

The Hockey Think Tank Podcast
thehockeythinktank
The Hockey Think Tank Podcast brings incredible stories, interviews, and great perspective from some of the top hockey minds in the game. Hosted by Topher Scott & Jeff LoVecchio, our podcast will educate and inspire all those that love the game! For all the players, coaches, and hockey parents out there...make this your Go-To show on your way to the rink!
Join our Community here!
Join our Community here!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 30, 2026 • 1h 11min
Everything That Hockey Should Be, with Guest Jay Hardwick, Warroad Head Coach - EP 410
This week Topher talks with Jay Hardwick, head coach of the Warroad Minnesota boys high school ice hockey team. Hardwick’s team just won the Minnesota State High School Championship, so we brought him on to talk about the Minnesota model and what it takes to win it all.
In this episode we talk about:
— The right attitude to best support your team
— Setting the example for future hockey generations
— What it means to be a “rink rat”
— The need for great leadership in your locker room
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.

Mar 27, 2026 • 11min
FRIDAY FACEOFF - PARENTS AREN’T THE PROBLEM?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Vechs wants to talk about one of our recent viral clips that said, “parents aren’t the problem, confusion is.” The way a club communicates affects how parents talk about that organization. We received a wide range of comments, so let’s talk about why the claim was so controversial.
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.

Mar 25, 2026 • 11min
SHORT SHIFTS - SEASON JUST ENDED… NOW WHAT?
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Vechs wants to talk about the number one question he gets this time of the year; “my season just ended, what should I do now and what should my summer look like?” Listen for our best advice on what to do during your off-season.
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.

Mar 23, 2026 • 1h 36min
The 5 Biggest Things We Have Learned About Youth Hockey This Season, with Guests Matt Thomas & Steph Dukesherer, HTT Team Members - EP 409
This week Topher talks with Matt Thomas and Steph Dukesherer, two members of the HTT squad that work directly with our youth hockey organization partners. The Hockey Think Tank’s Organizational Blueprint is designed to give clubs clear direction, purpose, and organization. If you think we could help your organization with any of the topics we talked about today, click the link below!
Refer Your Organization
In this episode we talk about:
— Navigating tryouts
— Parent education
— Best communication practices
— Tools to increase retention rates
— Youth hockey boards
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!
The 5 Things I Wish Everyone Knew About Youth Hockey Boards
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.

Mar 20, 2026 • 15min
FRIDAY FACEOFF - BUILDING RESILIENCY?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about the importance of building resiliency. If you have high hopes and big dreams, chances are you will face adversity along the way. How far you make it depends on your resiliency.
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.

Mar 18, 2026 • 11min
SHORT SHIFTS - FUN WAYS TO START & END PRACTICE
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about some fun ways to start and end practice, so that your players are excited to hit the ice every time.
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.

Mar 16, 2026 • 1h 33min
The Power of Playing for Something Bigger Than Yourself - EP 408
This week Topher and Jeff fly solo to talk about the power of playing for something bigger than yourself. We discuss the huge impact it can have not only on yourself as a player, but also on your entire team. It's not just talent that gets you to the next level; it’s life skills.
In this episode we talk about:
— Playing for the people that got you here
— Playing for the people that came before you
— Playing for the next generation
— Playing for a team that plays for each other
— Playing for your future self
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.

Mar 13, 2026 • 11min
FRIDAY FACEOFF - FINDING YOUR NEXT PASSION AFTER PLAYING?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to answer a listener’s question about finding the next thing you can be passionate about after you finish playing, whether it’s at the youth, college, or pro level.
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.

Mar 11, 2026 • 11min
SHORT SHIFTS - ADJUSTING TO A NEW TEAM & SYSTEM
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, coming off the recent NHL trade deadline, Toph wants to talk about how to best navigate and adjust to a new team and their systems.
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.

Mar 9, 2026 • 1h 16min
Defining What it Means to Be 100% All In, with Guest Jacob Newton, Performance Coach - EP 407
This week Topher and Jeff talk with Jacob Newton, former professional hockey player and current performance coach. Newton played in the USHL, at Northeastern University, and played professionally in the AHL and Europe.
In this episode we talk about:
— Newton’s recent book release: The tears of Happy Jake
— That no athlete is 24/7, 365 and the importance of an off switch
— How to be present with your game and the key to reflecting
— The most important thing to be successful in hockey
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!
THE TEARS OF HAPPY JAKE
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.


