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The Jack Skille Podcast

The Jack Skille Podcast

By Jack Skille

Former professional hockey player Jack Skille explores life after retirement.Together with co-host Bill Kerig, they'll interview guests on hockey, fitness, wellness, careers, and taking chances.
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2.4. Blake Geoffrion: Sudden change

The Jack Skille PodcastDec 17, 2020

00:00
59:56
18: Troy Ward

18: Troy Ward

Jack and Bill chat youth hockey development with Troy Ward, Associate Head Coach of Minnesota State University.

Feb 28, 202454:31
Episode 17 - Fresh Starts

Episode 17 - Fresh Starts

The reboot episode. Jack Skille and Bill Kerig chat about the podcast's new direction and what you can expect in future episodes.

Jan 25, 202457:04
2.6. Season finale

2.6. Season finale

Throughout season 2 of the show we've shared different perspectives on transitions. We've talked with people in different situations and on different paths. But over and over again the same themes start to emerge. On this week's episode we bring things together by discussing some key takeaways and common themes from the season.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 2 on transitions and post-career identity.

Highlights from this episode:

  • 0:00 - Introduction.
  • 2:00 - Integrating into the team.
  • 5:30 - Preparing athletes for the next level and learning to accept new roles: "In a new situation you have to have the mental fortitude, or the maturity to understand your place in the structure to not complain. Do your job consistently every day."
  • 10:30 - Transitioning leagues: "There's a time to be a voice and there's a time to be an actions guy. And most of the time it's actions, not words, that are needed. So show up early and to the little things."
  • 18:15 - Pressure on foreign players.
  • 23:30 - The value of purpose.
  • 29:30 - Getting out of your comfort zone.
  • 32:30 - Trusting in faith: "Whatever you believe in, trust it. What's the sense in believing in something if you don't trust it."
Dec 31, 202037:40
2.5. Molly Engstrom: Losing control

2.5. Molly Engstrom: Losing control

Often, the longer you do something, the harder it is to stop. Molly Engstrom was at the top of women's hockey for more than a decade, wining two Olympic medals and four world titles. When it finally came time to retire, it was painful to let go of the one thing she knew well in life. It can feel like you're losing control. She joins this week's episode to discuss dealing with the loss, regaining control, and finding purpose in chaos.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 2 on transitions and post-career identity.

Highlights from this episode:

  • 0:00 - Introduction.
  • 3:00 - Engstrom's current activities and getting into coaching.
  • 6:45 - Learning to play hockey.
  • 9:45 - Playing with the boys.
  • 14:45 - Developing the passion for hockey.
  • 16:45 - Faith and transitions: "The beauty of my career is that I played until 35. There are not many women that play beyond 30. That was fantastic, but the fall was then harder. It was the most painful thing in my life."
  • 22:15 - Dealing with grief.
  • 26:45 - Changing directions and the roller coaster: "It is so easy to fall into the trap of the roller coaster of successes and failures."
  • 35:30 - Finding purpose in chaos and keeping a positive mentality.
  • 41:45 - Dealing with lack of control and finding new pursuits: "We are professional athletes and when we suck at something it is discouraging."
  • 53:00 - How does Engstrom identify herself.
  • 58:30 - Final thoughts.
Dec 24, 202001:01:12
2.4. Blake Geoffrion: Sudden change

2.4. Blake Geoffrion: Sudden change

Sometimes transitions are planned, other times they just happen. Blake Geoffrion was on the path to stardom when his professional hockey career came to an abrupt end with one hit. On this week's episode of the Jack Skille Show he talks about his career and how he had to suddenly change course to find new dreams.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 2 on transitions and post-career identity.

Highlights from this episode:

  • 0:00 - Introduction
  • 2:30 - Reflecting on a winning environment at the University of Wisconsin: "If the team does well, everyone does well. You're more likely to get noticed, more scouts come to the game. Winning creates opportunities."
  • 13:45 - Growing up in Tennessee and finding hockey.
  • 19:30 - The fork in the road, military school, and leaving Nashville.
  • 25:00 - Moving to National Team Development Program, changing roles, and accepting adversity.
  • 31:30 - The draft and post-draft.
  • 38:30 - The hit.
  • 47:30 - Retirement and sudden change.
  • 57:00 - Finding new dreams.
Dec 17, 202059:56
2.3. John Mitchell: Moving on

2.3. John Mitchell: Moving on

On this week's show John Mitchell discusses his NHL career, plus the difficulties of deciding when and how to move on.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 2 on transitions and post-career identity.

