RUSH Hockey Talk

RUSH Hockey owner and founder Kelly Katorji speaks with Craig Myeroff and Dana Trivigno from ProMentor about their innovative platform, which supports young players who seek to improve their game through mentorship. In this podcast, the guests explain how the app works, the expansive value of mentorship provided by professional athletes and the different ways players can utilize the service, based on personalized need. 

RUSH Hockey owner and founder Kelly Katorji talks to vice president of VoxxLife Kevin Duguay, a sport therapy and human performance consultant. Duguay discusses several new wearable technologies his company has developed which help athletes and students decrease stress, increase optimism and dramatically improve their performance. 

RUSH Hockey owner and founder Kelly Katorji talks to Seth Goodrich, director of Collegiate Prospects Combine (CPC) and North American Elite (NAE) hockey. In this conversation, Goodrich discusses his experience coaching girls hockey, the hockey landscape in New England and the challenges players face when choosing which league to join. 

Kelly Katorji, owner and founder of RUSH Hockey, talks to four distinguished women's hockey coaches: Josh Graser (Utica College), Kaylee Harnen (Curry College), Jackie Kooistra (Aurora University) and Mike O'Grady (Chatham University). In addition to discussing their early experiences and personal memories of their time in the sport, each coach shares an essential piece of advice for the hockey stars of tomorrow.

RUSH Hockey founder and owner Kelly Katorji talks to Alexis Moed about her hockey journey, from childhood to Boston College to her current role as president of the New York Islanders Girls Elite Hockey program. As Moed neared the end of her time with the BC Eagles, she worried her life in hockey was coming to an end, but she eventually realized there were many more opportunities for her to thrive in the sport she loves. 

For the first episode of RUSH Hockey Talk’s third season, Darryl Giancola returns for a conversation with Courtney Kessel, his choice for the greatest hockey player he ever coached. Kessel fondly recalls her experience with Giancola and discusses her evolution from star player into her current role as coach at Princeton University.

Darryl Giancola – teacher, coach, meditation instructor and longtime friend of Kelly – joins RUSH Hockey Talk to discuss meditation and the importance of mindfullness in both sports and in life. He also touches on youth coaching and what it actually means to be a good coach. Surprisingly, it means more than how many ‘wins’ a team gets. Have a listen to find out more.

Tim Healy joins Kelly on RUSH Hockey Talk to talk about his various roles with the Junior Canes program in Raleigh, North Carolina. He speaks about the juggling act of being assistant director for the girls Jr. Canes program, the coach for the boys Jr. Canes program and the coach for the ACAJ Division One Men’s hockey team. Healy also discusses how his various roles extend far beyond just being a coach or director, but to be an advocate to help grow the game of hockey down South.

Becca Vanstone, a close friend of RUSH Hockey and rising junior star at Yale, joins Kelly on RUSH Hockey Talk to discuss her experience growing up playing in leagues around the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), winning the championship for Team Ontario and the feeling of winning gold for Canada’s U18 team against the United States. She also elaborates on college and hockey life in the U.S., as well as some of the key factors that helped her decide to go to Yale.

Finnish goaltender and four-time Olympian Noora Räty and player turned coach (turned player again) Melanie Jue join Kelly on RUSH Hockey Talk to discuss life as a professional hockey player in Europe and how it differs from playing in North America. Both guests discuss playing with boys for the majority of their junior careers, the challenges involved, and how at the time, there was a complete lack of female hockey role models. Melanie speaks on her wild transition from player, to coach, back to player again – which was an unheard-of journey then, and still is to this day. Noora enlightens viewers on life in the WHL, from the teams to travel, stress and everything in between.

For a super special edition of RUSH Hockey Talk, fashion designer @JimmyleeSteinfeld joins Kelly to talk about his new initiative, Prom On – a virtual event hosted on Jimmylee’s IG Live on Thursday, June 25 from 7-8p.m. Filling the void for all the students whose proms have been cancelled this year, Jimmylee speaks on how this is not just a great opportunity for people to join in on the fun, friends and fashion that makes prom so special – but to also have the chance to win 1 of 100 JLS designer dresses being given away during the event!

