Glass & Out

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, w

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

In episode #278, Kim Weiss, Video Coach of the Colorado Eagles, stops by to chat. She is a trail blazer who has relied on one tried and true method to advancing in her coaching career: learning how to make the players better. Previously, she would become the first female to earn a win as a Head Coach in North American junior hockey with the Maryland Black Bears and was also named an Assistant Coach with the mens team at Trinity College, her alma mater, making her the first female to coach at the NCAA level on the male side. In addition, Weiss is a two-time TCS Live presenter, covering Strategy for OT and Shootouts and Incorporating Wall Play into Practice. Listen as she shares advice for aspiring female coaches, why coaching is all about helping players get better and why wall play is an undertaught skill.

In episode #277, we had the pleasure of being joined by Duante' Abercrombie, who will be leading Tennessee State University as Head Coach in their inaugural season as a Div. 1 hockey program next season. In the process, TSU will become the first HBCU(Historically Black College or University) hockey program in history. A glance at Abercrombie's resume leaves no doubt that he is the right person to lead the Tigers. That includes his time as an Assistant Coach with Stevenson University, becoming just the fourth coach of colour at that time in the NCAA. Professionally, he spent the 2022-23 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs organizations and has also been a part of several NHL BIPOC programs, spending time with the San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins, Nashville Predators and Arizona Coyotes. Last year, he was nominated for Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award for his work with the Washington Capitals' Black Hockey Committee and the Rising Stars Academy. Listen as he shares what the new role at TSU means to him, how hock

In episode #276, we welcome Ottawa Senators Assistant Coach Ben Sexton, who presented at TCS Live 2024 on the fundamentals of the penalty kill. After retiring early from his playing career due to concussions, Sexton fell into the coaching arena when Mike Valluci, his Head Coach with the Wilkes-Barrie Penguins, offered him the opportunity to join the coaching staff while he was recovering from his injuries. The following season he stepped behind the bench full time with the AHL’s Belleville Senators. Three seasons later, he was promoted to the big club, where he and the rest of Travis Green’s staff are looking to lead the Sens to the post season for the first time since 2017. Listen as he shares why today's players are having trouble processing the game, why teams need to believe in their structure and details, and embracing the philosophy of thinking like a player and acting like a coach.

In episode #275, we're revisiting one of the highlights of last year's TCS Live conference. International speaker, best-selling author and Founder of the Changing the Game Project John O’Sullivan took to the stage to share how to take your coaching from transactional to transformational. O'Sullivan has dedicated his life to enhancing the experience kids have with youth sports by educating and inspiring the adults in the equation, namely their coaches and parents. He’s been featured on CNN, ESPN and NBC Sports, along with speaking at TEDx, and to the US Olympic Committee, US Soccer, USA Wrestling, USA Swimming, US Ski and Snowboard, Ireland Rugby and Australian Rugby League. And with that in mind, Our team at The Coaches Site are excited to announce that we have collaborated with John on a course focused on the How To’s of Transformational Coaching. You can learn more about the course here. Listen as he shares why great coaches win the relationship game, why we must be outcome aware but driven by process, and

In episode #274, we sat down with Bert Gilling, Head Coach of Mount Royal University, at Hockey Calgary’s Leadership Day. The event brings together hundreds of coaches from across Calgary to kick off the season, break bread over dinner, hear technical presentations, a keynote speaker, and of course the Glass and Out Podcast.  In 2014, Gilling was named the Head Coach of Mount Royal University, a program he has turned into a perennial contender in Canadian University Hockey or USports. Currently, the Cougars are tied for first place in the Canada West Conference and off to a 7-1 start. Listen as he shares how to design an optimal practice environment, building two-way relationships with your players, and the need for more mentorship in youth hockey.

In episode #273, we're honored to welcome Army West Point Head Coach Brian Riley. At the end of this season, Riley, who has been the Head Coach at Army since 2004, and prior to that an Assistant Coach for the program for an additional 12 seasons, is retiring.  Combined with his father, who coached at Army for 36 seasons, and brother Rob, who coached 19 seasons, the Riley family has spent for over 75 consecutive seasons in charge of the Black Knights program. To say that the Riley family is a part of the DNA of the United States Military Academy would be an understatement. Listen as he shares what makes West Point the preeminent leadership insitution in the world, carrying the responsibility of honoring every player's legacy, and why creating the power of of one is the key to overcoming any obstacle.

