Rinkside

Rinkside hosts Emma Miskew and Ryan Steeves sit down with Greg Skotnicki, Executive Director of Ottawa’s Maverick Volleyball Club, to talk growth, athlete development, and creating a positive, competitive environment for players and families.

In this week's episode of Rinkside, hosts Emma Miskew and Ryan Steeves sit down with Patrick Grandmaître, the coach of the University of Ottawa men's hockey team. With a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success, Grandmaître shares his journey in transforming the U of O hockey program and the invaluable lessons he's learned along the way.

Emma Miskew reflects on Team Homan’s Olympic Trials experience, breaking down the pressure, emotions, and challenges that led them to qualify for the Olympics in Italy.

In this week’s episode of Rinkside, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew sit down with veteran hockey scout Justin Sproule.

Justin opens up about what scouts actually look for in young athletes hint: it’s not goals, flash, or TikTok moves. From compete level and hockey sense, to character, accountability, and resiliency, he breaks down the true building blocks of long-term success.

The trio also dives into youth sports trends, early specialization, development burnout, analytics, multi-sport benefits, and the role parents play (and how they can sometimes sink a player’s future without even knowing it).

What’s harder: coaching Olympic athletes or coaching kids? Ryan Fry has done both, and he joins Emma Miskew and Ryan Steeves to break down the surprising similarities. From managing emotions to building confidence and choosing the right moment to give feedback, this episode dives into the coaching skills that matter most.

Plus, Emma and Ryan share their own stories from the ice, and from the car rides home.

Rinkside is back for Season 2! Emma Miskew and Ryan Steeves return to the mic to share what’s new, what’s changed, and what they’ve been up to since you last heard them.

In this special episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew tackle topics submitted by you, the listeners. From team dynamics to selection politics, they dive into the real-life pressures athletes face—like whether chemistry or individual skill matters more, the stress of performance anxiety, and the tough decisions young athletes make when chasing opportunity in bigger cities. It's an honest, wide-ranging conversation rooted in your questions, with one constant theme: the joy of playing, and the importance of enjoying the ride—not just chasing the result.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Current Sports Buzz

03:02 Fan Questions and Team Building Dynamics

05:57 Team Selection: Skill vs. Chemistry

09:06 The Importance of Team Dynamics

12:01 Curling Team Dynamics and Player Selection

14:58 Managing Team Changes and Chemistry

18:02 Performance Anxiety and Game Day Concerns

20:40 Navigating Pre-Game Anxiety

23:03 The Importance of First Shifts

24:54 Recreational Play and Competitive Pressure

29:03 The Pressure to Move for Success

33:02 Finding Success Locally vs. Moving

37:05 The Importance of Enjoying the Game

In this episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew discuss the complexities of social media in the context of youth sports, featuring guest Jess Szabo, the VP of Marketing for The Curling Group. They explore how young athletes can navigate social media positively, the importance of authenticity, and the challenges of managing online presence. They also address how parents can support their children in building a personal brand while dealing with negative comments and the pressures of social media.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Social Media in Sports

02:45 The Role of Social Media for Athletes

05:33 Building a Personal Brand Online

08:33 Authenticity vs. Perfection in Social Media

11:35 Navigating Social Media as Young Athletes

17:51 Navigating Hate in Social Media

21:38 Choosing the Right Social Media Platform

24:09 Parental Involvement in Athlete Branding

26:07 The Impact of Social Media on Young Athletes

29:54 Tips for Parents and Young Athletes

32:21 Embracing Authenticity in Content Creation

34:04 Navigating Social Media in Youth Sports

36:48 Building Confidence Through Authenticity

38:15 Empowering Young Athletes in the Digital Age

In this episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew welcome Greg Pollock from Gladiator Strength and Conditioning to discuss the importance of strength training for athletes, particularly during the off-season. Greg shares insights on how to structure training programs for young athletes, the importance of balancing strength and skill, and innovative techniques such as mobility and breathing exercises. The conversation also touches on the transition from training to coaching and the impact of Gladiator Strength and Conditioning on the local community.

Chapters

00:00 The Off-Season Journey

02:51 Training Dynamics and Goals

05:54 Finesse and Physicality in Sports

08:47 Individual Training Needs

11:56 Expert Guidance for Young Athletes

12:38 Introduction to Gladiator Strength and Conditioning

14:24 The Influence of Martial Arts on Training

17:15 Transitioning into Coaching and Early Experiences

20:16 Training Young Athletes: Techniques and Philosophy

24:16 Injury Prevention and Proper Technique

27:15 Off-Season Training Strategies

31:16 In-Season Training and Maintenance

34:08 Innovative Training Techniques: Mobility and Breathing

37:15 Expansion and New Facilities

In this episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew discuss the importance of injury prevention in sports with physiotherapist Paul Colebrook. They discuss the significance of assessments, the multidisciplinary approach to injury management, and the evolving strategies for recovery. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by young athletes, the impact of asymmetries in sports, and the necessity of tailored strength programs. They also touch on the trends in youth sports injuries and the benefits of multi-sport participation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Injury Prevention

01:25 The Role of Physiotherapy in Injury Prevention

03:54 Multidisciplinary Approach at Auto Orthopedic Center

06:19 Managing Youth Sports Injuries

08:54 Evolving Approaches to Injury Recovery

11:10 Addressing Asymmetries in Sports

13:42 Trends in Youth Sports Injuries

16:21 Youth Athlete Screening and Assessment

20:32 Injury Trends in Contact Sports

23:15 Preventing Injuries in Contact Sports

24:56 Passion for Sports and Athlete Treatment

25:40 Multi-Sport vs. Single-Sport Athletes