The Hockey Strength Podcast

Coach B is currently the Associate Athletic Director/Director of Athletic Performance at Quinnipiac University where he works primarily with Men's and Women's Basketball and Hockey, winning a national championship with Men's Hockey. Coach B has been in this field for over 20 years and offers a wealth of knowledge in practically every domain. In this episode, our main focus is on how B went from being the first full time Strength and Conditioning Coach at Quinnipiac, to winning a national championship. Coach B speaks to his philosophy, how he gets his student-athletes to buy in, and how he maintains his culture on a day to day basis.  You can learn more about Coach B at his website, coachbpatel.com, and follow him on Instagram and X @bpatel515 As always, you can find the show notes at the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com

This is a special episode of the Hockey Strength Podcast. David speaks with the NEXT host and head honcho of the podcast and SCAPH website, Pat Dugan. Pat is the Head Performance Coach of the Providence Bruins, the AHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins. He brings a wealth of enthusiasm, in-the-trenches knowledge, and a chocolate lab to the show. We're super excited for the next chapter for SCAPH, the Hockey Strength Podcast, and the hockey performance community. Fill out the Google Form to have your voice heard! https://forms.gle/iqqmycV1sJ1vbiug7 You can find links to everything discussed at the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com Follow Pat on Instagram @patxdugan  

About Joe: Joe Meloni is currently the Head Strength Coach for the US National Team Development Program. After starting his career in the private sector at Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning, he spent time working in AAA and the USHL before starting his position with NTDP. In the summers, he works as a performance coach at GVN Performance where he works with elite professional, collegiate, and junior players. In this episode, we discuss... How Joe got his start at Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning. What makes it the absolute FACTORY for elite strength coaches MBSC is. Lessons from mentors. How a warm-up led to an unexpected job opportunity (and what you can learn from it.) Joe's experience at the Men's World Championships in Finland.  For show notes and more, head to the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com

Chad Drummond, the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Edmonton Oilers, joins the show. Links: Thinking Outside the kBox: Holistic Eccentric Training for Hockey Players The High-Performance Hockey Podcast with Chad Drummond For more, head to the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com

In this episode of the hockey strength podcast, David is Joined by Paul Valukas from the University of Wisconsin. Paul opens up the show by discussing how a unique experience in Patagonia taught him about leadership and solidified his love for strength and conditioning. He then dives deep into his time at the University of Denver, where he truly learned that gym layout, appropriate cueing and attention to detail go a long way toward getting the most out of your athletes.   Like many high-level coaches, Paul has had the chance to work in both the professional and collegiate levels. He touches on some of the major differences between the two settings and provides a wealth of knowledge surrounding the big rocks that collegiate strength coaches should focus on with their athletes.    Later, David shifts the conversation to an article that Paul wrote for the SCAPH website titled "Why You Need a Multi-Directional Warm-Up".   The two get into the importance of using varying structures, planes, and movement patterns to make the most out of your daily warm-up routine while keeping your athletes interested and engaged.   For all of the links mentioned and more great hockey-specific strength and conditioning articles and webinars, head to the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com

In this episode of the Hockey Strength Podcast, David interviews Anthony Donskov. Anthony is the owner of Donskov Strength and Conditioning (DSC) in Columbus, Ohio, the author of several books, a published researcher with a Ph.D, and now, the host of the The High Performance Hockey Podcast. In this episode, David and Anthony use the question ‘what is science’ as the foundation for discussing the scientific method and why having a healthy dose of skepticism is important for any performance coach. Later, they discuss Anthony’s new course, The High-Performance Hockey Masterclass. Anthony touches on his approach to finding and analyzing research papers, a key ability for any Strength and Conditioning coach that wants to stay up to date with the field. Finally, they talk about what it means to be a “serial specialist.” For all of the links discussed, you can check out the Show Notes for this episode at the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com.

