Crazy Hockey Dads Podcast

CHD Media

A relatable and honest podcast about the highs and lows of being a youth hockey parent. Join us as we share real stories, struggles, and wins from the rink, offering insights and support for parents navigating the world of youth hockey.

  1. MAY 13

    Episode 66: The Man Building “Hockey Paradise” in Florida - Larry Robbins

    Scott and Jamie sit down with Larry Robbins - hedge fund founder, former Chicago Steel owner, builder of Longwood Hockey, and the driving force behind the Florida Surf - for one of the most honest youth hockey conversations CHD has had yet. Larry pulls back the curtain on how he went from a self-described “bad hockey player” to helping build powerhouse development environments that produced NHL stars like Lane Hutson, Macklin Celebrini, Adam Fantilli, Owen Power, and Alex Laferriere.  But this episode isn’t about flexing hockey résumés. It’s about what youth hockey is becoming and whether parents are chasing the wrong things.  Larry talks about:  The pressure cooker of “elite” youth hockey  The insanity of hockey becoming a business  Why some families are leaving states like Michigan, Illinois, and New Jersey for Florida hockey  What actually creates development (hint: it’s not always the logo) He also explains the vision behind Longwood Hockey and the Florida Surf: building a full development ecosystem in Florida with AAA hockey, academy training, a new two-sheet rink, strength training, academics, and a pathway designed to keep elite players in-state instead of leaving at 13 years old. Florida Surf: https://www.floridasurfhockey.com/Longwood Hockey: https://www.instagram.com/longwoodhockey Partners: https://www.pacificrink.com/https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/https://hockeytraining.com/https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydadshttps://howieshockeytape.com/https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/Socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcastX: https://x.com/CrazyhockeydadsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

    2h 39m
  2. MAY 6

    Episode 65: “If You’re Good, They’ll Find You” w/ Connor & Kellen Jones

    Scott and Jamie sit down with Connor Jones, assistant coach at Princeton, and Kellen Jones, assistant coach at Holy Cross, for a raw look at twins, recruiting, compete, and what college coaches actually notice. The Jones brothers talk about growing up in a small-town hockey environment with no spring hockey, no summer hockey, no power skating, and no early hype - just hard work, other sports, and a family standard built around competing.  Now on the recruiting side, they explain what really jumps out when watching players: body language, response after mistakes, motor, work ethic, and whether a kid gives up on plays. They also explain why parents need to stop over-talking and let the player show who they are on the ice.  In this episode:  What college coaches actually notice  The red flags: body language, quitting on plays, and parent noise  How recruiting has changed with agents, the portal, and more players available  Why compete, character, and fit still matter If you think recruiting is just points and exposure, this one will reset your brain. Princeton Men's Ice Hockey: https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/mens-ice-hockeyHoly Cross Men's Ice Hockey: https://goholycross.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey Partners: https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/https://hockeytraining.com/https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydadshttps://howieshockeytape.com/https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/Socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcastX: https://x.com/CrazyhockeydadsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

    2h 19m
  3. APR 29

    Episode 64: Dr. Alicia Naser, Ph.D - Stop Turning the Car Ride Home Into a Therapy Session

    How hockey parents accidentally make the mental game harder. Scott and Jamie sit down with Dr. Alicia Naser, behavioral scientist, board certified behavior analyst, and founder of The Naser Institute for Behavioral Sports Psychology, for a parent-first conversation about pressure, confidence, mistakes, and the ride home from the rink. Dr. Naser explains why kids need space to make mistakes, why parents should be careful about watching every practice, and how constant feedback can quietly damage the parent-child dynamic. She breaks down what to say after a bad game, how to handle comparison, why “just forget about it” doesn’t work, and how players can build confidence by learning to recover emotionally after mistakes.  In this episode:  Why the car ride home matters more than parents think  What to say when your kid is frustrated after a game  Why comparison can crush confidence  Why confidence is learned, not something kids are just born with If your kid is already hard on themselves, this episode might change what you say next. Disclaimer This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this content does not establish a professional or therapeutic relationship. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare or mental health professional with any questions you may have. The views and opinions expressed by Dr. Naser are her own and do not represent those of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Dr. Alicia Naser - https://www.instagram.com/doctoralicianaser Partners: https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/https://hockeytraining.com/https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydadshttps://howieshockeytape.com/https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/Socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcastX: https://x.com/CrazyhockeydadsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