Highlights from this episode:

  • 0:00 - Introduction
  • 2:00 - Starting in hockey and developing a passion.
  • 5:30 - Getting drafted.
  • 9:30 - Making the pros and expectations vs. reality.
  • 14:30 - Identity shift and role change: "Every player that makes the NHL was one of the top players on the team when they were growing up. The pro game is different."
  • 25:00 - Dealing with the ebbs and flows of the game: "If you identify solely as a hockey player, you're riding a roller coaster and it's hard to be a normal person. The best pros can stay calm and take things as they come. They have a life outside the game."
  • 29:00 - Transitioning out of the game: "No athlete is entirely happy when they retire from a sport they love and have played since a kid."
  • 34:00 - Transitioning to European hockey.
  • 39:15 - Starting retirement.
  • 44:00 - Finding purpose.
  • 49:00 - Getting through it: "I want people to hear that you're going to be ok. It's a transition period. It's going to suck. There are challenges, but those challenges are good."
  • 52:00 - Where to start: "Start with service. Find a way to serve in something you are passionate about. Maybe you aren't even paid, but you'll find people that can point you in the right direction."
Dec 10, 202057:11
2.2. Mike Fisher: Finding Purpose

2.2. Mike Fisher: Finding Purpose

Season 2 of the Jack Skille Show continues this week with former NHL star Mike Fisher as a guest. He talks about his decision to retire, finding purpose outside of hockey, transitioning to a new life, and starting his own brand.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 2 on transitions and post-career identity.

Highlights from this episode:

  • 0:00 - Introduction and starting his professional career
  • 3:45 - Switching to Nashville.
  • 6:00 - Contemplating retirement.
  • 7:30 - Faith and retirement: "My identity can't be locked up in just being a hockey player. That's easy to say, but you have to go through the process to recognize that. Hockey became a god early in my career. If anything becomes a god, you're always going to be disappointed."
  • 15:00 - Coming out of retirement: "Coming back from retirement is a win-win: either it reignites a flame in your heart, or it doesn't and you know you made the right call to retire."
  • 17:15 - Catchin' deers: "The lone wolf in the wild dies quickly. But a pack of strong men or women together are unstoppable."
  • 23:15 - Being idle: "Being idle is never good. We need something to do. People think pro players can just play golf and be happy, but you need to have a passion to follow." "Everyone wishes they could retire early and sit on the beach, but most people when they retire and slow down they lose purpose. As people we all need a purpose."
  • 29:30 - Finding passions: "Have as many irons in the fire as possible, especially during a transition period. See what sticks."
  • 32:00 - Accepting a smaller role in life and stepping back from the limelight.
  • 36:30 - Meeting Carrie Underwood.
  • 40:30 - Life in the limelight and celebrity.
  • 45:00 - Final thoughts and advice.
Dec 03, 202053:31
2.1. Transition Game

2.1. Transition Game

To kick off season 2, Jack and Martin sit down to share our tips, stories, and lessons learned about transitions and post-career identity.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 2 on transitions and post-career identity.

Highlights from this episode:

  • 0:00 - Introducing season 2.
  • 2:00 - Preparing for transitions: "You always have to plan ahead for the next step since it could come tomorrow. In the hammer throw the next step happens in parallel with the first step since few can even make a living at the sport."
  • 5:30 - Finding and re-finding passion.
  • 12:45 - Entrepreneurism: "Want to be an entrepreneur? Have a safety net so you can really experiment without fear of whether you'll make the rent, or pressure to do that."
  • 16:00 - Financial planning.
  • 19:30 - Hockey hiatus: "We can try the hardest to get all of our ducks in a row and smoothen our transition out of sport, but no matter how hard you try to smooth it out, there will still be a transition period. Embrace the transition and be patient."
  • 23:30 - Patience: "Proactivity and patience go together. If you aren't proactive and find yourself in a bad situation, then you can't afford to be patient."
  • 26:00 - The process.
  • 28:30 - The story of Blake Geoffrion.
  • 31:45 - The stigma of being a former pro athlete.
  • 34:45 - Becoming your own boss: "As an athlete so much of your life is taken care of by someone else. After your career is over you'll have to put up with more bullshit and deal with a wider variety of people."
  • 39:00 - Final thoughts and season preview: "Preparing for the next phase can help you with the current phase."
Nov 26, 202041:31
10. Season finale

