In Episode ___ of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards sit down with GRP coach Mateo DeBlasio to unpack one of the most unconventional hockey journeys we've ever featured.

From house league at 12 years old… to AA, AAA, Junior C, OJHL, NOJHL, GOJHL, D3 NCAA, and even pro hockey in the FPHL—Mateo's path is the definition of non-linear. His story is a masterclass in persistence, late development, and staying in love with the grind.

We dive into:

• How he went from 3-on-3 and house league to AAA in five years • Recovering from major injuries: ACL tears, shoulder surgeries, and setbacks • The reality of Junior hockey travel, trades, and instability • What D3 NCAA hockey is ACTUALLY like today • Fed League chaos, stories, and how the league really works • Why skill development and hockey IQ have changed in modern minor hockey • What young players need to understand about patience, confidence, and progression

Mateo also shares what he's learned now as a GRP strength coach, on-ice coach, and U15 AAA coach—including how today's kids differ from his generation, and why the best players are the ones who stay consistent year after year.

Whether you're a young player, a parent, or a coach, this episode is packed with real lessons from a real hockey life.

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8 Days of In-Season Tips

We're on a mission to help 1 million hockey players level up their game. If that sounds like something you'd be interested in, then don't miss our weekly episodes. We'll share our experiences, interview some of the top players in the game (old and new), and provide you with actionable tips — things that actually make you a better player.

The Hosts

Coach Adrian (A) @championshiplifestyle Head Strength Coach at Gary Roberts Performance. Fun Fact – Fought professionally in MMA for nearly a decade.

Coach Ryan (Gards) On-Ice Coach at Gary Roberts Performance. Veteran of over 1000 NLA (Switzerland's Top League) games, 5 Spengler Cups, 3 World Championships, and 1 Olympics. Fun Fact – His grandfather Cal is a "Top 100 Leaf of All Time."

Gary Roberts Performance hosts this podcast. If you're looking to take your game to the next level, GRP offers comprehensive training programs for elite hockey players.

👉 Click the link below to Book a Call with a GR Coach. IG: @garyrobertshpt #TheHockeyLabPodcast #HockeyNutrition #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyTraining #AthleteFuel

In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A, Coach Gards, and Sylvie dig into one of the biggest challenges for athletes — fueling properly. From moose meat chili to late-night snacks, they break down how nutrition, sleep, and recovery tie directly into performance.

You'll learn: 🔥 Why most athletes under-eat (and how to fix it) 🥩 How to fuel between skates, lifts, and games 💤 Why sleep might be your most powerful performance tool 💊 When supplements like creatine, omega-3s, and vitamin D actually matter

Whether you're a parent of a young player or chasing your own performance goals — this one's packed with simple, actionable takeaways you can use right away.

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8 Days of In-Season Tips

We're on a mission to help 1 million hockey players level up their game. If that sounds like something you'd be interested in, then don't miss our weekly episodes. We'll share our experiences, interview some of the top players in the game (old and new), and provide you with actionable tips — things that actually make you a better player.

The Hosts

Coach Adrian (A) @championshiplifestyle Head Strength Coach at Gary Roberts Performance. Fun Fact – Fought professionally in MMA for nearly a decade.

Coach Ryan (Gards) On-Ice Coach at Gary Roberts Performance. Veteran of over 1000 NLA (Switzerland's Top League) games, 5 Spengler Cups, 3 World Championships, and 1 Olympics. Fun Fact – His grandfather Cal is a "Top 100 Leaf of All Time."

Gary Roberts Performance hosts this podcast. If you're looking to take your game to the next level, GRP offers comprehensive training programs for elite hockey players.

👉 Click the link below to Book a Call with a GR Coach. IG: @garyrobertshpt #TheHockeyLabPodcast #HockeyNutrition #PlayerDevelopment #HockeyTraining #AthleteFuel

If you want to be great at anything, you've got to learn to love the boring stuff. The truth? Success isn't built on highlight reels — it's built on repetition, focus, and doing the same small things right every single day.

Effort. Over. Time.

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SPONSORS OF THE POD

This podcast is proudly sponsored by Gary Roberts Performance (GRP)—the ultimate training destination for elite athletes. If you're serious about taking your game to the next level, GRP offers comprehensive programs designed to unlock your full potential.

