Grassroots: The Minor Hockey Show

Episode 52: Teaching what has "maximum impact"

April 10, 2021 14:00 - 59 minutes - 40.7 MB

At age 13, after years of playing various sports with boys, Kim McCullough began playing hockey. Just five years later, she was playing Div. 1 hockey at Dartmouth followed by stints in pro hockey. She's coached girls in junior, AA, and in national programs in addition to running development and strength/conditioning programs from her home base in Toronto's Leaside Girls Association. Her next challenge is stepping out of coaching and into mentoring and a broader development framework. What is...

Episode 51: On Stupidity

April 02, 2021 21:00 - 9 minutes - 6.46 MB

For no apparent reason, Grassroots goes in a completely different direction in this episode which, on the surface anyway, is not at all connected with minor hockey nor even sport. The late economic historian Carlo Cipolla theorized that underestimating the stupid is done at our own peril. But why? Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 50: Three statements that are development killers

March 20, 2021 15:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MB

Anyone who's been around minor hockey for any length of time has heard them, perhaps even used one. From the standpoint of halting personal growth and/or organizational development in their tracks, three common statements are at the forefront. How will minor hockey's leaders ignore them and move forward or, as stated in the podcast, learn to discover new oceans by first leaving the shore? Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 49: The coaching interview

March 13, 2021 14:00 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MB

A mock interview with a coaching candidate launches this episode into a discussion about how to conduct these things in a minor hockey setting. One of the biggest questions addressed in this podcast is whether or not interviewing coaches is even necessary in most instances. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 48: "Kool" waxes eloquent on girls hockey

March 06, 2021 14:00 - 1 hour - 55.4 MB

At first, while hanging around his hometown Scarborough arena, Steve Kouleas wondered why there were hockey players with ponytails. Then he grew up, became a well known sportscaster and hockey nut and is now host of an NHL Live show on Sirius XM radio. Along the way, "Kool" watched the female game with awe, had two daughters, put them in hockey and saw what they - and he - got out of the game. Oh, and yes, he has thoughts on how to improve the female game, as good as it is already. Contact:...

Episode 47: Gaston Marcotte: the world's first humanizer

February 27, 2021 14:00 - 52 minutes - 36 MB

There was a time when Gaston Marcotte was considered one of the finest hockey teachers anywhere. Though not well known outside Quebec, his teachings, books and hockey school were regarded as vitally important foundations for how the game should be taught. Podcast host Richard Bercuson was at one time one of his instructors, an anglo among francophones. They finally reconnected late last year. Marcotte no longer teaches hockey. Instead, he has set himself a new goal. Contact: richard(at)gra...

Episode 46: The Covid Coach

February 20, 2021 14:00 - 49 minutes - 34.1 MB

Yes, minor hockey has been butchered by Covid, with thousands of kids unable to play or practice. A lucky few, especially at the more elite levels, have at least had some ice time. What does the future hold as teams, players and coaches look ahead to a hopeful fall. Oshawa coach Tony Stabile discusses what he's been doing with his AAA group and what the future holds for him and his players. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 45: The World of Junior Hockey

February 13, 2021 14:00 - 48 minutes - 33.5 MB

As Covid has decimated nearly all youth activities, junior hockey has been especially hard hit. For instance, older players have been forced to end their careers early, denied finishes to last season and with practically nothing to show for this season. Trenton junior A head coach and general manager Peter Goulet describes the impact on his club and then describes his approach to finding the right players. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 44: The Coaching Voice

February 06, 2021 14:00 - 51 minutes - 35.6 MB

Writers talk about their "voices." So do singers who have distinctive styles. What about coaches? Do we have voices and do they change - or should they - from one age group or level to another. Dean Holden, who has a vast background in coaching different levels and is completing his PhD in coaching, discusses how he approached it, especially in his earlier years. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 43: Preventing sexual violence in sport

January 30, 2021 14:00 - 53 minutes - 37 MB

What seemed to have begun in hockey with Graham James in terms of awareness of abuse and sexual violence has certainly not ended there. Sexual violence is ever-present, as we know from high profile cases, but has also been even more horrifying in the realm of sport. Two university hockey players, Amy Graham and Patti-Anne Tracey, are attempting to make discussions, awareness, and prevention more mainstream through a unique web site and series of lessons. In this podcast, they describe what t...

