The Hockey Lab Podcast

In Episode 46 of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A & Gards dive into the heart of playoff season—breaking down the pressure of playing in Canadian markets, the intensity of the NHL and OHL playoffs, and what these high-stakes moments teach us about preparation, resilience, and mental toughness.

They also discuss key takeaways from recent CHL standouts, including what separates good players from great ones at the junior level. The second half of the episode shifts focus to the offseason prep window—why so many youth athletes get it wrong, how to approach GPP (General Physical Preparation) the right way, and the small habits that make a big difference.

🔥 In this episode, you'll learn:
✅ What playoff pressure reveals about players
✅ OHL Draft and CHL playoff storylines worth watching
✅ When and how young athletes should start offseason training
✅ The underrated value of simple, smart hockey

Whether you're an athlete, coach, or parent, this episode is packed with insights on development, mindset, and performance at every level.

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28 Days, 28 Tips & 28 Ways to Help Your Young Athlete Improve

We're on a mission to help 1 million hockey players level up their game. If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, then don’t miss our weekly episodes. We’ll share our experiences, interview some of the top players in the game (old and new), and provide you with actionable tips, you know, things that actually make you a better player.

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The Hosts 

Coach Adrian (A) @championshiplifestyle

From growing up in a small blue-collar Canadian city to becoming the Head Strength Coach at Gary Roberts Performance hockey has taught me many of life’s lessons. I’ve been blessed to spend the last 1