Two-time Stanley Cup champion Rod Brind’Amour joins In Between the Shifts for a candid conversation about youth hockey, player development, parenting, coaching, and finding the right path for young athletes.
Rod shares the story of his own unconventional hockey journey—from quitting the sport as a young kid, to Notre Dame, Michigan State, the NHL, and eventually winning the Stanley Cup as both a player and coach. He also explains how his perspective has changed now that he’s navigating youth hockey as a parent himself.
The conversation tackles one of the biggest problems facing hockey families today: the pressure to move kids too far, too fast. Rod discusses prep schools, academies, AAA hockey, recruiting, rankings, development camps, and why families can lose sight of what youth hockey is actually supposed to accomplish.
Rod and Marc also discuss why skating remains foundational, why hockey IQ matters as much as individual skill, the importance of off-ice training, and the trait Rod looks for in players that can’t be measured at a skills session: compete.
Most importantly, Rod reminds parents that every player’s path is different—and if a player is genuinely good enough and continues developing, people will eventually find them.

In this episode:
What winning the Stanley Cup really feels like
Why Rod quit hockey as a young child
How Notre Dame changed the trajectory of his career
Choosing the right college based on opportunity and fit
Why coaching at ages 14–16 can shape a player’s entire career
Rod’s experience coaching and parenting youth hockey players
Why families are sending players away too early
The growing financial and logistical burden of AAA hockey
Why kids don’t need to be on the ice every day
Building an everyday training mindset
Why skating is still the foundation of development
The youth hockey skill Rod believes is being overlooked
What NHL teams actually look for in players
Why development-camp skills don’t always translate to games
The importance of compete, character, and work ethic
Why education must remain a priority
Keeping hockey fun while pursuing higher levels
Learn more about Stop & Starts Hockey, coaching, private lessons, player evaluations, and membership https://stopnstartshockey.com/

00:00 Welcome to In Between the Shifts
00:55 Introducing Rod Brind’Amour
01:20 What Winning the Stanley Cup Feels Like
05:46 Where Rod’s Youth Hockey Journey Began
06:20 Why Rod Quit Hockey as a Kid
07:30 Growing Up in a Small Hockey Town
08:03 Has Youth Hockey Become a Rat Race?
08:24 Why Rod’s Dad Made Him Play Defense
10:04 The Opportunity That Led to Notre Dame
11:24 Why Notre Dame Changed Rod’s Career
12:27 Playing Up Against Older Players
14:12 Building Notre Dame’s Junior Team
15:26 Why the Right Coach Matters So Much
16:02 Choosing Michigan State and Finding the Right Fit
17:54 The Coaches Who Shaped Rod Brind’Amour
19:34 Rod’s Perspective as a Hockey Dad
20:53 Why Keeping a Great Team Together Matters
22:00 Should You Send Your Kid Away to Play Hockey?
23:24 Why Winning at 13 or 14 Doesn’t Matter
24:34 The Financial Burden of Youth Hockey
26:17 What a Good Development Program Needs
26:56 Why Weekend-Only Hockey Doesn’t Work
28:03 What Youth Hockey Development Is Missing
28:26 Kids Don’t Need to Skate Every Day
29:03 Creating a Daily Training Mindset
30:48 Why Skating Is Still the Foundation
31:59 Surround Yourself With Hard Workers
33:32 Show Partners
35:06 Is Hockey IQ Being Neglected?
36:16 Every Practice Should Translate to Games
38:05 What Makes a Player Stand Out at Tryouts
39:23 How Youth Hockey Has Changed Between Rod’s Sons
40:17 Are Prep Schools Right for Everyone?
43:18 “It Shouldn’t Be This Difficult”
44:24 The Life Lessons Hockey Teaches
45:32 The Puberty Olympics and Late Bloomers
46:53 What Rod Sees at NHL Development Camps
51:49 Skills vs. Compete
52:41 Why Hockey Families Need Better Guidance
54:33 Making Hockey More Affordable
56:25 Every Shift Is an Opportunity
57:58 Rod’s Advice to Hockey Parents
58:40 Know Whether Your Kid Actually Loves Hockey
59:17 Why Education Has to Remain a Priority
1:00:09 Rod’s Closing Thoughts
1:00:47 Stop & Starts Hockey Membership

#RodBrindAmour #YouthHockey #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyParents #HockeyTraining #HockeyIQ #NHL #CarolinaHurricanes #StanleyCup #AAAYouthHockey #HockeyPodcast #StopAndStartsHockey

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This is Between the Shifts presented by StopnStarts Hockey — the hockey podcast for players, parents, coaches, and fans who live the game beyond the scoreboard.