Episode 42: How to improve minor hockey boards

January 23, 2021 14:00 - 55 minutes - 38.3 MB

Canada's volunteer-based minor hockey associations are the foundations of the sport. But how efficient are they and what could they do to improve? Is there a place for a type of board or board member training program like coaches, trainers and officials have? Former Hockey Eastern Ontario Executive Director and association president Richard Sennott discusses this. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 41: The Goalie Coach

January 16, 2021 14:00 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MB

It's regarded as the most important position in the game. And yet, finding coaches to work with goalies is challenging, let alone unearthing ones who are skilled and knowledgeable enough to provide up-to-date instruction. In this episode, Richard talks with Stefan Nichols, an Ottawa-based professional goalie teacher, about what goalie coaches need and where to find them. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 40: Back to Slave Lake

January 09, 2021 14:00 - 52 minutes - 36 MB

2021 at last! This first show of the new year is with Gregg Kennedy who last spoke from roadside in Thunder Bay on his cross-Canada drive to Slave Lake. He'd just accepted a job as head coach/GM of the Slave Lake Ice Dogs. Now, with a handle on the environment and team needs, he shares what he's seen and needs to tackle in this new hockey environment. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 39: Past - Present - Future

December 26, 2020 18:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MB

A brief junior sojourn. A late night development chat. A shot in the dark. The game through a different lens. And then there's pillaging... Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 38: Principles or Tactics & Systems?

December 12, 2020 15:00 - 52 minutes - 36.2 MB

The minor hockey world is far removed from the pro, college and even most junior worlds. Then why are so many coaches stuck on developing tactics when their players don't yet comprehend why these might or should work? Shouldn't we be teaching core principles of play built on sound foundational skills? Dean Holden returns to discuss this and examine what we should be looking at. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 37: BAM! How long does that take?

December 05, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 48.8 MB

In October, the OHL was told by the Ontario government it could only return to play - without bodychecking! Was there any science behind that decision? Is hockey inherently more or less susceptible to Covid-19 than other sports? An American researcher, Dr. Stephen McGregor, completed a three-year study last spring for USA Hockey which produced some surprising results to address that question. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 36: Do development vendors work?

November 28, 2020 20:00 - 55 minutes - 38 MB

In recent years, minor hockey seems to have been overrun with private skill development businesses or vendors. Most associations seem to have someone or some group running regular skills sessions with kids of all ages. They do, however, raise a lot of questions about what they do, how they do it, the cost, and whether these sessions truly benefit the players they're teaching. Jim Mercer, an OMHA development leader, coach and instructor, shares his views on the subject. Contact: richard(at)...

Episode 35: "Where do I start?"

November 20, 2020 02:00 - 26 minutes - 17.9 MB

Gregg Kennedy is driving almost clear across the country, from Ottawa to northern Alberta, to take over a junior A team. In his 40th year coaching, it's a challenge he both welcomes and looks forward to. In this episode, he explains what his likely first steps will be when he arrives and what he needs to do to get a handle on the team. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Howie Meeker - A Personal Tribute

November 14, 2020 14:00 - 14 minutes - 9.91 MB

This podcast's first episode was an overview of what was going to be discussed in future shows. However, I used Howie Meeker and his book "Hockey Basics" as my introduction since I believed then, and now, that he was one of Canada's most important hockey teachers. During my earliest coaching days, I once had the good fortune to share an instructional session with him in Montreal. Some years ago, we reconnected, both of which I described in Episode 1. When Howie passed away on Nov. 8 at age 9...

Episode 33: Coaching girls hockey - Jane King (Part 2)

November 12, 2020 13:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MB

In this segue from Episode 32 about girls in sport, Jane King discusses how to get them into the sport and coach them the right way. While coaching kids of both genders have certain commonalities, she says, working with girls requires some particular skill sets. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 32: Where are we with girls in sport?

