PODCAST · sports
The Hockey Lab Podcast
by Gary Roberts Performance Productions
Thanks for checking out the pod! 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. The Hosts Coach Adrian (A)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 12 years helping some of the top NHL players – like McDavid and Stamkos – prepare for the season. Fun Fact – I fought MMA professionally for nearly a decade. Coach Ryan (Gards) Gards is the real star of the show. He is our On-Ice Coach at Gary Roberts Performance. He's a veteran of over 1000 NLA (Switzerland's Top League) games. Gard's has played in 5 Spengler Cups, 3 World Championship
Episodes
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#65 - Gary Roberts | Minor Hockey Problems, The Olympics & Why Sacrifice Is The Only Shortcut
Is the minor hockey system actually building better players — or just keeping kids busy until the off-season? In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards welcome back NHL legend and GRP founder Gary Roberts for a wide-open conversation about development, sacrifice, and what...
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#64 – Ty Dellandrea | Rebuild vs Cup Contender Mindsets, NHL Poise & Why Parents Need to Back Off
What's the real difference between playing on a Stanley Cup contender… and a rebuilding team? In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast, NHL forward Ty Dellandrea breaks down the mindset shift between Dallas and San Jose, what it actually takes to stay consistent at the NHL level, and why...
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#63 - Denver Barkey| The NHL Call, Mental Game & What It Really Takes to Stick
Denver Barkey returns to The Hockey Lab Podcast to break down the moment every player dreams of — getting the call to the NHL. From packing his bags in under an hour… to skating at Madison Square Garden… to learning how to be a pro every single day, Barkey shares what the jump from junior to the...
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#62 - Saul Isaksson-Hurst| The Premier League Blueprint, 1v1 Methodology, and the Science of Scoring
In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coaches A and Gards bridge the gap between the rink and the pitch by welcoming world-renowned individual skill specialist Saul Isaksson-Hurst. With over 20 years of experience at elite academies like Chelsea and Tottenham, Saul joins the lab to break…
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#61 - Coach A & Gards | ODR Stories, World Junior Fallout, and the Path to the NHL (Zhilkin & Barkey)
In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coaches A and Gards usher in 2026 by exploring the enchantment of outdoor hockey and the tough realities of international competition. From wild anecdotes at local outdoor rinks to the intense scrutiny of Canada's World Junior performance, the hosts…
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#60 - Coach A & Gards | 5 Things Every Hockey Player Needs to Nail (From Multitasking to Consistency)
In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards break down five core things every hockey player needs to nail — regardless of position, level, or age. From watching the World Juniors in Christmas pajamas to skating with pros, the conversation starts light and quickly gets real....
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#59 - Coach A & Gards | Late Games, Tournament Chaos & Building Teams That Actually Work
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...
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#58 Matteo Di Blasio | Triple-A Late Bloomer, JR/Pro League Stories, & How Modern Kids Develop
In Episode ___ of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards sit down with GRP coach Mateo DeBlasio to unpack one of the most unconventional hockey journeys we've ever featured. From house league at 12 years old… to AA, AAA, Junior C, OJHL, NOJHL, GOJHL, D3 NCAA, and even pro hockey in the...
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#57 Sylvie Vilaca | Eat. Sleep. Perform. Repeat. — Building Fuel & Recovery Habits Like the Pros
In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A, Coach Gards, and Sylvie dig into one of the biggest challenges for athletes — fueling properly. From moose meat chili to late-night snacks, they break down how nutrition, sleep, and recovery tie directly into performance. You'll learn: 🔥 Why…
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Mindset Monday #80 | Willing to Be Bored to Be Successful
If you want to be great at anything, you've got to learn to love the boring stuff. The truth? Success isn't built on highlight reels — it's built on repetition, focus, and doing the same small things right every single day. Effort. Over. Time....
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#56 - Coach A & Gards | It's More Than a Game: Joy, Pathways & What Really Builds Players
This week on The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards dive deep into what makes the game special — and what it really takes to build a player, on and off the ice. They talk about the joy that sports bring to families, fans, and communities, the memories that stay with us forever, and how...
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Mindset Monday #79 | Making the Jump.
