the pageantry that is the Minnesota High School Championships, how tech is evolving coach education, and the positive role the game plays in supporting the overall development young boys and girls.

In episode #212, Erie Otters Head Coach Stan Butler stops by.

Butler recently returned behind the bench after a two year break and is currently in his 26th season coaching in the CHL. He’s coached in over 1,600 OHL games and won 742 of them, ranking him in the top 5 in league history in both categories.

Hear him discuss the influence his teaching career has had on his coaching career, the decision to stay in Junior hockey, and why he still has the juice to chase that elusive OHL crown with the Erie Otters.

In episode #211, we welcome Skating Coach Katy Jo West to the show.

She is the founder of Katy Jo Power Skating, based just outside of Denver, Colorado, where she works with everyone from two and three year-old’s stepping onto the ice for the first time, right up to NHL players.

West is also a presenter at this year's Global Skills Showcase, hosted by The Coaches Site.

Listen as she discusses the fundamentals of becoming a great skater, getting comfortable with being unconventional, and hacks to running a business that requires you to be on the ice 40+ hours per week.

In episode #210, Skills Coach Brian Slugocki stops by to join the show.

His current roles include Director of Skill Development for the Jr. Coyotes youth program, where he is also the Head Coach of the programs 10u elite team, Skill Development Consultant for the NHL Arizona Coyotes and prospects, Skills Coach for Total Package Hockey (TPH), all in addition to running private and small group training for youth players up to NHL players through his company Slugocki Hockey.

Slugocki will be presenting at the 2023 Global Skills Showcase on how to develop hockey sense.

Hear him discuss how you create a practice plan for elite players like Auston Matthews, what goes into creating a learning enivronment that develops hockey sense, and why you need to check for learning.

In episode #209, we connect with Paul Dyck, Head Coach and General Manager of the MJHL's Steinbach Pistons.

The Pistons have been one of the most successful and consistent Junior A programs in Canada since Dyck stepped behind the bench part way through the 2012-2013 season.

Listen as he discuss why great coaches find reasons why a team CAN succeed, the role grit plays in winning Championships and why you need to appreciate feedback from your fans, even if they interrupt your breakfast.

In episode #208, we're joined by Head Coach of the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds, Matt O'Dette.

Coming off a season where he led the TBirds on an epic run to the WHL Finals, O'Dette has Seattle back in contention, currently sitting atop the Western Conference and ranked #4 in the CHL rankings with a roster full of talent.

Hear him share why every team needs its own library, being neighbours with your goalie and how the secret to keeping the fire burning in your players is to actually start a fire.

In episode #207, we welcome a returning guest to the podcast, Brooks Bandits GM and Head Coach Ryan Papaioannou.

He is currently in his 14th season behind the bench for the Bandits, a program that he's led to six AJHL Championships and three National CHampionships.

Listen as he shares his offensive principles, the three qualities he looks for in players, and what it was like coaching a young Cale Makar.

In episode #206, we're joined by Tri-City Americans Owner and Head Coach Stu Barnes.

Prior to coaching, Stu enjoyed a long NHL career as a player and has a long list of coaches that he either played for or has coached with, including the likes of Dave King, Roger Neilson, Lindy Ruff, Ken Hitchcock, Marc Crawford, and Dave Tippett.

In today’s conversation, we discuss the type of relationship players value from their coach, how he collaborates with his coaching staff, and what he’s picked up from so many coaching greats.

In episode #205, we welcome Joel Martin, Head Coach of the ECHL's Kalamazoo Wings. Martin is in his first season as the Head Coach of he K-Wings, is currently one of only two black head coaches in North American professional hockey.

Martin has spent a total of 14 seasons with the ECHL franchise, including nine as a goalie and four as a coach. He was named to the 14th ECHL Hall of Fame class January of 2022.

Listen as he touches on why former goaltenders make great coaches, the power of postive affirmation and keeping things fun, and the principles to shutting teams down in your defensive zone.

We've got a special edition of the Glass and Out Podcast for you this week. During the holiday break, Breakaway, the Minor Hockey Podcast, was joined by one of the most influential voices in hockey, ESPN Hockey Analyst Ray Ferraro.

In addition to his work on hockey broadcasts, Ferraro is also a sports parent, with four kids who played everything from hockey to soccer. Ferraro has seen first hand how the game and the parent-coach relationship have changed over time and he shared his coaching philosophy with Breakaway hosts Aaron Wilbur and Ian Taylor.

There were more than a few gems dropped by Ferraro on how to improve today's game. Hear this must-listen conversation on the Glass and Out Podcast!

In episode #203, we're joined by Ken Martel, USA Hockey's Senior Director of Player & Coach Development. In his newly appointed role, he is charged with developing a framework for associations in the US to follow that leads to an enhanced player and coach development pathways.

Listen as he shares his thoughts on what’s next in the evolution of player and coach development, how he approaches developing hockey in non-traditional markets, and the experience of growing up playing hockey in a pre-Gretzky California.

In episode 202 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're pleased to be joined by Pyry Lukkarila, Head of Coach Development for the Finnish Ice Hockey Association.

Lukkarila has played a key role in re-shaping Finland’s coach education system and his unique role in the hockey industry has him in a constant state of uncovering what’s next by researching the top programs and coaches in and outside of hockey.

If you look at the recent string of international success by a country of just under 67,000 hockey players, it's clear that his work is paying off.

