In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mal McHugh, a legend in sports science, to dive deep into the world of metrics and performance. We're talking about the good, the bad, and the ugly of measuring athletes – from force plates to jump profiles. Dr. McHugh breaks down why not all metrics are created equal, and how teams can actually use data to prev…

Today I’m joined by Dr. Alicia Naser, a board-certified behavior analyst who's revolutionizing mental performance in hockey. She's not your typical sports psychologist - she uses applied behavioral analysis to help NHL players optimize their game, focusing on everything from confidence to self-talk. We dive into how environment shapes behavior, the…

It’s one thing to bring out the full potential of your athletes, but another thing to develop that potential for future success. Our guest today is Will Morlock, Director of Hockey Performance from Michigan State University, where his primary role has been training the hockey program since he joined the Athletic Performance staff in 2022. We go in-…

In order to be an Olympic level coach, you need the right methods to back you up. In this episode, I sit down with the man, the myth, the mad scientist Cal Dietz, Head Olympic Strength Coach of the University of Minnesota. He walks us through his triphasic training method, including the foundational principles he uses to turn on, train, and transfe…

What do young coaches need to know about working with high performing athletes in the private versus college sectors? In today’s episode, I sit down with Rob Dombrowski, the Director of Hockey Performance at Sacred Heart University. Prior to working in the college sector, Rob served at Prentiss Hockey Performance as a Director of Performance for ni…

Want a deeper understanding of a coach's approach to training high performing, professional athletes in the private sector? We've got the right guy. In today’s episode, I speak with Curt Truhe, the Director of Performance for Excel Sports Management. Curt has over 13 years of experience training athletes across multiple professional sports leagues …

What were the biggest lessons I learned over the past year? Today’s episode is a reflection and contemplation of 2024. It’s now the second year of the HPH podcast, so let’s take the opportunity to look back on what has been a year full of growth – both personally and professionally. I share my favorite nuggets of wisdom from previous guests of the …

What does a lifetime pursuit of high performance look like? Today’s guest is the President of Strength Tek Fitness and Wellness, Lorne Goldenberg. As a strength & conditioning OG, Lorne brings extensive experience in high performance sports and has worked with thousands of pro hockey stars over the years. We dive into his career high points, includ…

We’re answering an important question all coaches ask: How can we leave our profession in a better place? Today’s guest is a friend and mentor of mine, Mike Robertson. Mike is the Founder and President of Robertson Training Systems with over 20 years of coaching experience. In this episode, we talk extensively about coaching in the private sector. …

Get ready to level up your strength training know-how for high performance hockey! Kevin Neeld and Brijesh Patel return to the podcast to discuss Strength Training for Hockey, an important resource for hockey players and coaches alike. We’ll dive into the core aspects of the book, who it’s for, and the gap it fills in the ice hockey performance wor…

As coaches, how can we instill our team with one of the most important skills in the game: hockey IQ? Joining us today is Troy Smith, the owner of Hockey IQ – an outstanding, elite video breakdown resource for hockey players and coaches alike. Our conversation is all about hockey IQ + how we can teach and improve it. We’ll dive deep into the X’s an…

What is the best way to set up the next generation of high performing athletes for success? Joining me today is Mark Fitzgerald, head coach for Kelowna High Performance + founder of Elite Training Systems in Ontario, who has spent the last 15 years working with athletes from a variety of sports at every level. We have an educational hour diving int…

What is the secret formula for building a high performing team? This week’s special guest is Steve Spott, the Assistant Coach of the Dallas Stars. During his three years in Dallas, Steve has guided the club to back-to-back Western Conference final appearances over the past two seasons. Today, we’re diving into lessons from the coaches corner to tal…

Let's talk about the global growth of Hockey. Hassan Saeed is the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for CSKA Moscow in the KHL, Russia's top professional hockey league. With over 12 years of experience working in the Russian hockey system, Hassan provides a unique perspective on the cultural differences, training methodologies, and coaching phil…

What are some of the biggest lessons we learn while in pursuit of high performance excellence? Today’s special guest is a good friend of mine, Andrew Hauser, who has worked in a variety of roles in the past 14 years as an Athletic Trainer and Strength & Conditioning Coach, before switching to the private setting with Continuum Performance. In this …

