Why are hockey players — including NHLers — getting hooked on Padel and pickleball? Ryan explains how hand-eye coordination, quick-twitch movement, communication, control, reaction time and rapid transitions between offense and defense make these sports a surprisingly natural complement to hockey.
Then Grant “The Killer” Salsman puts Drew and Jared through Blues vs. Red Wings Hockey Trivia — complete with questionable answers, an official challenge, some ChatGPT slander, overtime and, finally, a long-awaited victory.
With September around the corner, the guys also talk about building a team identity, defining what a “good shift” actually means, making practices competitive without forgetting the fun, and why sometimes good coaching means hiding the vegetables in the ice cream.
Plus, we tease next week’s guests: The Hockey Guys — and a big new sponsorship announcement aimed squarely at hockey families.
Thanks to Vantage Credit Union, Five B Designs and Drift Hockey for supporting 2 Many Men on the Mic.
👍 Like. Subscribe. Follow. Rate. Review.
🏒 And don't forget to enter Vantage Credit Union's monthly drawing for a $100 Pure Hockey gift card.
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

USA Hockey's new Development League is coming in 2027–28, with 32 programs, 15U and 17U teams and an emphasis on development, training and creating additional pathways toward junior and college hockey.
But Drew and Jared want to look at it from a different perspective: What could it mean for the 90% of youth hockey players competing at the A, B and C levels?
Could fewer games and a greater emphasis on development eventually trickle down throughout youth hockey? Could it reduce some of the pressure to chase letters, tournaments and exposure at younger ages? Or are we simply creating another rung on the youth hockey ladder — and another reason for parents to worry that their kid is falling behind?
We don't pretend to have all the answers. That's why we're excited to welcome USA Hockey's Bob Mancini next monthto explain the Development League, its goals and what USA Hockey hopes it can accomplish.
Then it's Drill Draw presented by Drift Hockey, featuring a 4v2/4v3 power-play concepts game, followed by something considerably less educational: Stupid Hockey Tricks — Pickleball Edition!
A huge thank you to our presenting sponsor, Vantage Credit Union, including their monthly chance to win a $100 Pure Hockey gift card.
If you enjoy the show, follow the podcast, leave us a rating, subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow 2 Many Men on the Mic on Instagram. Every like, follow and subscription helps us continue bringing youth hockey conversations, coaches and guests to the show.

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

What should a hockey parent actually say on the ride home from the rink?
This week, Drew and Jared welcome Ken Martell, USA Hockey Senior Director of Player and Coach Development, for a conversation about one of the most important—and sometimes complicated—relationships in youth hockey: the player, the parent and the coach.
Ken talks about avoiding “car coaching,” helping kids learn to advocate for themselves, why coaches should overcommunicate, the pressure created by the cost of youth hockey, and why the best youth coaches aren't necessarily the ones teaching the fanciest systems—they're the ones helping kids fall in love with the game.
One of our favorite takeaways from Ken:
“Learning is done by the learner, not to the learner.”
We also put Ken on the whiteboard for a new Drill Draw featuring puck retrieval, pressure, awareness and decision-making—quickly dubbed “Martell’s Mayhem.”
Plus: Olympic goalie trivia, Patrick Kane and JVR, Drew's looming mountains, and our upcoming live acoustic gig at Fallon’s.
And don't forget: Vantage Credit Union is giving away a $100 Pure Hockey gift card every month! Listen for details on how to enter.
Follow, subscribe and rate 2 Many Men on the Mic, and visit 2ManyMenOnTheMic.com for more episodes, drills and hockey content.

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 hockey season is getting closer, and this week we're talking about what that means for players, parents, coaches, and organizations across Missouri.

Missouri Hockey President Chris Durso joins Coach Jared and Coach Drew to discuss new initiatives, electronic game sheets, rink growth, and what's ahead for hockey in our region.

Plus, we're excited to announce a new partnership with Vantage Credit Union that benefits our listeners.

🎉 Every month, one listener will win a $100 Pure Hockey Gift Card! Listen to learn how to enter and don't miss your chance to win.

If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, follow us on YouTube, leave a review, and share the podcast with another hockey family. It helps us grow the game and reach more listeners every week.

Presented by Vantage Credit Union — Where St. Louis Banks with Confidence.

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 offseason doesn’t mean the hockey fun has to stop!