In the past three World Championships, the Finns have captured two Golds and one Silver. The previous eight World Junior Championships have resulted in three Golds, one Silver and one Bronze. And in the past six U18 World Championships, they have brought home two Golds, a Silver and a Bronze.

Listen as he shares why coach education must always precede player development, why nothing is accomplished without good player-coach communication, and why alignment is critical to an affective development process.

The Glass and Out Pod wants to wish everyone a Happy Holidays! To celebrate the start of this year's World Junior Championships, we're revisiting one of our favourite conversations from 2020 featuring two former Gold Medal winning coaches, Brent Sutter and Phil Housley.

Brent Sutter led Canada to back-to-back gold medals in 2005 and 2006, going an incredible 12-0 in the process. The 2005 team is widely considered the best Canadian team of all-time, featuring a star-studded lineup of NHL All-Stars and future Hall of Famers. He would also return to coach in the 2014 tournament, where Canada finished fourth.

Phil Housley was twice an assistant coach with Team USA in 2007 and 2011, capturing bronze medals both years. He would then return as the program’s Head Coach in 2013, leading them to the fourth gold medal in the country’s history.

We hope you enjoy this very special talk, as the two share their experience leading their respective countries to Gold.

Nick Oliver, Head Coach of USHL's Fargo Force, stops in for episode 200 of the Glass and Out Podcast.

At the time of this recording, Oliver had the Force sitting atop the USHL standings, but what is most impressive about his story is the rapid rise he’s made up the coaching ladder since completing his collegiate career at St. Cloud State University.

Despite no prior experience, the Wannaska, Minnesota native got his coaching career started when he was invited to join the Sioux Falls Stampede's staff as an Assistant Coach and Director of Scouting.

Three seasons later, he returned to St Cloud, where he was captain his senior season, to join the staff of current Head Coach Brett Larson. During his three seasons at St. Cloud, Oliver assisted the program in reaching three straight NCAA tournament berths and one NCHC regular season Conference Championship.

He then returned to another of his former teams, the Fargo Force, where he has been the Head Coach since May of 2022.

It’s worth noting that throughout his career, Oliver has been surrounded by accomplished coaches. It goes without saying that young coaches can do themselves a great service by focusing on aligning themselves with coaches who have a broad range of experiences.

Hear Oliver discuss how is father (a former coach) helped guide his career, the various mentors who have influenced him, and how he's used the Christmas break to prepare his team for the upcoming playoffs.

We're joined by member of the Norwegian Ice Hockey Federation, Tobias Johansson, for episode 199 of the Glass and Out Podcast.

He has quietly become of one the most influential coaches in our sport and as you’ll soon hear, he isn’t afraid to think outside the box.

Johansson, who hails from Sweden, has served as the country's Director of Player Development since 2021 and will be leading the Men's National Team as Head Coach at the upcoming World Championships being hosted this May in Finland and Latvia.

Prior to crossing the border to Norway, he spent nine seasons with the legendary Swedish program, Frölunda HC, beginning as the programs U16 coach before being promoted to Director of Player Development. Frölunda is of course considered one of the top development programs in the world, and boasts an alumni list that includes Lucas Raymond, Rasmus Dahlin, Robin Lehner, John Klingberg, Henrik Lundqvist, and Daniel Alfredsson.

Listen as he explains why your players should try beat the defender 1v1 at the offensive blueline, how changing a countries hockey fortunes begins at the initiation levels, and what he’s leaned consulting with National Teams coaches form other sports.

In episode 198 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome Dan Muse, Head Coach of the US National Development Programs U18 Team.

If you attended TCS Live this past June, then you would have seen Muse on stage presenting on The Importance of the Second Player in Puck Support and Puck Pressure. Stay tuned for that presentation coming later this season on The Coaches Site.

Muse got his start in coaching as an Assistant Coach at Milton Academy, following a four year playing career at Stonehill College, where he majored in Criminal Justice.

He worked his way into the Div I ranks, beginning at Sacred Heart University, before joining Keith Allain’s staff at Yale. In 2013, Yale captured the programs first ever National Championship. While at Yale, Muse also participated in the World Junior Championships on two occasions as the Video Coaches for Team USA.

In 2015, he was named the Head Coach of the USHL’s Chicago Steel. Despite the program having gone seven seasons without the reaching the post-season, Muse led them on a remarkable turn around, capturing a Clark Cup Championship in only his second season.

From there, Muse was hired by Peter Laviolette and the Nashville Predators, where he spent the next three seasons and was a part of the 2017-2018 Predators team that captured the NHL’s Presidents Trophy.

Muse then joined the US National Development Team Program, where he is now in charge of the U18 team.

Listen as he discusses the benefits of teaching a high school history class, why you should focus on habits and concepts with your team, and why great coaches invest in the other coaches on their staff.

Carla MacLeod, Head Coach of both the University of Calgary Women’s program as well as the Czechia National Women’s team, joins us for episode 197 of the Glass and Out Podcast.

MacLeod is currently in her second season with the Dinos program, and will be leading Czechia at the upcoming World Championships after guiding the team to its first ever medal at the 2022 event in August. Her unique ability to inspire what some may consider underdog programs have helped her gain notoriety in the hockey community.

From 2011 through 2014, MacLeod was an Assistant Coach with the Japanese National team and helped it qualify for the 2014 Sochi Olympics. It was the first time they had done so since hosting the first female Olympic tournament at the ’98 games in Nagano.

