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The Rink Shrinks

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes293Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsHockey

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Rink Shrinks

Latest Episodes

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

Brian Yandle and Mike Mottau are back this week with an interview with Chris “Knuckles” Nilan! Chris sits down with the boys to chat about his career which featured learning some discipline, winning a Stanley Cup, and getting inducted into the Massac... more

The guys are back with a packed episode covering everything from NHL playoff intensity to youth hockey development and coaching philosophy. Motts shares stories from his Massachusetts Hockey Hall of Fame weekend, while BY breaks down his trip to a ma... more

Brian Yandle and Mike Mottau are back with an interview with former NHL tough guy and current youth hockey head coach, David Clarkson! Clarky joins the boys to discuss the importance of coaching kids in today's game and what it was like playing with ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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

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
Mike Cavanaugh
Head Coach of UConn Huskies, four-time national champion with Boston College
UConn Huskies hockey team
Episode: UConn Huskies HC- Mike Cavanaugh

Host

Motts
Host of The Rink Shrinks

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 556 ratings
  • 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 States10 months 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
  • Hockey Parents

    This is a must listen!!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EricLouis5
    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
#98
United States/Sports/Hockey
Apple Podcasts
#77
United Kingdom/Sports/Hockey
Apple Podcasts
#238
Canada/Sports/Hockey
Apple Podcasts
#147
France/Sports/Hockey
Apple Podcasts
#103
Japan/Sports/Hockey
Apple Podcasts
#128
Finland/Sports/Hockey

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Mailbag + Frozen Four
Q: What is the right roster size for first-year bantams?
Ten forwards and six defensemen is generally appropriate, though some coaches use 12 forwards and 6 defensemen depending on injuries and age; planning for extra bodies is advised.
Ryan Vesce: Former Pro & CEO of Matterhorn Fit
Q: What's the goal of the All Ivy Showcase and its Futures program?
To leverage hockey as a pathway to the best possible education, bringing together coaches and universities to inform families and players about realistic routes to college and beyond.
Ryan Vesce: Former Pro & CEO of Matterhorn Fit
Q: What motivated the shift from playing to building Matterhorn Fit?
Vesce explains that after eight surgeries and a desire to stay in the game, he blended elite neurological rehabilitation techniques with strength training to extend his career, which naturally evolved into helping others through Matterhorn Fit.

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 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. The Cam & Strick Podcast
4. Glass and Out
5. Missin Curfew

How many episodes of The Rink Shrinks are there?

The Rink Shrinks launched 6 years ago and published 293 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The Rink Shrinks?

Recent guests on The Rink Shrinks include:

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

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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