10. Season finale

On Episode 10, Jack and Martin wrap up season one by looking back at our past episodes, and what we learned from talking to Olympians, NHL captains, elite coaches, and Jack's father. In addition, we share our key thoughts on development and put together a checklist for what to look for in a successful development program.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 1 focuses on development and what is the difference maker from those that make it to the top, and those that don’t.

Highlights from this episode:

  • 0:00 - Highlights from season one.
  • 3:00 - Gracefulness and athleticism.
  • 7:00 - Youth coaching perspective on LTAD.
  • 12:15 - Dealing with fear and having fun.
  • 17:00 - What to look for in a youth program structural: "If your coaches don't have a plan, it is a sign the broader program doesn't really care about what plan the coaches have."
  • 24:00 - Fun and passion in a program, winning: "If youth coaches are going to be passionate, be passionate about the right things: development and process, not winning.
  • 29:30 - Looking forward to season 2.
Jul 03, 202030:41
9. Steve Myrland: Creating adaptable athletes

9. Steve Myrland: Creating adaptable athletes

On Episode 9 of the Jack Skille Show we are joined by Jack's former athletic development coach and mentor in all things physical Steve Myrland. After a long career with collegiate and NHL coaching experience, Steve Myrland always operates against the grain, and his approach provides a needed balance when discussing how to develop athletes. On this episode we talk about his background, training philosophy, and approach to developing athletes young and old.

Learn more from Jack and Steve in HMMR Video Lesson 21, where both break down one offseason of training. Steve also contributes articles to HMMR Media.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 1 focuses on development and what is the difference maker from those that make it to the top, and those that don’t.

Highlights from this episode:

  • 0:00 - Steve's background and path to coaching.
  • 5:15 - What is strength? "Strength is not the end goal. While can't be a good athlete without being strong, you can be strong without being a good athlete."
  • 11:45 - First impressions of Steve and Jack from working together.
  • 16:00 - Conformity and training.
  • 21:30 - Finding the need for something new.
  • 27:45 - Thoughts on equipment, barbells, etc.
  • 37:30 - Early specialization, learning to move the body, and the value of being a generalist.
  • 47:45 - Training for the new NHL.
  • 56:00 - Asking questions of your coach and understanding the why of training: "If your coach doesn't have a good reason why, they shouldn't have been doing it."
  • 1:01:00 - How should young athletes train and how to create movement puzzles.
  • 1:08:15 - Progressing the athlete and finding graceful movement: "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast."
  • 1:15:30 - How athleticism links to performance.
Jun 26, 202001:23:16
8. Jonathan Garcia: Against all odds

8. Jonathan Garcia: Against all odds

On Episode 7 of the Jack Skille Show, Jack is joined by Olympian Jonathan Garcia. Growing up in Houston, he somehow found his way into speed skating and two Olympic teams. He shares his journey and development, as well as his impressions on hockey since starting to get involved in the sport.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 1 focuses on development and what is the difference maker from those that make it to the top, and those that don’t.

Highlights from this episode:

  • 0:00 - Getting into an ice sport while growing up in Houston.
  • 4:45 - Switching from short track to long track speed skating.
  • 7:00 - Creating your own path and developing work ethic.
  • 19:45 - Consistency: "I can't tell you how many athletes were way better than me when I was coming up: technically or physically. The thing I had that they didn't was consistency."
  • 23:30 - Olympic experience and reorienting after the first Olympics.
  • 30:00 - Decision to retire and transition to coaching: "A little success in coaching was a better feeling than anything I accomplished on my own."
  • 37:00 - Off vs. on ice training: "Off ice work teaches you what hard work is, and the value of hard work." "The rock band that has unlimited funds to go into the studio doesn't always have the drive of a band with just 3 hours to record."
Jun 19, 202048:27
7. Craig Smith: Road to the pros

7. Craig Smith: Road to the pros

On Episode 7 of the Jack Skille Show, Jack is joined by Craig Smith of the Nashville Predators. A fellow Madison native, Craig's journey to the pros took many unique turns. He walks us through what it took to make it to the top.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 1 focuses on development and what is the difference maker from those that make it to the top, and those that don’t.

