From New Jersey Rinks to Pro Hockey: Todd Goehring's Unconventional Path

In this episode of The Hockey Review Podcast, we're joined by recently retired professional hockey player Todd Goehring. Todd shares his captivating journey through elite hockey, marked by constant adversity, unwavering self-belief, and a strategic transition into a successful entrepreneurial career. His story is a testament to resilience and the importance of looking beyond the rink.

The Early Days: Developing a Love for the Game

Todd's passion for hockey began at a very young age, despite not coming from a hockey family. His parents recall him being captivated by hockey games on TV, which led to him learning to skate at three years old. He quickly fell in love with the game, deciding early on that it would be his main sport.

While hockey was his primary focus, Todd also played baseball at a competitive level, excelling as a stud pitcher in Little League and playing travel club baseball. However, a scheduling conflict between high school baseball opening day and 16U AAA hockey tryouts forced a pivotal decision. After being benched for missing opening day, Todd made the definitive choice to go "all in" on hockey.

His AAA years were spent entirely in New Jersey, playing for programs like the Redbank Generals AA, New Jersey Titans (Bantams through 16U major), New Jersey Hitmen, and ultimately finishing his 18U career with the North Jersey Avalanche. This journey highlights the robust high-level hockey ecosystem within New Jersey, allowing many players to develop without needing to move elsewhere.

The Rollercoaster of Junior Hockey: USHL Dreams and NAHL Detours

Todd's aspirations to play Tier 1 juniors in the USHL began to materialize around his 16U season, attending combines and camps. What followed was a defining period of his career, characterized by an "underdog" mentality.

Standing Out as an Undrafted Underdog

Undrafted in both the USHL and NAHL, Todd made it into the USHL through sheer determination and standout performances at camps. His advice for undrafted players remains simple yet powerful:

Find a way to stand out: Be selfish with the puck, demand it, hold on for an extra second.
Take risks: Don't play it safe; showcase your full potential.
Train intensely: Be physically and mentally prepared to perform at your peak.

This mindset allowed him to impress the staff at Green Bay's camp, earning him an unexpected spot on the team.

Facing Adversity and Finding a Way Back

His junior career, however, was a "whirlwind" of ups and downs. After making the Green Bay team, he was cut post-Fall Classic. As a committed Division I player to Sacred Heart University—a commitment secured during his 18U year—this was a significant mental challenge. He then played in the NAHL with the Springfield Jr. Blues and New Jersey, only to be called up to the Chicago Steel, a dominant Clark Cup-winning team, during World Juniors. This temporary stint allowed him to establish crucial rapport with the Steel organization.

His age-out year brought more adversity. After making the Chicago Steel again, a new coach limited his ice time, ultimately advising him to return to the NAHL. Todd, deeply disappointed, found himself back in New Jersey. However, a coaching change at the Steel led to an immediate recall, with the new coach acknowledging the "mistake" of cutting him. He finished his junior career with the Chicago Steel, even facing a stacked NTDP team in the playoffs.

Throughout these challenges, Todd highlights critical insights:

Coach's influence: A coach's perspective can drastically impact a player's opportunity, and sometimes their assessment may not be accurate.
Uncontrollable factors: Many aspects of a hockey career are outside a player's control, from coaching changes to team dynamics.
Self-belief is paramount: Powering through adversity requires unwavering confidence in one's abilities and continuously proving oneself day after day.

D1 College Hockey: Adapting to a New Level

The transition from the USHL to Division I college hockey at Sacred Heart University was a significant jump. The game became tighter, with less time and space, increased speed, and higher skill levels. As he describes, "everything gets a little bit tighter."

Adding to the challenge, Todd, a career winger, was unexpectedly asked to play center—a position he hadn't played since he was very young—for his very first D1 game against an elite Northeastern team. Despite the short notice, his high hockey IQ allowed him to adapt, although he admits to feeling disoriented initially.

Academically, the adjustment was even more profound. Having taken three years off from school during juniors, returning to a classroom mindset at 21, surrounded by 17 and 18-year-olds, was a stark change. Todd emphasizes that balancing academics with D1 hockey demands significant effort, though colleges provide robust support systems, including academic advisors.

Pro Hockey: Finding Himself in the Same Tough Position

Todd's lifelong goal was to play professional hockey, a dream he realized by signing an ECHL contract with the Atlanta Gladiators after his grad year at Sacred Heart. He played about ten games, getting a taste of the pro game and understanding what was required.

The Recurring Cycle of Cuts and Comebacks

The following year, he signed with the Worcester Railers (New York Islanders affiliate). Despite training hard and performing well in camp, he was cut again. This moment was a significant turning point, prompting reflection on whether to continue battling. After "swallowing his pride," he joined the Fayetteville Marksmen in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL).

In a bizarre recurrence of his junior career, after just 10-11 games in the SPHL, the Worcester Railers called, admitting they "made a mistake" and needed him back. The immediate recall led to a frantic cross-country trip: playing Friday night in North Carolina, morning skate Saturday, getting the call, packing his life, flying to Worcester, and rushing straight to the rink for warm-ups for Saturday night's game. He finished the season strongly with the Railers.

This "toxic ex" dynamic — being cut only to be called back — highlights the intense mental toll and the sheer resilience required to navigate professional hockey. Fortunately, by this point, Todd was seasoned and accustomed to winning these mental battles.

Beyond the Ice: Paving a New Path with Entrepreneurship

Eventually, Todd faced the decision to transition from competitive hockey. At 26, turning 27, he knew the ECHL wasn't a long-term goal for him, and he harbored ambitions beyond the rink.

His entrepreneurial journey began during COVID-19, his sophomore year of college. Seeking a creative outlet, he started customizing clothes and accessories by hand, leveraging his artistic inclination (he was voted "most artistic" in high school). He posted his creations on social media, inadvertently learning about digital marketing and online sales.

Recognizing the limitations of a business solely tied to handmade products, he sought to scale. During his senior year at Sacred Heart, he pivoted, taking his acquired knowledge of social media marketing and offering it as a service. This led to the creation of his digital marketing agency, "200," which he continued to run and scale throughout his grad year and professional hockey career.

The Importance of a Plan B

Todd's foresight allowed him to have a clear "next step" already paved, a luxury many athletes don't have when their competitive career ends. He emphasizes a crucial lesson:

Don't be one-dimensional: Hockey, like any competitive sport, ends for everyone. Having interests and developing skills outside of the game is vital for a successful transition.
Plan for the future: Proactively thinking about what comes after hockey, whether it's another career within the sport (coaching, content creation) or a new venture, is incredibly important.

Today, Todd is thriving in his post-competitive life. He still plays hockey for fun, enjoying the detachment from the competitive pressure. He travels, collaborates with other hockey professionals, and applies his unique experiences and skills to add value in new ways within the hockey world.

Conclusion

Todd Goehring's journey offers invaluable lessons for aspiring hockey players and parents. His story underscores the importance of resilience in the face of repeated adversity, the power of self-belief when opportunities are scarce, and the critical need for athletes to develop interests and skills beyond their sport. From being an undrafted free agent to navigating professional cuts and building a successful business, Todd exemplifies how strategic thinking and an unwavering spirit can lead to success both on and off the ice. His experience reminds us that a setback is not a final destination, but often a detour to a new, unexpected path.

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