Struggling to adjust after moving up a level? Whether it's a new league, new team, or higher competition, that jump can feel uncomfortable — but that's where growth happens. Coach A breaks down how to make the transition smoother: 👉 Focus on the basics 👉 Control what you can 👉 Build confidence...
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#55 - Coach A & Gards | The Hockey Grind, Legacy Deals, and Lessons from the Game
This week on The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards break down what makes hockey culture so special — from PWHL players getting ready for training camp and wild goalie stories to one of the biggest contract discounts in the league. They dive into: The pre-camp grind and how players prep...
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Mindset Monday #78 | When Your Coach Calls You Out — How to Handle Feedback Like a Pro
In this Mindset Monday episode, Coach A breaks down one of the hardest moments in any athlete's journey — being called out by your coach. From his own experience as a fighter training under coach Linden Whitlock, he shares how learning to separate intent from delivery changed everything. If you...
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#54 - Karl Stewart | Undrafted to NHL Scout: Finding Your Identity in Hockey
In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards sit down with Karl Stewart — former NHL player and current NHL scout — to talk about what it really takes to make it in hockey. From the disappointment of going undrafted to carving out a career through grit, adaptability, and...
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Mindset Monday #77 | The Thief of Joy: Why Comparing Yourself to Others Kills Growth
In this episode of Mindset Monday, Coach A breaks down one of the biggest mindset traps in sports — comparison. We live in a world of constant metrics, rankings, and highlights. It's easy to compare yourself to teammates, players in the league, or even the best in the world. But comparison kills...
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#53 - Sylvie Vilaca | Game Day Fuel, Recovery Meals & Nutrition Habits with Sylvie
In Episode 54 of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A, Coach Gards, and Coach Sylvie (Director of Nutrition at GRP) break down how athletes can fuel properly during the season — from game day meals to recovery strategies, and even how parents can help set their kids up for success. From keeping weight...
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Mindset Monday #76 | Do What You Can With What You Have
In Episode 76 of Mindset Monday, Coach A shares a simple but powerful message: you'll rarely have perfect conditions — in training, in school, in business, or in life. But you can still choose to execute with what you've got. From athletes battling injuries to everyday challenges where nothing...
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#52 - Coach Brian | Offseason Wins, Training Camp Chaos & Smarter In-Season Training
In Episode 53 of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A, Coach Gards, and Coach Brian break down the full cycle — from how this offseason shaped up at GRP HQ, to the chaos of training camps, and what smarter in-season training should actually look like. From injuries and nagging issues that players…
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Mindset Monday #75 | Why Environment Matters More Than Anything for Success
In this episode of Mindset Monday, Coach A breaks down one of the biggest difference-makers in success: your environment. Talent, skill, and even the perfect program won't matter if the people and culture around you are pulling you in the wrong direction. Your environment should challenge you…
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Mindset Monday #74 | Believe in the Process: Why Small Steps Build Big Success
In this episode of Mindset Monday, Coach A breaks down a powerful truth: you don't always have to believe in the end goal right away — you just need to believe in your ability to get better. Doubts and insecurities are normal. The championship, the top line, the NHL, the big dream — all of it can...
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#51 - Coach A & Gards | From Minor to Pro: In-Season Training, Schedules & Team Culture
In Episode 51 of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards cover a little bit of everything — from the infamous "beep test vs. beef test" slip-up, to pros vs. joes moments at GRP HQ, to the wild sticks and setups some of our players bring through the door. But the real meat of the convo…
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#50 - Coach A & Gards | Training Camps Bag Skates, Cheating Drills & Goalies
In Episode 50 of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards break down the end-of-summer grind at GRP HQ and what it means as athletes transition into training camp season. From the bad habit of rushing through drills to the lessons players should carry into camp, they dig into how attention...
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#49 Coach A & Gards | Back in Action: Culture, Pros, and Lessons from the Off-Season
In Episode 49 of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards are back after a long overdue break to talk all things GRP's new era—from the chaos of opening our brand-new facility to the culture that's been building between pros, youth athletes, and executives under one roof. They break down...
