The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

Latest Episodes:

SHORT SHIFTS - ONE-TIMERS Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about one-timers. What are some of the most important things you should know about this type of shot?

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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Growth Isn’t Always Linear: It's About Getting Back on the Path with Guest Matt Fornataro, Performance Coach - EP 403 Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

This week Topher and Jeff talk with Matt Fornataro, former professional hockey player and now performance coach. Fornataro played in the United States Hockey League, then played for University of New Hampshire, and later went pro for a couple of years.

In this episode we talk about:

— How one bad game doesn’t make you a bad player

— The difference between goals and standards

— How kids don’t have time to be bored anymore

— How you see a different side of your kids than what their coach sees

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.

FRIDAY FACEOFF - FINISHING THE SEASON STRONG?! Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Vechs is flying solo for the first time ever and he wants to discuss how to finish the season strong. While everyone is stressing about playoffs or next season, Vechs encourages players, coaches, and parents to stay present and be in the moment.

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 - BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR PLAYERS Feb 04, 2026

Show notes

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about the importance of building relationships with your players. How much time are you investing into getting to know your players as individuals away from the rink?

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.

Letting Kids Be Kids with Guests Luciano Aquino and Carlo Colaiacovo, Former Professional Hockey Players - EP 402 Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

This week Topher and Jeff talk with Luciano Aquino and Carlo Colaiacovo, former professional hockey players. Aquino played at the collegiate level and OHL level and Colaiacovo was a first round pick for the Toronto Maple Leafs. With their own professional careers, and now personal experiences as hockey dads, they join us on the podcast to talk all about prioritizing letting kids just be kids first.

In this episode we talk about:

— Benching kids mid-game

— How kids are on the ice way too much

— Our thoughts on the Brick Tournament

— How people try to predict whether an 8 year old will make the NHL

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.

FRIDAY FACEOFF - RADICAL TRANSPARENCY?! Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss the need for youth hockey organizations to be radically transparent in everything they do. The more you effectively communicate at the beginning, the fewer fires you will have to put out during your season.

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

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

SHORT SHIFTS - PLAYING OFFENSIVELY BEHIND THE NET Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about using the back of the net in the offensive zone. The game is constantly changing, so let’s discuss the modern ways of playing behind the net.

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.

What Good Defensive Hockey Looks Like - EP 401 Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

This week Topher and Jeff fly solo to talk all about keeping the puck out of your net. What does good defensive hockey look like? Listen as we nerd out and talk about the best defensive habits, concepts, and team strategies.

In this episode we talk about:

— How little things become the big things

— To play high level hockey you have to be good at tracking

— The whole point of playing good defense

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.

FRIDAY FACEOFF - WAYS TO BRING POSITIVITY TO THE GAME?! Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss different ways we can bring positivity to the game. We’ve talked at great lengths about how hockey is heading for the worst and that it's up to all of us to give back to the game that gave us so much. Listen as we suggest a few small acts that can have a huge impact on others.

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 - FAVORITE ANGLING DRILLS Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about angling drills. We discuss our favorites that help develop this essential 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

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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