Up My Hockey with Jason Podollan

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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.

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Dylan Garand shares his journey from a young goalie in Victoria to becoming a New York Rangers prospect and AHL All-Star, revealing the mental techniques and training approaches that have elevated his game.

• Moving to Delta Hockey Academy at age 14 marked the moment Dylan committed fully to becoming a hockey player
• Understanding what works personally for mental preparation is crucial for goaltenders
• Practice intensity directly transfers to game performance - Dylan aims to stop every shot in practice
• Purposeful intent behind every drill helps develop technical skills while maintaining competitive mindset
• Self-talk using simple cues like "compete" and "work hard" helps maintain focus after goals or during tough stretches
• World Junior experience included winning gold medal in dramatic overtime fashion
• Transition to pro hockey required adjusting to players making more calculated decisions
• Finding ways to play well when not feeling your best is what separates professionals
• Training specifically for goaltending involves edge work, ankle stability, and lateral movement rather than traditional player workouts
• Patience in development while with the Rangers organization (behind Igor Shesterkin) is building a foundation for long-term success

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Andrew Cristall shares his remarkable journey from an undersized prospect to WHL scoring leader and Washington Capitals draftee, revealing how criticism and doubt have fueled his ascent in hockey.

• Weighing just over 100 pounds in his WHL draft year yet still selected eighth overall by Kelowna
• Used exceptional hockey IQ and skill to overcome size limitations and perceived skating deficiencies
• Played in the WHL bubble as a 15-year-old during COVID, skipping the traditional U18 level entirely
• Recorded 69 points as a 16-year-old and 95 points in his NHL draft year
• Selected 40th overall by Washington after hoping to go in the first round
• Led the WHL in scoring with 132 points and earned first-team CHL All-Star honors
• Tied the Spokane Chiefs playoff record with 21 goals in 19 games (second most in WHL history)
• Cut from Team Canada's World Junior team despite leading the WHL in scoring
• Focused on improving skating through specific technical training while maintaining his offensive production
• Aiming to make Washington's NHL roster but prepared to develop in Hershey if necessary
• Recognizes that being overlooked has consistently provided motivation throughout his career

Work on your weaknesses until they become strengths, and don't let others define your potential. Hockey IQ and determination can overcome physical limitations.

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Morgan Geekie shares his journey from small-town Manitoba to becoming a 33-goal scorer for the Boston Bruins, highlighting the importance of resilience and embracing your unique development path in professional hockey.

• From being drafted 90th overall in the WHL to 67th in the NHL after being overlooked in his first year of eligibility
• Started this season as a healthy scratch before scoring more goals than NHL stars like Nathan McKinnon and Jack Eichel
• Growing up in Strathclair, Manitoba (population ~700) and developing alongside his brothers, including Connor Geekie
• The mental challenges of transitioning from being a fan to playing alongside NHL stars you once idolized
• Importance of time spent in the AHL for proper development and appreciation of the NHL
• How Boston's team culture, where "everything is earned," helped shape his professional approach
• Balancing old school and new school hockey mentalities as someone who bridges the generational gap

The lesson from Morgan's story is powerful: everyone's development timeline is different, and the path to success isn't linear. Control what you can control, embrace where you are, and keep pushing forward - your ceiling might be higher than you imagine.

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Mitch Wahl, a former second-round NHL draft pick and Memorial Cup champion, shares his 15-year professional journey from the Spokane Chiefs to European leagues.

• California native who was drafted 4th overall to the WHL's Spokane Chiefs
• Won the Memorial Cup championship in 2008, his NHL draft year
• Selected 48th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2008 NHL Draft
• Represented Team USA at the World Junior Championships
• Career-altering injuries during his first pro season coincided with management changes in Calgary
• Found success in European professional leagues, playing in Sweden, Finland, Austria, Slovakia, and Germany
• Discusses the importance of building relationships and having organizational allies
• Explains how preparation creates confidence regardless of results
• Reflects on how hockey provided incredible life experiences and global travel opportunities
• Currently playing his 15th professional season in Germany at age 35

Play hard and keep your head up to maximize your hockey journey, finding success wherever the game takes you.

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Jeremy Mylymok, former pro hockey player and current director of hockey at Coeur d'Alene Hockey Academy, shares his remarkable journey from a California skateboarder to Notre Dame Hounds student to professional hockey champion, revealing how character development and consistent effort create pathways to success in hockey and life.

