Crazy Hockey Dads Podcast

Making the highest-level team is not always the same thing as making the best developmental choice.

Scott and Jamie welcome Bob Mancini back for his third appearance to discuss the launch of USA Hockey’s new Development League, what it means for Tier 1 hockey, and why parents should resist treating the DL label as the only path forward.

Bob explains why a 14-year-old may develop more by playing major minutes, running the power play, and handling the puck on a Tier 1 team than by becoming the twelfth forward on a DL roster. He also breaks down the league’s plans for games, rest, off-ice training, video, championships, roster limits, and multiple entry and exit points.

The conversation also tackles the Brick Tournament argument, late development, puberty, high school and prep hockey, officiating, and the one thing that should remain part of every level of the game: fun.

In this episode:

• Why Tier 1 remains essential alongside the DL
• The danger of chasing a label instead of the right environment
• One game per day, recovery, video, and player development
• Multiple paths through DL, Tier 1, prep and high school hockey

The jersey matters less than the environment where your player can develop, take ownership, and keep loving the game.

USA Hockey DL FAQ: https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1333125

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://sparxhockey.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

The best team isn't always the best place for your kid to develop.

Scott and Jamie sit down with Mike Busconi, Islanders Hockey Club - East Director and coach at The Winchendon School, to talk about youth hockey development, team selection, and the increasingly competitive road to higher levels of hockey.

Mike explains why being a bottom-line player on a top AAA team isn't always the best situation, especially when kids aren't getting enough puck touches or meaningful reps in practice. He also gets into parents chasing status over development, the pressure of year-round hockey, and why sometimes taking a step back is the smartest move.

The conversation also covers AAA hockey becoming watered down, navigating tryouts and getting cut, the benefits of prep school, and why families need to look beyond Division I when considering their child's hockey future.

In this episode:

• Why the best team isn't always the best fit
• Why AAA hockey is becoming watered down
• Navigating tryouts, cuts, and crazy hockey parents
• Prep school, D1, D3, and alternative hockey paths

This one is a reminder for hockey parents: the goal isn't to get your kid on the best team today. It's to put them in the best position to keep getting better.

Islanders Hockey Club IG: https://www.instagram.com/ihc.hockey/
Islanders Hockey Club website: https://islandershockeyclub.com/

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://sparxhockey.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

The pressure meant to help a young player succeed may be the very thing holding them back.

Scott and Jamie sit down with Princeton women’s hockey head coach Courtney Kessel to talk development, recruiting, team culture, and the role parents should play as the game gets more serious.

Courtney shares her path from multi-sport athlete to Team Canada, including being the final cut from the 2014 Olympic team and returning to practice with the players who were going. She explains how that experience shaped the way she helps athletes handle disappointment, separate hockey performance from personal identity, and respond productively when they are not getting the role they want.

She also gets into what Princeton evaluates beyond talent, why culture matters more than winning, and why being the best player at a lower level may offer more development than sitting at the bottom of a stronger team. For parents, her message is direct: give players a voice, let them take ownership, and recognize when pressure is taking the joy out of the game.

In this episode:

• Why taking time away from hockey can renew a player’s love for it
• What Princeton evaluates beyond skill and statistics
• Being a top-six player versus the twelfth forward
• Why character and kindness matter during recruiting

Support the player, protect the joy, and let them own the journey.

Princeton Womens Ice Hockey: https://www.instagram.com/princetonwhockey/

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://sparxhockey.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

The best development does not always come from the best team, the most expensive lesson, or the loudest car ride home.

Recorded live at The Hockey Barn in Atlanta, Scott and Jamie sit down with founder and longtime coach Kyle Kinze. Kyle explains how a pulmonary embolism ended his playing career at 19, why he turned to coaching, and why he built a place centered on access, creativity, free play, and community.

Kyle gets honest about growing up with a perfectionist father, changing the car ride home with his own kids, and learning that coaching a player starts with understanding the person. Scott and Jamie add their own hard-earned mistakes about expensive training, chasing higher-level teams, and pushing kids toward a version of hockey they may not want.

The conversation also tackles choosing the coach over the jersey, valuing puck touches and ice time, watching for burnout, and giving kids enough room to fall in love with the game on their own terms.

In this episode:

• Why free play and creativity are essential to development
• Better questions for the car ride home
• Choosing the right coach over the best team
• Building The Hockey Barn around training, competing, and belonging
• Live questions on speed, endurance, coachability, and tournament hockey

Coach the human, protect the love of the game, and let development follow.

