The Jack Skille Podcast HMMR Media

Jack and Bill chat youth hockey development with Troy Ward, Associate Head Coach of Minnesota State University.

The reboot episode. Jack Skille and Bill Kerig chat about the podcast's new direction and what you can expect in future episodes.

Throughout season 2 of the show we've shared different perspectives on transitions. We've talked with people in different situations and on different paths. But over and over again the same themes start to emerge. On this week's episode we bring things together by discussing some key takeaways and common themes from the season.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 2 on transitions and post-career identity.

Highlights from this episode:


0:00 - Introduction.

2:00 - Integrating into the team.

5:30 - Preparing athletes for the next level and learning to accept new roles: "In a new situation you have to have the mental fortitude, or the maturity to understand your place in the structure to not complain. Do your job consistently every day."

10:30 - Transitioning leagues: "There's a time to be a voice and there's a time to be an actions guy. And most of the time it's actions, not words, that are needed. So show up early and to the little things."

18:15 - Pressure on foreign players.

23:30 - The value of purpose.

29:30 - Getting out of your comfort zone.

32:30 - Trusting in faith: "Whatever you believe in, trust it. What's the sense in believing in something if you don't trust it."

Often, the longer you do something, the harder it is to stop. Molly Engstrom was at the top of women's hockey for more than a decade, wining two Olympic medals and four world titles. When it finally came time to retire, it was painful to let go of the one thing she knew well in life. It can feel like you're losing control. She joins this week's episode to discuss dealing with the loss, regaining control, and finding purpose in chaos.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 2 on transitions and post-career identity.

Highlights from this episode:


0:00 - Introduction.

3:00 - Engstrom's current activities and getting into coaching.

6:45 - Learning to play hockey.

9:45 - Playing with the boys.

14:45 - Developing the passion for hockey.

16:45 - Faith and transitions: "The beauty of my career is that I played until 35. There are not many women that play beyond 30. That was fantastic, but the fall was then harder. It was the most painful thing in my life."

22:15 - Dealing with grief.

26:45 - Changing directions and the roller coaster: "It is so easy to fall into the trap of the roller coaster of successes and failures."

35:30 - Finding purpose in chaos and keeping a positive mentality.

41:45 - Dealing with lack of control and finding new pursuits: "We are professional athletes and when we suck at something it is discouraging."

53:00 - How does Engstrom identify herself.

58:30 - Final thoughts.

Sometimes transitions are planned, other times they just happen. Blake Geoffrion was on the path to stardom when his professional hockey career came to an abrupt end with one hit. On this week's episode of the Jack Skille Show he talks about his career and how he had to suddenly change course to find new dreams.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 2 on transitions and post-career identity.

Highlights from this episode:


0:00 - Introduction

2:30 - Reflecting on a winning environment at the University of Wisconsin: "If the team does well, everyone does well. You're more likely to get noticed, more scouts come to the game. Winning creates opportunities."

13:45 - Growing up in Tennessee and finding hockey.

19:30 - The fork in the road, military school, and leaving Nashville.

25:00 - Moving to National Team Development Program, changing roles, and accepting adversity.

31:30 - The draft and post-draft.

38:30 - The hit.

47:30 - Retirement and sudden change.

57:00 - Finding new dreams.

On this week's show John Mitchell discusses his NHL career, plus the difficulties of deciding when and how to move on.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 2 on transitions and post-career identity.

Highlights from this episode:


0:00 - Introduction

2:00 - Starting in hockey and developing a passion.

5:30 - Getting drafted.

9:30 - Making the pros and expectations vs. reality.

14:30 - Identity shift and role change: "Every player that makes the NHL was one of the top players on the team when they were growing up. The pro game is different."

25:00 - Dealing with the ebbs and flows of the game: "If you identify solely as a hockey player, you're riding a roller coaster and it's hard to be a normal person. The best pros can stay calm and take things as they come. They have a life outside the game."

29:00 - Transitioning out of the game: "No athlete is entirely happy when they retire from a sport they love and have played since a kid."

34:00 - Transitioning to European hockey.

39:15 - Starting retirement.

44:00 - Finding purpose.

49:00 - Getting through it: "I want people to hear that you're going to be ok. It's a transition period. It's going to suck. There are challenges, but those challenges are good."

52:00 - Where to start: "Start with service. Find a way to serve in something you are passionate about. Maybe you aren't even paid, but you'll find people that can point you in the right direction."