Youth hockey today is overflowing with noise. Too much instruction, too many commands, and too many coaches trying to look smart instead of developing players.

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy break down the problem of overcoaching in youth hockey, why it’s hurting development, and how a simpler, more player-first approach leads to better long-term results. From understanding when to talk (and when not to), to building trust, confidence, and true hockey IQ, this episode cuts deep into what actually helps kids grow.

Whether you're a coach rethinking your approach, a parent trying to support your kid, or a player tired of being controlled on every shift,  this episode is for you.

Key Moments:

0:00 – Intro

10:02 – Zone coaching mistakes at the youth level

10:28 – Overcoaching vs undercoaching

14:50 – When coaches act like they know everything

16:25 – Too much happening behind the bench

18:10 – Kids will make mistakes — and that’s good

20:30 – Game-day themes that actually help players

23:55 – Are your practices too complex?

31:40 – Why overcoaching happens in the first place 

35:30 – Coaching the bench instead of coaching the players

40:40 – Avoiding the hyper-negative coaching spiral

43:00 – “The more you say, the less I hear.”

47:50 – How coaches impact player confidence

53:50 – Some coaches simply won’t like your kid — and what to do

Stay Connected:

Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube.Follow us: @BuiltFromSteelSeries

Partner accounts:@BioSteelSports@BioSteelSportsAcademy@CoachEpzolo

The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports. Learn more at www.biosteel.com

Your role on a hockey team isn’t fixed - it’s earned, adapted, and redefined throughout your journey.

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy dive deep into the reality of team roles,  how players can develop the mindset to contribute, how parents can support without pushing, and how coaches can guide without limiting growth.

From navigating lineup competition to earning trust, this episode offers a powerful look into what it really means to “find your role” whether you’re on the top line or fighting for your next shift.

Whether you’re a player learning to adapt, a parent trying to understand your kid’s journey, or a coach balancing development and team needs, this episode is for you.

Key Moments:

0:00 – Jiu-Jitsu and the mental carryover to hockey

5:41 – Why playing with better players pushes growth

11:30 – What if your teammates aren’t as strong as you?

13:20 – U18 lineup mindset + finding your role

16:50 – Fighting for ice is part of the game

18:00 – “How can I help the team?”

24:25 – Understanding your linemates

27:21 – Adapting your role when you join a new team

29:45 – Don’t be a bucket of vanilla — bring identity

36:00 – Be ready when opportunity comes

39:20 – Trust determines ice time

43:55 – Sometimes you won’t get the chance — and that’s real

52:00 – Earning trust through smart decisions

52:46 – Parents may not know what the coach expects

54:15 – Sometimes another player is just better

58:45 – How to respond when things don’t go your way

1:01:25 – Be careful what you wish for — hockey is hard

Stay Connected:

Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTubeFollow us: @BuiltFromSteelSeries

Partner accounts:

@BioSteelSports

@BioSteelSportsAcademy

@CoachEpzolo

The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports.Learn more at www.biosteel.com

The OHL Draft is a milestone, not the destination.In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy break down the pressure, the misconceptions, and the mindset that surround the OHL Priority Selection. From how scouts actually evaluate players, to how parents and coaches can support (or sabotage) the process, this episode delivers real-world clarity for players in their draft year and the people around them.Whether your name is called or not, the habits, the attitude, and the support system matter far more than the ranking.This is the reality check every player, parent, and coach needs to hear.🎧 Key Moments:2:00 – Communication before the days of technology → team culture & tech today12:21 – Episode 4 of the docu-series + U16 Draft spotlight14:40 – The importance of the OHL Draft16:20 – How the draft does (and doesn’t) shape your future18:40 – Rule changes and draft eligibility22:00 – Overhyped vs overlooked: mindset around the draft22:50 – What if you don’t get drafted?26:00 – Projecting draft picks: the reality28:00 – What should kids actually focus on?29:14 – Controlling the controllables32:20 – What scouts really notice34:17 – Do points matter?36:00 – Intangibles & translatable skills38:25 – What makes your game projectable?39:44 – Parents’ role through the draft41:27 – Support vs pressure46:20 – Creating stability at home50:40 – Coaching your team through the draft56:00 – What makes a good coach at the next level1:01:25 – Hockey is hard - be careful what you wish for📲 Stay Connected:🎥 Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube 📱 Follow us: @BuiltFromSteelSeriesPartner accounts: @BioSteelSports @BioSteelSportsAcademy @CoachEpzoloThe Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports. 🌐 Learn more at www.biosteel.com

Coaching at the youth level isn’t just about systems and skill drills - it’s about shaping people.In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy unpack what it really means to coach youth hockey today and how it compares to coaching elite-level athletes. From managing parent expectations to avoiding the trap of “overcoaching,” this conversation dives into the real challenges coaches face and the mindset needed to do it right.Whether you’re a parent trying to support your kid or a coach navigating the pressure, this episode is for you.Key Moments:0:00 – Intro + updates from the Academy2:39 – Letting your kid enjoy the game6:20 – Loyalty, attitude, and what actually makes sense9:25 – Docu-series + Team App updates14:00 – Academy team review15:00 – Coaching girls vs boys17:00 – Coaching youth vs high-level athletes18:00 – Why coaching youth is harder than you think19:10 – The danger of overcoaching22:45 – Parent feedback vs staying true to your coaching philosophy24:10 – Coaching to develop vs coaching to win27:15 – The pressure on youth hockey coaches29:30 – What are fair expectations from parents?36:15 – Defining your coaching philosophy42:00 – Give coaches some grace46:00 – Don’t forget what it’s like to be the player52:00 – When is it fair to judge a coach?54:30 – Coaching is a position of power — handle it responsibly56:30 – How much talent do you really have to work with?57:30 – Why over-barking at kids does more harm than goodStay Connected:Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube.Follow us on socials: @BuiltFromSteelSeriesPartner accounts:@BioSteelSports@BioSteelSportsAcademy@CoachEpzoloThe Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports.Learn more at www.biosteel.com

Dan Crosby is the founder and CEO of BioSteel, the driving force behind BioSteel Sports Academy, and the visionary behind the Built From Steel movement. He also oversees a broader portfolio of ventures through Coachwood Group.

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on what drives Dan as a builder, leader, and creator. From humble beginnings to launching a full performance ecosystem, this is the story behind the mission and what it really takes to build something from the ground up.

Key Moments:

0:00 – Dan’s backstory: growing up with nothing

12:00 – Why school didn’t click

15:30 – Learning business without formal education

18:50 – Doing outrageously unique things

24:30 – Fear, risk, and mastering pressure

28:00 – The BioSteel brand: direction, vision, takeover

33:00 – Building the Academy and where it’s headed

41:00 – Passion and energy at the core

46:00 – Culture, mindset, and identity

48:15 – Legacy and what he wants to leave behind

Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube.

Keep up on socials @BuiltFromSteelSeries.

Follow our partners:

@BioSteelSports

@BioSteelSportsAcademy

@CoachEpzolo

The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports. Learn more at www.biosteel.com