How compete, chaos, and balance actually build better athletes.
Scott and Jamie sit down with Anthony LoSauro - longtime North Jersey Avalanche dad, Bergen Catholic fooball alum, and founder of Towermen Lacrosse - for a straight-shooting talk on raising kids who love to compete without turning them into mini-pros. From never giving up on his passion to driving development through curiosity (not clinics), Anthony shares how he’s built a foundation rooted in work, fun, and real life - not hype.
In this episode:
A must-listen for any parent trying to balance the drive to win with the goal of raising good humans who still love the ride.
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Two months in, and the dust is finally settling. Systems are clicking(ish), rides are less chaotic (maybe), and your kid might even be tying their own skates! Progress?
Scott and Jamie sit down for an early season pulse check - the highs, the lows, and the subtle wins you only notice when you zoom out. From dealing with performance lulls to celebrating quiet growth, this one’s about seeing the full picture of development (yours and theirs).
In this episode:
- Why “less is more” is the secret weapon of more “seasoned” parents
- When routine builds confidence and when that stops working
- Trying to let go of the daily micromanaging and playing the long game
Not every weekend needs to be epic. But if your kid’s still smiling and learning - you’re on the right track.
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What matters, what doesn’t, and what’s actually next.
This week, Scott and Jamie sit down with Doug Christiansen, former D1 and pro player, ECHL GM/Head Coach, Team USA U17 Coach, USHL Deputy Commissioner, and current ECAC Hockey Commissioner, to dig into the real layers of youth hockey development - not the fantasy version parents like to believe. From the myths of early exposure to the truth about who’s really watching, Doug lays out a grounded, honest roadmap for families who want to support their player without losing the plot.
In this episode:
- Why more minutes at the right level beats fewer minutes at the top
- The real traits scouts and coaches look for - and when it matters
- The importance of strong local development, not early exits
- How ego and over-scheduling derail progress
- Why a kid’s mental and emotional readiness matters more than tier
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re helping or just hurrying the process, Doug’s perspective is a must-listen. Smart, specific, and rooted in decades of experience - without the sales pitch.
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One hell of a commute and a front-row seat to growing up.
This week, Scott and Jamie sit down with Ben DeBlock, a hockey dad who's clocked the hours, booked the hotels, and still wonders if he's getting it right. From navigating long drives and tryout stress to realizing when to pull back, Ben offers a grounded, honest look at what it really means to support your kid through the hockey grind.
In this episode:
- How Ben rethought the “more is more” mindset
- What structure gave their family and where it backfired
- Why listening to your kid and partner is part of the job
If you've ever asked, “Are we doing too much?”, Ben's been there. And he’s got the self-awareness (and mileage) to prove it.
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Are we trying to win… or just trying too hard?
This week, Scott and Jamie unspool the madness of “win-at-all-costs” youth hockey, from kids ripping smelling salts in the locker room to coaches and parents acting like every weekend’s the Stanley Cup. What started as a joke turns into a serious question: when did we decide effort wasn’t enough?
In this episode:
- Smelling salts at 10U - what are we even doing?
- Why kids are mimicking intensity without understanding it
- When coaches push too far and confuse chaos for culture
How the pressure to “be ready” can backfire in every direction
This one’s not about dialing it down - it’s about dialing it in. Because hype doesn’t equal heart. And smelling salts don’t make your edges better.
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A player’s journey. A coach’s perspective. A parent’s wake-up call.
This week, Scott and Jamie sit down with Alec Marsh, former Penn State hockey forward and current assistant coach at Hobart College, for one of the most honest, insightful interviews CHD has ever aired.
Alec walks through his own path from elite youth hockey to college then pro. Now as a coach, he’s on the other side of the glass, helping kids chase their goals without losing who they are.
In this episode:
- What kids actually remember about their hockey experience
- What it actually takes to succeed at the next level
- A coaching philosophy built on humans first, hockey second
Whether you’re in the grind, on the fence, or already down the rabbit hole, this one’s a gut check - in the best way.
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New routines, new teams, big emotions - here’s how to show up.
