What keeps kids playing hockey?

What keeps kids playing hockey?

It turns out the answer isn't winning. In this episode of 2 Many Men on the Mic, Jared and Drew explore one of the biggest challenges facing youth hockey today: keeping the game fun while still helping players develop. The conversation begins with lessons from the Stanley Cup, coaching philosophy, and one of the hosts' favorite practice games before welcoming Dr. Adam Gledhill of Loughborough University. Drawing from his recent international research on youth hockey, Adam explains why effort, enjoyment, positive coaching, and healthy team environments matter more than many adults realize. Together they discuss: • Why children value trying their best over simply winning • The biggest contributors to player enjoyment • Why athletes leave sports during adolescence • "Connection Before Correction" and modern coaching • How parents can positively shape a child's experience • Practical ways to create hockey environments players never want to leave If you're a coach, parent, administrator, or player who wants hockey to remain a lifelong passion, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Enjoy the show? Please subscribe, leave us a review, and share the episode with another hockey family. Your support helps us continue bringing conversations that make hockey more fun—and help more kids stay in the game. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2600698/support] Stay connected with 2 Many Men on the Mic: 📸 Follow us on Instagram @twomanymenpodcast 🌐 Download coaching resources, drills, and practice plans www.2manymenonthemic.com [http://www.2manymenonthemic.com/] ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes, clips, and coaching content http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic [http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic]

🏆 What Youth Hockey Players Can Learn from the Stanley Cup Final

The Stanley Cup Final may be over, but the lessons for youth hockey players and coaches are just getting started. This week, Coach Jared and Coach Drew break down key moments from the championship series and discuss how Carolina's identity—relentless forechecking, committed backchecking, net-front presence, and team-first hockey—can translate directly into youth hockey development. The guys analyze Jordan Staal's dominance around the crease, Jacob Slavin's elite defensive habits, and the collective commitment that helped Carolina capture hockey's ultimate prize. Along the way, they share practice drills and coaching concepts that can help players become more effective and help coaches build stronger team identities. The episode also includes updates on the upcoming 2 Many Men on the Mic acoustic performance, support from Five B Designs, and the launch of the show's initiative to help make hockey more affordable through donated skates and sticks for youth players. Topics Include: * Stanley Cup Final analysis * Team identity and culture * Forechecking and offensive zone pressure * Backchecking and defensive responsibility * Net-front play and scoring habits * Practice drills for coaches * Growing the game and making hockey more affordable Subscribe, follow, and share the show with a hockey family, coach, or player who loves the game. Hockey is more fun the better you get at it. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2600698/support] Stay connected with 2 Many Men on the Mic: 📸 Follow us on Instagram @twomanymenpodcast 🌐 Download coaching resources, drills, and practice plans www.2manymenonthemic.com [http://www.2manymenonthemic.com/] ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes, clips, and coaching content http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic [http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic]

From Learn-to-Play to High School Hockey: The Financial Reality

How much does youth hockey really cost in 2026—and what can we do about it? In this episode of 2 Many Men on the Mic, Coach Jared and Coach Drew dive into one of the most important conversations in youth sports today: the rising cost of hockey. From Learn-to-Play programs to travel tournaments, new skates, broken sticks, camps, and development opportunities, they break down the real numbers and compare today's costs to the 1980s, 1990s, and beyond.  But this isn't a doom-and-gloom episode. The guys discuss practical ways families can manage costs, why diversification into other sports still matters, and how the hockey community can work together to remove financial barriers that prevent kids from staying in the game. They also announce a new initiative with RG & Luna Sports to help provide skates to players and families who need a little extra support.  Plus: 🏒 Stanley Cup Final takeaways and lessons for youth players 🏒 Why mistakes—even at the NHL level—are part of development 🏒 The "Five Tire Fire Drill" powered by Drift Hockey 🏒 How hockey families can help grow the game without breaking the bank At 2 Many Men on the Mic, we believe hockey is more fun the better you get at it—and we want more kids to have the opportunity to experience that journey.  Connect With Us 🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Buzzsprout, or wherever you listen. 📺 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for full episodes, coaching content, game broadcasts, and interviews. 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @twomanymenpodcast 🌐 Visit: www.2ManyMenOnTheMic.com 👍 If you enjoyed this episode:     •    Like the video     •    Leave a comment     •    Share it with a hockey family     •    Subscribe and turn on notifications Your support helps us continue bringing great conversations, coaching resources, and stories from across the hockey community. #YouthHockey #HockeyParents #StanleyCupFinal #HockeyDevelopment #USAHockey #YouthSports #HockeyLife #2ManyMenOnTheMic #GrowingTheGame Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2600698/support] Stay connected with 2 Many Men on the Mic: 📸 Follow us on Instagram @twomanymenpodcast 🌐 Download coaching resources, drills, and practice plans www.2manymenonthemic.com [http://www.2manymenonthemic.com/] ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes, clips, and coaching content http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic [http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic]