Highlights from this episode:

  • 0:00 - Starting in hockey.
  • 6:30 - Playing different sports.
  • 10:00 - Developing work ethic: "If I wasn't doing it, someone else was doing it. It comes down to accountability. I want to be ready and be as good as I can possibly be."
  • 14:15 - Blue collar Madison upbringing and playing high school hockey.
  • 24:00 - USHL experience and knowing when to make the move to the next level: "If you are good enough, you don't have to play 70 games a year to get exposure. You never know who is in the stands watching."
  • 38:45 - Getting recruited to Wisconsin.
  • 42:15 - Playing at Wisconsin and experiences with coach Mike Eaves.
  • 50:30 - International experience at the 2011 World Championships.
  • 55:30 - Starting in professional hockey and first NHL game: "There is a lot of running around in college hockey, but in the pros it was almost like I was trying to do things too fast rather than controlled. Everything is more controlled in the pros."
  • 1:03:30 - What it means to be a professional: "A professional shows up every day no matter what and does something. There are days where you are tired, but you have to find a way to do it."
  • 1:08:30 - Advice for young players and parents on youth development: "Good things happen to good people who work hard."
Jun 12, 202001:10:38
6. Lee Skille: Like father, like son

6. Lee Skille: Like father, like son

On Episode 6, Jack and Martin are joined by Lee Skille. Not only did Lee raise his son Jack to become a successful hockey player (and person), he was also a collegiate hockey player himself, and has decades of experience coaching youth and high school hockey. On this episode he discusses his own experiences in parenting and coaching. 

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 1 focuses on development and what is the difference maker from those that make it to the top, and those that don’t.

Highlights from this episode: 

  • 0:00 - Introducing Lee.
  • 3.45 - Lee's own athletic background.
  • 8:00 - Playing for Bob Johnson and experiences at the University of Wisconsin.
  • 12:30 - Learning by playing: "If you have two hours on the ice each week, don't waste time sitting on a knee drawing up a complex drill. If you spend more than a couple of minutes explaining a drill, you are wasting valuable time." "Kids need to play hockey, just drop a puck out there and let them figure it out for themselves."
  • 23:00 - Ice time and learning to love the game: "You have to learn how to be creative on the ice. That has been lost, partially because we don't have the ice time any more. But you can create the ice time."
  • 32:00 - Working hard.
  • 34:00 - Relinquishing control to let children fall in love with the game on their own.
  • 37:30 - Learning how to compete.
  • 41:00 - Being honest with parents: "Parents really want to do the best for their kids, but this is their first time doing it. If you can be honest. But there are systems that just want to make money and they tell people what they want to hear instead."
  • 50:00 - Looking for opportunities for your kid.
  • 54:00 - Helping children overcome obstacles and struggles: "If something bad happens, something positive happens."
  • 1:01:00 - What is your kid doing to develop.
Jun 05, 202001:03:17
5. Jack Johnson: Find your path

5. Jack Johnson: Find your path

On Episode 5, Jack and Martin are joined by Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jack Johnson. He shares his own developmental path, what led him down it, and what lessons he learned at each step including play as 5-year-old in Michigan, attending Shattuck-St. Mary's, joining the National Team Development Program, University of Michigan, and finally the NHL.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 1 focuses on development and what is the difference maker from those that make it to the top, and those that don’t.

