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UNLOCK YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL THROUGH MENTAL CONDITIONING

Mindfulness Training For The Competitive Athlete

Increase awareness, harness instincts, develop the right habits, and condition your mind to reach peak performance. For players to reach their full potential, they must make mental conditioning an integral part of their training regimen. By increasing awareness, harnessing your instincts, developing the right habits, and conditioning your mind, you will reach peak performance as an athlete and a person.

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IS YOUR MINDSET HOLDING YOU BACK?

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TEXT COACH VINNY!

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INTRODUCING COACH VINNY & THE BLOODLINE PHILOSOPHY

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If you are looking for some awesome, knowledgeable people to work with, these are the guys I highly recommend. Their friendliness and result-driven approach is what I love about them.

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Who We Work With

mindSET Method

If you are looking for some awesome, knowledgeable people to work with, these are the guys I highly recommend. Their friendliness and result-driven approach is what I love about them.

John Doe

Designation

Latest Bloodline Hockey News

Vinny Malts Joins Edmonton Oilers Player Development Staff

By marisamalts | Sep 11, 2024
Our very own Vinny Malts, founder of Bloodline Hockey, has been appointed to the Edmonton Oilers’ Player Development Staff. This new role with an NHL organization is not only a major career milestone for Vinny but also a testament to his dedication to the mental and performance development of athletes. For over 30 years, Vinny…
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Atlantic Affiliate welcomes Vince Malts to Player Development Program as Director of Mindset & Performance

By marisamalts | Jul 30, 2024
“HO-HO-KUS, N.J. – The Atlantic Affiliate is thrilled to announce the appointment of Vince Malts as the new Director of Mindset & Performance for the USA Hockey Player Development Program in the footprint. Malts brings a wealth of experience and a unique skill set to the department, solidifying the affiliate’s commitment to enhancing player and…
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Bloodline’s Noah Powell Drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers

By marisamalts | Jul 23, 2024
At Bloodline Hockey, we strive to empower athletes to achieve their ultimate potential through the power of mental performance. Today, we are excited to share the news of Noah Powell’s selection in the 2024 NHL Draft. Drafted 148 overall by the Philadelphia Flyers, Noah’s journey from a young player to an NHL draftee is a…
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The Impact of Showcasing Young Talent: A Call for a Balanced Approach on Social Media

By marisamalts | Jul 16, 2024
Today, I want to share some thoughts on a trend I’ve noticed in youth sports, particularly hockey, and its potential long-term impacts on our players, their families, and the sport. I recently watched the Brick Invitational Tournament, where the best 10-year-old hockey players from different regions compete. While it’s impressive to see such young talent…
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The Power of ACTION over Analysis

By marisamalts | Jan 17, 2024
In the world of extraordinary performers and leaders, a recent insight from one of our Evolving Athletes family members sheds light on the importance of perspective, especially during challenging phases of the hockey season. The wisdom shared emphasizes the potential pitfalls of fixating on the “WHY” behind every feeling, as it can often lead to…
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The Truth About Unlocking More Playing Time

By marisamalts | Jan 15, 2024
In the realm of hockey, understanding why playing time may be elusive is a challenge every player faces. The journey to optimal performance often lies in asking the right questions. In our latest video, we delve into three fundamental questions that ANY player, irrespective of skill level, can pose when trying to unlock more playing…
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STAY CONNECTED

