PowerTech Development Podcast

The Matterhorn Fit All-Path Series is here including the Western, Ontario, and Quebec.
Coach Eric will be leading the charge with the All-Path Ontario event with NCAA Division 1 and OHL programs set to join!

Visit matterhornfitevents.com to REQUEST REGISTRATION!

Wondering where we've been?
Big announcement coming soon!

In this Q&A episode of the PowerTech Development Podcast, Eric and Andy answer real questions submitted by hockey parents and players from across North America.
From navigating early development in U13 to handling politics, effort, and opportunity at U18, this conversation tackles some of the most common (and misunderstood) challenges in youth and junior hockey.
This episode is all about clarity, confidence, and perspective whether you're a player, a parent, or a coach trying to support the right way.

TIMESTAMPS:
08:00 – Q1: U13 AAA & extra skills sessions — what’s too much?
12:30 – Q2: How do you teach “compete” to a 15U player?
17:40 – Q3: U18AA girl aiming for D3 — how to stand out without being flashy
26:00 – Q4: Coach plays favorites and doesn’t reward effort — should parents step in?
30:15 – Q5: 15 y/o working out but doesn’t feel like he’s improving
38:00 – Q6: Coach wants development, parents want wins — how to manage the gap
42:30 – Q7: My kid is dialed in on nutrition — what’s next?
50:40 – Q8: Choosing between prep hockey and Canadian Jr/OHL

This episode was fueled by questions from our audience.
Have a question for a future Q&A? Send it in.

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In this episode of the PowerTech Development Podcast, Eric and Andy open up about the things they wish more hockey parents knew earlier - especially during the intense and emotional U16/U18 years.
With so much focus on the OHL Draft, rankings, and comparison, many families lose sight of what truly matters in a player’s long-term development. This conversation cuts through the noise and delivers honest advice rooted in experience — both as coaches and as parents.
If you’re navigating the pre-draft years, or even just trying to support your kid the right way, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.
What You’ll Learn
Why comparison ruins joy… and progress

The mindset that separates long-term developers from short-term hype

What parents should stop saying (even with good intentions)

Why rankings and draft predictions don’t tell the full story

What actually matters at the junior level and how it’s different from youth hockey

TIMESTAMPS
02:30 – Setting proper expectations during the draft year
06:30 – “Comparison is the thief of joy” — how it shows up in hockey
07:30 – A realistic, long-term approach for families
09:40 – When parents push too hard — and why it backfires
10:15 – The problem with subscription rankings and overhype
12:00 – Don’t promise your kid where they’ll be drafted
15:00 – Outperforming others doesn’t always equal opportunity
17:30 – Evolving into a learner — not just a performer
20:00 – Don’t expect someone else’s lucky break to be yours
21:00 – “When did you become a scout?” — over-analysis from the stands
29:00 – What most don’t understand about junior hockey vs. youth hockey
35:00 – Identifying your market — where do you actually fit?
38:00 – Be willing to take the ego hit for development
42:00 – Parents: Don’t add to the emotional weight your kid already carries
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🎧 New episodes weekly — subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📲 Follow us: @powertechonline | @epzolo
Want to support the show? Become a ⁠MEMBER⁠ or reach out for sponsorships ⁠HERE⁠.

In this episode of the PowerTech Development Podcast, Eric sits down with Brian Gill, an NHLPA Certified Agent with Maloney and Thompson, to pull back the curtain on what agents actually do, and what families think they do.
This isn’t a conversation about multimillion-dollar NHL contracts. It’s about the junior-level journey, the questions families are asking, the decisions players face, and the role of a good agent in guiding the process.
Brian shares what his day-to-day looks like, how they onboard families, and what traits he looks for in young athletes. He also speaks openly about some common misconceptions like thinking an agent is going to magically “get you there.”
Whether you're a parent, coach, or player, this episode delivers a grounded, honest perspective from someone in the trenches of high-performance hockey development.
What You’ll Learn
What agents actually do and don’t do for young players

When it’s the right time to get an agent

Key differences between agents and advisors

What top players do differently - habits, mindset, and sacrifices

Why are you deciding to get an agent?

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Intro to the episode and Brian Gill’s background
02:50 – How Brian got started with Maloney and Thompson
05:50 – A day in the life: What an agent’s work looks like
06:45 – What services does the agency provide players and families?
09:50 – Is there a standard onboarding process or is it customized case by case?
13:40 – What Brian looks for in the players he chooses to represent
17:00 – Agents don’t have “magic powers” — it’s still up to the player
18:40 – Is the OHL Draft a reason to get an agent? What families need to understand
22:40 – The real difference between agents and advisors
25:20 – Advice for players who aren’t top prospects — should they even be thinking about agents?
29:30 – Work-life balance: What elite players do differently
32:00 – Habits of high-end athletes: focus, structure, consistency
34:00 – Where should players actually be playing? Fit vs. prestige
36:00 – The role great coaches play in a player's growth
42:00 – What today’s players are missing — it’s not skill, it’s awareness
Thanks to Brian and the Maloney and Thompson team for making this episode possible.
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🎧 New episodes weekly — subscribe on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
📲 Follow us: @powertechonline | @epzolo

Want to support the show? Become a ⁠MEMBER⁠ or reach out for sponsorships ⁠HERE⁠.

In this episode of the PowerTech Development Podcast, Eric and Andy reflect on the parenting journey from early youth hockey days to one of the biggest milestones in any hockey family: the NHL Draft.
Andy shares the emotional experience of watching his son get drafted to the Dallas Stars, how he navigated being both a coach and a dad, and where he sometimes went too far. Together, they offer honest, real-world advice for parents who want to support their kids without pushing them too hard.
This episode is packed with insight for anyone involved in youth sports — parents, coaches, and players alike.
Key Themes:
Why time changes your perspective as a parent

The difference between “nudging” and “pushing” your child

Letting kids take ownership of their development

Creating safe, honest environments for young athletes

Why enjoying the journey matters more than the outcome

02:00 – Time Passing: Eric reflects on growing out of playing; Andy on stepping away from business and battling complacency
09:00 – NHL Draft Moment: Andy shares the experience of watching his son get drafted by the Dallas Stars 14:30 – Never Forced: Why Andy never made his son play or pressured him to pursue hockey
17:30 – Nudge, Don’t Push: What it means to support your kid without forcing them
26:30 – Player Autonomy: Letting athletes come up with ideas and make choices
29:50 – Honest Development Environments: Eric on removing judgment so players don’t hide struggles
34:00 – Overstepping: Andy shares times he went too far as a parent and coach
39:00 – Long-Term Perspective: Andy’s goals when his son started playing vs. now
49:00 – Enjoy the Journey: Why parents need to take pride in the process, not just the results
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube 📲 Follow us: @powertechonline | @epzolo
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