Highlights from this episode:

  • 0:00 - Starting hockey as a kid in Michigan.
  • 7:00 - The driving force to work hard as a youth player.
  • 10:00 - Playing other sports and stories from Shattuck: "Sid Crosby and Jack Johnson are two of the best players in the world and they were playing baseball in the offseason."
  • 16:00 - Deciding to go to Shattuck and impressions from the experience: "In 8th grade I could play pickup with an 18-year-old Zach Parise and mimic the things he was doing. I was just out there practicing but I didn't realize it, I was just having fun. That was a crucial part of the development at Shaddock."
  • 25:30 - Deciding to go to the National Team Development Program and experiences there.
  • 37:00 - Gaining confidence through training and playing internationally: "Training is not about turning you into Ray Lewis, it is about instilling confidence and preparation. It is no different than how confident you are going into an exam if you have studied for it. You go into it knowing you are ready."
  • 43:45 - Deciding to play at the University of Michigan.
  • 47:00 - Draft experience: "All being drafted means if you have an opportunity later on to possibly play pro. That's all it means. There are no guarantees."
  • 50:00 - 2010 Olympic experience.
  • 55:00 - First NHL game.
  • 59:30 - What does it mean to be a pro? "Being a pro is about professionalism. The key to being a pro is consistency. There are some days when you aren't feeling it, but you still keep working."
  • 1:06:45 - Advice for young athletes that wants to be a professional: "(1) Being a well rounded athlete always gives you an advantage. (2) You have to love it. If you don't love it you won't make the sacrifices necessary. (3) Know it's going to be hard. If it wasn't hard everyone would do it. (4) There is no right or wrong path to path. There is just your path or our path."
May 29, 202001:09:48
4. Trust the process

4. Trust the process

On Episode 4, Jack Skille and Martin Bingisser take time to highlight and underscore some of the lessons learned from our first episode, and share some stories from our own experiences around the theme of trust: trusting the process, trusting coaches, finding your own path, and how coaches can gain the trust of players.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 1 focuses on development and what differentiates those that make it to the top from those that don't.

Highlights from this episode:

  • 0:00 - The role of parents in developing athletes: "The most influential person in a young athlete's life are their parents, both positive or negative."
  • 4:30 - Early specialization vs. playing year round: "Listen to the experts, trust the coaches. They all say the same thing: you also need to get away from your sport and become a well-rounded athlete."
  • 7:45 - Every path is different and knowing when it is right to go all in.
  • 10:30 - What's the rush and the fear of missing out.
  • 15:30 - Overcoming inevitable setbacks and examples: "There will be setbacks. You can either embrace them and find a way to get better through them, or fall down the pissy well. Don't fall down that pissy wall, it has slippery walls and is hard to climb out."
  • 19:00 - Confidence, consistency and real mental toughness.
  • 22:45 - When it is right and wrong to be motivated by the next level.
  • 26:00 - Tips for coaches: getting trust and respect of players.
May 22, 202033:14
3. Angelo Ricci: Beyond the skills

3. Angelo Ricci: Beyond the skills

On Episode 3, Jack and Martin are joined by Angelo Ricci, skills coach for the Philadelphia Flyers and executive director of the Colorado Thunderbirds AAA hockey club. From his experience working with both developmental and professional players, he breaks down what environment can help young athletes reach their potential, what scout are looking for, and what are the difference makers among pro athletes.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 1 focuses on development and what differentiates those that make it to the top from those that don't.

Highlights from this episode:

  • 0:00 - Introducing Angelo. and his own experience playing youth hockey. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
  • 6:30 - Finding the right environment for development and transitioning from youth to college and professional hockey: "Sometimes you are in hurry to get nowhere. Have patient with the process. There is no fast track."
  • 12:00 - The TPH Academy development model.
  • 15:30 - How to evaluate what youth programs are selling.
  • 21:00 - What scouts are looking for. "No matter what, if you are good enough you will be discovered . . . People are in such a hurry to get to juniors, but if you get there too young you'll just sit on the bench rather than developing your game."
  • 24:30 - Working with NHL veterans on skill development.
  • 30:00 - Valuing being a kid vs. chasing the dream: "If you send your kid away at age 13, they're never going to get those years back."
  • 35:30 - The various routes to success.
  • 39:30 - Perseverance and adapting your game: "It was painful to be one of the best players on every team I was on, being a highly touted draft pick, and then being told in the pros I needed to develop now."
  • 42:45 - Over competition among youth athletes: "In the US athletes tend to over compete and under train."
  • 45:00 - What are scouts looking for in young players? "Your skillset, your compete, and having a brain. You have to have energy and passion to want to win battles. If you get the puck taken from you, you fight to take it back. But you have to have smarts too. If you overwork you are not working efficiently, that makes you more tired and more susceptible to make a mistake."
  • 50:30 - Scouting for character.
  • 54:30 - Body language: "One scout told me he would watch what a player does when he sits down on the bench after making a mistake. That'll tell you what type of teammate he is."
  • 58:30 - Advice to young youth players in a negative development environment.
May 15, 202001:08:07
2. Jonathan Toews: Leading by example

2. Jonathan Toews: Leading by example

On Episode 2, Jack and Martin are joined by Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews. He looks back at his own development as a player, what it takes to be a professional, and what makes a good leader.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 1 focuses on development and what differentiates those that make it to the top from those that don't.

