Episode 76: Mid Fairfield's Danielle Ward - Your Kid Doesn't Need a Better Team

Episode 76: Mid Fairfield's Danielle Ward - Your Kid Doesn't Need a Better Team

The championship coach behind one of youth hockey's top programs. Scott and Jamie sit down with Danielle Ward - head coach at Mid Fairfield, Breakaway Academy coach, and former pro player for an honest conversation about what actually develops hockey players.  Danielle explains why parents often make development harder by chasing the next team, overanalyzing every decision, and focusing on status instead of confidence. She shares why accountability has to be fair, why kids need room to make mistakes, and how the right environment matters more than the logo on the jersey.  The conversation also covers the growth of girls hockey, building championship teams at Mid Fairfield, academy hockey, burnout, spring hockey, and what Danielle looks for in players beyond talent.  In this episode: *  Why chasing the next team can hurt development  *  The biggest mistakes hockey parents make  *  Building accountability without losing confidence  *  Why kids need to make and learn from their own mistakes  This episode is a masterclass in long-term player development from one of the most respected youth coaches in the game. Danielle Ward IG: https://www.instagram.com/dwardy22/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/dwardy22/?hl=en] Mid Fairfield Hockey: https://www.instagram.com/mid_fairfield_hockey/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/mid_fairfield_hockey/?hl=en] Breakaway Academy: https://breakawayacademy.net/ [https://breakawayacademy.net/] 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 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/]