Episode 66: The Man Building “Hockey Paradise” in Florida - Larry Robbins

Scott and Jamie sit down with Larry Robbins - hedge fund founder, former Chicago Steel owner, builder of Longwood Hockey, and the driving force behind the Florida Surf - for one of the most honest youth hockey conversations CHD has had yet.

Larry pulls back the curtain on how he went from a self-described “bad hockey player” to helping build powerhouse development environments that produced NHL stars like Lane Hutson, Macklin Celebrini, Adam Fantilli, Owen Power, and Alex Laferriere. 

But this episode isn’t about flexing hockey résumés.

It’s about what youth hockey is becoming and whether parents are chasing the wrong things.  Larry talks about:

•  The pressure cooker of “elite” youth hockey 
•  The insanity of hockey becoming a business 
•  Why some families are leaving states like Michigan, Illinois, and New Jersey for Florida hockey 
•  What actually creates development (hint: it’s not always the logo) 

He also explains the vision behind Longwood Hockey and the Florida Surf: building a full development ecosystem in Florida with AAA hockey, academy training, a new two-sheet rink, strength training, academics, and a pathway designed to keep elite players in-state instead of leaving at 13 years old.

Florida Surf: https://www.floridasurfhockey.com/
Longwood Hockey: https://www.instagram.com/longwoodhockey

Partners:

• https://www.pacificrink.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/bigjohndangles/
• https://hockeytraining.com/
• https://www.titanbattlegear.com/crazyhockeydads
• https://howieshockeytape.com/
• https://www.athleticperformanceinsight.com/

Socials:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crazyhockeydadspodcast
• X: https://x.com/Crazyhockeydads
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyhockeydadspodcast/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Crazy-Hockey-Dads-Podcast/61578631923150/