Marc welcomes Mario Therrien of TRUE Hockey as the first guest on the Between the Shifts podcast to discuss Mario’s playing background, how he entered hockey manufacturing through sticks in 2005, and how True launched in 2013 via True Temper, initially selling sticks and gloves. Mario outlines True’s expansion into skates in 2016 and goalie gear after purchasing Lefevre in 2019, noting strong NHL and Olympic adoption and growing youth presence. They emphasize True’s skate fit and the evolution from tracing feet to scanning and app-based measurements. The conversation also covers youth equipment mistakes (poor skate fit, wrong stick length/curve/flex, and lack of lie options), plus broader issues in youth and junior hockey such as winning over development, frequent trades, oversized rosters, costly ID camps, unclear feedback to cut players, and the need for game IQ. Mark closes with a True skate raffle tied to Stop and Start membership and social followers.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:52 How Mario Entered Manufacturing

02:28 Playing Career Background

03:48 True Hockey Origin Story

05:44 Product Line Expansion

07:08 Why True Skates Fit Better

08:24 Skate Tech and Scanning Evolution

12:30 Choosing the Right Stick

15:08 Curve Trends and Oates Pattern

16:34 Goalie Gear Breakthrough

18:24 Youth Hockey Challenges Today

20:01 Too Many Options

21:10 Winning Over Development

24:21 Healthy Scratches Problem

25:19 Junior Hockey Jungle

26:03 ID Camps Money Grab

27:59 Cuts Without Feedback

28:50 Skills Versus Hockey IQ

30:39 Choosing The Right Fit

34:03 Stop And Start Vision

36:20 Giveaway And Wrap Up

Marc Genest introduces the Stop and Starts podcast “Between the Shifts” and explains his background as a former pro player (450+ games) and AAA youth coach with the Carolina Junior Hurricanes. He describes how families need guidance in navigating today’s expensive, travel-heavy hockey landscape, and how Stop and Starts consults for parents, players, coaches, and associations—focusing on development decisions and off-ice support rather than serving as a placement company. Jana outlines the importance of choosing the right path at ages 14–17, navigating the complexities of junior hockey, and addressing the mental side of performance. He highlights partners including True Hockey, Stanstead College, Universal Academy, Coeur d’Alene Hockey Academy, EB Athletics, Hunter Bishop Hockey, and Schafer Hockey Group. He also details membership pricing and a raffle for custom skates for the first 100 members.

00:00 Between the Shifts Mindset
00:24 Meet Marc Genest
01:06 Why Hockey Families Need Help
02:35 Stop and Starts Mission
05:31 Not a Placement Company
07:44 Every Player Has a Path
09:24 All-in-One Development Model
11:05 Junior Hockey Reality Check
11:39 Partners and Programs Spotlight
16:01 Bridging the Advisor Gap
19:06 Membership Pricing and Services
21:27 Mental Game and Communication
24:59 Choosing the Right Path
26:31 Wrap Up and Call to Action

Welcome to the ice.