In episode #272, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Iowa Wild GM Matt Hendricks at the Minnesota High School Hockey Coaches Association’s Fall Clinic for a live interview. Prior to being named the GM, Hendricks spent five seasons as the Wild’s Assistant Director of Player Development. Of course, prior to that he suited up for over 600 NHL games, spending time with the Avalanche, Capitals, Oilers, Jets and Wild. Growing up, he captained Blaine High School to a Minnesota State Championship and if you’ve never spent time in Minnesota, that is a HUGE deal in that part of the world. Listen as he shares what makes hockey in Minnesota so special, why there's no forward button on player development, and why small area games are key, even at the NHL level.

In episode #271, we welcome Vegas Golden Knights Player Development Consultant Scott Jones. Jones works primarily with the Golden Knights prospects and the Henderson Golden Knights, their American League affiliate. He got his start in pro hockey with the Hershey Bears and since 2017 has been the Director of Player Development with the OHL's Sarnia Sting. Jones has twice been been featured at a TCS event, including his 2021 Global Skills Showcase presentation and his on-ice presentation at this September's TCS Live at St. Andrew's College, which will be available on TCS later this season. Listen as he shares why good skill development is about knowing when to slow things down, why hockey is just a series of patterns, and what core skills kids are missing out on in the current state of player development.

In episode #270, we're joined by Assistant Coach of the Calgary Flames, Cail MacLean. Between his time cutting his teeth near the beaches of Charleston, South Carolina with the ECHL's Stingrays, and standing behind an NHL bench in Calgary for three seasons, MacLean has touched each rung of the coaching ladder. He joined us as a presenter at TCS Live this past June at the University of Michigan, showcasing how coaches can drive more play through the middle of the ice, and his polish and delivery stood out. Stay tuned for that presentation coming soon on TCS! Listen as he shares why he prioritizes principles over systems, the importance of creating game-like practices, and looking outside hockey to grow as a coach.

In episode #269, we're excited to have Rachel Flanagan, Assistant Coach of the newly named Toronto Sceptres of the PWHL, stop by. Now heading into her second season with Toronto, she previously spent 16 seasons building the University of Guelph into a perennial contender, including a National Championship in 2019 Rachel presented at our inaugural TCS Live at St. Andrew's College in September and showed how you can manipulate your opponents forecheck by owning and breaking out through the middle of the ice. Stay tuned for that coming soon on The Coaches Site! Listen as she shares the importance of constantly evolving your team, tips on building confidence to take risks, and why leading with a question is always the key to learning and growth.

In episode #268, we're joined by Ben Barr, who is entering his 4th season as the Head Coach of the University of Maine Black Bears. Maine hockey was a wagon through 90’s capturing two National Championships under the legendary Shawn Walsh, and would remain in contention up until 2007 under Tim Whitehead. But since then, the program had made only one tournament appearance, in 2012, until last spring when they were again recognized in the National rankings and returned to the big dance under Barr's leadership. Listen as he shares how he's helped revive the Black Bears program, dealing with the challenge of a losing season, and why it's important to find the value in players other than goals and assists.

In episode #267, we welcome back former Glass and Out guest and presenter at last June's TCS Live, Mitch Love. Mitch is heading into his second season as an Assistant Coach with the Washington Capitals.  When he last joined the show, he was coming off his first season as the Head Coach of the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades in 2019. Since then, he spent two seasons as the Head Coach of the Calgary Flames AHL affiliate, winning back to back coach of the year Awards. Needless to say, at 40 years old, Mitch is one of the top young coaches in the game. Listen as he shares how the Capitals are preparing heading into training camp, why you have to stay on top of your players when it comes to details, and why breaking out the puck is an underrated skill that every defencemen needs to have.

We're back for season 8! To kick things off, we share our exclusive sit down with Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving which took place at our inaugral minor hockey masterclass, TCS Live at St. Andrew's College. The best part was that we got the privilege of donating $5,000 dollars to HEROS on Brad’s behalf. Hockey Education Reaching Out Society aka HEROS is a volunteer driven charity that teaches life skills and empowers marginalised youth through hockey. They provide free programs to youth of all backgrounds from grade four through post-secondary, and his donation is going to put 10 kids through their program this season.  Listen as he shares how player development as evolved during his time in the game, how his management career started with a hockey league in Texas, and why mental health of players needs to be priority for everyone involved in hockey.