Built From Steel Podcast

Coach Eric Palazzolo
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Hockey
  • Updated Weekly

A raw and honest look into high-performance hockey development, from youth to elite levels. From the creators you know and love, Built From Steel brings together the worlds of player development through real world experience the BioSteel performance ecosystem. Hosted by Coach Eric Palazzolo, the show blends insight, experience, and real talk for athletes, coaches, and parents who are serious about long-term growth, on and off the ice.

  1. 4d ago

    Ep.49 | Bouncing Back When Things Go Bad in Youth Hockey

    Every team has weekends where nothing seems to go right. In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Coach Eric and Coach Andy break down how players and coaches should respond after a difficult stretch and what actually matters when trying to reset. From teaching game management and avoiding overanalysis to creating consistency, building team buy-in, and finding ways to improve when results are poor, this conversation focuses on what productive responses to adversity actually look like. They also discuss what scouts and hockey staff are seeing in today’s youth game, what separates good U16 players, and how changing roster structures and open borders are affecting development. A bad weekend does not need to become a bad season. The most important thing is figuring out how to get better today. Key Moments 0:00 – Intro 7:30 – What a coach sees during an 0–4 weekend 9:00 – Teaching players how to manage games 11:30 – What should a coach do after a difficult weekend? 16:00 – Finding consistency in youth hockey players 19:30 – When one bad decision changes an evenly matched game 20:20 – Committing to doing things the right way as a coach 22:30 – The danger of overanalyzing after poor results 25:00 – How players can bounce back from a bad shift, period, or weekend 27:00 – Focus on getting better today 32:00 – Building buy-in to the team concept 35:50 – Feedback from scouts and GMs on the state of youth hockey 38:00 – What stands out about good youth hockey players? 42:00 – Why U16 players can be so difficult to scout 45:00 – Filling gaps when your top players are not available 47:50 – How open borders are changing youth hockey 53:30 – Discussion around the new U.S. development league announcement Key Themes Poor results should lead to evaluation, not panic Game management is a skill players need to learn Consistency in youth hockey takes time to develop Coaches need to avoid changing everything after one bad weekend Players should focus on what they can improve immediately Team success requires individual players to buy into shared responsibilities Scouts notice decision-making, habits, and consistency beyond raw skill U16 evaluation is difficult because players are developing at very different rates Strong teams need depth and role players who can contribute when opportunities change Structural changes in youth hockey continue to reshape where and how players develop Stay Connected Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube. Follow on socials: @BuiltFromSteelSeries @BioSteelSports @BioSteelSportsAcademy @CoachEpzolo The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports. Learn more at www.biosteel.com

    Ep.49 | Bouncing Back When Things Go Bad in Youth Hockey

  2. Oct 11

    Ep.48 | Youth Hockey Q&A: Bad Shifts, Winning, Injuries & Favourites

    In this Q&A episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy answer listener questions covering some of the most common situations players, parents, and coaches navigate throughout youth hockey. From resetting after a bad shift and creating alignment between coaches to practice volume, fear of making mistakes, conflicting advice, winning, injuries, and favouritism, this episode tackles the everyday issues that can have a major impact on a player’s development. The conversation focuses on separating perception from reality and giving players, parents, and coaches practical ways to think through situations that rarely have simple answers. Development requires learning how to respond to mistakes, manage competing messages, and understand the difference between what feels unfair and what actually helps a player grow. Key Moments 0:00 – Intro 7:45 – How good players reset after a bad shift 10:30 – Three things to focus on when the game isn’t going your way 16:00 – How a coach’s reaction shapes the team’s reaction 20:15 – How to get coaches working together within an organization 21:30 – Why creating alignment between youth coaches can be so difficult 24:00 – The pressure every coach feels to win 25:35 – Does your organization actually know what it stands for? 30:10 – Are young players practicing too much? 32:00 – Why additional training needs to be driven by the athlete 36:00 – What happened to players practicing on their own? 39:30 – Are coaches making players afraid to make mistakes? 40:00 – Sitting young players after mistakes 42:00 – What happens when a private skills coach and team coach disagree? 46:45 – At what age should winning actually start to matter? 48:50 – Playing hurt: toughness versus making a bad decision 53:50 – Do coaches really have favourite players? Key Themes Good players develop the ability to reset quickly after mistakes Coaches help determine how players and teams respond to adversity Organizations need clear development standards while still allowing coaches individuality More training is not automatically better training Players need opportunities to experiment, fail, and solve problems Private training should complement the player’s team environment rather than compete with it Winning can matter without becoming more important than development Learning the difference between being hurt and being injured is part of becoming an athlete What looks like favouritism may sometimes be a coach placing greater trust in a player who has earned it Stay Connected Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube. Follow on socials: @BuiltFromSteelSeries @BioSteelSports @BioSteelSportsAcademy @CoachEpzolo The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports. Learn more at www.biosteel.com

