The High Performance Hockey Podcast

Heroic Minds with Ben Fanelli

Your mind is one of your greatest assets as an athlete. This week, I sit down with Ben Fanelli, the Founder of Heroic Minds, a brand new self-help tool right at your fingertips. Following a major injury in his early game career that changed the trajectory of his life, Ben has shifted to the world of psychotherapy for high performance players. We speak about the surprising gifts of injury he gained from his incident and the powerful lesson of finding meaning in suffering. We also dig into the mental side of the game–how to balance the physical and mental prepwork, the peaks and valleys all athletes experience in their careers, and learning to be one with the journey.   HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Introducing the Founder of Heroic Minds, Ben Fanelli! 01:10 How did the incident in your early game career impact your life? 05:30 What are some of the gifts of injury? 11:25 How to reframe challenges into growth. 14:25 Why is “more” not actually better? 22:20 Ways athletes can balance the mental side of the game. 25:20 How Heroic Minds helps players with mental & physical prepwork. 30:15 How to combat comparison on social media. 36:20 What to expect from the Heroic Minds app.   RESOURCES + LINKS Download the Heroic Minds app HERE Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -  The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/ Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players

Random Thoughts, Intern Questions, Jump Training for Ice Hockey

Are you ready for the off-season? Today, I sit down for a solo episode where I go over some recent lessons I’ve learned & updates we’ve made to our program as we move into summer. I also highlight some frequently asked intern questions and dive into details about my new lecture series, Jump Training for Ice Hockey: A Complimentary Approach—who it’s for and why it’s important. From integral takeaways for young strength & conditioning coaches to deficient-based vs. performance-based models in the private sector, this conversation covers everything coaches need to prepare for their athletes for the off-season.   HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 The changes we’ve made to our summer programming model. 04:05 What should coaches be focusing on? 06:00 Mobility patterns for advanced-based athletes. 11:10 What are the qualities of a great strength & conditioning coach? 16:00 The differences in programming in the private sector. 19:45 What do all young coaches need to read? 21:30 A quick look at my new lecture series, Jump Training for Ice Hockey.   RESOURCES + LINKS Check out Jump Training for Ice Hockey | A Complimentary Approach Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -  The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/ Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players

Player Development: Skills, Game Patterns, Return to Play with Stan Tugolukov

What does player development look like at the top levels of play? Today’s guest is Dallas Stars Skill Coach, Stan Tugolukov, who works closely with players in skill development and individual on-ice post-injury conditioning roles. We speak about everything a skill coach needs to know, from game patterns to player development and designing skill sessions for both the high performance and youth levels. Stan shares his fundamentals for development at younger ages (6-8, 8-10, 10-12), and the must-have skillwork to set up your young athletes for future success. We also explore the differences in the game now versus then, layering skill packages for elite performers, return to play and off-season drills and reps, and more.   HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Meet Stan Tugolukov, the Dallas Stars Skill Coach! 01:35 How did you get involved in the game back in Russia, and who were your mentors? 05:35 The differences between American youth players and Russian youth players. 12:05 What are your duties as a skill coach with the Dallas Stars? 17:25 Stan’s player development philosophy fundamentals. 21:40 How do you choose drills and patterns to focus on, for non-injured players? 25:45 Designing return to play and off-season skill sessions. 32:50 How to approach skill development in pro players versus youth athletes. 38:05 The important skills for developing young athletes (U8-U12). 43:10 How has the game and hockey IQ evolved, then versus now? 47:40 How to layer skill packages for your elite players. 50:50 Advice for young skill coaches who want to work in high-end hockey. 53:40 How do you want to be remembered in the game?   RESOURCES + LINKS Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -  The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/ Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players

Skill Training, Summer Do’s and Don’ts, Processing Speed with Troy Smith

What does the day to day of a high performance skill coach look like? Joining me once again is Troy Smith, the owner of Hockey IQ! With his extensive experience as a player and a coach at both the amateur and professional levels, he’s sharing his must-haves for coaches to take their players to the elite level. Our conversation will cover everything you need to know about the life of a skill coach, including Troy’s approach to skill training, his recommended do’s and don’ts for the off-season, the secret to training processing speed in your athletes, and more. We go over how to handle communication not only with your athletes, but with staff members, as well as Troy’s take on the software of the game that got his community talking. We also take a lens to the current NHL playoffs, our first impressions, and the style of play we’re seeing—most of all, what it’ll take to get to the third round.   HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Welcome back to the podcast, Troy Smith, owner of Hockey IQ! 01:40 How has Hockey IQ evolved as a business? 04:15 What are your must-have fundamentals for players? 09:35 How to communicate with your athletes as a skill coach. 13:05 The do’s and don’ts of off-season training. 20:30 What is the best way to coach younger vs. older players? 24:20 How do you approach the software of the game? 28:05 The best tool to train processing speed. 32:45 The top three athletes to watch for elite processing speed. 36:05 What are your biggest takeaways from the playoffs so far? 41:35 What it’ll take to make it to the third round of the playoffs.   RESOURCES + LINKS Check out Hockey IQ on YouTube | HockeyIQca Follow Hockey IQ on Instagram | @hockeyiqcan Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -  The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/ Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players

Applied Biomechanics for On-Ice Speed with Joel Becker

Get ready to geek out on everything from stride mechanics to off-ice training strategies. In this episode, I sit down with Joel Becker, lead performance coach of GameChangers. Joel brings an incredible background from speed skating and hockey. We break down the nuanced world of speed development, discussing how understanding force application, time, and direction can transform an athlete's performance. Joel shares some killer insights on off-ice imitation exercises that'll revolutionize how strength coaches approach hockey training - think deep, uncomfortable isometric holds that build incredible hip and leg strength. We explore game speed, hockey IQ, and the subtle art of translating linear speed into on-ice performance. If you're a coach looking to understand the intricate details of skating mechanics and athlete development, this episode is an absolute must-listen. Trust me, you'll walk away with practical strategies you can implement immediately with your athletes. HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Meet Joel Becker, expert in the world of skating and hockey biomechanics. 01:45 How can lessons from speed skating biomechanics improve your hockey game?  03:45 Hockey Stride and Biomechanics. 09:30 The importance of foot strike and how it affects skating technique and speed. 28:00 Off-Ice Training and Pattern Specific Work. 28:15 How do you elevate your game speed and hockey IQ simultaneously? 34:30 Joel’s integrated training model, including off-ice exercises and on-ice work. 37:18 Off-Ice Imitation Exercises. 51:00 Ankle Mobility and Skating. 55:45 Where can we connect with you and learn more?   RESOURCES + LINKS The ABC of skating imitation exercises,  Game Changers Training, 15 Minute Off-Skates Dryland Workout, Plyometric Workout Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -  The High Performance Hockey Masterclass   Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov   Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast   Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/   Check out Anthony’s Books Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players