Built From Steel Podcast

In this special episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, we release the full Welcome Reception from the inaugural Matterhorn Fit All-Path Ontario Showcase, featuring a keynote presentation from Matterhorn Fit founder Ryan Vesce followed by an in-depth roundtable discussion with coaches, scouts, and staff from across the Ontario Hockey League.

This conversation gives players, parents, and coaches a rare behind-the-scenes look into how OHL organizations think about development, recruiting, NCAA changes, player evaluation, and what actually matters when projecting athletes to the next level.

From the impact of the NCAA rule changes to what coaches notice most in young players, this episode is packed with honest insight directly from the people making decisions inside the league.

Featured Guests

• Brayden Guy — Assistant Coach, Sarnia Sting

• Scott Simmonds — Assistant Coach, Guelph Storm

• Reagan O’Grady — Former Assistant Coach, Owen Sound Attack

• Justin Solcz — Assistant Coach, Flint Firebirds

• Kyle Makaric — Assistant Coach, Saginaw Spirit

• Sean Murphy — Former Scout, Niagara IceDogs

Key Moments

1:30 – Welcome & keynote speech from Ryan Vesce 

14:00 – OHL coach and scout introductions

19:40 – Sarnia Sting development standards & future direction

24:40 – Development opportunities: practices, off-ice, and daily environment

27:15 – Recruiting timelines & what teams look for in players

29:40 – How NCAA rule changes are impacting the OHL

34:30 – Team makeup, scouting ages, and the role of parents

38:50 – What players should focus on to reach the next level

Audience Q&A

41:30 – NCAA “5-in-5” eligibility discussion

45:50 – Import players & how they get noticed

47:40 – Is the OHL getting younger or older?

52:00 – What are players missing today?

53:22 – What stands out most in a player’s game?

Key Themes

• What OHL teams actually prioritize in player evaluation

• How NCAA changes are reshaping junior hockey

• The importance of development environments and habits

• Why parents need perspective during the recruiting process

• What separates players beyond pure skill

• How recruiting timelines and opportunities really work

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 reflect on the youth hockey journey from a different perspective: what happens when the ride is finally over.

From OHL Draft day emotions and junior hockey realities to parenting through youth hockey, camps, coaching changes, agents, and role acceptance, this conversation explores what actually mattered and what didn’t looking back on the full experience.

This episode is less about chasing the next step and more about understanding the bigger picture: how maturity develops over time, how difficult the junior hockey grind really is, and what parents should truly focus on while supporting their kids through the process.

At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea:Most of the things families stress about in youth hockey end up mattering far less than they think.

Key Moments

0:00 – Intro & setting the stage

4:00 – Becoming a “retired hockey dad”

8:20 – The OHL Draft and what it means to families

9:50 – Did the OHL Draft or NHL Draft mean more?

13:00 – The OHL Draft simply opens the door

17:50 – How maturity develops through the hockey journey

21:00 – Going through training camps

24:30 – Parents worry about ice time during draft years — but it’s about how you play

26:00 – The reality of junior hockey rosters

30:00 – Embracing the role you have

34:00 – Becoming a problem solver as a player

41:10 – Sports is mostly grind with a few big wins

43:00 – Coaching through junior hockey & how parents are affected

47:30 – How much does coaching actually impact a player in minor hockey?

53:00 – Looking back: did youth hockey results really matter?

56:23 – The role of agents and advisors

1:00:30 – Winning and “good teams” aren’t everything

1:09:00 – What parents need to understand about high-level coaching staffs

1:15:00 – Community involvement and relationships between parents

Key Themes

• The OHL Draft is an opportunity — not a guarantee

• Junior hockey is far more difficult and competitive than families realize

• Ice time matters less than how players perform in their opportunities

• Role acceptance and adaptability are critical skills

• Most players develop through adversity, not comfort

• Parents often stress about things that ultimately don’t matter long-term

• The hockey journey is about much more than wins, rankings, or draft position

Stay Connected

Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube

Follow on socials:

@BuiltFromSteelSeries

@BioSteelSports

@BioSteelSportsAcademy

@CoachEpzolo

The Built From Steel Podcast continues the long-term development focus established through the PowerTech Development Podcast platform.

