About Us

A team dedicated To educating and inspiring all hockey players, parents, and coaches

Why We're Here

At the Hockey Think Tank, we are an organization dedicated to educating and inspiring hockey players, parents, coaches, and organizations through a variety of resources. What started as a passion project in 2017 has turned into a movement in building community and creating change in the hockey landscape. Through free resources like our industry leading podcast that has been downloaded over one million times, to our grassroots work with youth hockey organizations, our mission is to make the youth hockey experience better for those that love and are passionate about our game. Navigating the youth hockey world can be stressful and confusing at times. As a former Division One college coach recruiting all over North America, I had the opportunity to speak with so many of you about that reality in the rinks. And through those conversations I learned that there is a huge need for way more education for players, parents, coaches, and organizations as a whole. I started the Hockey Think Tank to provide that much needed perspective and improve the game I fell in love with as a kid.

We have been able to connect so many like-minded hockey people together – including creating a community of passionate hockey people from the professional down to the youth levels. Community is a word we really believe in, and creating community within the organizations and people we work with is a major goal of ours. Nobody reaches their dreams on their own, and our ability to bring people together in this game is what makes our organization unique and special.

I’m proud to say that I’ve coached with three Division One hockey programs (Michigan, Cornell, and Miami-Ohio) and won championships at all three. I’ve worked with numerous other players, coaches, parents, and teams as well, including multiple college programs, youth organizations, and businesses. My passion is for helping those individuals and teams attain their wildest goals and dreams while enjoying the hell out of the process of getting there. It’s what gets me up in the morning and it’s our “why” at the Hockey Think Tank.

Our Team

Topher Scott

Founder

Topher’s passion is in bringing people together and making the hockey world a better place. Growing up playing youth hockey outside Chicago, Topher moved through the ranks playing junior hockey for the USHL’s Chicago Steel before enrolling at Cornell University. At Cornell, Topher was a two-year captain, scored over 100 points, and garnered NCAA Leadership recognition for his work off the ice including being a finalist for the Hockey Humanitarian Award in 2008.

In 2010, Topher began his college coaching career at Miami-Ohio while getting his Master’s degree in Sports Studies. The team won its first ever CCHA championship that year. From there, Topher moved to his alma mater, Cornell, where the team won two Ivy League championships. Topher also worked at the University of Michigan where he helped the program win the Big10 championship and reach the Frozen Four.

Topher is now a staple in youth hockey having spent time as a Youth Hockey director and now leading the Hockey Think Tank. His contributions to the hockey community include his work with hockey programs from the Division One college to youth levels and as a board member of Illinois’ youth hockey affiliate for USA Hockey (AHAI). His contributions continue off the ice as well, chairing two charity hockey events that have raised over $1.5 million for special needs charities.

He and his wife, Emma, reside outside Chicago with their 3 daughters Paige (7), Lucy (5), and Celia (3). His hands are full.

Matt Thomas

ceo

A New Hampshire native, Matt Thomas has been the Chief Executive Officer of The Hockey Think Tank LLC since August 2023. Previously, Matt played and coached at his alma mater, the United States Naval Academy, served as a Naval Officer during three wartime deployments, coached NCAA Division 1 Hockey at the University of Denver and the University of Alabama Huntsville, and worked as a AAA Hockey Director and Head Coach. Since his hiring, he has spearheaded efforts to build and execute concepts to serve partner clubs, including the Youth Organization Blueprint. Matt brings a wealth of experience in the areas of coaching, player development, club operations, organizational management, and leadership training.

Steph Dukesherer

PARTNER EXPERIENCE DIRECTOR

A Michigan native and resident, Steph Dukesherer has been producer of The Hockey Think Tank Podcast since 2022, and joined Topher and Matt full time in 2023. Previously, Steph served across the spectrum of youth hockey; she spent 12 years working with her local youth association in leadership and administration roles, and worked in facility operations with The Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee and launched the Ann Arbor Ice Cube in Michigan. Perhaps most proudly, she is also ‘Hockey Mom’ to two accomplished hockey players, with a daughter playing NCAA hockey and a son playing 18U AAA this season. Steph brings a wealth of knowledge pertaining to board function, volunteer coordination, events and fundraising, social media, and community engagement.