The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Creating a Better Hockey World for the Next Generation With Guest Jamie Rice, Babson College Head Coach - EP 369 Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

This week Topher talks with Jamie Rice, head coach of the Babson College D3 Men’s Ice Hockey team. Rice is a 3x Conference Coach of the Year, and this episode is a clear indicator as to why. We come together to talk about our common goal of making the hockey world a better and more positive place.

In this episode we talk about:

— “Sending your players home with a smile, but also a sweat on their brow”

— Recognizing that there’s no going back to the community model, but addressing what we can do to help

— Creating an environment that players have a connection to for the rest of their lives

— Passion fueling success: if you’re not passionate about something don’t do it

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!

If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out!

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FRIDAY FACEOFF - IT TAKES A VILLAGE?! Jun 13, 2025

Show notes

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about how it takes a village to be successful in today’s game. Some of the most recent NHL award winners, including Spencer Carbery and Aleksander Barkov, are perfect examples of the fact that nobody ever achieves anything great alone.

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 - TEAM TOUGHNESS Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about team toughness and how it makes your team unstoppable. We use this year’s Florida Panthers as an example of what it means to be a tough team to play against.

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 Coaching Career Path With Guest Tom Peffall, Mercyhurst University’s Head Coach-in-Waiting - EP 368 Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

This week Topher flies solo to talk in person with Tom Peffall, the head coach-in-waiting for Mercyhurst University’s Division I Men’s Ice Hockey team. We’ve talked a lot on the podcast about the different paths for players to higher level hockey, it’s time we talk about the unique paths for coaches too.

In this episode we talk about:

— Building a relationship with your players to encourage their compete level

— Peffall’s unique coaching career path

— The major changes to the college hockey landscape and how it’s affecting recruiting strategy

— How to adapt your coaching style at different levels and working your way up

— How to get your foot in the door and finding the right opportunities

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!

If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out!

PARENTS & RECRUITING 101 COURSES

BLUEPRINT ORGANIZATION REFERRAL

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FRIDAY FACEOFF - STICKING UP FOR YOUR TEAMMATES?! Jun 06, 2025

Show notes

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about sticking up for your teammates on the ice. Even though the physicality changes at each level, the common factor across all age groups is how important it is for culture and making your team feel close.

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 - FLOW/SKILL DRILLS Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about what he calls “flow drills” and what Toph calls “skill drills.” We discuss what they are, what to include, and when to incorporate them into your practices.

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

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

Navigating the Youth Hockey Journey as a Parent & Going Behind the Scenes of Slap Shot, With Guests Dave & Christian Hanson - EP 367 Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

This week Topher and Jeff talk with Dave Hanson and his son, Christian Hanson. Dave is best known for his role as one of the Hanson brothers in the 1977 classic hockey movie, Slap Shot. This episode is a must listen for fans of the movie and for parents navigating the youth hockey journey.

In this episode we talk about:

— The importance of taking off your coaching/parenting hat and just being there for your kid

— How much we encourage parents to get involved in any capacity

— Not using a scholarship or contract to exclusively motivate your involvement in youth sports

— A behind the scenes look from Dave Hanson on making the movie Slap Shot

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!

If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out!

PARENTS & RECRUITING 101 COURSES

BLUEPRINT ORGANIZATION REFERRAL

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

FRIDAY FACEOFF - PARENT/NON PARENT COACHES?! May 30, 2025

Show notes

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about the pros and cons of having parent vs non parent coaches for your youth hockey team. We know the hockey community feels strongly about this one, so listen up as we discuss this hot topic.

TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!

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

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

SHORT SHIFTS - THE ROYAL ROAD May 28, 2025

Show notes

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about what the royal road is and how making a play across it significantly increases your chances of scoring.

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

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

The American-Born Journey to the NHL: Diverse Development Paths to the Highest Levels of Hockey - EP 366 May 26, 2025

Show notes

This week Topher and Jeff fly solo to break down the various development paths to the top league in the world. There were 288 American players that played at least one game in the NHL during the 2023-2024 season. Topher spent months researching the trends that got those players to the highest level of professional hockey. We hear so much from parents and coaches about the pressure to follow a specific journey in order to play in the NHL; so we set out to show you that everyone has a different path.

In this episode we talk about:

— The relative age effect: Does being born at the beginning of the year give you a better chance?

— How much time did players spend “marinating” at lower levels?

— Is getting drafted beneficial?

— Is playing a certain position beneficial?

— Does a certain region of the country produce more NHL 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!

If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out!

THE US BORN PLAYERS' PATH TO THE NHL BLOG POST

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BLUEPRINT ORGANIZATION REFERRAL

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

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