In Episode #11 of the Ask a Pro Podcast, Brock Montgomery sits down with Calgary Flames Assistant Coach Cail MacLean for an inside look at what it really takes to succeed in hockey.

Cail shares his journey from coaching in the ECHL and AHL to the NHL, and breaks down what separates players as they move up through the levels. They discuss training camps, hockey IQ, skating, compete level, coachability, discipline, recovery, team culture, and why simply having skill isn't enough.

Cail also gives valuable advice to young players trying to stand out at camps: focus on what you can control, understand what makes you different, and do what you do best — loudly.

The conversation also dives into youth hockey development, the importance of playing multiple sports, avoiding early specialization, and why parents should support their kids without wanting success more than they do.

A great episode for players, parents, and coaches looking to better understand what goes into reaching — and staying at — the highest levels of hockey.

🎙️ Guest: Cail MacLean
🏒 Assistant Coach, Calgary Flames
🎧 Host: Brock Montgomery
📺 Ask a Pro Podcast – Episode #11

In this episode, Neil Graham shares insights from his extensive coaching career, including the demands of NHL coaching, the importance of character and resilience, and advice for young players and coaches. Discover how top athletes balance skill development with character and the value of continuous growth.

What happens when your identity, career, and body all change in a single moment? Brock Montgomery sits down with internationally certified mountain guide Mark Herbison, whose life was forever altered after a paragliding accident that cost him part of his leg. This isn’t a motivational comeback story. It’s an honest conversation about fear, resilience, risk, and what it really means to move forward when nothing goes back to normal.

How did Connor Bedard build one of the best shots in hockey? Brock Montgomery sits down with Bedard’s longtime skills coach Trevor Lackness to break down the truth behind his training habits, what made him special, and how young players can actually follow his blueprint.

They also dive into modern skill development, the problems with Instagram-style training, and Trevor’s wild coaching experiences—from Korea to running practices for Iran’s national team over Zoom.

A fast, honest, eye-opening episode for players, parents, and coaches who want to understand what real development looks like.

In Episode #7, I sit down with Michal Mrázik, a former pro hockey player who was forced to retire at just 23 years old. We talk honestly about the pain and frustration of dealing with herniated discs, and what it feels like when your dream gets taken away before you’re ready.We dive into identity, confidence, and trying to figure out who you are when the one thing you’ve always loved is no longer an option. Michal also shares what inspired him to write his book Life Doesn’t End Up Here, how expressing his story helped him heal, and why he believes in starting over with curiosity and courage.Together we talk about resilience, personal growth, the positives and negatives of going viral, and finding joy in the simple things again — like travel, connection, and living life on your own terms.

Ron Berteling on Building Dutch Hockey, Lake Placid ‘80, and Coaching Kids the Right Way 🇳🇱
In this episode, Brock sits down with Dutch hockey legend Ron Berteling—longtime Netherlands captain, 1980 Olympian (Lake Placid), coach, mentor, and champion for youth development. Ron shares how he fell in love with hockey in 1964, what the sport looked like in the Netherlands through the 70s/80s, unforgettable A-pool stories (Guy Lafleur, Team USA, the “Miracle on Ice” era), and why simple habits, discipline, and fun will always beat flashy skills on social media.

You’ll hear practical coaching wisdom for mixed-level teams, how to grow a club the right way, why kids should “dream big but do the boring work,” and the magic of crisp outdoor sessions that keep us all in love with the game.

#AskAProPodcast #RonBerteling #DutchHockey #LakePlacid1980 #YouthHockey #HockeyCoaching

🔗 Connect
• Brock: @brockmontgomeryy

)

🙏 If you enjoyed this chat, please like, comment, and subscribe—it truly helps the show grow.

