Sean Skahan on Modern Hockey Strength & Conditioning, Youth Development, and Avoiding Burnout

Host Jason Jacobs interviews Sean Skahan, former NHL strength and conditioning coach (Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks; 2007 Stanley Cup) and owner of Skahan Sports Conditioning. Skahan describes shifting from football into hockey performance, and how training evolved from heavy aerobic work to a year-round emphasis on strength, speed, power, and injury prevention. He argues youth players often overdo offseason ice time, limiting recovery and gains, and outlines an 11-week, four-days-per-week model with alternating high/low intensity sessions, sprint/plyometric/Olympic-style work, and conditioning. Skahan emphasizes coaching technique, choosing safe exercises, and avoiding training-related injuries; he tracks metrics like vertical jump and 10-yard dash but avoids labeling young kids with deficits. He advocates multi-sport participation to prevent burnout, discusses balancing experts with long-term development, shares why he left the NHL to focus on youth advancement, and offers parent advice to stay calm at games and respect referees, plus ways to access his gyms, online programs, and podcast.