Step into the future of the game with USA Hockey: Next Generation — the official podcast spotlighting the rising stars, innovative minds, and evolving culture of hockey across the country. Each episode dives into the stories shaping tomorrow’s game, from youth and adult players to coaches, officials, and trailblazers driving change at every level. Whether you're a lifelong fan, a weekend warrior, or just discovering the sport, join us for inspiring interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and fresh perspectives on how hockey is growing, adapting, and thriving in communities nationwide.
Shelly Picard: Building Better Hockey Players Through Fun and Discipline
Episode Description:
This episode is a wide-ranging conversation with formerOlympian, Harvard standout, and Princeton assistant coach Shelly Picard aboutyouth hockey development and the value of enjoying where you play. Drew Shore and Lyndsey Fry focus on a simple idea that comes through repeatedly: the best path is the one that helps a player grow, feel supported, and want to keepshowing up.
Key Points from This Episode:
00:00 - Welcome and why Shelly Picard is such a meaningfulguest
03:29 - Introducing Shelly Picard and her background in thegame
04:36 - Growing up in Massachusetts and choosing prep schoolhockey
08:01 - The discipline and fun balance that defined Shelly’sgame
09:40 - Parent-led ownership and the “take one thing” lessonfrom national camp
12:52 - Lindsay on how Shelly’s role model mentality shapedher development
14:52 - Building a roster like a puzzle and valuing roleplayers
15:21 - Shelly’s shutdown defender identity and what shelearned from it
18:15 - Why coaches still see players at tournaments,showcases, and camps
22:44 - What Shelly thought coaching would be like versusreality
24:41 - Player pushback, respect, and coach-playerrelationships
27:17 - How the PWHL has changed the landscape for youngplayers
33:43 - NIL, the transfer portal, and how college sportshave changed
38:15 - Managing ice time, rest, and summer training load
41:43 - Rapid-fire questions
48:42 - Final takeaway for players and parents: joy,ownership, and support
51:19 - Closing thoughts on Shelly’s impact and the corelesson of the episode
Links:
USA Hockey - https://www.usahockey.com
Drew Shore - https://www.drewshore.com
Lyndsey Fry - https://fryhockey.com/
5 Oct 2026
USA Hockey Development League: First Invited Programs Revealed
USA Hockey introduces its new Development League (DL) on this episode of the USA Hockey Next Gen Podcast. Host Dave Fischer is joined by Scott Paluch, who will serve as DL Commissioner, and Bob Mancini, Assistant Executive Director of Hockey Development, to discuss why the league was created, how programs were selected, and what its launch means for American hockey.
#usahockey #developmentleague #teamusa
17 Sept 2026
Rod Braceful on Recruiting, Development, and the NTDP
Episode Description:
Lyndsey Fry and Drew Shore sit down with Rod Braceful,senior director of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, to breakdown how the NTDP develops players, evaluates talent, and prepares teenagersfor hockey and life. The conversation also digs into how the changing collegehockey landscape is affecting recruiting, and why the program still emphasizescharacter, drive, and versatility over pure skill.
Key Points From This Episode:
00:00 - Welcome to the podcast and Rod’s role with the NTDP
05:10 - How NCAA changes are making recruiting morecompetitive
17:22 - How to choose between a better player today and abetter player later
24:00 - What a full NTDP day looks like and the life skillsplayers learn
29:19 - What parents and players should start, stop, andcontinue doing
34:10 - Why late bloomers and overlooked players still havea real path
37:30 - Rapid-fire questions and Rod’s bestplayer-development advice
38:57 - How NHL teams should rethink player developmentafter drafting
41:14 - Closing thoughts on camaraderie, development, andprogram success
Links:
USA Hockey - https://www.usahockey.com
USA Hockey National Development Team Program: https://www.usahockeyntdp.com/
Drew Shore - https://www.drewshore.com
Lyndsey Fry - https://fryhockey.com/
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