Episodes

  • Former NHL and NBA Executive John Weisbrod: Running the Orlando Magic, key lessons from Lamoriello and Hughes family hockey sense
    Jan 30 2025

    In episode #286, we're joined by John Weisbrod, former NHL executive, scout and NBA GM. Yes, you read that correctly.

    After a playing career that saw Weisbrod win a National Championship at Harvard and attend the San Jose Sharks first training camp, he pivoted to a career in team building.

    After getting his start in Albany of the AHL, he would travel to Orlando where his time with the IHL's Solar Bears resulted in him being named the GM of the Magic for one season.

    Following that, he would return to hockey, spending time as a scout and Assistant GM with the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks.

    You’re going to want to hear Weisbrod's story. He might just be the most interesting man in hockey.

    Listen as he shares the story behind running an NBA franchise, key lessons while working under Lou Lamoriello and why hockey sense runs throughout the Hughes family.

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    1 hr and 44 mins
  • Windsor Spitfires Head Coach Greg Walters: Applying internal psychology, starting with your breakout and a culture of quality
    Jan 23 2025

    In episode #285, we welcome Head Coach of the Windsor Spitfires, Greg Walters, someone who has thrived on his ability to be consistent and has never had a losing season.

    He is currently in his first season with the Spitfires following a year suspension that involved an inappropriate altercation with another Owen Sound employee. In this episode, he shares what he learned from that experience and we believe it’s something that all coaches can benefit from hearing.

    Following eight seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Sarnia Sting to begin his coaching journey, Walters took over the Georgetown Raiders of the Ontario Jr A league for eight seasons, guiding them to 295 wins, a league championship and earning himself both coach and executive of the year honors.

    He would then return to the OHL as a Head Coach in Oshawa and Owen Sound, before landing in Windsor following the aforementioned suspension.

    Listen as he shares what he learned from incident that led to his suspension and the work he's done to overcome it, why good defence starts with breaking out the puck, and creating a culture of quality and self-evaluation.

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    44 mins
  • USA Hockey Manager of Goalie Development Steve Thompson: Youth Hockey retention, learning from every goal and goalie practice planning
    Jan 16 2025

    In episode #284, we're joined by the Manager of Goalie Development for USA Hockey, Steve Thompson.

    It’s no secret that the US has become a bit of a goaltending factory. For example, last season, of the goalies who played a minimum of 15 games in the NHL, four of the top six, seven of the top 11, and nine of the top 20 in save percentage were American. As Thompson explains it, this surge in goaltending development starts with focusing at the grassroot levels.

    The native of Alaska played college hockey at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and immediately jumped into developing the next wave of goalies upon graduation.

    As you’re about to hear, Thompson's enthusiasm for the position is contagious, and much of what he offers from a development perspective applies to players of all positions.

    Listen as he shares why retention should be a youth coaches number one measure of success, why every goal against is an opportunity to learn, and the importance of keeping your goalies in mind during practice planning.

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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • University of Minnesota-Duluth Head Coach Laura Schuler: Hockey teaches life lessons, prescouting for tendencies and creating predictable structure
    Jan 9 2025

    For episode #283, we welcome former TCS contributor and current Head Coach of the University of Minnesota-Duluth women's program, Laura Schuler.

    Schuler has enjoyed a remarkable and diverse career that has seen her be on the forefront of the evolution of the Women's game as both a player and coach, including leading some of the most talented teams, both internationally and at the NCAA level.

    That includes being named the Head Coach Canada’s National Team in 2015 and leading the program to a Silver medal at the 2018 Olympics.

    Make sure to check out her TCS series, Finding the Details with Laura Schuler for a break down of the the key details and habits that are critical to creating consistency in your team’s play.

    Listen as she shares why hockey is one the best labrotories for life lessons, why coaches should be focusing on tendencies in prescouts, and becoming a threat by creating a predictable structure.

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    58 mins
  • The Coaches Site Year-in-Review 2024: Content Top 5s, TCS Live Highlights and Spicy Wings
    Jan 2 2025

    Happy New Years! For episode #282, we thought we’d kick off the second half of the season by going back and looking at our most popular content on The Coaches Site from this past year. And to help us reflect on our biggest year yet, we've recruited our Director of Content, Derek Jory.

    You know how great teams have “Glue Guys” or teammates that ensure everyone feels important and that the rink is a destination? Well, Derek is that person on our TCS team.

    He has a unique background in that he spent 13 years with the Vancouver Canucks as their lead content writer for their website and social media channels. He is also is the MC of TCS Live and has become the star of the show with his wardrobe, larger than life hair and dad jokes.

    Listen as we look back at the top 5 articles, TCS Live presentations, community content, and podcasts of the year. If you want to learn what goes on behind the scenes at The Coaches Site, you’re going to enjoy this episode.

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    1 hr and 38 mins
  • ESPN Analyst Ray Ferraro: World Junior memories, broadcasting origins and pizza in Russia
    Dec 26 2024

    For episode #281, we're joined by a very special guest to help get you all set for this year's World Junior Championships.

    As a part of TSN's WJC coverage, Ray Ferraro had a front row seat at the tournament for 12 consecutive seasons. During that time, he saw some incredible players and games, and is here to share some of those highlights.

    Ferraro is of course a former NHL player who suited up for over 1,200 games. He currently works for ESPN and is one of the best analysts in hockey, and more than anything, is as passionate about the game as they come.

    Listen as he shares standout teams and players during his time broadcasting the tournament, his broadcasting origins, and some incredible travel stories.

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Hershey Bears Head Coach Todd Nelson: Creating a family atmosphere, drills with purpose and development through winning
    Dec 19 2024

    In episode #280, we welcome Todd Nelson, Head Coach of the Hershey Bears and reigning winner of the Louis AR Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding coach.

    Nelson and the Bears are coming off back-to-back Calder Cup championships and looking to add a third consectuvie this season. He is only the third person to capture the trophy as a player, an Assistant Coach and a Head Coach, and overall has been a part of eight championship teams throughout his playing and coaching career.

    Having already made three stops in the NHL, twice as an Assistant Coach with Atlanta and Dalals and once as a Head Coach with Edmonton, we wouldn't doubt his call up to the top league is coming soon.

    Listen as he shares why creating a family atmosphere is key to team culture, why you need to have a purpose to every drill, and why winning is the best form of development.

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • The Athletic's Craig Custance: How to build winning teams, key traits of great leaders and future NHL GMs
    Dec 12 2024

    In episode #279, we're joined by Craig Custance, who is the Head of Creative Development at The Athletic.

    Custance recently released his second book, The Franchise: The Business of Building Winning Teams, which features in-depth interviews with some of the top team builders in hockey, including Tampa Bay Lightning GM Julien BriseBois, New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello, and many more.

    The book showcases the unique path each of these individuals has taken to land in their current roles, the challenges they’ve faced in their careers and the decisions that have led them and their teams to the pinnacle of the sport.

    Custance got his start in hockey by covering the Atlanta Thrashers for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and joined ESPN in 2011 as a National Hockey writer. In 2017, he joined The Athletic and has played a pivotal role in growing the company into a global sports brand that today serves over 11 million subscribers.

    Listen as he shares key lessons learned from hockey's top builders, the traits that all great leaders have in common, and future GM's to watch out for.

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    1 hr and 2 mins