Subscribe for weekly conversations about hockey life, hockey advice, coaching strategies, player growth, and the future of the game.

https://stopnstartshockey.com

#HockeyPodcast #YouthHockey #AAAHockey #JuniorHockey #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyTraining #HockeyCoaching

In this episode of Stops and Starts, Marc sits down with longtime hockey coach, former professional player, and Universel Academy leader Marco Pietroniro to talk about one of the biggest questions facing players and families today:
What is the right development path for your player?
Marco shares his journey from youth hockey in Montreal, to junior hockey in the Q, to playing professionally overseas and in North America, before shifting into coaching and player development. The conversation dives deep into the modern hockey landscape, including prep hockey, junior hockey, the NCDC, USPHL Premier, CHL opportunities, college pathways, and why development is not always about chasing the biggest logo.
Marc and Marco also discuss the importance of trust between families, coaches, and players, why some athletes need more time to develop, how Universel Academy structures its program, and why the right environment can make all the difference for a young player trying to reach the next level.
This episode is especially helpful for hockey parents, youth players, junior prospects, and families trying to understand the many different routes available beyond the traditional “all or nothing” hockey path.

For more information about Universel Academy / Collège Universel hockey, contact Marco Pietroniro at mpietroniro@collegeuniversel.ca.

00:00 – Welcome to Stops and Starts
00:32 – The mission: helping families understand different hockey paths
01:37 – Introducing Marco Pietroniro
02:03 – Marco’s youth, junior, and professional hockey journey
02:57 – Finding his “NHL” overseas
03:40 – From pro hockey to coaching and junior hockey
04:20 – Shifting from winning to player development
05:51 – Why trust is critical for hockey families
07:18 – Honest conversations with players and parents
09:15 – Why not every player is a D1 or NHL prospect
11:54 – Marco’s move into Bishop’s College School
12:10 – Coaching to develop instead of only coaching to win
13:09 – The vision behind Universel Academy
15:15 – Giving young players a challenging development environment
17:28 – Why Universel Academy plays younger players at higher levels
19:00 – Confidence, opportunity, and learning from mistakes
20:30 – Why ice time and special teams opportunities matter
22:58 – The gap between youth hockey and junior hockey
23:45 – Why experience at the junior level is so valuable
24:28 – Universel Academy team structure and locations
24:50 – U18, USPHL Premier, NCDC, costs, travel, and academics
27:50 – A day in the life of a Universel Academy player
29:10 – Ice time, skills sessions, and practicing up a level
30:50 – Universel as a bridge to higher levels of hockey
33:07 – Global Advancement and player placement
35:10 – The changing junior hockey landscape and rule changes
36:16 – How college hockey timelines are changing
37:08 – Who benefits most from the new hockey landscape?
38:42 – D3, U Sports, Europe, and nontraditional pathways
39:36 – Marco’s thoughts on the future of the NCDC
40:52 – Why the NCDC can be a stepping stone, not an endgame
41:59 – More opportunities through CHL, OHL, QMJHL, and other camps
43:03 – Why opportunity and development matter most
43:37 – How to connect with Marco and Universel Academy
44:05 – Closing thoughts

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This is Between the Shifts presented by StopnStarts Hockey — the hockey podcast for players, parents, coaches, and fans who live the game beyond the scoreboard.

From youth hockey and AAA hockey to junior hockey, hockey recruiting, player development, hockey training, and coaching, Between the Shifts brings real conversations from inside the hockey world. We cover the journey through travel hockey, minor hockey, southern hockey, Carolina hockey, and the path toward higher levels of competition.

Each episode features hockey interviews, player stories, coaching insights, hockey mindset discussions, and advice for hockey families navigating today’s competitive hockey landscape. Whether you're focused on hockey IQ, player evaluation, NHL prospects, hockey culture, or building the next generation of athletes, this show is built for the hockey community.

