The Hockey Think Tank Podcast26 Touko 2025

The American-Born Journey to the NHL: Diverse Development Paths to the Highest Levels of Hockey - EP 366

This week Topher and Jeff fly solo to break down the various development paths to the top league in the world. There were 288 American players that played at least one game in the NHL during the 2023-2024 season. Topher spent months researching the trends that got those players to the highest level of professional hockey. We hear so much from parents and coaches about the pressure to follow a specific journey in order to play in the NHL; so we set out to show you that everyone has a different path.

In this episode we talk about:

— The relative age effect: Does being born at the beginning of the year give you a better chance?

— How much time did players spend “marinating” at lower levels?

— Is getting drafted beneficial?

— Is playing a certain position beneficial?

— Does a certain region of the country produce more NHL players?

AND SO MUCH MORE!

Thank you to our title sponsor IceHockeySystems.com, as well as Train-Heroic, Helios Hockey, and Crossbar!

And thank you to our AMAZING LISTENERS; We appreciate every listen, download, comment, rating, and share on your social sites!

If you’d like to join our Hockey Think Tank Community, head over to Community.TheHockeyThinkTank.com and check it out!

THE US BORN PLAYERS' PATH TO THE NHL BLOG POST

PARENTS & RECRUITING 101 COURSES

BLUEPRINT ORGANIZATION REFERRAL

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SHORT SHIFTS - FAVORITE PUCK TOUCH DRILLS

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about our favorite puck touch drills to include in practice. At the younger ages, we like to call them skill drills and at the higher levels, we ref...

29 Heinä 14min

3 Biggest Things We’ve Learned in Youth Hockey This Year - EP 427

This week Topher and Jeff fly solo to talk about the 3 biggest things they’ve each learned in youth hockey this year. With the Hockey Think Tank, we travel all over North America to work with youth ho...

27 Heinä 1h 15min

FRIDAY FACEOFF - TRANSITIONING FROM PLAYING HIGH LEVEL TO COACHING YOUTH HOCKEY

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph wants to talk about former higher level players that want to make the transition to coaching youth hockey. We talk about all of the obstacles and things you mig...

24 Heinä 11min

SHORT SHIFTS - TOPH’S BIGGEST PET PEEVE

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about one of his biggest pet peeves in hockey; when the puck carrier turns an odd man rush into a 1-on-1 situation. Let’s talk about what you should...

22 Heinä 10min

Live With No Quit & Chip Away Every Day, with Guest Jake Thibeault, Babson College Student Who Suffered Paralyzing Hockey Accident - EP 426

This week Topher and Jeff talk with Jake Thibeault, an incredible young hockey player that was paralyzed by an injury on the ice. At the time of his injury, Thibeault was in the recruiting process wit...

20 Heinä 1h 34min

FRIDAY FACEOFF - INCONSISTENT EXPERIENCES WITHIN A CLUB

On today’s FRIDAY FACEOFF episode, Toph brings on HTT teammates Matt and Steph to talk about how so many youth hockey organizations are only tied by wearing the same jersey. With that, families can ha...

17 Heinä 12min

SHORT SHIFTS - PRE / POST PRACTICE ICE

On today’s SHORT SHIFTS episode, Toph wants to talk about our advice for the players that are first on the ice and last off the ice. TEN MINUTES ON THE CLOCK STARTING NOW! We appreciate every listen, ...

15 Heinä 10min

Elite Edge Hockey Camp Interview with Guests Filip Forsberg & Chris Mason, Professional Hockey Players - EP 425

This week Topher talks with Filip Forsberg and Chris Mason at the Elite Edge Hockey Camp in Nashville. Forsberg currently plays for the Nashville Predators of the NHL and Mason is a 300+ game NHL vete...

13 Heinä 1h 1min