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We talk with Jared Allen about what actually builds a strong hockey player, and why the modern chase for status can quietly crush competition, creativity, and confidence. We also trace Jared’s path from top prospect to World Juniors to pro hockey, using injuries and setbacks as the lens for mindset, identity, and long-term development. 
• Minor hockey becoming a business and what gets lost when families buy labels 
• Why earning spots through real tryouts builds resilience and accountability 
• The damage of constant comparison and the word “only” in youth sports 
• Leaving space in the schedule to protect passion and spark self-driven growth 
• WHL and draft-year pressure plus what adversity teaches when you survive it 
• World Juniors selection pressure and the power of belonging to a team 
• Pro hockey development challenges when role and ice time do not match skill 
• Injury recovery as a mental battle and why kids must be people first 
• Skills coaching principles: decision-making, head up habits, basics before viral moves 
• The core message for players and parents: get uncomfortable and do not fear failure 
 

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In this powerful episode of the Up My Hockey Podcast, Jason Podollan sits down with 18‑year‑old Jackson Drum, a former CDA (Coeur d’Alene Hockey Academy) player whose life changed in an instant after a devastating on-ice collision left him with a C1–C2 “Christopher Reeve” spinal cord injury.

Jackson shares his journey from being a late-start, underestimated hockey kid in Minnesota—told he’d be a “C player” forever—to outworking everyone around him. He walks us through shooting 500 pucks a day until his hands bled, waking up at 3:30 a.m. for extra ice, and grinding his way into CDA’s 17U prep program with a growth mindset and deep faith.

Then he takes us inside the night of the injury: the hit, the immediate paralysis, the eight minutes without breathing, and the string of “coincidences” that kept him alive—a highly trained nurse, a firefighter in the stands, and emergency intervention that saved his life. Jackson describes waking up intubated, unable to move or speak, communicating only with tongue clicks and an alphabet board, enduring a misplaced feeding tube, and living through excruciating pain with no effective medication.

Through it all, he talks candidly about his mental battle: praying for “the opportunity to get better,” refusing to accept doctors’ predictions, celebrating tiny wins like the first leg “flicker” and feeling returning to his left arm, and shifting his dream from playing to walking, coaching, and ultimately “changing the world” and helping others living with paralysis.

Jason and Jackson dive into themes every player and parent can learn from:

• The difference between saying you want it and actually doing the work.
• How a growth mindset and faith prepared Jackson for the hardest moment of his life.
• Setting big, long-term goals (walking, independence) and breaking them into small, daily wins.
• Gratitude and perspective when life doesn’t go to plan.
• Why you should chase your hockey dream fully—so you never live with regret, no matter what happens.

If you or someone you love needs a reminder of what courage, perspective, and persistence look like in real life, this conversation with Jackson Drum will stay with you long after it’s over.

To contribute to Jackson's dream you can support him at https://www.givesendgo.com/prayforjackson

If Jackson’s story hits you, share this episode with a teammate or parent, and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. After listening, leave a review and tell us: what’s one small goal you’re committing to this week?

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We sit down with Nick Kypreos to trace a path from a career-ending concussion to a 25-year run in broadcasting, unpacking what resilience looks like when you feel unready and afraid. Along the way we debate Canada’s modern hockey identity, Olympic roster choices, and why competitive edge still wins in the spring.

• resilience after a concussion and job loss
• early broadcast failures, nerves, and growth
• finding your lane as a glue guy
• trust, consistency, and people skills in teams
• media access, distractions, and focus
• playoff style: why heavy, old-school hockey still wins
• Sam Bennett’s value and Olympic snubs
• best players versus best team roster building
• Canada’s identity and hunger in junior pathways
• McDavid’s professionalism and sustainability

If you're somebody out there that hasn't rated the show, and if you're an Apple iPhone user and use the App Store or Apple Podcasts, by all means get out there and and and send a review

Get on the UMH68 watch list at UpmyHockey.com under the UMH68 section

Use code UMH2026 at AYCANE.com for a discount on cut-resistant base layers

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We dig into the craft of pro scouting with Mike Gensel, from how Utah builds a contender to why second effort and playoff habits separate prospects from producers. Jake Guentzel’s evolution from pass-first center to elite net-front finisher becomes a blueprint for players, coaches and parents.

• pro vs amateur scouting roles and objectives
• trade valuation, cap pressure and fair-deal philosophy
• Utah’s move, facilities and culture shift
• rebuild strategy, targeted adds and roster fit
• projecting AHL to NHL roles and usage
• playoff hockey as a different skill demand
• Jake Guentzel’s mindset shift and scoring identity
• development paths across NCAA, CHL and Europe
• due diligence, late bloomers and context
• parenting athletes with standards not control
• Utah’s needs: skill with second and third effort

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We unpack how prospects actually turn pro with Chicago Blackhawks development coach Andy Delmore. Trust, wall play, role clarity, and coachability anchor a candid look at modern NHL demands and how small habits unlock big careers.