On this episode of the hockey strength podcast, David is joined by the strength coach, author, and pioneer in the S&C space (and one of the first ever NHL strength coaches), Peter Twist. Coach Twist shares his climb from graduate student to the NHL, discussing some of his unconventional mentors, and ow they helped him develop his own perspectives on leadership, athletic development and life. He shares how periodization should allow athletes to chase long-term goals, while also keeping the sights set on game-day performance, and the diamond periodization Coach Twist uses. Coach Twist shows explains how the current conception of "functional training" does not exactly mesh with the intended purpose behind the functional training philosophy.  To round out the show, Peter provides a very brief overview of the many different projects he is currently working on in an attempt to share his wealth of knowledge and help others live a healthful, fulfilling life.  For the Links to everything discussed, head to the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com  

In this episode, David is joined by Stephane Gervais from the Laval Rocket (Montreal Canadiens, AHL).  Stephane and David discuss Stephane's experiences in Europe, and how speaking French has helped him as a coach, especially in the unique market of professional hockey in Quebec.   He then discusses the various challenges he faced during his first year as a head strength coach in the AHL and the innovative solutions he utilized to move past them.    The bulk of the conversation centers on the rehabilitation process, touching on Stephane's recent presentation at the SCAPH + IHPS conference.   Stephane lays out the big rocks of his return to play protocol and provides on-ice strategies that can be easily implemented when bringing a player back from injury.     For the Links to everything discussed, including the link to the full presentation, head to the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com

In this episode, David chats with Tim Lebbossiere, the Assistant Performance Coach for the Boston Bruins.    Tim and David open the podcast by touching on Tim's recent promotion to the big club, and expands on the differences between the AHL and NHL.   David then shifts the conversation to Tim's recent Instagram posts outlining his thoughts on ankle and lower leg training for hockey players.   Tim lets us see behind the curtain as he walks through his decision-making and implementation process for new training ideas.   Speaking of data... Tim goes on to share some nuggets from his recent presentation at the IHPS, "Data Driven Approach, From Collection to Decision Making."    Before closing up, the two talk books, money, and dogs. David puts Tim on the spot asking how being a dog dad impacts his coaching career.   For the Links to everything discussed, head to the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com

In this episode, David Rosales and Mike Potenza are joined by Devan McConnell, the High Performance Director of the Arizona Coyotes. Devan opens the discussion by expanding on his article where he outlined his warm-up protocol for goalies, touching on how he thinks about goalie training more broadly. Then, they discuss how Devan's overall coaching philosophy and how it evolved, from his early time as a strength coach up to the NHL, which he'll be discussing further at the International Hockey Performance Summit this June. Finally, Devan shares how he continues to learn and improve, in particular, why he reads and learns from sources outside strength and conditioning.   For links to everything discussed, head to the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com.

On this episode of the Hockey Strength Podcast David and Mike are joined by Edmonton Oilers assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Joel Jackson.    During this episode: - How Joel got his start in the fitness industry.  - His experience as a college Strength and Conditioning Coach.  - The transition from college to the NHL.  - Some of the new equipment that he has access to since joining the Oilers. - Advice for young professionals in the industry.  - His thoughts on the recent Machine Gun Kelly album and the current state of punk music (very important).    You can find links to everything discussed at the official website of SCAPH prohockeystrength.com

For episode #1 of the 2021-2022 hockey season, David Rosales interviews SCAPH president, co-host (normally) of the podcast, and Director of Strength and Conditioning of the San Jose Sharks, Mike Potenza.   David and Mike take this conversation in a free-ranging, meandering fashion and touch on... - What it takes to become an NHL strength coach - Mike's biggest educational experiences - The moment he knew he wanted to pursue the S&C field - How he continually improves as a coach  - Advice to young coaches ...and more.   You can find links to everything discussed at the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com

On episode #111 of the Hockey Strength Podcast Peter "Renzo" Renzetti joins the show. Coach Renzo, a self-proclaimed “old-school” coach, is a 40-year strength and conditioning veteran. He was the long-time strength coach of the Detroit Red Wings. Renzo currently serves teams and athletes who seek him out in the Toronto area. We discuss... What he's learned from everyone from Louie Simmons to Pavel Datsyuk. The "5-10-5 Rule" for coaching teams The importance of strength and his overarching philosophy His periodization plan for hockey... and much more.   You can find links to everything discussed at the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com

On episode #110 of the Hockey Strength Podcast and episode #12 of the SCAPH Alumni Series, Rich Hesketh joins the show.  Rich served as the strength and conditioning coach for the Calgary Flames for 19 seasons from 1995-2014. Before that he was on the Canadian National Track and Field team. He was the 1988 Canadian Decathlon Champion and 4-time indoor combined events national Champion. He also coached track and field for 17 years with the University of Calgary Dinos and the Calgary Spartans Track & Field Club. Rich was a consultant for NIKE Hockey Conditioning programs for 6 years currently contributes to hockey training projects for Under Armour. Currently he’s the athletic development coach for the University of Calgary Dinos men’s and women’s basketball. In this episode we discuss: How his track background helped Rich as an S&C coach... The crucial offseason thought exercise for S&C coaches.... How he came to work with Nike (hint: Jerome Iginla had something to do with it). Rich's website: richhesketh.com Rich on Instagram: rich.hesketh Rich on Twitter: @richhesketh Links to show notes and more at prohockeystrength.com