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Mindset Monday #73 | Why Building Over Seasons Is the Only Way to Succeed
In this episode of Mindset Monday, Coach A delivers a must-hear message for every athlete: if you want to see real progress, you have to build season over season. Whether it's strength, speed, skill development, or nutrition—results don't happen in 8 weeks. They come from showing up, stacking…
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Mindset Monday #72 | Growth and Comfort Can't Coexist
In Mindset Monday #72, Coach A breaks down a truth every athlete needs to hear: growth and comfort can't exist at the same time. Whether it's lifting weights, eating for performance, or chasing a spot at the next level—the process will be uncomfortable. And that's exactly how it should be. This...
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Mindset Monday #71 |Walk Your Own Path
In this week's Mindset Monday, Coach A explores the idea that every athlete walks a different path—and that's not only okay, it's necessary. Whether you're a late bloomer, a role player, or someone who's still figuring it out, this episode is your reminder that comparison kills momentum. Lean…
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Mindset Monday #70 | Just Start: Why Action Beats Perfection Every Time
"I'll start when…" is holding you back. In this episode of Mindset Monday, Coach A challenges you to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start now—whether it's a new training plan, team, nutrition habit, or skill. You're going to feel uncomfortable. You're going to be bad at it. And that's...
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#48 Lucas "Pace" Azeredo Lobo | NHL Playoffs, Speed Development, and Why Off-Ice Sprinting Matters
In Episode 48 of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A and Coach Gards sit down with Coach Luke, our head of speed and agility at GRP, to talk all things off-ice speed development, why intent matters more than perfect technique, and how to structure effective sprint sessions for athletes of all ages....
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Mindset Monday #69 | Why Belief in the Process Beats Chasing the Perfect Plan
In Episode 69 of Mindset Monday, Coach A delivers a no-fluff breakdown of why believing in your training and committing to the process is more important than chasing the "perfect" plan. Drawing from Canada's recent struggles in international play and what he's seen firsthand in the gym, Coach A...
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#47 - Coach A & Gards | Leafs Reality Check, Offseason Transition, and Maintaining Focus in the Summertime
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.…
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#46 - Cody Hodgson | Malignant Hyperthermia, Pro Comeback, and Coaching the Next Gen
Cody Hodgson sits down with Coach A and Gards to share his incredible journey—from battling Malignant Hyperthermia, a rare and life-altering medical condition, to making a remarkable comeback to pro hockey, and now turning his focus to coaching the next generation of athletes. Cody opens up about...
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#45 - Coach A & Coach Hugo | Consistency In Training, Cold DM's, and Working at GRP
In this episode of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A sits down with Coach Hugo to talk about his path to joining the Gary Roberts Performance team. From starting as an intern to becoming a key part of the coaching staff, Hugo shares the steps he took, the challenges he faced, and the valuable…
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Mindset Monday #68 | Coachability: Turning Feedback Into Fuel
Great athletes aren't just physically gifted—they're coachable. In this episode of Mindset Monday, Coach A breaks down why taking feedback from coaches is a crucial part of growth. Whether it's tough to hear or not what you expected, learning to receive and apply feedback separates average from...
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#44 - Coach A & Gards | Vegas Trip, 28 Offseason Tips, and OHL Playoffs
In Episode 43 of The Hockey Lab Podcast, Coach A & Gards are back with a packed episode that covers it all—from a wild trip to Vegas to 28 actionable offseason tips every hockey player should hear. Whether you're a junior player gearing up for your next season or a parent looking to support your...
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Mindset Monday #67 | The Role of Suffering in Sport & Why It Leads to Growth
Pain isn't just part of the process—it's where growth happens. In this episode of Mindset Monday, Coach A dives deep into the role of suffering in sport and training and why some of the most valuable lessons come from the toughest moments. From gruelling workouts to heartbreaking losses…
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Mindset Monday #66 | Knowing Your Role
Knowing your role on the ice and within your team is key to success. Not everyone can be McDavid, and that's not the point—hockey's about finding your strengths, owning them, and getting better at what you do best. Tune in for a conversation that'll inspire you to sharpen your skills, embrace…
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#43 - Coach A & Gards | 4 Nations Wrap-up, Minor Hockey Playoff Season, & The In-Between Season
Coach A & Gards break down the wrap-up of the highly successful Four Nations Faceoff, revealing key insights about the future of hockey. 🏒🔥 Gards also highlights the minor hockey playoff season across the GTA—what it takes to perform under pressure and how young players can stand out. Plus, a...