The Hockey Barn: https://thehockeybarnatl.com/
The Hockey Barn IG: https://www.instagram.com/thehockeybarnatl/

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://sparxhockey.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

Your young athlete may not need another workout. They may need better recovery and a smarter definition of strength.

Bill Parisi went from an undersized high school athlete to a two-time Division I All-American and Olympic Trials javelin competitor. He later built the Parisi Speed School from a van and his parents’ basement into a youth performance system that has trained athletes for more than three decades.

Bill explains why sleep, hydration, nutrition, and tissue care can matter as much as the next practice. He also shares why recovery is one of the biggest things parents miss. Then he challenges the idea that strength is simply a bigger squat or bench press. For hockey players trying to become harder to move around the puck, traditional lifting is only part of the equation.

In this episode:

• Why Bill tells athletes to make sleep more important than practice
• What parents misunderstand about overuse and recovery
• How properly coached resistance training can benefit kids before puberty
• Why bodyweight exercises aren’t automatically safer than weights
• How “farm-boy strength” prepares players to stay strong in awkward, off-balance positions

More training isn’t automatically better. The right stress, recovery, and coaching are what move an athlete forward.

Bill Parisi IG: https://www.instagram.com/bill_parisi
Parisi Speed School: https://www.parisischool.com/
Parisi Speed School IG: https://www.instagram.com/parisispeedschool
Parisi Speed School YT: https://www.youtube.com/user/ParisiSpeedSchool1

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://sparxhockey.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

Getting cut didn’t end Guy Hebert’s hockey journey. It helped shape it.

Scott and Jamie sit down with former Mighty Ducks of Anaheim goaltender and NHL All-Star Guy Hebert to talk about an unlikely path from Troy, New York, to Hamilton College and eventually more than a decade in the NHL.

Guy shares what happened when he was cut from his high school team as a freshman and instead found a team where he could play every game, see more shots and keep developing. He also talks about growing up without private goalie coaching, the sacrifices his parents made, and their simple approach: they’d support his hockey as long as he was the one asking to play.

The conversation gets into how goaltending has changed, what youth coaches often get wrong with goalies, why young goalies need ice time and edge work, and Guy’s experiences with the Mighty Ducks, Team USA and some of the biggest names in hockey.

In this episode:

• What goalie parents should know
• How goaltending and goalie development have changed
• Going from Hamilton College to the NHL
• Stories from the Mighty Ducks and Team USA

Guy’s advice to young goalies is pretty simple: get as much ice time as you can, play against better players when you get the chance, and enjoy each step instead of obsessing over the top of the ladder.

Guy Hebert: https://www.instagram.com/guyhebert31
The Mask & The Mic Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/themaskandthemic

Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/
CHD/MSK Donation Page: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/chdmsc2026

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

What does a coach who’s spent decades developing elite players actually look for?

Scott and Jamie sit down with longtime North Jersey Avalanche coach Jamie Cahill to talk player development, hockey IQ, coaching, and what separates players as they move into the highest levels of youth hockey.

Jamie gets into why he’ll take hockey IQ over size, why players need the freedom to make mistakes, and how coaches can teach creativity instead of creating robots. He also explains why developing the person matters just as much as developing the player and why kids need to learn to advocate for themselves instead of having their parents do it for them.

The conversation also gets into body checking, puberty and development, position specialization, video work, player advancement, crazy hockey parents, and the changing path from youth hockey to juniors and college.

In this episode:

• Teaching hockey IQ by allowing players to fail
• When kids should start learning body contact
• Developing the person - not just the hockey player
• Navigating the changing path through elite youth hockey

This one gets right to the heart of development: give players room to think, make mistakes, and learn how to play the game.

North Jersey Avalanche:
https://www.icehousenj.com/north-jersey-avalanche
https://www.instagram.com/nj_avalanche/

Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/
CHD/MSK Donation Page: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/chdmsc2026

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

NTDP, USHL, Ivy League baseball and a path that was anything but straightforward.

Scott and Jamie sit down with Subject founder Mike Vilardo to talk about a unique athletic journey that took him through AAA hockey, the U.S. National Team Development Program, the USHL, and Division I baseball at Penn and Purdue.

Mike talks candidly about struggling when he went from a top-line player to a fourth-line role, walking away from hockey, coming back to the USHL, and the decisions he’d make differently today. He also gets into why his dad prioritized ice time and puck touches over chasing the best team, and the value of letting kids work through adversity themselves.

