What good is hard work if you lose the joy that got you started? Former pro goalie Paul Cohen knows that hustle alone isn’t enough to truly succeed — in sports, business, or life.
In this episode, he shares what his experience on the ice, in corporate, and as a coach taught him about leading a team and building a culture of trust. We also dive into how his coaching philosophy has changed, his "work hard but have fun" motto, and what parents need to know about helping their kids reach the next level in hockey.
Topics discussed:
Introduction (00:00)
Paul’s hockey and coaching career (01:25)
“Work hard and have fun” coaching philosophy (06:09)
The story behind Ultimate Hockey Fans (09:08)
3 pillars of building a trusting team culture (13:03)
Why routines are crucial for success (15:25)
What it takes to move up in hockey (18:41)
Why fun matters at every level of sport (21:39)
The inspiration for Twig and Biscuit (22:58)
Paul’s 2025-26 hockey season predictions (26:37)
What brought you JOY today? (28:02)
Resources:
- Mitlin Financial: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/
- The JOY and Productivity Journal by Lawrence Sprung: https://www.amazon.com/JOY-Productivity-Journal-brought-mindset/dp/B0CYQFYW54/
- Download Your Free Copy of the Couple’s JOYful Money Guide: https://mitlin.us/CouplesJOY
Connect with Larry Sprung:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencesprung/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larry_sprung/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceDSprung/
- X (Twitter): https://x.com/Lawrence_Sprung
Connect with Paul Cohen:
- Twig and Biscuit Instagram: https://instagram.com/twigandbiscuit_hky/
- Ultimate Hockey Fans Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Ultimatehockeyfans/
- Twig and Biscuit Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Twig-Biscuit-Hockey/61577412381528/
- Ultimate Hockey Fans Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UltimateHockeyFans/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rink-rats-publishing/
- Ultimate Hockey Fans YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ultimatehockeyfans8709
- Twig and Biscuit Website: https://twigbiscuit.com/
- Ultimate Hockey Fans Website: https://ultimatehockeyfans.com/
About Our Guest:
Paul Cohen is a semi-retired, performance-driven sales professional with over 15 years of experience at PepsiCo, where he thrived in fast-paced, high-volume environments. Renowned for his creative leadership and consistent success in achieving company objectives, Paul built an outstanding track record in cultivating new business, generating sales, driving marketing initiatives, and fostering exceptional customer relationships. His expertise in analyzing and solving complex business challenges, combined with his unwavering commitment to honesty, integrity, and responsiveness, has set him apart as a trusted leader and partner.
Beyond his corporate career, Paul is the founder of Ultimate Hockey Fans and Balanced2Day, an award-winning author; Twig & Biscuit: Learn to Play Hockey and a former professional hockey player -11-year career and was the first goalie in AHL history to score a goal. He has owned and operated Goalie and Hockey camps across North America and Europe, sharing his passion for the sport and mentoring the next generation of athletes.
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