I had a great conversation with one of our Bloodli I had a great conversation with one of our Bloodline brothers, @m.mcgroarty , who interviewed me for one of his class projects. We got talking about #focus — and I realized I may see it differently than most people describe it. A lot of people think focus means forcing yourself to concentrate harder. And sure, sometimes that effort has its place. But for me, focus isn’t something I push — it’s something that naturally flows from what I’m committed to feeling. I work hard at creating the conditions that align with who I am. For example, I became known as a mindset performance coach because that’s what I naturally focus on most when I develop players. It doesn’t mean I can’t coach in other ways, but being aligned with mindset performance gives me clarity and an open lane to share what I love teaching most #iykyk Family is everything to me. Teaching and serving are at the core of who I am. When I live from that place of love and service, focus feels effortless — because I’m aligned. Here’s how I look at it simply: Forcing focus = grinding against my nature. Natural focus = clarity from being who I know I am. When I connect to the source that energizes me, focus stops being something I chase and starts being something I am. It’s as simple as that #play4THATfeeling
Some thoughts I almost didn’t share... I woke up Some thoughts I almost didn’t share... I woke up yesterday thinking about critical thinking and how we really handle it as a culture. Part of me wasn’t sure if I wanted to post these thoughts. But then I realized that would go against everything Charlie Kirk stood for, whether you agreed with his views or not. He wasn’t afraid to share his thoughts out loud, so out of respect for his principles, here we are. Here’s what I keep observing in my own life. We all say we want people who think for themselves, but when someone actually thinks for themselves and disagrees with us? Most of us get uncomfortable fast. I’ve seen this in hockey and life dozens upon dozens of times over the last several decades. Whether in my own immature reactions, or in the reactions of others. There’s something deeply unique about someone who can say “I don’t see it that way, but I’m still with the team.” That’s different from everyone just nodding along, then whispering doubts or talking ish later. It’s also different from someone who disagrees just to be difficult. I think we haven’t learned how to hold both things - disagreeing with someone while still trusting they have our back. Maybe it’s because we’re scared that if people think differently, they won’t stick around when it matters. But the people who can think for themselves AND commit to what’s best for everyone? Those are the teammates you want. At least I know I do. The trust that comes from that kind of honesty runs deep. We’re all learning. I’m learning. But I’d rather have someone tell me they disagree and still show up, than have someone smile and nod while checking out mentally. It’s a complex world we live in. None of us can say what is best for someone else. But I do know this… What happened to Charlie Kirk was wrong, even though it felt right for some. But I think this is where the rubber meets the road. Do we grow and realize that we need to learn to speak out & point out the difference we observe between right and wrong? Or… Do we simply continue to hide our thoughts and allow our hidden emotions to run our world? The irony is — the discussion will happen anyway. #RIP
We keep blaming players, parents, and coaches for We keep blaming players, parents, and coaches for team dysfunction — but we’re missing the real issue — imho It’s not that anyone’s doing it wrong. It’s that we’ve never been taught how to organize ourselves in a way that works for EVERYONE in the system simultaneously #iykyk Individual organization isn’t enough. Even good structure isn’t enough if it only works for one part of the team while undermining others #FACTS Examples: coaches demanding accountability while organizations reward them only for wins, not development. Parents wanting to support their kids while being kept in the dark about team and organization decisions that affect their families. Players expected to be team-first while competing for individual recognition that determines their future opportunities. What we need is collectively sound organization—where players, parents, coaches, and leadership all support rather than compete with each other. As we head into a new season, what if we thought about approaching team challenges just a little differently this time? Before pointing to what’s “broken,” ask ourselves: How might this issue be connected to other parts and perspectives of our teams eco system? What would change if everyone felt truly supported because we worked together on figuring out what that means for US, instead of competing against each other? The real question isn’t “Who’s not doing their job?” It’s “How do we design things so everyone can succeed simultaneously?” — or at least simultaneously enough. We have to unlearn our natural tendency to point fingers. And we must start learning how to get to the root of our organizational challenges. Organization is non-negotiable. It’s the foundation that makes a strong #collective #mindset possible. What would your #team look like if every decision considered how it impacts all parts of the system? Where would that lead US? I’m fully aware this isn’t an easy task—most of us have never developed a process around such work. But if we pause and reflect on this potential idea — it’s clear that it’s a valuable one to pursue in today’s world.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ This is a small step toward that reality for us #play4THATfeeling
