It's hard to believe we've been at this for a full year.
With nearly 60 episodes in the books, we decided it was time to revisit some of the conversations that helped define our inaugural season.
In Best of Season 1 – Part 1, we highlight six memorable episodes featuring Bob Mancini (USA Hockey), Coach Bob Jakubeck's tribute to Colin Brown and 72 Acts of Kindness, Swedish and Finnish player development with Jon Lind and Pyry Lukkarila, the growth of girls hockey with Coach Rachel Bartlett, expanding hockey in the Florida Panhandle with Coach Carlos Villa, and the importance of developing resilient, confident athletes with Jeff Brown of The Mindful Hockey Club.
Whether you missed these episodes the first time or want to hear them again, this collection showcases many of the ideas, stories, and people that have made our first season so rewarding.
Part 2 arrives next week!
If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with a fellow hockey family. Your support helps us continue bringing meaningful conversations to players, parents, coaches, and fans across the hockey community.

Support the show

Stay connected with 2 Many Men on the Mic:

📸 Follow us on Instagram
@twomanymenpodcast

🌐 Download coaching resources, drills, and practice plans
www.2manymenonthemic.com

▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes, clips, and coaching content
http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic

It turns out the answer isn't winning.
In this episode of 2 Many Men on the Mic, Jared and Drew explore one of the biggest challenges facing youth hockey today: keeping the game fun while still helping players develop.
The conversation begins with lessons from the Stanley Cup, coaching philosophy, and one of the hosts' favorite practice games before welcoming Dr. Adam Gledhill of Loughborough University.
Drawing from his recent international research on youth hockey, Adam explains why effort, enjoyment, positive coaching, and healthy team environments matter more than many adults realize.
Together they discuss:
• Why children value trying their best over simply winning
• The biggest contributors to player enjoyment
• Why athletes leave sports during adolescence
• "Connection Before Correction" and modern coaching
• How parents can positively shape a child's experience
• Practical ways to create hockey environments players never want to leave
If you're a coach, parent, administrator, or player who wants hockey to remain a lifelong passion, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Enjoy the show?
Please subscribe, leave us a review, and share the episode with another hockey family. Your support helps us continue bringing conversations that make hockey more fun—and help more kids stay in the game.

Support the show

Stay connected with 2 Many Men on the Mic:

📸 Follow us on Instagram
@twomanymenpodcast

🌐 Download coaching resources, drills, and practice plans
www.2manymenonthemic.com

▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes, clips, and coaching content
http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic

The Stanley Cup Final may be over, but the lessons for youth hockey players and coaches are just getting started.

This week, Coach Jared and Coach Drew break down key moments from the championship series and discuss how Carolina's identity—relentless forechecking, committed backchecking, net-front presence, and team-first hockey—can translate directly into youth hockey development.

The guys analyze Jordan Staal's dominance around the crease, Jacob Slavin's elite defensive habits, and the collective commitment that helped Carolina capture hockey's ultimate prize. Along the way, they share practice drills and coaching concepts that can help players become more effective and help coaches build stronger team identities.

The episode also includes updates on the upcoming 2 Many Men on the Mic acoustic performance, support from Five B Designs, and the launch of the show's initiative to help make hockey more affordable through donated skates and sticks for youth players.

Topics Include:

• Stanley Cup Final analysis
• Team identity and culture
• Forechecking and offensive zone pressure
• Backchecking and defensive responsibility
• Net-front play and scoring habits
• Practice drills for coaches
• Growing the game and making hockey more affordable

Subscribe, follow, and share the show with a hockey family, coach, or player who loves the game.

Hockey is more fun the better you get at it.

Support the show

Stay connected with 2 Many Men on the Mic:

📸 Follow us on Instagram
@twomanymenpodcast

🌐 Download coaching resources, drills, and practice plans
www.2manymenonthemic.com

▶️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full episodes, clips, and coaching content
http://www.youtube.com/@2ManyMenontheMic