🌐 Learn more at www.biosteel.com

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy tackle one of the biggest questions in youth hockey development:

When should players move from A/AA to AAA and how much does it actually matter?

From the pressure parents feel to “move up” early to the reality of how players develop over time, this conversation breaks down what truly separates good players from great ones.

The episode also explores expectations when joining new teams, the emotional side of parenting through hockey, the evolution of the game itself, and how today’s youth hockey system is changing.

At its core, this episode challenges one of the biggest myths in youth sports:

The best players are usually just the best players regardless of where they play when they’re young.

Key Moments

0:00 – NHL Draft Lottery & OHL Draft discussion

4:00 – You don’t need to play AAA at 10 years old

5:30 – Reflecting on an OHL career as a hockey parent

9:00 – Expectations when joining a new team

13:00 – Living life through your child

18:00 – Introduction to A/AA → AAA development

22:00 – What makes a good young hockey player?

25:40 – The best players usually separate themselves naturally

27:00 – Why kids leave teams and organizations

28:15 – A first-round pick is a first-round pick anywhere

28:50 – When should AA players jump to AAA?

34:00 – Repetition and building skill through reps

38:15 – Coaching differences across levels

40:00 – Teaching the skills required to advance levels

42:20 – Why superteams can create bad habits

44:00 – Demographic shifts in hockey participation

47:00 – Why hockey is losing inner-city athletes

50:00 – Old vs New age hockey players

53:00 – The financial realities of hockey

53:30 – Rethinking the youth hockey system

55:00 – The rise of academy models

57:00 – Asking better questions in life and hockey

Key Themes

• AAA at a young age is not a guarantee of long-term success

• Development is about habits, reps, and growth over time

• The environment matters — but so does perspective

• Great players tend to separate themselves regardless of level

• Superteams can sometimes hide development flaws

• Parents must balance support without projecting expectations

• Hockey’s system continues to evolve socially, financially, and structurally

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 SportsLearn more at www.biosteel.com

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy take a hard look at one of the most misunderstood parts of the hockey journey: what it actually takes to make it and why most players don’t.

From Exceptional Status in the OHL to junior camps, draft results, and long-term outcomes, this conversation breaks down the gap between perception and reality.

They dive into the mindset parents often bring into these moments, how difficult it truly is to make junior teams, and what happens to players years after they’re drafted, not just on draft day.

This episode is about removing emotion, understanding the odds, and making better decisions based on reality not hype.

Key Moments

1:30 – Exceptional Status in the OHL

2:30 – Andy’s perspective on Exceptional Status

14:00 – Junior tryouts & team selection reality

2:10 – Why you might not make a team even if you’re good enough

24:20 – Taking the “parent lens” off when evaluating your kid

30:00 – Where players from the 2021 OHL Draft ended up (Rounds 1–15)

46:50 – Where players from the 2021 OHL Draft ended up (Rounds 2)

48:00 – When skill doesn’t translate to staying at the next level

54:30 – Easton Cowan’s path toward the NHL

58:00 – Second-round picks who stopped playing

1:02:00 – Comparing two second-round picks — different outcomes

1:08:00 – The reality: hockey paths are all over the map

1:09:00 – The “filters” of hockey development

1:10:15 – Adversity is coming — no matter what

1:12:00 – The thing you think matters most… usually isn’t

Key Themes

• Exceptional status doesn’t guarantee long-term success

• Junior camps are evaluation tools not guarantees

• Draft position ≠ career outcome

• Parents often view the journey emotionally instead of objectively

• The best opportunities come when you’re wanted, not chasing validation 

• Every player’s path is different and unpredictable

• Development is about surviving the filters, not winning early

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, we break down one of the biggest challenges in youth hockey today: patience.