The conversation also gets into playing multiple sports, navigating seven schools in five years, and how Mike’s experience as a student-athlete eventually helped shape Subject and its work in education.

In this episode:

• Making the jump to the NTDP
• Going from a top player to a fourth-line role
• Choosing ice time over the “best” team
• The value of playing multiple sports
• How Mike’s athletic and academic path helped shape Subject

This one is about adversity, second chances, and realizing there’s rarely one right path.

Subject: https://subject.com/

Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/
CHD/MSK Donation Page: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/chdmsc2026

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

He never made the NHL. He still built a decade-long pro hockey career.

Scott and Jamie sit down with former North Dakota and professional hockey player Brad Miller, now with Turtlebox Audio, to talk about a hockey path that took him from Atlanta to Shattuck-St. Mary’s, the USHL, North Dakota, and professional hockey.

Brad talks about growing up with nearly unlimited access to ice, spending hours playing unstructured hockey with his buddies, and how that helped develop creativity and hockey sense. He also gets into the jump to college hockey, unexpectedly moving from forward to defense, injuries, and building a long pro career without ever reaching the NHL.

In this episode:

• Growing up playing unstructured hockey in Atlanta
• The path from Shattuck to North Dakota
• Going from forward to defense in college
• Building a pro career without making the NHL

This one is a good reminder for hockey families: the NHL isn’t the only path to a successful hockey career.

Turtle Box: https://turtleboxaudio.com/
Pacific Rink: https://www.pacificrink.com/ discount code: CrazyDad10

Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/
CHD/MSK Donation Page: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/chdmsc2026

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

How one hockey dad turned a broken bag into one of hockey's most recognizable gear brands.

Scott and Jamie sit down with Pacific Rink co-founder and CEO Brad Serkin to talk about how a frustrating hockey bag experience sparked an idea that eventually grew into a brand seen in rinks around the country.

Brad takes us behind the scenes of building Pacific Rink, from prototypes and Kickstarter to getting into major retailers, and explains why the company refuses to launch products just to launch them. He also shares what's coming next, including a wheel bag they've spent years developing and new ideas designed around how hockey players actually use their gear.

The conversation also gets into surviving COVID, tariffs and supply-chain chaos, designing products through player feedback.

In this episode:

• How three broken bags helped spark Pacific Rink
• Why organization became central to the original design
• Going from Kickstarter to major hockey retailers
• Why Pacific Rink won't make a product just because competitors do
• The wheel bag they've spent years trying to get right

This one is a look behind a piece of hockey gear most of us never think much about and how two hockey dads built a business by obsessing over it.

Pacific Rink: https://www.pacificrink.com/ discount code: CrazyDad10

Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/
CHD/MSK Donation Page: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/chdmsc2026

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

The Stanley Cup champion who reached hockey's highest level while fighting a battle he didn't understand.

Scott and Jamie sit down with Stanley Cup champion Brent Sopel for a raw conversation about his NHL career, dyslexia, ADHD, mental health, self-esteem, and the way we teach kids in youth hockey.

Brent talks candidly about reading at a fourth-grade level in high school, being labeled “dumb, stupid and lazy,” and not discovering his learning differences until age 32. He explains why hockey became his source of self-esteem, why winning the Stanley Cup was also the “emptiest” feeling of his life, and how he learned to play hockey instead of think hockey.

The conversation also gets into why Brent believes “youth sport has become youth business,” what private training often gets wrong, the details today's players are missing, and why coaches need to become better teachers, especially for kids who learn differently.

In this episode:

• Why winning the Stanley Cup felt unexpectedly empty
• Growing up with undiagnosed dyslexia and ADHD
• Why self-esteem matters so much for young athletes
• Why coaches need to understand how different kids learn

This one gives hockey parents something they need to hear: sometimes the kid isn't struggling because they can't do it, they may just need to be taught differently.

Sopel Foundation: https://www.sopelfoundation.org/
Brent Sopel IG: https://www.instagram.com/brent_sopel/

Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/
CHD/MSK Donation Page: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/chdmsc2026

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

One Princeton player's path - and why more isn't always better.

Recorded on location at Princeton's summer hockey camp, Scott and Jamie sit down with Princeton defenseman Chris Reiniger to talk about the path from Maryland youth hockey to South Kent, the Chicago Steel, and eventually Division I hockey at Princeton.

Chris talks candidly about starting hockey late, the sacrifices that nearly made him walk away from the game, and why finding the right environment helped keep his love for hockey alive. He also shares why he never did one-on-one training growing up, prefers competitive group sessions, and believes too much extra hockey can become exactly that...too much.

