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Sharpening Your Edge

Sharpening Your Edge

Written by: CV3
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Welcome to Sharpening Your Edge — the ultimate deep dive into the world of hockey, where we go beyond the ice. Chuck Verdolino, founder and lead instructor at CV3 Hockey Development. I played Tier 1 hockey through 18 on Long Island, competed at the USA Hockey Select 15 National Camp, captained my high school team to a New York State Championship appearance, and later served as a GM in pro hockey. Now, I’m bringing that lifetime of experience to the mic. Erik Melanson, a recently retired Marine Corps officer. I spent the majority of my distinguished military career serving in special operations, where I developed and applied extensive leadership skills in high-stakes, high-performance environments. A lifelong hockey player who grew up on the rinks of Boston, I now bring that same discipline, resilience, and team-first mentality to the sport as a coach for the Philadelphia Little Flyers and as a player for the USA Warriors. My unique blend of elite military experience and deep hockey roots offers a rare perspective on performance, leadership, and the culture of the game. As co-hosts with a passion for the game, we sit down and bring you candid conversations with elite coaches, performance specialists, and hockey minds at every level to dig into what truly drives development — from mindset and leadership to training, nutrition, and recovery.Copyright 2026 CV3 Hockey Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Transforming Youth Sports: A Call for Cultural Responsibility
    Jan 5 2026

    Seth Taylor joins us to provide a profound commentary on the current state of youth sports, and reveals the complexities and challenges inherent in the system.

    Every hockey family knows the grind—early ice times, long drives, huge costs, and nonstop competition. But at what point does the grind become damaging? Seth Taylor dig deeps into the mental and emotional toll behind modern youth hockey. He talks about the parents who mean well but unknowingly increase anxiety, the coaches trying to balance development with winning, and the kids caught in the middle. This episode gives hockey families the tools to create healthier athlete-parent relationships and a more positive team culture.

    Takeaways:
    • Seth Taylor emphasizes the need for a cultural transformation in youth sports, focusing on mental and emotional health to create a healthy environment for young athletes.
    • The episode highlights the detrimental effects of an overly competitive youth sports culture, where pressure to win can lead to anxiety and trauma among children.
    • Taylor's personal journey from a reluctant athlete to a life coach illustrates the profound impact of understanding one's trauma and its manifestation in coaching practices.
    • The conversation underscores the importance of parental education in sports, advocating for a shift from a win-at-all-costs mentality to a focus on holistic player development and enjoyment.
    • The podcast discusses the significance of establishing a supportive community in youth sports, where the emphasis is placed on personal growth rather than just competition and accolades.
    • Seth Taylor advocates for a long-term vision in youth sports, suggesting that meaningful change requires dedication and a willingness to confront the entrenched issues within the industry.



    Bio

    Seth Taylor is an author, Life Coach, father, and director of content for 3A Athletics—a company dedicated to transforming youth sports into a healthy space for coaches, parents, and kids. He has written several books towards this end, including “Hero: Exploring the Depths of Parenting in Youth Sports”, "The 10 Principles of the Car Ride Home", and “The Coaching Revolution: Finding Joy and Excellence in Coaching".

    Links

    Books by Seth Taylor

    3 Athletics Website

    This episode is proudly sponsored by

    High Stick Hockey

    Your go-to source for premium hockey apparel

    Whether you're repping it on the ice or off, High Stick Hockey has the gear that delivers

    style, comfort, and durability. From the locker room to the streets, this is hockey lifestyle done right.

    And right now, podcast listeners can score 20% off your purchase at

    www.highstickhockey.co

    just use the special code CV3SAVE20 at checkout!

    Trust us, you won’t be disappointed with the quality. It’s gear that’s as tough and true as the

    game itself.

    High Stick Hockey

    Born from the rink. Built for the game.

    Play It Again Sports Newark

    When the ice calls, you answer. But to answer, you need the right gear. Play

    It Again Sports Newark has everything you need to take your game to the

    next level. From quality used gear at a great price to get you started, to top

    of the line new products for your semi-pro tournament season, Play It Again

    Sports Newark has you covered. Expert advice, custom fittings, gear that...

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Rising Together: Tiana McIntyre’s Utah Roots, Trail to Delaware’s Inaugural D-I Season, and Her Mission to Empower Young Girls in Hockey
    Dec 22 2025

    In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Tiana McIntyre, captain and senior defender for the University of Delaware Division I women’s hockey team, whose journey is anything but linear. As Tiana reminds us, “Development is up and down; it’s never static.” From her beginnings in Park City, Utah, to becoming a standout collegiate athlete, Tiana’s story highlights the resilience, passion, and community support that have shaped her path.

    We explore how her multi-sport upbringing fueled her evolution as a hockey player, what it meant to represent Utah at national camp, and how coaching alongside women’s hockey legends broadened her vision for the sport. Tiana also shares her commitment to growing the game and the importance of strong role models for the next generation of players.


