In this episode, hosts Zack Nowak and Derek Read sit down with 2025 USA Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Zach Parise to explore one of the most undervalued, yet game-changing, skills in hockey: net-front play.

Parise shares stories from his youth hockey days, his development at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, and the lessons passed down from his father that shaped his relentless work ethic and leadership. He walks through what it takes to succeed in tight spaces, from mastering screens, tips, and rebounds to understanding timing, positioning, and mentality at the crease.

Listeners get an inside look at how Parise practiced his craft, from driveway puck sessions and three-on-three games at Shattuck to his “stop at the net” habits that carried into an NHL career defined by grit and consistency. Coaches will also gain insight into how Parise now teaches those same habits to young players, emphasizing detail, repetition, and fun in every practice.

Whether you’re a player learning to battle at the net front or a coach looking to teach scoring in the hard areas, this conversation delivers practical takeaways on how to create offense where goals are really scored, within five feet of the crease.

Join the discussion on X: @USAHockeyCoach

#47 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 2) How to use parents to help the player with Dr. Brady Flachs

In Episode 47, we continue exploring the connections between education and hockey with Dr. Brady Flachs, a Professor of Education at Ferris State University.

Brady, a father of four hockey-playing boys, brings over 20 years of teaching experience to the conversation. Host Zack Nowak, a former Special Education teacher, joins him to bridge the gap between classroom strategies and coaching on the ice.

Each episode, we’ll tackle one key question, drawing from education research and teaching strategies to help coaches develop their teams more effectively.

In this episode, we answer the question of How do we use parents as a tool to help the player?

Join the discussion on X at USAHockeyCoach

#46 Supporting Every Skater (Pt. 3): How do we help kids with following directions? with Dr. Brady Flachs

In Episode 46, we continue exploring the connections between education and hockey with Dr. Brady Flachs, a Professor of Education at Ferris State University.

Brady, a father of four hockey-playing boys, brings over 20 years of teaching experience to the conversation. Host Zack Nowak, a former Special Education teacher, joins him to bridge the gap between classroom strategies and coaching on the ice.

Each episode, we’ll tackle one key question, drawing from education research and teaching strategies to help coaches develop their teams more effectively.

In this episode, we answer the question of 'How do we help kids with following directions?'

Join the discussion on X at USAHockeyCoach