Joe Corapi, an ex-Penn State athlete, joins Kelly on RUSH Hockey Talk to discuss how he got involved with SAT training and provides insight for students on balancing being both a great athlete and an exceptional student. This involves not only training the body physically, but also preparing for American standardized testing (SATs and ACTs), which is necessary to qualify for certain NCAA programs.

Josh Sciba, head coach of Union College women’s hockey team, joins RUSH Hockey Talk to discuss his life as a coach. He speaks on his experience being part of a program that suddenly ceases to exist and the effects on players. He also touches on his involvement with the USA U-18 women’s national team (which won gold in Slovakia in ’19), the type of steps required for coaches to get involved with national team programs and why he continues to go to coaching conferences every year.

Kelly chats with an all-star lineup of coaches, scouts and consultants about navigating the hockey landscape within the world of COVID-19, and what the future might look like. Guests include our very own Josh Piro, senior consultant and director of scouting, Mike O’Grady, head coach of Chatham women’s ice hockey, Casey Handrahan, assistant coach of UConn women’s ice hockey and Jerry Harrigan, former coach of Laurentian University women’s ice hockey.

Sports media specialist and award-winning journalist Jeff Hicks visits with Kelly to give expert insights on the world of sports journalism. From maintaining relationships with the people around you to doing your homework on those you’re profiling, Hicks explores the secrets of being a successful hockey writer and reporter.

Jamie Goldsmith, former pro hockey player and current girls’ hockey coach & assistant director of admissions at The Gunnery in Connecticut, joins RUSH Hockey Talk to discuss the path to the pros and the benefits of attending prep and boarding schools.

Kevin Duguay, managing director and sports therapy consultant at VoxxLife, returns to RUSH Hockey Talk to discuss the neuro path to faster wellness. Duguay goes in-depth on how VoxxLife products can help both performance and recovery – as well as simply help people be their best at any activity – every day.

RUSH Hockey founder and owner Kelly Katorji once again joins Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) trainer and facility owner Billy Larkins to answer all of your questions about training – but this time with a focus on conditioning during quarantine. From setting schedules to getting REM sleep, Larkins discusses what you need to know about how to push through this pandemic.

RUSH Hockey founder and owner Kelly Katorji talks to former National goaltenders Katherine Purchase and Carly Jackson, as well as former college assistant coach Stephen Friars. All hailing from the Atlantic provinces, our guest discuss their experiences playing and coaching hockey at home and abroad, and what helped make them successful.

RUSH Hockey founder and owner Kelly Katorji talks to personal trainer and stretch therapist Ryan Herszkowicz about the often-forgotten importance of flexibility training. Herszkowicz explores how specific stretch training can improve your overall game and gives you the tips you need to get started at home.

RUSH Hockey founder and owner Kelly Katorji talks to Camp Robin Hood director and owner Richard “Woody” Woodstein about his long, storied history at the camp and his desire to see kids enjoy the one-of-a-kind summer hockey experience known as Adrenaline, powered by RUSH Hockey and Camp Robin Hood. As Woodstein sees it, this is a rare and extremely worthy opportunity for kids to broaden their athletic ability, while also taking a much-needed break from the technological distractions that play an overpowering role in their daily lives.

RUSH Hockey founder and owner Kelly Katorji talks to Eric Guzdek, general manager of the Northtown Center at Amherst, and Peter Gout, general manager and director of hockey operations of the Brampton Canadettes Girls Hockey Association, about their need to cancel many upcoming events in light of the COVID-19 crisis. As Gout sees it, the inconvenience and disappointment involved is of little importance compared to the health and well-being of all those who were set to participate in these events.

