Glass & Out

In episode #214, we welcome former NHLer and current Cognitive Performance Coach Aaron Volpatti. He is also the author of the book FIGHTER: Defying the NHL Odds, an autobiography on how he turned tragedy into triumph on his unlikely journey to playing in the National Hockey League. Listen as we discuss how he learned to leverage his mind to make an unlikely return to the ice following his severe burns that almost took his life, how that experience became a skill later in his career, and how coaches can offer support in their athletes visualizing their own peak performance.

In episode #213, USA Hockey's National Coach-in-Chief Mike MacMillan joins the show. MacMillan's role, along with the regional coach-in-chiefs, is to make decisions on how to best educate hockey coaches, and ultimately have a direct influence on the development opportunity afforded to young players in the US. Listen as he discusses the pageantry that is the Minnesota High School Championships, how tech is evolving coach education, and the positive role the game plays in supporting the overall development young boys and girls.

In episode #212, Erie Otters Head Coach Stan Butler stops by. Butler recently returned behind the bench after a two year break and is currently in his 26th season coaching in the CHL. He’s coached in over 1,600 OHL games and won 742 of them, ranking him in the top 5 in league history in both categories. Hear him discuss the influence his teaching career has had on his coaching career, the decision to stay in Junior hockey, and why he still has the juice to chase that elusive OHL crown with the Erie Otters.

In episode #211, we welcome Skating Coach Katy Jo West to the show. She is the founder of Katy Jo Power Skating, based just outside of Denver, Colorado, where she works with everyone from two and three year-old’s stepping onto the ice for the first time, right up to NHL players. West is also a presenter at this year's Global Skills Showcase, hosted by The Coaches Site. Listen as she discusses the fundamentals of becoming a great skater, getting comfortable with being unconventional, and hacks to running a business that requires you to be on the ice 40+ hours per week.

In episode #210, Skills Coach Brian Slugocki stops by to join the show. His current roles include Director of Skill Development for the Jr. Coyotes youth program, where he is also the Head Coach of the programs 10u elite team, Skill Development Consultant for the NHL Arizona Coyotes and prospects, Skills Coach for Total Package Hockey (TPH), all in addition to running private and small group training for youth players up to NHL players through his company Slugocki Hockey. Slugocki will be presenting at the 2023 Global Skills Showcase on how to develop hockey sense. Hear him discuss how you create a practice plan for elite players like Auston Matthews, what goes into creating a learning enivronment that develops hockey sense, and why you need to check for learning.

In episode #209, we connect with Paul Dyck, Head Coach and General Manager of the MJHL's Steinbach Pistons. The Pistons have been one of the most successful and consistent Junior A programs in Canada since Dyck stepped behind the bench part way through the 2012-2013 season. Listen as he discuss why great coaches find reasons why a team CAN succeed, the role grit plays in winning Championships and why you need to appreciate feedback from your fans, even if they interrupt your breakfast.

In episode #208, we're joined by Head Coach of the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds, Matt O'Dette. Coming off a season where he led the TBirds on an epic run to the WHL Finals, O'Dette has Seattle back in contention, currently sitting atop the Western Conference and ranked #4 in the CHL rankings with a roster full of talent. Hear him share why every team needs its own library, being neighbours with your goalie and how the secret to keeping the fire burning in your players is to actually start a fire.

In episode #207, we welcome a returning guest to the podcast, Brooks Bandits GM and Head Coach Ryan Papaioannou. He is currently in his 14th season behind the bench for the Bandits, a program that he's led to six AJHL Championships and three National CHampionships. Listen as he shares his offensive principles, the three qualities he looks for in players, and what it was like coaching a young Cale Makar.

In episode #206, we're joined by Tri-City Americans Owner and Head Coach Stu Barnes. Prior to coaching, Stu enjoyed a long NHL career as a player and has a long list of coaches that he either played for or has coached with, including the likes of Dave King, Roger Neilson, Lindy Ruff, Ken Hitchcock, Marc Crawford, and Dave Tippett. In today’s conversation, we discuss the type of relationship players value from their coach, how he collaborates with his coaching staff, and what he’s picked up from so many coaching greats.

