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In episode #276 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome Ottawa Senators Assistant Coach Ben Sexton, who presented at TCS Live 2024 on the fundamentals of the penalty kill.

After retiring early from his playing career due to concussions, Sexton fell into the coaching arena when Mike Valluci, his Head Coach with the Wilkes-Barrie Penguins, offered him the opportunity to join the coaching staff while he was recovering from injuries.

The following season he stepped behind the bench full time with the AHL’s Belleville Senators. Three seasons later, he was promoted to the big club, where he and the rest of Travis Green’s staff are looking to lead the Sens to the post season for the first time since 2017.

Listen as he shares why today's players are having trouble processing the game, why teams need to believe in their structure and details, and embracing the philosophy of thinking like a player and acting like a coach.

Video Timestamps:

• 0:00 Coaching in a Canadian market
• 3:00 Keys for evaluating game success
• 6:20 Adopting predictability
• 8:45 Making a message compelling
• 11:45 Jacques Martin
• 13:45 Role with Senators/Love for the PK
• 15:05 Think like a player, act like a coach
• 18:30 Habits and details over structure
• 23:00 Staying patient in development/small area games
• 26:25 What elite players expect from coaches
• 27:35 Impact of a new goalie
• 30:10 Career in coaching vs management
• 33:45 Advice for aspiring coaches
• 35:35 Support from dad/family
• 37:40 Time playing at Clarkson/Casey Jones
• 41:00 Playing for Bruce Cassidy
• 43:20 Looking at other sports
• 45:00 Area to improve as a coach/resources