“Fuel Better, Play Better: Nutrition for Hockey Players” with Val Hannahs

In this episode of Sharpening Your Edge, sports dietitian Val Hannahs joins Chuck to break down what it really takes to fuel a hockey player for performance, recovery, and long-term development. From early-morning games and demanding tournament schedules to hydration, electrolytes, protein, and supplements, Val provides practical strategies that athletes and families can actually use.

They also explore the unique nutritional needs of young and female hockey players, the dangers of under-fueling during growth, and how parents can help athletes develop independence and healthy food habits. Most importantly, Val explains why nutrition shouldn’t make an athlete’s life more complicated—it should make it better.

BioVal Hannahs is a sports dietitian with 20 years of experience in sports nutrition. She has worked in a variety of clinical and sports nutrition settings and as a consultant with athletes since 2006. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics and a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion. Val has worked with athletes across a variety of sports and levels, from youth and developing athletes to those competing at the elite level, including her work with IMG Academy +, where she serves as Manager of Performance Nutrition. Over the past five years, she has focused on growing her sports nutrition private practice, with a particular focus on ice hockey athletes.

As an athlete herself and a busy mom of three athletes, two of whom play hockey, Val understands sports nutrition from both professional and real-life perspectives. She not only teaches athletes what they need to fuel but has also tested these strategies through her own training and has experienced the day-to-day realities of supporting her own athletes. She understands the demands of hockey, as well as the packed schedules, travel, practices, school, and logistics that families are balancing.

Val combines evidence-based sports nutrition with practical strategies that work in real life, helping athletes and their families build fueling habits that support energy, recovery, performance, and long-term development.

This episode is proudly sponsored byOfficial Partner of the Sharpening Your Edge Podcast, Roster Hub

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You can break down game film with drawing tools and voiceover, diagram plays on a digital whiteboard, assign and track fitness programs, manage your team budget