    Bio

    Tiana McIntyre is one of the captains and a senior defender for the University of Delaware's Division I women's hockey team. McIntyre is from Park City, Utah, and is a graduate of Park City High School. Majoring in Psychology, McIntyre brought her talents to collegiate hockey after developing with the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite program, becoming both the first female hockey player from Utah to make the USA National Camp and the first from the state to play Division I hockey. During the 2024–25 season at Quinnipiac, she appeared in 36 games, registering 21 shots on goal and blocking 16 shots. In 2023–24, she played in 30 games, recording two assists, a plus-6 rating, eight blocked shots, and her first collegiate point in the season opener against Maine on Sept. 29. As a freshman in 2022–23, she appeared in 10 games, contributing to a roster that captured two Nutmeg Classic titles and made an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023. A multi-sport athlete in high school, McIntyre also competed in lacrosse and ski racing. Athletic excellence runs in the family—her father, Jeff, played baseball at Oklahoma State, and her mother, Tania, played basketball at St. Cloud State.

    Takeaways:

    1. Tiana McIntyre's journey from Park City, Utah, to collegiate hockey exemplifies the importance of perseverance and commitment in pursuing a passion for sports.
    2. Playing multiple sports during youth, such as skiing and lacrosse, significantly contributed to Tiana's development as a skilled hockey player.
    3. The support from family and community has been paramount in Tiana's hockey journey, underscoring the importance of teamwork and encouragement in achieving athletic success.
    4. Tiana emphasizes the necessity of transitioning to girls' hockey at an early age to adapt to the unique dynamics and pace of the women's game.
    5. The inaugural puck drop for the University of Delaware's women's hockey program marked a historic moment, signifying a commitment to advancing women's sports in the community.
    6. Tiana emphasizes the importance of mental preparation, visualization, and support systems in achieving success, both as an athlete and a leader.

    This episode is proudly sponsored by

    High Stick Hockey

    Your go-to source for premium hockey apparel

    Whether you're repping it on the ice or off, High Stick Hockey has the gear that delivers

    style, comfort, and durability. From the locker room to the streets, this is hockey lifestyle done right.

    And right now, podcast listeners can score 20% off your purchase at

    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • Breaking Barriers: The Heart of Trailer Park Sports Network
    Dec 8 2025

    The fervor and passion for hockey transcends geographical constraints, as elucidated in this enlightening discussion with Will Stevens, the visionary behind the Trailer Park Sports Network. Will, hailing from a region not traditionally associated with hockey—a cornfield and a cotton field in northern Alabama—shares his remarkable journey of discovering the sport amidst a predominantly football-loving community.

    Bio:

    Will Stephens is the creator and driving force behind the Trailer Park Sports Network, a rapidly growing platform known for its unfiltered passion, blue-collar humor, and genuine love for the game. Built from the belief that sports should be accessible, fun, and community-driven, Will has carved out a niche that blends relatable storytelling with sharp sports insight.

    With a background in content creation, Will brings a unique mix of authenticity and expertise to the sports media landscape. Whether he’s breaking down plays, highlighting local athletes, or delivering honest takes with a smile, Will’s mission is simple: celebrate the people and stories that make sports great.

    When he’s not crafting content from his natural habitat—a single wide trailer in between a corn field and a cotton field—Will is busy shining a spotlight on athletes, coaches, and sports stories that deserve way more attention than his fantasy teams ever got.

    Through Trailer Park Sports Network, he’s cultivated a loyal following that appreciates real conversations, real passion, and real impact—on and off the ice.

    Equal parts sports philosopher and front-porch comedian, Will has turned Trailer Park Sports Network into the go-to destination for people who love their sports, honest, hilarious, and just a little rough around the edges.

    Links:

    Website

    Takeaways:
    • The Trailer Park Sports Network represents an authentic and passionate approach to sports, particularly in non-traditional hockey markets.
    • Will Stevens emphasizes the significance of community in sports and the need for accessibility to hockey for fans in the South.
    • Through his journey, Will Stevens showcases the importance of personal growth and development within the sports industry.
    • The podcast highlights how unique experiences, such as meeting notable athletes or being featured in broadcasts, shape one's perspective on sports.
    • Creating engaging content for sports requires understanding one's audience and connecting with fans on a personal level.
    • The discussion illustrates the potential for growth in underrepresented sports and the necessity of fostering a broader appreciation for them.

    This episode is proudly sponsored by

    High Stick Hockey

    Your go-to source for premium hockey apparel

    Whether you're repping it on the ice or off, High Stick Hockey has the gear that delivers

    style, comfort, and durability. From the locker room to the streets, this is hockey lifestyle done right.

    And right now, podcast listeners can score 20% off your purchase at www.highstickhockey.co

    just use the special code CV3SAVE20 at checkout!

    Trust us, you won’t be disappointed with the quality. It’s gear that’s as tough and true as the game itself.

    High Stick Hockey

    Born from the rink. Built for the game.

    Play It Again Sports Newark

    When the ice calls, you answer. But to answer, you need the right gear. Play

    It Again Sports Newark has everything you need to take your game to the

    next level. From quality used gear at a great price to get you started, to top

    of the line new products for your semi-pro tournament season, Play It Again

    Sports...

    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
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