We open with a clip from NHL coach John Tortorella speaking about players wanting everything immediately — roles, opportunity, advancement — without understanding the reality of how progression actually works.

From there, we dive into the current state of AAA tryouts in Ontario, how open borders have changed the landscape, and why the traditional idea of “earning your spot” is becoming less clear.

We also discuss the growing “entourage” around young players — parents, advisors, outside influences and how that can impact decision-making during some of the most important development years.

The conversation then shifts to one of the most critical moments in a player’s path: after the U16 year and draft window. Whether you were drafted, overlooked, or moved teams, we break down how to think through your next steps with a long-term mindset.

This episode is for players, parents, and coaches navigating tryout season, roster decisions, and the pressure of early development expectations.

In This Episode, We Cover

• Why players need to learn to wait their turn

• The reality of progression in hockey development

• How AAA tryouts and open borders have changed minor hockey

• The impact of parents, agents, and outside voices

• What to do if you get cut — or make a new team

• Why families struggle with decision-making in youth hockey

• What happens after the U16 draft (drafted and undrafted players)

• How to evaluate the right path moving forward

• The importance of removing bias and emotion from decisions

Key Moments

01:50 – John Tortorella on players waiting their turn

02:35 – Andy’s reaction and perspective

04:30 – The reality of waiting your turn

05:30 – Rushing to the next level

07:30 – Is there really such a thing as tryouts anymore?

08:40 – The professionalization of youth sports

12:30 – The “entourage” around young players

13:30 – Being careful who you surround yourself with

18:00 – Tryouts and open borders in minor hockey

21:40 – Selling youth hockey to families

27:00 – What to do if you get cut or make a new team

35:00 – Why parents struggle with decisions

37:00 – Draft pick examples and realities

43:00 – What to do after the U16 draft

53:00 – Where players actually end up post-draft

59:00 – Taking off the rose-coloured glasses

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 Episode 6 of our Parenting Through Sports mini-series, Eric and Andy bring everything together by defining what the role of a parent actually is in youth sports.

• What does it really mean to support your child?

• How do you balance being positive while still holding them accountable?

• When does “pushing your kid” cross the line?

• How should you handle distractions, school, and social life?

• What does effective communication actually look like?

• How do you prepare your child to eventually navigate things on their own?

This episode breaks down the reality behind these questions and offers practical guidance for parents trying to raise both strong athletes and well-rounded people.

From managing tone and discipline to creating the right environment and leading by example, the focus is on helping parents build habits, values, and independence — not just outcomes.

At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea:Your job isn’t to control your child’s path - it’s to prepare them to handle it themselves.

Key Moments

0:00 – Intro & framing the final episode of the series

4:20 – When is a game actually “real”?

5:30 – The downside of easy games

Section 1 – The Role of the Parent

11:00 – Wrapping up the parenting mini-series

12:30 – What is the job of the parent in youth sports?

12:50 – Being positive and supportive as a foundation

14:50 – What real discipline actually looks like

Section 2 – Balancing Support & Pressure

17:00 – Creating an environment that is fun but serious

18:00 – Why sports should still be enjoyable

20:30 – Being hard on your kid vs crossing the line

24:20 – How to push your child the right way

28:00 – Why tone matters more than message

Section 3 – Environment & Development

31:30 – Process over outcomes

34:30 – What defines a good environment

39:00 – Leading by example as a parent

Section 4 – Real Life & Distractions

45:00 – Navigating real-life distractions (school, social events)

51:00 – Managing distractions in real time

53:00 – Handling focus as an athlete

Section 5 – Communication & Growth

54:30 – Financial support and investment

59:50 – Don’t pretend to be perfect as a parent

1:04:15 – Positive reinforcement vs criticism

1:05:10 – Being specific with feedback

1:06:00 – Using stories to teach lessons

1:08:40 – The importance of non-verbal communication

1:13:00 – Letting your kids learn for themselves

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 should we actually be doing for skill development?

