Learn how the leaders of lacrosse motivate and build winning teams. Join lacrosse commentator Brad Challoner as he asks the sport’s top coaches about the insights and philosophies that have helped raise their game to the next level.
The Door Is Open: Why This Minto Cup Feels Different
Pat Gregoire is here and the door is wide open.For the first time in years, the Minto Cup will be contested without perennial powers Coquitlam, Orangeville, Six Nations or Whitby, creating one of the most wide-open national championships in recent memory.Ahead of opening faceoff in Calgary, my friend and TSN colleague Pat Gregoire helps break down the 2026 Minto Cup tournament from every angle.We discuss the rise of Alberta lacrosse, whether this is finally the year an Alberta team captures its first Minto Cup, the pressure facing the host Raiders, the surprising run of the St. Catharines Athletics, Victoria's veteran roster, and why the Calgary Mountaineers may be more dangerous than many people realize.We'll also share Minto Cup memories, identify players to watch, debate the biggest storylines entering the tournament, and examine what it will take to win one of the toughest championships in Canadian sport.If you're looking for the ultimate primer before the Minto Cup begins, this is it.Subscribe to Coaches Calls and follow along throughout the tournament as we continue our conversations with the leaders, coaches, players, and personalities shaping the game of lacrosse. 🥍Pat Gregoire is one of the premiere voices of our sport. Whether coaching the Junior B Ironheads, calling championships on TSN or prepping for the NLL Draft, he works tirelessly to promote the game we all love. He'll be calling the Mann Cup later on this summer. Find his draft coverage here --> On the Clock Lacrosse (https://www.ontheclocklax.com/)
10 Aug 2026
Cody Hawkins: Love, baby. Love.
"Love, baby. Love."That's Cody Hawkins' answer when asked how he helps athletes get back on track when life isn't going their way.The Calgary Mountaineers Head Coach and Raw Iron Performance founder joins the podcast for a conversation about athlete development, leadership, toughness, and coaching today's generation.Cody shares lessons from his own path through junior lacrosse and the NLL, discusses what separates great athletes from the rest, the role parents play in development, and why character and commitment matter more than talent alone.We also dive into Alberta lacrosse's growth, the culture inside the Mountaineers organization, and why he believes Alberta's first Minto Cup championship is coming.A conversation about coaching, competition, and building people through sport. 🥍If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with a coach, player, parent, or teammate who loves the game. Your support helps Coaches Calls continue bringing you conversations with the leaders shaping lacrosse.
3 Aug 2026
Rocky Mountain View: Mitch Bannister on Culture, Legacy and Building Alberta Lacrosse
As Raiders LC prepare to host the 2026 Minto Cup, Head Coach Mitch Bannister joins Coaches Calls to discuss his journey through the game and the evolution of lacrosse in Alberta.Growing up around the Calgary Roughnecks, Bannister was exposed to some of the game's greatest players and coaches at an early age as dad Brad Bannister owned the Roughnecks and brought the NLL to the province. Now, he's helping lead a new generation of athletes while chasing a national championship on home floor at the Max Bell Centre.Mitch shares how Alberta lacrosse has transformed from a blue-collar underdog to a legitimate contender on the national stage, why coaching development is critical to the province's continued growth, and what makes Alberta players unique when they reach the National Lacrosse League.We also dive into the Raiders' culture, the lessons learned from last year's Minto Cup appearance, the challenge of preparing for a national championship, and why competition, accountability and passion remain at the core of everything they do.Follow Coaches Calls for more conversations with the leaders, innovators and builders shaping the game of lacrosse.Past episodes referenced with:Andrew McBride --> https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/217xzCoPc5bBrett Hickey --> https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/7yCMZenPc5b
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
16 ratings
Pitching Coaches Calls
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting pitches.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
