Built From Steel Podcast

Some of the most important qualities in hockey don’t always show up on the scoresheet.

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy break down the undervalued traits that separate players over time, the things coaches notice, teammates appreciate, and winning teams rely on.

From second and third effort to being easy to play with, handling imperfect hockey, buying into a team-first role, and developing vision and creativity, this conversation focuses on the details that help players earn trust.

Talent may get you noticed, but the habits underneath your game determine whether coaches can actually use you when it matters.

Key Moments

0:00 – Intro: learning from champions and what winning players do differently

20:00 – Second and third effort: where grit actually shows up

27:30 – Being easy to play with and making the game better for teammates

30:20 – Handling imperfect hockey: bad passes, broken plays, bad ice, and chaos

37:30 – Team-first buy-in and accepting a winning role

44:00 – Coaches notice the underrated players who do things the right way

48:25 – Vision, creativity, and why multi-sport development matters

57:00 – Communication as an undervalued player quality

 Key Themes

• The first effort is expected - second and third effort build trust

• Great players make the game easier for the people around them

• Hockey is messy, and good players solve problems in imperfect situations

• Everyone wants to win until they have to sacrifice for a winning role

• Coaches notice players who contribute beyond points and highlights

• Creativity matters, but players need the maturity to know when and how to use it

• Communication, support, and predictability are major parts of being trusted

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

What’s the point of playing hockey?

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy zoom out from the day-to-day pressure of drafts, teams, rosters, and development to talk about the bigger lessons the game can teach.

From NHL Draft realities and changing player profiles to timing, confidence, social development, culture, networking, and resilience, this episode is about why hockey matters beyond the scoreboard.

The goal of playing hockey should not be to avoid hard things. It should be to become better equipped to deal with them.

At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea:

Hockey should help build people who are stronger, more confident, more resilient, and better prepared for life.

Key Themes

• The hockey journey is rarely linear

• Draft results are only one part of a much bigger development story

• Timing, opportunity, and environment all matter

• Hockey can teach confidence, resilience, communication, and social awareness

• The network and relationships built through the game can last far beyond playing

• Players need to learn how to handle adversity, not avoid it

• The real value of hockey is often found outside the game itself

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

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy break down The Coaches Site report on The State of Coaching Youth Hockey in 2026 and discuss what the findings reveal about the modern coaching experience.

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You Can Download the FULL REPORT for free HERE

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From organizational support and development expectations to parent pressure, player challenges, communication, and the growing complexity of youth hockey, this episode takes a real look at what coaches are dealing with behind the bench.

The conversation also explores where the game is improving, where coaches still feel unsupported, and what organizations can do to create stronger development environments for players, parents, and coaches.

At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea:

Youth hockey development only works when coaches, parents, players, and organizations are aligned.

Key Moments

0:00 – Intro: injuries, getting older, and trying to stay fit

8:00 – Introducing The Coaches Site report on youth coaching in 2026

12:20 – Who responded to the coaching survey?

15:00 – Do youth coaches feel supported by their organizations?

17:15 – Do organizations set clear development expectations?

20:20 – Common struggles inside youth hockey organizations

21:30 – What real development actually means

27:00 – Creating a true development standard as an organization

29:30 – What resources coaches use to improve

32:00 – Building a more holistic development model

35:00 – Where coaches feel they need more help and resources

40:00 – Are we overcomplicating youth hockey with video and analytics?

45:20 – How much pressure do coaches feel to win?

52:00 – How coaches see their relationships with parents

53:24 – The truth about “crazy hockey parents”

56:00 – Optics between parents and coaches

1:00:30 – Having players lead dialogue while keeping parents informed

1:02:40 – The biggest challenges coaches face with today’s players

1:14:00 – Positive changes coaches are seeing in youth hockey

Key Themes

• Coaches need more support, structure, and clear development expectations

• Development must be defined by organizations, not left up to every individual coach

• Parents are often a major source of pressure, but most parent-coach relationships are still positive

• Winning pressure can quietly change decisions at the youth level

• Video, analytics, and systems are useful only when they serve player development

• Today’s coaches are dealing with more than tactics — they are managing attention, confidence, communication, habits, and culture

• Youth hockey improves when adults create alignment around development, fun, accountability, and long-term growth

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

Video can be one of the most powerful tools in player development, but only if it’s used the right way.

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy break down how players, parents, and coaches can use video to actually improve hockey IQ.

From understanding time and space to reading pressure, scanning before touches, supporting teammates, and recognizing habits away from the puck, this episode explains how video can help players see the game more clearly.

But video can also be misused.

When it becomes a tool for blame, criticism, or proving a point, players stop learning from it. The goal is not to embarrass players, overwhelm them, or turn every mistake into a lecture.