MacLeod got her coaching career started with the Edge School’s U18 Female program. In 2020, the program captured the first ever Canadian Sport School Hockey League Female U18 Prep division Championship. During her tenure, the team upheld an average GPA of 89%, 98% of her players went on to pursue post secondary studies and 88% continued their hockey career.

As a player, she patrolled the blueline for Canada’s National Women’s team for five seasons, capturing two Olympic Gold Medals, the second of which was at the 2010 games in Vancouver. She is also a member of the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, as well as the Alberta SportsHall of Fame.

In this episode we discuss why it's important to keep joy in the game, when you should focus on one thing with your team, and how she approaches inspiring and instilling confidence in her players.

In episode 196 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by Brad Yetman, Head Coach of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey. At just 31-years-old, Yetman is one of hockey’s up and coming coaching talents.

For episode 195, we're going back into The Coaches Site vault to hear LA Kings Head Coach Todd McLellan's 2021 Virtual Hockey Summit presentation titled "Coaching: Today, Tomorrow & Beyond."

The talk is a foundational piece of content for coaches of all levels and provides a practical framework, particularly at the youth level, on how to handle adversity and shape their approach to the season.

Over the past 28 years, McLellan has been a coach in the SJHL, WHL, IHL, AHL & NHL, and in all but three of those seasons, he’s been at the helm. He’s in his eighth season as NHL Head Coach and third with the Los Angeles Kings.

McLellan has a Stanley Cup under his belt from his time with the Detroit Red Wings in 2007-08, and on January 2, 2022, he won his 500th NHL game, becoming the 27th coach in league history to accomplish the feat.

Listen as McLellan shares his thoughts about why there certainly is an I in team, a player’s mindset versus a coach’s mindset, and how to develop a player support system that promotes individualism.

The Coaches Site is proud to announce the launch of the Hockey Factories Podcast! In this series, you will hear from the coaches, managers and players who helped bring the first five Hockey Factories articles to life. Listen as you get exclusive insight into the rooms where Sidney Crosby, Leon Draisaitl, Rasmus Dahlin and hundreds of others got their starts and developed into some of the brightest stars in the NHL.

Check out episode 1, where Matt Dumouchelle examines youth development and where Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, the Okanagan Hockey Academy, Adler Mannheim, Jokerit and Frolunda leave their marks on a player’s career. Subscribe now to the Hockey Factories Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.

In episode 194 of the Glass and Out hockey podcast, we welcome The Coaches Site Contributor Matt Dumouchelle, who's definitely had a week to remember.

You may know Dumouchelle best from his series Hockey Factories, which provides a deep dive into he top hockey development programs in the world.

Well, the series was such a success that we've turned the first five organization profiles into a PDF E-Book! You can download your copy now for free.

On top of that, we've collaborated with Dumouchelle to create the Hockey Factories Podcast. You can now hear from the coaches, managers and players who helped bring the first five Hockey Factories articles to life.  The first two episodes are now available, with episode one focusing on youth development and episode two on coaching.

In addition to his writing, he is also currently the Assistant GM for the Leamington Flyers of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.

Listen as we explore the story behind the origins of Hockey Factories, his key takeaways from talking to some of the top talent developers in the game, and what he's got planned for season two.

Tara Slone, former host of Rogers Hometown Hockey, joins us this week on the Glass and Out Podcast.

If you're Canadian, you're familiar with Slone’s work and her gift for sharing the stories of countless Canadians whose personal journeys have been shaped by their connection to hockey. These people make up the hockey fabric that continues to insulate Canada’s culture. You may also know Slone as the lead singer of Joydrop, a Juno nominated band who released two albums and the hit singles “Beautiful” and “Sometimes Wanna Die.”

For eight seasons, she hosted Hometown Hockey alongside co-host and Canadian icon, Ron MacLean. The show was a weekly profile of a Canadian city, highlighting the local players, people and stories who make up the communities’ hockey culture.

In 2020, she was named host of a weekly Sportsnet docuseries called Top of Her Game, which focused on women's rights through interviews with female athletes, builders and executives.

Overall, Slone is a positive change agent and continues to use her platform to advocate for human rights and a more inclusive society both in and outside of sport.

Listen as she shares her love for story-telling, solutions for reshaping hockey’s culture and riding shotgun on the road with Ron MacLean.

For this week's episode of the Glass and Out hockey podcast, it's our pleasure to be joined by three-time National Champion Scott Sandelin, Head Coach of the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs.

The Hibbing, Minnesota native is currently in his 23rd season with the Bulldogs. In that time, he's helped them become one of the top programs in college hockey, both in terms of wins, championships and moving players onto the National Hockey League.

In 2011, the Bulldogs captured their first ever National Championship by defeating the Michigan Wolverines 3-2 in overtime. Then in 2018 and 2019, UMD became just the third school in NCAA history to win back-to-back National Champions. In total, Sandelin has led the Bulldogs to six NCAA Frozen Four Tournaments, three conference playoff Championships and finished a top of their conference nine times during the regular season.

In 2004, Sandelin received the Spenser Penrose Award, presented to the top coach in college hockey and has twice has been named the head coach of Team USA at the World Junior Championships.

As a player, Sandelin was a member of Team USA at the 1984 World Junior Championships, named Captain of the UND Fighting Sioux in both his Junior and Senior seasons, and was selected 40th overall by the Montreal Canadians at the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. He played 25 games in the NHL over a six-year professional career, before injuries forced him into retirement.

In today’s conversation, we’ll discuss how to create healthy competition in practice, the definition of an ‘Every-Day-Er,’and why he's content with continuing to build on the success of the UMD program.

