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In episode 317 of the Glass and Out Podcast we welcome back Andrew Lord, Head Coach of the AHL's Ontario Reign.

Last time we spoke with Lord he was coming off four seasons as both a player and the Head Coach of the Cardiff Devils of the UK Elite Ice Hockey League.

Since that conversation his coaching stock has been on the rise. That includes a South Division title and the Jack Brophy Award as the ECHL’s coach of the year during his tenure with the Greensville Swamp Rabbits and a brief stop in the QMJHL with the Halifax Mooseheads.

Lord now leads the LA Kings AHL affiliate, which has him just one step away from standing behind an NHL bench.

Listen as he shares the importance of finding the link between practice and game, how to manage uncomfortable conversations, and how to handle the struggles of a rebuild.

Video Timestamps:

• 0:00 The journey of a coach
• 5:15 Focus points each day
• 7:45 Adapting to new coaching environments
• 13:20 Key player details for AHL success
• 15:30 Experience with Halifax
• 18:05 Developing habits in season
• 20:10 Key lessons going into new season
• 21:40 Managing teams as an underdog
• 24:20 Handling the struggles of a rebuild
• 33:00 AHL individual player development plan
• 35:55 Relationship building/Uncomfortable conversations
• 41:15 Overcoming adversity
• 43:50 Building a coaching network
• 47:15 Uniqueness of AHL schedule/Learning from opponents
• 57:25 Getting players out of their comfort zone/Practice focus points
• 1:01:00 Learning from diverse teams/leagues
• 1:03:50 LA sports culture