• Character is defined as "how you behave when nobody's watching"
• Consistent effort in practice, weight room, and off-hours separates successful players from others
• Honest feedback from coaches is crucial for development even when difficult to hear
• Mental toughness is often the most overlooked but important component of player development
• The journey from Notre Dame Hounds to University of Alaska Anchorage to professional hockey
• Winning championships with the Chicago Wolves after starting as an unlikely prospect
• Building Coeur d'Alene Hockey Academy with a focus on developing the right players, not just the best
• Comprehensive facilities with on-site training, academics, and development create the ideal environment
• The importance of self-motivated players who utilize available resources during free time
• Finding coaches and programs that understand your child as both a player and person

If you're considering where your player might continue their development, Coeur d'Alene Hockey Academy offers exceptional facilities, dedicated coaching staff, and a proven approach to player development in a beautiful setting with spots available for the upcoming season.

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Craig Geeky shares his philosophy on raising three talented hockey players, including NHL stars Morgan and Connor, through a multi-sport approach in a small town of just 150 people.

• Creating a pathway to hockey success by having kids play multiple sports (badminton, curling, basketball, volleyball, track, baseball)
• Building a strong foundation through accountability, self-assessment, and objective feedback
• Delaying specialization until age 16-17 when his sons naturally chose their preferred sport
• Developing perseverance, leadership, and teamwork by playing with varied skill levels in a small community
• Emphasizing character development and life skills over NHL aspirations
• Supporting his sons in missing hockey events for provincial tournaments in other sports
• Understanding that each player's development path is unique - "no path is going to be the same"
• Working with coaches who provide accountability while showing genuine belief in player potential
• Participating in the UMH 68 Invitational to create opportunities for young players in Manitoba
• Valuing the educational and developmental aspects of hockey beyond just competition

Parents and players interested in the UMH 68 Invitational in Manitoba starting May 29th should visit upmyhockey.com and fill out the watch list form for consideration or see link blow.

MB 2011 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScuAXXLsLb9N8X3tnP71FpwGjPj-4K1TaxlO4cicurGTeEi_w/viewform

BC 2012 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfipqujezcRNyFOiWO6PISEFCpxbf0nj6GYt4UcZs3j3J_Rag/viewform

BC 2011 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3hch0UvEu-1tBXzzXTFvbEKr3FCXxTAM5LMJT7RWIvm8iwA/viewform

SK 2012 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefCCa-eu5HPlu9cSSuHInMDorVkz5prkCKsIe4QGti_xsfDg/viewform

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Bert Henderson shares his remarkable hockey journey from BCHL champion to WHL captain to playing professionally in Japan, before becoming a coach and hockey dad with sons following in his footsteps.

• The importance of compete level in practice and how championship teams are built through daily intensity
• Transition from wanting to be an offensive defenseman to understanding his true strengths and value as a player
• Decision to play professionally in Japan despite NHL aspirations, leading to an eight-year international career
• Experience coaching in the BCHL as GM/head coach while balancing family responsibilities
• The emotional journey of watching his son play for his former WHL team, the Kelowna Rockets
• Coaching philosophy focusing on development, accountability and play away from the puck
• The inspiring story of his youngest son playing competitive hockey despite being legally blind with Stargardt's disease
• How today's game values different player types, with power forwards becoming increasingly rare but valuable

Whether you want to improve as a player, coach, or hockey parent, focus on compete level, character development, and maintaining joy for the game.

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Trevor Steinberg shares his hockey journey from first overall OHL draft pick to his current role as an amateur scout with the Seattle Kraken, offering insights into player development, mental fitness, and what NHL teams truly value in prospects. His perspective bridges the gap between old-school hockey toughness and modern developmental approaches, emphasizing character, resilience, and the importance of making good decisions.

• Seattle Kraken scout Trevor Steinberg was the first overall pick in his OHL draft year and later selected 15th overall in the 1984 NHL draft (the same year as Mario Lemieux)
• Knee injuries significantly impacted his NHL career trajectory, forcing him to adapt his playing style
• After retirement, he immediately transitioned to coaching, eventually spending 20 years as head coach at St. Mary's University where he won a national championship
• As an amateur scout, Steinberg emphasizes that the Kraken prioritize "good people" in their draft selections, not just skill
• The Kraken approach development with patience – "when we draft somebody, we're drafting that 18-year-old to play games at 24"
• Steinberg investigates prospects beyond formal interviews by speaking with billets, trainers, and community members
• Mental fitness and resilience are critical components of player development that often get overlooked
• Young players need to "write their own script" by making deliberate decisions that align with their hockey goals
• Even if players don't reach the NHL, the character, work ethic and standards developed through hockey create value that extends into all aspects of life

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Clark Wilm's journey from a small farming community in Saskatchewan to becoming an NHL player is a testament to resilience, hard work, and adaptability. He shares insights on player development, the importance of mental toughness, and the evolution of youth hockey systems, encouraging young athletes to find their unique identity and value on the ice.

• Journey from minor hockey to NHL through hard work and determination 
• Importance of adapting playstyle for success in NHL 
• Influence of coaching in developing skills and mindset 
• Insights on the competitive landscape of youth hockey 
• The need for players to understand their identity and value in teams