    Ep.48 | Youth Hockey Q&A: Bad Shifts, Winning, Injuries & Favourites

  3. Oct 4

    Ep.47 | 10 Things Coach Andy Notices Behind the Bench in 2026

    Youth hockey is changing, and so are the players, parents, and coaches involved in the game. In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Coach Eric and Coach Andy explore 10 observations Andy has made from behind the bench in 2026 and how the youth hockey environment continues to evolve. From communication and feedback to the professionalization of youth sports, player preparation, and the growing dependence on coaches, trainers, and advisors, this conversation explores both the positive developments and concerning trends shaping today's game. While players have access to more resources, information, and development opportunities than ever before, are we losing some of the fundamental lessons and experiences that make hockey so valuable? The game continues to evolve, but we can't lose sight of the fundamentals that make great players and great people. Key Moments 0:00 – Intro 5:00 – Kids are still kids: the importance of guidance and patience 9:00 – Understanding that development is a process you can't rush 10:00 – The communication problem in today's youth hockey 16:45 – Players want feedback and need to understand how to improve 20:00 – How video technology like LiveBarn has changed the game 22:30 – Coaches have more resources than ever, regardless of playing experience 25:00 – How coaching has evolved over time 31:50 – Players need to understand WHY they're doing things 37:30 – Today's players are generally more skilled, but are they better hockey players? 45:10 – Are we losing important details and habits in the game? 46:30 – How players prepare for games today 49:30 – The desire to be elite before earning it 52:00 – Why players can't skip steps in the development process 56:00 – Players want to train, but does everything require a coach, trainer, or advisor? 1:03:00 – Have we gotten too far away from the roots of hockey? Key Themes Youth athletes still need guidance, patience, and strong relationships with adults Communication and meaningful feedback are fundamental to player development Modern coaching resources have created new opportunities for coaches to improve Players need to understand the purpose behind what they're being taught Increased skill development doesn't necessarily translate to better hockey habits Preparation, accountability, and attention to detail still matter The professionalization of youth hockey is changing player and parent expectations External coaching and guidance should complement, not replace, player independence Development takes time, and players can't skip the process Preserving the fundamentals, enjoyment, and culture of hockey is essential as the game evolves Stay Connected Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube. Follow on socials: @BuiltFromSteelSeries @BioSteelSports @BioSteelSportsAcademy @CoachEpzolo The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports. Learn more at www.biosteel.com

    Ep.47 | 10 Things Coach Andy Notices Behind the Bench in 2026

  4. Sep 27

    Ep.46 | Successful Youth Hockey Program Blueprint (The Coaches Site)

    This special episode is presented in collaboration with The Coaches Site.  Sign up for a premium membership and save 25% on your first year using code NEWSEASON. Visit thecoachessite.com or download the app to sign up! Matt Doumochelle hosts this webinar discussion with panelists Eric Palazzolo, Maco Balkovek, and Lukas Havlicek. Drawing on their work at BioSteel Sports Academy, Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna, and HC Slovan Bratislava, they compare ways to create alignment, give coaches room to work, start a season with staff, and bring new coaches into an organization. From culture and parent communication to delegation and coach development, the panel discusses the day-to-day work behind a successful youth hockey program. They also take on development versus winning, the timing of systems and skills, how much a group can understand, difficult player personalities, and the non-negotiables they would put in place when building an organization. Key Moments 0:00 – Intro 10:15 – Establishing organizational alignment 12:50 – Giving coaches freedom within an established program 17:30 – Onboarding new coaches 19:45 – Defining a development-focused program 22:55 – Guiding coach-parent interactions 26:00 – Building culture at HC Slovan 32:40 – Delegating across a hockey organization 37:10 – Structuring coach development 44:25 – Non-negotiables for a new organization 51:55 – Managing coaches' urge to win 54:30 – When to teach systems versus skills in youth hockey 57:40 – Deciding how much a group can understand 59:40 – Managing difficult player personalities 1:02:45 – Improving yourself and your organization Key Themes • Alignment, culture, and non-negotiables give a youth hockey program direction. • Coach freedom works alongside onboarding, development, and support. • Development-focused decisions balance skills, systems, winning, and player capacity. • Parent communication and delegation shape the day-to-day running of an organization. • Leaders need to keep improving themselves and their organizations. Webinar Panel • Matt Doumochelle, webinar host • Eric Palazzolo, BioSteel Sports Academy • Maco Balkovek, Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna • Lukas Havlicek, HC Slovan Bratislava Stay Connected Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube. Follow on socials: @BuiltFromSteelSeries @BioSteelSports @BioSteelSportsAcademy @CoachEpzolo The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports. Learn more at www.biosteel.com