If you want to develop your players to the high performance level, we’ve got your guy. Today’s guest is the Development Coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Tommy Cross. Tommy played 12 seasons of professional hockey before retiring following the ‘22-’23 season, and now works with drafted prospects through the transition from college to pro. We’ll …

How do you become a teacher that ensures the future success of your players? Today, class is in session with Ben Eaves, the strength & conditioning coach for the Cleveland Monsters. Ben is here to share experiences from his background as both an elite player and development coach for high performing athletes. Our conversation will focus on his posi…

What is the secret to assessing, training, and integrating technology with performance? Here to dive into the deep physiology of ice hockey is Brian Kozak, a respiratory & performance coach. Brian has dedicated decades to experimenting with cutting edge technology in pursuit of real time insights into each system’s limiters, compensators, and their…

If you’ve ever wondered how to approach coaching from an applied sports science POV, then you’re in the right place. Joining me on the podcast today is Dr. Josh Secomb, lecturer in Exercise & Sports Science at the University of Newcastle, and strength & conditioning coach for Ice Hockey Australia National Men’s team! We’ll be deep diving into the w…

How far has strength & conditioning gone in the past 20 years? Here with me today is Sean Skahan, owner of Skahan Sport Conditioning with 20+ years of high performance under his belt! We’ll speak about Sean’s 2 decades worth of experience within the NHL and the strength & conditioning landscape as a whole. Sean reflects on his journey, going from a…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: The impact of A Coach’s Guide to Strength Development on coaches. Expert advice for young practitioners and coaches. The deeper fundamentals behind strength & conditioning. How to build a coaching culture for long term growth. Resources + Links: Follow Stu on Instagram | @fingermash Follow Jordan on Instagram | @jor…

What does it take to build a sports performance department out of bare-bones? Our guest this week is Coach Doug Davidson. Doug is the Associate Director of Sports Performance and Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Vegas Golden Knights, being with the organization since the team’s inaugural season in 2017-2018. We will explore the foundational wor…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Differences between North America and the KHL in terms of culture, game play, structure, performance, and schedule. The current strength & conditioning scene in Europe compared to North America. Advice for young strength coaches considering going abroad. The importance of communication, consistency, and simplicity a…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Textbook skating mechanics and skating efficiency. The difference between coaching young athletes versus elite level professionals. Biomechanics and anatomical landmarks for idealized, efficient skating. The most common equipment and modifications. Resources + Links: Follow Luke on Instagram | @chilcottskating Check…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: An in-depth exploration of the five phases of the return to sport clearance continuum. How to become a Swiss Army knife in the professional sports world. The current state of comprehensive athlete care + return to play. Resources + Links: Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Foll…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Measurement error and building conceptual models in applied settings. How to collect, analyze, and compute better information from both a sports science and a strength & conditioning perspective. The issue with reliability + validity in tests. The fundamentals of assessing and calculating errors. Resources + Links: …

In this episode I have an incredible conversation with Sunaya Sapurji about youth hockey development models around the world. Sunaya is a senior editor at The Athletic who has covered hockey for many years and written insightful pieces comparing different countries' approaches. We discussed the similarities and differences between programs in North…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: The importance of generalist knowledge in sports medicine. Periodization of treatment for optimal athlete performance. How Dr. Jeff Cubos creates a collaborative high performance culture. Resources + Links: Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthony on Instagram | @antho…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: How to build trust with players through open communication Managing training loads to prevent overtraining during season Using objective metrics and testing for return to play decisions Resources + Links: Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthony…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Mental toughness is task specific and developed through self-awareness Leadership starts from the top but is a bottom-up process of trust and humility The cost of coaching is making tough decisions while staying true to your values Resources + Links: Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The High Performance Hockey Mast…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Highlights, lessons, and reflections on top episodes of 2023. 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 Don…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Reframing LTAD from a coach’s perspective. The problems with the LTAD model. Possible solutions & fixes for future athletic development. Resources + Links: Check out Jim’s article - Rethinking Long Term Athlete Development Ultimate Speed & Agility by Jim Kielbaso Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The High Performanc…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Where the education process for young performance coaches is right now. Theory versus application touch points. Jumping training from a physiological perspective. Coaching adaptation in different training ages. Resources + Links: Connect with Carmen on Instagram | @coachbott Learn more at https://www.coachbott.com/ …