Chapters

00:00 – Intro: Why Ron Berteling matters
00:18 – Hellos & how this convo finally happened
01:00 – Ron’s first skate (1964) & three-team Dutch landscape
03:00 – Idols then vs. now: Cruyff, Howe, and learning from books
05:00 – Coaching kids into good people (not just good players)
06:30 – Climbing from C-pool to A-pool & qualifying for Lake Placid
08:40 – Canary Islands Worlds, youth team, and loving the grind
10:05 – A-pool memories: Canada, Lafleur, and media attention in NL
12:30 – Why hockey boomed—and what we didn’t build for the future
14:10 – NL vs. Canada training challenge: big skill gaps, one sheet
16:20 – Practice design for mixed levels: push the top, include the rest
18:00 – Ice-time scarcity, tournaments, and maximizing puck touches
20:10 – Coaching philosophy: standards, roles, and “reach your level”
22:50 – Stats for kids? Why development > leaderboard
24:20 – Keep games close: what 16–2 scores teach (nothing)
26:30 – Club-hopping, systems, and teaching real game discipline
29:00 – Simple hockey: exits, entries, no blind passes, be the high guy
31:40 – Lake Placid: mindset, Red Army hours, and Herb Brooks’ ask
34:00 – Why USA beat the USSR (work rate, panic, and moments)
36:10 – Format reminder: US still had to beat Finland for gold
37:10 – Career highlights: 200+ caps, captaining NL, line with his son
39:20 – Motivation & longevity: friends, fun, and showing the standard
40:40 – Sticks & shots: from wood to Bedard, Ovi’s “old-school” snipe
43:10 – Social media skills vs. game sense—and coaching fixes
46:30 – Advice for 12–14s: be coachable, disciplined, team-first
49:10 – Going abroad (DE/AT/SE): pros, cons, and what actually helps
53:00 – Boring is good: sacrifice, offseason work, and no excuses
57:00 – Gratitude talk: parents, fees, and doing your best
59:10 – Outdoor rink magic: why crisp nights keep us in love with hockey
1:02:00 – Language, culture, and making the rink feel like home
1:04:30 – Wrap-up & what’s next

In this episode, I sit down with pro goalie coach Justin Cardinal — who’s worked with NHL goalies like Adin Hill and Logan Thompson. We talk about the evolution of goaltending, mental preparation, and what it really takes to reach the top.

We dive into everything from mindset and breathwork to gear comfort, nutrition, and time management — and how social media and culture shape today’s athletes. Justin also shares stories from coaching Stanley Cup champions and the emotional rewards that come with helping goalies succeed.

It’s a great conversation with lessons that go far beyond goaltending — for any athlete who wants to keep improving both mentally and physically.

In this conversation, Brock Montgomery interviews Adam Cracknell, a seasoned professional hockey player, discussing his journey through youth hockey, the importance of coaching, and the challenges faced in professional sports. They explore the significance of communication between players and coaches, the role of parents in youth sports, and the mental fortitude required to overcome adversity. Adam shares his experiences playing for Team Canada and offers insights into training and maintaining performance throughout a long career. The conversation concludes with advice for young players on how to stand out during tryouts and camps.

In this episode, Brock Montgomery sits down with Sam Goodwin — best-selling author, NCAA hockey player turned world traveler, and one of the few people to visit every country on Earth. Sam’s journey includes playing hockey in North Korea and surviving captivity in Syria.

Sam shares his story of navigating post-concussion challenges, chasing his dream to travel the globe, and the lessons he learned after being taken hostage. Together, they explore themes of resilience, mental health, personal growth, and the power of family support during life’s most difficult moments.

Sam’s inspiring story is captured in his best-selling book Saving Sam, available everywhere books are sold — including Amazon.

Whether you’re an athlete, a traveler, or someone looking for inspiration to face life’s uncertainties head-on, this conversation will leave you motivated and encouraged to take action, even in the face of adversity.

In this conversation with undoubtedly one of the best goal scorers in today’s game, two-time Stanley Cup Champion Sam Reinhart shares insights from his hockey career — including his experiences winning the Cup, the importance of great coaching, and how he prepares for the Olympics.

He opens up about the mental side of staying motivated through slumps, why versatility matters in player development, and breaks down the techniques behind his unique shot. Sam also highlights the benefits of multi-sport participation for young athletes, reflects on lessons learned from elite players around the league, and even shares a few personal interests — from his love for football to his thoughts on hockey’s rules.

The Ask A Pro Podcast is where pro athletes, coaches, entrepreneurs, and other high performers share their stories and lessons. Hosted by former pro hockey player Brock Montgomery, each episode dives into the mindset, challenges, and defining moments that shape success on and off the ice. Brock brings questions straight from his Summit Hockey Academy players — and listeners everywhere — to top professionals, creating unique conversations that bridge the gap between fans and pros and give people the rare chance to get answers they wouldn’t otherwise have access to. These insights are designed to inspire not just the next generation of athletes, but anyone looking to reach their full potential.

Follow Brock on Instagram @BrockMontgomeryy to see who’s coming on next and submit your own questions for future guests.

Thanks for listening.