The conversation also gets into the jump from AAA to prep to juniors and college, mental performance and visualization, managing Princeton academics, and what life as a D1 athlete actually looks like.

In this episode:

• Why he nearly questioned whether hockey was worth the sacrifice
• The massive jump from juniors to college hockey
• Visualization, confidence, and avoiding the “energy vampire”
• Balancing hockey, academics, and life at Princeton

This one gives hockey parents something they don't hear enough: there isn't one required development formula for getting to the next level.

Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/
CHD/MSK Donation Page: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/chdmsc2026

Princeton University Men's Ice Hockey: https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey
Princeton University Women's Ice Hockey: https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/womens-ice-hockey
Princeton Sports Camps: https://www.princetonsportscamps.com

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

Why culture wins long before talent does.

Scott and Jamie sit down with Princeton Assistant Coach Shane Talarico, recorded on location at Princeton University's summer hockey camp, for a behind-the-scenes look at college coaching, recruiting, and what separates good teams from great ones.

Shane shares his unlikely coaching journey from Division III to Princeton, why there isn't one path to success, and how great coaches - and great players - are built through relationships, culture, and continuous learning. He also explains what Princeton really looks for in recruits, why character carries as much weight as talent, and how the hockey world stays connected behind the scenes.

In this episode:

• Shane's path from Division III to Princeton
• Why great teammates become great players
• What Princeton looks for beyond talent
• How the transfer portal and CHL changes are reshaping college hockey

Whether your child dreams of college hockey or you're simply trying to understand what coaches actually value, this episode is full of insight from one of the game's rising young coaches.

Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/
CHD/MSK Donation Page: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/chdmsc2026

Princeton University Men's Ice Hockey: https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey
Princeton University Women's Ice Hockey: https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/womens-ice-hockey
Princeton Sports Camps: https://www.princetonsportscamps.com

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

This week, Crazy Hockey Dads heads to Longwood Hockey for the Mo's Smile fundraiser benefiting Memorial Sloan Kettering and Shoot for a Cure.

Scott and Jamie sit down with Maurice Campbell, Rob Laferriere, Evan Rodrigues, and Dan Muse for honest conversations about hockey, parenting, adversity, and why this sport is bigger than wins and losses. From raising kids who love the game to trusting the process, giving back, and supporting families through unimaginable loss, every guest shares what the hockey community looks like at its very best.

In this episode:

• Maurice Campbell on Mo's legacy and why the mission continues
• Rob Laferriere on keeping youth hockey fun
• Evan Rodrigues on confidence, commitment, and falling in love with the process
• Dan Muse on leadership, adversity, and why hockey is a community first

This isn't just another hockey episode, it's a reminder of why so many families fall in love with this game in the first place.

Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/
CHD/MSK Donation Page: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/chdmsc2026
Longwood Academy: https://www.floridasurfhockey.com/longwood-academy
Evan Rodrigues IG: https://www.instagram.com/evanr17/?hl=en
Dan Muse IG: https://www.instagram.com/danmuse12/?hl=en

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

The championship coach behind one of youth hockey's top programs.

Scott and Jamie sit down with Danielle Ward - head coach at Mid Fairfield, Breakaway Academy coach, and former pro player for an honest conversation about what actually develops hockey players.

Danielle explains why parents often make development harder by chasing the next team, overanalyzing every decision, and focusing on status instead of confidence. She shares why accountability has to be fair, why kids need room to make mistakes, and how the right environment matters more than the logo on the jersey.

The conversation also covers the growth of girls hockey, building championship teams at Mid Fairfield, academy hockey, burnout, spring hockey, and what Danielle looks for in players beyond talent.

In this episode:

• Why chasing the next team can hurt development
• The biggest mistakes hockey parents make
• Building accountability without losing confidence
• Why kids need to make and learn from their own mistakes

This episode is a masterclass in long-term player development from one of the most respected youth coaches in the game.

Danielle Ward IG: https://www.instagram.com/dwardy22/?hl=en
Mid Fairfield Hockey: https://www.instagram.com/mid_fairfield_hockey/?hl=en
Breakaway Academy: https://breakawayacademy.net/

Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

The late bloomer who proved everyone wrong.

Scott and Jamie sit down with former NHL forward and Stanley Cup champion Erik Cole for an honest conversation about the winding road from small-town hockey in upstate New York to nearly 900 NHL games.

Erik shares how he didn't play AAA hockey, grew up in a community program, was a late bloomer physically, and almost let a difficult college coaching experience derail his career. He explains how one breakthrough season changed everything and why confidence can be just as important as talent.