In episode #205, we welcome Joel Martin, Head Coach of the ECHL's Kalamazoo Wings. Martin is in his first season as the Head Coach of he K-Wings, is currently one of only two black head coaches in North American professional hockey. Martin has spent a total of 14 seasons with the ECHL franchise, including nine as a goalie and four as a coach. He was named to the 14th ECHL Hall of Fame class January of 2022. Listen as he touches on why former goaltenders make great coaches, the power of postive affirmation and keeping things fun, and the principles to shutting teams down in your defensive zone.

We've got a special edition of the Glass and Out Podcast for you this week. During the holiday break, Breakaway, the Minor Hockey Podcast, was joined by one of the most influential voices in hockey, ESPN Hockey Analyst Ray Ferraro. In addition to his work on hockey broadcasts, Ferraro is also a sports parent, with four kids who played everything from hockey to soccer. Ferraro has seen first hand how the game and the parent-coach relationship have changed over time and he shared his coaching philosophy with Breakaway hosts Aaron Wilbur and Ian Taylor. There were more than a few gems dropped by Ferraro on how to improve today's game. Hear this must-listen conversation on the Glass and Out Podcast!

In episode #203, we're joined by Ken Martel, USA Hockey's Senior Director of Player & Coach Development. In his newly appointed role, he is charged with developing a framework for associations in the US to follow that leads to an enhanced player and coach development pathways. Listen as he shares his thoughts on what’s next in the evolution of player and coach development, how he approaches developing hockey in non-traditional markets, and the experience of growing up playing hockey in a pre-Gretzky California.

In episode 202 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're pleased to be joined by Pyry Lukkarila, Head of Coach Development for the Finnish Ice Hockey Association. Lukkarila has played a key role in re-shaping Finland’s coach education system and his unique role in the hockey industry has him in a constant state of uncovering what’s next by researching the top programs and coaches in and outside of hockey. If you look at the recent string of international success by a country of just under 67,000 hockey players, it's clear that his work is paying off. In the past three World Championships, the Finns have captured two Golds and one Silver. The previous eight World Junior Championships have resulted in three Golds, one Silver and one Bronze. And in the past six U18 World Championships, they have brought home two Golds, a Silver and a Bronze. Listen as he shares why coach education must always precede player development, why nothing is accomplished without good player-coach communication, and why alignment is critical

The Glass and Out Pod wants to wish everyone a Happy Holidays! To celebrate the start of this year's World Junior Championships, we're revisiting one of our favourite conversations from 2020 featuring two former Gold Medal winning coaches, Brent Sutter and Phil Housley. Brent Sutter led Canada to back-to-back gold medals in 2005 and 2006, going an incredible 12-0 in the process. The 2005 team is widely considered the best Canadian team of all-time, featuring a star-studded lineup of NHL All-Stars and future Hall of Famers. He would also return to coach in the 2014 tournament, where Canada finished fourth. Phil Housley was twice an assistant coach with Team USA in 2007 and 2011, capturing bronze medals both years. He would then return as the program’s Head Coach in 2013, leading them to the fourth gold medal in the country’s history. We hope you enjoy this very special talk, as the two share their experience leading their respective countries to Gold.

Nick Oliver, Head Coach of USHL's Fargo Force, stops in for episode 200 of the Glass and Out Podcast. At the time of this recording, Oliver had the Force sitting atop the USHL standings, but what is most impressive about his story is the rapid rise he’s made up the coaching ladder since completing his collegiate career at St. Cloud State University. Despite no prior experience, the Wannaska, Minnesota native got his coaching career started when he was invited to join the Sioux Falls Stampede's staff as an Assistant Coach and Director of Scouting. Three seasons later, he returned to St Cloud, where he was captain his senior season, to join the staff of current Head Coach Brett Larson. During his three seasons at St. Cloud, Oliver assisted the program in reaching three straight NCAA tournament berths and one NCHC regular season Conference Championship. He then returned to another of his former teams, the Fargo Force, where he has been the Head Coach since May of 2022. It’s worth noting that throughout his care

