“Fuel Better, Play Better: Nutrition for Hockey Players” with Val Hannahs

In this episode of Sharpening Your Edge, sports dietitian Val Hannahs joins Chuck to break down what it really takes to fuel a hockey player for performance, recovery, and long-term development. From early-morning games and demanding tournament schedules to hydration, electrolytes, protein, and supplements, Val provides practical strategies that athletes and families can actually use.They also explore the unique nutritional needs of young and female hockey players, the dangers of under-fueling during growth, and how parents can help athletes develop independence and healthy food habits. Most importantly, Val explains why nutrition shouldn’t make an athlete’s life more complicated—it should make it better.BioVal Hannahs is a sports dietitian with 20 years of experience in sports nutrition. She has worked in a variety of clinical and sports nutrition settings and as a consultant with athletes since 2006. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics and a Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion. Val has worked with athletes across a variety of sports and levels, from youth and developing athletes to those competing at the elite level, including her work with IMG Academy +, where she serves as Manager of Performance Nutrition. Over the past five years, she has focused on growing her sports nutrition private practice, with a particular focus on ice hockey athletes.As an athlete herself and a busy mom of three athletes, two of whom play hockey, Val understands sports nutrition from both professional and real-life perspectives. She not only teaches athletes what they need to fuel but has also tested these strategies through her own training and has experienced the day-to-day realities of supporting her own athletes. She understands the demands of hockey, as well as the packed schedules, travel, practices, school, and logistics that families are balancing.Val combines evidence-based sports nutrition with practical strategies that work in real life, helping athletes and their families build fueling habits that support energy, recovery, performance, and long-term development.This episode is proudly sponsored byOfficial Partner of the Sharpening Your Edge Podcast, Roster HubMost team management apps stop at schedules and rosters. RosterHub was built by coaches who needed more than that.You can break down game film with drawing tools and voiceover, diagram plays on a digital whiteboard, assign and track fitness programs, manage your team budget and coordinate carpools and volunteers.There's even a global game finder that connects you with opponents nearby — and for hockey teams, it ties right into MyHockeyRankings to identify the perfect opponent.All that plus the stuff you'd expect — scheduling, roster management, announcements and reminders.RosterHub is one app that covers the full coaching job, not just the administration.Create your account at rosterhub.app and download today on iOS and Android.Your first month is free — open the iOS App Store, tap your profile, tap Redeem Code and enter CV3ONEMONTH.Check out RosterHub today!Play It Again Sports NewarkWhen the ice calls, you answer. But to answer, you need the right gear. PlayIt Again Sports Newark has everything you need to take your game to thenext level. From quality used gear at a great price to get you started, to topof the line new products for your semi-pro tournament season, Play It AgainSports Newark has you covered. Expert advice, custom fittings, gear thatworks as hard as you do, not to mention on demand skate sharpeningservices, their team will make sure you have what you need to dominate theice. Plus, save even more when you sell them the gear you no longer need.We all know hockey is expensive, so buy more while paying less at Play ItAgain Sports Newark.Tell them you heard it from us and get an extra 15% off with code EDGE15Hockey Wrap AroundHey everyone, it's Lee Elias from Hockey Wraparound.If you've been listening to Sharpening Your Edge for a while, you've probably heard our ads before, but I wanted to jump in personally because we've added a lot since you may have last checked us out.We've still got our original Wraparound blade protectors, our Puckaround training pucks, and now our team-inspired Blade Shades sunglasses that hockey fans have been loving.So do me a favor—head over to HockeyWraparound.com, take a look around, and see what's new. And while you're there, use promo code CV3 to save 15% on all Hockey Wraparound products.---Looking to improve your game off the ice? Hock