Ep.24 | Tryouts, Open Borders, & What to do After U16 Hockey

Ep.31 | NCAA Coaches Roundtable Discussion

In this special episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, we release the full NCAA Coaches Roundtable from the inaugural Matterhorn Fit All-Path Ontario Showcase. Following the Welcome Reception, six NCAA coaches and staff members sat down to answer questions from players, parents, and coaches about recruiting, player development, academics, the transfer portal, NCAA eligibility, and what they are actually looking for when evaluating prospective student-athletes. This conversation provides a rare opportunity to hear directly from NCAA decision-makers about how recruiting works behind the scenes, how the landscape is changing, and what players can do to maximize their opportunities both on and off the ice. Whether you're pursuing NCAA hockey, evaluating different development pathways, or simply trying to better understand the recruiting process, this discussion offers valuable insight from some of the top programs in college hockey. Featured Guests * Leio Mauron – Assistant Coach, Miami University (Ohio) * Andrew Sturtz – Assistant Coach, Penn State University * Cam Clark – Assistant Coach, Cornell University * Gudge Gentzler – Assistant Coach, Bentley University * Jeff Giuliano – Assistant Coach, University of New Hampshire * Matt Nicholson – Assistant Coach, Bowling Green State University Key Moments 1:40 – Welcome and introduction from Matterhorn Fit CEO Ryan Vesce 2:15 – Miami University introduction 5:20 – Penn State introduction 8:40 – Cornell University introduction 11:50 – Bentley University introduction 14:10 – University of New Hampshire introduction 16:40 – Bowling Green State University introduction 19:30 – What makes Miami unique and what it's like to play there 24:10 – The transfer portal, recruiting, and what Penn State looks for in players 30:10 – Life at Cornell: balancing elite academics and hockey 35:40 – Player development at Bentley and navigating the post-high school years 39:50 – Recruiting at UNH and how NCAA eligibility changes are impacting the landscape 43:41 – What Bowling Green looks for in players and the role families play in recruiting Audience Q&A 48:40 – Are scouting services worth it for NCAA recruiting? 50:40 – What does the recruiting timeline actually look like? 55:20 – What does it mean when a player "commits" to a school? 58:31 – Understanding the NCAA Eligibility Center and its role in the process Key Themes * What NCAA coaches actually prioritize when evaluating players * How the transfer portal is changing recruiting * The role academics play in the recruiting process * When and how players should communicate with schools * How families can support the recruiting journey effectively * The realities of commitments, eligibility, and long-term planning * Why development, character, and consistency still matter most Stay Connected Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube. Follow on socials: @BuiltFromSteelSeries @BioSteelSports @BioSteelSportsAcademy @CoachEpzolo @MatterhornFitEvents The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports. Learn more at www.biosteel.com [http://www.biosteel.com]

Ep.30 | Everyone Wants It. Few Will Do the Work.