We're joined by member of the Norwegian Ice Hockey Federation, Tobias Johansson, for episode 199 of the Glass and Out Podcast. He has quietly become of one the most influential coaches in our sport and as you’ll soon hear, he isn’t afraid to think outside the box. Johansson, who hails from Sweden, has served as the country's Director of Player Development since 2021 and will be leading the Men's National Team as Head Coach at the upcoming World Championships being hosted this May in Finland and Latvia. Prior to crossing the border to Norway, he spent nine seasons with the legendary Swedish program, Frölunda HC, beginning as the programs U16 coach before being promoted to Director of Player Development. Frölunda is of course considered one of the top development programs in the world, and boasts an alumni list that includes Lucas Raymond, Rasmus Dahlin, Robin Lehner, John Klingberg, Henrik Lundqvist, and Daniel Alfredsson. Listen as he explains why your players should try beat the defender 1v1 at the offensive

In episode 198 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome Dan Muse, Head Coach of the US National Development Programs U18 Team. If you attended TCS Live this past June, then you would have seen Muse on stage presenting on The Importance of the Second Player in Puck Support and Puck Pressure. Stay tuned for that presentation coming later this season on The Coaches Site. Muse got his start in coaching as an Assistant Coach at Milton Academy, following a four year playing career at Stonehill College, where he majored in Criminal Justice. He worked his way into the Div I ranks, beginning at Sacred Heart University, before joining Keith Allain’s staff at Yale. In 2013, Yale captured the programs first ever National Championship. While at Yale, Muse also participated in the World Junior Championships on two occasions as the Video Coaches for Team USA. In 2015, he was named the Head Coach of the USHL’s Chicago Steel. Despite the program having gone seven seasons without the reaching the post-season, Muse led them on

Carla MacLeod, Head Coach of both the University of Calgary Women’s program as well as the Czechia National Women’s team, joins us for episode 197 of the Glass and Out Podcast. MacLeod is currently in her second season with the Dinos program, and will be leading Czechia at the upcoming World Championships after guiding the team to its first ever medal at the 2022 event in August. Her unique ability to inspire what some may consider underdog programs have helped her gain notoriety in the hockey community. From 2011 through 2014, MacLeod was an Assistant Coach with the Japanese National team and helped it qualify for the 2014 Sochi Olympics. It was the first time they had done so since hosting the first female Olympic tournament at the ’98 games in Nagano. MacLeod got her coaching career started with the Edge School’s U18 Female program. In 2020, the program captured the first ever Canadian Sport School Hockey League Female U18 Prep division Championship. During her tenure, the team upheld an average GPA of 89%

In episode 196 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we're joined by Brad Yetman, Head Coach of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey. At just 31-years-old, Yetman is one of hockey’s up and coming coaching talents. He is currently in the midst of his fourth season with the Huskies. In 2019, he was hired as an Assistant Coach on Mario Pouliot’s staff. Late in his third season, he took over the reigns as Interim Head Coach after Pouliot stepped away from the team due to health issues. He was ultimately handed the role full time, despite barely two years of experience coaching at the Major Junior level. It’s also worth noting that Yetman is the first New Foundlander to be a Head Coach at the Major Junior level.   Prior to joining the Huskies, Brad was the Head Coach of the East Coast Blizzards program, in the Newfoundland U18 Major Hockey League. During this time he also scouted for the Shawinigan Cataracts, the team that originally drafted him in the Q.   As a player, he spent four sea

For episode 195, we're going back into The Coaches Site vault to hear LA Kings Head Coach Todd McLellan's 2021 Virtual Hockey Summit presentation titled "Coaching: Today, Tomorrow & Beyond." The talk is a foundational piece of content for coaches of all levels and provides a practical framework, particularly at the youth level, on how to handle adversity and shape their approach to the season. Over the past 28 years, McLellan has been a coach in the SJHL, WHL, IHL, AHL & NHL, and in all but three of those seasons, he’s been at the helm. He’s in his eighth season as NHL Head Coach and third with the Los Angeles Kings. McLellan has a Stanley Cup under his belt from his time with the Detroit Red Wings in 2007-08, and on January 2, 2022, he won his 500th NHL game, becoming the 27th coach in league history to accomplish the feat. Listen as McLellan shares his thoughts about why there certainly is an I in team, a player’s mindset versus a coach’s mindset, and how to develop a player support system t