The High Performance Hockey Podcast

By Anthony Donskov, PhD

What's The High Performance Hockey Podcast about?

Hosted by former player, performance coach, author and speaker Anthony Donskov, the HPH podcast is a bi-monthly show that explores the science, practice and pedagogy of high performers in the sport of ice hockey.

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The High Performance Hockey Podcast episodes:

05.06.2024
High Performance Hockey: Lessons from the KHL with Brandon Bovee
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Differences between North America and the KHL in terms of culture, game play, structure, performance, and schedule. The current strength & conditioning scene in Europe compared to North America. ...
04.22.2024
Skating Mechanics with Luke Chilcott
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Textbook skating mechanics and skating efficiency. The difference between coaching young athletes versus elite level professionals. Biomechanics and anatomical landmarks for idealized, efficient skating. The most...
04.08.2024
The Return to Sport Clearance Continuum with Dr. Pete Draovitch
In This Episode, You Will Learn: An in-depth exploration of the five phases of the return to sport clearance continuum. How to become a Swiss Army knife in the professional sports world. The current...
03.25.2024
Measurement Error with Patrick Ward and Scot Morrison
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Measurement error and building conceptual models in applied settings. How to collect, analyze, and compute better information from both a sports science and a strength & conditioning perspective. ...
03.11.2024
From Grassroots to Gold: How Countries Are Growing the Game and Building Better Players with Sunaya Sapurji
In this episode I have an incredible conversation with Sunaya Sapurji about youth hockey development models around the world. Sunaya is a senior editor at The Athletic who has covered hockey for many years and written insightful pieces comparing different...
02.26.2024
Versatility, Philosophy & Collaboration in High Performance Hockey with Dr. Jeff Cubos
In This Episode, You Will Learn: The importance of generalist knowledge in sports medicine. Periodization of treatment for optimal athlete performance. How Dr. Jeff Cubos creates a collaborative high performance culture. ...
02.12.2024
Communication, Humility, and Adaptability: Lessons in High Performance Hockey with Mike Donoghue
In This Episode, You Will Learn: How to build trust with players through open communication Managing training loads to prevent overtraining during season Using objective metrics and testing for return to play decisions Resources + Links: Check...
01.29.2024
The Tangible Intangibles: Mental Toughness and Leadership with Tervel Dlagnev and Keith Gavin
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Mental toughness is task specific and developed through self-awareness Leadership starts from the top but is a bottom-up process of trust and humility The cost of coaching is making tough decisions while staying true...
01.15.2024
2023: Reflection and Contemplation
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Highlights, lessons, and reflections on top episodes of 2023. Resources + Links: Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The High Performance Hockey Masterclass Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov Follow Anthony...
01.01.2024
Rethinking Long Term Athletic Development with Jim Kielbaso
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Reframing LTAD from a coach’s perspective. The problems with the LTAD model. Possible solutions & fixes for future athletic development. Resources + Links: Check out Jim’s article - Rethinking Long Term Athlete...
12.18.2023
Theory vs. Application, Adaptation & ACL Rehab with Carmen Bott
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Where the education process for young performance coaches is right now. Theory versus application touch points. Jumping training from a physiological perspective. Coaching adaptation in different training ages. Resources + Links: Connect with...
12.04.2023
Coaches Corner: Lessons and Leadership with Trent Vogelhuber
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Coaching today’s players: Technology, culture, and communication. The ingredients of a successful professional team. The ultimate game day prep in the American Hockey League. Advice for aspiring coaches, hockey parents, and young players. ...
11.27.2023
"Goodfellas" - The Original Godfathers of Sports Performance Part 2
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Coaching then versus now: Old school coaching techniques and lost art forms. What young coaches need to succeed long term. Where the future of coaching is heading. Resources + Links: Check out...
11.20.2023
"Goodfellas" - The Original Godfathers of Sports Performance Part 1 | Dan Pfaff, Michael Boyle, Buddy Morris, and Fergus Connolly
In This Episode, You Will Learn: How these legends came to be. The life lessons and mistakes from veterans in the field. An examination of the personal and professional side of sports performance. Resources + Links: Check...
11.06.2023
Physical Therapy, The Wild West, and The Importance of Case Study
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Challenges of cash-based physical therapy businesses. Measuring healing and function in end-stage rehab. Assessing progress in physical therapy after surgery. Resources + Links: Check...
10.23.2023
Testing Hockey Players, External Load, and Moving the Needle with Dr. Mal McHugh & Reg Grant
