Joe Ribar

Longtime season ticket holder for the Carolina Hurricanes. Play adult league hockey across Raleigh. Coach youth hockey and sled hockey with the JR Hurricanes

[Carolina Hurricanes @Canes]

Jim Valvano taught us to enjoy life and to cherish every moment.

As we continue this journey, we’re reminded that the Stanley Cup Final is about more than hockey. It’s about people, purpose, sacrifice, and appreciating the moments that bring us together.

[Elias Al @iam_elias1]

A man saw his phone storage was ''full'' after 18 months but he barely had any photos.

He had deleted apps. Cleared messages. Removed downloads. The warning kept coming back every two weeks:

"Storage Almost Full.''

He went to the Apple Store ready to buy a new iPhone.

The employee at the Genius Bar held up a hand: *"Before you spend a thousand dollars, let me show you something."*

She opened Settings → General → iPhone Storage and shook her head.

"There are 7 things eating your storage right now. Apple ships every iPhone with all of them turned on. Nobody tells you they exist. Let's go through them."

Here's what she showed him in the next 8 minutes. 🧵

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

TRACKS AND GAPS.

You can’t have one without the other. And it’s one of the main foundations of a great defensive team.

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

Kids: when the Colorado Avalanche won a Stanley Cup a few years ago they had a motto:

TRACK OR DIE.

They’re on their way to win another one with this mentality. Watch how hard they get back on the backcheck.

UNREAL.

It takes away the Wild scoring opportunity and then they transition the other way fast to score the OT winner.

Amazing hockey. Track or die.

[NHLonTNT @NHL_On_TNT]

Bruce Cassidy broke down the Canes PP 🧠

[The Coaches Site @TheCoachesSite]

Elaborate team systems are useless if players can't complete a tape-to-tape pass. In this #TCSLive Quick Clip from @pdxwinterhawks' Mike Johnston, he shares a O-Zone progression to improve passing and get players hustling on a regroup. FULL DRILL: https://t.co/8j8xDX8oUk

[NHL Media @NHLMedia]

After punching their ticket to the Eastern Conference Final, @Canes head coach Rod Brind'Amour speaks!

📺: #NHLTonight on NHL Network has postgame coverage of every game of the #StanleyCup Playoffs

[IceHockeySystems.com @icehockeydrills]

“The best teams are player-led.”
Scotty Bowman on the importance of leadership, trust, and building a core that keeps the ship moving in the right direction.

The greatest coach in hockey history sharing timeless insight on what actually builds winning teams.

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

Rasmus Dahlin:

-Captain of the Buffalo Sabres
-Number one overall NHL draft pick
-6th in the NHL for defensemen points this year
-Team Sweden Olympian

Blocks this shot in front to help preserve the win for the boys. When your best players do this, you win.

[The Coaches Site @TheCoachesSite]

Every coach wants a team that's relentless on the forecheck. @utahmammoth's André Tourigny explains how he structures pressure in the offensive zone. WATCH: https://t.co/V6nWu5W9Bk

[Kyle MacLennan @MacLennan28]

CAR DZFO High Flip

True to Carolina form, they play fast out of their zone off the faceoff win. Both wingers immediately sprint into the neutral zone, anticipating the high flip from the D

It’s a difficult puck for the opposition D to control, especially with Carolina’s speed coming directly at them

Similar look from Utah in Round 1

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

COACHES: Check out the similarities of the two players with the puck on entry on these two goals from last night. It's a kick to the outside, drive, and watch how they subtly run interference with the defender.

This little pick allows for the player now with the puck to have a little more time and space in front of them to make a play and both teams capitalize. You're seeing this little habit of picking a lot on entries in today's game.

Bonus points - Both players leading the rush are defensemen. "Positionless hockey."

[The Coaches Site @TheCoachesSite]

Watch as @umichhockey coach @BrandonNaurato breaks down how to manage points of pressure when attacking off the wall in this clip from his 2022 #TCSLive presentation. FULL VIDEO: https://t.co/YJGhSRgO0t

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

COACHES: I love faceoff plays where a defenseman comes down the strong-side wall and a forward comes up high. You're seeing this type of play a lot at the higher levels of hockey.

Here are two examples from the VGK/UTA game last night. A forward up and a D down the wall creates confusion leading to a scoring chance for VGK and a goal for UTA. Great job by both teams and a tactic to add to your faceoff play arsenal!

[The Coaches Site @TheCoachesSite]

This article from Coach @DCamWPG breaks down smart net‑drive options that create real scoring chances by forcing defenders to commit, opening up lanes, and helping players finish with confidence. DRILL: https://t.co/BRXfjDPOKQ

[Kyle MacLennan @MacLennan28]

Two early practice drills that I like, particularly number two (right)

Typically do without a goaltender early in practice (goaltender getting work with goalie coach) where there is a lot of breakout/rush defending focus. Tire is there to allow D first touch and forecheckers & supporting forwards to work off the puck, but can be removed

Can manipulate a bunch of contraints with this:
- Where does puck carrier start?
- Where do the D start?
- Forechecker & Offensive forward starting position/delayed release etc.
- Restricted to Strong Side Breakout or either side of the ice?

- Lots of retrieval reps under different pressure scenarios and also allows for screens/picks in fairly representative environment

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

COACHES: Are you practicing inverted rushes (1v2, 2v3, 3v4) in practice?

We all love a good odd-man rush drill, but having less offensive players is great for development. It forces the player with the puck to have to protect it and buy time for teammates to get to spots of support. And it forces players without the puck to have to work hard to get to spots of support.

Here are two great plays from Logan Cooley and Cutter Gauthier as examples. They both enter the zone with a number disadvantage around them, but do an amazing job protecting the puck, buying time and keeping possession. Eventually both teams end up getting rewarded with goals.

Great job by two former NTDP teammates!!!

[The Coaches Site @TheCoachesSite]

Backchecking isn’t effort, it’s awareness. One missed detail and it’s already broken. Defend early, writes Coach Shaun Earl. https://t.co/FTAU1X1jjw

[The Coaches Site @TheCoachesSite]

50/50 corner race into a live 1v1 with layered support turns into a lesson in real defending, not just stealing pucks, but disrupting, freeing, and letting the 2nd player arrive to recover before moving it and resetting. https://t.co/fjzvA1fBTL

[The Coaches Site @TheCoachesSite]

When D steps up at the blue line, don’t force it, hit the seam with support, put the puck into space, and let speed beat the pressure. Tips & clips from Coach @MacLennan28. https://t.co/DBLq3vhzbs