The Pack Is Back Podcast

Hockey’s Lessons in Dedication and Resilience with John Hill – Part 1 (Ep. 16)

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Stories of dedication and the transformative power of coaching often take center stage in hockey. 

Today, we will hear one of those stories!

In this first part conversation, David sits down with John Hill, former NHL player and coach, to chat about his incredible journey through the world of hockey. John shares his experiences as a player and coach, offering valuable life lessons along the way. They dive into the coaching experiences of John and the power of dedication and resilience in the face of adversity.

David and John discuss: 

  • John’s love for coaching and the relationships he formed with players
  • John’s early days in hockey, growing up in Alaska, and his late start in the sport
  • How John got recruited to play for the hockey program at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
  • John’s memorable stories from his playing days
  • How John got into coaching and his initial experience coaching in Dubuque
  • John’s time coaching at UAA, the challenges faced, personal struggles, and regrets
  • John’s experience at Colorado College, the success of the team, personal growth, and the conflicting emotions of leaving behind a program he loved
  • The dilemma he faced as a coach when his philosophy didn’t align with the players he had recruited
  • And more!

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    Connect with David: 

    • LinkedIn: David Vallieres
    • LinkedIn: Synergy Capital Solutions
    • Seawolf Hockey Alumni

      • About John Hill: 

      John Hill is a former NHL player and coach. He started his coaching career as an assistant coach for the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) in 1987. He then became the head coach of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, a junior hockey team, in 1989. He returned to UAA as an assistant coach in 1993 and stayed there until 1995. He then joined Colorado College as an assistant coach for four seasons, followed by two seasons as an assistant coach for the University of Minnesota. In 2001, he became the head coach of UAA again and led the team for four seasons. His best season was in 2003-04, when he guided the Seawolves to the WCHA Final Five and a third-place game appearance. He resigned from UAA in 2005 and rejoined Minnesota as an assistant coach until 2011. He retired from coaching after that season.

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      The Pack Is Back PodcastBy Seawolves Hockey Alumni