In Episode 49 of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards are back after a long overdue break to talk all things GRP’s new era—from the chaos of opening our brand-new facility to the culture that’s been building between pros, youth athletes, and executives under one roof.

They break down summer training takeaways, lessons learned from world-class players, and why simplicity in training often beats flashy, sport-specific trends. Plus, updates from Team Canada camps, standout stories from the off-season, and the habits young players should be mirroring from the pros.

🔥 In this episode:

• Behind the scenes of GRP’s new headquarters and training spaces

• How pros, youth athletes, and executives benefit from training together

• Why “back to basics” lifts and long-term development trump shortcuts

• Lessons from NHL and OHL athletes on compete level and intensity

• Team Canada updates and rising stars to watch

• The importance of joy and culture in high-performance environments

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like inside a facility where the game’s best train side-by-side — this episode pulls back the curtain.

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28 Days, 28 Tips & 28 Ways to Help Your Young Athlete Improve

We're on a mission to help 1 million hockey players level up their game. If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, then don’t miss our weekly episodes. We’ll share our experiences, interview some of the top players in the game (old and new), and provide you with actionable tips, you know, things that actually make you a better player.

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The Hosts 

Coach Adrian (A) @championshiplifestyle

From growing up in a small blue-collar Canadian city to becoming the Head Strength Coach at Gary Roberts Performance hockey has taught me many of life’s lessons. I’ve been blessed to spend the last 12 years helping some of the top NHL players – like McDavid and Stamkos – prepare for the season. 

Fun Fact – I fought MMA professionally for nearly a decade. 

Coach Ryan (Gards) 

Gards is the real star of the show. He is our On-Ice Coach at Gary Roberts Performance he’s a veteran of over 1000 NLA (Switzerland’s Top League) games. Gards has played in 5 Spengler Cups, 3 World Championships, and 1 Olympics. 

Fun Fact – Gard's grandfather Cal is a “Top 100 Leaf of All Time.”

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Gary Roberts Performance hosts this podcast. If you’re looking to take your game to the next level, GRP offers comprehensive training programs for the elite hockey player.

Click the link below to Book a Call with a GR Coach.

Book A Call With A GR Coach 

IG: @garyrobertshpt

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