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We dig into the craft of pro scouting with Mike Gensel, from how Utah builds a contender to why second effort and playoff habits separate prospects from producers. Jake Guentzel’s evolution from pass-first center to elite net-front finisher becomes a blueprint for players, coaches and parents.

• pro vs amateur scouting roles and objectives
• trade valuation, cap pressure and fair-deal philosophy
• Utah’s move, facilities and culture shift
• rebuild strategy, targeted adds and roster fit
• projecting AHL to NHL roles and usage
• playoff hockey as a different skill demand
• Jake Guentzel’s mindset shift and scoring identity
• development paths across NCAA, CHL and Europe
• due diligence, late bloomers and context
• parenting athletes with standards not control
• Utah’s needs: skill with second and third effort

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We unpack how prospects actually turn pro with Chicago Blackhawks development coach Andy Delmore. Trust, wall play, role clarity, and coachability anchor a candid look at modern NHL demands and how small habits unlock big careers.

• building trust so hard truths land
• identifying two to three core habits per player
• wall play mechanics and pre-scan timing
• using NHL comparables to teach with video
• coachability, processing speed, and failure at pace
• role identity beyond points and PP time
• PK as an entry point to minutes and value
• NHL trends: low to high, shot quality, activation
• pattern recognition and counting numbers
• mindset training and team culture benefits

Get involved: Go to UpmyHockey.com, check UMH68, find your province, and add your name to the watch list

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We break down how Maryland built a winning NAHL culture, why communication beats perfect systems, and what actually gets players recruited and promoted. Clint shares candid views on parents, leadership, roles, and the real skills that translate to NCAA hockey.

• defining the NAHL pathway and USHL movement
• player-led culture, standards, and leadership habits
• practice design, video literacy, and pattern recognition
• non‑negotiables: relentless pace, backcheck legs, team first
• communication on the bench and during special teams
• recruiting, relationships, and pro‑standard resources
• what schools ask: motor, compete, coachability, IQ
• aligning parents and players, shared messages
• roles over ego, earning trust before creativity
• why winning accelerates individual advancement

Get over to UpmyHockey.com, go to the UMH68 portion, and see what's available in your province... get your names on the watch list

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A candid talk with WHL scoring leader JP Hurlbert on why fun, authenticity, and steady habits beat hype in a draft year. From Texas roots and USNTDP grind to choosing Kamloops under the new CHL rule, he lays out a practical blueprint for growth and leadership.

• early WHL road life as culture builder
• USNTDP selection and training like a pro
• choosing Kamloops after the CHL rule change
• leadership as authenticity, not a script
• draft noise management and daily process
• film study beyond highlights for real gains
• building a shooter’s identity and skating pop
• balancing joy and grind with golf and fishing
• comparisons between USHL and WHL pace
• mentors, Stankoven’s motor, and paying it forward

Check out UMH68 details and watch lists at UpMyHockey.com. For team mindset training: email jason@upmyhockey.com or use the site contact form

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We explore how winning culture gets built, why character can beat hype, and how new NCAA rules are changing the WHL. Matt Odette shares hard truths about scouting, tryouts, and what actually earns a roster spot and trust when games get tight.

• valuing players who lift the team, not just rack up points
• late birthdays and uneven growth shaping scouting calls
• draft labels, runways, and real meritocracy
• WHL vs NCAA shifts, NIL noise, and retention
• 20-year-olds’ changing role and roster planning
• advisors’ influence and why fit still matters most
• habits training, communication skills, and leadership
• playoff resilience, camaraderie, and culture carriers

Thank you for listening to this conversation with Matt Odette

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We sit down with Victoria Royals captain Reggie Newman to unpack role clarity, leadership, and the modern edge in a league that still builds pros. From earning a spot at 16 to multiple NHL camps, he shows how physical, honest hockey and repeatable habits create real opportunity.

• carving an identity as a 200‑foot power forward
• the WHL’s shift in physicality and why heavy hockey still wins
• making the team at 16 by finishing every check
• rebuilding culture in Victoria after roster changes
• choosing loyalty and embracing the captaincy
• undrafted path to NHL development and rookie camps
• routines for sleep, nutrition, and visualization
• measuring a good game beyond points
• preparation as physical, mental, and emotional readiness
• using coaches and staff, asking better questions
• leadership as example, inclusion, and daily standards

Support Iron Ghost Construction, BioSteel, and Elite Prospects—partners who help young athletes chase their goals

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Dennis Maxwell, former NHL scout and 14-year pro, shares his journey from player to advisor and reveals the hidden factors that determine hockey success beyond just skill and statistics. We explore the psychological barriers that prevent players from reaching their potential and the importance of role acceptance, growth mindset, and authentic self-development.

• Reflecting on career choices and learning to adapt to different coaching styles
• Understanding that coaches are primarily focused on winning, not personal vendettas
• The importance of accepting your role on a team and finding ways to contribute
• How personality types and interpersonal dynamics influence hockey career trajectories
• The critical difference between fixed mindset and growth mindset in player development
• Why some less skilled players have longer careers than more talented prospects
• The value of mentorship and proper guidance in navigating the hockey system
• The role of player advisors in protecting young athletes and providing honest feedback
• Building credibility as an advisor through honesty and maintaining integrity
• How self-reflection and personal development continue even after your playing career

If you're interested in speaking with Dennis about player advising, you can reach him at topdrafthockey.com or on Instagram at dennismaxwell_topdrafthockey.

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Dylan Garand shares his journey from a young goalie in Victoria to becoming a New York Rangers prospect and AHL All-Star, revealing the mental techniques and training approaches that have elevated his game.

• Moving to Delta Hockey Academy at age 14 marked the moment Dylan committed fully to becoming a hockey player
• Understanding what works personally for mental preparation is crucial for goaltenders
• Practice intensity directly transfers to game performance - Dylan aims to stop every shot in practice
• Purposeful intent behind every drill helps develop technical skills while maintaining competitive mindset
• Self-talk using simple cues like "compete" and "work hard" helps maintain focus after goals or during tough stretches
• World Junior experience included winning gold medal in dramatic overtime fashion
• Transition to pro hockey required adjusting to players making more calculated decisions
• Finding ways to play well when not feeling your best is what separates professionals
• Training specifically for goaltending involves edge work, ankle stability, and lateral movement rather than traditional player workouts
• Patience in development while with the Rangers organization (behind Igor Shesterkin) is building a foundation for long-term success