In episode #277, we had the pleasure of being joined by Duante' Abercrombie, who will be leading Tennessee State University as Head Coach in their inaugural season as a Div. 1 hockey program next season. In the process, TSU will become the first HBCU(Historically Black College or University) hockey program in history.

A glance at Abercrombie's resume leaves no doubt that he is the right person to lead the Tigers. That includes his time as an Assistant Coach with Stevenson University, becoming just the fourth coach of colour at that time in the NCAA. Professionally, he spent the 2022-23 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs organizations and has also been a part of several NHL BIPOC programs, spending time with the San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins, Nashville Predators and Arizona Coyotes.

Last year, he was nominated for Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award for his work with the Washington Capitals' Black Hockey Committee and the Rising Stars Academy.

Listen as he shares what the new role at TSU means to him, how hockey can be used to connect people of all backgrounds, and the importance of wanting someone else to win more than you do.

In episode #276, we welcome Ottawa Senators Assistant Coach ben Sexton, who presented at TCS Live 2024 on the fundamentals of the penalty kill.

After retiring early from his playing career due to concussions, Sexton fell into the coaching arena when Mike Valluci, his Head Coach with the Wilkes-Barrie Penguins, offered him the opportunity to join the coaching staff while he was receiving from his injuries.

The following season he stepped behind the bench full time with the AHL’s Belleville Senators. Three seasons later, he was promoted to the big club, where he and the rest of Travis Green’s staff are looking to lead the Sens to the post season for the first time since 2017.

Listen as he shares why today's player are having trouble processing the game, why teams need to believe in their structure and details, and embracing the philosophy of thinking like a player and acting like a coach.

In episode #275, we're revisiting one of the highlights of last year's TCS Live conference. International speaker, best-selling author and Founder of the Changing the Game Project John O’Sullivan took to the stage to share how to take your coaching from transactional to transformational.

O'Sullivan has dedicated his life to enhancing the experience kids have with youth sports by educating and inspiring the adults in the equation, namely their coaches and parents. He’s been featured on CNN, ESPN and NBC Sports, along with speaking at TEDx, and to the US Olympic Committee, US Soccer, USA Wrestling, USA Swimming, US Ski and Snowboard, Ireland Rugby and Australian Rugby League.

And with that in mind, Our team at The Coaches Site are excited to announce that we have collaborated with John on a course focused on the How To’s of Transformational Coaching. You can learn more about the course here.

Listen as he shares why great coaches win the relationship game, why we must be outcome aware but driven by process, and why every coach has the ability to change a person's life for the better.

In episode #274, we sat down with Bert Gilling, Head Coach of Mount Royal University, at Hockey Calgary’s Leadership Day. The event brings together hundreds of coaches from across Calgary to kick off the season, break bread over dinner, hear technical presentations, a keynote speaker, and of course the Glass and Out Podcast.

In 2014, Gilling was named the Head Coach of Mount Royal University, a program he has turned into a perennial contender in Canadian University Hockey or USports. Currently, the Cougars are tied for first place in the Canada West Conference and off to a 7-1 start.

Listen as he shares how to design an optimal practice environment, building two-way relationships with your players, and the need for more mentorship in youth hockey.

In episode #273, we're honored to welcome Army West Point Head Coach Brian Riley.

At the end of this season, Riley, who has been the Head Coach at Army since 2004, and prior to that an Assistant Coach for the program for an additional 12 seasons, is retiring.

Combined with his father, who coached at Army for 36 seasons, and brother Rob, who coached 19 seasons, the Riley family has spent for over 75 consecutive seasons in charge of the Black Knights program. To say that the Riley family is a part of the DNA of the United States Military Academy would be an understatement.

Listen as he shares what makes West Point the preeminent leadership insitution in the world, carrying the responsibility of honoring every player's legacy, and why creating the power of of one is the key to overcoming any obstacle.

In episode #272, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Iowa Wild GM Matt Hendricks at the Minnesota High School Hockey Coaches Association’s Fall Clinic for a live interview.

Prior to being named the GM, Hendricks spent five seasons as the Wild’s Assistant Director of Player Development. Of course, prior to that he suited up for over 600 NHL games, spending time with the Avalanche, Capitals, Oilers, Jets and Wild.

Growing up, he captained Blaine High School to a Minnesota State Championship and if you’ve never spent time in Minnesota, that is a HUGE deal in that part of the world.

Listen as he shares what makes hockey in Minnesota so special, why there's no forward button on player development, and why small area games are key, even at the NHL level.

In episode #271, we welcome Vegas Golden Knights Player Development Consultant Scott Jones.

Jones works primarily with the Golden Knights prospects and the Henderson Golden Knights, their American League affiliate. He got his start in pro hockey with the Hershey Bears and since 2017 has been the Director of Player Development with the OHL's Sarnia Sting.

Jones has twice been been featured at a TCS event, including his 2021 Global Skills Showcase presentation and his on-ice presentation at this September's TCS Live at St. Andrew's College, which will be available on TCS later this season.

Listen as he shares why good skill development is about knowing when to slow things down, why hockey is just a series of patterns, and what core skills kids are missing out on in the current state of player development.

In episode #270, we're joined by Assistant Coach of the Calgary Flames, Cail MacLean.

Between his time cutting his teeth near the beaches of Charleston, South Carolina with the ECHL's Stingrays, and standing behind an NHL bench in Calgary for three seasons, MacLean has touched each rung of the coaching ladder.

He joined us as a presenter at TCS Live this past June at the University of Michigan, showcasing how coaches can drive more play through the middle of the ice, and his polish and delivery stood out. Stay tuned for that presentation coming soon on TCS!

Listen as he shares why he prioritizes principles over systems, the importance of creating game-like practices, and looking outside hockey to grow as a coach.