USA Hockey: Next Generation

USA Hockey
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Step into the future of the game with USA Hockey: Next Generation — the official podcast spotlighting the rising stars, innovative minds, and evolving culture of hockey across the country. Each episode dives into the stories shaping tomorrow’s game, from youth and adult players to coaches, officials, and trailblazers driving change at every level. Whether you're a lifelong fan, a weekend warrior, or just discovering the sport, join us for inspiring interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and fresh perspectives on how hockey is growing, adapting, and thriving in communities nationwide.

  1. 3d ago

    Growing the Game from the Ground Up with Matt Herr

    Episode Description: Matt Herr, the NHL’s Senior Director of Youth Hockey and Industry Growth Fund, joins the USA Hockey Next Generation podcast to explain why the league is investing in Learn to Play and NHL Ready to Play. Hosts Lyndsey Fry and Drew Shore talk with him about the NHL and USA Hockey partnership, keeping the base of the pyramid wide, and why the real goal for parents is a kid who still loves the game. The episode also covers coaching, volunteering, street hockey, refereeing, and work ethic.Key Points from This Episode:0:06 Welcome and host catch-up3:10 Matt's playing career and path to the NHL5:44 How the NHL supports USA Hockey, including the Industry Growth Fund7:26 Why the NHL moved into grassroots and NHL Ready to Play9:27 Coaching every player differently, and why you don't want to be a player's last coach11:27 Parents who can't skate and the many volunteer roles12:54 Keeping the pyramid wide and the NHL's growth in new markets16:08 No rush:parent anxiety and the real ROI17:59 Street hockey and other ways to love the game20:16 Why Matt took up refereeing23:15 The funniest Learn to Play moment24:13 Playing in Germany and the NHL's international growth25:09 How parents and players can help their programs26:55 Hosts' takeawaysLinks:USA Hockey - ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠ Drew Shore - ⁠https://www.drewshore.com⁠⁠ Lyndsey Fry - ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠

  2. Oct 21

    Shelly Picard: Building Better Hockey Players Through Fun and Discipline

    Episode Description: This episode is a wide-ranging conversation with formerOlympian, Harvard standout, and Princeton assistant coach Shelly Picard aboutyouth hockey development and the value of enjoying where you play. Drew Shore and Lyndsey Fry focus on a simple idea that comes through repeatedly: the best path is the one that helps a player grow, feel supported, and want to keepshowing up.   Key Points from This Episode: 00:00 - Welcome and why Shelly Picard is such a meaningfulguest 03:29 - Introducing Shelly Picard and her background in thegame 04:36 - Growing up in Massachusetts and choosing prep schoolhockey 08:01 - The discipline and fun balance that defined Shelly’sgame 09:40 - Parent-led ownership and the “take one thing” lessonfrom national camp 12:52 - Lindsay on how Shelly’s role model mentality shapedher development 14:52 - Building a roster like a puzzle and valuing roleplayers 15:21 - Shelly’s shutdown defender identity and what shelearned from it 18:15 - Why coaches still see players at tournaments,showcases, and camps 22:44 - What Shelly thought coaching would be like versusreality 24:41 - Player pushback, respect, and coach-playerrelationships 27:17 - How the PWHL has changed the landscape for youngplayers 33:43 - NIL, the transfer portal, and how college sportshave changed 38:15 - Managing ice time, rest, and summer training load 41:43 - Rapid-fire questions 48:42 - Final takeaway for players and parents: joy,ownership, and support 51:19 - Closing thoughts on Shelly’s impact and the corelesson of the episode Links: USA Hockey - ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠ Drew Shore - ⁠https://www.drewshore.com⁠⁠ Lyndsey Fry - ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠

  3. Oct 5

    USA Hockey Development League: First Invited Programs Revealed

    USA Hockey introduces its new Development League (DL) on this episode of the USA Hockey Next Gen Podcast. Host Dave Fischer is joined by Scott Paluch, who will serve as DL Commissioner, and Bob Mancini, Assistant Executive Director of Hockey Development, to discuss why the league was created, how programs were selected, and what its launch means for American hockey. #usahockey #developmentleague #teamusa

