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Hockey
#59 - Coach A & Gards | Late Games, Tournament Chaos & Building Teams That Actually Work
The Hockey Lab Podcast›
Dec 9, 202521:28
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Hockey
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Episode 59 dives into a bunch of things every hockey family deals with but no one really talks about — late-night game times, rink shortages, kids getting home at 1AM, and how it impacts performance the next day.
We get into tournament season too. Silver Stick, Buffalo, Vaughan, Marlies… it's non-stop, and for a lot of players the year ends before January.
Then we shift into something that actually matters long-term: how to build a real team. Not an all-star roster — a team. Roles, line fit, chemistry, who complements who, and why coaches overthink it every single year.
We also talk Olympic selection, playing styles, and some behind-the-scenes stories — from tiny beds in Italy to how the officiating changed the way tournaments were played.
Plus some thoughts on Bedard, Salabrini, Crosby, McKinnon and why having elite players push each other actually matters.
Simple episode. Honest conversation. Real hockey life.
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The Hosts
Coach Adrian (A) @championshiplifestyle
Head Strength Coach at Gary Roberts Performance.
Fun Fact – Fought professionally in MMA for nearly a decade.
Coach Ryan (Gards)
On-Ice Coach at Gary Roberts Performance. Veteran of over 1000 NLA (Switzerland's Top League) games, 5 Spengler Cups, 3 World Championships, and 1 Olympics.
Fun Fact – His grandfather Cal is a "Top 100 Leaf of All Time."
Gary Roberts Performance hosts this podcast. If you're looking to take your game to the next level, GRP offers comprehensive training programs for elite hockey play
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Listen guide
"#59 - Coach A & Gards | Late Games, Tournament Chaos & Building Teams That Actually Work" is an episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast. Runtime 21 min. Published December 9, 2025. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.
