Episode 75: I Didn't Need AAA to Make the NHL (w/ Stanley Cup Winner Erik Cole)

Episode 75: I Didn't Need AAA to Make the NHL (w/ Stanley Cup Winner Erik Cole)

The late bloomer who proved everyone wrong. Scott and Jamie sit down with former NHL forward and Stanley Cup champion Erik Cole for an honest conversation about the winding road from small-town hockey in upstate New York to nearly 900 NHL games.  Erik shares how he didn't play AAA hockey, grew up in a community program, was a late bloomer physically, and almost let a difficult college coaching experience derail his career. He explains how one breakthrough season changed everything and why confidence can be just as important as talent.  The conversation also dives into youth hockey today, becoming a hockey dad, coaching his own son, and the lessons he learned from both the NHL and behind the bench. In this episode: *  How a late growth spurt changed Erik's career  *  Why confidence was the turning point  *  The college coaching experience that almost pushed him out of hockey  *  Why adversity prepared him for the NHL  This is a reminder that there's more than one path to the highest level of hockey. Erik Cole IG: https://www.instagram.com/eriktcole/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/eriktcole/?hl=en] Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/ [https://mosmilefoundation.org/] Partners: * https://www.pacificrink.com/ [https://www.pacificrink.com/] * https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/ [https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/] * https://hockeytraining.com/ [https://hockeytraining.com/] * https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads [https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads] * https://howieshockeytape.com/ [https://howieshockeytape.com/] * https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/ [https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/] Socials: * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast]: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast] * X [https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads]: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads [https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/]: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/]: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/]

Episode 74: 2026 Hobey Baker Winner Max Plante - Small, Overlooked… Then Everything Changed

The 2026 Hobey Baker winner on late growth, betting on himself, and chasing big dreams. Scott and Jamie sit down with Max Plante for a conversation that has surprisingly little to do with trophies and everything to do with development. Max shares how he was just 5'4", 120 pounds when he left Minnesota high school hockey for the NTDP, why many people questioned the decision, and how learning to compete as one of the smallest players on the ice ultimately became one of his biggest advantages.  He also talks about growing up in Hermantown, playing every sport he could, the influence of his hockey family, battling through injuries, winning World Juniors gold, and why pushing yourself into uncomfortable situations is often the fastest path to growth.  In this episode: *  Why being undersized helped shape his game  *  The emotional decision to leave Minnesota for the NTDP  *  What injuries taught him about resilience  *  Why playing multiple sports made him a better hockey player  This isn't just the story of a Hobey Baker winner, it's a reminder that development isn't always linear, and betting on yourself is often the hardest move to make. Max Plante: https://www.instagram.com/mdplanet10 [https://tlhockey.com/] University Minnesota Duluth: https://umdbulldogs.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey [https://umdbulldogs.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey] Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/ [https://mosmilefoundation.org/] Partners: * https://www.pacificrink.com/ [https://www.pacificrink.com/] * https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/ [https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/] * https://hockeytraining.com/ [https://hockeytraining.com/] * https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads [https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads] * https://howieshockeytape.com/ [https://howieshockeytape.com/] * https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/ [https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/] Socials: * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast]: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast] * X [https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads]: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads [https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/]: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/]: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/]

Episode 73: TopLine Hockey - Your Kid Doesn’t Need the Best Team…They Need the Right Coach