The goal is to create awareness.

At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea:

Video doesn’t make you smarter by itself. It helps you see the game more clearly, if you know what to look for.

Key Moments

0:00 – Intro

3:30 – Coach Andy’s philosophy on using video

12:20 – The negative side of video

13:00 – Communicating through video

15:00 – Is video being overused?

18:50 – How to use video effectively

20:30 – Why framing matters when using video

26:00 – Should parents watch video with their kid?

30:30 – Understanding the parent’s role with video

35:00 – How parents should approach video if they use it

41:10 – As a coach, what is your goal with video?

45:00 – How players can use video to help themselves

54:00 – Watching details, habits, and decisions

58:00 – How skill development coaches can use video

Key Themes

• Video should be used for learning, not blaming

• Hockey IQ starts with awareness, scanning, and decision-making

• Parents should ask questions instead of giving lectures

• Coaches should use video to simplify, not overload

• Players need to learn how to watch their own habits honestly

• The smartest players don’t just watch highlights — they watch details

• Video should connect back to practice and game habits

• Hockey IQ is often built away from the puck

Stay Connected

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

Follow on socials:

@BuiltFromSteelPodcsat

@BuiltFromSteelSeries

@BioSteelSports

@BioSteelSportsAcademy

@CoachEpzolo

The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports.

Learn more at www.biosteel.com

Summer training doesn’t need to be complicated but it does need to be intentional.

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy break down 5 ways hockey players can make their summer training more successful.

From building a plan and training with purpose to developing your body off the ice, recovering properly, and staying consistent without losing your summer, this episode gives players and families a practical framework for approaching the off-season the right way.

The goal isn’t to sign up for everything, chase sweat, or copy what everyone else is doing.

The goal is to understand what you actually need, train with purpose, and build habits that carry into the season.

At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea:

Most players don’t fail in the summer because they don’t work hard. They fail because they don’t have a plan.

Key Moments

0:00 – Where do you start if you know nothing?

3:00 – Everyone wants to skip steps

8:00 – Training doesn’t need to be complicated

12:00 – Muscle groups hockey players need to develop

15:30 – The attitude you need to actually get better

17:00 – Tip 1: You need to have a plan

19:00 – Parents want to see “sweat” even when it doesn’t matter

19:51 – Getting advice from reputable people

25:40 – Tip 2: Have a purpose

25:45 – Different versions of hard work

25:50 – Finding your purpose no matter what you have access to

31:30 – Asking what the purpose is behind what you’re doing

39:10 – Tip 3: Build your body off the ice

41:00 – The 5 buckets of strength and conditioning

46:00 – Training correctly

48:45 – Strength, speed, and power

51:25 – Tip 4: Recovery

51:35 – Learn to hit the gas pedal before you learn to recover

53:40 – Why you need to hit your max to create adaptation

56:00 – Sleep tips for athletes

58:30 – Hydration and nutrition

1:02:00 – Mobility and injury prevention

1:08:10 – Tip 5: Consistency is king

Key Themes

• Don’t just train more, train with a plan

• Summer development should have clear priorities

• On-ice work needs to transfer into games

• Off-ice training should build a better athlete, not just a better hockey player

• Recovery is part of development

• Consistency matters more than perfection

• Parents should avoid turning summer into a pressure cooker

• The best summer plan is one the player can actually stick to

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

Every hockey family reaches a point where they're faced with more opportunities than they know what to do with.

Showcases. Spring hockey. Invitational tournaments. Skills camps. Identification camps. "You've been selected" emails. But which opportunities actually help your development and which ones are simply selling the dream?

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy break down how players and families should evaluate opportunities outside of their regular season, the questions every parent should be asking before committing time and money, and why chasing every event often leads players further away from their long-term goals.

From understanding showcase value to recognizing the difference between legitimate opportunities and clever marketing, this episode provides a practical framework for making better decisions throughout the hockey journey.

At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea:

The best opportunity isn't always the biggest one, it's the one that actually helps you become a better player.

Key Moments

4:00 – Eric's perspective on tournaments and showcases beyond the regular season

8:00 – How many showcases and extra tournaments should players actually do?

