Healthy Scratch Podcast
The Healthy Scratch Podcast takes on topics relevent to players and teams surrounding the sport of hockey
Healthy Scratch Podcast
Healthy Scratch Podcast - April 13, 2026
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The Healthy Scratch Podcast this week sees Kevin take a look at the recently-completed U15 provincial tournament as well as a rule change that will affect NCAA hockey players.
It's time now for the Healthy Scratch Podcast with your host Kevin Calm. The Healthy Scratch Podcast is sponsored by Kevin Hockey Management. Hockey North and Hockey Winter.
SPEAKER_02Well, hi again, everybody. This is Brad Cotamillion alongside uh Kevin Kevin at Hockey Management. Uh back with another episode of the Healthy Scratch Podcast. And uh we're getting into uh you know getting into the kind of late days of the hockey season here. Uh still obviously lots to uh lots to talk about. And uh you know, Kevin, we'll jump right away. Um I know we were uh you and I were kind of talking a bit about it uh before jumping on the show. Uh sounds like quite a finish to that one. Uh you know, I know you uh I know you caught uh you know a chunk of the uh the event and stuff. Uh let's talk about that. I hear uh I hear the championship game uh you know and it sounds like the tournament overall was uh you know was pretty entertaining.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, Brad, uh it's it's great to be here today. Spring is in the air, yeah, but uh uh a little bit of friendship for the first time in you know God knows how long. But uh yeah, so um I I watched virtually every game, and uh um it was nice to see um the U-15, like the Super House U-15 team, triple A team really did a great job on uh you know like during the entire week.
SPEAKER_02Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Um they you know managed it was up and down, didn't play well, played very well, um, and but they played well when it really counted, which is a credit to the coach, uh Coach Jarrett. So um the the final game was was something to watch. Like, I mean it was a great game. Um they outshot them, uh Sioux outshot them by a you know a close margin, but nonetheless, they were hidden the entire game. Um the um it was time at 2-2, you know, late, I think two minutes left. Um Vaughn scored uh a controversy, the net was off. They took the goal off the board, um, but then shortly thereafter they scored again um and won 3-2. And so I mean Vaughn was considered to be the the top team in Ontario um you know all year. Um and you know, it was credit to those kids. Um they really battled hard and and you know you have somewhat of a shorter bench um in minor hockey, and you know, you're playing two games a day you know, basically every day during the round robin, and then um you know the semifinal, like the last regular game, and then the semifinals on on Saturday. And um so you know, they really did a great job. Um and uh my hat off my hats off to them because um they you know they ended up being the second best team in Ontario um and uh were uh you know full marks for it. Um you know their best players uh this week, especially at the end of the week, um were you know their best players, which is what you need to succeed in something like that. And yeah, and uh, you know, young young Jarrett Wyatt was very, very good. Um every bit as good as as you know uh the majority of uh any of the kids that I saw during the week. So uh, you know, it's a good good omen for him. Um you know, he he just you know, he's got sides, he shoot the puck really well. Um just was um you know sort of a man among boys as they got into the uh uh playoff round. And so kudos to them and uh kudos to Coach Jared and his staff because uh you know those teams that were there were very, very good, um, including the host team, um Thunder Bay, and when they played uh uh you know, they had a full house. And uh I think to a couple of games where the Sioux gave up late, you know, uh were either tied or up late and lost, um, they could have made it a whole lot easier for themselves, but um they were exceptional all week and and my hat's off to them.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, and an interesting point you make is that you know the idea of you know, events like that, there's so much hockey for these kids in such a short time span, right? Like, you know, like you said, in some cases you're playing two games a day and uh you know right through it says a lot for uh you know for those kids to you know kind of go through that and you know for the two teams getting into the final, that's an absolute ton of hockey over uh you know such a short stretch.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and and you know, kids uh being able to concentrate and and and um be engaged that much over the course of a week, we you know, we forget how old they are.
SPEAKER_02Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Um so you know, you everybody knows that has kids um how difficult it is for their 14 or 15-year-old kid um to keep them engaged in in anything for an hour or so. Um so imagine over the course of a week um to you know to be that engaged, um, you know, to me, I I think is is a you know credit to um the leadership on on the team and and the coaching staff. And so um again, they did a great job. Um the interesting part now we'll see you know we'll be able to see how many of them remain in the Sioux. And uh with that, what the U 16 team will look like going forward. Um I know some of the some good kids are are staying, but I know there are some kids that are leaving. So um it will uh be interesting to see what what happens and and what the team and the group will look like uh for next year.
SPEAKER_02Right. Yeah, it's always uh you know, and again, like we said earlier, getting into that uh into that time of year. And uh I know another thing you wanted to touch on uh today was something that's uh you know been talked about a little bit more lately, and sounds like it's uh my understanding uh from what you were saying earlier has come to fruition. There's been a bit of a change as far as um NCAA eligibility when it comes to uh when it comes to hockey players or uh are concerned. And athletes, uh it sounds like athletes in general as well, but uh what can you tell us about that? Uh you know, maybe take us through what uh what the changes are.