November 06, 2020 02:00 - 58 minutes - 40.3 MB

Jane King has been a coach, teacher, and advocate for women in sport for decades. She's a featured speaker with the Coaches Association of Ontario and is a chartered professional coach with the Coaching Association of Canada. She pretty much has the pulse of what we need to do to involve more girls in sport, especially hockey. In this first of a two-parter, she examines where we are and where we could and should be. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 31: Expertise vs. Competence in minor hockey coaching

October 30, 2020 01:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MB

Do we expect too much of our coaches? At what level(s) should we expect to see expertise in coaching kids? Is it even necessary. Jim Mercer, a Hockey Canada coaching program teacher, evaluator and instructor with a lengthy coaching background, steps in to evaluate what the game has and needs. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 30: What's happened to mentorship?

October 23, 2020 01:00 - 58 minutes - 40 MB

It's been over 20 years since the NHL/Hockey Canada Open Ice Summit recommended that a formal mentorship program was central to improving coaching and thus the state of our game. What's happened to that recommendation? A discussion with Ottawa-area coach, mentor, and coaching program instructor Ron Graham. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 29: Now about that idea...

October 16, 2020 01:00 - 1 hour - 46.1 MB

How practical would it be to institute a hard and fast equal ice time idea, as Grant Johnston suggested in Episode 27? Should it even be done? Dean Holden and Rick Ladouceur weigh in. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 28: The Coach-Player Dynamic

October 09, 2020 01:00 - 1 hour - 43.8 MB

The most important relationship in sport is the one between the coach and athlete. In minor hockey, the realm of children, teens and non-professional adults as coaches, it's especially crucial. Dr. Cassidy Preston, a former player and AAA coach and now a sport performance consultant, discusses this dynamic and its impact on him as a player and on today's youth. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 27: Grant has an idea

October 02, 2020 01:00 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MB

Minor hockey in both Canada and the U.S. is working hard both at trying to attract newcomers as well as retain youngsters playing the game. What then would it take to help ensure both objectives are achieved? Perhaps a simple idea - a rule - might do it. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 26: "A better way of leading" - Dan Church

September 25, 2020 01:00 - 49 minutes - 34.1 MB

Since taking over the York University women's hockey program in 2004, Dan Church has established himself as one of the game's most complete and well respected coaches. His team has consistently been among the top ten in Canada and he's coached Canadian women's teams to golds at numerous international events, including the world championships. But it's his philosophy on coaching that both sets him apart and creates an example for coaches to follow. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey...

Episode 25: "All in" - Vicky Sunohara: from Olympian to coach

September 18, 2020 01:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MB

University of Toronto women's coach Vicky Sunohara bridged two generations of national team successes as a player. She started with the likes of Angela James and France St. Louis and finished with players such as Jayna Hefford and Cassie Campbell Pascall. Along the way, in Olympic and world championships, she won 15 gold and three silver medals. Now in her tenth year as the head coach at U of T, she's brought what she learned as an athlete to today's young female players. Contact: richard(...

Episode 24: The state of Ontario women's hockey

September 11, 2020 02:00 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MB

Nearly 20% of the world's female hockey players are in Ontario, governed by the OWHA whose head is Fran Rider. How does she see the current state of female hockey and where it's going? What about the open boundaries that exist only in the women's game? A discussion with a woman who has been honoured in Canada and internationally for her contributions to women's hockey. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 23: From gym to ice

September 04, 2020 01:00 - 48 minutes - 33.2 MB

Over 20 years as an elementary school phys. ed. teacher and coach, dealing with hundreds of kids each day, have taught Jonathan Lloyd a few things about coaching. He takes those tools straight into the rink in the evenings as a competitive level minor hockey coach. What has he learned and how does he apply it to coaching hockey? Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 22: Laps, Lines, and Lectures - Don't do 'em!