To celebrate the success of our second annual College Hockey Inc. Virtual Coaching Clinic, we're excited to share this conversation from last year's event, featuring college hockey coaching legends Red Berenson and Jack Parker.

Parker, now 77-years-old, has a resume that speak for itself: he served as the Head Coach at Boston University for 40 seasons and posted an overall record of 897-472-115. His 897 wins rank third all-time and mark the most of any college hockey coach at the same institution. Parker reached the 20-win mark in 27 seasons, won three NCAA titles, four consecutive Eastern College Athletic Conference crowns, 21 Beanpots and seven Hockey East titles. He holds the record for NCAA tournament appearances as a coach with 24.

Berenson, meanwhile, now 82-years-old, is synonymous with the University of Michigan, where he spent 33 seasons behind the bench, leading the Wolverines to 23 NCAA tournaments and a pair of National Championships. In 1,366 games with Berenson as coach, Michigan went 848–426–92. For his outstanding service to hockey in the United States, the NHL honoured Berenson with the Lester Patrick Award in 2006. He’s also a member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the US Hockey Hall of Fame.

Listen as we revisit two incredible careers, what they miss most about coaching and their thoughts on the state of today's game from a coaching and player perspective.

This week on the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds head coach John Dean.

Dean is entering his fifth season behind the bench in the Soo. During his tenure, the Greyhounds have qualified for the playoffs each season (keeping in mind the playoffs were cancelled in 2020 and 2021) and advanced to second round on both occasions.

Dean and his staff have developed eight NHL draft picks and continue to make the Greyhounds program a destination for prospective prospects.

He began his coaching career with the North York Rangers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, starting as an assistant coach, before being promoted to the club’s head coach after two seasons.

In 2014, he returned to North Bay, where he played his junior hockey, to join the North Bay Battalion on Stan Butler’s staff.

After three seasons in the OHL, Dean returned to the OJHL, this time with the Toronto Patriots, where he led the team to a regular season title with a 40-8-3-3 record and was named the league’s Coach of the Year. He would also be named the head coach of Team East at the CJHL Top Prospects Game.

In this episode, we discuss what a game day in the Soo looks like, how he uses running as a form of staying mentally healthy, and how he sets and enforces a high standard with his players.

We have a great show for you this week! Barry Trotz, a Stanley Cup champion and two-time Jack Adams award winner who is third on the NHL’s all time wins list with 914, joins us for episode 189. You're going to need a notepad for this one.

While most should be familiar with his long list of accomplishments, what truly stands out about Trotz is that he is regarded as one of the true gentlemen in our sport.

Trotz grew up in Dauphin, Manitoba, and began his coaching journey as the head coach of the local junior team, the Dauphin Kings, when he was just 23-years-old. By 25, he was the head coach of his alma mater, the University of Manitoba.

From there, Trotz began scouting for the Washington Capitals and was eventually named an assistant coach with the Baltimore Skipjacks, Washington’s then AHL affiliate, a position he held for half a season before being promoted as the team’s head coach. Trotz continued to lead Washington’s farm team for five more seasons, which included a relocation to Portland, Maine.

Then in 1997, David Poile, then General Manager of the Capitals, was named GM of the expansion Nashville Predators and offered Trotz the chance to be an NHL head coach. Fifteen years later, he was the longest active tenured coach in the NHL.

Following his time Nashville, Trotz returned to Washington to lead the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup Championship in 2018. The next season, he joined the NY Islanders and guided them on back-to-back Cinderella runs to the Eastern Conference Championship, losing the Tampa Bay Lightning on both occasions.

In this episode, we discuss his expansion season with the Predators, leaning into getting uncomfortable, and why you should always take the party to the streets following a Stanley Cup Championship.

This week's guest isn't a household name in the hockey world quite yet, but if you follow or are a member of The Coaches Site, then you'll recognize the name.

Dan Arel has quickly become one of the most popular TCS contributors. In addition to his writing, Arel is the Director of Coach & Player Development for the San Diego Oilers Hockey Club. In our world, that’s a potent combination, because while there are lots of experts out there when it comes to developing elite players or leading professional teams, there are few experts, at least few of them who are willing to share their experiences, at the grassroots levels.

And that’s Arel's wheelhouse. Coaching and developing programs focused on players who have yet to turn professional and likely never will.

In addition to his Director role with the San Diego Oilers, he is also the Head Coach of the programs U12 A team, where he coaches his son. He holds his Level 4 certification through USA Hockey and in 2020 was named the San Diego Gulls Foundation Coach of the Year.

In today’s episode, we’ll discuss making the most out of half ice practices, the challenges of being a parent-coach and how he believes we can keep kids playing the game, regardless of skill level.

For this week's Glass and Out podcast, we're excited to welcome Garrett Raboin, Head Coach of Augustana University.

With the Viking Men’s Hockey Program joining NCAA Division I hockey next season, Raboin is currently in the process of building the program from the ground up. Everything is new and will have his fingerprints on it when the Vikings debut next season. New rink, new uniforms, new conference, new players - new everything!

Raboin comes to Augustana from the University of Minnesota, where he was an assistant coach on Bob Motzko’s staff for four seasons. Prior to his time with the Gophers, he was an assistant coach at his Alma Mater, St. Cloud State University, also working under Motzko.

As a player, Raboin was the captain of St. Cloud State during the final two seasons of his collegiate career, which speaks to his character and perseverance when you consider he was a walk onto the program.

