“I don’t think you can win a championship with a team that cheats.”

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In episode #241 of the Glass and Out Podcast, we welcome Dan Ceman, Head Coach of HC Košice, the reigning Champions of the Slovakian Extraliga. 

His coaching journey, which began in 2010, has seen championships follow him at essentially every stop; he's won four as a Head Coach, and two as a player. If your goal is to be a career coach, there is a lot you can take away from how Ceman has approached his career. Ultimately, it seems that a big part of his focus is creating a supportive environment for his players.

Listen as Ceman shares why you can't win a champonship with cheating, why body language is just as important as what you say, and how to create a positive environment for players.

VIDEO TIMESTAMPS:

• 0:00 John Brophy story
• 4:05 Winning an ECHL championship in Hampton
• 5:55 Championship celebration in Kosice
• 10:00 Philosophy with systems in Europe
• 12:55 Strategy to create offence in the middle of the ice
• 15:00 First system he implants with a new team
• 20:10 Helping improve a player’s decision making
• 23:45 What he’s learned from coaching in Slovakia
• 29:20 Having difficult conversations with veteran players
• 32:00 Coaching turnover in Europe and Slovakia
• 43:10 How character influences winning
• 47:40 Importance of good body language
• 52:10 Evaluating when adjustments are needed
• 55:35 Making decisions through a players lens
• 1:00:05 Dynamics of dressing room
• 1:04:30 Not making promises to players you can’t keep
• 1:08:20 Playing career and journey to a career in coaching
• 1:14:05 Learning from playing for Peter Laviolette
• 1:16:05 Being a player-coach
• 1:30:00 Advice for coaches on what brings success
• 1:34:30 How he defines culture