This week, we’re launching three brand-new recurring segments that you’ll be seeing throughout the year.

🏕️ Summer Campfire Stories – Jared and Drew relive funny stories from their younger hockey days that remind us why every hockey player has a few unforgettable memories.

🧠 Hockey Trivia – Hosted by Grant “The Killer” Salsman, it’s your chance to play along and test your hockey knowledge against the guys.

😂 Stupid Hockey Tricks – Inspired by David Letterman’s classic Stupid Human Tricks, Jared and Drew volunteer Grant to attempt a ridiculous hockey challenge. He’s officially become the show’s crash-test dummy…and we have a feeling this won’t be the last time.

It’s an episode full of laughs, friendly chirping, and the kind of hockey conversations you’d have hanging around the rink after the game.

If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and leave us a review. It helps us reach more hockey families and continue bringing you great guests, coaching insights, and plenty of offseason entertainment.

2 Many Men on the Mic — because hockey is more fun the better you get.

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

This week marks an exciting milestone as we celebrate the completion of our first year of 2 Many Men on the Mic.

Before looking ahead to Year Two, Jared and Drew reflect on what they've learned, thank the sponsors, guests and listeners who have made this journey possible, and discuss the vision for where the show is headed next.

The featured interview is with Olympic silver medalist Lindsey Fry, President & Co-Founder of the Arizona Kachinas. Lyndsey shares the remarkable story of growing up as one of the only girls playing hockey in Arizona, building one of the country's premier girls hockey organizations, and why developing confident players—and supportive parents—is just as important as developing elite athletes.

Some of our favorite takeaways include:

• Confidence is a skill.
• Shoot more. Attack the net.
• Let coaches coach—and parents be their child's biggest supporter.
• Build great hockey experiences before chasing the next opportunity.

Thank you for making our first year unforgettable. We can't wait to continue helping hockey families learn, grow and enjoy the game together in Year Two.

Follow the show, leave a rating, and share this episode with another hockey family.

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

What makes a hockey drill fun?
Instead of asking coaches, we asked the players.
This week's episode features youth players from around St. Louis drawing and explaining their favorite drills using the Drift Hockey whiteboard. Along the way, they share why these games keep them engaged, what coaches may not realize, and even throw a little good-natured chirping at their coaches.
From fast-paced 2-on-2 battles and continuous backchecking drills to chaos in front of the net and competitive small-area games, this episode is packed with ideas coaches can immediately add to their practice plans.
You'll also hear about summer hockey, fishing, golf, vacations, goalie personalities, and why defensemen secretly wish they were forwards.
Featured Players
• Will "Mouth" Alexander
• Simon Leeds
• Evan Alvarado
• Gabe Dulotte
• Owen Acree
Download every drill discussed during the episode at www.2ManyMenOnTheMic.com.
If you enjoy the show, please:
• Follow the podcast
• Leave us a 5-star review
• Share this episode with another hockey family or coach
• Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full video episodes and Drill Draw visual breakdowns.

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

We're closing out our inaugural Best of Season 1 series with another collection of memorable conversations that celebrate the people who make hockey such a special game.
In Part 2, we revisit our interview with Kirk Kullberg of the Anchorage Hockey Association and learn what makes Alaska's hockey community so unique. We catch up with players Blake Warren and Blake Dorn as they discuss their hockey journeys, the transition to higher levels of the game, and the lessons they've learned along the way.
We also welcome Olympic gold medalist Guy "Goose" Gosselin, who shares his experiences representing Team USA and helping grow the game through USA Hockey. Then we celebrate the Twin Bridges 10U B1 Blue Note Cup Champions with the players and coaches who made it happen before wrapping up with one of our favorite episodes—our Hockey Moms Roundtable featuring Amanda Rodgers, Tracey Brown, Beth Hasek, and Kathryn Heitzenroederfrom the Affton Americans 18U CSDHL team. Their candid conversation about parenting hockey players, supporting their families, building lifelong friendships, and embracing the youth hockey journey resonated with listeners across the hockey community.
Thank you for making our first season such an incredible experience. Whether you've been listening since Episode 1 or just discovered the show, we're grateful you're part of the 2 Many Men on the Mic family.
If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share the show with another hockey family. Your support helps us continue bringing meaningful conversations to players, parents, coaches, officials, and fans throughout the hockey world.
Remember...
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