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In episode 327 of the Glass and Out Podcast we welcome back Head Coach of the Wheeling Nailers, Ryan Papaioannou.
With The Coaches Site and Glass and Out, one of the cool aspects is we get to touch base with coaches during the various chapters of their journey as they climb their way up the coaching ladder.
We first connected with Papaioannou during his time with the AJHL's Brooks Bandits. Under his leadership the Bandits captured seven AJHL Championships, one BCHL Championship (the Bandits joined the BCHL in advance of last season), and four National Championships at the Jr A level in Canada.
At the beginning of this season Papaioannou was hired by the Pittsburgh Penguins organization to coach their ECHL affiliate in Wheeling. Currently, the Nailers are tied for 5th overall in the ECHL standings.
More than anything, Ryan’s successful transition from tier 2 hockey to the professional ranks is a signal that leadership and the ability to develop a winning culture matters more than what level you’ve coached at.
Listen as he shares why being adaptable is crucial in the ECHL, the importance of deception in elite players, and why winning breeds development.
Video Timestamps:
- 0:00 The Wheeling Nailers
- 3:00 ECHL hockey/Joining the Pittsburgh Org.
- 7:35 Navigating the ECHL/Being adaptable
- 10:30 Teaching and maximizing practice
- 13:30 Articulating skills and systems
- 15:55 Penguins coach meetings
- 18:20 Lessons from veteran players
- 19:50 Moving on from junior hockey
- 23:35 Player messaging and relationships
- 26:30 Managing inner competition
- 28:30 Tactical focus areas/overcoming slumps
- 32:45 New coaching staff
- 34:20 Balancing development and winning
- 38:05 Dan Muse
- 40:45 Layering in up-tempo style
- 42:45 Youth development
- 45:20 Underlying traits in players with potential/Deception
- 49:00 Wall play for undersized players
- 50:30 Top ECHL arenas
- 51:20 Mentors
- 52:30 College Football
- 54:30 Family element
- 56:50 Advice to younger self
