2 Many Men On The Mic

2 Many Men on the Mic
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Kids & Family
  • Updated Weekly

2 Many Men on the Mic is your go-to podcast for honest, inclusive conversations about youth hockey—from 6U through 18U. Hosted by coaches and former board members Drew Acree and Jared Balint, the show shines a light on the full community: elite players, non-elite players, new coaches, committed parents (especially moms), and everyone working behind the scenes to grow the game.We’re not here to lecture—we’re here to listen, share, and support. Drew and Jared bring their real-life experiences to help others navigate the ups and downs of the youth hockey season. We’re here to grow the game, have some fun and remind our listeners that:  “Hockey is more fun when you get better at it”  That goes for players, parents, coaches, and refs alike.

  1. 10h ago

    🏒 Hockey. Homework. Homecoming. Sleep. Repeat.

    Youth hockey season is officially back — which means parents everywhere have once again become unpaid Uber drivers with very expensive passengers. This week, hockey moms Nicole Zellweger and Angel Milne join Coach Jared and Coach Drew to talk about the reality of raising high school hockey players. We get into balancing school and hockey, homecoming conflicts, sleep, homework, club vs. high school hockey, player advocacy, off-ice development and how parents can help without managing every decision for their kids. And then comes the big one: 💃 Homecoming or hockey game? The coaches weigh in — and this might be one of those rare moments where hockey doesn't automatically win. Also this week: 💰 NHL teams are handing out 8-year contracts like Halloween candy 🥅 Why goalies — and goalie parents — are just a little different 💪 Jared unveils the highly sophisticated homemade training device known as “The Brett Hull” 🧠 We introduce the coaching philosophy of “agency and advocacy” 🏖️ Jared apparently wants everyone to “soften the beaches” 🧓 Grant's Trivia Time reminds Jared and Drew exactly how old they are 🏆 And Coach Drew attempts the three-peat Plus, we're getting ready to hit the porch at PorchFest STL! 🎙️ Too Many Men on the Mic — hockey talk for the families actually living it. Support the show Stay connected with 2 Many Men on the Mic: 📸 Follow us on Instagram @twomanymenpodcast 🌐 Download coaching resources, drills, and practice plans www.2manymenonthemic.com ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes, clips, and coaching content http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic

  2. Sep 11

    Who Owns the Middle? NHL Center Depth & the 200-Foot Game

    🏒 What makes a team dangerous down the middle: two superstar centers or four lines you can trust? Coach Drew and Coach Jared debate NHL center depth, revisit some of hockey’s greatest center tandems, and break down what separates a scorer from a complete, 200-foot player. 📋 For coaches and players, the conversation turns practical: conditioning, backchecking, supporting the puck, and building a team where everyone can take responsibility down the middle. 🥅 Plus, we walk through a 3-on-3 Royal Road game designed to get players moving, communicating, and creating scoring opportunities. 🧠 There’s also NHL contract talk, hockey trivia, and a little undefeated-pickleball swagger. 🔗 Find free drills in Coach’s Corner: [Coach’s Corner link] ⭐ Follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share this episode with a coach, player, or hockey fan who loves a good debate. Presented by Vantage Credit Union. A Netfront LLC production. Support the show Stay connected with 2 Many Men on the Mic: 📸 Follow us on Instagram @twomanymenpodcast 🌐 Download coaching resources, drills, and practice plans www.2manymenonthemic.com ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes, clips, and coaching content http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic

  3. Sep 3

    From College Hockey to 1.5 Million Followers: Austin Friesen & The Hockey Guys

    How does a group of college hockey players messing around on TikTok during COVID turn into a hockey brand with more than 1.5 million followers? This week, Austin Friesen from The Hockey Guys joins Drew and Jared to tell the story. Austin takes us from growing up playing hockey in Winnipeg to junior hockey in Johnstown — home of the rink where Slap Shot was filmed — and eventually the University of Wisconsin-Superior, where a group of teammates started making videos during COVID. What started organically became The Hockey Guys and, eventually, a real business. We talk about the coaches and parents who shaped Austin’s hockey journey, what The Hockey Guys learned about building an authentic community online, the transition from college teammates to business partners, and why young players should absolutely use social media — without being dumb about it. Austin also introduces AfterLight, his new hydration brand and the newest partner of 2 Many Men on the Mic. Then we put him to work. Austin enters the Drill Draw and gives coaches a new early-practice flow drill featuring puck retrievals, transitions, passing, shooting, net-front traffic and plenty of movement. Plus: rink popcorn, Afton breakfast sandwiches, bad rink coffee, early NHL predictions and the countdown to another real hockey season. 2 Many Men on the Mic is presented by Vantage Credit Union. Follow, rate and share the show — and visit 2ManyMenontheMic.com for our growing library of downloadable coaching drills. Support the show Stay connected with 2 Many Men on the Mic: 📸 Follow us on Instagram @twomanymenpodcast 🌐 Download coaching resources, drills, and practice plans www.2manymenonthemic.com ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes, clips, and coaching content http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic

  4. Aug 27

    This week, Drew and Jared take hockey training off the ice with Ryan Leslie from Padel + Pickle Club in St. Louis.

    Why are hockey players — including NHLers — getting hooked on Padel and pickleball? Ryan explains how hand-eye coordination, quick-twitch movement, communication, control, reaction time and rapid transitions between offense and defense make these sports a surprisingly natural complement to hockey. Then Grant “The Killer” Salsman puts Drew and Jared through Blues vs. Red Wings Hockey Trivia — complete with questionable answers, an official challenge, some ChatGPT slander, overtime and, finally, a long-awaited victory. With September around the corner, the guys also talk about building a team identity, defining what a “good shift” actually means, making practices competitive without forgetting the fun, and why sometimes good coaching means hiding the vegetables in the ice cream. Plus, we tease next week’s guests: The Hockey Guys — and a big new sponsorship announcement aimed squarely at hockey families. Thanks to Vantage Credit Union, Five B Designs and Drift Hockey for supporting 2 Many Men on the Mic. 👍 Like. Subscribe. Follow. Rate. Review. 🏒 And don't forget to enter Vantage Credit Union's monthly drawing for a $100 Pure Hockey gift card. Hockey is more fun the better you get at it. Support the show Stay connected with 2 Many Men on the Mic: 📸 Follow us on Instagram @twomanymenpodcast 🌐 Download coaching resources, drills, and practice plans www.2manymenonthemic.com ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes, clips, and coaching content http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic

  5. Aug 20

    USA Hockey is launching a new Development League in 2027–28 — but what could it mean for the 90% of youth hockey players competing at the A, B and C levels? This week, Drew and Jared wade into the conversation. USA Hockey says the new Development Le

    USA Hockey's new Development League is coming in 2027–28, with 32 programs, 15U and 17U teams and an emphasis on development, training and creating additional pathways toward junior and college hockey. But Drew and Jared want to look at it from a different perspective: What could it mean for the 90% of youth hockey players competing at the A, B and C levels? Could fewer games and a greater emphasis on development eventually trickle down throughout youth hockey? Could it reduce some of the pressure to chase letters, tournaments and exposure at younger ages? Or are we simply creating another rung on the youth hockey ladder — and another reason for parents to worry that their kid is falling behind? We don't pretend to have all the answers. That's why we're excited to welcome USA Hockey's Bob Mancini next monthto explain the Development League, its goals and what USA Hockey hopes it can accomplish. Then it's Drill Draw presented by Drift Hockey, featuring a 4v2/4v3 power-play concepts game, followed by something considerably less educational: Stupid Hockey Tricks — Pickleball Edition! A huge thank you to our presenting sponsor, Vantage Credit Union, including their monthly chance to win a $100 Pure Hockey gift card. If you enjoy the show, follow the podcast, leave us a rating, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow 2 Many Men on the Mic on Instagram. Every like, follow and subscription helps us continue bringing youth hockey conversations, coaches and guests to the show. Support the show Stay connected with 2 Many Men on the Mic: 📸 Follow us on Instagram @twomanymenpodcast 🌐 Download coaching resources, drills, and practice plans www.2manymenonthemic.com ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes, clips, and coaching content http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic

  6. Aug 13

    What should a hockey parent actually say on the ride home from the rink?

