University of St. Thomas Head Coach Rico Blasi: Playing free, prioritizing human connection and Battle Tuesday
In episode 313 of the Glass and Out Podcast we visited the University of St. Thomas campus in Minnesota to chat with Tommies Head Coach Rico Blasi. Blasi's coaching career dates back to 1994 with the Wexford Raiders. He would take over the University of Miami (Ohio) program, his alma matter, at the ripe old age of 27 - and would eventually turn them into a perennial contender. Now in his fifth season at St. Thomas, he has the Tommies on a similar track to success in the brand new Lee & Penny Anderson Arena. As you'll hear, Blasi's story is a reminder that while we're all on our respective coaching journeys, life is happening all around us. Listen as he shares his approach to getting players to play free, why the human need for connection is a vital part of coaching, and why his favourite day of the week is "Battle Tuesdays."
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Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin: Team building philosophy, leading Team USA and preserving Minnesota community hockey
For episode 312 of the Glass and Out Podcast we had the chance to sit down with Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin at September's TCS Live Minnesota. Bill is of course a two-time Stanley Cup winner as a player and represented the United States at three Olympics. Following his playing career, he joined the Pittsburgh Penguins organziation, eventually landing in the Assistant GM role. He would then be named GM of the Wild in 2019 and would add President of Hockey Operations to his resume in 2023. In addition to his role with the Wild, he led Team USA at the Four Nations Faceoff and will also be the General Manager for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan. Needles to say, he's got a lot on his plate and he was extremly generous with his time to join us on the show. Listen as he shares his philosphy behind team building, why winning is the standard for Team USA, and the importance of preserving the Minnesota community hockey model.
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New Jersey Devils Director of Player Development Meghan Duggan: Developing hockey sense, power of vulnerability and GM aspirations
For episode 311 of the Glass and Out Podcast we welcome Meghan Duggan, Director of Player Development for the New Jersey Devils. While most fans may know her best as the Captain of Team USA, you may soon know her as a possible candidate to become the first woman General Manager in NHL history. Duggan attended the University of Wisconsin, where she would help the Badgers capture three National titles and captain the program in her senior season. In total, she represented the United States at three Olympics and eight World Championships, capturing eight Gold Medals. Following retirement, she joined the Devils as their Manager of Player Development in 2021 before being promoted to her current role a year later. Listen as she shares how she approaches developing hockey sense, the power of being a vulnerable leader and her aspirations to advance as an executive in hockey.
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Minnesota Wild Head Coach John Hynes: Designing a practice plan, performance through relationships and betting on yourself
For episode 310 of the Glass and Out Podcast we were down in St. Paul for TCS Live Minnesota and had the chance to sit down with Wild Head Coach John Hynes. The coaching conference was in support of the Minnesota Wild Foundation's Skate It Forward initiative. The Wild have a goal to cover the registration fee for every first year player in the state and provide families who benefit from the program the opportunity to pay it forward by making a donation that in turn gets another youngster on the ice. Click here for more information and to donate. Hynes is entering his third season in Minnesota and will also serve as an Assistant Coach for the U.S. Men's Team at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He started out his coaching career as an Assistant Coach at his alma mater, Boston University, and has rounded all the bases in his nearly 30 year coaching journey to eventually lead three National Hockey League teams. Listen as he shares tips on designing and executing a practice plan, why performance starts with relationship building, and the importance of betting on yourself.
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Penn State University Head Coach Guy Gadowsky: Defined team structure, high-end talent chemistry and battling adversity to the Frozen Four
In episode 309 of the Glass and Out Podcast we have the pleasure of being joined by Penn State University Head Coach Guy Gadowsky. One could argue that outside of the NHL, no hockey team in the world will receive as much attention as the Nittany Lions this upcoming season. Led by Gadowsky since 2011, the program is coming off its first trip to the Frozen Four and this offseason, recruited a ton of talent to an already loaded roster, including the consensus #1 pick in the upcoming NHL draft, Gavin McKenna. Ranked in the top 5 preseason college polls, Gadowsky had Penn State primed to make a lot of noise this season. Listen as he shares the importance of a well defined team structure, the keys to finding chemistry with high-end talent, and overcoming adversity on the way to a Frozen Four appearance.
The Coaches Site Founder Aaron Wilbur sits down with some of hockey's top coaches and leaders to learn about their journey and dissect the lessons they've learned along the way. Each episodes features key take aways for coaches of all levels. The Glass and Out Podcast is required listening for coaches looking to gain key insights from hockey's most influential leaders.
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