    Ep.46 | Successful Youth Hockey Program Blueprint (The Coaches Site)

  5. Sep 20

    Ep.45 | Youth Hockey Development: Positions, Communication & Flexibility

    Coach Eric and Coach Andy respond to an email from a U9 coach planning a development-first season: rotating players through centre, wing and defence, using balanced lines, and encouraging kids to communicate directly with coaches. On the Built From Steel Podcast, they discuss the mixed parent response, including concerns about preparing for AAA next year. They also talk about the approach and feel behind coaching young players, managing a bench with 10 forwards, and learning what interests each player. The conversation considers the learning curve created by new drills and why a coach may need to adapt roles and plans as the season progresses. Key Moments 0:00 – Intro 15:30 – A U9 coach's development-first season plan 19:41 – The coaching approach behind player development 24:30 – Developing a feel for what players need 27:30 – Managing 10 forwards on a youth hockey bench 32:10 – The case for changing positions 38:00 – Player preferences for playing centre 48:00 – Avoiding doing too much as a coach 51:00 – The learning curve for new drills 1:01:10 – Learning player interests and getting them to speak 1:03:00 – Adapting as the season progresses Key Themes Player development at U9 can include communication, accountability and self-advocacy. Changing positions and playing with different teammates can build a broader understanding of the game. Coaches need a feel for individual players, including what interests them and how to get them talking. New drills and season plans come with a learning curve and may need adaptation. Parent expectations about early AAA preparation can clash with a development-first plan. Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube. Stay Connected Follow on socials: @BuiltFromSteelSeries @BioSteelSports @BioSteelSportsAcademy @CoachEpzolo

    Ep.45 | Youth Hockey Development: Positions, Communication & Flexibility

  6. Sep 13

    Ep.44 | Getting Noticed: Scouting, Development & Hockey Paths

    Coach Eric and Coach Andy were invited to speak with the Grey Bruce Highlanders organization about getting noticed and choosing a hockey path. This Built From Steel Podcast episode shares their full conversation on what development means, why love of the game matters, and how practice, roles, identity and intent fit into a player’s growth. They also cover evaluating games beyond goals, the balance of skill and hockey IQ, what scouts care about, the urge to move away from home, and what can get a player noticed. The conversation includes guidance for parents as they help their kids manage disappointment and make sense of the development process. Key Moments 17:00 – Managing disappointment 19:00 – What player development actually means 20:00 – Why love of the game matters 24:20 – Evaluating games beyond goals 26:00 – Helping kids assess whether they played well 28:00 – Skill development and hockey IQ 29:00 – Practice players 31:50 – When player roles begin to matter 33:00 – Developing a player identity 34:45 – What scouts care about 38:00 – The urge to move away from home 41:00 – Playing with intent 43:00 – What actually gets a player noticed 47:30 – Supporting kids as a hockey parent Key Themes • Development is about more than goals • Love of the game matters alongside skill and hockey IQ • Roles, identity, practice and intent shape a player’s growth • Scouts look beyond obvious production • Parents can help kids reflect on games and manage disappointment Stay Connected Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube. Follow on socials: @BuiltFromSteelSeries @BioSteelSports @BioSteelSportsAcademy @CoachEpzolo The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports. Learn more at www.biosteel.com