Scott and Jamie sit down with Justin Selman and Boo Nieves of TopLine Hockey for a brutally honest conversation about development, coaching, team-hopping, and what parents keep getting wrong.  Justin and Boo share their own paths through Michigan, pro hockey, the AHL grind, injuries, coaching, and building TopLine into one of the most trusted development groups in the area.  But the real meat of this episode is youth hockey today: why parents chase logos, why kids get stuck in the wrong roles too early, why switching teams every year can backfire, and why the best situation isn’t always the best-ranked team.  In this episode: *  Why “the best team” may be the wrong fit  *  Why team-hopping can become a red flag  *  Why you can’t force a kid to love hockey  *  The brutal reality of the AHL grind  If your kid is miserable, underused, or chasing the next logo - this one is required listening. TopLine: https://tlhockey.com/ [https://tlhockey.com/] TopLine IG: https://www.instagram.com/toplinehockey [https://www.instagram.com/toplinehockey/?hl=en] Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/ [https://mosmilefoundation.org/] Partners: * https://www.pacificrink.com/ [https://www.pacificrink.com/] * https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/ [https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/] * https://hockeytraining.com/ [https://hockeytraining.com/] * https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads [https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads] * https://howieshockeytape.com/ [https://howieshockeytape.com/] * https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/ [https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/] Socials: * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast]: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast] * X [https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads]: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads [https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/]: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/]: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/]

Episode 72: The Hockey World Got Bigger... Not Easier (with Sean Flanagan)

What college coaches are actually looking for in today's game. Scott and Jamie sit down with Sean Flanagan, Associate Head Coach at Cornell University, for a candid conversation about recruiting, development, and what separates players who keep advancing from those who stall out.  Sean explains how the recruiting landscape has changed with more teams, more leagues, and the transfer portal creating a much larger pool of players than ever before. He also shares what Cornell looks for beyond talent, including character, academics, consistency, and a genuine love of the game. The conversation dives into youth hockey development, multi-sport athletes, late bloomers, recruiting misconceptions, and why parents often worry about things that matter far less than they think.  In this episode: *  How recruiting has changed in the portal era  *  What Ivy League coaches actually look for  *  Why development isn't always linear  *  The value of multi-sport athletes  *  Common recruiting mistakes families make  *  Why passion for hockey still matters  If you're trying to understand what college coaches are really evaluating, this episode is a must-listen. Cornell University Men's Ice Hockey: https://cornellbigred.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey [https://cornellbigred.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey] Cornell University Women's Ice Hockey: https://cornellbigred.com/sports/womens-ice-hockey [https://cornellbigred.com/sports/womens-ice-hockey] Partners: * https://www.pacificrink.com/ [https://www.pacificrink.com/] * https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/ [https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/] * https://hockeytraining.com/ [https://hockeytraining.com/] * https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads [https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads] * https://howieshockeytape.com/ [https://howieshockeytape.com/] * https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/ [https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/] Socials: * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast]: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast] * X [https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads]: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads [https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/]: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/]: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/]

Episode 71: The Craziest Hockey Parent I Ever Met Was Me (with Rich Cohen)

Before Rich Cohen wrote Pee-Wees: Confessions of a Hockey Parent, he thought he understood youth hockey parents..then he became one. Scott and Jamie sit down with the bestselling author to discuss the real story behind Pee-Wees, the emotional pull of youth hockey, and how even self-aware parents can get caught up in rankings, team placements, and the pursuit of "what's next." Rich shares stories from his own playing days, his son's hockey journey, and the lessons he learned after realizing that parents often spend so much time chasing the next step that they miss the season they're living right now.  In this episode: *  The surprising status game behind team selections  *  What Rich learned after writing Pee-Wees *  Adult league and youth hockey stories that are almost too good to be true  *  Why parents should stop worrying so much about the next team  If you've ever obsessed over tryouts, rankings, or the ride home after a game, this episode will feel very familiar. Rich Cohen https://www.authorrichcohen.com/ [https://www.authorrichcohen.com/] Pee Wees: Confessions of a Hockey Parent https://www.amazon.com [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0374268010/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0374268010&linkCode=as2&tag=authorrichcoh-20&linkId=15554417a37daa73782b16943f5a7333] Partners: * https://www.pacificrink.com/ [https://www.pacificrink.com/] * https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/ [https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/] * https://hockeytraining.com/ [https://hockeytraining.com/] * https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads [https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads] * https://howieshockeytape.com/ [https://howieshockeytape.com/] * https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/ [https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/] Socials: * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast]: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast] * X [https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads]: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads [https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/]: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/]: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/]