The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Everything That Hockey Should Be, with Guest Jay Hardwick, Warroad Head Coach - EP 410 Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

This week Topher talks with Jay Hardwick, head coach of the Warroad Minnesota boys high school ice hockey team. Hardwick’s team just won the Minnesota State High School Championship, so we brought him on to talk about the Minnesota model and what it takes to win it all.

In this episode we talk about:

— The right attitude to best support your team

— Setting the example for future hockey generations

— What it means to be a “rink rat”

— The need for great leadership in your locker room

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 - PARENTS AREN’T THE PROBLEM?! Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Vechs wants to talk about one of our recent viral clips that said, “parents aren’t the problem, confusion is.” The way a club communicates affects how parents talk about that organization. We received a wide range of comments, so let’s talk about why the claim was so controversial.

TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!

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Shout out to this Friday Faceoff supporter: Titan BattleGear

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SHORT SHIFTS - SEASON JUST ENDED… NOW WHAT? Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about the number one question he gets this time of the year; “my season just ended, what should I do now and what should my summer look like?” Listen for our best advice on what to do during your off-season.

TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!

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The 5 Biggest Things We Have Learned About Youth Hockey This Season, with Guests Matt Thomas & Steph Dukesherer, HTT Team Members - EP 409 Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

This week Topher talks with Matt Thomas and Steph Dukesherer, two members of the HTT squad that work directly with our youth hockey organization partners. The Hockey Think Tank’s Organizational Blueprint is designed to give clubs clear direction, purpose, and organization. If you think we could help your organization with any of the topics we talked about today, click the link below!

Refer Your Organization

In this episode we talk about:

— Navigating tryouts

— Parent education

— Best communication practices

— Tools to increase retention rates

— Youth hockey boards

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!

The 5 Things I Wish Everyone Knew About Youth Hockey Boards

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FRIDAY FACEOFF - BUILDING RESILIENCY?! Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about the importance of building resiliency. If you have high hopes and big dreams, chances are you will face adversity along the way. How far you make it depends on your resiliency.

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

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SHORT SHIFTS - FUN WAYS TO START & END PRACTICE Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about some fun ways to start and end practice, so that your players are excited to hit the ice every 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 Short Shifts supporter: SkateTech Skate Sharpening & Equipment Repair

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The Power of Playing for Something Bigger Than Yourself - EP 408 Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

This week Topher and Jeff fly solo to talk about the power of playing for something bigger than yourself. We discuss the huge impact it can have not only on yourself as a player, but also on your entire team. It's not just talent that gets you to the next level; it’s life skills.

In this episode we talk about:

— Playing for the people that got you here

— Playing for the people that came before you

— Playing for the next generation

— Playing for a team that plays for each other

— Playing for your future self

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 - FINDING YOUR NEXT PASSION AFTER PLAYING?! Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to answer a listener’s question about finding the next thing you can be passionate about after you finish playing, whether it’s at the youth, college, or pro level.

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

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Facebook: TheHockeyThinkTank

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SHORT SHIFTS - ADJUSTING TO A NEW TEAM & SYSTEM Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, coming off the recent NHL trade deadline, Toph wants to talk about how to best navigate and adjust to a new team and their systems.

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

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Defining What it Means to Be 100% All In, with Guest Jacob Newton, Performance Coach - EP 407 Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

This week Topher and Jeff talk with Jacob Newton, former professional hockey player and current performance coach. Newton played in the USHL, at Northeastern University, and played professionally in the AHL and Europe.

In this episode we talk about:

— Newton’s recent book release: The tears of Happy Jake

— That no athlete is 24/7, 365 and the importance of an off switch

— How to be present with your game and the key to reflecting

— The most important thing to be successful in hockey

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!

THE TEARS OF HAPPY JAKE

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.