In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards break down five core things every hockey player needs to nail — regardless of position, level, or age.

From watching the World Juniors in Christmas pajamas to skating with pros, the conversation starts light and quickly gets real. The guys dig into what actually separates players who progress from those who stall.

They cover:

• Multitasking — skating, handling, scanning, and thinking at speed

• Passing & receiving — why nobody is faster than the puck

• Stopping on pucks — compete level, conditioning, and puck retrieval

• Pace & space — changing speeds to create opportunity

• Learning from mistakes — and why awareness beats repetition

They also touch on youth development, confidence, playing up vs. playing down, consistency over time, and why progress often isn't obvious day-to-day — but always shows up if the work is done right.

This episode is a reminder that development isn't about highlights. It's about habits, details, and showing up consistently — on the ice, in the gym, and in how you think the game.

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8 Days of In-Season Tips

We're on a mission to help 1 million hockey players level up their game. If that sounds like something you'd be interested in, then don't miss our weekly episodes. We'll share our experiences, interview some of the top players in the game (old and new), and provide you with actionable tips — things that actually make you a better player.

The Hosts

Coach Adrian (A) @championshiplifestyle Head Strength Coach at Gary Roberts Performance. Fun Fact – Fought professionally in MMA for nearly a decade.

Coach Ryan (Gards) On-Ice Coach at Gary Roberts Performance. Veteran of over 1000 NLA (Switzerland's Top League) games, 5 Spengler Cups, 3 World Championships, and 1 Olympics. Fun Fact – His grandfather Cal is a "Top 100 Leaf of All Time."

Gary Roberts Performance hosts this podcast. If you're looking to take your game to the next level, GRP offers comprehensive training programs for elite hockey players.

👉 Click the link below to Book a Call with a GR Coach. IG: @garyrobertshpt #TheHockeyLabPodcast #HockeyNutrition #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyTraining #AthleteFuel