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

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]

NHL Final Four is Set + PWHL is BOOMING | Too Many Men on the Mic

The Stanley Cup Final Four is officially set and the boys are breaking down EVERYTHING from the NHL Playoffs — overtime drama, coaching mistakes, goalie play, Carolina’s rest advantage, Colorado vs Vegas, and whether the Canadiens are actually for real. 👀 Coach Drew, Coach Jared, and producer Grant dive into:🏒 Montreal vs Buffalo OT thriller🏒 Why Carolina may be the scariest team left🏒 Nathan MacKinnon vs Jack Eichel🏒 Carter Hart’s impact in Vegas🏒 The rise of the PWHL and why hockey fans should pay attention🏒 Coaching breakdowns and playoff systems🏒 A compete drill coaches can use immediately at practice🏒 Plus… a golf bet, NHL 94 organ music, and plenty of chirping We also discuss:✅ PWHL expansion and sold-out crowds✅ Why the #1 seed choosing their playoff opponent is genius✅ Rust vs Rest in playoff hockey✅ Why playoff hockey remains the greatest sport on Earth 🔥 COACHES:Head to our website for downloadable drill draws and coaching resources. 👍 LIKE🔔 SUBSCRIBE📲 SHARE with your hockey teammates, parents, and coaches We’ve crossed 12,500+ views and are pushing hard toward our next subscriber milestone — help us grow the hockey community! #NHLPlayoffs #HockeyPodcast #StanleyCup #PWHL #MontrealCanadiens #ColoradoAvalanche #VegasGoldenKnights #TooManyMenOnTheMic #YouthHockey #HockeyCoaching 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]

Goalies Are Built Different

Goalies… this one’s for YOU. This week on Too Many Men on the Mic, Jared & Drew welcome an all-star goalie panel featuring:     •    Lexi Levy (Oswego State Women’s Hockey)     •    Tim Balis (St. Louis Eagles Coach & former goalie)     •    Simon Lusky (former goalie, goalie dad & owner of Revel Kitchen + Motor Town Pizza) We dive into: 🥅 Why goalie save percentages are dropping 🥅 RVH vs old-school goalie styles 🥅 Why goalie parents may be the craziest people in hockey 🥅 The mental pressure of playing goalie 🥅 Meditation, mindset & flow states 🥅 When kids should specialize in goalie 🥅 Why goalies SHOULD skate out as players too 🥅 Whether today’s shooters would score on Hasek & Brodeur 🥅 And why every defenseman apparently needs MORE appreciation… This episode is hilarious, brutally honest, and loaded with incredible insight for hockey players, parents, coaches, and goalies everywhere. 👇 COMMENT BELOW 👇 Would YOU let your kid become a goalie? 🔥 PLEASE HELP US GROW THE SHOW 🔥 ✅ SUBSCRIBE to the channel ✅ LIKE the episode ✅ SHARE with your hockey family ✅ Follow us on Instagram/X (links in our bio) ✅ Visit the website for drills, coaching content & more We’ve had THOUSANDS of views lately… now help us turn those viewers into subscribers! #Hockey #Goalie #YouthHockey #HockeyPodcast #GoalieLife #RVH #IceHockey #HockeyParents #TooManyMenOnTheMic 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]