{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Crazy Hockey Dads Podcast","title":"Episode 76: Mid Fairfield's Danielle Ward - Your Kid Doesn't Need a Better Team","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":9949,"description":"The championship coach behind one of youth hockey's top programs.\n\nScott and Jamie sit down with Danielle Ward - head coach at Mid Fairfield, Breakaway Academy coach, and former pro player for an honest conversation about what actually develops hockey players. \nDanielle explains why parents often make development harder by chasing the next team, overanalyzing every decision, and focusing on status instead of confidence. She shares why accountability has to be fair, why kids need room to make mistakes, and how the right environment matters more than the logo on the jersey. \nThe conversation also covers the growth of girls hockey, building championship teams at Mid Fairfield, academy hockey, burnout, spring hockey, and what Danielle looks for in players beyond talent. \nIn this episode:\n Why chasing the next team can hurt development \n The biggest mistakes hockey parents make \n Building accountability without losing confidence \n Why kids need to make and learn from their own mistakes \nThis episode is a masterclass in long-term player development from one of the most respected youth coaches in the game.\n\nDanielle Ward IG: https://www.instagram.com/dwardy22/?hl=en\nMid Fairfield Hockey: https://www.instagram.com/mid_fairfield_hockey/?hl=en\nBreakaway Academy: https://breakawayacademy.net/\nMo's Smile: https://mosmilefoundation.org/\nPartners:\nhttps://www.pacificrink.com/\nhttps://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/\nhttps://hockeytraining.com/\nhttps://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads\nhttps://howieshockeytape.com/\nhttps://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/\nSocials:\nTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast\nX: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/\nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/FcKf3oNYrJjBBpcwxB4tL3db9BOVFL_TLc0Kr3OnegY/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mNjkw/MWYwMzk3NzJhNWVi/MjNiNGEyNjc0YTk5/YzJhZS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}