The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

This week Topher and Jeff bring on Greg Rallo, AHL Milwaukee Admirals Assistant Coach. Rallo played only one year of Tier 1 hockey before playing junior hockey in the North American Hockey League, and then went on to play at Ferris State for 4 years. He later played 12 years professionally in the ECHL, AHL, DEL, and NHL. Since retiring, he has now been a coach at the professional level for over 9 years. In this episode we talk about: — Chasing coaches, not programs — How the pros make the same mistakes as kids — How you can’t have individual success without team success — The importance of what you’re doing in the 20 minutes post-practice 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 Follow us: 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.

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph brings on Mandy Holmes to talk about her company, Sponsor My Athlete. With the rising costs of youth sports, many families are getting priced out of participating. This episode is a must-listen for any family looking to reduce the financial cost of their child’s sport. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! SPONSOR MY ATHLETE We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites! Shout out to this Friday Faceoff supporter: Titan BattleGear Follow us: 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.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph brings on Chris Howard from Ice Hockey Systems to share the ultimate resource for coaches. We discuss 3 important things to focus on when it comes to designing drills. 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 Follow us: 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.

This week Topher and Jeff bring on Gordie Stafford, current Mental Performance & Mindset Coach and former Head Coach of the Shattuck-St. Mary’s women’s ice hockey team. Stafford has coached some of the top players in the game and brings incredible wisdom to this episode. To get more awesome insight, go check out his new book, “The Journey and Its Rewards: Stories and Observations From A Lifetime in Hockey.” In this episode we talk about: — How winning is the outcome of a process & you have to embrace the grind — Tips and advice for those wanting to get into coaching — The benefit of teams with different ages vs single birth years — How to become the player that others want to play with 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! STAFFORD'S NEW BOOK JOIN HTTU TODAY! HTT MERCH Follow us: 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.

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about a hot topic in the youth hockey world: private equity. With rising costs and stay-to-play requirements, many families are getting priced out of youth hockey. Listen for our thoughts on the future of our sport regarding private equity. 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 Follow us: 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.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about our favorite battle drills. We’re feeling fiery today, so let’s get that battle level up!! 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 Follow us: 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.

This week Topher and Jeff bring on HTT teammates Matt & Steph to talk about the top qualities of the most successful youth hockey directors, presidents, coaches, and parents. Matt & Steph work with some of the best organizations across North America every day, so they join us to share what they’ve learned. In this episode we talk about: — What a good board president looks like — How hockey directors are the “teacher of teachers” — Putting our egos aside as coaches and letting the players play — Tips on how to be a good youth hockey parent 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 Follow us: 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.

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph brings on HTT teammates Matt & Steph to talk about one of the major challenges hockey clubs face: buy in. An organization can have the best development philosophy on paper, but if your coaches and families don’t understand the why behind the way you’re doing things, your chances of success greatly reduce. 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 Follow us: 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.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about the three most memorable coaches of his hockey career and what they did to have such a profound impact on his life even beyond the game. 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 Follow us: 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.

This week Topher brings on his dad to revisit some of our favorite clips from the almost 8 years we’ve been doing this podcast. Whether you’re a long time fan or a new listener, this episode is a must-listen to get incredible advice from some of the top minds in the game. In this episode we talk about: — Advice from Martin St. Louis, Caroline Harvey, Brianne Jenner, plus other top guests we’ve had on over the years — Talent can only get you so far, you have to be coachable — The best coaches connect on a deep level with their players — The actual keys to being an elite player 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 Follow us: 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.

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about what happens when a player and their family leaves a hockey organization. We talk about both sides; how to handle the situation as the organization itself, and how to handle it as the family that is leaving. 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 Follow us: 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.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about on-ice small group training and how to maximize your practice plan. As a coach, what should you focus on and how should you prepare? 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 Follow us: 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.

This week Topher and Jeff bring on Toph’s cousin, Tyler Greenberg, to talk about his hockey journey and the incredible company he recently founded. Greenberg played Tier 1 hockey, junior hockey, and a bit of D3 college hockey before enlisting in the Navy & graduating BUDS. These collective experiences motivated him to create D1RT (Do 1 Right Thing), his supplement company that has a huge focus on bringing positivity to the world. In this episode we talk about: — How people are the best part of any sport, so take the time to find your community — Always remembering your why — The junior hockey experience and navigating getting cut over and over again — How to be different than the stereotypical “crazy” hockey parents 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! D1RT Pre-Formance Powder JOIN HTTU TODAY! HTT MERCH Follow us: 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.

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph brings on HTT teammates Matt and Steph to talk about the life skills needed to make it to the higher levels of the game. It is a common misconception that as long as you’re a great hockey player, you’ll make it far. We’re here to tell you that being a good person is just as, if not more, important as your hockey talent. 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 Follow us: 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.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about his prized custom Super Chexx Bubble Hockey game. We bring on Greg Kania, Director of Home Games of Innovative Concepts in Entertainment (ICE) to talk about the famous game we grew up with. THINKING OF GETTING YOUR OWN BUBBLE HOCKEY GAME? Use discount code GMBM! 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 Follow us: 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.

This week Topher and Jeff talk with Alexios Georgaklis, Surrounded by Good People CEO and Connecticut College commit. Georgaklis was expected to play NCAA Division 1 college hockey, but because of what has recently changed in college hockey, is now committed to Connecticut College’s Men's Ice Hockey team (D3). He joins us to not only talk about his hockey journey so far, but also the company he started while in juniors. This episode is for all the kids out there thinking about playing junior or college hockey. In this episode we talk about: — What the pros were doing when they were younger — Moving away from home for hockey for the first time — Creating a life outside of the rink — How the new college landscape will reward resilient 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! JOIN HTTU TODAY! HTT MERCH Follow us: 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.

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about the wild off season we have had. The narrative is changing, and lately players seem to have more leverage when it comes to their contracts. Vechs gives the inside scoop from the NHL players he works with. 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 Follow us: 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.

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk to the players that haven’t quite hit puberty yet. Maybe you’re not getting drafted or making teams because of your size; we're here to give you our best advice and guide you through the next couple years of your journey. 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 Follow us: 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.

This week Topher and Jeff fly solo to talk about the 5 attributes of great hockey players. Between the two of us, we have coached players of all skill levels, from just beginning, to the NHL and PWHL level. Although all of these athletes are uniquely incredible, we have found commonalities between the best of the best. Listen for our top 5 traits that the best share. In this episode we talk about: — The power of self belief — That it’s perfectly okay to “sulk” and feel failure — Finding your tribe: people that you can be completely yourself around — How the effort you put forth matters more than whether you win or lose 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 Follow us: 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.

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph brings on HTT teammates Matt and Steph to talk about what the top youth hockey organizations across North America have in common. 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 Follow us: 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.