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy use the story of Tom Brady's unlikely rise from overlooked draft pick to NFL legend as a framework to explore one of the biggest questions in sports: What actually separates the athletes who make it from those who don't? From OHL Draft expectations and confidence struggles to work ethic, preparation, recovery, and accountability, this conversation breaks down the uncomfortable truths that many players and parents need to hear. Everyone says they want success. Everyone says they'll do whatever it takes. But when nobody is watching, when things get hard, and when adversity arrives, the choices players make begin to separate them from everyone else. At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea: Dreams are common. The willingness to do the work isn't. Key Moments 0:00 – Intro, staying healthy & athlete recovery 3:20 – Why recovery matters for athletes 4:00 – Athletes need recovery strategies earlier than ever 6:00 – Introducing the Tom Brady story 12:00 – Advice and reality heading into the OHL Draft 18:00 – The beginning of Tom Brady's journey 24:50 – One of the greatest scouting misses in sports history 26:00 – What are you doing when nobody is watching? 27:00 – Most athletes only push themselves to what feels comfortable 31:00 – Doubt and confidence struggles are normal 31:50 – The harsh reality: nobody cares 32:00 – Obsessing over the "how do I make it?" question 36:00 – Your actions have to match your words 40:00 – What does hard work actually mean? 43:00 – Learning not to half-ass the process 47:00 – Nobody is coming to feel sorry for you 48:30 – Competition should be difficult 49:20 – Why many players fail to do the right things in games 50:30 – Effort is only one dimension of hard work 55:20 – The parent mindset when supporting ambitious kids 1:00:00 – Parents can't force the dream onto their children  Key Themes * Hard work is much more than effort alone * Recovery and preparation are part of the process * Confidence issues affect every athlete, even elite performers * The best players separate themselves when nobody is watching * Opportunity follows preparation, not entitlement * Parents can support dreams but cannot create them * Success requires actions that match your ambitions Stay Connected Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube Follow on socials: @BuiltFromSteelSeries @BioSteelSports @BioSteelSportsAcademy @CoachEpzolo The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports. Learn more at www.biosteel.com [http://www.biosteel.com]

Ep.29 | Opportunity, Patience & Becoming the Player Coaches Trust

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy dive into one of the most important realities in hockey development: Everyone wants opportunity but very few players are truly prepared for it when it arrives. From building culture and setting standards to handling slumps, confidence issues, and limited ice time, this conversation explores what separates players who continue moving forward from those who get stuck waiting for someone else to help them. The discussion covers the lonely side of development, the importance of finding ways to contribute, and why patience is often the missing ingredient in a player's journey. At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea: The players who earn trust create opportunity. The players waiting for an opportunity often miss it. Key Moments 0:00 – Andy's return to training and fitness journey 5:30 – Building culture: how do you actually implement it? 6:45 – Adults set the tone in any environment 13:30 – The lonely road of becoming a high-level athlete 16:00 – Group energy, motivation, and distractions 19:00 – What happens when you don't get the opportunity you wanted? 22:00 – Losing confidence and how players respond 24:00 – Getting the opportunity is the hardest part 31:00 – Learning to fit the line and help the team 32:30 – No one is coming to save you 34:40 – Mental Toughness 101 37:00 – Finding ways to contribute when you're struggling 41:00 – Accepting the type of player you are 43:40 – Opportunity may be closer than you think 45:30 – Are you putting yourself where opportunity exists? 48:50 – Why patience matters more than most players realize 51:30 – The easy path is rarely the better path 52:40 – Smart people can see what you're doing behind the scenes 55:30 – Being fooled into thinking you're something you're not Key Themes * Opportunity is earned before it's given * Culture starts with the adults in the room * Confidence comes and goes but habits remain * The best players learn how to contribute before they learn how to lead * Patience is often the difference between quitting and breaking through * Mental toughness is built through adversity, not comfort * Coaches trust players who solve problems, not create them Stay Connected Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube Follow on socials: @BuiltFromSteelSeries @BioSteelSports @BioSteelSportsAcademy @CoachEpzolo The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports. Learn more at www.biosteel.com [http://www.biosteel.com]

Ep.28 | OHL Roundtable Discussions - LIVE from the Matterhorn Fit All-Path Ontario Showcase