SPEAKER_01So there's a couple things here that that are interesting. You always got five years of eligibility to play for, but um sometimes uh especially college football and stuff, you'd see a guy, you know, red shirt one year, and then you'd get an injury red shirt another, and then like next thing you know, the the guy's been there seven years. Well, that's that's a so you're you're now gonna get your five years to play for, um so a maximum of five years. And in the past, prior to the new rule, you if you transferred, you had to sit out a year. Well, now you're gonna get one free transfer, um, but after that, you're gonna sit out. So um that's a real big deal. You know, I was looking at the Division I hockey transfer portal today, and um you know, there are people that have transferred two, three, four times, um, and that looks like that's gonna be over. So um, you know, it's difficult. Uh under the current situation, it was difficult for teams. Um if they didn't like something, uh, you know, the player just left, you know, and uh uh every year they could, you know, wind up with a different team. So um just to give a little more stability um and a clearer picture, um a five to play four, and you know now if you're going to transfer, you better do it for the right reasons because um you're only getting the one free one.
SPEAKER_02Right.
SPEAKER_01Um they do still have some provisions um in regards to coaching turnover and uh, you know, a few other you know smaller ones that could change that one free transfer, but for the most part, everybody's going to end up in that, you know, uh getting one free and uh uh which will be a different thing come next year.
SPEAKER_02And uh that seems like an interesting interesting thing in the sense that you know it's really it's almost like that idea is really making sure that it's like hey, you know what, you want to transfer, that's fine, but make sure, you know, make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. Make sure it's you know, make sure it's what you want to do, and make sure that where you're going is where you're where you really are gonna want to be, because you know, like you said, if you don't if you don't want to be there, that next time you want to transfer, you're not gonna be you're not necessarily gonna be so lucky in terms of uh how easy it would be.
SPEAKER_01Right. You know, I I I mean I'd like to think that you know most players transfer for the right reasons.
SPEAKER_02Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Um some simply make a mistake um you know in their initial commitment, and maybe it you know just isn't a good fit. Um you know, there could be a like a coaching situation, it could be um, you know, uh a player doesn't see any path. You know, I'll give you an example. So you sign with Michigan State, um who are loaded every year. So in year one, maybe you're an in and out of the lineup guy, uh, or you just don't see a lot of action as a freshman. In normal circumstances, um the way it was, you you you'd learn and you'd build into that lineup, and then once you were a junior, you're probably a regular. Well, with some schools with with the transfer portal the way it is, they just reload every year. Um there's not a lot of you know uh opportunity if you're not a regular. So if you can't be a regular, you don't see that path to becoming a regular, then maybe you transfer to a smaller school where there's some opportunity. Um but you know, going forward, it's it's you know um it's it's gonna be difficult. And now the other thing is it's NIL money. So now when you when you decide to go to a certain school, you better have uh you know a plan in place um for all four years. So you're not taking that initial uh chunk of money um and then go back to them in year two and they say, oh no, no, that was just for year one. You know, you gotta have a plan in place so that you're not you know chasing money. Um, you know, a lot of players they get go to one place, they they get a bit of money, they have a good year, the next school down the road will give you twice as much of that for the next year, and so on. So at least that'll be over. Um chasing the money is gonna be somewhat of a thing of the past, unless the school is is going to put it up front and uh you know sign a contract, um, you know, talking about what you're gonna be given each year.
SPEAKER_02Right. Yeah, certainly uh, you know, certainly makes for uh certainly gonna make for you know interesting times with uh you know, especially with the way the tra with the transfer portal these days and um you know how that's all kind of played out um you know over the years, especially you know, lately in in college hockey. And um, you know, shifting gears one final time will uh one one thing, Brad. Oh yeah, for sure.
SPEAKER_01Brad, I just wanted to sorry, I I just so we all complain about hockey Canada. Um seems to be our whipping, you know, boy, you know, during the year for some issues. Um but here's one that will maybe put it in perspective for some people um with USA hockey. So right now, all of the um uh the what they call the the USA hockey festivals, the under-60, under 50, the festivals and these players. Um and so you do to the you go to these regional tryouts, um and out west, the regional tryout is in Vegas, which is a great spot. Um they just hosted the final four, the frozen four. Yeah. Um but they um as part of your registration, you need to stay at a certain hotel. And um there's a very large uh uh electronic music festival there at the same time. So rooms at this place uh are $450 a night. So you have three nights or three days at this festival, uh at the USA hockey festival, um, and you're tied to having to pay this $450 a night as part of this stay-to-play package or whatever. And uh, you know, USA hockey is absolutely toe-deaf because you know, hockey's very expensive. Yeah, and uh here's a situation where um they're they're requiring you to stay at a certain hotel because obviously uh they're getting some sort of a kickback, and um parents are stuck to pay, you know, $450 or $500 a night for a hotel. So um, you know, at least you know, like I know with the hockey canada stuff, um you know, people have opportunity to stay where they want. They can, you know, uh and uh uh tournaments and whatnot. Teams have an opportunity to pick their own. Um this is just uh an example of you know USA hockey being absolutely toe-deaf and uh you know requiring families uh to pay all this money because you know families are going, because it's a big deal to become you know to get selected. Um because over time those are the kids that wind up making or you know making up the uh U17, U18 national team. So you have to follow that process in order to get selected. So it's an interesting thing, but uh, you know, again, um family's kind of take being taken advantage of. Uh it doesn't just happen in Canada. It's certainly uh um a USA hockey problem as well.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, no kidding, right? I mean, when you consider how expensive, like you said, the sport already is, and you know, then to go to uh you know a three or four-day event and you know have to spend another you know 1500-ish you know just on on the hotels for that um you know, after probably already spending a ton of money during the year, that's uh yeah it as weird as it is, it's almost good to know it's not just a Hockey Canada thing in the in the sense of you know doing things that don't always make sense. Um, you know, for sure. That's uh that's definitely a strange one for sure.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and if you're not in Southern California or whatever, there's a good chance that you're having to fly there. Yeah. So um, you know, uh rent a car, the you know, the whole deal. Um so yeah, it it it you know it's just something that uh with a little bit better, you know, thought you know, uh about the the families would be a nice uh gesture as opposed to uh uh you know trying to milk every possible dollar out of uh out of people because there there'd probably be a hundred players in that thing.
