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The Rink Shrinks

The Rink Shrinks, Bleav
NHL
Youth Hockey
Hockey
Player Development
NHL Playoffs
USA Hockey
Stanley Cup
College Hockey
Youth Hockey Development
Youth Sports
Junior Hockey
Olympics
Hockey Development
Neutral Zone
NHL Draft
Boston Bruins
NCAA
Coaching
Parenting In Sports
Pittsburgh Penguins

The Rink Shrinks features special guests from the hockey world. They're keeping it real in the rink, helping our listeners navigate their way through it in a humorous and educational format.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes296Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HockeySports

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Latest Episodes

Brian Yandle and Mike Mottau breakdown everything that has gone down in this epic Stanley Cup Final between Vegas and Carolina which features multiple goal comebacks and a goalie change! The guys also give their thoughts on the latest award winners i... more

Brian Yandle and Mike Mottau are back this week with a fresh mailbag episode! Before answering all of your questions the guys recap Motts’ week on the golf course and the Chicago Wolves development camp. Then they jump into some NHL awards that were ... more

Brian Yandle and Mike Mottau are back this week and kick things off chatting about Motts’ weekend in Chicago for rookie camp with the Chicago Steel. Then the boys pivot into the NHL with Vegas already locking up the Western Conference, they discuss w... more

Brian Yandle and Mike Mottau are back with a fresh mailbag episode this week and are ready to answer all of your questions! The boys also hit on the epic game seven between Montreal and Buffalo, the Conference Finals matchups, and who to keep an eye ... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Grumpy Hockey Dad
Online persona delivering commentary on youth hockey development and parental perspectives
Episode: Stanley Cup Final + A Novel By Grumpy Hockey Dad
Chris Nilan
NHL player known for toughness and scoring ability; Hall of Famer in Massachusetts class of 2026
Montreal Canadiens
Episode: Chris "Knuckles" Nilan, Thanks to the Judge, NHL Playoffs
David Clarkson
Former NHL player, undrafted, later played for multiple teams and now youth coach
NHL alumni/coach
Episode: Former NHL Tough Guy Turned Youth Hockey Coach: David Clarkson
Chris Pronger
NHL Hall of Famer, author of Earned: The True Cost of Greatness
NHL
Episode: Hockey Hall of Famer Turned Author, Chris Pronger
Michael Haley
NHL veteran, known for enforcer role
Retired NHL player
Episode: Micheal Haley: Professional Tough Guy & All-Around Teammate
Ryan Vesce
Former professional hockey player, NHL veteran, and CEO/founder of Matterhorn Fit
Matterhorn Fit
Episode: Ryan Vesce: Former Pro & CEO of Matterhorn Fit
Ryan Hughes
Former NHL player, General Manager of North America for Revive DNA
Revive DNA
Episode: Chasing Gold, Ryan Hughes of Revive DNA
Bob Mancini
Assistant Executive Director at USA Hockey
USA Hockey
Episode: Bob Mancini of USA Hockey
Paul Carey
Hockey player and significant figure in youth hockey discussion
Not specified
Episode: First Mailbag of 2026

Host

Motts
Host of The Rink Shrinks

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 556 ratings
  • best rink shrinks

    love it best podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    frank jim kevin
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great resource

    The pods are always interesting and informative and Matts and BY are a fun listen (even for a non New Englander). The mailbags are especially helpful for hockey parents.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Midwest hockey dad
    United Statesa year ago
  • Hockey Parents

    This is a must listen!!!! Love this show for all sports parents!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EricLouis5
    United Statesa year ago
  • Ad Takeover

    Loved the pod and have been an OG listener since Ep.1 but seems like recently it’s more of an AM radio style of ads everywhere with content blended throughout. Worst is right in the middle of an interview, an ad kicks in.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    D Mac 52
    United States2 years ago
  • Best Pod out in the game today!

