The Coaches Site Year-in-Review 2024: Content Top 5s, TCS Live Highlights and Spicy Wings
Release Date: 01/02/2025
Calgary Flames Assistant Coach Brad Larsen: Leaning on faith, setting the standard and blooming where you’re planted
Glass and Out
In episode #305 and finale for season 8, we had the pleasure of being joined by Calgary Flames assistant coach Brad Larsen for a live interview at our TCS Live coaching conference. As a player, the Vernon, BC native won a gold medal with Canada’s U18 team, along with back to back golds at the World Junior Championships. He turned pro with the Colorado Avalanche organization, was named Captain of the Hershey Bears in just his second pro season, and would go on to play over 300 NHL games with the Avalanche, Atlanta Thrashers, and Anaheim Ducks. He jumped right into the coach arena...
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Pittsburgh Penguins Head Coach Dan Muse: Takes no talent, setting high coaching aspirations and creating chaos in practice
Glass and Out
In episode #304, we revisit our conversation from 2022 with Dan Muse, freshly named new Head Coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. At the time of this interview, Muse was Head Coach of with the US National Development Program and prior to that he spent three seasons as an Assistant with the Nashville Predators. He most recently spent two seasons as an Assistant Coach with the New York Rangers. Muse has rounded all the bases in his career and is a self-described OG member of The Coaches Site. He also presented for us back in 2022 on Listen as he shares his philosphy of TNT, why his...
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Former NHL Head Coach Greg Cronin: The illumination of player development, creating reliable players and forechecking tactics
Glass and Out
In episode #303, we're joined by former NHL Head Coach and upcoming presenter at Greg Cronin. Cronin was recently let go as the Head Coach of the Anaheim Ducks after spending two seasons with the franchise. He has enjoyed a remarkable and nearly 40 year run as a hockey coach, which began at Colby College and includes playing a role in getting the US National Development Team Program off the ground. After eight seasons with the New York Islanders organization, he returned home to Boston as the Head Coach of Northeastern University, the program his father captained. He returned to the NHL...
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Coach of Head Coaches Cody Royle: Coaches are performers, the biggest competitive advantage and three primary leadership skills
Glass and Out
In episode #302, we revisit one of our best talks from last year's from Cody Royle. Royle is a coach to some of the most accomplished coaches across multiple sports, along with being the author of three books, and his latest, He was a coach himself and has pivoted to providing coaches the sounding board and observations that nudge them towards discovering the best version of themselves. In his talk, “Coaches are Performers, Too,” Royle provides tremendous insight into the importance of coaches not possessing ego, who are willing to be coached themselves. He also provides a system that...
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NJ Devils Foundation Executive Director Kate Whitman Annis: Empowering young athletes, team goal setting and learning to explain a drill
Glass and Out
In episode #301, we welcome upcoming presenter at and Executive Director of the New Jersey Devils Youth Foundation, Kate Whitman Annis. In her current role with the Devils, she is innovating how professional sports teams engage with their local fan base to raise funds and together, serve those in need in their local community. She has had a wide ranging career including several roles in the political arena, in addition to working with multiple organizations in leading their fundraising efforts. She is also a hockey coach at heart. In addition to coaching her four boys, Annis was...
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LA Kings Director of Goaltending Bill Ranford: Finding a player's foundation, new tools over change and a goalie's unique identity
Glass and Out
In episode #300, we celebrate the milestone with a very special guest: LA Kings Director of Goaltending Bill Ranford. Not only was Ranford one of the original presenters at our back in 2012, he'll be returning to the stage in June for this year's edition of hockey's premier coaching conference. And top it off, he is the childhood hero of our host Aaron Wilbur. Ranford has spent the last 19 seasons with the Kings, 17 as the goaltending coach and the last two as Director. As a goalie, he led the 1990 Edmonton Oilers to a Stanley Cup with a Con Smythe performance. He also led Canada to the...
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Grizzlys Wolfsburg Head Coach Mike Stewart: Great coaches are thieves, the lost art of passing and adopting Olympic-sized rinks
Glass and Out
In episode #299, we welcome upcoming presenter at this June's TCS Live, Grizzlys Wolfsburg Head Coach Mike Stewart. At the time of this recording, he is currently preparing for his fifth season leading the Grizzlys. He has a unique origin story as a player that includes his mother discovering a loophole that would enable him to enroll at Michigan State University, without a high school diploma, and leading to being drafted in the first round by the New York Rangers. Following his retirement due to injury, he would immediately jump behind the bench as an Assistant Coach with Villacher SV...
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University of St. Thomas Head Coach Bethany Brausen: Creating a self-governing culture, leadership myths and every person has a story
Glass and Out
In episode #298, we're joined by Bethany Brausen, Head Coach of the University of St. Thomas Women's program. Brausen just completed her first season with St. Thomas after taking over as interim Head Coach in November and being name full-time coach just a few months later. She is also in the process of completing her PhD in Organizational Leadership Policy & Development, and as you’re about to hear, her education in leadership and organizational development is clearly woven into how she’s building the Tomies program. Following her playing career that included captaining the University...
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Mike Valley and Justin Goldman: The evolution of goaltending, redefining winning and finding your power within
Glass and Out
In episode #297, we welcome former NHL Goalie Coach Mike Valley and Founder of The Goalie Guild Justin Goldman. The two are good friends who collaborated on the books which includes 3 volumes, and Each book shares personal interviews and stories from the best goaltenders on the planet and provide a guide for aspiring goalies looking to navigate what has generally been an undefined path to the top of the profession. While the books focus on goaltending, they also provide real world solutions for dealing with the tough stuff that comes with reaching any noteworthy goal or achievement. Valley...
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Moorhead High School Head Coach Jon Ammerman: State Championship journey, community-based hockey success and station-based practices
Glass and Out
In episode #296, we welcome Head Coach of the Minnesota High School State Champion Moorhead Spuds, Jon Ammerman. Our team at The Coaches Site had the chance to take in the State Championships in person and boy, did it ever live up to the hype. The Spuds defeated the Stillwater Ponies 7-6 in the culmination of an incredible run by Moorhead. As a born and bred Moorhead-native, Ammerman has witnessed the magic of the State Championship as a fan, player and coach. In addition to his role as Head Coach, he is also a teacher at Moorhead High School. As a result of this year's success, he was named...
info_outlineHappy New Years! For episode #282, we thought we’d kick off the second half of the season by going back and looking at our most popular content on The Coaches Site from this past year. And to help us reflect on our biggest year yet, we've recruited our Director of Content, Derek Jory.
You know how great teams have “Glue Guys” or teammates that ensure everyone feels important and that the rink is a destination? Well, Derek is that person on our TCS team.
He has a unique background in that he spent 13 years with the Vancouver Canucks as their lead content writer for their website and social media channels. He is also is the MC of TCS Live and has become the star of the show with his wardrobe, larger than life hair and dad jokes.
Listen as we look back at the top 5 articles, TCS Live presentations, community content, and podcasts of the year. If you want to learn what goes on behind the scenes at The Coaches Site, you’re going to enjoy this episode.