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Analyzing hockey player data for performance and recovery insights The gaps in sports science and its application today. Resources + Links: Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The High Performance Hockey Masterclass...
10.09.2023
Big Rocks and Programming Buckets with Paul Valukas
In This Episode, You Will Learn: KPIs to measure athletic performance and different training methods. Why data can only take you so far as a strength and conditioning coach. The current landscape of strength and conditioning in college hockey. ...
09.25.2023
The Wizard of Oz, McDonald’s, and Movement Algorithms with Dr. Pat Davidson
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Pulling back the curtain on high performance sports. Biomechanics and movement algorithms in the field of strength & conditioning. Training adaptation, low versus high ground sports, and rethinking big patterns. Resources + Links:...
09.11.2023
Coaches Corner: Pride, Passion, Purpose with John Stevens
In This Episode, You Will Learn: The tangible intangibles of winning teams. Team culture: Where it comes from and how to build it. Player insights and communication from a new generation of athletes. Advice for young athletes and long term...
08.28.2023
Catapult Roundtable: All Things External Load with Patrick Love, Adam Douglas, Stephane Gervais, and Kevin Ricks
In This Episode, You Will Learn: The utility of Catapult technology within various environments and demographics. Everything you need to know about external player load. Anchors points and heuristics for return to play clearance. The data behind decision making processes...
08.14.2023
The Case Against Adductor Squeeze Testing with Dr. Mal McHugh, PhD
In This Episode, You Will Learn: The aha moments of testing hip asymmetry in athletes. The drawbacks of adductor squeeze testing. How to conduct research that makes a difference. Resources + Links: Learn more about Dr. McHugh’s research |...
07.31.2023
Culture: The All Blacks Sevens Way with Travis McMaster
In This Episode, You Will Learn: The history behind the All Blacks Sevens principles and traditions. Why building a culture of communication and connection is key for any team. The differences and similarities between Canadian hockey and New Zealand rugby....
07.17.2023
Bad Data with Peter Schryvers
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Uncovering bad data as it relates to sports science. The in’s and out’s of the logic model. How to simplify complex systems. Measurement fallacies and biases you should be aware of. Resources +...
07.03.2023
Applied vs. Non-Applied Sports Scientist with Patrick Ward
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Applied versus non-applied sports science studies. Models and measurements through the noise. Research and development processes for team sports. Resources + Links: Connect with Patrick on Twitter | @osppatrick Follow the TidyX Screencast...
06.19.2023
Clinimetrics, Replication and Sports Science with Franco Impellizzeri
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Clinimetrics: What is it and why it matters in sports science. Measuring frameworks for validity and reliability. Critical thinking skills and how to apply them. The difference between replication and reproduction. Resources +...
06.05.2023
Performance: A Lifetime Pursuit with Joe Kenn
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Why communication is the difference between success and failure. Where does programming connect with teaching? What Is The Tier System? Resources + Links: Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - The High...
05.22.2023
NeuroFunctional Sports Performance with Dr. Mike Prebeg
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Treatments Dr. Mike Prebeg has adopted as high performance sports has evolved. Dr. Mike Prebeg’s roles and responsibilities as a consulting chiropractor for the NHL and the New York Yankees baseball team. Resources...
05.08.2023
State of the Union: The Present State of the Strength and Conditioning Profession with Keir Wenham-Flatt
In This Episode, You Will Learn: How we can evaluate what makes a great strength and performance coach. Who should be able to determine who’s qualified to be a coach? Does the field of Strength & Conditioning cause more injuries...
04.24.2023
People. Principles. Process. Provisions with Matt Price
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Matt's experience in his first year with the LA Kings. The 4 P’s you need in your department. Resources + Links: Connect with Matt Instagram @mprice_sportssci Check out Anthony’s Masterclass - ...
04.10.2023
RTP: The Role of the Performance Staff in High Performance Hockey with Chad Drummond
In This Episode, You Will Learn: How Chad’s position as an assistant strength and conditioning coach prepared him to be head strength and conditioning coach of the Edmonton Oilers. Chad's thoughts on return to play, what to consider with on...
03.27.2023
European Development, LTAD, and Resistance Sled Sprint Training for High Performance Hockey with Lassi Laakso
In This Episode, You Will Learn: How to Program For Sled Sprint Training Training In A Club Model with All Different Ages and Skill Levels What are the strengths and weaknesses of a club model? Resources + Links:...
03.13.2023
The Evolution of the High Performance Model Devan McConnell
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Building and assessing a high performance model and staff. The return to play versus return to train processes from a performance standpoint. What external load monitoring and Athlete...
02.27.2023
Athlete Profiling with Eric Renaghan
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Lessons from working in the NHL. Where Eric thinks the future of technology will evolve in the NHL. What Eric is currently doing working with the Italian Ice Hockey Federation. Resources + Links:...