    Best pod in the game today!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    shoulder slasher 91
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners note sponsorship reads can interrupt interviews but still find the content valuable.
Community-driven vibe and strong chemistry between hosts are commonly highlighted positives.
Fans praise the show for its entertaining yet informative take on hockey development and parenting.
Listeners appreciate real-world coaching insights and candid stories from players and coaches.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#137
United States/Sports/Hockey
Apple Podcasts
#154
Canada/Sports/Hockey
Apple Podcasts
#204
United Kingdom/Sports/Hockey
Apple Podcasts
#68
Japan/Sports/Hockey
Apple Podcasts
#161
Finland/Sports/Hockey
Apple Podcasts
#234
Sweden/Sports/Hockey

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Stanley Cup Final + A Novel By Grumpy Hockey Dad
Q: What do you think about closing double-A tryouts to reduce parental influence?
Strong support for closed practices/tryouts to keep the focus on players and coaching, with LiveBond or streams as the only outside observation; parents should not dictate selection or pressure players.
Stanley Cup Final + A Novel By Grumpy Hockey Dad
Q: So Grumpy Hockey Dad, here it goes. Shrinks, I have a theory I want you to comment on.
He argues that many young players peak early and that long-term development, realistic assessment of ability, and broad life opportunities are more valuable than an early shot at pro hockey; the right expectations and diversified experiences are key.
Conference Finals Are Set, Black Bear, and Local Legends
Q: First part of the mailbag: are there journeymen on teams you'd be happy for to win their first Stanley Cup, and who from older eras would you have liked to see win it?
They name Brent Burns as a notable journeyman in the current era, and discuss players like Taylor Hall from older eras as deserving eventual Cup winners, emphasizing players who sustained high performance and leadership while pursuing a Cup with the right organization.
Former NHL Tough Guy Turned Youth Hockey Coach: David Clarkson
Q: What was it like transitioning from junior hockey to the NHL as an undrafted player?
Clarkson described it as a grind, highlighting that perseverance, seizing opportunities, and performing when given a chance were essential. He emphasized that his path required relentless work and support from mentors, which ultimately helped him secure an NHL opportunity.
Hockey Hall of Famer Turned Author, Chris Pronger
Q: What was the process like transitioning from junior hockey to the NHL, and how did you handle the pressure of being a top pick?
Pronger describes feeling ready for the jump, the intense scrutiny of being a top pick, and how mentor figures helped him manage expectations while staying focused on contributing to the team. He emphasizes the importance of choosing a path that fits one's own development and maintaining professional maturity.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Rink Shrinks

What is The Rink Shrinks about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on hockey culture, youth development, and the realities of navigating a young player's path from peewee leagues to higher levels. Conversations weave mentorship, coaching philosophies, family dynamics, and practical guidance for parents and players, with frequent emphasis on training longevity, multi-sport development, and the role of education in athletic journeys. A standout aspect is the coach- and player-development lens applied across episodes, often hosted with humor and real-world anecdotes that make complex topics approachable for families and aspiring professionals. The mix of former players, coaches, and program leaders as guests provides a practical, behind-the-scenes view of the hockey ecosystem and pathways to... more

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How many listeners does The Rink Shrinks get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Rink Shrinks have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Rink Shrinks has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Rink Shrinks?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Rink Shrinks:

1. The Hockey Think Tank Podcast
2. Chiclets Game Notes
3. Crazy Hockey Dads Podcast
4. Missin Curfew
5. Glass and Out

How many episodes of The Rink Shrinks are there?

The Rink Shrinks launched 6 years ago and published 296 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Rink Shrinks?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Rink Shrinks?

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What guests have appeared on The Rink Shrinks?

Recent guests on The Rink Shrinks include:

1. Grumpy Hockey Dad
2. Chris Nilan
3. David Clarkson
4. Chris Pronger
5. Michael Haley
6. Ryan Vesce
7. Ryan Hughes
8. Bob Mancini

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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