Glass & Out

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 #238 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.