The Hockey Think Tank Podcast

thehockeythinktank
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Feb 18, 2026 • 11min

SHORT SHIFTS - HOW DO I KNOW I DID A GOOD JOB THIS YEAR AS A COACH?

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about how to know whether or not you did a good job as a coach this year. It can be difficult to evaluate your performance, so we give some tips to help you reflect. 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.
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Feb 16, 2026 • 1h 3min

Increasing Accessibility & Affordability in Hockey with Guest Zechariah Thomas, Swift Hockey Founder - EP 404

This week Topher and Jeff talk with Zechariah Thomas, CEO and founder of Swift Hockey. Swift Hockey is the fastest growing stick brand in the ice hockey world and their mission is to increase affordability and accessibility in our sport. In this episode we talk about: — How Swift Hockey started and their mission in making hockey more affordable — Being a first generation hockey player and navigating the hockey world — The importance of volume and repetition when you practice — What it’s like competing against the biggest hockey gear companies 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 SWIFT HOCKEY STICKS 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.
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Feb 13, 2026 • 11min

FRIDAY FACEOFF - HATE TO LOSE OR LOVE TO WIN?!

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss the phrases “hate to lose” vs “love to win.” Which one suits you best and what does it say about you as a player or coach? 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.
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Feb 11, 2026 • 11min

SHORT SHIFTS - ONE-TIMERS

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about one-timers. What are some of the most important things you should know about this type of shot? 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.
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Feb 9, 2026 • 1h 31min

Growth Isn’t Always Linear: It's About Getting Back on the Path with Guest Matt Fornataro, Performance Coach - EP 403

This week Topher and Jeff talk with Matt Fornataro, former professional hockey player and now performance coach. Fornataro played in the United States Hockey League, then played for University of New Hampshire, and later went pro for a couple of years. In this episode we talk about: — How one bad game doesn’t make you a bad player — The difference between goals and standards — How kids don’t have time to be bored anymore — How you see a different side of your kids than what their coach sees 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.
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Feb 6, 2026 • 10min

FRIDAY FACEOFF - FINISHING THE SEASON STRONG?!

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Vechs is flying solo for the first time ever and he wants to discuss how to finish the season strong. While everyone is stressing about playoffs or next season, Vechs encourages players, coaches, and parents to stay present and be in the moment. 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.
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Feb 4, 2026 • 12min

SHORT SHIFTS - BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR PLAYERS

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about the importance of building relationships with your players. How much time are you investing into getting to know your players as individuals away from the rink? 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.
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Feb 2, 2026 • 1h 17min

Letting Kids Be Kids with Guests Luciano Aquino and Carlo Colaiacovo, Former Professional Hockey Players - EP 402

This week Topher and Jeff talk with Luciano Aquino and Carlo Colaiacovo, former professional hockey players. Aquino played at the collegiate level and OHL level and Colaiacovo was a first round pick for the Toronto Maple Leafs. With their own professional careers, and now personal experiences as hockey dads, they join us on the podcast to talk all about prioritizing letting kids just be kids first. In this episode we talk about: — Benching kids mid-game — How kids are on the ice way too much — Our thoughts on the Brick Tournament — How people try to predict whether an 8 year old will make the NHL 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.
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Jan 30, 2026 • 8min

FRIDAY FACEOFF - RADICAL TRANSPARENCY?!

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to discuss the need for youth hockey organizations to be radically transparent in everything they do. The more you effectively communicate at the beginning, the fewer fires you will have to put out during your 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 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.
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Jan 28, 2026 • 9min

SHORT SHIFTS - PLAYING OFFENSIVELY BEHIND THE NET

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about using the back of the net in the offensive zone. The game is constantly changing, so let’s discuss the modern ways of playing behind the net. 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.

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