Heroic Minds with Ben Fanelli
The High Performance Hockey Podcast
Your mind is one of your greatest assets as an athlete. This week, I sit down with Ben Fanelli, the Founder of Heroic Minds, a brand new self-help tool right at your fingertips. Following a major injury in his early game career that changed the trajectory of his life, Ben has shifted to the world of psychotherapy for high performance players. We speak about the surprising gifts of injury he gained from his incident and the powerful lesson of finding meaning in suffering. We also dig into the mental side of the game–how to balance the physical and mental prepwork, the peaks and valleys all...
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Random Thoughts, Intern Questions, Jump Training for Ice Hockey
The High Performance Hockey Podcast
Are you ready for the off-season? Today, I sit down for a solo episode where I go over some recent lessons I’ve learned & updates we’ve made to our program as we move into summer. I also highlight some frequently asked intern questions and dive into details about my new lecture series, Jump Training for Ice Hockey: A Complimentary Approach—who it’s for and why it’s important. From integral takeaways for young strength & conditioning coaches to deficient-based vs. performance-based models in the private sector, this conversation covers everything coaches need to prepare for...
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Player Development: Skills, Game Patterns, Return to Play with Stan Tugolukov
The High Performance Hockey Podcast
What does player development look like at the top levels of play? Today’s guest is Dallas Stars Skill Coach, Stan Tugolukov, who works closely with players in skill development and individual on-ice post-injury conditioning roles. We speak about everything a skill coach needs to know, from game patterns to player development and designing skill sessions for both the high performance and youth levels. Stan shares his fundamentals for development at younger ages (6-8, 8-10, 10-12), and the must-have skillwork to set up your young athletes for future success. We also explore the differences in...
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Skill Training, Summer Do’s and Don’ts, Processing Speed with Troy Smith
The High Performance Hockey Podcast
What does the day to day of a high performance skill coach look like? Joining me once again is Troy Smith, the owner of Hockey IQ! With his extensive experience as a player and a coach at both the amateur and professional levels, he’s sharing his must-haves for coaches to take their players to the elite level. Our conversation will cover everything you need to know about the life of a skill coach, including Troy’s approach to skill training, his recommended do’s and don’ts for the off-season, the secret to training processing speed in your athletes, and more. We go over how to handle...
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Applied Biomechanics for On-Ice Speed with Joel Becker
The High Performance Hockey Podcast
Get ready to geek out on everything from stride mechanics to off-ice training strategies. In this episode, I sit down with Joel Becker, lead performance coach of GameChangers. Joel brings an incredible background from speed skating and hockey. We break down the nuanced world of speed development, discussing how understanding force application, time, and direction can transform an athlete's performance. Joel shares some killer insights on off-ice imitation exercises that'll revolutionize how strength coaches approach hockey training - think deep, uncomfortable isometric holds that build...
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3-Day Rollover Programming: Gain, Go, Grow
The High Performance Hockey Podcast
As we wrap up the season, it’s time we highlight the importance of programming. Today, I unpack the 3-day rollover programming — AKA, the Gain, Go, and Grow model — we use at Donskov Conditioning to train and prepare our athletes. I’ll walk through the main pillars and foundational principles of the model, what to expect from the program, and how it benefits hockey players of all demographics (young or advanced levels). Most of all, I share how we instill important skills all athletes need to keep evolving and produce results when game day comes. HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 What I tell my...
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Metric Fixation with Dr. Mal McHugh
The High Performance Hockey Podcast
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mal McHugh, a legend in sports science, to dive deep into the world of metrics and performance. We're talking about the good, the bad, and the ugly of measuring athletes – from force plates to jump profiles. Dr. McHugh breaks down why not all metrics are created equal, and how teams can actually use data to prevent injuries and understand player performance. We'll explore everything from how young hockey players should tie their skates to the complex world of tracking an athlete's physical decline. Trust me, you'll walk away with a whole new perspective...
