The USA Hockey Podcast: A Youth Sports Conversation

#62 Madison Packer: Leadership On and Off the Ice

On this episode of the USA Hockey Podcast, we’re joined by former professional hockey player and longtime captain Madison Packer. Madison reflects on growing up playing h

#61 Anya Packer: Growing the Women’s Game

On this episode of the USA Hockey Podcast, host Zack Nowak is joined by former professional player, executive and coach Anya Packer to discuss her journey through hockey

#60 Rick DiPietro: Developing the Complete Goaltender

Former NHL goaltender Rick DiPietro joins host Zack Nowak on the USA Hockey Podcast to reflect on his journey from youth hockey to the NHL and share what he has learned a

#59 Building a Mentally Healthy Hockey Culture with Dr. Kristen Dieffenbach

In the final episode from Mental Health Awareness Month, the USA Hockey Podcast welcomes special host Abby Woodford back again for a thoughtful conversation with Dr. Kris

#58 Building a Healthier Mental Game with Dr. Erica Force

In this Mental Health Awareness Month episode of the USA Hockey Podcast, host Zack Nowak and co-host Abby Woodford are joined by Dr. Erica Force, a lead psychological ser

#57 Parenting the Athlete with Dr. Sue Schimmel and Maureen Breeze

Dr. Sue Schimmel and Maureen Breeze join the USA Hockey Podcast, with Abby Woodford serving as special guest co-host, to discuss how parents can support athletes through

#56 Growing the Game, One Player at a Time with Darren Elliott

On this episode of the USA Hockey Podcast, host Zack Nowak is joined by Darren Elliott, former NHL goaltender, broadcaster, and VP of Hockey Programming and Facility Oper

#55 Why Relationships Matter Most in Coaching with Bill Kangas

In this episode of the USA Hockey Podcast, host Zack Nowak sits down with Bill Kangas, head coach at NCAA Division III Williams College and one of the longest tenured coa

#54 Preparation, Perseverance, and Performance with Alex Biega

Former NHL defenseman Alex Biega joins the USA Hockey Podcast to share his journey through youth hockey, multi-sport participation, college hockey at Harvard, and the per

#53 First Passes and Walking the Line With Ryan Suter

In this episode of the USA Hockey Podcast, former NHL player Ryan Suter shares his journey from youth hockey in Madison, Wisconsin, to playing in the NHL and representing

#52 Unlocking Mental Performance in Sport with Dr. Julia Cawthra and Abby Woodford

In this episode of the USA Hockey Podcast, host Zack Nowak engages with Dr. Julia Cawthra of the USOPC and Abby Woodford of USA Hockey to explore the critical role of men

#51 Player Development Through NTDP with Nick Fohr

USA Hockey’s U18 National Team Development Program Head Coach Nick Fohr joins Zack Nowak for an in-depth conversation on player development, coaching adaptability, and wh

#50 Developing Defenseman with Rob Scuderi

Two-time Stanley Cup champion Rob Scuderi joins Zack Nowak on the USA Hockey Podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on defensive habits, player development, and the mind

#49 The Many Roads to the NHL with Derek Ryan

In this episode, host Zack Nowak sits down with former NHLer Derek Ryan, whose remarkable career stands as one of hockey’s greatest examples of perseverance, adaptability

#48 Net Front Play with Zach Parise

In this episode, hosts Zack Nowak and Derek Read sit down with 2025 USA Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Zach Parise to explore one of the most undervalued, yet game-changing

#47 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 4): How to use parents to help the player

#47 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 2) How to use parents to help the player with Dr. Brady Flachs In Episode 47, we continue exploring the connections between education an

#46 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 3): How do we help kids with following directions?

#46 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 3): How do we help kids with following directions? with Dr. Brady Flachs In Episode 46, we continue exploring the connections between ed

#45 Vierumäki: Sport Institute of Finland and its Impacts on Coaching with Derek Read

#45 Sport Institute of Finland and its Impacts on Coaching with Derek Read In Episode 45, we delve into the international aspect of hockey coaching development with Derek

#44 Driving Excellence: Arizona High School Hockey Association

In episode 44, we sit down with Kenny McGinley, the president of the Arizona High School Hockey Association (AHSHA), to discuss what they are doing in Arizona to continue

#43 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 2) How do we respond to behaviors on the ice? with Dr. Brady Flachs

#43 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 2) How do we respond to behaviors on the ice? with Dr. Brady Flachs In Episode 43, we continue exploring the connections between educati