📲 Click the link below to book a call with a GR coach and start your journey today! [Book A Call With A GR Coach]

28 Days, 28 Tips & 28 Ways to Help Your Young Athlete Improve

Follow GRP on Instagram: @garyrobertshpt

Subscribe YT: @garyrobertsperformance

#MindsetMonday #StartNow #AthleteMindset #CompoundProgress #HockeyDevelopment #HighPerformanceHabits #TheHockeyLabPodcast

#MindsetMonday #AthleteMindset #TrainToPerform #HockeyDevelopment #MentalPerformance #GRPHQ

This week on The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards dive deep into what makes the game special — and what it really takes to build a player, on and off the ice.

They talk about the joy that sports bring to families, fans, and communities, the memories that stay with us forever, and how hockey can unite people across generations. ❤️🏒

Then, the guys shift gears into one of the biggest questions players and parents face: What's the right path — OHL or College? They break down the pros and cons of each system, what "development" really means, and why ice time might be the most underrated factor in becoming a pro.

Real talk. Real hockey. Real stories.

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SPONSORS OF THE POD

This podcast is proudly sponsored by Gary Roberts Performance (GRP) — the ultimate training destination for elite athletes. If you're serious about taking your game to the next level, GRP offers comprehensive programs designed to unlock your full potential.

28 Days, 28 Tips & 28 Ways to Help Your Young Athlete Improve

📲 Click the link below to book a call with a GR coach and start your journey today! [Book A Call With A GR Coach]

Follow GRP on Instagram: @garyrobertshpt Subscribe on YouTube: @garyrobertsperformance

#TheHockeyLabPodcast #HockeyDevelopment #AthleteMindset #TrainingCamp #InSeasonTraining #HighPerformanceHabits

Struggling to adjust after moving up a level? Whether it's a new league, new team, or higher competition, that jump can feel uncomfortable — but that's where growth happens.

Coach A breaks down how to make the transition smoother: 👉 Focus on the basics 👉 Control what you can 👉 Build confidence one shift at a time

Don't rush the process. Stack good reps, good habits, and good days.

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SPONSORS OF THE POD

This podcast is proudly sponsored by Gary Roberts Performance (GRP)—the ultimate training destination for elite athletes. If you're serious about taking your game to the next level, GRP offers comprehensive programs designed to unlock your full potential.

📲 Click the link below to book a call with a GR coach and start your journey today! [Book A Call With A GR Coach]

28 Days, 28 Tips & 28 Ways to Help Your Young Athlete Improve

Follow GRP on Instagram: @garyrobertshpt

Subscribe YT: @garyrobertsperformance

#MindsetMonday #StartNow #AthleteMindset #CompoundProgress #HockeyDevelopment #HighPerformanceHabits #TheHockeyLabPodcast

#MindsetMonday #AthleteMindset #TrainToPerform #HockeyDevelopment #MentalPerformance #GRPHQ

This week on The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards break down what makes hockey culture so special — from PWHL players getting ready for training camp and wild goalie stories to one of the biggest contract discounts in the league.

They dive into:

• The pre-camp grind and how players prep for the season 🏒

• Rent-a-goalie stories you won't believe 🧤

• Why one NHL star's massive pay cut is a legacy move

• The balance between winning, culture, and long-term development

Real talk. Real stories. Real hockey.

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SPONSORS OF THE POD

This podcast is proudly sponsored by Gary Roberts Performance (GRP) — the ultimate training destination for elite athletes. If you're serious about taking your game to the next level, GRP offers comprehensive programs designed to unlock your full potential.

28 Days, 28 Tips & 28 Ways to Help Your Young Athlete Improve

📲 Click the link below to book a call with a GR coach and start your journey today! [Book A Call With A GR Coach]

Follow GRP on Instagram: @garyrobertshpt Subscribe on YouTube: @garyrobertsperformance

#TheHockeyLabPodcast #HockeyDevelopment #AthleteMindset #TrainingCamp #InSeasonTraining #HighPerformanceHabits

In this Mindset Monday episode, Coach A breaks down one of the hardest moments in any athlete's journey — being called out by your coach. From his own experience as a fighter training under coach Linden Whitlock, he shares how learning to separate intent from delivery changed everything.

If you struggle with feedback, this is your playbook for emotional control, accountability, and growth.

🎙 Hosted by Coach A 📍 Powered by Gary Roberts High Performance Training

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SPONSORS OF THE POD This podcast is proudly sponsored by Gary Roberts Performance (GRP) — the ultimate training destination for elite athletes. If you're serious about taking your game to the next level, GRP offers comprehensive programs designed to unlock your full potential.

