The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ways to Improve Your Game & Lengthen Your Hockey Career, with Guest Sam Gagner, Former NHL Player - EP 420 Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

This week Topher and Jeff talk with Sam Gagner, current Ottawa Senators’ Director of Player Development and former National Hockey League player with over 1000 games in the league. Gagner is what we call a “hockey lifer;” he consistently found new ways throughout his career to improve his game and remain valuable in the NHL for 17 seasons.

In this episode we talk about:

— Making every aspect of the game as fun & competitive as possible

— Always keeping development over winning in mind

— At what age you should introduce systems

— Coaching the players away from the puck

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

IG: @HockeyThinkTank

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FRIDAY FACEOFF - YOUTH HOCKEY HAS A RETENTION PROBLEM?! Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph brings on HTT team members Matt & Steph to talk about how youth hockey doesn’t have a recruitment problem, it has a retention problem. Organizations spend a lot of energy recruiting new players, but then face challenges with loyalty from their families. We find that families more often leave because of the experience, rather than hockey reasons. The good news is we have a ton of solutions for you to improve your retention rates.

TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!

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

Shout out to this Friday Faceoff supporter: Titan BattleGear

IG: @HockeyThinkTank

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SHORT SHIFTS - MOMENTUM Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about momentum and its role in winning games. Listen for our best advice, whether you’re a player or a coach, on how to bring energy to your team and make sure the momentum swings in your favor.

TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!

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

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IG: @HockeyThinkTank

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Dialed & Driven Mentality, with Guest Jeff Lerg, Former Professional Goalie - EP 419 Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

This week Topher and Jeff talk with one of our favorite guests of all time, Jeff Lerg. Lerg is the epitome of what this podcast is all about: he battled through adversity as a 5’6” goalie and came out the other side, not only as a National Champion with Michigan State University, but more importantly as an incredible human. After 10+ years of playing professionally, he now runs his own goalie school and loves helping players with their mindset.

In this episode we talk about:

— How kids are growing up with way more pressure now

— Why athletes are more likely to get hired later in life

— The importance of telling people about your goals

— How do we develop driven athletes

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

IG: @HockeyThinkTank

X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank

TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank

Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank

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

FRIDAY FACEOFF - TO THE PARENTS OF PLAYERS THAT GOT CUT THIS SEASON May 29, 2026

Show notes

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk directly to the parents of players that got cut from a team this season, in any capacity. We understand that tryouts can be extremely emotional, so let us help you navigate this stressful time.

TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!

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

Shout out to this Friday Faceoff supporter: Titan BattleGear

IG: @HockeyThinkTank

X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank

TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank

Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank

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

SHORT SHIFTS - JAKUB DOBEŠ May 27, 2026

Show notes

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about Jakub Dobeš, who trained with Vechs, and has an incredible story on how he got to where he is now. We talk all about what makes Dobeš special to highlight that everyone has a different path.

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

IG: @HockeyThinkTank

X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank

TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank

Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank

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

The Value & Power of Relationships in Coaching, with Guest Nate DiCasmirro, ICEHL Champion Coach - EP 418 May 25, 2026

Show notes

This week Topher and Jeff talk with Nate DiCasmirro, assistant coach of the recent Austrian ICEHL champion team EC Graz99ers. DiCasmirro played 17 years professionally, with 7 years in the AHL and 10 years in multiple European hockey leagues. He joins the pod to discuss the value in prioritizing relationships in coaching.

In this episode we talk about:

— Finding your niche at every level

— The tighter the team, the more likely you are to win

— The importance of having conversations with your players away from the game

— Why skilled players don’t necessarily make the best coaches

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!

XEDGE HOCKEY Discount code: XETHINKTANK15

JOIN HTTU TODAY!

HTT MERCH

IG: @HockeyThinkTank

X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank

TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank

Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank

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

FRIDAY FACEOFF - HOW YOUTH ORGS CAN BETTER SUPPORT COACHES May 22, 2026

Show notes

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph brings on HTT teammate Matt Thomas to talk about how youth hockey organizations can better support their coaching staff. We discuss everything from communication and setting boundaries, to implementing standards and protection. Coaches are the backbone of youth hockey, and supporting them properly will help orgs be more successful.

TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!

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

Shout out to this Friday Faceoff supporter: Titan BattleGear

IG: @HockeyThinkTank

X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank

TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank

Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank

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

SHORT SHIFTS - DELAY GAME May 20, 2026

Show notes

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about how important delays can be in creating offense on the rush. All elite players have an elite delay game, so let’s talk about this incredibly valuable skill.

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

IG: @HockeyThinkTank

X (Twitter): @HockeyThinkTank

TikTok: @HockeyThinkTank

Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank

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

Team Defense: Be Hard to Play Against & Keep Pucks Out of Your Net - EP 417 May 18, 2026

Show notes

This week Topher and Jeff fly solo to talk about how to play defense. A couple of weeks ago, we did an episode on how to score more goals, so now it’s time to talk about keeping pucks out of the net.

In this episode we talk about:

— Getting players to buy in to playing defensively

— The importance of communication & effort

— How defense is not just in the defensive zone

— How to take time and space away from really good players

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!

LIGHT THE LAMP: HOW TO SCORE MORE GOALS - EP 414

JOIN HTTU TODAY!

HTT MERCH

IG: @HockeyThinkTank