  4. Sep 17

    Rod Braceful on Recruiting, Development, and the NTDP

    Episode Description: Lyndsey Fry and Drew Shore sit down with Rod Braceful,senior director of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, to breakdown how the NTDP develops players, evaluates talent, and prepares teenagersfor hockey and life. The conversation also digs into how the changing collegehockey landscape is affecting recruiting, and why the program still emphasizescharacter, drive, and versatility over pure skill. Key Points From This Episode: 00:00 - Welcome to the podcast and Rod’s role with the NTDP 05:10 - How NCAA changes are making recruiting morecompetitive 17:22 - How to choose between a better player today and abetter player later 24:00 - What a full NTDP day looks like and the life skillsplayers learn 29:19 - What parents and players should start, stop, andcontinue doing 34:10 - Why late bloomers and overlooked players still havea real path 37:30 - Rapid-fire questions and Rod’s bestplayer-development advice 38:57 - How NHL teams should rethink player developmentafter drafting 41:14 - Closing thoughts on camaraderie, development, andprogram successLinks: USA Hockey - ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠ USA Hockey National Development Team Program: https://www.usahockeyntdp.com/ Drew Shore - ⁠https://www.drewshore.com⁠⁠ Lyndsey Fry - ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠

  5. Sep 3

    Mike Garman on Development, Recruiting, and the Path to the Next Level

    Episode Description: In this episode, Drew Shore and Lyndsey Fry sit down with Mike Garman, Associate Head Hockey Coach at Notre Dame and former head coach and general manager of the Chicago Steel, to discuss recruiting, player development, and the mental side of hockey success. They explore how young players can continue to improve, why versatility is such a valuable asset, and how parents can best support their kids throughout their hockey journey.Key Points From This Episode: 00:00 - Season 2 begins: what listeners can expect from thepodcast 01:36 - Why college recruiting and NIL make Mike’sperspective timely 02:39 - Lindsay’s recruiting path and the importance ofeducation 04:43 - Drew’s path through the national development programand University of Denver 05:31 - Why academics can narrow college hockeyopportunities 06:20 - Introducing Mike from Notre Dame 07:09 - How a temporary goalie-coach role became a coachingcareer 10:03 - What set elite USHL players apart beyond talent 11:32 - Balancing strengths with weakness development 13:22 - Teaching players to think the game and make the nextplay 17:34 - Recruiting timelines and why grades matter so much 19:30 - Late bloomers and why 16 is not the whole story 20:29 - What college coaches look for in a recruit 22:44 - Work ethic, attitude, and competing through mistakes 23:50 - How parents should think about development foryounger players 26:39 - Where families should invest limited resources 29:47 - Do 3-on-3 and small-area games create bad habits? 32:02 - Shooting habits that create better goal-scoringchances 37:30 - Training game-like situations and using incentivesin practice 39:22 - Why versatility at multiple positions increasesopportunity 41:41 - Notre Dame freshman Sammy Nelson and rapid firebegins 42:36 - Why trying to fool college coaches is a bad idea 46:01 - Post-interview reflections from Lindsay and Drew 48:00 - Why recovery after mistakes matters more thanperfection 51:13 - Top takeaways for parents and players Links: USA Hockey - ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠ Drew Shore - ⁠https://www.drewshore.com⁠⁠ Lindsey Fry - ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠

  6. May 26

    Insights from Ken Martel: USA Hockey’s Player & Coach Development Vision

    Episode Description: In this episode, Ken Martel, Senior Director of Player and Coach Development at USA Hockey, shares his extensive experience on building a resilient, versatile, and player-centered hockey culture. We dive into how development strategies have evolved, the importance of multi-sport participation, and the future of hockey player development.Key Points From This Episode:00:00 - Introduction: Ken Martel’s role and background in USA Hockey00:47 - Ken reflects on his journey from player to coach and organizational leader02:30 - Evolution of the U.S. national development program and its greater capacity for coaching03:44 - Impact of technology and tailored player development in the NTDP04:54 - USA Hockey’s philosophy on athlete and coach development as a systemic approach08:52 - Balancing competition and learning in youth hockey11:27 - Building confidence and retention through process-oriented coaching12:31 - Addressing coaching strategies for players with varied skill backgrounds15:49 - The rationale behind the creation of the American Development Model in response to participation challenges19:58 - The role of small-sided, live-action games in skill and decision-making development22:55 - Clarifying the difference between technique and skill execution in game settings25:12 - Developing versatility through positional changes and embracing discomfort29:36 - The importance of multi-sport participation for athletic adaptability35:01 - The value of exposing young players to multiple environments for long-term growth43:09 - Selecting and cultivating future coaching talent in USA Hockey44:42 - The qualities that make a coach stand out, beyond technical skills48:47 - Key attributes for young athletes: resilience and perseverance49:13 - The fulfilling aspects of USA Hockey’s mission to serve and help players and coaches50:39 - Closing remarks: the importance of collaboration and continuous growthLinks:USA Hockey - ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠ Drew Shore - ⁠https://www.drewshore.com⁠⁠ Lindsey Fry - ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠

  7. May 7

    Breaking Barriers: Growing Deaf & Hard of Hearing Hockey

    In this episode of theUSA Hockey Next Gen podcast, Lyndsey Fry and Drew Shore are joined by Kevin Delaney, USA Hockey’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing representative and president of the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association. Kevin shares his personal journeygrowing up in the game with hearing loss and how that led to a lifelong commitment to growing accessibility in hockey. The conversation examines how Deaf and Hard of Hearing hockey operates, the importance of communication andinclusion, and the role coaches and programs play in creating supportive environments. Kevin also discusses the history and impact of AHIHA, the growth of the Deaf national teams, and his vision for expanding opportunities—especially on the women’s side—while continuing to build a strong, connected hockey community. Key Points From ThisEpisode: [00:00:30] Introduction of hosts and overview ofthe episode featuring Kevin Delaney. [00:01:39] Kevin Delaney’s role and the missionof Deaf and Hard of Hearing hockey. [00:03:47] Explanation of Deaf and Hard ofHearing hockey classifications and participation guidelines. [00:05:38] Importance of accessibility,communication methods, and inclusion beyond equipment. [00:07:04] Kevin’s playing background andtransition into coaching and leadership. [00:08:30] Impact of hockey camps in buildingcommunity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing players and families. [00:10:26] Evolution of coaching philosophy andadapting communication for individual athletes. [00:12:06] History andfounding of the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association (AHIHA). [00:13:00] Growth of the hockey school and itsrole in developing national team players. [00:17:19] Kevin’s role within USA Hockey andefforts to expand awareness and participation. [00:20:46] Creating inclusive environments andfostering a sense of belonging for all players. [00:23:18] Story of athlete development andconfidence gained through Deaf hockey programs. [00:26:15] Vision for the future, includinggrowth of women’s Deaf hockey internationally. [00:28:16] Advice for Deaf and Hard of Hearingplayers and families in mainstream hockey. [00:29:24] Key changes in Deaf hockey, includingincreased participation and technology advancements. [00:30:53] Influential Deaf athletes and leadersmaking an impact on and off the ice. [00:32:06] Closing reflections on inclusion,growth, and continuing to build accessible hockey communities.     Links: USA Hockey- ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠ Drew Shore - ⁠https://www.drewshore.com⁠⁠ Lyndsey Fry - ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠

  8. Apr 24

    Hockey, Beaches, and Big Wins: Inside the 2026 USA Hockey Long Drink Women’s National Championships

    Key Points From This Episode:[00:00] Introduction to the USA Hockey Next Generation Podcast and overview of the episode. [00:00:26] Host Lindsay Fry introduces guest Laura Verheranta. [00:00:50] Laura shares a look into her team, the LA Lions, and their Nationals experience. [00:01:04] Discussion of team vibe, fun, and the benefits of the one‑game‑per‑day schedule. [00:01:24] What motivates adult players to attend Nationals and memorable moments like beach trips. [00:01:53] Shark‑tooth hunting and exploring local Florida activities. [00:02:14]Team strategies, game forecasting, and embracing the full tournament experience. [00:02:31] Introduction of guest Tori Pizzuto and her double‑rostering journey. [00:02:43] Tori explains the benefits of playing on multiple teams and the strength of long‑standing community ties. [00:03:34] Why she returns each year and how competition levels have evolved. [00:04:18] Comparing this tournament to others, highlighting camaraderie and competitive seriousness. [00:04:49] How teams prepare, scout, and approach Nationals with a competitive mindset. [00:05:36] Introduction of Kenzie from the Carolina Lady Hurricanes and her team’s recent success. [00:05:56] Kenzie discusses feeling physically and emotionally “hot” and confident during the event. [00:07:20] Kenzie’s year‑round hockey routine across multiple leagues and why consistent play matters. [00:08:00] Game strategy, team chemistry, and pre‑game plans — including off‑ice bonding. [00:08:33] Closing remarks and well wishes for the tournament, emphasizing camaraderie and fun.Links: USA Hockey - ⁠⁠https://www.usahockey.com⁠⁠ Lindsey Fry - ⁠⁠https://fryhockey.com/⁠

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Step into the future of the game with USA Hockey: Next Generation — the official podcast spotlighting the rising stars, innovative minds, and evolving culture of hockey across the country. Each episode dives into the stories shaping tomorrow’s game, from youth and adult players to coaches, officials, and trailblazers driving change at every level. Whether you're a lifelong fan, a weekend warrior, or just discovering the sport, join us for inspiring interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and fresh perspectives on how hockey is growing, adapting, and thriving in communities nationwide.

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