📲 Click the link below to book a call with a GR coach and start your journey today! [Book A Call With A GR Coach]

Follow GRP on Instagram: @garyrobertshpt Subscribe on YouTube: @garyrobertsperformance

#MindsetMonday #AthleteMindset #TrustTheProcess #TheHockeyLabPodcast #HighPerformanceHabits #FocusOnYou

In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards sit down with Karl Stewart — former NHL player and current NHL scout — to talk about what it really takes to make it in hockey.

From the disappointment of going undrafted to carving out a career through grit, adaptability, and identity, Karl shares stories from his time in the OHL, the NHL, and overseas — and the lessons that shaped his approach to scouting and player development today.

💬 Topics include:

• The long car ride home after going undrafted

• How finding an identity became his biggest advantage

• What separates players who last from those who fade

• Why "super teams" and early hype don't guarantee success

• The role of heart, culture, and leadership in long-term growth

• Lessons learned transitioning from player to NHL scout

Whether you're a young player, parent, or coach, this episode breaks down what real development looks like — on and off the ice.

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SPONSORS OF THE POD

This podcast is proudly sponsored by Gary Roberts Performance (GRP) — the ultimate training destination for elite athletes. If you're serious about taking your game to the next level, GRP offers comprehensive programs designed to unlock your full potential.

28 Days, 28 Tips & 28 Ways to Help Your Young Athlete Improve

📲 Click the link below to book a call with a GR coach and start your journey today! [Book A Call With A GR Coach]

Follow GRP on Instagram: @garyrobertshpt Subscribe on YouTube: @garyrobertsperformance

#TheHockeyLabPodcast #HockeyDevelopment #AthleteMindset #TrainingCamp #InSeasonTraining #HighPerformanceHabits

In this episode of Mindset Monday, Coach A breaks down one of the biggest mindset traps in sports — comparison.

We live in a world of constant metrics, rankings, and highlights. It's easy to compare yourself to teammates, players in the league, or even the best in the world. But comparison kills growth.

Sports should be about personal development — becoming a better version of yourself each day. When you stop comparing and start focusing on your own progress, everything changes.

🎯 In this episode:

• Why comparison is the thief of joy

• The difference between healthy competition and unhealthy comparison

• How to shift your focus inward and measure your growth

• What happens when you block out the noise and trust your own process

You don't need to be better than everyone else. You just need to be better than you were yesterday.

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SPONSORS OF THE POD This podcast is proudly sponsored by Gary Roberts Performance (GRP) — the ultimate training destination for elite athletes. If you're serious about taking your game to the next level, GRP offers comprehensive programs designed to unlock your full potential.

📲 Click the link below to book a call with a GR coach and start your journey today! [Book A Call With A GR Coach]

Follow GRP on Instagram: @garyrobertshpt Subscribe on YouTube: @garyrobertsperformance

#MindsetMonday #AthleteMindset #TrustTheProcess #TheHockeyLabPodcast #HighPerformanceHabits #FocusOnYou

In Episode 54 of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A, Coach Gards, and Coach Sylvie (Director of Nutrition at GRP) break down how athletes can fuel properly during the season — from game day meals to recovery strategies, and even how parents can help set their kids up for success.

From keeping weight on during a busy schedule, to late-night tournament meals, to why sleep is just as important as protein, this episode delivers practical advice for players and parents who want to get the most out of all the work put in during the offseason.

🎯 In this episode:

• The shift from offseason nutrition → in-season performance fueling

• Game day nutrition: what to eat before, during, and after

• Recovery meals & late-night post-game options

• Why calories and sleep are the real growth drivers for young athletes

• How to get kids more involved in their own nutrition habits

Sometimes the most valuable piece of equipment isn't a stick or skates — it's learning how to fuel the body the right way.

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SPONSORS OF THE POD

This podcast is proudly sponsored by Gary Roberts Performance (GRP) — the ultimate training destination for elite athletes. If you're serious about taking your game to the next level, GRP offers comprehensive programs designed to unlock your full potential.

28 Days, 28 Tips & 28 Ways to Help Your Young Athlete Improve

📲 Click the link below to book a call with a GR coach and start your journey today! [Book A Call With A GR Coach]

Follow GRP on Instagram: @garyrobertshpt Subscribe on YouTube: @garyrobertsperformance

#TheHockeyLabPodcast #HockeyDevelopment #AthleteMindset #TrainingCamp #InSeasonTraining #HighPerformanceHabits