In Part 5 of our Parenting Through Sports Mini-Series, Eric and Andy break down the realities of skill development in youth hockey, what actually translates to games, and how families should approach training in a world full of options.

From the explosion of private coaching and “elite” training environments to the pressure of doing more, earlier, this episode tackles one of the biggest questions in youth sports: Is more training actually better?

More importantly, it provides a framework for how to make better decisions around development. Because in most cases, it’s not about doing more, it’s about doing the right things, at the right time, for the right reasons.

Key Moments

0:00 – OHL Playoff updates

5:40 – TJ Hughes story & what it really means

Understanding Skill Development

15:40 – The evolution of skill development in hockey

25:00 – What actually translates to games

28:00 – Practicing the wrong way — does it hurt you?

Training Volume vs Effectiveness

33:30 – Is more training actually better?

37:00 – Quality vs quantity

38:40 – Letting kids drive the process

Making Smart Development Decisions

43:50 – What’s necessary vs what’s a luxury

46:00 – Building a real training plan

53:00 – Top-tier trainers don’t guarantee results

56:00 – Players don’t need to be perfect going into camps

Choosing the Right Environment

1:01:10 – Red flags vs green flags when evaluating coaches and training

Key Themes

• Skill development must translate to the game

• More training doesn’t always equal better development

• Quality and intention matter more than volume

• There is no one-size-fits-all development plan

• Parents often overestimate what’s “necessary”

• The best players learn how to work — not just train

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 SportsLearn more at⁠ www.biosteel.com⁠

Every parent and player will face it at some point - frustration with a coach.

In Part 4 of our Parenting Through Sports Mini-Series, Eric and Andy break down the realities of coaching in youth hockey, what families should actually expect, and how to handle conflict when things don’t go your way.

From ice time, favoritism, and communication gaps to deeper issues like misalignment, politics, and difficult personalities behind the bench, this episode tackles the situations that create the most tension between parents, players, and coaches.

More importantly, it provides a framework for how to respond.

Because in most cases, you won’t change your coach, but you can change how you handle it.

Key Moments

0:00 – U16 OHL Cup play-in game & expectations at high levels

11:50 – What should you expect from a youth hockey coach?

Parent–Coach Dynamics

12:20 – What “good coaching” actually looks like

14:00 – The reality: good coaching often comes at a cost

16:00 – Volunteer or paid — responsibility is the same

19:10 – Common parent–coach conflicts

– Favoritism and parent coaches

– Poor communication

– Power dynamics and “control” coaching

– Misalignment in expectations

22:40 – What to do when you disagree with your coach

28:10 – Coaches don’t see everything

32:30 – You may not fully understand what’s being asked

38:00 – You don’t need to know every detail of the plan

Handling Difficult Situations

40:45 – Dealing with a difficult or emotional coach

42:40 – You won’t change your coach — now what?

48:00 – When you don’t agree with how you’re being used

50:30 – Developing your game regardless of role

Communication & Growth

54:00 – Asking better questions reveals better answers

59:00 – Politics mainly affects fringe players

1:09:00 – Hockey is tough — and that’s part of it

1:12:00 – How to approach conversations with your coach

1:13:45 – Players should lead communication

Key Themes

• You don’t need a perfect coach to develop

• Most conflict comes from misalignment, not malice

• Parents often underestimate what they don’t see behind the scenes

• Politics exist but they rarely stop top players

• Communication is a skill that players need to learn early

• Growth comes from how you respond not your situation

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

Development isn’t one-size-fits-all, and timing matters more than most people think.

In Episode 3 of our Parenting Through Sports Mini-Series, Eric and Andy break down what age-appropriate development actually looks like from the earliest years all the way through U18. Using real examples and current conversations around events like the OHL Cup, they walk through what players should be focusing on at each stage and where parents often get it wrong.

