Episodes

  • NZ S1E8: Ian Moran, Director of NHL Scouting
    May 29 2022

    In this episode of the Neutral Zone Podcast, Brendan chats with the Director of NHL Scouting for Neutral Zone LLC, Ian Moran to discuss his career, scouting NHL prospects, and a bit about this year's draft class!

     

    EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

    0:00: Introduction

     

    Let us know what you think on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Neutral_Zone

    Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

     

    NEUTRAL ZONE SCOUTING:

    MENS: https://www.neutralzone.net/mens/

    WOMENS: https://www.neutralzone.net/womens/

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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • NZ S1E7: Colby Mules: Blaise MacDonald
    Feb 3 2022

    In this episode of the Neutral Zone Podcast, we Discussion with Blaise MacDonald, Head Coach for the NCAA Div III Colby Mules.

     

    EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

    0:00: Introduction

     

    Let us know what you think on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Neutral_Zone

    Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

     

    NEUTRAL ZONE SCOUTING:

    MENS: https://www.neutralzone.net/mens/

    WOMENS: https://www.neutralzone.net/womens/

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    52 mins
  • NZ S1E6: SPM Agent & Client Advisor: Mark Toof
    Jan 18 2022

    In this episode of the Neutral Zone Podcast, we talk with Mark Toof, Agent and Client Advisor for Sports Professional Management.  Learn about his development as a hockey player, coaching career and eventual role as a hockey agent and client advisor.

     

    EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

    0:00: Introduction

     

    Let us know what you think on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Neutral_Zone

    Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

     

    NEUTRAL ZONE SCOUTING:

    MENS: https://www.neutralzone.net/mens/

    WOMENS: https://www.neutralzone.net/womens/

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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • NZ S1E5: Michigan State Spartans: Joe Exter
    Dec 6 2021

    In this episode of the Neutral Zone Podcast, we talk with Joe Exter -- Assistant Coach with the NCAA's Michigan State Spartans.  Learn about Joe's player career, how he became a coach with the NCAA's Michigan State Spartans, and what he looks for in amateur hockey players

     

    EPISODE BREAKDOWN: UNFINISHED BELOW, will be ready by Dec 6

    0:00: Introduction

     

    Let us know what you think on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Neutral_Zone

    Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

     

    NEUTRAL ZONE SCOUTING:

    MENS: https://www.neutralzone.net/mens/

    WOMENS: https://www.neutralzone.net/womens/

    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
  • NZ S1E4: Tampa Bay Lightning: Brian Putnam
    Nov 8 2021

    In this episode of the Neutral Zone Podcast, we talk with Brian Putnam, an Amateur Scout for the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning.  Learn about how Brian became an NHL scout, drafting Jonathan Quick, winning Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lighting, and what he looks for in amateur hockey players

     

    EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

    0:00: Introduction

    COACHING:

    2:55: College Hockey Coaching/Recruiting

    SCOUTING:

    4:30: L.A. Kings & Jonathan Quick

    8:40: Law Career & Tampa Bay Lightning

    15:07: Analyzing Trajectory of Player

    20:24: Character Counts

    22:45: Scouting Reports & Analyzing Players

    29:30: What Sets Players Apart

    40:10: NHL Draft Day

    44:41: Daily Life of an NHL Scout

    45:47: Researching Player Backgrounds Off-Ice

    50:00: Scouting Tools

    54:30: Scouting Stories

     

    Let us know what you think on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Neutral_Zone

    Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

     

    NEUTRAL ZONE SCOUTING:

    MENS: https://www.neutralzone.net/mens/

    WOMENS: https://www.neutralzone.net/womens/

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • NZ S1E3: Shattuck-St. Mary's: Tom Ward
    Nov 1 2021

    In this episode of the Neutral Zone Podcast, we talk with Tom Ward, the Head Coach of the Shattuck-St. Mary’s Boys Prep Team.  Learn about how Tom's coaching career, his time with the Buffalo Sabres, and how he's developed some of the best in the game including Zach Parise, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Toews and more!

    EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

    0:00: Introduction & Early Life

    COACHING:

    3:40: HS & USHL's St. Paul Vulcans (Tri-City)

    7:00: NCAA's Minnesota Golden Gophers

    8:50: Joining Shattuck-St. Mary's Prep

    12:35: NHL's Buffalo Sabres

    SSM:

    21:15: Returning to Shatuck-St. Mary's Prep

    22:30: Coaching the Big Names (Crosby, Toews etc.) & Life at SSM

    41:30: When Is Ready For Players to Move Up?

    47:30: NZ Scout Inquiries

     

    Let us know what you think on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Neutral_Zone

    Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

     

    NEUTRAL ZONE SCOUTING:

    MENS: https://www.neutralzone.net/mens/

    WOMENS: https://www.neutralzone.net/womens/

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • NZ S1E2: Ottawa 67s: James Boyd
    Oct 25 2021

    In this episode of the Neutral Zone Podcast, we talk with James Boyd, the General Manager for the Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67s.  Learn about how James' hockey career and his transition from playing in the OHL & CIS, to coaching and ultimately becoming a General Manager.

     

    EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

    0:00: Introduction & Playing Career

    4:25: Coaching: Belleville Bulls (OHL), SMC (CIS) & Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

    13:30: Becoming the GM of the OHL's Ottawa 67's

    16:04: GM Duties with Hockey Canada

    25:39: Drafting in the OHL

    31:20: Scouting

    45:30: Trading & Hockey Operations

    52:00: Drafting Goalies

    54:00: Player Development 

    58:06: Import Draft Focus

     

    Let us know what you think on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Neutral_Zone

    Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

     

    NEUTRAL ZONE SCOUTING:

    MENS: https://www.neutralzone.net/mens/

    WOMENS: https://www.neutralzone.net/womens/

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • NZ S1E1: Portland Winterhawks: Mike Johnston
    Oct 2 2021

    In this inaugural episode of the Neutral Zone Podcast, we talk with Mike Johnston, the Head Coach, Vice President and General Manager of the WHL's Portland Winterhawks.  Learn about Mike's rise in the coaching world from Canadian College hockey to Hockey Canada in the Olympics and all the way up to the NHL.  Having coached some of the greatest players to ever to hit the ice, including Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby, find out what he looks for when scouting junior players to Portland.

     

    EPISODE BREAKDOWN:

    0:00: Introduction

    0:42: Mike's Playing Career

    COACHING:

    2:50: CIS: Camrose Lutheran College (Univ Alberta-Augustana Campus)

    4:55: CIS: University of New Brunswick

    7:08: Hockey Canada & '98 Olympics

    12:09: NHL: Vancouver Canucks Ast Coach

    18:06: Shift to the CHL's Western Hockey League (WHL)

    SCOUTING

    19:11: WHL: Portland Winterhawks

    28:10: NHL: Pittsburgh, LAK & Vancouver

    COACHING

    29:04: Back to Portland (WHL)

    40:33: Coaching Sidney Crosby & Wayne Gretzky

    45:39: Coaching Junior Players

    48:26: NFL Pittsburgh Steelers Meeting Sit-Ins & Video Review

    51:10: Impact of the Seattle Kraken

    52:51: Portland Winterhawks Drafting American-Born Players & Team Culture

     

    Let us know what you think on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Neutral_Zone

    Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com

     

    NEUTRAL ZONE SCOUTING:

    MENS: https://www.neutralzone.net/mens/

    WOMENS: https://www.neutralzone.net/womens/

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 6 mins