Why most youth hockey development is completely backwards.

Scott and Jamie sit down with RJ Burns, Co-Owner of TopLine Hockey, and this one hits a nerve for every hockey parent.

RJ breaks down why “just skating around cones” isn’t development, why kids need to think the game instead of memorize drills, and how the obsession with reps, travel, and “more ice” is actually hurting players long-term.

He shares blunt truths about parent pressure, over-scheduling, and kids who clearly don’t even want to be at the rink, plus why sometimes the best thing you can do is… take a break.

The guys also get into:

• Why jumping teams chasing “better situations” can backfire
• The problem with coaches who only care about winning at U10
• Why kids need freedom (and parents need to get off the glass)
• How real development comes from decision-making, not drills

RJ also shares his own journey from bouncing teams and chasing the path, to realizing hockey became a job instead of something he loved, and how coaching brought that passion back.

TopLine Hockey - https://tlhockey.com/

Partners:

• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

Why youth hockey development is getting misunderstood.

Scott and Jamie sit down with Heather Mannix, Manager of Education & Player Development at USA Hockey, for a deep dive into what development actually means and where parents and coaches get it wrong.

Heather explains how parent pressure impacts even the most informed families, why so many are rushing kids toward the wrong goals, and why the most important thing at young ages is simple: kids have to love the game.

She also breaks down the evolution of USA Hockey’s coaching education, shifting from what to teach to how to coach, and why creating fun, competitive, game-like environments leads to better development than traditional drills.

The conversation also dives into burnout, over-scheduling, girls hockey growth, and the reality that fun isn’t goofing off...it’s competing, learning, and being engaged.

In this episode:

• Why parents are “racing to the wrong finish line”
• The biggest misconception about development
• Why fun is the #1 driver of long-term success
• How coaching is shifting from drills to decision-making
• The real risk of burnout (even if kids don’t quit)

If you think more ice time, more teams, and more pressure = better development…this episode will make you rethink everything.

Partners:

• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazy.hockey.dads
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576627751551

Scott and Jamie sit down with USHL Commissioner Glenn Hefferan for a blunt, parent-first conversation on what actually matters in youth hockey.

Glenn explains why kids play better when the pressure is off, why parents need to focus on “love and fun”, and how over-involvement can quietly hurt development.

He also breaks down the realities of junior hockey and why the jump from youth to juniors is the hardest step, what the USHL actually demands, and why chasing exposure and spending more doesn’t guarantee anything.

In this episode:

• Why kids performed better without parents in the rink
• The “love + fun” reminder every parent needs
• Why youth to junior is the hardest leap in hockey
• The truth about cost, exposure, and development

If your kid isn’t having fun...nothing else matters.

Partners:

• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazy.hockey.dads
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576627751551