Topics include:
🏒 Youth Hockey
🏒 Hockey Development
🏒 AAA Hockey
🏒 Junior Hockey
🏒 Hockey Coaching
🏒 Hockey Training
🏒 Hockey Recruiting
🏒 Hockey Parents
🏒 Hockey Mindset
🏒 Hockey Culture
🏒 Carolina Hockey
🏒 Southern Hockey

Subscribe for weekly conversations about hockey life, hockey advice, coaching strategies, player growth, and the future of the game.

https://stopnstartshockey.com

#HockeyPodcast #YouthHockey #AAAHockey #JuniorHockey #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyTraining #HockeyCoaching

In this episode of Stop and Starts, Marc Genest sits down with Patrick Schafer of Schaefer Hockey Group to discuss one of the most important topics in youth hockey: finding the right path for player development.
From youth hockey and junior hockey to college recruiting and professional opportunities, Patrick shares insights from his playing career, coaching experience, and years of advising players and families through the ever-changing hockey landscape.
The conversation covers development versus exposure, why every player's journey is different, the role of advisors, what scouts are really looking for, the importance of hockey IQ, and why playing time often matters more than logos on a jersey.
Whether you're a player, parent, coach, or hockey family trying to navigate today's development system, this episode offers a valuable perspective on making decisions that support long-term growth and success.

00:00 – Why Stop and Starts exist: development over destinations
02:00 – Introducing Patrick Schafer and Schaefer Hockey Group
03:30 – Patrick's hockey journey from Ohio to professional hockey
06:00 – Playing for legendary coach Mike Hastings
09:30 – Why today's players look more prepared than ever
10:45 – The missing piece: hockey IQ and game awareness
13:00 – Skill development vs. understanding the game
16:00 – Creativity in hockey and developing decision-makers
18:00 – Why heart matters more than size
20:00 – The challenge of evaluating players at showcase camps
24:00 – What Patrick looks for in players and families
26:00 – Why self-awareness matters in player development
29:00 – The importance of fit, timing, and opportunity
34:00 – Do hockey players need an advisor?
36:00 – When should families seek an advisor?
37:00 – AAA vs. AA: Does it really matter?
39:00 – Why college hockey remains a powerful development path
41:00 – The value of Division III hockey and alternative routes
43:00 – The mission behind Stop and Starts
45:00 – Helping players through adversity and growth
46:00 – Final thoughts on development, opportunity, and success
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This is Between the Shifts presented by StopnStarts Hockey — the hockey podcast for players, parents, coaches, and fans who live the game beyond the scoreboard.

From youth hockey and AAA hockey to junior hockey, hockey recruiting, player development, hockey training, and coaching, Between the Shifts brings real conversations from inside the hockey world. We cover the journey through travel hockey, minor hockey, southern hockey, Carolina hockey, and the path toward higher levels of competition.

Each episode features hockey interviews, player stories, coaching insights, hockey mindset discussions, and advice for hockey families navigating today’s competitive hockey landscape. Whether you're focused on hockey IQ, player evaluation, NHL prospects, hockey culture, or building the next generation of athletes, this show is built for the hockey community.

Topics include:
🏒 Youth Hockey
🏒 Hockey Development
🏒 AAA Hockey
🏒 Junior Hockey
🏒 Hockey Coaching
🏒 Hockey Training
🏒 Hockey Recruiting
🏒 Hockey Parents
🏒 Hockey Mindset
🏒 Hockey Culture
🏒 Carolina Hockey
🏒 Southern Hockey

Subscribe for weekly conversations about hockey life, hockey advice, coaching strategies, player growth, and the future of the game.

https://stopnstartshockey.com

#HockeyPodcast #YouthHockey #AAAHockey #JuniorHockey #HockeyDevelopment #HockeyTraining #HockeyCoaching