Highlights from this episode:

  • 0:00 - Starting out in hockey and falling in love with the game.
  • 2:30 - Family background and influences.
  • 4:00 - Realizing you are good: "You always know you are somewhere at the top and you have a good chance. But even when you get drafted you never feel like there is any guarantees until you pull that sweater on and prove yourself . . . There is always another level. It can be a motivation tool as long as you have that awareness. You might be good now, but there is a point when that player will run into guys just as big and fast and skilled and they won't know how to deal with that challenge."
  • 9:45 - Adapting his own game and making the conscious choice to get better.
  • 14:00 - Playing smarter: "Don't attach yourself to the wins and losses and roller coaster. Attach yourself to the process. There are different teaching moments after a win or loss. Look at yourself in the mirror and acknowledge your weaknesses."
  • 18:30 - Leaving home as a teenager and a typical high school day for Jonathan Toews.
  • 25:00 - Choosing college vs. junior hockey.
  • 29:00 - Mindset entering the NHL draft: "There are a lot of guys that go high in the draft and go on cruise control after that. It doesn't mean anything. It only gets more competitive after that."
  • 36:00 - Advice for young athletes at tryouts.
  • 39:30 - Reliving the first NHL shift.
  • 43:00 - Becoming captain at age 20.
  • 45:45 - Being a professional and being a leader: "The number one leadership quality is that if you want to win and want your teammates to do something to help you win, you have to be willing to do it yourself . . . Everyone has to have some sort of selfishness as a player, but you also have to be willing to sacrifice something of your goals for team success."
  • 50:30 - What leadership isn't: "Most guys will talk and talk and talk and never shut up when it comes to leading. That is not what leadership is. Just do the work and let your actions speak louder. Then when you need to speak, the boys will tune in. They'll tune you out if you just keep talking."
  • 52:30 - Winning the first Stanley Cup.
  • 58:00 - Olympic experiences.
  • 1:00:30 - Dealing with ice time issues: "At the end of the day, let your play do the talking. If you are not happy with the current scenario, keep working on your game and keep getting better. If you are too good you can't be denied at a certain point."
  • 1:02:00 - Advice to young players: "Don't be afraid of failure. Welcome that in. Seek it out. Find ways to push yourself. If you are screwing up and making mistakes you are pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. That is what hockey is all about."
May 08, 202001:04:12
1. Starting with Why

1. Starting with Why

On the first episode, Jack Skille and Martin Bingisser discuss the goal of the new show, introduce themselves, and a look at one major driving factors in success: passion.

The Jack Skille Show is produced by HMMR Media, a leader in helping athletes and coaches learn how to get better. Become a member to get access to a wealth of articles, videos, podcasts and more training resources. The show focuses on exploring the process behind sport with professional hockey player Jack Skille and key people he has met throughout his career. Season 1 focuses on development and what differentiates those that make it to the top from those that don't.

Highlights from this episode:

  • 0:00 – Introducing the podcast and sneak peak.
  • 3:00 – About Jack and Martin.
  • 7:00 – So you want to be a professional athlete? The first question is why. A look at how we started in sports and found our why.
  • 10:45 – Intrinsic motivation and going all in.
  • 11:30 – Learning from the journey and carrying over sporting passion to other pursuits.
  • 17:00 - What should people be looking in terms of opportunities? It's not about ice time, it's about development.
  • 23:00 - Passion is not about screaming: if a youth hockey coach is screaming, they are announcing that they have no idea what they are talking about.
  • 25:00 - The process and being patient.
May 01, 202028:35
Coming May 1: The Jack Skille Show
Apr 24, 202000:21