In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, we break down one of the most misunderstood areas of hockey development: in-season training.

Many players and parents assume lifting should stop once the season begins. Others go to the opposite extreme - training too hard, too often, and destroying recovery between games.

The reality sits somewhere in the middle.

We discuss how to structure training during the season so players can maintain strength, stay explosive, and reduce injury risk, without interfering with performance on the ice.

The conversation also touches on player expectations, emotional maturity in the game, the team concept, and the realities of how difficult hockey truly is at higher levels.

If you’re a player, parent, or coach trying to understand how to train properly during a long season, this episode provides practical clarity on what to prioritize — and what to avoid.

In This Episode, We Cover

• Why most players slow down by the end of the season

• The difference between fatigue and overtraining

• Why stopping strength training causes performance drop-off

• Intensity vs volume in-season

• What actually causes soreness before games

• The structure of an effective in-season workout

• Why communication between coaches and trainers matters

• The “all-or-nothing” mistake many athletes make with training

• How hockey is ultimately a battle against physical breakdown

Key Moments

00:00 – Parent expectations and early conversation

08:30 – Players are watching their parents

11:00 – How difficult hockey really is

14:00 – Brian Prout takeaways

19:30 – The 60/20/20 rule

22:00 – What the true average level of play looks like

23:00 – Managing emotions during games

25:50 – Buying into the team concept

28:00 – Players with size and handling physical play

30:00 – Listening more than talking

In-Season Training Discussion

34:00 – The five buckets of off-ice training

35:00 – Strength, power, and injury prevention

36:00 – The “all-or-nothing” training mistake

38:50 – Intensity vs volume

43:15 – Structure of an in-season workout

44:50 – Sticking to the script with training plans

48:30 – Hockey as a battle against body breakdown

52:00 – Understanding overtraining

53:00 – Trainers not aligned with game schedules

54:30 – What actually causes soreness

57:00 – Conditioning during the season

In-season training isn’t about getting stronger.

It’s about not getting weaker.

The players who stay consistent with smart training are the ones who still feel explosive when playoffs arrive.

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