02.13.2023
The High Performance Mindset with Dr. Dana Sinclair
In This Episode, You Will Learn: The high performance model from a psychological perspective. What “the zone” means, how to get your athletes back in it, and what derails them. Coaching mental toughness: what...
01.30.2023
Conscious Coaching for High Performers with Brett Bartholomew
In This Episode, You Will Learn: How to be a better, more effective communicator, leader, and coach. The use and value of roleplay & improv for situational awareness. How Art Of Coaching courses help professionals sharpen communication and leadership...
01.16.2023
RTP: The Role of the Medical Staff in High Performance Hockey with Jon Geller
In This Episode, You Will Learn: The role and goals of the medical performance staff in the NHL. Return to play decision making within the medical and skill development team. The evolution of equipment in return to play and injury...
01.02.2023
Hips and Hockey in High Performance with John Snyder and Matt Kelly
In This Episode, You Will Learn: The hockey player’s hip, specifically adductors and abductors. Biomechanics of the hockey stride. Return to play from acute injury to back on ice. Resources + Links: Learn more at https://johnsnyderdpt.com/ Check out...
12.19.2022
Management vs Development in High Performance Hockey with Mike Potenza
In This Episode, You Will Learn: The contrast in development versus management for the in season and off season. Communicating and utilizing data and biometrics, including how to approach outliers. What anchor points a seasoned strength and conditioning coordinator...
12.05.2022
Performance: A Lifetime Pursuit with Buddy Morris
In This Episode, You Will Learn: What makes an effective, skilled coach for effective, skilled players. The importance of learning and evolution for coaches. Preparation for athletes in elite level sports outside of ice hockey. Technical, tactical mastery in strength...
11.21.2022
Load Monitoring for Ice Hockey with Kevin Neeld
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Internal and external workload monitoring and application for ice hockey. The value and cost of distance based measurements. How to measure and find the sweet spot for team performance. Resources +...
11.21.2022
Management vs Development in High Performance Hockey with Mike Potenza
In This Episode, You Will Learn: The contrast in development versus management for the in season and off season. Communicating and utilizing data and biometrics, including how to approach outliers. What anchor points a seasoned strength and conditioning coordinator...
11.07.2022
Reflection: 21 years of High Performance in the NHL with Pete Friesen
In This Episode, You Will Learn: The keys to sustainability in career and culture. What makes a good coach and how to evolve as a practitioner. Advice to young strength coaches and performance directors coming up. The secret ingredient...
10.24.2022
The Game: Life, Lessons and Legacy with Matt Nichol
In This Episode, You Will Learn: The responsibilities and lessons during the early days as Toronto Maple Leaf strength & conditioning coach. Global training systems in the high performance world. What it’s like working in the private sector. ...
10.10.2022
Impact, Communication, and Culture in High Performance Hockey with Dan Noble
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Differences between training prep school athletes versus professional athletes. How to create an environment for your players to find their unique value. Measurements and management for the developmental athlete. Resources + Links: ...
09.26.2022
Coaching Abroad, the NHL Combine, and External Workload in High Performance Hockey with Steve Nightingale
In This Episode, You Will Learn: How to adapt to coaching overseas in a foreign environment. Strength and conditioning research in combines and fitness tests for ice hockey. What external workloads are, and their application in the world of...
09.12.2022
Karl Popper, Defining Speed and the Altis Experience with Stu McMillan
In This Episode, You Will Learn: The influence of philosopher-scientist, Karl Popper, on critical thinking and coaching. Speed training and skating ability for team sports for on and off the ice. The difference between speed and game speed. Technical...
08.29.2022
Coaches Corner: Behind the Bench with Pete DeBoer
In This Episode, You Will Learn: The transition and shift in game perspective going from player to coach. Coaching millennials and building team culture. Establishing communication between coaches, staff, and athletes. Creating positive growth and culture between performance staff...
08.15.2022
Thinking like a Scientist, Mentorship, and Return to Play with Dr. Matt Jordan
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Application of methods from a coaching and lab research perspective. Developing critical thinking skills and thinking like a scientist. What statistical tools a practitioner needs in their toolbox. Research in return to play...
08.01.2022
The Need for Speed with Vicki Bendus
In This Episode, You Will Learn: All things speed in the world of high performance sports. How to increase speed and improve the quality of speed in your athletes. On and off ice speed training development programs and drills....
07.18.2022
Measurement and Tech in High Performance Ice Hockey with Ryan Smyth
In This Episode, You Will Learn: Technology & tests a sports technologist recommends for measuring high performance hockey on and off the ice. The most important pieces to have, for budgets high to low. What problems technology works to...