The conversation also dives into youth hockey today, becoming a hockey dad, coaching his own son, and the lessons he learned from both the NHL and behind the bench.

In this episode:

• How a late growth spurt changed Erik's career
• Why confidence was the turning point
• The college coaching experience that almost pushed him out of hockey
• Why adversity prepared him for the NHL

This is a reminder that there's more than one path to the highest level of hockey.

Erik Cole IG: https://www.instagram.com/eriktcole/?hl=en

Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

The 2026 Hobey Baker winner on late growth, betting on himself, and chasing big dreams.

Scott and Jamie sit down with Max Plante for a conversation that has surprisingly little to do with trophies and everything to do with development.

Max shares how he was just 5'4", 120 pounds when he left Minnesota high school hockey for the NTDP, why many people questioned the decision, and how learning to compete as one of the smallest players on the ice ultimately became one of his biggest advantages.

He also talks about growing up in Hermantown, playing every sport he could, the influence of his hockey family, battling through injuries, winning World Juniors gold, and why pushing yourself into uncomfortable situations is often the fastest path to growth.

In this episode:

• Why being undersized helped shape his game
• The emotional decision to leave Minnesota for the NTDP
• What injuries taught him about resilience
• Why playing multiple sports made him a better hockey player

This isn't just the story of a Hobey Baker winner, it's a reminder that development isn't always linear, and betting on yourself is often the hardest move to make.

Max Plante: https://www.instagram.com/mdplanet10
University Minnesota Duluth: https://umdbulldogs.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey
Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

Scott and Jamie sit down with Justin Selman and Boo Nieves of TopLine Hockey for a brutally honest conversation about development, coaching, team-hopping, and what parents keep getting wrong.

Justin and Boo share their own paths through Michigan, pro hockey, the AHL grind, injuries, coaching, and building TopLine into one of the most trusted development groups in the area.

But the real meat of this episode is youth hockey today: why parents chase logos, why kids get stuck in the wrong roles too early, why switching teams every year can backfire, and why the best situation isn’t always the best-ranked team.

In this episode:

• Why “the best team” may be the wrong fit
• Why team-hopping can become a red flag
• Why you can’t force a kid to love hockey
• The brutal reality of the AHL grind

If your kid is miserable, underused, or chasing the next logo - this one is required listening.

TopLine: https://tlhockey.com/
TopLine IG: https://www.instagram.com/toplinehockey

Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

What college coaches are actually looking for in today's game.

Scott and Jamie sit down with Sean Flanagan, Associate Head Coach at Cornell University, for a candid conversation about recruiting, development, and what separates players who keep advancing from those who stall out.

Sean explains how the recruiting landscape has changed with more teams, more leagues, and the transfer portal creating a much larger pool of players than ever before. He also shares what Cornell looks for beyond talent, including character, academics, consistency, and a genuine love of the game.

The conversation dives into youth hockey development, multi-sport athletes, late bloomers, recruiting misconceptions, and why parents often worry about things that matter far less than they think.

In this episode:

• How recruiting has changed in the portal era
• What Ivy League coaches actually look for
• Why development isn't always linear
• The value of multi-sport athletes
• Common recruiting mistakes families make
• Why passion for hockey still matters

If you're trying to understand what college coaches are really evaluating, this episode is a must-listen.

Cornell University Men's Ice Hockey: https://cornellbigred.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey
Cornell University Women's Ice Hockey: https://cornellbigred.com/sports/womens-ice-hockey

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

Before Rich Cohen wrote Pee-Wees: Confessions of a Hockey Parent, he thought he understood youth hockey parents..then he became one.

Scott and Jamie sit down with the bestselling author to discuss the real story behind Pee-Wees, the emotional pull of youth hockey, and how even self-aware parents can get caught up in rankings, team placements, and the pursuit of "what's next."

Rich shares stories from his own playing days, his son's hockey journey, and the lessons he learned after realizing that parents often spend so much time chasing the next step that they miss the season they're living right now.

In this episode:

• The surprising status game behind team selections
• What Rich learned after writing Pee-Wees
• Adult league and youth hockey stories that are almost too good to be true
• Why parents should stop worrying so much about the next team

If you've ever obsessed over tryouts, rankings, or the ride home after a game, this episode will feel very familiar.

Rich Cohen https://www.authorrichcohen.com/
Pee Wees: Confessions of a Hockey Parent https://www.amazon.com

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/