Up My Hockey with Jason Podollan

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We sit down with Fernando Pisani to trace the real story behind a 462-game NHL career, from getting cut as a teenager to earning trust one detail at a time. We dig into what scouts actually notice, why hockey IQ and compete travel to every level, and how he now handles the same pressure through the eyes of a hockey dad. 

• getting cut at WHL camp and reframing it as direction, not failure 
• the junior A and NCAA route as a development advantage for strength, habits, and structure 
• a draft-day surprise and how being a late pick changes your mindset 
• what “details matter” looks like in the NHL and why one mistake can flip your role 
• the mental grind of early pro life, injury rehab, and uncertainty 
• how a checking line earns a coach’s trust through predictability 
• the 2006 playoff run, line chemistry, and why teams win by committee 
• what elite preparation looks like up close and why leaders raise standards 
• scouting filters that separate players with real hockey IQ and compete 
• parenting the WHL draft, managing expectations, and shielding kids from noise 
• building consistency so scouts see the same player every time 

Check it out at UpmyHockey.com. 
Make sure you share these episodes with others, put it on your page, share an episode that you like, let other people know at the hockey rink. 

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We reconnect with my old teammate with the St. John's Maple Leafs, Warren Norris and get honest about what builds a pro-level mindset when hockey gets unfair. We dig into being a team-first player, handling pressure as a young prospect, and what parents can say that actually helps. 
• growing up in Newfoundland and earning opportunities by leaving home early 
• building confidence through preparation, self-awareness, and repeatable routines 
• putting “be a good team guy” ahead of points and role status 
• responding to adversity, scratches, and politics without falling into victim mode 
• the difference between being hard on yourself and helping yourself perform 
• supporting a 16-year-old first-rounder through the QMJHL transition and nerves 
• why parents should avoid blaming coaches and focus on controllables 
• the rising cost of youth hockey, tournament FOMO, and the value of real breaks 
Please do continue to listen, continue to download, continue to support the show and share it 

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We talk with Tavis Hansen about going from a 300-person town and AA midget hockey to the WHL at 18 and the NHL shortly after, all because one scout saw something worth betting on. We dig into what actually separates players as they climb: pro habits, reliability, adapting to speed, and handling pressure when the stakes jump overnight.
• growing up in Canwood with low pressure and big support from family
• getting noticed late through provincial playoffs and earning a real WHL opportunity
• adjusting to WHL speed and carving out a role as a rugged winger
• learning the 90s reality of protecting teammates and building trust
• hearing from NHL scouts midseason and getting drafted by Winnipeg
• understanding the AHL jump and why pro pace humbles most players
• modeling “ultimate pro” routines through veterans and mentorship
• stacking controllables like habits and perception to earn more opportunity
• dealing with shoulder surgeries and how injuries steal development time
• taking the lockout leap to Japan and adapting to a different hockey culture
• building a second career, then giving back through Star Hockey Academy
Check out upmyhockey.com for the latest Peak Potential Hockey Project
You can check out the event dates at upmyhockey.com

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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