Two months in, and the dust is finally settling. Systems are clicking(ish), rides are less chaotic (maybe), and your kid might even be tying their own skates! Progress?

Scott and Jamie sit down for an early season pulse check - the highs, the lows, and the subtle wins you only notice when you zoom out. From dealing with performance lulls to celebrating quiet growth, this one’s about seeing the full picture of development (yours and theirs).

In this episode:
- Why “less is more” is the secret weapon of more “seasoned” parents
- When routine builds confidence and when that stops working
- Trying to let go of the daily micromanaging and playing the long game

Not every weekend needs to be epic. But if your kid’s still smiling and learning - you’re on the right track.

Socials:
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What matters, what doesn’t, and what’s actually next.

This week, Scott and Jamie sit down with Doug Christiansen, former D1 and pro player, ECHL GM/Head Coach, Team USA U17 Coach, USHL Deputy Commissioner, and current ECAC Hockey Commissioner, to dig into the real layers of youth hockey development - not the fantasy version parents like to believe. From the myths of early exposure to the truth about who’s really watching, Doug lays out a grounded, honest roadmap for families who want to support their player without losing the plot.

In this episode:
- Why more minutes at the right level beats fewer minutes at the top
- The real traits scouts and coaches look for - and when it matters
- The importance of strong local development, not early exits
- How ego and over-scheduling derail progress
- Why a kid’s mental and emotional readiness matters more than tier

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re helping or just hurrying the process, Doug’s perspective is a must-listen. Smart, specific, and rooted in decades of experience - without the sales pitch.

Socials:
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576627751551

One hell of a commute and a front-row seat to growing up.

This week, Scott and Jamie sit down with Ben DeBlock, a hockey dad who's clocked the hours, booked the hotels, and still wonders if he's getting it right. From navigating long drives and tryout stress to realizing when to pull back, Ben offers a grounded, honest look at what it really means to support your kid through the hockey grind.

In this episode:
- How Ben rethought the “more is more” mindset
- What structure gave their family and where it backfired
- Why listening to your kid and partner is part of the job

If you've ever asked, “Are we doing too much?”, Ben's been there. And he’s got the self-awareness (and mileage) to prove it.

Socials:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazy.hockey.dads

X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576627751551

Are we trying to win… or just trying too hard?

This week, Scott and Jamie unspool the madness of “win-at-all-costs” youth hockey, from kids ripping smelling salts in the locker room to coaches and parents acting like every weekend’s the Stanley Cup. What started as a joke turns into a serious question: when did we decide effort wasn’t enough?

In this episode:
- Smelling salts at 10U - what are we even doing?
- Why kids are mimicking intensity without understanding it
- When coaches push too far and confuse chaos for culture

How the pressure to “be ready” can backfire in every direction

This one’s not about dialing it down - it’s about dialing it in. Because hype doesn’t equal heart. And smelling salts don’t make your edges better.

Socials:
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A player’s journey. A coach’s perspective. A parent’s wake-up call.

This week, Scott and Jamie sit down with Alec Marsh, former Penn State hockey forward and current assistant coach at Hobart College, for one of the most honest, insightful interviews CHD has ever aired.

Alec walks through his own path from elite youth hockey to college then pro.  Now as a coach, he’s on the other side of the glass, helping kids chase their goals without losing who they are.

In this episode:
- What kids actually remember about their hockey experience
- What it actually takes to succeed at the next level
- A coaching philosophy built on humans first, hockey second

Whether you’re in the grind, on the fence, or already down the rabbit hole, this one’s a gut check - in the best way.

Socials:
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576627751551

New routines, new teams, big emotions - here’s how to show up.

This week, Scott and Jamie open up about the quiet signs that something might be off - not with the game, but with the kid. From sudden shifts in attitude to the moments where effort just disappears, this episode is about how to support your player when they’re struggling in ways they can’t explain yet.

In this episode:
- Jamie breaks down how outside stress can sneak into the rink 
- Why early-season emotions are real and how to not dismiss them as drama
- Tools for creating space, checking in, and helping kids feel heard when they’re spinning

It’s not about fixing. It’s about paying attention and giving your kid the confidence to face the mess, not hide from it.

Socials:
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576627751551

A team, a town, a letter on the jersey and why it still matters.

This week, Scott and Jamie bring on CHD dad and coach Brad for a conversation that flips the usual script. Instead of chasing the “next level,” they ask: what if the best thing for your kid is right in front of them?

It’s not about exposure. It’s not about rankings. It’s about belonging, identity, and the kind of growth that happens when you play for more than just yourself.

In this episode:

- Why high school hockey still builds something travel often can’t
- The surprising value of not being the best kid on the team
- How town pride, student sections, and shared locker rooms shape players differently
- A reminder that the path isn’t always “up” -  sometimes it’s right where you are

Whether your kid’s wearing varsity letters or still chasing them, this one’s a grounded take on what the game still offers when you zoom out a little.

Socials:
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576627751551

When the season shows up and punches you in the mouth.

The puck has dropped, emotions are high, and reality is… well, real. This week, Scott and Jamie debrief their opening weekends full of highs, lows, quiet panic, and that familiar reminder: this is going to be a ride.

In this episode:

1. Jamie watches himself bounce back from being a crazy hockey dad 
2. Scott realizes he still cares a little too much and maybe that’s okay
3. Why letting your kid figure it out might be the best strategy - even when it’s hard

No big rants. No hot takes. Just two dads checking themselves before the season gets away from them.

If your weekend felt great and slightly soul-crushing… you’re in the right place.

Socials:
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And its a marathon not a sprint...

Day 5 of CHD Mini-Camp: Be the Chill You Want to See

It’s one thing to tell your kid to stay composed, it’s another to actually model it. In the final day of Mini-Camp, Scott and Jamie talk about staying calm when emotions spike, mistakes pile up, and your parent brain wants to explode in the parking lot.

Because your kid doesn’t just need feedback, they need an anchor. And your energy sets the tone.

In this episode:

• Why your stress becomes their stress
• How to model emotional resets without pretending everything’s fine
• Why it’s better to call a trusted friend than rant in the group chat
• The power of owning your blowups and showing what bouncing back looks like

Tool of the Day: “Model the Reset”
You don’t have to be perfect - just grounded enough to show them how it’s done.

Socials:
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Day 4 of CHD Mini-Camp: Mindset & Mental Recovery

One bad shift. One rough weekend. One emotional post-game chirp from the backseat. That’s all it takes to send a kid’s confidence into a spiral.

In Day 4 of Mini-Camp, Scott and Jamie go deep on what it really takes to keep your player mentally upright when things get messy. From post-game meltdowns to “two stars and a wish” feedback, this episode is your guide to protecting confidence without sugarcoating or making it worse.

In this episode:

• Why post-game critiques often do more harm than good
• The parenting trap of trying to fix instead of listen
• How Scott and Jamie have wrecked (and rebuilt) their own kids' confidence
• What “your reaction becomes their inner voice” really means

Takeaway Tool: “Stability > Stats” 
Protect the mindset - stay positive, even when the game wasn’t.

Socials:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazy.hockey.dads

X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576627751551

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Crazyhockeydads