Episode 75: I Didn't Need AAA to Make the NHL (w/ Stanley Cup Winner Erik Cole)

The late bloomer who proved everyone wrong.

Scott and Jamie sit down with former NHL forward and Stanley Cup champion Erik Cole for an honest conversation about the winding road from small-town hockey in upstate New York to nearly 900 NHL games. 

Erik shares how he didn't play AAA hockey, grew up in a community program, was a late bloomer physically, and almost let a difficult college coaching experience derail his career. He explains how one breakthrough season changed everything and why confidence can be just as important as talent. 

The conversation also dives into youth hockey today, becoming a hockey dad, coaching his own son, and the lessons he learned from both the NHL and behind the bench.

In this episode:

•  How a late growth spurt changed Erik's career 
•  Why confidence was the turning point 
•  The college coaching experience that almost pushed him out of hockey 
•  Why adversity prepared him for the NHL 

This is a reminder that there's more than one path to the highest level of hockey.

Erik Cole IG: https://www.instagram.com/eriktcole/?hl=en

Mo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/