In this episode, we'll touch on his strategy for running a two player practice, the decision making process of selecting the seating arrangement in the locker room, to the colour of carpet in the players lounge, and why he’s choosing to not to put any limits on his team once they drop the puck on their inaugural season.

This past weekend, our team at The Coaches Site had the opportunity to visit the Twin Cities and participate in the Minnesota Hockey Hockey Directors Conference. The event was an opportunity for Hockey Directors from across Minnesota to meet in advance of the season, learn about new ideas on both the player development and administration side of running a minor hockey association, along with picking each others brains.

We had the pleasure of being joined by Minnesota Wild head coach Dean Evason to record a live edition of the podcast in front of those in attendance.

Evason is entering his fifth season with the Wild and fourth as the organization's head coach. Last year, the Wild finished a mere six points back of the eventual Stanley Cup Champions Colorado Avalanche and there is a belief in the local hockey community that this team is poised to contend for a Stanley Cup.

Evason, who is making his second appearance on Glass and Out, dives deep into his coaching staff's preparations for training camp and how they operate together throughout the season.

Listen as we discuss the importance of being overly prepared, mixing up the way you communicate your message, and how the Wild approach shutting down Nathan MacKinnon.

Welcome back everyone!

The hockey season is finally here and we're happy to return for season 5 of the Glass and Out podcast.

To kick things off, we welcome Dr. Jody Carrington.

Dr. Carrington is a Clinical Psychologist who has spent most of her career working with children and families who have experienced trauma. Having grown up in Viking, Alberta, home of the Sutter brothers, she worked on the Mental Health Inpatient Units of the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary for 10 years. Through her experience she’s developed an affinity for helping teams and organizations solve their most complex, human centered problems.

Today, a lot of her work is focused on the Big People, as she describes them, who are in a position to look after the little people, or kids. As she puts it, through the relationships that young children have with their caregivers, they begin to develop the “story” of themselves and others around them. They decide two things: if they are worthy of love and support and if they are capable and competent beings. When they have these things in place, they have a much greater chance of developing into strong and healthy adults.

If you have ever questioned the importance of your role in the lives of the players you coach, you won’t after today.

In addition to her work as a psychologist, she’s also the best selling author of three books, Kids These Days, Teachers These Days and the soon to be released Feeling Seen.

Listen as she shares how we connect with our players, the importance of staying regulated and self-care, and why "lighting up" is every coaches superpower.

We're thrilled to announce that the Glass and Out podcast returns next week for season 6! We've got an exciting lineup of guests and lots of new features that we can't wait to share with you.

In the meantime, we just released likely the most important video in The Coaches Site's history. NHL on ESPN play by play broadcaster Leah Hextall shares her raw, emotional and shocking, but sadly not surprising, experience after he first season calling in the NHL. Aaron Wilbur explains how the presentation came to be an why it's a must-watch for everyone in the hockey and sporting community.

We've arrived at our final Glass and Out episode of the hockey season. For the finale, we welcome newly hired New York Islanders assistant coach Brian Wiseman, who joined us for another in-person interview at last month's TCS Live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Wiseman just completed his third season as an assistant with Edmonton, in which the Oilers made it to the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2006. He's an alumni of the University of Michigan as both a player and coach, where he spent eight seasons as an assistant coach. He now joins the Islanders, along with new head coach Lane Lambert and fellow assistant Doug Houda.

Hear Wiseman detail what went into the Oilers' lengthy playoff run, how his relationship and appreciation for legendary coach Red Berenson has helped shape his career, and how his transition from a press box role to on the bench helped him see the game from a different perspective.

We want to thank everyone for tuning in this season and making us a regular part of your weekly routine. If you missed any episodes, make sure to go back and check out our full catalogue here. We've got some exciting things planned for season 6, so stay tuned. We'll see you in September!

We've got a couple of special episodes to close out season 5 of the Glass and Out podcast.

We had the pleasure of being joined by longtime NHL coach Steve Spott for our first ever live episode of the podcast, which took place during TCS Live at the University of Michigan. Attended by close to 100 of our conference attendees at Conor O'Neill's Pub, recording this podcast was one of the many highlights from a truly incredible week in Ann Arbor.

Spott has coached for close to 30 years and can be used as a great example of working your way up the coaching ladder, having made stops at just about every level of hockey. And while he was recently let go from his most recent gig in Vegas, there is no doubt he will find himself back in the NHL in no time.

Listen as we dive into his journey from Seneca College to eight consecutive seasons in the NHL, how he's developed the technical aspects of his coaching and become known as a face-0ff specialist, and shares valuable advice that all aspiring coaches can take something from.

In episode #182 of The Glass and Out podcast, we're joined by Luke Strand, Head Coach of the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers, to discuss the process involved in bringing a fourth Championship to Sioux City, and his 20 season coaching journey, which has seen him spend time in the NCAA, USHL, AHL, as well as working in the NHL as a scout.

He got his start as an Assistant Coach with St. Nobert College, a Division 3 school based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In 2003, he moved across town to join the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. After a two-year stop with the AHL's Houston Aeros, Strand jumped back to the USHL, for his first stint with Sioux City.

In 2011, he made his way to the West Coast, to join Troy Ward, who had just been named the Head Coach of the Abbotsford Heat, then the AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames. The next few seasons would see him return to the USHL in Sioux City and Madison, join the University of Wisconsin Badgers coaching staff and take on a scouting role with the Calgary Flames.