This week, Scott and Jamie open up about the quiet signs that something might be off - not with the game, but with the kid. From sudden shifts in attitude to the moments where effort just disappears, this episode is about how to support your player when they’re struggling in ways they can’t explain yet.
In this episode:
- Jamie breaks down how outside stress can sneak into the rink
- Why early-season emotions are real and how to not dismiss them as drama
- Tools for creating space, checking in, and helping kids feel heard when they’re spinning
It’s not about fixing. It’s about paying attention and giving your kid the confidence to face the mess, not hide from it.
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A team, a town, a letter on the jersey and why it still matters.
This week, Scott and Jamie bring on CHD dad and coach Brad for a conversation that flips the usual script. Instead of chasing the “next level,” they ask: what if the best thing for your kid is right in front of them?
It’s not about exposure. It’s not about rankings. It’s about belonging, identity, and the kind of growth that happens when you play for more than just yourself.
In this episode:
- Why high school hockey still builds something travel often can’t
- The surprising value of not being the best kid on the team
- How town pride, student sections, and shared locker rooms shape players differently
- A reminder that the path isn’t always “up” - sometimes it’s right where you are
Whether your kid’s wearing varsity letters or still chasing them, this one’s a grounded take on what the game still offers when you zoom out a little.
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When the season shows up and punches you in the mouth.
The puck has dropped, emotions are high, and reality is… well, real. This week, Scott and Jamie debrief their opening weekends full of highs, lows, quiet panic, and that familiar reminder: this is going to be a ride.
In this episode:
No big rants. No hot takes. Just two dads checking themselves before the season gets away from them.
If your weekend felt great and slightly soul-crushing… you’re in the right place.
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And its a marathon not a sprint...
Day 5 of CHD Mini-Camp: Be the Chill You Want to See
It’s one thing to tell your kid to stay composed, it’s another to actually model it. In the final day of Mini-Camp, Scott and Jamie talk about staying calm when emotions spike, mistakes pile up, and your parent brain wants to explode in the parking lot.
Because your kid doesn’t just need feedback, they need an anchor. And your energy sets the tone.
In this episode:
Tool of the Day: “Model the Reset”
You don’t have to be perfect - just grounded enough to show them how it’s done.
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Day 4 of CHD Mini-Camp: Mindset & Mental Recovery
One bad shift. One rough weekend. One emotional post-game chirp from the backseat. That’s all it takes to send a kid’s confidence into a spiral.
In Day 4 of Mini-Camp, Scott and Jamie go deep on what it really takes to keep your player mentally upright when things get messy. From post-game meltdowns to “two stars and a wish” feedback, this episode is your guide to protecting confidence without sugarcoating or making it worse.
In this episode:
Takeaway Tool: “Stability > Stats”
Protect the mindset - stay positive, even when the game wasn’t.
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Day 3 of CHD Mini-Camp: Managing Expectations
If you've ever told your kid, “Why can’t you skate like Johnny?”, this one’s for you.
Today, Scott and Jamie get honest about the silent killer of youth hockey joy: comparison. From slapshot envy to AAA pressure spirals, this episode is a call to stop parenting the imaginary prodigy in your head… and start supporting the actual human in your house.
In this episode:
Plus: Jamie admits to being pickleball stud, Scott confesses a dad-text before his men's league championship, and both CHD boys model how not to blow it in the driveway.
Takeaway Tool: “Progress > Paranoia”
Measure against yesterday, not someone else’s kid.
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Because bottling it up never helped anyone.
Day 2 of CHD Mini-Camp is here, and today’s tool might just save your sanity: communication.
Scott and Jamie break down what happens when parents don’t say the thing they’re dying to say and what usually happens when they say it too soon. From 24-hour rules to sideline showdowns, this is your guide to keeping it together, getting it out, and doing it the right way.
In this episode:
Takeaway Tool: “Clear is Kind”
Say what needs to be said as the camera sees it, not as your emotions tell it.
If you're headed into a season with big feelings, tough rosters, or just general unease... don’t go quiet. Speak up, but speak smart.
