

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

May 16, 2025 • 12min
FRIDAY FACEOFF - POSTGAME SPEECHES?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about postgame speeches and what you’ve gotta include. Be authentic and always go back to your process and your identity.
TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!
We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!
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.

May 14, 2025 • 11min
SHORT SHIFTS - GARBAGE GOALS
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about a topic one of our listeners suggested: garbage goals. We define what they are, how to score more of them, and how to have that scoring mentality.
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.

May 12, 2025 • 1h 29min
The Winning Mindset: Comprehensive Excellence, Relentlessness, & Loving the Process of Doing Extra With Guest Pat Ferschweiler, Western Michigan Broncos Head Coach - EP 364
This week Topher and Jeff talk with Pat Ferschweiler, Western Michigan Broncos men’s ice hockey head coach and 2025 Frozen Four Men’s Ice Hockey Championship winner. Fersch joins us on the pod to talk about what it takes to win it all.
In this episode we talk about:
— How the men’s ice hockey team won the title without any NIL money
— That no matter how good you were, you have to be better than your previous year
— How coaches shouldn’t have to coach effort
— How to keep players emotionally engaged
— Knowing how hard to push your players
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!
If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out!
PARENTS & RECRUITING 101 COURSES
BLUEPRINT ORGANIZATION REFERRAL
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.

May 9, 2025 • 12min
FRIDAY FACEOFF - HEAD SHOTS?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about head shots from hits. We’ve seen a few in the past couple of weeks in the NHL playoffs, so let’s talk about them.
TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!
We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!
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.

May 7, 2025 • 11min
SHORT SHIFTS - HOW DO YOU HELP SKILLED PLAYERS WITH LOW CONFIDENCE
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about a question submitted by one of our listeners; “How do you help skilled players with low confidence in their own skills?” We discuss what to do when they look good in practice, but can’t seem to replicate their skills in a game.
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.

May 5, 2025 • 1h 21min
Breaking Down the Modern Game: Fine Details, Current Trends, & Shooting Techniques With Guest Mike McGinnis, NorCan Hockey - EP 363
This week Topher and Jeff talk with Mike McGinnis, player development coach with NorCan Hockey. Using his experience with Hockey Alberta and his current business, McGinnis provided us with some great insight regarding the modern aspects of the game.
In this episode we talk about:
— The importance of being able to stick handle by feel, and not needing to look at the puck
— Modern vs “old-school” shooting techniques
— How 60% of NHL passes are contested, so you should include contested passes in practices
— Having a balance of unstructured play and structured practice to not create bad habits
— Comparing Scandinavian to North American development models
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!
If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out!
PARENTS & RECRUITING 101 COURSES
BLUEPRINT ORGANIZATION REFERRAL
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.

May 2, 2025 • 11min
FRIDAY FACEOFF - THE DECLINE OF REC HOCKEY?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about the decline of recreational and house league hockey. There is an immense pressure to jump to the next level as quickly as possible, so we’re seeing a large gap between Learn to Play and what's next. Let’s talk about how this is affecting our sport.
TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!
We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!
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.

Apr 30, 2025 • 12min
SHORT SHIFTS - COMPETE LEVEL
On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about one of the most important things every player needs: a high compete level. What does that mean? Let’s talk about it!
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.

Apr 28, 2025 • 1h 31min
Let’s Talk All Things Goaltending With Guest Steve Thompson, USA Hockey Manager of Player Development for Goaltending - EP 362
This week Topher and Jeff talk with Steve Thompson, Manager of Player Development for Goaltending for USA Hockey. Thompson played college hockey at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and now is an integral part of USA Hockey’s goaltending development. This episode has so many great nuggets not just for our goalies, but coaches, parents, and players too!
In this episode we talk about:
— Thompson’s unique experience at the Beijing Olympics having to quarantine because of Covid
— Advice for non-goalie coaches to help their goalies in games, practices, etc.
— The shortage of goaltenders and why it is a big deal
— How goalies should choose what team to play for
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!
If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out!
PARENTS & RECRUITING 101 COURSES
BLUEPRINT ORGANIZATION REFERRAL
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.

Apr 25, 2025 • 10min
FRIDAY FACEOFF - RESTING PLAYERS FOR PLAYOFFS?!
On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about resting players going into the playoffs. Join us for this controversial topic on whether or not the best players should sit the final games of the season in order to prepare for the post season. As always, head to our socials and tell us your thoughts on this topic!
TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW!
We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!
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.