On episode #109 of the Hockey Strength Podcast, and episode #11 of the SCAPH Alumni Series, Mike Bahn joins the show to chat with Mike Potenza and David Rosales. Now working as a consultant in the private sector to various teams and organizations, Mike Bahn is a strength and conditioning coach with experience across multiple sports. Most recently, Mike worked as the strength and conditioning coordinator for US Ski and Snowboard, leading a team of coaches at USSA’s Center of Excellence training facility. Prior to the USSA, he spent seven years at the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes where he was also the strength and conditioning coordinator. He has also worked as the minor league strength and conditioning coordinator for MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks.   You can find Mike on his website, HMMR Media, Twitter (@MikeBahn), and LinkedIn.   Read the full show notes to this episode at the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com   

On episode #108 of the Hockey Strength Podcast and episode #10 of the SCAPH Alumni Series, Mike Potenza and David Rosales are joined by Paul Goldberg. Paul currently serves as the human performance program coordinator for the 10th Special Forces Groups (Airborne) at Fort Carson, Colorado. In addition to a strength and conditioning coach, he is also a registered dietician. Prior to the US Army, he was the strength and conditioning coach of the Colorado Avalanche from 1999 until the late 2000s, winning a Stanley Cup in 2001. In this episode, we discuss his time in Colorado, what it takes to win in the playoffs, how his dietician background has served him well in many jobs, and more. You can find links to everything discussed and show notes at the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com

On episode #107 of the Hockey Strength Podcast and episode #9 of the SCAPH Alumni series, Scotty Livingston joins the show to talk with Mike Potenza and David Rosales.   Scott is the co-founder/owner of Reconditioning HQ, a company encompassing continuing education courses, live events, a mastermind community, and a popular podcast, the Leave Your Mark Podcast.  From 1998-2009, he worked in the National Hockey League as a strength and conditioning coach/athletic trainer (therapist) with the New York Islanders, New York Rangers, and Montreal Canadiens.   Scott's website: Reconditioning HQ Scott on Twitter: @builtbyscott Scott on Instagram: @kingopain You can find show notes to everything discussed at the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com

On episode #106 of the Hockey Strength Podcast and episode #8 of the SCAPH Alumni Series, Mike Potenza and David Rosales are joined by Doug McKenney.   Coach McKenney has been with the Indianapolis Colts (NFL) since 2018 where he currently serves in an applied sports science/conditioning role. He's the founding coach of CoachMePlus, an athlete monitoring system. Prior to that, McKenney had a 25+ year career as an NHL strength coach between the Buffalo Sabres (1995-2015), Hartford Whalers (1989-95), and the Pittsburgh Penguins (1985-1989).   In this episode, Doug shares stories from his early days in the NHL. Along the journey of NHL stories, he provides a masterclass in understanding recovery and the steps strength and conditioning coaches can take to support athletes in optimizing their recovery, from heart rate and HRV, to daily weigh-ins for hydration and more.   For all show notes, head over to the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com

On episode #105 of the Hockey Strength Podcast and episode #7 of the SCAPH Alumni Series, Mike Potenza and David Rosales interview Matt Nichol.    Matt is the owner of Paragenix Systems Inc, the Director of Player Health and Performance with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, founder of Biosteel sports, and more.   In this episode, we discuss Matt's varying influences from nutrition, to powerlifting, to football, and how all those different perspectives contributed to his development as a coach. We spend a lot of time focusing on Matt's offseason hockey training group and how over the years he's built a powerful culture into it that keeps players coming back. Finally we touch on generalization vs specialization, advice for young coaches, and the controversial role of internships.    You can find links to everything discussed and shows at the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com

On episode #104 of the Hockey Strength Podcast and episode #6 of the SCAPH Alumni Series, Mike Potenza and David Rosales talk with Mike Boyle. Mike is one of the most influential people in all of strength and conditioning. He owns Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning in Massachusetts. He's worked for Boston University, the Boston Bruins, the Boston Red Sox; he's written books and giving keynote presentations. In this episode, we go all the back to his time at BU, from what he learned to Coach Parker, and move to discuss what's made him successful, from how he changes his mind and tries new methods in his programs, to how he evolved into an excellent speaker and writer. You can find links to everything discussed at the official website of SCAPH, prohockeystrength.com