The 2026 Hobey Baker winner on late growth, betting on himself, and chasing big dreams.

Scott and Jamie sit down with Max Plante for a conversation that has surprisingly little to do with trophies and everything to do with development.

Max shares how he was just 5'4", 120 pounds when he left Minnesota high school hockey for the NTDP, why many people questioned the decision, and how learning to compete as one of the smallest players on the ice ultimately became one of his biggest advantages.

He also talks about growing up in Hermantown, playing every sport he could, the influence of his hockey family, battling through injuries, winning World Juniors gold, and why pushing yourself into uncomfortable situations is often the fastest path to growth.

In this episode:

• Why being undersized helped shape his game
• The emotional decision to leave Minnesota for the NTDP
• What injuries taught him about resilience
• Why playing multiple sports made him a better hockey player

This isn't just the story of a Hobey Baker winner, it's a reminder that development isn't always linear, and betting on yourself is often the hardest move to make.

Max Plante: https://www.instagram.com/mdplanet10
University Minnesota Duluth: https://umdbulldogs.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey

Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

Scott and Jamie sit down with Justin Selman and Boo Nieves of TopLine Hockey for a brutally honest conversation about development, coaching, team-hopping, and what parents keep getting wrong.

Justin and Boo share their own paths through Michigan, pro hockey, the AHL grind, injuries, coaching, and building TopLine into one of the most trusted development groups in the area.

But the real meat of this episode is youth hockey today: why parents chase logos, why kids get stuck in the wrong roles too early, why switching teams every year can backfire, and why the best situation isn’t always the best-ranked team.

In this episode:

• Why “the best team” may be the wrong fit
• Why team-hopping can become a red flag
• Why you can’t force a kid to love hockey
• The brutal reality of the AHL grind

If your kid is miserable, underused, or chasing the next logo - this one is required listening.

TopLine: https://tlhockey.com/
TopLine IG: https://www.instagram.com/toplinehockey

Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/

What college coaches are actually looking for in today's game.

Scott and Jamie sit down with Sean Flanagan, Associate Head Coach at Cornell University, for a candid conversation about recruiting, development, and what separates players who keep advancing from those who stall out.

Sean explains how the recruiting landscape has changed with more teams, more leagues, and the transfer portal creating a much larger pool of players than ever before. He also shares what Cornell looks for beyond talent, including character, academics, consistency, and a genuine love of the game.

The conversation dives into youth hockey development, multi-sport athletes, late bloomers, recruiting misconceptions, and why parents often worry about things that matter far less than they think.

In this episode:

• How recruiting has changed in the portal era
• What Ivy League coaches actually look for
• Why development isn't always linear
• The value of multi-sport athletes
• Common recruiting mistakes families make
• Why passion for hockey still matters

If you're trying to understand what college coaches are really evaluating, this episode is a must-listen.

Cornell University Men's Ice Hockey: https://cornellbigred.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey
Cornell University Women's Ice Hockey: https://cornellbigred.com/sports/womens-ice-hockey

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/