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. 11h ago

    Episode 79: I Never Had One-on-One's (w/ Princeton’s Chris Reiniger)

    One Princeton player's path - and why more isn't always better. Recorded on location at Princeton's summer hockey camp, Scott and Jamie sit down with Princeton defenseman Chris Reiniger to talk about the path from Maryland youth hockey to South Kent, the Chicago Steel, and eventually Division I hockey at Princeton.  Chris talks candidly about starting hockey late, the sacrifices that nearly made him walk away from the game, and why finding the right environment helped keep his love for hockey alive. He also shares why he never did one-on-one training growing up, prefers competitive group sessions, and believes too much extra hockey can become exactly that...too much.   The conversation also gets into the jump from AAA to prep to juniors and college, mental performance and visualization, managing Princeton academics, and what life as a D1 athlete actually looks like.   In this episode:  Why he nearly questioned whether hockey was worth the sacrifice  The massive jump from juniors to college hockey  Visualization, confidence, and avoiding the “energy vampire”  Balancing hockey, academics, and life at Princeton This one gives hockey parents something they don't hear enough: there isn't one required development formula for getting to the next level.  Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/CHD/MSK Donation Page: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/chdmsc2026 Princeton University Men's Ice Hockey: https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/mens-ice-hockeyPrinceton University Women's Ice Hockey: https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/womens-ice-hockeyPrinceton Sports Camps: https://www.princetonsportscamps.com 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/

  2. Aug 5

    Episode 78: “We Don't Want Good Kids. We Want Great Kids.” (w/ Princeton's Shane Talarico)

    Why culture wins long before talent does. Scott and Jamie sit down with Princeton Assistant Coach Shane Talarico, recorded on location at Princeton University's summer hockey camp, for a behind-the-scenes look at college coaching, recruiting, and what separates good teams from great ones.  Shane shares his unlikely coaching journey from Division III to Princeton, why there isn't one path to success, and how great coaches - and great players - are built through relationships, culture, and continuous learning. He also explains what Princeton really looks for in recruits, why character carries as much weight as talent, and how the hockey world stays connected behind the scenes.  In this episode:  Shane's path from Division III to Princeton  Why great teammates become great players  What Princeton looks for beyond talent  How the transfer portal and CHL changes are reshaping college hockey Whether your child dreams of college hockey or you're simply trying to understand what coaches actually value, this episode is full of insight from one of the game's rising young coaches. Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/CHD/MSK Donation Page: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/chdmsc2026 Princeton University Men's Ice Hockey: https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/mens-ice-hockeyPrinceton University Women's Ice Hockey: https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/womens-ice-hockeyPrinceton Sports Camps: https://www.princetonsportscamps.com 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/

  3. Jul 29

    Episode 77: Hockey Is Bigger Than the Game | Live from Mo's Smile

    This week, Crazy Hockey Dads heads to Longwood Hockey for the Mo's Smile fundraiser benefiting Memorial Sloan Kettering and Shoot for a Cure. Scott and Jamie sit down with Maurice Campbell, Rob Laferriere, Evan Rodrigues, and Dan Muse for honest conversations about hockey, parenting, adversity, and why this sport is bigger than wins and losses. From raising kids who love the game to trusting the process, giving back, and supporting families through unimaginable loss, every guest shares what the hockey community looks like at its very best.  In this episode:  Maurice Campbell on Mo's legacy and why the mission continues  Rob Laferriere on keeping youth hockey fun  Evan Rodrigues on confidence, commitment, and falling in love with the process  Dan Muse on leadership, adversity, and why hockey is a community first This isn't just another hockey episode, it's a reminder of why so many families fall in love with this game in the first place. Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/CHD/MSK Donation Page: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/chdmsc2026Longwood Academy: https://www.floridasurfhockey.com/longwood-academyEvan Rodrigues IG: https://www.instagram.com/evanr17/?hl=enDan Muse IG: https://www.instagram.com/danmuse12/?hl=en 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/

  4. Jul 22

    Episode 76: Mid Fairfield's Danielle Ward - Your Kid Doesn't Need a Better Team

    The championship coach behind one of youth hockey's top programs. Scott and Jamie sit down with Danielle Ward - head coach at Mid Fairfield, Breakaway Academy coach, and former pro player for an honest conversation about what actually develops hockey players.  Danielle explains why parents often make development harder by chasing the next team, overanalyzing every decision, and focusing on status instead of confidence. She shares why accountability has to be fair, why kids need room to make mistakes, and how the right environment matters more than the logo on the jersey.  The conversation also covers the growth of girls hockey, building championship teams at Mid Fairfield, academy hockey, burnout, spring hockey, and what Danielle looks for in players beyond talent.  In this episode:  Why chasing the next team can hurt development  The biggest mistakes hockey parents make  Building accountability without losing confidence  Why kids need to make and learn from their own mistakes This episode is a masterclass in long-term player development from one of the most respected youth coaches in the game. Danielle Ward IG: https://www.instagram.com/dwardy22/?hl=enMid Fairfield Hockey: https://www.instagram.com/mid_fairfield_hockey/?hl=enBreakaway Academy: https://breakawayacademy.net/ Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/ 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/

