Crazy Hockey Dads Podcast

Before Rich Cohen wrote Pee-Wees: Confessions of a Hockey Parent, he thought he understood youth hockey parents..then he became one. Scott and Jamie sit down with the bestselling author to discuss the real story behind Pee-Wees, the emotional pull of youth hockey, and how even self-aware parents can get caught up in rankings, team placements, and the pursuit of "what's next." Rich shares stories from his own playing days, his son's hockey journey, and the lessons he learned after realizing that parents often spend so much time chasing the next step that they miss the season they're living right now. In this episode: The surprising status game behind team selections What Rich learned after writing Pee-Wees Adult league and youth hockey stories that are almost too good to be true Why parents should stop worrying so much about the next team If you've ever obsessed over tryouts, rankings, or the ride home after a game, this episode will feel very familiar. Rich Cohen https://www.authorrichcohen.com/Pee Wees: Confessions of a Hockey Parent https://www.amazon.comPartners:https://www.pacificrink.com/https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/https://hockeytraining.com/https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydadshttps://howieshockeytape.com/https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/Socials:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcastX: https://x.com/CrazyhockeydadsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

Scott and James sit down with Andries de Villiers, CEO of Titan Battlegear, for a blunt breakdown of what cut protection in hockey really means and why a lot of gear parents trust may create a false sense of security.After a tragic local on-ice incident, Andries dove deep into testing standards and discovered that many products marketed as protective weren’t stopping skate blades at meaningful levels. He explains the ANSI A1–A9 scale, why he calls A6 the “Mendoza line” for real protection, and why safety comes down to two things: cut resistance and coverage.The conversation also tackles early neck-guard mandates that were “legal but not effective,” why Velcro designs can fail (and frustrate players), and why lower-body cut protection (especially around the femoral area) is the next major gap families aren’t thinking about.In this episode:What the A1–A9 cut-resistance scale actually meansWhy A6 matters“Protection” vs. real protectionThe problem with poor coverage and bad fitWhy neck guards are only part of the conversationIf you assume a neck guard is a neck guard, this episode will change how you look at your kid’s gear.Partners:https://hockeytraining.com/https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydadshttps://howieshockeytape.com/https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/Socials:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazy.hockey.dadsX: https://x.com/CrazyhockeydadsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576627751551

Scott and Jamie sit down with Jim Dowd for a no-nonsense conversation that cuts straight through modern youth hockey panic. From growing up a true rink rat to winning a Stanley Cup, Jim explains why early AAA, nonstop showcases, and year-round hockey aren’t what actually separate players.Dowd shares how he developed on free ice with buckets of pucks, why he didn’t play AAA until midgets, and how his own kids followed a similar slower, multi-sport path and still earned college opportunities. He also gets real about pro hockey: the mindset it takes to survive, the business behind roster decisions, and why skill alone isn’t enough without nutrition, habits, and mental discipline.In this episode:Why Jim says you don’t need AAA yet (and why parents panic anyway) The rink-rat origin story: free ice, buckets of pucks, and daily reps The classic reality check: drafted + full ride… and he still learned “five-hole” in collegeThe 1995 Devils “team-first” mentality, including Lou’s wild team bonus structureWhy today’s players are skilled… but missing nutrition + mindsetIf you’re a parent wondering whether you’re pushing too fast or a player trying to figure out what actually matters - this episode delivers a long overdue reality check.Partners:https://hockeytraining.com/https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydadshttps://howieshockeytape.com/https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/Socials:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazy.hockey.dadsX: https://x.com/CrazyhockeydadsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576627751551

What it is, why it exists, and how it’s about to change the path.Scott and Jamie welcome back Bob Mancini, Assistant Executive Director of Hockey Development at USA Hockey, for a rare, detailed breakdown of the USA Hockey Development League straight from one of the people building it.Bob explains why the league was created, what problems it’s designed to fix, and why it’s not a replacement for Tier 1, high school, prep school, or juniors - but a reorganization of the development path. He walks through the thinking behind the 15U and 17U age groups, strict development standards, game limits, coach education requirements, and why the goal isn’t to rush players forward, but to put them in environments where they can actually excel.In this episode:What the Development League really is (and what it isn’t)The logic behind 15U & 17U, entry and exit points, and “overripe” developmentMandatory rules: game limits, one game per day, goalie coaches, education, and mental trainingHow the DL is designed to strengthen every pathway, not replace themThis is one of the clearest looks you’ll get at the future of elite youth hockey in the U.S. If you’ve heard rumors, half-truths, or hot takes - this episode sets the record straight.Partners:https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydadshttps://howieshockeytape.com/https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/Socials:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazy.hockey.dadsX: https://x.com/CrazyhockeydadsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576627751551