Data isn’t the future. Connection is 🔗 #iykyk Data isn’t the future. Connection is 🔗 #iykyk In hockey today, everyone has access to the same tools—Instat, video breakdowns, advanced stats, wearable tech. The playing field is level. There’s no longer a true competitive edge in the numbers, because everyone is seeing the same thing. So where’s the opportunity? It’s located where most don’t pay real thoughtful attention: connection. Connection is about more than team chemistry as a buzzword. It’s the ability to truly understand one another, to think together, and to build trust that shows up in big moments. It’s about creating the conditions where a group performs at a higher level than the sum of its parts #FACTS Research backs this up. MIT studies on ‘collective intelligence’ show that the strength of connection inside a team—not just individual talent—predicts performance. Cognitive science calls this ‘distributed cognition’—performance doesn’t live in isolated players, it lives in the system they create together #DYOR And this is exactly where hockey culture has a gap. We celebrate toughness, individual skill, and work ethic. We invest millions in tracking shifts, passes, and zone entries. But we’ve barely scratched the surface of how connection can be developed, measured, and strengthened. That’s the blue ocean. If you’re looking for the next competitive advantage in our game, it’s not more data—it’s deeper connection. Imagine what happens when hockey culture puts the same effort into building connection as it does into systems, analytics, and skill development. That’s when teams move beyond playing together—and start thinking together…aka #mindsetperformance What do you think? #play4THATfeeling
Staying in the fight is never about perfection—i Staying in the fight is never about perfection—it’s about managing the daily battle between wisdom and instinct #iykyk Some days, the wise wolf feels easier to feed—staying calm, learning, and drawing lessons from every experience. Other days, the wild wolf runs free—our emotions spill out, and staying grounded feels harder. Both wolves live within us 🐺 The fight is choosing which one we feed, over and over again. This is the essence of staying in the fight mentally: not running from struggle, but embracing the duality of hockey and life—where wins and losses, love and hate, calm and chaos all sharpen us if we choose to learn from them. Tonight, I’m grateful for Coach @chenzo17 philosophy on this cultural standard of “staying in the fight.” I relate deeply to what this unique and special human being lives and teaches 💯 #gratitude I also truly appreciated spending time with the @wolfpackhcky these past few days—sharing and observing their champion-minded culture 🙏 Their Wolf Pack embodies what it means to battle between what is wise and what is wild within us—and to keep showing up every day ready to fight. It’s as simple as that #play4THATfeeling
While this video is meant to be fun, the psycholog While this video is meant to be fun, the psychology behind it is very real. The ‘explanation effect’ shows that when athletes teach or explain skills, they process information at a much deeper level than when simply being told what to do. Their brain has to organize, recall, and articulate knowledge - which strengthens neural pathways and improves decision-making on the ice #DYOR This approach borrows from motivational interviewing techniques used in counseling and coaching - the idea that people are more committed to changes they voice themselves rather than being told what to change #iykyk Here’s the protocol to try for yourself as a family: 🚗 In the car after practice/games: Instead of ‘You need to keep your head up,’ ask ‘What do you think you should focus on next practice?’ Then say nothing. Allow them to just speak and teach you. 🏒 When athletes make mistakes: Replace ‘Do this instead’ with ‘What do you think happened there? How would you adjust?’ Do not try to fix and say what you want to say. 🎯 Goal setting: Rather than telling your athlete what to work on, ask ‘What’s one thing you want to get better at this week?’ Then stay quiet and let them think. I’ve had these exact conversations with parents of 18 and 20-year-olds who say ‘I wish I’d known this years ago.’ The beautiful thing? It works at any age💯 When you shift from director to questioner, you’re not just improving their game - you’re teaching them to think critically and take ownership of their development process #lifeskill Want to dive deeper? Look up ‘explanation effect’ and ‘motivational interviewing in sports’ - there’s fascinating research on how questioning techniques improve both learning and intrinsic motivation. Try it once and see what you notice. You’ll be amazed how much your athlete actually knows when you give them space to think. Try it twice and you’ll start to change the behavior pattern. Try it for a month and your relationship will change forever. It’s as simple as that #play4THATfeeling
