Let's talk about the global growth of Hockey. Hassan Saeed is the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for CSKA Moscow in the KHL, Russia's top professional hockey league. With over 12 years of experience working in the Russian hockey system, Hassan provides a unique perspective on the cultural differences, training methodologies, and coaching philosophies between North America and Europe. In this episode, we dive into Hassan’s transition from Canada to Russia as a strength coach, managing language barriers, and working collaboratively with European hockey coaches who have their own established training models. Listen in for this fascinating look at the global growth and evolution of hockey development.

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 What mentors shaped your career?

07:45 How Barry Brennan connected Hassan to his first job opportunity in Russia.

10:00 The cultural and language shock of transitioning from Canada to Russia.

13:00 Differences in training methodologies and athlete preparation between North America and Russia.

18:30 How has the role of data analytics and sports science evolved in the KHL over the past 4-5 years?

22:30 Similarities in day-to-day in-season training approaches between the KHL and North America.

25:00 How did you build a positive team culture and rapport with players by learning the Russian language?

31:15 The importance of distinguishing between "interesting" and "important" data metrics.

32:00 The legendary status and influence of Anatoli Tarasov, the "father of Russian hockey."

36:15 What advice would you give North American coaches looking to gain experience in the KHL?

RESOURCES + LINKS

Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -

The High Performance Hockey Masterclass

Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov

Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov

Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast

Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast

Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/

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

What are some of the biggest lessons we learn while in pursuit of high performance excellence? Today’s special guest is a good friend of mine, Andrew Hauser, who has worked in a variety of roles in the past 14 years as an Athletic Trainer and Strength & Conditioning Coach, before switching to the private setting with Continuum Performance. In this episode, we’ll dive into his years of experience, including the main takeaways from his most recent role as the Director of Performance Rehab for the LA Dodgers. He’ll share advice for putting together a high performance team, tips for integration and communication, as well as building gradual changes within a team. Then, we switch gears to discuss the pros and cons of the private sector + pendulum swings in comprehensive care and what we can do better as coaches for our athletes. Whether you’re in the professional or private sphere, you’ll gain new insight into high development and high performance!

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00:00 Meet the Swiss Army knife of professional and private sectors, Andrew Hauser.

00:02:45 Why did you choose performance psychology as your Masters?

00:05:20 Main takeaways from studying elite performance psychology.

00:12:55 What were your duties with the Dodgers?

00:15:00 How to integrate + put together a high performance team.

00:23:10 How do you build changes within a team?

00:27:10 The pros and cons of the private sector.

00:32:50 How to leverage your role and network.

00:36:45 What is your process for treatment assessments?

00:45:05 What metrics do you look at on the plate?

00:50:00 A new way to monitor athletes, curves, + outliers.

00:56:15 Where is the pendulum swinging in comprehensive care?

01:00:35 What qualities of the high performance sector need to expand?

RESOURCES + LINKS

Learn more about Andrew - https://www.continuumhp.com

Atomic Habits by James Clear

The Tyranny of Metrics by Jerry Muller

Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -

The High Performance Hockey Masterclass

Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov

Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov

Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast

Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast

Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/

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

If you want to develop your players to the high performance level, we’ve got your guy. Today’s guest is the Development Coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Tommy Cross. Tommy played 12 seasons of professional hockey before retiring following the ‘22-’23 season, and now works with drafted prospects through the transition from college to pro. We’ll speak about development at the National Hockey League level, and his philosophies and coachings that help his athletes reach the ultimate goal of the NHL. We’ve got an educational hour in store for you as we dive into key metrics + non-negotiables for developing and growing young players both on and off the ice. Tommy also shares the challenges of current day player development as well as the future of development coaching as a whole. Everything you need to know about player development, all in one place.

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Meet the Development Coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Tommy Cross.

02:10 The importance of mentorship + leadership skills.

06:30 Perspective as a player versus as a coach.

08:00 What are your tasks as a development coach?

14:50 What is your coaching philosophy?

20:30 The principles + patterns for success.

26:35 Key metrics for developing young players.

31:10 Shared terminology + closing the gap with communication.

36:30 Coaching player transition periods + on and off ice.

41:10 Challenges for player development today.

44:20 What is the future of development coaching?

48:10 How do you want to be remembered?

RESOURCES + LINKS

Loose Pucks and Ice Bags by Dave King

The Coach’s Guide to Teaching by Doug Lemov

Check out Anthony’s Masterclass -

The High Performance Hockey Masterclass

Follow Anthony on Instagram | @anthonydonskov

Follow Anthony on Twitter | Anthony Donskov, PhD

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel | The HPH Podcast with Anthony Donskov

Follow HPH Podcast on Instagram | @hph_podcast

Follow HPH Podcast on Twitter | @TheHPH_Podcast

Learn more on our Website | https://www.donskovsc.com/

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