In this special episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, we release the full Welcome Reception from the inaugural Matterhorn Fit All-Path Ontario Showcase, featuring a keynote presentation from Matterhorn Fit founder Ryan Vesce followed by an in-depth roundtable discussion with coaches, scouts, and staff from across the Ontario Hockey League. This conversation gives players, parents, and coaches a rare behind-the-scenes look into how OHL organizations think about development, recruiting, NCAA changes, player evaluation, and what actually matters when projecting athletes to the next level. From the impact of the NCAA rule changes to what coaches notice most in young players, this episode is packed with honest insight directly from the people making decisions inside the league. Featured Guests * Brayden Guy — Assistant Coach, Sarnia Sting * Scott Simmonds — Assistant Coach, Guelph Storm * Reagan O’Grady — Former Assistant Coach, Owen Sound Attack * Justin Solcz — Assistant Coach, Flint Firebirds * Kyle Makaric — Assistant Coach, Saginaw Spirit * Sean Murphy — Former Scout, Niagara IceDogs Key Moments 1:30 – Welcome & keynote speech from Ryan Vesce  14:00 – OHL coach and scout introductions 19:40 – Sarnia Sting development standards & future direction 24:40 – Development opportunities: practices, off-ice, and daily environment 27:15 – Recruiting timelines & what teams look for in players 29:40 – How NCAA rule changes are impacting the OHL 34:30 – Team makeup, scouting ages, and the role of parents 38:50 – What players should focus on to reach the next level Audience Q&A 41:30 – NCAA “5-in-5” eligibility discussion 45:50 – Import players & how they get noticed 47:40 – Is the OHL getting younger or older? 52:00 – What are players missing today? 53:22 – What stands out most in a player’s game? Key Themes * What OHL teams actually prioritize in player evaluation * How NCAA changes are reshaping junior hockey * The importance of development environments and habits * Why parents need perspective during the recruiting process * What separates players beyond pure skill * How recruiting timelines and opportunities really work Stay Connected Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube Follow on socials: @BuiltFromSteelSeries @BioSteelSports @BioSteelSportsAcademy @CoachEpzolo @MatterhornFitEvents The Built From Steel Podcast is a division of BioSteel Sports 🌐 Learn more at www.biosteel.com [http://www.biosteel.com]

Ep.27 | Lessons From A Retired Hockey Dad

In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy reflect on the youth hockey journey from a different perspective: what happens when the ride is finally over. From OHL Draft day emotions and junior hockey realities to parenting through youth hockey, camps, coaching changes, agents, and role acceptance, this conversation explores what actually mattered and what didn’t looking back on the full experience. This episode is less about chasing the next step and more about understanding the bigger picture: how maturity develops over time, how difficult the junior hockey grind really is, and what parents should truly focus on while supporting their kids through the process. At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea:Most of the things families stress about in youth hockey end up mattering far less than they think. Key Moments 0:00 – Intro & setting the stage 4:00 – Becoming a “retired hockey dad” 8:20 – The OHL Draft and what it means to families 9:50 – Did the OHL Draft or NHL Draft mean more? 13:00 – The OHL Draft simply opens the door 17:50 – How maturity develops through the hockey journey 21:00 – Going through training camps 24:30 – Parents worry about ice time during draft years — but it’s about how you play 26:00 – The reality of junior hockey rosters 30:00 – Embracing the role you have 34:00 – Becoming a problem solver as a player 41:10 – Sports is mostly grind with a few big wins 43:00 – Coaching through junior hockey & how parents are affected 47:30 – How much does coaching actually impact a player in minor hockey? 53:00 – Looking back: did youth hockey results really matter? 56:23 – The role of agents and advisors 1:00:30 – Winning and “good teams” aren’t everything 1:09:00 – What parents need to understand about high-level coaching staffs 1:15:00 – Community involvement and relationships between parents Key Themes * The OHL Draft is an opportunity — not a guarantee * Junior hockey is far more difficult and competitive than families realize * Ice time matters less than how players perform in their opportunities * Role acceptance and adaptability are critical skills * Most players develop through adversity, not comfort * Parents often stress about things that ultimately don’t matter long-term * The hockey journey is about much more than wins, rankings, or draft position Stay Connected Watch the Academy docu-series Built From Steel on YouTube Follow on socials: @BuiltFromSteelSeries @BioSteelSports @BioSteelSportsAcademy @CoachEpzolo The Built From Steel Podcast continues the long-term development focus established through the PowerTech Development Podcast platform. 🌐 Learn more at www.biosteel.com [http://www.biosteel.com]