From Newfoundland to the NCAA: Coach Shayne Morrissey on Hockey Culture, Youth Sports & Growing 1494 Hockey Club

Get ready for a deep dive into the world of youth hockey with former pro player and current coach Shayne Morrissey. Kevin and Jamie sit down with “Hockey Shayne” to talk about everything from growing up in Canada’s hockey hotbed to balancing coaching responsibilities across all age levels—from tiny mites to college athletes.

They also tackle the realities of modern youth sports: the emotional investment of parents, the rise of year-round training, and the fine line between passion and pressure. Plus, Shayne gives a behind-the-scenes look at how he and his wife Grace built 1494 Hockey Club from a two-camp summer experiment into a growing hockey brand with roots in both the U.S. and Canada.

You’ll laugh (trash cans get thrown), you’ll learn (a lot about parenting and coaching), and you’ll leave with a renewed appreciation for the people shaping the next generation of athletes.

🏒 Episode Highlights & Timestamps

🕒 (00:00:00) – Meet Coach Shayne Morrissey
Jamie and Kevin introduce Shayne—a hockey pro turned youth coach with deep Newfoundland roots and a record-breaking NCAA career.

🕒 (01:44) – The Legend of "Hockey Shayne"
How Shayne earned his nickname in the McClintick household and why it stuck.

🕒 (02:51) – Evansville, Indiana Memories
Playing pro hockey in a basketball town, sharing a rink with the Purple Aces, and casino stories from Kevin.

🕒 (05:01) – Growing Up in a Hockey Wonderland
Life in Newfoundland: Irish pubs, a hockey rink on every corner, and George Street’s 7-day music festival.

🕒 (11:25) – Lessons from Dad: Coaching with Integrity
Shayne shares how being coached by his father shaped his own style and values.

🕒 (15:58) – Why Coaching Kids Isn’t for the Faint of Heart
The hilarious and humbling moments that come with coaching 5-year-olds (and why Shayne loves it).

🕒 (22:47) – Switching Gears: From Mites to College
How Shayne adjusts his mindset to coach both toddlers and NCAA athletes—sometimes in the same weekend.

🕒 (29:21) – Puberty, Phones & Peewees
Coaching 11-13 year olds through big emotions, growing independence, and... TikTok?

🕒 (36:24) – Passion vs. Pressure: When Hockey Isn’t the Dream
How Shayne handles kids who are more “meh” than motivated—and why that’s totally okay.

🕒 (41:33) – Should Kids Play Year-Round?
Shayne’s take on burnout, multi-sport athletes, and the real purpose of off-season development.

🕒 (44:54) – The Origin of 1494 Hockey Club
How a pandemic pause turned into a business launch—and what the numbers 14 and 94 really mean.

🕒 (52:59) – Spring Hockey = All-Star Road Trips
Why 1494’s model blends fun, flexibility, and fierce competition with lifelong friendships.

🕒 (57:01) – Parents, Pressure & the Big Picture
Are parents too intense these days? Shayne breaks down the “why” behind hockey parent behavior.

🕒 (1:05:38) – That Time a Trash Can Flew…
Yes, it happened. A passionate hockey parent got way too fired up. Shayne tells all.

🕒 (1:14:41) – The Crying Referee
One of Shayne’s most impactful moments as a coach—and a reminder that refs are human, too.

🕒 (1:17:42) – What’s Next for 1494 Hockey Club
New Canadian camps, a rebrand, and Shayne’s vision for expanding the impact of 1494 Hockey.

✔ Key Takeaways

• Coaching isn’t just about hockey. It’s about life skills, resilience, and learning how to be part of a team.
  
  
• Spring hockey = opportunity, not obligation. With the right balance, kids can love hockey and be kids.
  
  
• Parents: It’s okay to breathe. Your kid might not go pro, but they’ll gain confidence, friendship, and unforgettable memories.
  
  
• Referees are learning too. Behind every call is a human being (sometimes a teen!) doing their best.
  
  
• Family culture matters. Programs like 1494 thrive because they care just as much about off-ice experience as they do about on-ice performance.

📚 Episode Resources & Links

• 1494 Hockey Club → https://1494hockey.com
  
  
• Philadelphia Little Flyers → https://www.littleflyers.org
  
  
• George Street Festival (yes, it’s real!) → https://georgestreetlive.ca
  
  
• Learn more about Newman University Hockey → Newman Athletics

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Until next time—whether you're dodging flying trash cans or helping a 7-year-old tie their skates—keep showing up and making memories that matter. 💙