    1h 44m
  4. APR 23

    Episode 63: RJ Burns - “You’re Not Raising a Hockey Player… You’re Burning One Out”

    Why most youth hockey development is completely backwards. Scott and Jamie sit down with RJ Burns, Co-Owner of TopLine Hockey, and this one hits a nerve for every hockey parent. RJ breaks down why “just skating around cones” isn’t development, why kids need to think the game instead of memorize drills, and how the obsession with reps, travel, and “more ice” is actually hurting players long-term.  He shares blunt truths about parent pressure, over-scheduling, and kids who clearly don’t even want to be at the rink, plus why sometimes the best thing you can do is… take a break. The guys also get into:  Why jumping teams chasing “better situations” can backfire  The problem with coaches who only care about winning at U10  Why kids need freedom (and parents need to get off the glass)  How real development comes from decision-making, not drillsRJ also shares his own journey from bouncing teams and chasing the path, to realizing hockey became a job instead of something he loved, and how coaching brought that passion back. TopLine Hockey - https://tlhockey.com/ Partners: https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/https://hockeytraining.com/https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydadshttps://howieshockeytape.com/https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/Socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcastX: https://x.com/CrazyhockeydadsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

    2h 8m
  5. APR 15

    Episode 62: “You’re Racing to the Wrong Finish Line” with Heather Mannix - USA Hockey

    Why youth hockey development is getting misunderstood. Scott and Jamie sit down with Heather Mannix, Manager of Education & Player Development at USA Hockey, for a deep dive into what development actually means and where parents and coaches get it wrong. Heather explains how parent pressure impacts even the most informed families, why so many are rushing kids toward the wrong goals, and why the most important thing at young ages is simple: kids have to love the game. She also breaks down the evolution of USA Hockey’s coaching education, shifting from what to teach to how to coach, and why creating fun, competitive, game-like environments leads to better development than traditional drills.  The conversation also dives into burnout, over-scheduling, girls hockey growth, and the reality that fun isn’t goofing off...it’s competing, learning, and being engaged. In this episode:  Why parents are “racing to the wrong finish line”  The biggest misconception about development  Why fun is the #1 driver of long-term success  How coaching is shifting from drills to decision-making  The real risk of burnout (even if kids don’t quit) If you think more ice time, more teams, and more pressure = better development…this episode will make you rethink everything. Partners: https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/https://hockeytraining.com/https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydadshttps://howieshockeytape.com/https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/Socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazy.hockey.dadsX: https://x.com/CrazyhockeydadsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576627751551

    1h 47m
  6. APR 1

    Episode 60: Pat Shea - “I Didn’t Even Know If Hockey Was My Dream”

    When the game starts to feel like a job. Scott and Jamie sit down with Pat Shea (IG @pshea25) former University of Maine Black Bear, pro hockey player, and creator behind Hockey House and Full Ride for a raw conversation about identity, pressure, and walking away from the game. Pat opens up about a turning point many players don’t talk about: realizing that what was once fun started to feel like work. He explains how losing passion at the college level, combined with a growing interest in creating, forced him to ask a tough question…was hockey actually his dream, or something he grew up in? He also shares his path through youth hockey, prep school, and Maine including being a late bloomer, dealing with early rejection, and how confidence and obsession (not camps or shortcuts) drove his development. In this episode: When hockey starts feeling like a job and what that does to playersThe question most players never ask: is this actually my dream?Late bloomer reality vs early recruiting pressureHow Pat turned hockey life into one of the most relatable content brands in the gameThis one hits different, especially if your kid loves the game… but the pressure is starting to creep in. Partners: https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/https://hockeytraining.com/https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydadshttps://howieshockeytape.com/https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/Socials: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazy.hockey.dadsX: https://x.com/CrazyhockeydadsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576627751551

    1h 53m
4.6
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

A relatable and honest podcast about the highs and lows of being a youth hockey parent. Join us as we share real stories, struggles, and wins from the rink, offering insights and support for parents navigating the world of youth hockey.

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