Glass and Out

In episode #264, we had the honor of being joined by Gardiner MacDougall, live and in person at last week's TCS Live coaching conference.

MacDougall presented on "Creating the "WOW" Factor from Your First Team Meeting" and also stopped by our Overtime event at the Circ Bar in downtown Ann Arbor.

He is coming off an unprecedented 3 year run, which saw him capture back to back USports National Championships with the UNB Varsity Reds, the second of which included an undefeated 43-0 season, a Gold Medal leading Canada at the U18 Championships, a Gold Medal at the FISU World University Games and a Memorial Cup Championship with the Saint John Sea Dogs.

After 24 seasons leading the University of New Brunswick, which included 9 National Championships, Gardiner is moving on to coach the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats. He'll be working alongside his son Taylor, who will be the club's General Manager.

Listen as he shares why losing can be necessary for overall team success, how to build a players confidence, and why simplicity is key to an effective practice plan.

In episode #263, we're joined by Steve Sullivan, who currently holds the position of Head Coach with the the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes 18U AAA.

Following a playing career of over 1,000 NHL games, Sullivan joined the Arizona Coyotes as a Development Coach and would eventually work his way into management and become the club's General Manager in 2019. Following a change in ownership, he remained in Phoenix and began coaching in the Jr Coyotes program.

Sullivan is an open book when it comes to how he develops players, runs practice and prepares players for the next stage of their career. Guaranteed you're going to steal a thing or two.

Listen as he shares how to improve a player's goal scoring ability, why stubbornness played a key role in his hockey journey, and why team success is about being predictable within but unpredictable to your opponent.

In episode #262, we welcome Dan Watson, Head Coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Watson is coming off his first season with the Detroit Red Wings AHL affiliate. Previous to that, he spent 14 consecutive seasons with the ECHL's Toledo Walleyes.

In his first season, he was awarded the Jack Brophy Trophy as the ECHL's Coach of the Year and would go on to guide the Walleye to two regular season Championships and two Kelly Cup Finals appearances.

Listen as he shares why sleeping in the arena is a right of passage for coaches, his three keys to building a strong team culture, and why it's quality over quantity when it comes to drills.

In episode #261, we're joined by Head Coach of the ZSC Lions, Marc Crawford.

Crawford's list of accolades are almost too long to list, but here are a few anyways.

NHL Head Coach at the age of 33, youngest winner of the Jack Adams Award, Stanley Cup championship in just his second season in the NHL, and Head Coach of Team Canada at the 1998 Olympic Games.

Currently, he's enjoying his second tenure as the Head Coach of the Zurich Lions of the NLA, who he just led to a Swiss League Championship.

Listen as he shares why he decided to leave Gretzky on the bench, what he learned from working with a young Auston Matthews, and what all championship teams have in common.

In episode #260, Assistant Coach for the San Jose Sharks and presenter at the upcoming TCS Live, Ryan Warsofsky stops by.

At just 36 years-old, Warsofsky just completed his first season behind an NHL bench after climbing the coaching ladder at a rapid pace. That includes time as a Head Coach in the ECHL and AHL, two Calder Cup championships and an ECHL record for fewest goals against in a season during his first season leading the South Carolina Stingrays.

He's one of the top up and coming coaches in the game and is highly regarded by his peers in the industry. It will be fun to follow his coaching journey from here.

Listen as he shares why coaches need to find releases to deal with anxiety, importance of creating a process to avoid negativity, and why practice habits become game reality.

In episode #259, we welcome Ben Syer, who was recently named Head Coach of Princeton University's men's program.

Previously, he spent eight seasons as an assistant with Quinnipiac University and 13 with Cornell University. During that time, Cornell won an ECAC Championship and made 6 trips to the NCAA tournament.

Based on the outpouring of support he's received from his peers, there is no doubt that Syer is deserving of this new position and is set up to have success leading the Tigers.

Listen as he shares why positive peer pressure is the key to creating a competitive environment, finding the "wow" factor in a player's game, and the importance of improving the situation you're in, rather than jumping ship.

In episode #258, we're joined by newly named Head Coach of the USHL's Omaha Lancers, Lennie Childs.

This comes following a two year run at Union College where he worked under Josh Hauge. Previously, he spent time with the NAHL's Janesville Jets and the USHL's Des Moine Buccaneers.

As you'll find out, Childs's energy is infectious and is clearly riding a wave of momentum right now. The USHL has a long and impressive list of coaching alumni and it wouldn't surprise us in the least if down the road, he joins that club.

Listen as he shares why you always need to bring the juice, the importance of standing with your players through the good and bad, and coaching in the generation of "me."

In episode #257, we come full circle and welcome back the original co-host of the Glass and Out Podcast, Kelvin Cech.

We're proud to announce that Cech has rejoined The Coaches Site as our new Manager of Content Collaboration!

This comes after he spent four seasons in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. The first two were spent as the Head Coach and Gm of the Winkler Flyers, where he was awarded Coach of the Year in his first season. From there, he was appointed the Head Coach and GM of the expansion Niverville Nighthawks.

Listen as he shares why a growth mindset is integral for coaches, what he learned form coaching in hockey-mad small town, and what to expect from his new role with TCS.

In episode #256 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we revisit PWHL Ottawa and Czech Women's National Team Head Coach Carla MacLeod's presentation on creating authentic connections, which she delivered at last year's TCS Live coaching conference.

As you know, our flagship event, TCS Live, is coming up June 20-22 at the University of Michigan. Every year, the best presentations to come out of the event are linked to the presenters or coaches lived experience. The information is somehow linked to a challenge, adversity they've faced or a triumph.

In her presentation, MacLeod uses her experience of leading the Czech Team as the backdrop for how coaches create authentic connections with their players to drive performance on the ice.

Listen as she shares the four ingredients for team success, strategies for getting to know players, and why coaching is a privilege.

In episode #255 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome former NHL player and current Skill Development Coach for the Nashville Predators, Sébastien Bordeleau.

Coming up in Junior hockey, Bordeleau possessed a ton of offensive skill, which led to him being drafted by his hometown Montreal Canadiens in the 3rd round. However, as his pro career unfolded, he had the foresight to develop a new set of skills that would serve him as a bottom 6, penalty killing checker.

It's this experience that has served him well in his current role, both in terms of how he relates to the players he works with, but also in recognizing the importance of equipping players with a wide range of tools.

Listen as he discusses why instinct is the hardest skill to develop in hockey, utilizing small area games at the NHL level, and the success of hockey in Nashville.