In 2017, Luke returned to Sioux City for a third time, this time, leveraging his past experience to build a contender and eventual championship team. 

In this week's podcast, hear how Strand has established himself as one of the top developers of talent in the game, how his introduction to analytics has influenced his coaching, and the details of this season's Clark Cup championship.

For episode #181 of the Glass and Out podcast, we're joined by Kori Cheverie, a trailblazer for women's hockey and someone who had quite an eventful 2021-2022 season.  

First, she was an Assistant Coach with Team Canada’s National Women’s Team that captured Gold at the Olympics in Beijing. That was then followed with a trip to Germany for the U18 Men’s World Championships, where she became the first female to work on the coaching staff of a Canadian men’s National Team.

Cheverie began coaching in youth programs at Ryerson University, while playing for the Toronto Fury of the CWHL. She decided to jump into the coaching ring full t-me and when she didn’t see any opportunities with the Ryerson women’s program, she turned to the men’s program. She was named Assistant Coach of Ryerson's men's program in advance of the 2016-2017 season and in the process became the first female to be full-time Assistant Coach of a men’s team in Canadian University Hockey.

In 2019, she first got involved with Hockey Canada’s program of excellence, beginning as an Assistant Coach of Canada’s entry into the 2019 U18 Women’s World Championships. Next up, in 2021, Cheverie took part the Women’s World Championships as an Assistant Coach with Team Canada. That led to her appointment with the Team Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics, which opened the door to her coaching the men at the U18 World Championships last month.

In addition to all her accomplishments, Cheverie has also been linked to being a candidate to be the first woman hired as a full-time coach in the NHL. Given her track record, we have no doubt that she just may have the ability and drive to make it happen.

Find out her thoughts on how to prepare a team for international tournaments, how to build trust through autonomy, and how she's preparing for the next stage in her career.

In episode #180 of the Glass and Out podcast, Chris Lazary Head Coach of the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit, stops by.

In episode #179 of the Glass and Out podcast, we're joined by Dr. Ethan Kross, who is one of the world’s leading experts on controlling the conscious mind.

An award-winning professor and bestselling author in the University of Michigan’s top ranked Psychology Department and its Ross School of Business, he studies how the conversations people have with themselves impact their health, performance, decisions and relationships.

Dr. Kross is the author of the National Bestseller Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why it Matters and How to Harness It, which was chosen as one of the best new books of the year by the Washington Post, CNN and USA Today. He will be going into further detail on the topic of his book at next month's TCS Live. If you haven't already bought your ticket, you can still register. You definitely don't want to miss it.

Kross' research has been published in Science, The New England Journal of Medicine, and The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, among other peer-reviewed journals. He has participated in policy discussion at the White House and has been interviewed on CBS Evening News, Good Morning America, Anderson Cooper Full Circle, and NPR’s Morning Edition. His pioneering research has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, Harvard Business Review, USA Today, The Economist, The Atlantic, Forbes, and Time. Legit.

In this week's podcast, he shares how we can all improve our mental skills, regardless of what stage of life we’re in, why it's important to embrace stress, and the problems with over venting.

For episode #178, we revisit one of our favourite conversations from last year's College Hockey Inc. Virtual Coaching Clinic. Seattle Kraken Head Coach Dave Hakstol sat down with us in advance of their inaugural training camp to discuss what goes into building a franchise/team from scratch and his coaching journey up to that point.

Despite not living up to the lofty heights of the Vegas Golden Knights incredible expansion season, Hakstol and the Kraken appear to be in good shape to build off their first year with plenty of cap space and a surplus of draft picks.

Hakstol got his coaching career started in 1996 with the USHL's Sioux City Musketeers, a role he held for four seasons before returning to his alma mater, the University of North Dakota. He was named Head Coach in 2004, leading the team to the NCAA Frozen Four on seven occasions and was also honoured with the conference Coach of the Year Awards in 2009 and 2015.

Hakstol made the jump to the NHL in 2015 with the Philadelphia Flyers, becoming the first head coach since 1982 to go directly from the NCAA to the NHL. After four seasons, he joined Toronto for two seasons as an assistant.

Hear about the whirlwind summer leading up to the Hakstol's first season with the Kraken, tips on how to support your players during the off-season, and how his climb up the coaching ladder helped shape him as a person.

We're joined by Nadine Muzerall, Head Coach of the National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes, for episode #177 of the Glass and Out podcast.

While most would associate OSU with their legendary football program, Muzerall has been building a tradition of her own with the women's hockey program since she arrived on campus in 2016.

In her six seasons, the Buckeyes have gone from a sub-500 team to a perennial college powerhouse, qualifying for NCAA tournament on four occasions and capturing the 2022 NCAA Frozen Four Championship as the top seed in women's college hockey. Muzerall has also been recognized as the WCHA Coach of the Year twice.

The Mississauga, Ontario, product played her college hockey at the University of Minnesota, where she was named an All-American in 1998 and 2000, while also earning Team MVP honours during those seasons. Muzerall had the honour of becoming the first women hockey player to be inducted into the University’s Hall of Fame.

She joined her former Head Coach Brad Frost as an Assistant Coach with her alma mater in 2011. During her return to the Gophers, the program captured four National Championships in five seasons.

Hear about how Muzerall reshaped the culture at OSU, her unique mentorship from John Tortorella, and the offensive philosophy that led to her squad putting up a staggering 175 goals in only 29 games.