“Coach, I just want to play and not think.” So “Coach, I just want to play and not think.” Sounds nice… but it’s not how high level play works. Flow isn’t the absence of thought — it’s the result of thousands of intentional reps that turn thoughtful attention into instinct #facts All jokes aside… When a player says, “Coach, I just want to play and not think,” they’re describing a dream every athlete has — but it’s not how mental performance actually works. Flow isn’t the absence of thought. It’s the result of thousands of conscious reps where you have put your attention — on your mechanics, your reads, your habits, your game sense — until those thoughts became automatic. The idea of “not thinking” in sport is a myth. What players call flow is actually automaticity — the brain’s ability to execute without conscious effort #DYOR And automaticity only comes from deliberate, intentional attention in practice, repeated thousands of times until it becomes instinct. You don’t get to “just play” without first doing the mental work that makes the game feel effortless. The truth is: • You focus your attention first. • You train that attention into habits. • Then your habits develop instincts to flow. So if you want to “stop thinking” on the ice… Start by directing your attention with purpose off the ice, before you hit the ice. That’s where confidence is built. You’re literally programming your autopilot aka #flowstate Try THIS at your next practice: 1️⃣ Pick ONE skill (your release, your protection/separation, your outlet pass). 2️⃣ Before each rep, take 5-10 seconds to put your attention on the key detail that makes it work. 3️⃣ Do this for 10 reps, then let it flow for 10 reps. Key insights to develop your flow: • Release: Did I get proper pop on my shot? Could I have timed my release better for the screen/opening? • Protection/Separation: Could my body positioning improve here? Did I create enough space to execute my next play? • Outlet Pass: Did I read the pressure correctly? Was my pass force and timing right for my teammate’s positioning? This direction of your attention leads to key insights for game flow. Where you put your attention leads to flowing💯 #play4THATfeeling
⚠️ 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: This video ma ⚠️ 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: This video may cause… thinking. 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗥: No coaches were emotionally harmed in the making of this video. Any resemblance to real coaching contradictions, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Side effects of watching may include: sudden self-awareness, uncontrollable urges to let players actually think, and/or temporary paralysis of the phrase “just do what I tell you.” This video is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice for treating chronic micromanagement syndrome. Consult your nearest mindset performance specialist if you experience symptoms lasting longer than one practice. The Management is not responsible for any epiphanies, lightbulb moments, or sudden realizations that maybe—just maybe—thinking for yourself requires actual opportunities to think for yourself. ⚠️ WARNING: May contain traces of truth. Handle with care. #play4THATfeeling #hockeylife #think
“You’re out of your mind.” “You’re crazy “You’re out of your mind.” “You’re crazy.” Every time my buddies say that when I sign up for the Pro Am Division at the @cfchockey tournament, I smile. It’s my reminder: When the world thinks you’re out of your mind, you can choose to live in your mind — and find out for yourself. This weekend, I wanted to know something about me. I’m 46. Most guys my age stop asking the hard questions about their physical and mental abilities. I don’t — because I’m always curious about the human spirit: Can my body still hang with these guys? How hard will it be mentally? What happens when I really test my spirit on the ice? We won 1, lost 2. I had 2 goals and an assist. Body held up. Mind stayed sharp. Most importantly — I had an absolute blast with the boys❤️ #beauties We spend so much of life thinking about what others say — good or bad. But we rarely give ourselves the same gift of thinking we give everyone else: proof. Proof we know we can still do it. Proof we can hold up under pressure. Proof our spirit is still alive and can fly when we play. When you give yourself that proof, it changes how you see yourself — and that changes how you show up and see everything else in your life. But here’s what I didn’t expect to feel this time: Seeing the look on my Queens face that only I know what that look means😍 How I would feel when my kids asked, “Dad, how did you play? Did you get any points?” then watching their faces light up when I told them🥰 Those moments? Those are the kind you can only understand through deep #love There are no thoughts that can take you there. You can only experience those moments #facts This weekend, I stepped onto the ice and found out…more than I expected. What more does a man need? #play4THATfeeling Appreciate you @colbycohen for putting this squad together and for the invite to play🙏 #brother Shoutout to @drseandrake and @moderneathlete Your guidance and mentorship made this experience feel more real than ever #iykyk
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