In hockey, wins matter. But the teams that win consistently are the ones that build a strong foundation - a culture where preparation, collaboration, and structure drive everything they do.

Over the past two seasons (2023–24 and 2024–25), the Florida Panthers have shown how creating that culture across the entire organization translates into success at the highest level.

For coaches at any level, from youth programs to the pros, the lesson is clear: you don't stumble into winning. You build the systems, tools, and habits that make winning sustainable.

 

 

Born of a need

 

CoachThem was co-founded by Mike Weaver, a former NHL defenseman and Florida Panther for four years, and Robb Tallas, long-time Panthers Goalie Coach and NHL Alumnus.

The idea for CoachThem was born during Mike's time in Florida. While running his summer hockey school, Defence First, he found himself struggling to create and organize practice plans efficiently. Around the same time, Robb shared that the Panthers' coaching staff faced similar challenges - managing drills, sharing ideas, and keeping everyone aligned was harder than it needed to be.

That conversation sparked the idea to create a better way.

 

 

What began as a simple solution to replace paper and whiteboards evolved into CoachThem, a digital platform now trusted by 17 NHL teams, national federations, hockey associations, and thousands of grassroots coaches worldwide.

 

Why Culture and Tools Go Hand-in-Hand

 

A team's culture isn't built in the locker room alone. It's shaped by how the staff prepares, how practices are structured, and how players experience development every day.

 

 

For coaches, this isn't about technology replacing your instincts. It's about creating the structure that allows your instincts - and your players - to shine.

 

Inside the Panthers' Workflow

 

The Panthers' coaching staff use CoachThem to keep practices purposeful and connected to the bigger picture.

• Drill creation and clarity: Assistant coaches share ideas, which the video staff translate into digital that are ready to run.
• Balancing workload: Coaches can look back at previous sessions to review which drills were used, their duration, and whether the team had a heavier or lighter day. That history shapes smarter decisions for what comes next.
• Organization at scale: In a league with constant travel and tight turnarounds, having everything centralized and accessible means no detail gets lost.

For the Panthers, this workflow isn't just about saving time - it reinforces a culture where preparation and structure fuel long-term success.

 

A Model for Every Coach

 

You don't need to coach in the NHL to apply the same principles. Whether you're running a youth team or guiding elite athletes, the culture you create matters.

CoachThem helps coaches at every level build those same habits. By providing staff with the tools to stay connected, plan efficiently, and share clearly, a culture of structured success becomes possible for any team.

 

 

Voices from the Panthers

 

To bring that perspective to life, here are thoughts directly from members of the Panthers' coaching staff on how digital tools like CoachThem fit into their daily work:

 

 

"As a co-founder, I’ve been with CoachThem since day one, and it’s exciting to see how far it’s come. What started as a simple way to draw drills has become a tool that helps coaches at every level prepare more effectively. For us in Florida, it saves time and keeps our staff aligned.” - Robb Tallas

 

“We use CoachThem to look back at similar schedule stretches and review how our practices set us up for games. It helps us see what worked, what didn’t, and how to adjust when coming out of days off or road trips.”  - Jamie Kompon

 

"My role is to take the coaches' ideas and translate them into drills on CoachThem. Having everything digital makes that process seamless - it's clear, it's efficient, and it ensures nothing gets lost in translation. It's a big part of keeping us organized."  - John Congemi 


 

December 12, 2025

Written by the CoachThem Team in collaboration with the Florida Panthers

 

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