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Behavioral Sports Psychology with Dr. Alicia Naser
The High Performance Hockey Podcast
Today I’m joined by Dr. Alicia Naser, a board-certified behavior analyst who's revolutionizing mental performance in hockey. She's not your typical sports psychologist - she uses applied behavioral analysis to help NHL players optimize their game, focusing on everything from confidence to self-talk. We dive into how environment shapes behavior, the importance of mental resilience, and why understanding your own psychological patterns can be a game-changer. If you want to learn how top athletes build mental toughness, trust me, you're going to want to hear what Dr. Naser has to say - she...
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Developing the Collegiate Hockey Player with Will Morlock
The High Performance Hockey Podcast
It’s one thing to bring out the full potential of your athletes, but another thing to develop that potential for future success. Our guest today is Will Morlock, Director of Hockey Performance from Michigan State University, where his primary role has been training the hockey program since he joined the Athletic Performance staff in 2022. We go in-depth about developing collegiate hockey players, and what it takes to maximize athletic development in an applied sports science setting. Will walks us through his people-first approach to coaching — how he builds team culture, amplifies...
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Triphasic Training with Cal Dietz
The High Performance Hockey Podcast
In order to be an Olympic level coach, you need the right methods to back you up. In this episode, I sit down with the man, the myth, the mad scientist Cal Dietz, Head Olympic Strength Coach of the University of Minnesota. He walks us through his triphasic training method, including the foundational principles he uses to turn on, train, and transfer the system. We unpack the pros and cons of free thinking versus thinking inside the box before deep diving into the physiology behind Cal’s go-to drills & exercises. Tune in for an educational hour unpacking elite tools & methods young...
info_outlineIn This Episode, You Will Learn:
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Textbook skating mechanics and skating efficiency.
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The difference between coaching young athletes versus elite level professionals.
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Biomechanics and anatomical landmarks for idealized, efficient skating.
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The most common equipment and modifications.
Resources + Links:
Follow Luke on Instagram | @chilcottskating
Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -
The High Performance Hockey Masterclass
Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov
Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov
Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast
Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast
Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/
Check out Anthony’s Books
Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions
The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players
Show Notes:
What are the most common skating habits high performance hockey players share? Joining the podcast today is Luke Chilcott, the Dallas Stars skating coach. Luke is in his 7th season working as a skating coach in the NHL, helping develop a deeper knowledge of edgework and efficiency through correct technique, and assisting players in analyzing beneficial equipment as it relates to on ice performance. Our conversation will delve into Luke’s skating philosophy he has fostered working with both younger players and professional level athletes. We’ll explore optimized skating efficiency, biomechanics and anatomical landmarks, common skating habits and modifications, and more. As we go, Luke shares his framework for setting up his skaters for success, including beneficial equipment, on ice & off ice interventions, and return to play. Tune in to discover all that goes into efficient skating from the ground up!
00:00 Let’s talk skating, biomechanics, equipment and more with Dallas Stars skating coach, Luke Chilcott!
01:30 What was your background going from competitive skater to trainer?
04:35 Role and responsibilities as the Dallas Stars skating coach.
07:35 What is your skating philosophy?
10:20 Social media bells & whistles versus in game/on ice patterns.
13:00 Defining textbook skating efficiency + anatomical landmarks to focus on.
17:40 What are common skating habits and mistakes you’ve noticed?
21:30 The pros and cons of block practice for youth athletes.
24:20 Check out the Gain, Go, Grow Manual for intermediate to advanced athletes!
25:10 What is the ideal build for skating, from a biomechanical standpoint?
29:50 How to tangibly make a difference in an athlete’s stride at the elite level.
34:10 Which on ice and off ice interventions would you implement for ankle mobility?
38:30 Equipment commonalities + modifications between pro level players.
44:35 What is the relation between hollows and return to play?
50:00 Where does video fit into your coaching philosophy?
54:05 Favorable prerequisites for warming up a pro level skater.
58:50 What’s coming up next for you?