• building trust so hard truths land
• identifying two to three core habits per player
• wall play mechanics and pre-scan timing
• using NHL comparables to teach with video
• coachability, processing speed, and failure at pace
• role identity beyond points and PP time
• PK as an entry point to minutes and value
• NHL trends: low to high, shot quality, activation
• pattern recognition and counting numbers
• mindset training and team culture benefits

Get involved: Go to UpmyHockey.com, check UMH68, find your province, and add your name to the watch list

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We break down how Maryland built a winning NAHL culture, why communication beats perfect systems, and what actually gets players recruited and promoted. Clint shares candid views on parents, leadership, roles, and the real skills that translate to NCAA hockey.

• defining the NAHL pathway and USHL movement
• player-led culture, standards, and leadership habits
• practice design, video literacy, and pattern recognition
• non‑negotiables: relentless pace, backcheck legs, team first
• communication on the bench and during special teams
• recruiting, relationships, and pro‑standard resources
• what schools ask: motor, compete, coachability, IQ
• aligning parents and players, shared messages
• roles over ego, earning trust before creativity
• why winning accelerates individual advancement

Get over to UpmyHockey.com, go to the UMH68 portion, and see what's available in your province... get your names on the watch list

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A candid talk with WHL scoring leader JP Hurlbert on why fun, authenticity, and steady habits beat hype in a draft year. From Texas roots and USNTDP grind to choosing Kamloops under the new CHL rule, he lays out a practical blueprint for growth and leadership.

• early WHL road life as culture builder
• USNTDP selection and training like a pro
• choosing Kamloops after the CHL rule change
• leadership as authenticity, not a script
• draft noise management and daily process
• film study beyond highlights for real gains
• building a shooter’s identity and skating pop
• balancing joy and grind with golf and fishing
• comparisons between USHL and WHL pace
• mentors, Stankoven’s motor, and paying it forward

Check out UMH68 details and watch lists at UpMyHockey.com. For team mindset training: email [email protected] or use the site contact form

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We explore how winning culture gets built, why character can beat hype, and how new NCAA rules are changing the WHL. Matt Odette shares hard truths about scouting, tryouts, and what actually earns a roster spot and trust when games get tight.

• valuing players who lift the team, not just rack up points
• late birthdays and uneven growth shaping scouting calls
• draft labels, runways, and real meritocracy
• WHL vs NCAA shifts, NIL noise, and retention
• 20-year-olds’ changing role and roster planning
• advisors’ influence and why fit still matters most
• habits training, communication skills, and leadership
• playoff resilience, camaraderie, and culture carriers

Thank you for listening to this conversation with Matt Odette

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We sit down with Victoria Royals captain Reggie Newman to unpack role clarity, leadership, and the modern edge in a league that still builds pros. From earning a spot at 16 to multiple NHL camps, he shows how physical, honest hockey and repeatable habits create real opportunity.

• carving an identity as a 200‑foot power forward
• the WHL’s shift in physicality and why heavy hockey still wins
• making the team at 16 by finishing every check
• rebuilding culture in Victoria after roster changes
• choosing loyalty and embracing the captaincy
• undrafted path to NHL development and rookie camps
• routines for sleep, nutrition, and visualization
• measuring a good game beyond points
• preparation as physical, mental, and emotional readiness
• using coaches and staff, asking better questions
• leadership as example, inclusion, and daily standards

Support Iron Ghost Construction, BioSteel, and Elite Prospects—partners who help young athletes chase their goals

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Dennis Maxwell, former NHL scout and 14-year pro, shares his journey from player to advisor and reveals the hidden factors that determine hockey success beyond just skill and statistics. We explore the psychological barriers that prevent players from reaching their potential and the importance of role acceptance, growth mindset, and authentic self-development.

• Reflecting on career choices and learning to adapt to different coaching styles
• Understanding that coaches are primarily focused on winning, not personal vendettas
• The importance of accepting your role on a team and finding ways to contribute
• How personality types and interpersonal dynamics influence hockey career trajectories
• The critical difference between fixed mindset and growth mindset in player development
• Why some less skilled players have longer careers than more talented prospects
• The value of mentorship and proper guidance in navigating the hockey system
• The role of player advisors in protecting young athletes and providing honest feedback
• Building credibility as an advisor through honesty and maintaining integrity
• How self-reflection and personal development continue even after your playing career

If you're interested in speaking with Dennis about player advising, you can reach him at topdrafthockey.com or on Instagram at dennismaxwell_topdrafthockey.