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In episode 308 of the Glass and Out Podcast we welcome Alan Letang, Head Coach of the OHL's Sarnia Sting.
Letang is still in the front 9 of his coaching career. When he decided that coaching was his chosen career post retirement, he immersed himself in all facets of the job.
And it’s paid off. After 2.5 seasons as an Assistant Coach in Owen Sound, he was promoted to the role of Head Coach. This would eventually lead him home to Sarnia, where he is getting set to lead the Sting for a 5th season, and one in which the expectations are high.
Internationally, he has represented Canada multiple times, beginning as an Assistant Coach at the 2020 and 2023 World Junior Championships, as the Head Coach of Canada’s entry at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and finally as the Head Coach of Team Canada at the 2024 World Junior Championships.
Listen as he shares his philosophy on setting players up for success after a mistake, finding the fine line between physicality and discipline, and how he's approaching the changing landscape of junior hockey.
Video Timestamps:
- 0:00 Focus areas in training camp
- 3:20 Growing from mistakes
- 6:20 Getting a staff on the same page
- 11:50 The fine line of physicality
- 15:45 Layers added throughout a season
- 19:30 Getting drafted by Montreal
- 21:20 How his playing style set him up for coaching
- 25:30 Lessons from being fired
- 27:35 Making players feel safe
- 31:00 COVID season in Owen Sound
- 34:50 Importance of a support system
- 37:45 Playing career in Croatia
- 42:00 Transition from player to coach
- 46:00 Coaching influences
- 51:55 WJ experience with Team Canada
- 56:00 Rebounding from tough loss
- 58:40 Gold medal game
- 1:02:00 Reflecting on handling pressure
- 1:04:15 Getting the Head Coach role
- 1:07:45 Trusting your gut
- 1:11:00 His next evolution in Sarnia
- 1:13:50 Experience at TCS Live 2025
