Confidence, Communication & Coaching: A Conversation with Ryan Fry

Rinkside hosts Emma Miskew and Ryan Steeves sit down with Greg Skotnicki, Executive Director of Ottawa’s Maverick Volleyball Club, to talk growth, athlete development, and creating a positive, competitive environment for players and families.

In this week's episode of Rinkside, hosts Emma Miskew and Ryan Steeves sit down with Patrick Grandmaître, the coach of the University of Ottawa men's hockey team. With a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success, Grandmaître shares his journey in transforming the U of O hockey program and the invaluable lessons he's learned along the way.

Emma Miskew reflects on Team Homan’s Olympic Trials experience, breaking down the pressure, emotions, and challenges that led them to qualify for the Olympics in Italy.

In this week’s episode of Rinkside, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew sit down with veteran hockey scout Justin Sproule.Justin opens up about what scouts actually look for in young athletes hint: it’s not goals, flash, or TikTok moves. From compete level and hockey sense, to character, accountability, and resiliency, he breaks down the true building blocks of long-term success.The trio also dives into youth sports trends, early specialization, development burnout, analytics, multi-sport benefits, and the role parents play (and how they can sometimes sink a player’s future without even knowing it).

What’s harder: coaching Olympic athletes or coaching kids? Ryan Fry has done both, and he joins Emma Miskew and Ryan Steeves to break down the surprising similarities. From managing emotions to building confidence and choosing the right moment to give feedback, this episode dives into the coaching skills that matter most.Plus, Emma and Ryan share their own stories from the ice, and from the car rides home.

Rinkside is back for Season 2! Emma Miskew and Ryan Steeves return to the mic to share what’s new, what’s changed, and what they’ve been up to since you last heard them.

In this special episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew tackle topics submitted by you, the listeners. From team dynamics to selection politics, they dive into the real-life pressures athletes face—like whether chemistry or individual skill matters more, the stress of performance anxiety, and the tough decisions young athletes make when chasing opportunity in bigger cities. It's an honest, wide-ranging conversation rooted in your questions, with one constant theme: the joy of playing, and the importance of enjoying the ride—not just chasing the result.Chapters00:00 Welcome and Current Sports Buzz03:02 Fan Questions and Team Building Dynamics05:57 Team Selection: Skill vs. Chemistry09:06 The Importance of Team Dynamics12:01 Curling Team Dynamics and Player Selection14:58 Managing Team Changes and Chemistry18:02 Performance Anxiety and Game Day Concerns20:40 Navigating Pre-Game Anxiety23:03 The Importance of First Shifts24:54 Recreational Play and Competitive Pressure29:03 The Pressure to Move for Success33:02 Finding Success Locally vs. Moving37:05 The Importance of Enjoying the Game

In this episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew discuss the complexities of social media in the context of youth sports, featuring guest Jess Szabo, the VP of Marketing for The Curling Group. They explore how young athletes can navigate social media positively, the importance of authenticity, and the challenges of managing online presence. They also address how parents can support their children in building a personal brand while dealing with negative comments and the pressures of social media.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Social Media in Sports02:45 The Role of Social Media for Athletes05:33 Building a Personal Brand Online08:33 Authenticity vs. Perfection in Social Media11:35 Navigating Social Media as Young Athletes17:51 Navigating Hate in Social Media21:38 Choosing the Right Social Media Platform24:09 Parental Involvement in Athlete Branding26:07 The Impact of Social Media on Young Athletes29:54 Tips for Parents and Young Athletes32:21 Embracing Authenticity in Content Creation34:04 Navigating Social Media in Youth Sports36:48 Building Confidence Through Authenticity38:15 Empowering Young Athletes in the Digital Age

In this episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew welcome Greg Pollock from Gladiator Strength and Conditioning to discuss the importance of strength training for athletes, particularly during the off-season. Greg shares insights on how to structure training programs for young athletes, the importance of balancing strength and skill, and innovative techniques such as mobility and breathing exercises. The conversation also touches on the transition from training to coaching and the impact of Gladiator Strength and Conditioning on the local community.Chapters00:00 The Off-Season Journey02:51 Training Dynamics and Goals05:54 Finesse and Physicality in Sports08:47 Individual Training Needs11:56 Expert Guidance for Young Athletes12:38 Introduction to Gladiator Strength and Conditioning14:24 The Influence of Martial Arts on Training17:15 Transitioning into Coaching and Early Experiences20:16 Training Young Athletes: Techniques and Philosophy24:16 Injury Prevention and Proper Technique27:15 Off-Season Training Strategies31:16 In-Season Training and Maintenance34:08 Innovative Training Techniques: Mobility and Breathing37:15 Expansion and New Facilities

In this episode, Ryan Steeves and Emma Miskew discuss the importance of injury prevention in sports with physiotherapist Paul Colebrook. They discuss the significance of assessments, the multidisciplinary approach to injury management, and the evolving strategies for recovery. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by young athletes, the impact of asymmetries in sports, and the necessity of tailored strength programs. They also touch on the trends in youth sports injuries and the benefits of multi-sport participation.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Overview of Injury Prevention01:25 The Role of Physiotherapy in Injury Prevention03:54 Multidisciplinary Approach at Auto Orthopedic Center06:19 Managing Youth Sports Injuries08:54 Evolving Approaches to Injury Recovery11:10 Addressing Asymmetries in Sports13:42 Trends in Youth Sports Injuries16:21 Youth Athlete Screening and Assessment20:32 Injury Trends in Contact Sports23:15 Preventing Injuries in Contact Sports24:56 Passion for Sports and Athlete Treatment25:40 Multi-Sport vs. Single-Sport Athletes