Communication, Humility, and Adaptability: Lessons in High Performance Hockey with Mike Donoghue

The High Performance Hockey Podcast

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How to build trust with players through open communication

Managing training loads to prevent overtraining during season

Using objective metrics and testing for return to play decisions

Resources + Links:

Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -

The High Performance Hockey Masterclass

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Check out Anthony’s Books

Physical Preparations for Ice Hockey: Biological Principles and Practical Solutions

The Gain, Go, and Grow Manual: Programming for High Performance Hockey Players

Show Notes:

I'm here with Mike Donohue, the head strength coach of the Dallas Stars, and we had a great discussion about building a performance program at the NHL level. Mike shared his experiences in the AHL and how that prepared him for the challenges of the NHL. We talked about the importance of building trust with players, monitoring training loads, and using objective data to guide return to play. It was fascinating to hear Mike's perspective on balancing theory with practical application in professional sports. Whether you're a coach or player, I think you'll find a lot of valuable insights on building an effective long-term development program.

01:30 Building a strength conditioning program for a professional hockey team.

05:45 Building trust and providing valuable insights as a strength and conditioning coach.

09:15 Impact of first gig in American Hockey League.

13:15 Coaching in the NHL and AHL.

19:45 Managing stress and recovery in professional ice hockey players.

23:15 Training loads and recovery for professional hockey players.

27:00 Athlete autonomy in training programs.

32:15 Using data and metrics in sports training.

37:00 Using data to guide athlete development in hockey.

43:45 Hockey player care and the gap between theory and practice.