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Day 1 of CHD Mini-Camp: Resetting your parent brain for the season ahead
Welcome to the first-ever Crazy Hockey Dads Mini-Camp! Five days, five quick hits to help you kick off the season without losing your damn mind.
In this episode, Scott and Jamie break down one of the easiest things to forget (and the most important to remember): why you signed up in the first place. Because before the standings, the car rides, and the goalie drama... there was a good reason you said yes to youth hockey.
In this one:
Plus: The international listener base keeps growing, laces still haven’t been ordered, and yes, Brazil plays hockey.
Takeaway Tool: “Joy = the Multiplier”
Fun fuels confidence, effort, and long-term growth. Ask if they enjoyed it, not just how they played.
If the season’s just starting and you’re already tense... this one’s for you.
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A masterclass in pretending not to care (while caring way too much).
This week, Scott and Jamie hit that weird in-between space every hockey parent knows: when you want to scream into the glass… but don’t. You stay cool. You say the right things. You nod at the coach and smile at the other parents. But inside? You’re spiraling.
In this episode:
If you’ve ever sat through a bad shift pretending to scroll your phone, this one’s for you.
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Untangling your identity from your kid’s hockey career - without losing your mind.
With the season fast approaching and tryouts in the rearview, it’s the perfect time for a gut check - not for your kid, but for you. Jamie shares a tough but honest reflection on a stretch where Dom's own stress and uncertainty started showing up in his skating. A humbling reminder of how connected our energy is to theirs.
In this episode:
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being aware and being willing to shift, even just a little. If you’ve ever wondered whether your presence is helping or hurting, this episode might bring some clarity… and maybe even a little peace.
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We’re not saying you should do video review for mites… but we kinda did. This week, Scott and Jamie welcome Erik Cagnina from Athletic Performance Insight (API) to break down how game film and analytics are changing the youth hockey game - and why more teams (and parents) are leaning into the data.
From tagging every offside to breaking down goalie angles, it’s a look at how video tools can actually help kids develop, when used with a little perspective.
In this episode:
- Yes, there was film review at 8U. Yes, it was a Crazy Hockey Dad/Coach thing.
- How AA hockey can still be part of your path to Junior or D1
- Weekly Rant: A jersey number saga, a Crosby tantrum, and a lesson in listening to your kid
If you’ve ever lugged a monitor into a hotel conference room or wondered if you’re doing too much - this one’s your therapy session.
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In Part 2 with guest dad Chris Vollmer, we go deeper into the Bantam transition and what it really takes to keep your kid thriving without losing your mind (or your mortgage). From skipping spring to simplifying the schedule, Chris shares how they’re doing it their way this season and why that’s more than enough.
In this episode:
- Spring? Skipped it. Summer? About that…
- What one season, one team looks like in Tier 1
- Why trusting your gut matters more than following the herd
If you're staring down another packed calendar, this is the calm-in-the-chaos perspective every hockey parent needs.
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In our first-ever guest episode, we sit down with hockey dad Chris Vollmer, whose son is heading into Bantam Minor - and full contact - this fall. We talk through what that shift really means, the emotional and financial toll of chasing elite AAA hockey, and the moments that make it all feel worth it.
In this episode:
If you're entering the checking years or deep in the elite chaos - this one’s for you.
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It’s not just about hockey. It’s about who they’re becoming.
This week, Scott and Jamie slow it down - just a little - to zoom out on what this sport actually gives back. Yes, the weekends are chaos, and yes, the skates still don’t fit right. But in between the hotel breakfasts and 3v3 tournaments, something bigger is happening.
In this episode:
- Independence, confidence, and resilience - how hockey shapes kids for life
- The hidden wins: tying skates, bouncing back from cuts, finding your crew
- What parents learn too: humility, patience, and perspective
- Weekly Rant: a Nashville dad meltdown and what not to do on a tournament weekend
Plus: a revisit on skate costs, international CHD listeners in Sweden, and a reminder that even the messiest weekends might be the ones that stick.
If you’ve ever wondered if all the effort is worth it - this one’s your answer.
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