    What should a hockey parent actually say on the ride home from the rink? This week, Drew and Jared welcome Ken Martell, USA Hockey Senior Director of Player and Coach Development, for a conversation about one of the most important—and sometimes complicated—relationships in youth hockey: the player, the parent and the coach. Ken talks about avoiding “car coaching,” helping kids learn to advocate for themselves, why coaches should overcommunicate, the pressure created by the cost of youth hockey, and why the best youth coaches aren't necessarily the ones teaching the fanciest systems—they're the ones helping kids fall in love with the game. One of our favorite takeaways from Ken: “Learning is done by the learner, not to the learner.” We also put Ken on the whiteboard for a new Drill Draw featuring puck retrieval, pressure, awareness and decision-making—quickly dubbed “Martell’s Mayhem.” Plus: Olympic goalie trivia, Patrick Kane and JVR, Drew's looming mountains, and our upcoming live acoustic gig at Fallon’s. And don't forget: Vantage Credit Union is giving away a $100 Pure Hockey gift card every month! Listen for details on how to enter. Follow, subscribe and rate 2 Many Men on the Mic, and visit 2ManyMenOnTheMic.com for more episodes, drills and hockey content. Support the show Stay connected with 2 Many Men on the Mic: 📸 Follow us on Instagram @twomanymenpodcast 🌐 Download coaching resources, drills, and practice plans www.2manymenonthemic.com ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes, clips, and coaching content http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic

  7. Aug 6

    Missouri Hockey's Changes + Win a $100 Pure Hockey Gift Card Every Month!

    The hockey season is getting closer, and this week we're talking about what that means for players, parents, coaches, and organizations across Missouri. Missouri Hockey President Chris Durso joins Coach Jared and Coach Drew to discuss new initiatives, electronic game sheets, rink growth, and what's ahead for hockey in our region. Plus, we're excited to announce a new partnership with Vantage Credit Union that benefits our listeners. 🎉 Every month, one listener will win a $100 Pure Hockey Gift Card! Listen to learn how to enter and don't miss your chance to win. If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, follow us on YouTube, leave a review, and share the podcast with another hockey family. It helps us grow the game and reach more listeners every week. Presented by Vantage Credit Union — Where St. Louis Banks with Confidence. Support the show Stay connected with 2 Many Men on the Mic: 📸 Follow us on Instagram @twomanymenpodcast 🌐 Download coaching resources, drills, and practice plans www.2manymenonthemic.com ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes, clips, and coaching content http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic

  8. Jul 30

    Grant Takes One for the Team! 😂 Campfire Stories, Hockey Trivia & Stupid Hockey Tricks

    The offseason doesn’t mean the hockey fun has to stop! This week, we’re launching three brand-new recurring segments that you’ll be seeing throughout the year. 🏕️ Summer Campfire Stories – Jared and Drew relive funny stories from their younger hockey days that remind us why every hockey player has a few unforgettable memories. 🧠 Hockey Trivia – Hosted by Grant “The Killer” Salsman, it’s your chance to play along and test your hockey knowledge against the guys. 😂 Stupid Hockey Tricks – Inspired by David Letterman’s classic Stupid Human Tricks, Jared and Drew volunteer Grant to attempt a ridiculous hockey challenge. He’s officially become the show’s crash-test dummy…and we have a feeling this won’t be the last time. It’s an episode full of laughs, friendly chirping, and the kind of hockey conversations you’d have hanging around the rink after the game. If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and leave us a review. It helps us reach more hockey families and continue bringing you great guests, coaching insights, and plenty of offseason entertainment. 2 Many Men on the Mic — because hockey is more fun the better you get. Support the show Stay connected with 2 Many Men on the Mic: 📸 Follow us on Instagram @twomanymenpodcast 🌐 Download coaching resources, drills, and practice plans www.2manymenonthemic.com ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes, clips, and coaching content http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

2 Many Men on the Mic is your go-to podcast for honest, inclusive conversations about youth hockey—from 6U through 18U. Hosted by coaches and former board members Drew Acree and Jared Balint, the show shines a light on the full community: elite players, non-elite players, new coaches, committed parents (especially moms), and everyone working behind the scenes to grow the game.We’re not here to lecture—we’re here to listen, share, and support. Drew and Jared bring their real-life experiences to help others navigate the ups and downs of the youth hockey season. We’re here to grow the game, have some fun and remind our listeners that:  “Hockey is more fun when you get better at it”  That goes for players, parents, coaches, and refs alike.

Information

  • Creator
    2 Many Men on the Mic
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 2 Many Men On The Mic
  • Show Website
    2 Many Men On The Mic

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