What's The High Performance Hockey Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The High Performance Hockey Podcast episodes:

High Performance Hockey: Lessons from the KHL with Brandon Bovee

Skating Mechanics with Luke Chilcott

The Return to Sport Clearance Continuum with Dr. Pete Draovitch

Measurement Error with Patrick Ward and Scot Morrison

From Grassroots to Gold: How Countries Are Growing the Game and Building Better Players with Sunaya Sapurji

Versatility, Philosophy & Collaboration in High Performance Hockey with Dr. Jeff Cubos

Communication, Humility, and Adaptability: Lessons in High Performance Hockey with Mike Donoghue

The Tangible Intangibles: Mental Toughness and Leadership with Tervel Dlagnev and Keith Gavin

2023: Reflection and Contemplation

Rethinking Long Term Athletic Development with Jim Kielbaso

Theory vs. Application, Adaptation & ACL Rehab with Carmen Bott

Coaches Corner: Lessons and Leadership with Trent Vogelhuber

"Goodfellas" - The Original Godfathers of Sports Performance Part 2

"Goodfellas" - The Original Godfathers of Sports Performance Part 1 | Dan Pfaff, Michael Boyle, Buddy Morris, and Fergus Connolly

Physical Therapy, The Wild West, and The Importance of Case Study

Testing Hockey Players, External Load, and Moving the Needle with Dr. Mal McHugh & Reg Grant

Big Rocks and Programming Buckets with Paul Valukas

The Wizard of Oz, McDonald’s, and Movement Algorithms with Dr. Pat Davidson

Coaches Corner: Pride, Passion, Purpose with John Stevens

Catapult Roundtable: All Things External Load with Patrick Love, Adam Douglas, Stephane Gervais, and Kevin Ricks

The Case Against Adductor Squeeze Testing with Dr. Mal McHugh, PhD

Culture: The All Blacks Sevens Way with Travis McMaster

Bad Data with Peter Schryvers

Applied vs. Non-Applied Sports Scientist with Patrick Ward

Clinimetrics, Replication and Sports Science with Franco Impellizzeri

Performance: A Lifetime Pursuit with Joe Kenn

NeuroFunctional Sports Performance with Dr. Mike Prebeg

State of the Union: The Present State of the Strength and Conditioning Profession with Keir Wenham-Flatt

People. Principles. Process. Provisions with Matt Price

RTP: The Role of the Performance Staff in High Performance Hockey with Chad Drummond

European Development, LTAD, and Resistance Sled Sprint Training for High Performance Hockey with Lassi Laakso

The Evolution of the High Performance Model Devan McConnell

Athlete Profiling with Eric Renaghan

The High Performance Mindset with Dr. Dana Sinclair

Conscious Coaching for High Performers with Brett Bartholomew

RTP: The Role of the Medical Staff in High Performance Hockey with Jon Geller

Hips and Hockey in High Performance with John Snyder and Matt Kelly

Management vs Development in High Performance Hockey with Mike Potenza

Performance: A Lifetime Pursuit with Buddy Morris

Load Monitoring for Ice Hockey with Kevin Neeld

Management vs Development in High Performance Hockey with Mike Potenza

Reflection: 21 years of High Performance in the NHL with Pete Friesen

The Game: Life, Lessons and Legacy with Matt Nichol

Impact, Communication, and Culture in High Performance Hockey with Dan Noble

Coaching Abroad, the NHL Combine, and External Workload in High Performance Hockey with Steve Nightingale

Karl Popper, Defining Speed and the Altis Experience with Stu McMillan

Coaches Corner: Behind the Bench with Pete DeBoer

Thinking like a Scientist, Mentorship, and Return to Play with Dr. Matt Jordan

The Need for Speed with Vicki Bendus

Measurement and Tech in High Performance Ice Hockey with Ryan Smyth