  5. Jul 15

    Episode 75: I Didn't Need AAA to Make the NHL (w/ Stanley Cup Winner Erik Cole)

    The late bloomer who proved everyone wrong. Scott and Jamie sit down with former NHL forward and Stanley Cup champion Erik Cole for an honest conversation about the winding road from small-town hockey in upstate New York to nearly 900 NHL games.  Erik shares how he didn't play AAA hockey, grew up in a community program, was a late bloomer physically, and almost let a difficult college coaching experience derail his career. He explains how one breakthrough season changed everything and why confidence can be just as important as talent.  The conversation also dives into youth hockey today, becoming a hockey dad, coaching his own son, and the lessons he learned from both the NHL and behind the bench. In this episode:  How a late growth spurt changed Erik's career  Why confidence was the turning point  The college coaching experience that almost pushed him out of hockey  Why adversity prepared him for the NHL This is a reminder that there's more than one path to the highest level of hockey. Erik Cole IG: https://www.instagram.com/eriktcole/?hl=en Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/ 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/

  6. Jul 8

    Episode 74: 2026 Hobey Baker Winner Max Plante - Small, Overlooked… Then Everything Changed

    The 2026 Hobey Baker winner on late growth, betting on himself, and chasing big dreams. Scott and Jamie sit down with Max Plante for a conversation that has surprisingly little to do with trophies and everything to do with development. Max shares how he was just 5'4", 120 pounds when he left Minnesota high school hockey for the NTDP, why many people questioned the decision, and how learning to compete as one of the smallest players on the ice ultimately became one of his biggest advantages.  He also talks about growing up in Hermantown, playing every sport he could, the influence of his hockey family, battling through injuries, winning World Juniors gold, and why pushing yourself into uncomfortable situations is often the fastest path to growth.  In this episode:  Why being undersized helped shape his game  The emotional decision to leave Minnesota for the NTDP  What injuries taught him about resilience  Why playing multiple sports made him a better hockey player This isn't just the story of a Hobey Baker winner, it's a reminder that development isn't always linear, and betting on yourself is often the hardest move to make. Max Plante: https://www.instagram.com/mdplanet10University Minnesota Duluth: https://umdbulldogs.com/sports/mens-ice-hockeyMo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/ 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/

  7. Jul 1

    Episode 73: TopLine Hockey - Your Kid Doesn’t Need the Best Team…They Need the Right Coach

    Scott and Jamie sit down with Justin Selman and Boo Nieves of TopLine Hockey for a brutally honest conversation about development, coaching, team-hopping, and what parents keep getting wrong.  Justin and Boo share their own paths through Michigan, pro hockey, the AHL grind, injuries, coaching, and building TopLine into one of the most trusted development groups in the area.  But the real meat of this episode is youth hockey today: why parents chase logos, why kids get stuck in the wrong roles too early, why switching teams every year can backfire, and why the best situation isn’t always the best-ranked team.  In this episode:  Why “the best team” may be the wrong fit  Why team-hopping can become a red flag  Why you can’t force a kid to love hockey  The brutal reality of the AHL grind If your kid is miserable, underused, or chasing the next logo - this one is required listening. TopLine: https://tlhockey.com/TopLine IG: https://www.instagram.com/toplinehockey Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/ 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/

  8. Jun 24

    Episode 72: The Hockey World Got Bigger... Not Easier (with Sean Flanagan)

    What college coaches are actually looking for in today's game. Scott and Jamie sit down with Sean Flanagan, Associate Head Coach at Cornell University, for a candid conversation about recruiting, development, and what separates players who keep advancing from those who stall out.  Sean explains how the recruiting landscape has changed with more teams, more leagues, and the transfer portal creating a much larger pool of players than ever before. He also shares what Cornell looks for beyond talent, including character, academics, consistency, and a genuine love of the game. The conversation dives into youth hockey development, multi-sport athletes, late bloomers, recruiting misconceptions, and why parents often worry about things that matter far less than they think.  In this episode:  How recruiting has changed in the portal era  What Ivy League coaches actually look for  Why development isn't always linear  The value of multi-sport athletes  Common recruiting mistakes families make  Why passion for hockey still matters If you're trying to understand what college coaches are really evaluating, this episode is a must-listen. Cornell University Men's Ice Hockey: https://cornellbigred.com/sports/mens-ice-hockeyCornell University Women's Ice Hockey: https://cornellbigred.com/sports/womens-ice-hockey 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/

4.6
out of 5
42 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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