What happens when hockey parents stop watching from the stands and start playing the game themselves?

This week, Jared and Drew welcome Josh Holmes, Director of Adult Hockey for USA Hockey, for a conversation about adult hockey, Learn-to-Play programs, and how stepping onto the ice can completely change a parent's perspective. The group discusses:     •    Why adult hockey participation continues to grow     •    The rapid growth of women's hockey     •    USA Hockey's beginner and "Rusty" divisions     •    How adult hockey creates better hockey parents     •    The camaraderie that keeps players coming back     •    The incredible 70+ and 75+ National Championship divisions     •    Why hockey truly can be a lifelong sport The episode also features a special announcement as Vantage Credit Union becomes the new presenting sponsor of 2 Many Men on the Mic. Whether you're a hockey parent, coach, player, or someone considering giving the sport a try, this episode offers a fun reminder that hockey isn't just a youth sport—it's a game for life. 🏒 Hockey is more fun the better you get at it. 🎙️ Subscribe, follow, rate, and share the show wherever you get your podcasts. 📺 YouTube: 2 Many Men on the Mic YouTube Channel 🌐 Website: 2 Many Men on the Mic Website #HockeyParents #AdultHockey #USAHockey #YouthHockey #MensLeague #WomensHockey #HockeyPodcast  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2600698/support] Stay connected with 2 Many Men on the Mic: 📸 Follow us on Instagram @twomanymenpodcast 🌐 Download coaching resources, drills, and practice plans www.2manymenonthemic.com [http://www.2manymenonthemic.com/] ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes, clips, and coaching content http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic [http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic]

You Don’t Need AAA to Play College Hockey | Blake Dorn Interview

This week on 2 Many Men on the Mic, Jared, Drew, and Grant welcome Blake Dorn to the show. Blake’s journey from A-level youth hockey in St. Louis to playing ACHA hockey at Northwestern University is a story every hockey family should hear. The guys discuss:     •    Growing up in St. Louis hockey     •    Playing for the St. Louis Rockets and SLUH     •    Learning to truly love the game     •    The importance of owning your development     •    Balancing elite academics with college hockey     •    The growth of ACHA hockey across the country     •    Why there’s still a place in hockey for non-elite players Plus:     •    NHL playoff talk     •    Hockey parent wisdom     •    Locker room superstitions     •    A possible live acoustic/cowbell performance from Grant     •    Another classic Drill Draw segment Whether you’re chasing college hockey, coaching youth players, or just trying to keep kids loving the game, this episode delivers a ton of perspective and laughs along the way. Subscribe, download, rate, review… and please help us convince YouTube that hockey podcasts deserve love too. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2600698/support] Stay connected with 2 Many Men on the Mic: 📸 Follow us on Instagram @twomanymenpodcast 🌐 Download coaching resources, drills, and practice plans www.2manymenonthemic.com [http://www.2manymenonthemic.com/] ▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes, clips, and coaching content http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic [http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic]