prohockeypod – Details, episodes & analysis

7 time DEL Champion Youri Ziffzer took some time out of his busy work schedule to come on the prohockeypod this week. Youri had an unusual path to ice hockey but once he was introduced, he didn’t look back. We talked about how he first became a goalie and starting his pro career at such a young age. Youri built up a reputation in the DEL as being a great team guy and was always wanted by the top teams. We dove deep into his “role” as a goalie in Germany as a “1B”. In hockey, championship teams need 2 goalies who are capable of stepping into the net and handling the pressure at any time. This is something Youri prided himself on and understood his job as a team player. At the end of the day, he was part of the team and the success that came with it each season. This is a great mindset to have as an athlete. After he retired, he jumped right into the office world with the Adler Mannheim as Team Manager. Youri talked about the adjustment it is, going from playing hockey to the work world and how it changed his daily routine. A lot of great lessons here and I have a lot of respect for Youri and what he achieved. Happy to have him as my boss, as well as call him a friend. Hope you enjoy!

Current Schwenningen Wild Wings goalie coach Josh Robinson stopped by the prohockeypod this week. We talked about his unusual path of playing AA most of his minor hockey career and his crazy jump to the USHL after only 6 AAA games to his name. He went on to play NCAA at Michigan Tech where he continued to grow his game and battle through adversity. After college, he signed pro with the Dallas Stars organization and began his AHL/ECHL goalie grind. Josh would venture over to EU on 2 different occasions in his playing career before returning back to the ECHL. After retiring, Josh began Goalie & Video Coaching in NA then heading to Germany, where he is starting his 3rd season in the DEL. Near the end, we jumped into Josh developing new ways of tracking/using analytics for goalies and implementing them into their training. It was honestly very interesting to see how he uses this kind of data and uses it to train his goalies so that in games they have already done these scenarios many times over. It was a pleasure to talk to Josh and pick his brain. Hope you enjoy!

This weeks episode is a special one and brought back a lot of memories. Mike Lomas is a guy i grew up playing minor hockey with in Burlington. He went the OHL route for 5 years before playing USports at Carleton University in Ottawa. Mike talked about his time in the OHL and what he learned year to year. Mike also was very honest about his past battles, how he turned himself around and continues to stay sober today. It takes a lot of strength to admit you need help and a great support system as well. I have a lot of respect for Mike and how he continues to grow as a person. This podcast got a bit emotional but in a good way. Mike is also a big Toronto Maple Leafs fan and we dived into them as well. A bit of a different episode but an important one. Hope you enjoy!

German born defenseman Korbinian Holzer dropped by the prohockeypod this week. Holzy’s resume speaks for itself. Over 500 games in NA pro (NHL/AHL), Olympic Games, World Junior’s, KHL and 250 (and counting) DEL games. Korbinian shared his story on growing up in Germany, choosing to pursue a career in hockey over soccer and what he learned as a young pro that allowed him to get drafted to the NHL and transition to North America. He also seems to always have a funny trade story and shared both of them during the episode. Holzy has had a great career filled with battling and overcoming obstacles. A great guy to model your game after and someone to look up to for his work ethic and persevere attitude. Hope you enjoy!

 Kyle Gibbons returned this week to the prohockeypod to continue his story. We jumped right into him leaving pro in North America and heading to Germany. Kyle played 3 seasons in Deggendorf, including helping them get promoted to the DEL2. We went through the craziness of the next few years and how he got through it. Kyle is currently playing his 11th pro season for Leipzig in the Oberliga in Germany. Kyle talked about the importance of good practice habits and practicing like you play. He also brought up preparing for life after hockey and how to deal with the “fear” players have of being done. Lots of good points and helpful advice. Hope you enjoy!

Kyle grew up in Ohio and was drawn to hockey at a young age by the local pro team, the Cleveland Lumberjacks. We talked about his childhood and his passion for the game of hockey. He went on to play in the USHL and made the decision to go NCAA to Canisius College in Buffalo. He had a very successful 4 years before moving on to pro in the ECHL and SPHL leagues. We talked about the grind and what he learned throughout his journey. Part 2 coming next week. Hope you enjoy!

Jordan is a defenseman for the Adler Mannheim and is currently playing in his 8th season of professional hockey. Jordan had a dream of playing in the QMJHL and he set his mind to that. Even though he didn’t make the jump until he was 18, he got to do it for 3 years. After major junior, Jordan attended the University of New Brunswick for 4 years and was able to win 2 University Cups. This earned him a chance in the AHL where he played parts of 4 seasons before adventuring over to Europe. He was able to gain experience in both the KHL and SHL before settling in Germany. He shared his experiences and had some funny stories as well. Hope you enjoy!

Finnish Legend Petri Vehanen joined the prohockeypod this week. Petri and I work together with the Adler Mannheim and I have got to know him well. Petri was a late bloomer who’s mindset was simple: work hard everyday. It ended up paying off as he went on to play 20 years professionally, win a KHL Championship, Gold Medal for Finland at the 2011 World Championships and lastly, had his number retired by Lukko Rauma. He had quite the run and now is sharing his knowledge to the goalie’s in Mannheim. It is very inspirational to see everything he achieved. If you like underdog stories then this episode is for you. Hope you enjoy!

Yannick is a young German prospect known for his work ethic and playing for the Adler Mannheim in the DEL. We talked about his minor hockey journey in Germany that eventually led to him signing a DEL contract. Yannick also was drafted to the WHL and talked about his experience in Spokane. He is one of the happiest people i have met who is always smiling and excited to come to the rink everyday to put in the work. He is a great kid with a bright future ahead of him. Hope you enjoy!

Jordan is another Burlington guy who I grew up with and spent a lot of time training together. He is known for his hard work ethic and I have seen that first hand. Jordan went the OHL route, was drafted to the NHL and played 9 seasons of North American Pro in the AHL, which also included 50 games in the NHL. He then headed off to the KHL in Russia before coming to Germany. He is currently in his 3rd season with the Adler Mannheim. We talked about his journey and what he learned from his hard road. Jordan has always stuck to his morales and been the hardest working guy day in and day out. Good lesson for all the young athletes out there. Hope you enjoy!