In this episode of the PowerTech Development Podcast, we dive into the AAA vs Prep vs High School debate, youth hockey training culture, and the skill gap illusion. Parents, players, and coaches all need to understand what actually matters in development—and what’s just noise.

📌 Topics Covered:

• How Do You Treat the New Guy? – Hockey culture & locker room dynamics (3:30)

• For the Love of the Game – Why are kids playing hockey? (5:30)

• The Prep School Takeover – Is prep really the best path? (11:00)

• AAA vs High School vs Prep Hockey – Pros and cons of each route (15:00)

• Are You Overtraining Your Young Player? – The risks of doing too much (27:40)

• The Skill Gap Illusion – Why early "elite" players don’t always stay ahead (29:00)

• This Guy Wanted to Keep Kids from Playing, Just Training – The dark side of overtraining (33:30)

• Where to Spend Money in Hockey Training – What’s worth it? (37:00)

• You Don’t Need to Pay for Everything – Expensive training ≠ guaranteed success (39:00)

• It’s Too Much to Do Everything – Finding balance in youth sports (40:30)

• A Parent’s Job is to Provide Opportunity – Not control the journey (45:00)

• If Cost & Logistics Don’t Matter, Do Whatever You Want – The reality for most families (47:20)

• The Early Development Illusion – Why early success doesn’t predict the future (49:00)

• Sam Bennett Draft Story – Couldn't Do a Pull-Up – And still became a successful NHL player (54:00)

Too many parents stress about the wrong things in youth hockey development. Whether it’s picking the right team, overpaying for training, or worrying about early skill gaps, this episode will help you focus on what really matters.

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