Episode 78: “We Don't Want Good Kids. We Want Great Kids.” (w/ Princeton's Shane Talarico)
Crazy Hockey Dads PodcastShow Notes
Why culture wins long before talent does.
Scott and Jamie sit down with Princeton Assistant Coach Shane Talarico, recorded on location at Princeton University's summer hockey camp, for a behind-the-scenes look at college coaching, recruiting, and what separates good teams from great ones. Shane shares his unlikely coaching journey from Division III to Princeton, why there isn't one path to success, and how great coaches - and great players - are built through relationships, culture, and continuous learning. He also explains what Princeton really looks for in recruits, why character carries as much weight as talent, and how the hockey world stays connected behind the scenes.
In this episode: Shane's path from Division III to Princeton Why great teammates become great players What Princeton looks for beyond talent How the transfer portal and CHL changes are reshaping college hockey Whether your child dreams of college hockey or you're simply trying to understand what coaches actually value, this episode is full of insight from one of the game's rising young coaches. Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/ CHD/MSK Donation Page: http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/chdmsc2026 Princeton University Men's Ice Hockey: https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey Princeton University Women's Ice Hockey: https://goprincetontigers.com/sports/womens-ice-hockey Princeton Sports Camps: https://www.princetonsportscamps.com Partners: https://www.pacificrink.com/ 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/
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The best development does not always come from the best team, the most expensive lesson, or the loudest car ride home. Recorded live at The Hockey Barn in Atlanta, Scott and Jamie sit down with founder and longtime coach Kyle Kinze. Kyle explains how a pulmonary embolism ended his playing career at 19, why he turned to coaching, and why he built a place centered on access, creativity, free play, and community. Kyle gets honest about growing up with a perfectionist father, changing the car ride home with his own kids, and learning that coaching a player starts with understanding the person. Scott and Jamie add their own hard-earned mistakes about expensive training, chasing higher-level teams, and pushing kids toward a version of hockey they may not want. The conversation also tackles choosing the coach over the jersey, valuing puck touches and ice time, watching for burnout, and giving kids enough room to fall in love with the game on their own terms. In this episode: Why free play and creativity are essential to development Better questions for the car ride home Choosing the right coach over the best team Building The Hockey Barn around training, competing, and belonging Live questions on speed, endurance, coachability, and tournament hockey Coach the human, protect the love of the game, and let development follow. The Hockey Barn: https://thehockeybarnatl.com/ The Hockey Barn IG: https://www.instagram.com/thehockeybarnatl/ Partners: https://www.pacificrink.com/ https://hockeytraining.com/ https://sparxhockey.com/ https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/ 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/
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