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

Ep.34 | 5 Ways to Make Your Summer Training Successful

Summer training doesn’t need to be complicated but it does need to be intentional. In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy break down 5 ways hockey players can make their summer training more successful. From building a plan and training with purpose to developing your body off the ice, recovering properly, and staying consistent without losing your summer, this episode gives players and families a practical framework for approaching the off-season the right way. The goal isn’t to sign up for everything, chase sweat, or copy what everyone else is doing. The goal is to understand what you actually need, train with purpose, and build habits that carry into the season. At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea: Most players don’t fail in the summer because they don’t work hard. They fail because they don’t have a plan. Key Moments 0:00 – Where do you start if you know nothing? 3:00 – Everyone wants to skip steps 8:00 – Training doesn’t need to be complicated 12:00 – Muscle groups hockey players need to develop 15:30 – The attitude you need to actually get better 17:00 – Tip 1: You need to have a plan 19:00 – Parents want to see “sweat” even when it doesn’t matter 19:51 – Getting advice from reputable people 25:40 – Tip 2: Have a purpose 25:45 – Different versions of hard work 25:50 – Finding your purpose no matter what you have access to 31:30 – Asking what the purpose is behind what you’re doing 39:10 – Tip 3: Build your body off the ice 41:00 – The 5 buckets of strength and conditioning 46:00 – Training correctly 48:45 – Strength, speed, and power 51:25 – Tip 4: Recovery 51:35 – Learn to hit the gas pedal before you learn to recover 53:40 – Why you need to hit your max to create adaptation 56:00 – Sleep tips for athletes 58:30 – Hydration and nutrition 1:02:00 – Mobility and injury prevention 1:08:10 – Tip 5: Consistency is king Key Themes * Don’t just train more, train with a plan * Summer development should have clear priorities * On-ice work needs to transfer into games * Off-ice training should build a better athlete, not just a better hockey player * Recovery is part of development * Consistency matters more than perfection * Parents should avoid turning summer into a pressure cooker * The best summer plan is one the player can actually stick to 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.33 | Which Hockey Opportunities Are ACTUALLY Worth It? (Showcases, Spring Hockey & More)

Every hockey family reaches a point where they're faced with more opportunities than they know what to do with. Showcases. Spring hockey. Invitational tournaments. Skills camps. Identification camps. "You've been selected" emails. But which opportunities actually help your development and which ones are simply selling the dream? In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy break down how players and families should evaluate opportunities outside of their regular season, the questions every parent should be asking before committing time and money, and why chasing every event often leads players further away from their long-term goals. From understanding showcase value to recognizing the difference between legitimate opportunities and clever marketing, this episode provides a practical framework for making better decisions throughout the hockey journey. At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea: The best opportunity isn't always the biggest one, it's the one that actually helps you become a better player. Key Moments 4:00 – Eric's perspective on tournaments and showcases beyond the regular season 8:00 – How many showcases and extra tournaments should players actually do? 10:30 – The good and bad sides of extra hockey opportunities 14:00 – Legitimate reasons to play spring hockey or attend additional events 15:30 – The tough questions every family should ask before committing 18:00 – Recognizing the "slimy salesman" in youth hockey 20:00 – The downside of superteams and inflated egos 22:00 – How to evaluate "You've Been Identified" emails 23:50 – Following the crowd vs. making smart decisions 25:00 – Why navigating opportunities is so difficult for parents 31:30 – Seize the opportunities you already have every day 38:00 – No opportunity replaces putting in the work 45:00 – You probably don't understand how much competition is actually out there 47:00 – The reality of just how many players are chasing the same dream 51:00 – Age gaps, competition, and understanding where you truly fit 56:00 – The hockey development funnel and why perspective matters Key Themes * Every opportunity deserves to be evaluated, not automatically accepted * Spring hockey and showcases are tools, not requirements * Ask difficult questions before investing your time and money * Be skeptical of organizations selling exposure instead of development * Great players still have to do the work regardless of where they play * Success comes from consistency, not collecting events * Understanding the size of the hockey landscape creates better perspective * Development should always come before exposure 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.32 | 2026 OHL Draft Analysis: What the Results Actually Tell Us - Built From Steel Podcast

The 2026 OHL Priority Selection is officially in the books. In this episode of the Built From Steel Podcast, Eric and Andy break down the draft from every angle from the emotions families experience during draft weekend to the realities hidden beneath rankings, draft lists, and public opinions. Using real draft data and examples from the 2026 class, they discuss what OHL teams actually value, how players separate themselves, and why the draft often tells a very different story than people expect. The conversation also explores the role of politics in youth hockey, the impact of league affiliation, late bloomers, player projection, and what families should really take away from the results. At its core, this episode comes down to one simple idea: The draft is not the end of the story. It's simply another filter in a much longer journey. Key Moments 0:00 – Opening thoughts on the OHL Draft and how it affects families 3:30 – Reflecting on the draft now that it's over 9:30 – How politics affects youth hockey and the draft process 13:00 – What does a "good player" actually mean? 15:00 – Understanding draft lists, rankings, and ratings 17:00 – A message for parents navigating draft season 22:00 – Who is actually creating these rankings? 23:40 – Garrett Sutton's selection in the 4th Round from BioSteel Sports Academy 29:30 – Finish every interview with this question 31:40 – The difference between getting better and understanding your role 35:00 – The subtle details that separate high-quality players 36:40 – What OHL teams are actually asking and evaluating 40:00 – Don't be vanilla as a player 47:30 – 2026 OHL Draft analysis by the numbers 48:00 – U.S. players selected in the draft 49:50 – Players drafted outside the 2010 birth year 50:30 – The role of late bloomers in player development 55:00 – Average height and weight of drafted players 55:30 – Draft breakdown by position 58:40 – Total eligible players 59:00 – Draft breakdown by league (GTHL, OMHA, HEO, NOHA, Prep, Alliance, etc.) 1:06:00 – Being honest when analyzing draft results 1:07:12 – The reality: you haven't seen every player 1:09:50 – Two ways to think about the draft process 1:13:00 – A reality check from the final draft results 1:15:00 – Don't get caught up in all the noise Key Themes * Rankings and draft lists are opinions, not outcomes * OHL teams are projecting future players, not rewarding current production * The best players separate themselves in subtle ways * Politics exist, but they don't tell the whole story * Draft position doesn't define a player's future * Development is rarely linear * Families should focus on growth, not validation * The hockey journey continues long after draft day 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.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]