PowerTech Development Podcast

In this episode we hear about the habits and traits of players who stand out, as well as the pitfalls players can fall victim too, from NHLPA Certified Agent, Ian Pulver.  

As a lawyer and NHLPA Certified Agent, Ian Pulver is the founder of the well-known hockey player agency, Will Sports Group (WSG). WSG has become a major presence in the hockey industry representing and advising some of the best players in the world including Tyler Seguin, Mike Cammalleri, Thomas Chabot, and others.   

Prior to forming WSG, Ian worked as a labour attorney at the NHLPA for 15 years. During his tenure at the NHLPA, Pulver participated in the negotiation drafting and enforcement of the 1992 (Strike), 1994 (Lockout) and the 2004 (Lockout) NHL Collective Bargaining Agreements. During his time with the NHLPA, he was the primary contact person interacting with players between 1991 and 2006.   

Pulver has been recognized on several occasions by The Hockey News as one of the most influential people in hockey. Pulver from time to time makes appearances on sports radio shows to address major issues in the sports world, as his experience is unparalleled in the industry. He recently started his own podcast called "The Hockey News Storytellers" which is available across all platforms.

This interview is fantastic for all players, parents, and coaches looking to better understand some of the “business” side of hockey, and how to prepare young players to get noticed in the scouting world.   

In this episode, Coach Andy and Eric breakdown the challenges and obstacles that young athletes face as they move on to higher levels of sport. 

Everything from moving away from home and billeting, to team dynamics and hazing are discussed with a focus on how young players can prepare themselves to handle these situations. 

In this episode, Sean Venedam joins the podcast to share his incredible story! A former OHL star and professional hockey player, Sean Venedam embodies what it means to be a captain.  

As a talented and hardworking young player, Sean skated in the Ontario Hockey League for the Sudbury Wolves where he capped his career with a 47 goal season. He then moved on the play in the AHL and ECHL from 1998-2008. In his 2008, season his career ended with a break to his tibia and fibula, requiring eight surgeries and ultimately an amputation. Sean’s incredible story comes full circle as he later joined Canada’s Standing Amputee Hockey Team where he won a gold medal at the world championships.  

Sean maintains an incredible outlook on life and is a great resource for anyone struggling with mental or physical obstacles in hockey, or in life. Today, he runs a sports store - 4Hundred Source for Sports - in downtown Barrie, Ontario. You can follow Sean and his business on instagram @Venedam.Sean, @the400cup, and @4hundredsfs!  

This is an incredibly motivating story and a must watch for all young hockey players. Enjoy this episode with Sean Venedam!

In this episode, Coach Andy discusses everything to do with the Ontario Hockey League with Kyle Pereira, OHL Director of Player Recruitment. Learn about the OHL route and how it prepares players for a life in professional hockey. Hear the true details about the OHL draft, school packages, and opportunities after junior hockey.  

Kyle is the acting Director of Player Recruitment for the Ontario Hockey League. He is responsible for developing and implementing league recruitment strategy and activities and liaising with Minor Midget teams across Ontario and parts of the United States. He works closely with Minor Midget players and families to provide them with information and education regarding the opportunities the OHL provides. Kyle also helps further the development of the OHL Alumni Association, engage with and grow its membership, and coordinate annual events.  

Kyle spent four seasons in the OHL with the Brampton Battalion and Guelph Storm, eventually moving on to the USports level playing four seasons with the St. Mary’s Huskies. He has won several academic and leadership awards throughout his career including the Roger Neilson Memorial Award (OHL), and USports All-Canadian Academic Team honors.

In this episode, Coach Andy discusses the ins and outs of college hockey with Mike Snee, Executive Director of College Hockey Inc. Learn about the advantages of college hockey, how to get a scholarship, the rules to obtain a college scholarship, and much more.  

A talented hockey executive with experience in amateur hockey and the NHL, Mike Snee was named College Hockey, Inc.’s Executive Director on Aug. 28, 2012. In this role he guides College Hockey Inc.’s marketing efforts to promote Division I men’s college hockey and its work to help grow the number of institutions offering the sport.  

Snee is a member of the USA Hockey Board of Directors and serves on USA Hockey’s Junior Council. He is also a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Board of Directors.  

Visit www.collegehockeyinc.com for more information!

In this episode, Dr. Lanoue discusses how to excel on the ice and in the classroom. He recounts his own personal story while outlining the habits hockey teaches for success.  

Dr. Derek Lanoue is a recent graduate of the University of Ottawa School of Medicine, currently practicing in Ottawa, Ontario. He was a 2009-10 Memorial Cup winner with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League, and back-to-back winner of the OHL’s Roger Neilson Award as the top academic player in 2009 and 2010. Dr. Lanoue finished his hockey career with the University of Windsor where he earned a USports Academic All Canadian Award.  

Demonstrating outstanding performance in academics and athletics, Dr. Lanoue is a phenomenal example of using hockey as an invaluable development tool to succeed in life.

In this episode, Coach Andy discusses the science behind mental toughness with Dr. Krista Chandler of the University of Windsor. Dr. Chandler’s areas of research include the use of imagery in sport, the application of sport psychology interventions, exercise and mental health, and disability sport.   

Dr. Chandler has been a Faculty member in the Kinesiology Department at the University of Windsor since 1999, specializing in sport, exercise and performance psychology. In addition to her teaching and research (specializing in visualization and mental skills training), she has her own consulting business, The Mental Link, in which she works with individuals striving to enhance their sport performance through the use of mental training.  

Through The Mental Link, she has counseled both able-bodied athletes and athletes with a disability from the recreational through to the Olympic level.  In this respect, Krista traveled to Beijing in September 2008 with the Canadian Paralympic Boccia and Swimming teams and staged with the Canadian Paralympic Swim team prior to the London 2012 Games.  She has traveled with sport teams to the Para Pan American Games, World Championships and various International Competitions. Other notable athletes with whom she has worked include Canadian Olympic Ice Dancing team, world champion boxer and OHL Windsor Spitfires Organization.  

As both an athlete and a coaching professional, Dr. Chandler recognizes the importance of staying well informed of new developments in research and consulting techniques.  In this respect, Krista has an active research program to ensure that the individuals with whom she works are able to use every tool possible to achieve peak performance.  

For more on Dr. Chandler’s work visit the University of Windsor website!

In this episode, Coach Andy discusses the mental side of the game with Dr. Jason Novetsky, sport psychologist and founder of Champion Mindset Group. Learn how to deal with pressure and anxiety, be in the moment, control the controllables, and own your mental traps.  

As a coach, Dr. Novetsky subscribes to the notion that talent is over-emphasized and mental toughness is the competitive advantage that creates champions. Using several methods, he focuses on developing mental workout programs to prepare for competition and creating plans to sustain focus and respond to adversity during performance.  For more on Dr. Novetsky and his related work, visit https://www.champmindset.com!