RUSH Hockey founder and owner Kelly Katorji talks to Grant Kimball, assistant women’s hockey coach at Yale University, and Ted Wisner, associate coach of women’s ice hockey at St. Lawrence University, about the impact of COVID-19 on the lives of university hockey players and coaches. With all their usual activities cancelled, Kimball and Wisner explore their reactions and the various ways their lives have changed in recent weeks.

Grant Kimball, Yale Bulldog assistant coach, joins Kelly Katorji in-studio to share how he’s starting the season off right, with insights he’s gleaned from more than 19 years of coaching. This conversation covers it all, from the importance of creating a low-stress environment through structure and habit-forming, to advice on how parents and players can handle the new college recruitment rules. Don’t miss this episode if you’re looking to start your 2019-20 season in high gear!

Kelly Katorji is joined by Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), trainer and facility owner Billy Larkins. He’s worked with a wide range of athletes, from collegiate players to pros in the NBA, NFL and NHL. In this episode, Larkins answers your burning questions about training – everything from how to vary the type and intensity of workouts from in-season to off-season, how to make the most of your training, how much is too much and how hockey camps should fit into your training schedule.

Guest host Mandi Gosling talks to RUSH Hockey founder and owner Kelly Katorji about the RUSH College Showcase, which runs over four days every June. One of North America’s most experienced hockey scouts, Katorji uses his knowledge of young players to keep the teams in this event balanced and competitive. In this behind-the-scenes look, he reveals how the Showcase allows players from all over North America to build lasting friendships, while gaining a better sense of their relative skill level – and what’s required to excel.

Ashley Kilstein, assistant coach of women’s hockey at Princeton University, dispels common myths about the Ivy League's admissions process. As she sees it, GPA and standardized test scores are important, but they’re not the only variables that matter.

Grant Kimball, head coach of the women's hockey team at Aurora University, talks about his role as representative of Division III women’s hockey on the American Hockey Coaches Association’s board of governors. Specifically, he considers new NCAA rules aimed at slowing down early recruiting and the ways these rules are likely to impact coaches, players and their families.

Players and parents navigating recruitment, this one’s for you! Josh Sciba, head coach of the women’s hockey team at Union College, offers his insights on what he looks for in players, what you can do to get noticed and what to avoid.

Tim Crowley, head coach of the nationally ranked women’s ice hockey program at Elmira College, discusses everything you need to know about the NCAA Division III tournament: the criteria to make it in, the selection process and the approach he takes with his team. “It’s about your body of work… a game in November is just as important as a game in February.”

Associate head coach of the women's hockey team at St. Lawrence University Ted Wisner has worked in this area for well over a decade. During this time, he has seen a significant improvement in the quality of skating among female hockey players, though he believes there is still plenty of opportunity for those who “can skate like the wind, keep their head up and have a rocket shot.”

Assistant coach of the women's hockey team at Quinnipiac University Eddie Ardito offers tips for parents and players struggling to navigate the recruiting process. Specifically, he breaks down the current communication rules and offers some idea of what to expect when they are revised in the months ahead.

Associate head coach of the Northeastern University women's hockey team Nick Carpenito has advice for parents and players curious about how to manoeuvre the off season. Should players keep busy with tournaments and showcases? Don’t miss Carpenito’s insight!

Richard Reichenbach discusses his recruiting efforts as head coach of the University of Maine’s women’s hockey team and recent changes to the rules regarding the recruitment of young players. He also explains his family-focused approach to coaching, offering advice for parents determined to see their children succeed on the ice.

Assistant coach of University of Connecticut’s women’s hockey team, Casey Handrahan explains what he looks for in the players he recruits. While performance and ability are most important, Handrahan puts a great deal of effort into finding players with character, as this makes for a more positive environment, maximizing the commitment of everyone on the team.

Assistant coach of Cornell University’s women’s hockey team, Dean Jackson talks about the key differences between Ivy League athletic opportunities and those available at other post-secondary institutions. Rather than offer scholarships, Ivy League universities are only permitted to provide financial aid.