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Mindset Monday #65 | The Power of Body Language in Hockey
Your body language can make or break your game. In this Mindset Monday episode, Coach A explains how the way you carry yourself—on and off the ice—directly impacts performance, confidence, and even the way coaches and scouts perceive you. Slumped shoulders after a bad shift? It lingers. Head up,...
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Mindset Monday #64 | The 80/20 Rule in Training & Performance
Not all effort is created equal. In Mindset Monday #64, Coach A breaks down the 80/20 Rule—how 20% of your actions drive 80% of your results in training, recovery, and performance. Whether it's refining your on-ice skills, dialing in nutrition, or optimizing recovery, focusing on what truly…
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Mindset Monday #63 | Taking Accountability
Accountability builds champions. Coach A shares a story about how Coach Brian called out the GR squad for a messy gym—forcing the team to step up, take ownership, and get the ship sailing straight again. Small details matter, and discipline off the ice translates to success on it. Thanks for...
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#42 - 4 Nations Final, OHL Draft Pressure & The Decline of Team Hockey
In this episode, we break down the Four Nations Finals and what it revealed about the importance of team play in hockey. As the game evolves, are we losing the true essence of playing for something bigger than ourselves? We also dive into the OHL Draft, discussing the stress young players face in...
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#41 - Sylvie Tetrault | Are You Eating Enough Food?
On today's episode, Sylvie joins the team to chat about nutrition basics and why you need to be eating enough food. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for checking out the pod! We're on a mission to help 1 million hockey players…
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Mindset Monday #62 | Diminishing Returns
In today's episode, Coach A talks diminsihing returns. Having the mental fortitude to rest when you need it is a skill all great athletes must learn. Thanks for checking out the pod! We're on a mission to help 1 million hockey players level up their game. If that sounds like something you'd be...
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Mindset Monday #61 | Decision Fatigue
In today's episode, Coach A talks about Decision Fatigue and how it can impact performance. Thanks for checking out the pod! 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...
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Mindset Monday #60 | Playing Down To Your Opponents
In today's episode, Coach A talks about the trap of playing down to your opponents and how you can avoid it. Thanks for checking out the pod! 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...
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Mindset Monday #59 | Block Out All Distractions
In today's episode, Coach A talks about blocking out distractions so you can stay focused on your goals. Thanks for checking out the pod! 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...
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#40 - Coach A | How To Improve Your Shot
On today's episode, Coach A rips a solo pod talking about how to improve your shot. He covers technology, technique, training, and timing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks for checking out the pod! We're on a mission to help 1...
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Mindset Monday #58 | Put Us In A Box (A Lesson From Coach Schwab)
In today's episode, Coach A talks about Coach Schwab and why training partners matter more than where you train. Thanks for checking out the pod! 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…
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Mindset Monday #57 | Try To Be Perfect
In today's episode, Coach A talks about why you should try to be perfect! Thanks for checking out the pod! 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…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Thanks for checking out the pod! 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. The Hosts Coach Adrian (A)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 12 years helping some of the top NHL players – like McDavid and Stamkos – prepare for the season. Fun Fact – I fought MMA professionally for nearly a decade. Coach Ryan (Gards) Gards is the real star of the show. He is our On-Ice Coach at Gary Roberts Performance. He's a veteran of over 1000 NLA (Switzerland's Top League) games. Gard's has played in 5 Spengler Cups, 3 World Championship
HOSTED BY
Gary Roberts Performance Productions
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Hockey Lab Podcast have?
The Hockey Lab Podcast currently has 145 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Hockey Lab Podcast about?
Thanks for checking out the pod! 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...
How often does The Hockey Lab Podcast release new episodes?
The Hockey Lab Podcast publishes regularly with 145 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Hockey Lab Podcast?
You can listen to The Hockey Lab Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Hockey Lab Podcast?
The Hockey Lab Podcast is created and hosted by Gary Roberts Performance Productions.
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