We welcome a familiar face for episode #176 of the Glass and Out podcast. University of Vermont Head Coach Todd Woodcroft is a good friend of The Coaches Site and has presented at numerous events.

He'll also be joining us at TCS Live at the University of Michigan this coming June. If you haven't already bought tickets, now is the time.

Woodcroft just wrapped his second season as coach of the Catamounts, a position he was hired for at the on-set of the pandemic. Despite some obvious challenges, he has begun to put his mark on the program by adding several NHL prospects and looking outside of North America for talent, as there are players from nine different countries on the roster.

Prior to his arrival in Vermont, Woodcroft spent four seasons as an Assistant Coach on the Winnipeg Jets coaching staff, one of several roles and stops in the NHL during the course of his career.

His first stint was as video coach with the Minnesota Wild during their inaugural season and he went on to work as a scout for the Wild, Washington Capitals, and Los Angeles Kings. From 2013 to 2016, he was the Director of Scouting for the Calgary Flames.

Woodcroft also has significant international experience, having been a part of the coaching staffs for Canada, Belarus, Switzerland, and Sweden.

On the podcast we discuss how he's handled the challenges of rebuilding a program during a pandemic, how he structures his practices, and why he feels positivity is a coach's most powerful tool.

In episode #175 of the Glass and Out podcast, we speak with Tomas Pacina, who up until the day before we recorded this conversation, had been the Head Coach of the Czechia National Women’s program for two seasons.

Pacina has had an incredibly unique and diverse career that has touched just about every level of hockey.

He moved to Calgary, Alberta, in the mid 90s and began coaching midget hockey, while working at a local hockey academy. This led to the opportunity become a Skills Coach for Canada’s National Men's Team, which at the time was under the guidance of current Hockey Canada CEO Tom Renney.

From there, he joined the New York Rangers as a Skills Coach, becoming one of the first of his position to be hired by an NHL team. He remained with the Rangers until 2004, and later worked with the Florida Panthers and Montreal Canadiens in a similar capacity.

From 2011 until 2020, Pacina was a skills coach for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL, working under the leadership of Mike Johnston for majority of his tenure.

In addition to his work in the men's game, Pacina has also making significant inroads in women’s hockey. From 2002-2007, he was the Head Coach of the Calgary Oval X-Treme of the NWHL, and led the club to two league Championships. Pacina returned behind the bench of Calgary’s professional women’s team in 2017, however this time it was for the Calgary Inferno of the CWHL. He was named the league's Coach of the Year.

In 2020, he was named Head Coach of the Czech National Women’s team and put in charge of developing a competitive program. He helped the program qualify for its first Olympic games and jump up to seventh in world rankings.

Hear his process for assisting players in building confidence, the benefits of playing a position-less system, and how to connect with an athlete’s human spirit through inspiration.

For episode #174 of the Glass and Out podcast, we revisit one of our favourite conversations from last year's Virtual Hockey Summit. As many hockey seasons begin to wrap up, the time for coaches to start looking and networking for their next jobs is upon us.

Gil Scott is the President & CEO of Gil Scott Sports Management and is the agent for top NHL coaches like Barry Trotz and Bruce Boudreau. He spoke with TCS Founder Aaron Wilbur on what it takes to prepare for an interview and be at your best when there’s a lot on the line.

Scott founded Gil Scott Sports Management in 1979 and has negotiated over 500 contracts of coaches and players. In addition to his clientele of coaches, he currently represents 65 active NFL and CFL players. He is a graduate of Michigan State University, was the first Canadian to be certified by the NFLPA and served as a sports consultant for the Royal Banks Sports Professionals Program from 1997-2009.

There is no instruction manual when it comes to finding your next coaching job or how to prepare for an interview, but it’s a skill that all successful coaches need. And while having the right strategy heading into an interview or being comfortable approaching people in the industry with the goal of opening a door to your next gig may not make you a better coach than other candidates, it very well could mean you still get the nod.

Hear valuable advice on what approach is best to take heading into the interview process, what he's learned from working with some of the top coaches in hockey, and why networking is still a coaches best friend when it comes to finding new opportunities.

In episode #173 of the Glass and Out podcast, we're joined by Bob Mancini, Assistant Executive Director of USA Hockey, who oversees hockey development.

Mancini has done it all in hockey, coaching and overseeing programs as an administrator at just about every level. In the process, he has accumulated a diverse set of experiences that make him uniquely suited for his current role.

Following his collegiate playing career at Colorado College, he embarked on a collegiate coaching career that included time with Lake Superior State University, Ferris State University, and Michigan Tech University.

He was then a part of the inaugural US National Development Team Program coaching staff in 1996, where he coached at the U17, U18, and U20 levels for four seasons.

His only stop in the NHL (so far) came with the Edmonton Oilers on two different occasions, as a scout and development coach. He also spent three years as the Head Coach and General Manager of the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League.

In addition to his pro and junior hockey experience, Mancini has coached minor hockey and has spent countless hours on the ice with youth teams across the US.

Find out about the origins of the USA hockey National Development Team Program, hear how the growth of the American Development Model is creating some of the top players in hockey, and his advice to coaches on how to keep their players more engaged during practices and games.

If you enjoy this conversation, Mancini will be presenting at TCS Live, our hockey coaches conference taking place June 15-17th at the University of Michigan. He’ll be joined by a collection of some of the top coaches and performance experts in our game; get your ticket today so you don’t miss out!