    Ep.44 | Getting Noticed: Scouting, Development & Hockey Paths

  7. Sep 6

    Ep.43 | Foundations for Centermen in Youth Hockey *Mini Series Ep.3*

    In the third episode of this Built From Steel Podcast mini-series, Coach Eric covers positional play for centermen, from acting as a third defenceman in the defensive zone to protecting middle ice, supporting battles, and sorting out coverage when the puck changes sides. He also breaks down getting underneath the puck on breakouts, creating short passing options and speed, staying connected through the neutral zone, and shifting into F1, F2, or F3 in the offensive zone. The episode closes with faceoffs and the responsibility that starts as soon as the puck drops. Key Moments 4:30 – Third-defenceman responsibilities in the defensive zone 7:00 – Protecting the middle of the ice 11:00 – Supporting a defensive-zone corner battle 15:30 – Moving through the middle when the puck switches sides 19:00 – Reading the play as the defensive-zone quarterback 23:20 – Common defensive-zone mistakes for centermen 26:15 – Getting underneath the puck on breakouts 29:00 – Creating short passing lanes and support 33:00 – Questions to ask when supporting a breakout 35:00 – Staying low and connected in the neutral zone 40:00 – Forechecking inside-out in the neutral zone 44:00 – Forward roles on entries: F1, F2, and F3 48:00 – Faceoff responsibilities after the puck drops Key Themes • Centers protect middle ice and stay defensive-side rather than chase the puck. • Patience below battles helps centermen cover loose pucks and dangerous ice. • Getting underneath the puck creates short passing options and speed. • Offensively, a centerman’s role shifts to F1, F2, or F3 as play becomes fluid. • Faceoff responsibility continues with the read after the puck drops. Stay Connected Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube. Follow on socials: @BuiltFromSteelSeries @BioSteelSports @BioSteelSportsAcademy @CoachEpzolo The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports. Learn more at www.biosteel.com

    Ep.43 | Foundations for Centermen in Youth Hockey *Mini Series Ep.3*

  8. Aug 30

    Ep.42 | Foundations for Defencemen in Youth Hockey *Mini Series Ep.1*

    In Episode 2 of this Built From Steel Podcast Mini-Series, Coach Eric continues on the white board with transferable foundations for defencemen, from defending the rush to making decisions with the puck. He focuses on protecting the middle, controlling the gap, defending inside-out, and recognizing that good defence starts with managing time and space rather than chasing every play. He also breaks down defensive-zone responsibilities, puck retrievals, partner support in the neutral zone, and when a defenceman has earned the chance to join the rush. The conversation closes with offensive-zone habits, pinching decisions, and a defence-first approach to faceoffs. Key Moments 3:00 – Defending the rush 9:10 – Gap control and managing attacking space 16:28 – Defending a 2-on-1 19:00 – Defensive-zone coverage responsibilities 23:00 – Defending out of the corners 27:00 – Protecting the front of the net 31:00 – Communicating switches in coverage 34:30 – Puck retrievals 37:00 – Puck management under pressure 40:00 – Neutral-zone responsibilities 40:30 – Using the D-to-D hinge for partner support 45:00 – When to join the rush 47:00 – Offensive-zone positioning 52:00 – Pinching and understanding the risk 55:00 – Defence-first faceoff responsibilities Key Themes • Protecting inside ice gives attackers fewer dangerous options. • Gap control is about matching speed without surrendering space. • Scanning before puck retrievals helps defencemen solve pressure earlier. • Good puck movement gives teammates usable options instead of passing along pressure. • Defencemen can join the offence when possession and support are in place. Stay Connected Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube. Follow on socials: @BuiltFromSteelSeries @BioSteelSports @BioSteelSportsAcademy @CoachEpzolo The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports. Learn more at www.biosteel.com

    Ep.42 | Foundations for Defencemen in Youth Hockey *Mini Series Ep.1*
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

A raw and honest look into high-performance hockey development, from youth to elite levels. From the creators you know and love, Built From Steel brings together the worlds of player development through real world experience the BioSteel performance ecosystem. Hosted by Coach Eric Palazzolo, the show blends insight, experience, and real talk for athletes, coaches, and parents who are serious about long-term growth, on and off the ice.

Information

  • Creator
    Coach Eric Palazzolo
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Coach Eric Palazzolo
  • Show Website
    Built From Steel Podcast

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