10:30 – The good and bad sides of extra hockey opportunities

14:00 – Legitimate reasons to play spring hockey or attend additional events

15:30 – The tough questions every family should ask before committing

18:00 – Recognizing the "slimy salesman" in youth hockey

20:00 – The downside of superteams and inflated egos

22:00 – How to evaluate "You've Been Identified" emails

23:50 – Following the crowd vs. making smart decisions

25:00 – Why navigating opportunities is so difficult for parents

31:30 – Seize the opportunities you already have every day

38:00 – No opportunity replaces putting in the work

45:00 – You probably don't understand how much competition is actually out there

47:00 – The reality of just how many players are chasing the same dream

51:00 – Age gaps, competition, and understanding where you truly fit

56:00 – The hockey development funnel and why perspective matters

Key Themes

• Every opportunity deserves to be evaluated, not automatically accepted

• Spring hockey and showcases are tools, not requirements

• Ask difficult questions before investing your time and money

• Be skeptical of organizations selling exposure instead of development

• Great players still have to do the work regardless of where they play

• Success comes from consistency, not collecting events

• Understanding the size of the hockey landscape creates better perspective

• Development should always come before exposure

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

The 2026 OHL Priority Selection is officially in the books.

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy break down the draft from every angle from the emotions families experience during draft weekend to the realities hidden beneath rankings, draft lists, and public opinions.

Using real draft data and examples from the 2026 class, they discuss what OHL teams actually value, how players separate themselves, and why the draft often tells a very different story than people expect.

The conversation also explores the role of politics in youth hockey, the impact of league affiliation, late bloomers, player projection, and what families should really take away from the results.

At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea:

The draft is not the end of the story. It's simply another filter in a much longer journey.

Key Moments

0:00 – Opening thoughts on the OHL Draft and how it affects families

3:30 – Reflecting on the draft now that it's over

9:30 – How politics affects youth hockey and the draft process

13:00 – What does a "good player" actually mean?

15:00 – Understanding draft lists, rankings, and ratings

17:00 – A message for parents navigating draft season

22:00 – Who is actually creating these rankings?

23:40 – Garrett Sutton's selection in the 4th Round from BioSteel Sports Academy

29:30 – Finish every interview with this question

31:40 – The difference between getting better and understanding your role

35:00 – The subtle details that separate high-quality players

36:40 – What OHL teams are actually asking and evaluating

40:00 – Don't be vanilla as a player

47:30 – 2026 OHL Draft analysis by the numbers

48:00 – U.S. players selected in the draft

49:50 – Players drafted outside the 2010 birth year

50:30 – The role of late bloomers in player development

55:00 – Average height and weight of drafted players

55:30 – Draft breakdown by position

58:40 – Total eligible players

59:00 – Draft breakdown by league (GTHL, OMHA, HEO, NOHA, Prep, Alliance, etc.)

1:06:00 – Being honest when analyzing draft results

1:07:12 – The reality: you haven't seen every player

1:09:50 – Two ways to think about the draft process

1:13:00 – A reality check from the final draft results

1:15:00 – Don't get caught up in all the noise

Key Themes

• Rankings and draft lists are opinions, not outcomes

• OHL teams are projecting future players, not rewarding current production

• The best players separate themselves in subtle ways

• Politics exist, but they don't tell the whole story

• Draft position doesn't define a player's future

• Development is rarely linear

• Families should focus on growth, not validation

• The hockey journey continues long after draft day

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

In this special episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, we release the full NCAA Coaches Roundtable from the inaugural Matterhorn Fit All-Path Ontario Showcase.

Following the Welcome Reception, six NCAA coaches and staff members sat down to answer questions from players, parents, and coaches about recruiting, player development, academics, the transfer portal, NCAA eligibility, and what they are actually looking for when evaluating prospective student-athletes.

This conversation provides a rare opportunity to hear directly from NCAA decision-makers about how recruiting works behind the scenes, how the landscape is changing, and what players can do to maximize their opportunities both on and off the ice.

Whether you're pursuing NCAA hockey, evaluating different development pathways, or simply trying to better understand the recruiting process, this discussion offers valuable insight from some of the top programs in college hockey.

Featured Guests

• Leio Mauron – Assistant Coach, Miami University (Ohio)

• Andrew Sturtz – Assistant Coach, Penn State University

• Cam Clark – Assistant Coach, Cornell University

• Gudge Gentzler – Assistant Coach, Bentley University

• Jeff Giuliano – Assistant Coach, University of New Hampshire

• Matt Nicholson – Assistant Coach, Bowling Green State University

Key Moments

1:40 – Welcome and introduction from Matterhorn Fit CEO Ryan Vesce

2:15 – Miami University introduction

5:20 – Penn State introduction

8:40 – Cornell University introduction

11:50 – Bentley University introduction

14:10 – University of New Hampshire introduction

16:40 – Bowling Green State University introduction

19:30 – What makes Miami unique and what it's like to play there

24:10 – The transfer portal, recruiting, and what Penn State looks for in players

30:10 – Life at Cornell: balancing elite academics and hockey

35:40 – Player development at Bentley and navigating the post-high school years

39:50 – Recruiting at UNH and how NCAA eligibility changes are impacting the landscape

43:41 – What Bowling Green looks for in players and the role families play in recruiting

Audience Q&A

48:40 – Are scouting services worth it for NCAA recruiting?

