The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

Latest Episodes:

FRIDAY FACEOFF - DWINDLING ENROLLMENT NUMBERS?! Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss the dwindling enrollment numbers on the boys side in North American youth hockey and how they are starting to affect competition at the higher levels. Are the outrageous costs and toxic culture to blame?

TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!

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SHORT SHIFTS - HOW TO BEAT HIGHLY SKILLED TEAMS Jan 14, 2026

Show notes

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about how to beat a really skilled hockey team when you are the underdog. What do you do as a coach as far as your tactics, motivation, etc.?

TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!

We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!

Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair

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Avoiding Comparison Culture by Growing & Developing at Your Own Pace with Guest Josh Dunne, Buffalo Sabres Player - EP 399 Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

This week Topher and Jeff talk with Josh Dunne, current NHL player with the Buffalo Sabres. With the knowledge and experience from his impressive hockey career, Dunne joins us to talk about one of our favorite topics: development. This is a great conversation for any kid with a dream of playing at the highest levels.

In this episode we talk about:

— Dunne’s competitive childhood growing up with multiple siblings that played hockey

— Being tough in smaller situations so that it comes naturally in bigger moments

— How development is not linear and how you can’t compare your growth to others

— An inside look on the Sabres’ recent success

AND SO MUCH MORE!

Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, Helios Hockey, and Crossbar!

And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!

JOIN HTTU TODAY!

HTT MERCH

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FRIDAY FACEOFF - DEALING WITH TEAMMATES THAT TAKE BAD PENALTIES?! Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss a listener's question about dealing with teammates that habitually take bad penalties. What should you do as a coach? What about as a player?

TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!

We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!

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SHORT SHIFTS - OLYMPIC ROSTERS Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about Team Canada's and Team USA's rosters for the 2026 Olympics. We discuss building a roster for a shorter tournament and give our thoughts on who was left off.

TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!

We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!

Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair

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Game-Changing Hockey Gear with Guest Andries de Villiers, Titan BattleGear Founder - EP 398 Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

This week Topher and Jeff talk with Andries de Villiers, founder and CEO of Titan BattleGear. His company is making waves in the hockey community with their innovative cut-resistant base layers and neck guards.

In this episode we talk about:

— How currently only a few neck guards on the market today are actually cut-resistant

— The story behind Titan BattleGear and its design that makes players actually love to wear it

— The importance of the neck guard mandate

AND SO MUCH MORE!

TITAN BATTLEGEAR

HAGENS' HELPERS CHARITY

Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, Helios Hockey, and Crossbar!

And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!

JOIN HTTU TODAY!

HTT MERCH

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Best of 2025 Short Shifts - EP 397 Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

With the boys on holiday break, we pieced together our 5 best Short Shifts episodes from 2025. From all of us at the Hockey Think Tank, we wish you a Happy New Year!

In this episode we talk about:

— Intangible Things That Scouts Look For

— Team Toughness

— How Do You Help Skilled Players with Low Confidence

— How to Motivate Your Best Player

— How to Shut Down Opponents’ Top Player

Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, Helios Hockey, and Crossbar!

And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!

JOIN HTTU TODAY!

HTT MERCH

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

FRIDAY FACEOFF - HELIOS’ NEW FEATURES?! Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph and Vechs bring on JP Buckley, the VP of Sales & Business Development for Helios Hockey. Buckley joins us to talk about all of the awesome new features Helios will be rolling out in the new year.

TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!

We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!

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SHORT SHIFTS - WHAT HAS LED TO TEAM USA’S WORLD JUNIORS REIGN Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about the reasons behind USA winning World Juniors for the last two years and how they are going for a three-peat this year. Listen for the 3 key reasons that have led to their current reign.

TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!

We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!

Shout out to this Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair

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The State of Youth Hockey: 2025 Edition - EP 396 Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

This week Topher and Jeff fly solo to talk about the state of youth hockey. We get so many messages from parents, coaches, and players; so we thought what better way to close out 2025 than to address the 5 biggest things we hear about the most in youth hockey.

In this episode we talk about:

— The need for more ice rinks

— Too much focus on elites

— Lack of parent education

— Early professionalization

— Not enough collaboration

AND SO MUCH MORE!

Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, Helios Hockey, and Crossbar!

And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!

JOIN HTTU TODAY!

HTT MERCH

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.