SPEAKER_02Yep.
SPEAKER_01Um so you know it's disappointing that uh you know families are still getting taken advantage of.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, no kidding. 100% on that for sure. And um, you know, and and since we're you know, since we're kind of talking about uh you know festivals and uh and that kind of thing, like the USA hockey festivals and that kind of thing, uh, you know, maybe uh you know, as we right kind of get close to wrapping things up here, uh you know, we're also getting into you know with the end of with the end of one season completely brings the uh start of a new one already. And I know uh triode season gets underway pretty quick during the summer. And uh, maybe just uh you know some thoughts on triode season for for young players as we kind of get in you know, kind of get close to that with uh you know with this season kind of coming to a close. Maybe if you've got some uh you know some quick tips and and different things as we kind of get into that point uh that point in the year.
SPEAKER_01Well, I I I am a fan of the having tryouts now. Um while everybody's in the swing of you know having just finished playing. Um you know it it opens up everybody's summer and and so I'm I'm you know I'm a fan of that for sure. I guess the big thing for me is um you have to go into tryouts, whether you think that you're one of the guys that's gonna be on the team or not, um you have to go you you really gotta work hard and you have to be prepared. Um, you know, I I I think one of the big things that that people make mistakes with is they try to be a player that they haven't been all year. You know, do the things that you do very well, really well. Um don't try to be something you're not. Um and just stick to the game. Don't get involved in the politics of the of the uh of the team and and and who's gonna make it or whatever. You just go there, um whatever team it's gonna be, and make somebody tell you you're not good enough. You know, uh make by your play, make sure that that you've allowed yourself the opportunity where nobody can tell you that you're not good enough. Because um unfortunately, you know, in this day and age with uh you know so and so doesn't like this coach and and uh well I had him before and you know whatever, you didn't like my son, or like all those things start to play in and become talking points when these trials start. And the unfortunate thing is parents generally don't keep these conversations to themselves.
SPEAKER_02Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Um generally there are players around, and it it's just not helpful. It just you know puts thoughts into a player's head that they don't they don't need to have. Um they just need to to to go in there with a clear mind and just work hard. And uh all you're concerned with is your spot and your opportunity on the team, nothing else. Um and then once the team gets going, it's the same thing. You just have to worry about your thing, um, what you're gonna do to contribute to the team, and uh let the other stuff go to other people because it's unfortunate, but even at very, very young ages, you know, I I I spoke to somebody uh, you know, complaining about a coach um for probably 10 or 15 minutes at the arena one day. Um and you know, not not a great conversation. Yeah, I did a lot of listening. Um and you know, the thing that I took from the conversation was um their nine or ten-year-old that you know team we were talking about was standing right next to her the entire time. And um, you know, there's zero chance that that little guy is gonna respect what goes on at the arena after, you know uh, you know, what's what what was said and um and it you know and and it has nothing to it has nothing to do with them. You just need to if you're not interested in playing there, then don't.
SPEAKER_02Yeah.
SPEAKER_01But if you are, you've got to be supportive, you gotta be all in and uh any personal or any you know sort of issues you have, you know, just lock them away. And uh enjoy the year. And if you know for whatever reason you don't appreciate that year or you look the person, whatever, then if they're coaching next year, then just don't do it. So um but just don't have these conversations in front of your players, especially if if if the players are younger.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, definitely some uh some great tips there is uh you know, like you said, we get into uh get into tryout season, one season ends, another season quickly begins for sure, and uh we do uh as part of the show we do have uh you know a couple more episodes at least coming uh coming up, but um that will do it for the April thirteenth edition of the Healthy Scratch podcast. And you know, as always we appreciate uh I appreciate everyone tuning in and uh listening in week after week uh to us. And uh for Kevin and myself, we uh we always appreciate it and look forward to having you uh tune in uh uh again next week.
SPEAKER_01Thanks, Brad.