50:40 – What does the recruiting timeline actually look like?

55:20 – What does it mean when a player "commits" to a school?

58:31 – Understanding the NCAA Eligibility Center and its role in the process

Key Themes

• What NCAA coaches actually prioritize when evaluating players

• How the transfer portal is changing recruiting

• The role academics play in the recruiting process

• When and how players should communicate with schools

• How families can support the recruiting journey effectively

• The realities of commitments, eligibility, and long-term planning

• Why development, character, and consistency still matter most

Stay Connected

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

Follow on socials:

@BuiltFromSteelSeries

@BioSteelSports

@BioSteelSportsAcademy

@CoachEpzolo

@MatterhornFitEvents

The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports.

Learn more at www.biosteel.com

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy use the story of Tom Brady's unlikely rise from overlooked draft pick to NFL legend as a framework to explore one of the biggest questions in sports:

What actually separates the athletes who make it from those who don't?

From OHL Draft expectations and confidence struggles to work ethic, preparation, recovery, and accountability, this conversation breaks down the uncomfortable truths that many players and parents need to hear.

Everyone says they want success. Everyone says they'll do whatever it takes.

But when nobody is watching, when things get hard, and when adversity arrives, the choices players make begin to separate them from everyone else.

At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea:

Dreams are common. The willingness to do the work isn't.

Key Moments

0:00 – Intro, staying healthy & athlete recovery

3:20 – Why recovery matters for athletes

4:00 – Athletes need recovery strategies earlier than ever

6:00 – Introducing the Tom Brady story

12:00 – Advice and reality heading into the OHL Draft

18:00 – The beginning of Tom Brady's journey

24:50 – One of the greatest scouting misses in sports history

26:00 – What are you doing when nobody is watching?

27:00 – Most athletes only push themselves to what feels comfortable

31:00 – Doubt and confidence struggles are normal

31:50 – The harsh reality: nobody cares

32:00 – Obsessing over the "how do I make it?" question

36:00 – Your actions have to match your words

40:00 – What does hard work actually mean?

43:00 – Learning not to half-ass the process

47:00 – Nobody is coming to feel sorry for you

48:30 – Competition should be difficult

49:20 – Why many players fail to do the right things in games

50:30 – Effort is only one dimension of hard work

55:20 – The parent mindset when supporting ambitious kids

1:00:00 – Parents can't force the dream onto their children

 Key Themes

• Hard work is much more than effort alone

• Recovery and preparation are part of the process

• Confidence issues affect every athlete, even elite performers

• The best players separate themselves when nobody is watching

• Opportunity follows preparation, not entitlement

• Parents can support dreams but cannot create them

• Success requires actions that match your ambitions

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

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy dive into one of the most important realities in hockey development:

Everyone wants opportunity but very few players are truly prepared for it when it arrives.

From building culture and setting standards to handling slumps, confidence issues, and limited ice time, this conversation explores what separates players who continue moving forward from those who get stuck waiting for someone else to help them.

The discussion covers the lonely side of development, the importance of finding ways to contribute, and why patience is often the missing ingredient in a player's journey.

At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea:

The players who earn trust create opportunity. The players waiting for an opportunity often miss it.

Key Moments

0:00 – Andy's return to training and fitness journey

5:30 – Building culture: how do you actually implement it?

6:45 – Adults set the tone in any environment

13:30 – The lonely road of becoming a high-level athlete

16:00 – Group energy, motivation, and distractions

19:00 – What happens when you don't get the opportunity you wanted?

22:00 – Losing confidence and how players respond

24:00 – Getting the opportunity is the hardest part

31:00 – Learning to fit the line and help the team

32:30 – No one is coming to save you

34:40 – Mental Toughness 101

37:00 – Finding ways to contribute when you're struggling

41:00 – Accepting the type of player you are

43:40 – Opportunity may be closer than you think

45:30 – Are you putting yourself where opportunity exists?

48:50 – Why patience matters more than most players realize

51:30 – The easy path is rarely the better path

52:40 – Smart people can see what you're doing behind the scenes

55:30 – Being fooled into thinking you're something you're not

Key Themes

• Opportunity is earned before it's given

• Culture starts with the adults in the room

• Confidence comes and goes but habits remain

• The best players learn how to contribute before they learn how to lead

• Patience is often the difference between quitting and breaking through

• Mental toughness is built through adversity, not comfort

• Coaches trust players who solve problems, not create them

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