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In episode #279 we're joined by Craig Custance, Head of Creative Development at The Athletic.
Custance recently released his second book The Franchise: The Business of Building Winning Teams, which features in-depth interviews with some of the top teambuilders in hockey, including Tampa Bay Lightning GM Julien BriseBois, New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello, and many more.
The book showcases the unique path each of these individuals has taken to land in their current roles, the challenges they’ve faced in their careers, and the decisions that led them and their teams to the pinnacle of the sport.
Custance got his start in hockey by covering the Atlanta Thrashers for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution before joining ESPN in 2011 as a National Hockey writer. In 2017 he joined The Athletic and has played a pivotal role in growing the company into a global sports brand that today serves over 11 million subscribers.
Listen as he shares key lessons learned from hockey's top builders, the traits that all great leaders have in common, and future GM's to watch out for.
Video Timestamps:
- 0:00 Atlanta Thrashers /Detroit Lions
- 3:30 Selecting interviews for book/Washington Capitals story
- 9:30 Staying patient/being decisive
- 11:30 Key traits to being a successful builder
- 14:30 Turning potential into reality/Tom Dundon
- 24:15 How front offices have changed
- 27:50 Jim Rutherford/Managing Up
- 30:50 Kyle Dubas/Note taking
- 34:50 Leaders from other sports
- 36:15 Balancing the human side/making difficult decisions
- 41:30 Advice for young people looking to get into management
- 44:00 Current role with The Athletic
- 48:50 Recommended articles for coaches
- 50:35 Leaders in hockey to watch for
- 52:45 Book recommendations