For episode #172, we welcome a familiar face to the Glass and Out podcast. Dr. Cassidy Preston is a High-Performance Coach and the Founder of Consistent Elite Performance. He is also the co-host of the Beyond the X's and O's podcast, and has been a regular contributor at The Coaches Site and presenter at our past virtual events.

On top of all that, he will be presenting at TCS Live, our in-person hockey coaches conference taking place at the University of Michigan from June 15-17th. 

Dr. Preston grew up in North Bay, Ontario, where he played hockey; he was selected in the 4th round of the OHL draft and played five seasons of junior hockey. Following a brief professional career, he attended and played hockey at York University and later the University of Toronto, where he obtained a PHD in Sport and Performance Psychology. In addition, he also spent time coaching hockey at the grassroots levels in the Toronto area.

With his education and the experience gained from his different positions in the game, he decided to create Consistent Elite Performance, an organization that assists athletes, coaches, teams and businesses in enhancing their mental performance and well-being.

In this week's podcast, find out his thoughts on the evolution of performance psychology, hear tips on how to get your team into the optimal mindset, and why he feels process over results is the key to an athletes and team success.

In episode #171 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by Brad Ralph, Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations for the Florida Everblades of the East Coast Hockey League.

Ralph is currently in his sixth season with the Everblades, quietly helping them develop into one of the top programs in the ECHL.

During his tenure, Florida has captured four South Division titles and advanced to two conference championships. In the 2017-2018 season, he helped the club set a record for most wins (53) and points (112) in a season. The Blades also advanced to the Kelly Cup final and he was awarded the Jack Brophy Award as ECHL Coach of the Year. His 45 career wins in the Kelly Cup playoffs currently ranks him fifth all time in the ECHL.

Ralph got his coaching career start at just 30-years-old in Augusta, Georgia, with the Augusta RiverHawks of the Southern Professional Leagues. After being handed the keys to an expansion franchise with no coaching experience on his resume, he led the team to the league final and was recognized as Coach of the Year.

After three season with the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads, he made a brief stop in the Western Hockey League as Head Coach of the Kelowna Rockets, during which he led the team to a 48-20-4 record and an appearance in the Western Conference Championship.

Find out his strategies for managing the grind of an ECHL season, why preparation is key to developing relationships with his players, and why he believes every player has the potential to achieve their dream of playing the NHL.

For episode #169 of the Glass and Out podcast, we're joined by power skating instructor Cathy Andrade. She is also one of the 10 coaches selected to present at our upcoming Global Skills Showcase!

Through hard work, striving to master her craft and word of mouth, she's built a reputation as one of the top skating coaches in hockey.

Andrade grew up in Calgary, Alberta, where she competed competitively as a figure skater before obtaining CFSA certification, which is comprised of Gold Figure, Gold Free-Style and Gold Dance.

In the early 90s, she set up shop in San Jose, California, and by the turn of the century, was training hockey players exclusively. Today, she trains a lot of the top players to come out of Northern California, as well as many of the top players who move to the Bay Area to play professionally, including current San Jose Shark Kevin Labanc and former Shark Joe Pavelski.

Find out her philosophy on creating better skaters and athletes, how she's gained the trust of some of the top players in hockey as a former figure skater, and how her Global Skills Showcase presentation on "3-Turns" will challenge your players like never before.

We've got a very special edition of the Glass and Out podcast for you this week.

For episode #167 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome Pete Lenes, Co-Founder of Eleva802 hockey training company/media company. You might know him better on social media as "Swaggy P," the stick handling sensation who was recently invited to be a special guest of the NHL at the All-Star game festivities in Las Vegas.

In addition, Lenes will be presenting at next month's Global Skills Showcase, along with nine other of the top skills coaches in hockey.

The Burlington, Vermont native played for his hometown University of Vermont Catamonts, before embarking on a 10 year pro career that included stops in the ECHL, AHL and Austrian League.

After retirement he, along with friend and former NHLer Torrey Mitchell, decided to open a training centre called Elev802. The company includes their former college coach Dave Sneddon, who manages their business operations, and Stanley Cup Champion Scott Gomez as a silent partner. Thanks in large part to an emphasis on social media promotion from Swaggy P himself, Elev802 has established itself as a leader in individual skill development. The company aims to empower players to be creative and learn by making mistakes, while providing direction on how to correct them in a fun and supportive environment.

In episode #166 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we’re joined by former NHLer Andy Sutton, whose company Verbero is partnering with The Coaches Site in showcasing 10 of hockey’s top skills coaches at our upcoming Global Skills Showcase.

After a career that had him play 687 NHL games as an undrafted player, Sutton saw the need for a change in the hockey equipment and apparel industry. Recognizing the cost of outfitting a young player in gear was a major deterrent for parents allowing their kids to participate in the sport, he embarked on a mission, to make safe, quality equipment available at a reasonable cost. With Verbero, he’s developed a direct to consumer model that makes it easy for anyone to go online, or work directly with their local Verbero representative, and order quality, custom equipment and apparel at an affordable cost.

As a player, Sutton's journey to a long NHL career is definitely one you'll want to hear. After going undrafted, he made a name for himself at Michigan Tech, leading to 14 contract offers with NHL teams. He would go on to play for six teams and some iconic coaches like Darryl Sutter, Roy Sommer, Bob Hartley, Jaques Lemaire, and Tom Renney.

Find out how Verbero is helping provide a more affordable option for young players, how he battled his way to a long NHL career, and what lessons he learned while playing for some of the game's top coaches.