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Coaching today’s players: Technology, culture, and communication. The ingredients of a successful professional team. The ultimate game day prep in the American Hockey League. Advice for aspiring coaches, hockey parents, and young players. Resources + Links: Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The High Performance Hock…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Coaching then versus now: Old school coaching techniques and lost art forms. What young coaches need to succeed long term. Where the future of coaching is heading. Resources + Links: Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: How these legends came to be. The life lessons and mistakes from veterans in the field. An examination of the personal and professional side of sports performance. Resources + Links: Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Challenges of cash-based physical therapy businesses. Measuring healing and function in end-stage rehab. Assessing progress in physical therapy after surgery. Resources + Links: Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on T…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Analyzing hockey player data for performance and recovery insights The gaps in sports science and its application today. Resources + Links: Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD Subscrib…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: KPIs to measure athletic performance and different training methods. Why data can only take you so far as a strength and conditioning coach. The current landscape of strength and conditioning in college hockey. Resources + Links: Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthon…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Pulling back the curtain on high performance sports. Biomechanics and movement algorithms in the field of strength & conditioning. Training adaptation, low versus high ground sports, and rethinking big patterns. Resources + Links: Connect with Pat on Instagram | @dr.patdavidson Get your copy of A Coach’s Guide to Op…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: The tangible intangibles of winning teams. Team culture: Where it comes from and how to build it. Player insights and communication from a new generation of athletes. Advice for young athletes and long term athletic development. Resources + Links: Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The High Performance Hockey Masterc…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: The utility of Catapult technology within various environments and demographics. Everything you need to know about external player load. Anchors points and heuristics for return to play clearance. The data behind decision making processes during a regular season. Resources + Links: Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - …

In This Episode, You Will Learn: The aha moments of testing hip asymmetry in athletes. The drawbacks of adductor squeeze testing. How to conduct research that makes a difference. Resources + Links: Learn more about Dr. McHugh’s research | https://nismat.org/about/nismat-team/research-team/malachy-mchugh-phd/ Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The Hi…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: The history behind the All Blacks Sevens principles and traditions. Why building a culture of communication and connection is key for any team. The differences and similarities between Canadian hockey and New Zealand rugby. Resources + Links: Check out "Becoming an Athlete" by Travis McMaster Check out Travis on Goo…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Uncovering bad data as it relates to sports science. The in’s and out’s of the logic model. How to simplify complex systems. Measurement fallacies and biases you should be aware of. Resources + Links: Connect with Peter on Twitter | @PeterSchryvers Get your copy of Bad Data on Amazon | https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Dat…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Applied versus non-applied sports science studies. Models and measurements through the noise. Research and development processes for team sports. Resources + Links: Connect with Patrick on Twitter | @osppatrick Follow the TidyX Screencast on Twitter | @tidy_explained Check out the Optimum Sports Performance Blog | h…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Clinimetrics: What is it and why it matters in sports science. Measuring frameworks for validity and reliability. Critical thinking skills and how to apply them. The difference between replication and reproduction. Resources + Links: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science by Kent W. Staley Check out Anthony’s …

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Why communication is the difference between success and failure. Where does programming connect with teaching? What Is The Tier System? Resources + Links: Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Connect with Joe Kenn on Instagram | @BigHousePower Neck Course: Reinforcement - Strengt…

In This Episode, You Will Learn: Treatments Dr. Mike Prebeg has adopted as high performance sports has evolved. Dr. Mike Prebeg’s roles and responsibilities as a consulting chiropractor for the NHL and the New York Yankees baseball team. Resources + Links: Connect with Dr. Mike Prebeg on Instagram @mikeprebeg https://www.skillsinhand.com/dr-prebeg …

In This Episode, You Will Learn: How we can evaluate what makes a great strength and performance coach. Who should be able to determine who’s qualified to be a coach? Does the field of Strength & Conditioning cause more injuries than it prevents? Resources + Links: Connect with Keir Wenham-Flatt on Instagram | @call.me.kier Learn more from the Stre…