In this third episode of Between the Shifts from Stop and Starts, the host welcomes Erin Bratcher of EB Athletics to discuss off-ice training and athlete development for parents and players. Bratcher shares her background as a Division I basketball player at Charleston Southern, four-year pro in Germany’s Bundesliga, and her path into strength and conditioning, including building EB Athletics during COVID and developing a 5,000-square-foot facility. They cover how strength gains translate to speed, power, injury prevention, and confidence, and discuss early specialization versus multi-sport benefits, recovery and readiness (sleep, hydration, nutrition), and age-appropriate progression from coordination to loaded lifting. Bratcher explains her TeamBuildr-based in-person and remote coaching, form feedback via video, pricing guidance, and sport-specific programming like groin prevention for hockey and ankle focus for basketball.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
01:39 Erin Bratcher Background
03:54 EB Athletics and Results
05:39 Old School vs Modern Training
06:39 Why Strength Matters
09:15 Sports She Trains
10:46 Early Specialization Debate
13:19 Building the Gym
16:02 Online Platform TeamBuildr
18:16 Remote Assessments and Testing
18:50 Remote Training Intake
19:09 Stop and Starts Mission
21:14 Building Athlete Confidence
22:47 Recovery and Body Awareness
24:21 When Kids Should Train
26:07 Assessments and Body Types
27:43 Online Coaching and Pricing
29:01 Form Checks via Video
30:16 Fitness Fundamentals and Readiness
31:56 Sport Specific Programming
32:42 Wrap Up and Giveaway

Marc welcomes Mario Therrien of TRUE Hockey as the first guest on the Between the Shifts podcast to discuss Mario’s playing background, how he entered hockey manufacturing through sticks in 2005, and how True launched in 2013 via True Temper, initially selling sticks and gloves. Mario outlines True’s expansion into skates in 2016 and goalie gear after purchasing Lefevre in 2019, noting strong NHL and Olympic adoption and growing youth presence. They emphasize True’s skate fit and the evolution from tracing feet to scanning and app-based measurements. The conversation also covers youth equipment mistakes (poor skate fit, wrong stick length/curve/flex, and lack of lie options), plus broader issues in youth and junior hockey such as winning over development, frequent trades, oversized rosters, costly ID camps, unclear feedback to cut players, and the need for game IQ. Mark closes with a True skate raffle tied to Stop and Start membership and social followers.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
00:52 How Mario Entered Manufacturing
02:28 Playing Career Background
03:48 True Hockey Origin Story
05:44 Product Line Expansion
07:08 Why True Skates Fit Better
08:24 Skate Tech and Scanning Evolution
12:30 Choosing the Right Stick
15:08 Curve Trends and Oates Pattern
16:34 Goalie Gear Breakthrough
18:24 Youth Hockey Challenges Today
20:01 Too Many Options
21:10 Winning Over Development
24:21 Healthy Scratches Problem
25:19 Junior Hockey Jungle
26:03 ID Camps Money Grab
27:59 Cuts Without Feedback
28:50 Skills Versus Hockey IQ
30:39 Choosing The Right Fit
34:03 Stop And Start Vision
36:20 Giveaway And Wrap Up

Marc Genest introduces the Stop and Starts podcast “Between the Shifts” and explains his background as a former pro player (450+ games) and AAA youth coach with the Carolina Junior Hurricanes. He describes how families need guidance in navigating today’s expensive, travel-heavy hockey landscape, and how Stop and Starts consults for parents, players, coaches, and associations—focusing on development decisions and off-ice support rather than serving as a placement company. Jana outlines the importance of choosing the right path at ages 14–17, navigating the complexities of junior hockey, and addressing the mental side of performance. He highlights partners including True Hockey, Stanstead College, Universal Academy, Coeur d’Alene Hockey Academy, EB Athletics, Hunter Bishop Hockey, and Schafer Hockey Group. He also details membership pricing and a raffle for custom skates for the first 100 members.

00:00 Between the Shifts Mindset
00:24 Meet Marc Genest
01:06 Why Hockey Families Need Help
02:35 Stop and Starts Mission
05:31 Not a Placement Company
07:44 Every Player Has a Path
09:24 All-in-One Development Model
11:05 Junior Hockey Reality Check
11:39 Partners and Programs Spotlight
16:01 Bridging the Advisor Gap
19:06 Membership Pricing and Services
21:27 Mental Game and Communication
24:59 Choosing the Right Path
26:31 Wrap Up and Call to Action