Built Different Hockey: Mike Fournier on Non-Traditional Paths, Teaching the Game & Mental Toughness

Marc Genest introduces Between the Shifts and Stop and Start Hockey’s mission of guiding players through youth, junior, and pro hockey decisions, then welcomes former teammate Mike Fournier, founder of Built Different Hockey (BDH). Fournier shares his non-traditional path from central Massachusetts (no AAA) to the Boston Junior Bruins, the QMJHL (which ended his NCAA eligibility), the USHL and Maritime League, and a cutthroat minor pro career (234 games). He explains why he joined the Air Force, served 20 years as an analyst with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and recently retired. Returning to hockey through coaching his son Zachary, Fournier describes BDH’s small-group, classroom-style sessions focused on game details, off-puck skills, and teaching concepts, and both discuss the importance of coaching quality, long-term development, and choosing teams for true development over a “shiny nickel” pathway.00:00 Show Intro00:19 Stop and Start Mission01:09 Meet Mike Fournier03:34 Growing Up in Mass07:21 Jump to the Q09:32 Built Different Origins11:18 Minor League Reality14:04 From Pro to Air Force16:10 20 Years of Service18:18 Back to the Rink20:14 Partners and Sponsors21:50 Youth Hockey Today25:21 Teaching Game Details27:41 Coaching vs Teaching28:40 Why Skating Matters29:46 Built Different Model30:44 Teaching Real Hockey IQ34:14 Bad Coaching Problem38:55 Developing Hidden Gems42:50 Coaches Who Shaped Me44:20 Lessons From Mentors51:59 Advice Choosing Teams54:33 Wrap Up And Linkshttps://builtdifferenthockey.com/