From over-instruction at a young age to the pressure of AAA decisions, early development illusions, and navigating puberty and the draft years, this episode provides a clear framework for how players should grow physically, mentally, and emotionally over time.

The goal isn’t to rush development.It’s to align it.

Key Moments

0:00 – OHL Cup play-in game & what these tournaments really mean

2:00 – Committing to what actually translates

6:00 – Do big tournaments matter at young ages?

Ages 0–8: Foundations

9:01 – Early development: fun, movement, and avoiding over-instruction

13:00 – The dangers of over-coaching young players

26:10 – Half-ice vs full-ice development

Ages 9–11: Building Confidence & Skill

31:01 – When to consider AA → AAA

36:00 – Timing the jump to higher levels

38:00 – Confidence and its impact on outcomes

43:00 – The politics behind making teams

Ages 12–14: Growth & Reality Checks

44:40 – Development through puberty

52:00 – Learning to train and love the gym

1:04:00 – Early vs late development (and the illusion it creates)

Ages 15–18: Identity & Opportunity

1:10:46 – Finding your role vs putting yourself in a box

1:15:00 – Building skills that complement your game

1:19:00 – Preparing for the U16 draft years

1:22:00 – What actually separates players

1:27:00 – Everyone says they want it but do they really? 

Key Themes

• Development must match where the player is, not where you want them to be

• Early success doesn’t guarantee long-term outcomes

• Confidence and timing play a bigger role than most people realize

• Over-instruction can limit creativity and growth

• The best players evolve by adding to their game, not forcing an identity too early

• Long-term development always beats short-term wins

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 Episode 2 of our Parenting Through Sports mini-series, Eric and Andy dive into the most common pressures parents face navigating the youth hockey world.

• When should you move to AAA?

• How should you approach extra skill development?

• Is spring hockey actually worth it?

• Should you switch organizations or stay where you are?

• Do you really need an agent?

• What are the true costs: financial, social, and family-related?

This episode breaks down the reality behind these questions and offers practical guidance for parents trying to make the right decisions.

From the pressure of competing with other parents at a young age to the growing business of youth hockey, the focus is on helping families make clear, long-term decisions — not emotional, short-term ones.

At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea:There is no single decision that will make or break your child’s hockey future.

Key Moments

0:00 – The importance of community and the “family” feel in youth hockey

1:30 – When parents start competing with each other

8:30 – Introduction to the pressures of parenting in sport

Section 1 – Moving Up & Chasing Levels

12:00 – When should you move to AAA or a higher level?

12:50 – Competing at age 10: who’s better?

17:50 – Thinking long-term vs short-term decisions

23:30 – Jumping teams at the junior level

28:10 – Focus on where you are today

29:10 – “Be where your feet are”

31:30 – Chasing the dream vs chasing the wrong things

Section 2 – Training & Skill Development

33:00 – Extra training: player-driven vs parent-driven

34:20 – The reality of extra skill sessions

41:00 – How to evaluate skills coaches

44:00 – Why generic advice doesn’t apply to your child

47:30 – Parents chasing validation and feedback

49:00 – The illusion of early development

Section 3 – Spring Hockey & the Industry

50:00 – Spring hockey and what it actually means

51:00 – Youth hockey as a growing business

53:00 – Is spring hockey the “real” hockey?

Section 4 – Structure, Movement & Systems

58:00 – What if your local organization isn’t ideal?

1:01:00 – Why being good where you are still matters

1:02:30 – Open borders and movement decisions

Section 5 – Agents & Exposure

1:10:00 – Do players actually need an agent?

Section 6 – Cost & Reality

1:16:00 – The real cost of youth hockey (time, money, lifestyle)

1:24:10 – Financial considerations families overlook

1:26:00 – The one piece of equipment worth investing in

1:30:00 – Making hockey more accessible (Minnesota model)

Section 7 – Social Pressure & Life Balance

1:35:00 – Balancing hockey with real life – Navigating pressure, expectations, and priorities

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