August 28, 2020 01:00 - 37 minutes - 25.5 MB

A mantra taken up by USA Hockey leaders some years ago in its new development program was "No laps - No lines - No lectures!" What exactly does it mean and what should coaches do instead? A discussion with Gregg Kennedy. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 21: The Law of the Instrument

August 21, 2020 01:00 - 47 minutes - 32.3 MB

There's no evidence that the late American psychologist Abraham Maslow played hockey, let alone coached it. Yet his Hammer Law regarding cognitive bias seems well suited to an examination of how minor hockey coaches rely on so very few tools. Dean Holden is again the guest and he looks at this in more depth. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 20: Process vs. Outcomes Coaching

August 14, 2020 01:00 - 51 minutes - 35.2 MB

Can we make a distinction between coaches who are motivated by the process as opposed to the outcomes, like wins and losses? Dean Holden, who is completing his PhD in coaching, holds true to his mantra of "Fun-Learn-Return" as he discusses the issue. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 19: Unpacking a coach's suitcase

August 07, 2020 01:00 - 1 hour - 50.4 MB

Dave Leger was a Level VI referee in Ottawa and officiated professionally in Europe. Then he got the coaching bug, beginning with a stint as a high school assistant with Richard Bercuson and moving into junior then college hockey. It is now 22 years later and he has been a professional coach on three continents and in five countries. With a suitcase full of fascinating experiences, he has learned much about the game's culture in these places and what he needs to do to continue to grow as a c...

Preview of Episodes 19-20-21

July 29, 2020 04:00 - 7 minutes - 5.15 MB

Let's have a sneak "peek" at what's coming on August 6. Three great shows with Dave Leger, who is now coaching in Hungary, and Dean Holden who is completing his PhD in coaching. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 18: Is there a coaching "gene"?

July 03, 2020 02:00 - 53 minutes - 36.4 MB

According to journalist David Epstein's research in his landmark book "The Sports Gene," there are people pre-disposed to certain types of activities based on genetics. However, does a pre-disposition to coaching exist in minor hockey? A conversation with Gregg Kennedy, whose movie night gets interrupted to examine the topic. (Note: Grassroots will take a short break, resuming on Aug. 6 with more great discussions.) Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 17: So, you want to be president?

June 26, 2020 02:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MB

A conversation with Mark Elsenaar, president of Whitby Minor Hockey. What got him involved and what's it like overseeing one of Ontario's largest minor hockey associations Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 16: Teaching Individual Defensive Tactics

June 19, 2020 02:00 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MB

In the final part of 3, Rick Ladouceur and Richard dissect how to properly teaching individuals defensive play, employing the right combined technical skills. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 15: Teaching Individual Offensive Tactics

June 12, 2020 02:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MB

How to apply technical skills to the teaching of individual offensive tactics, the ones Rick Ladouceur says are the "sexy" ones and which the kids all are ready to learn. Part 2 of 3. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 14: Combining Technical Skills

June 05, 2020 02:00 - 55 minutes - 38.1 MB

Teaching skills is tough enough without knowing how to effectively combine them to achieve a proper result. In this mini-clinic, Rick Ladouceur, who's taught skills and coached for years, explains the nuts and bolts of this challenging component of coaching minor hockey. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 13: A Player's Journey

May 29, 2020 02:00 - 56 minutes - 39.1 MB

For ten years, Rob Mann’s hockey journey has been on the upswing to where now he’s a bonafide pro. What got him there? How did minor, junior, and college hockey prepare him? What must he do to improve his game? Here’s a candid reflection on a young man’s route to professional sport. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 12: Mind-Body Fusion

May 22, 2020 02:00 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MB

How does a 12-year old cope with his coach telling him he'll never achieve his dream of being a professional soccer player? Matt Caldaroni struggled with that issue for years and eventually did achieve his goal, though briefly. But the event led to him teaming with his brother Chris to create "Mind-Body Fusion," a company that helps young athletes develop the resiliency tools they need. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 11: Mentally Charged

May 15, 2020 02:00 - 38 minutes - 26.8 MB

Corey Lucas discovered that his experiences in junior, college and minor pro hockey actually shone a spotlight on his inability to cope with certain situations. Now a teacher and coach, he turned those experiences into a way to help other young players with their own challenges through his company "Mentally Charged." Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Episode 10: The Four Seasons of Teaching Checking

May 08, 2020 02:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MB

What do Vivaldi and the teaching of checking have in common? Nothing at all. Still, a primer on how and when to properly teach checking skills is always a good idea. When accompanied by Signore Vivaldi's classic concertos, even better. Contact: richard(at)grassrootsminorhockey.com Twitter: Richard - @berky544

Grassroots: The Minor Hockey Show

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