Greg Simeone joins Mark and Geno for a conversation about youth sports, the pressure to perform, and helping kids hold on to their love of the game.
A longtime friend of the Zebras, Greg grew up loving hockey. His playing career included a New Jersey Devils NHL training camp and three years of professional hockey. He also coached and mentored young athletes across multiple sports, including players who went on to compete in the NCAA, ECHL, AHL, and NHL. Through it all, his message stayed the same: play for the love of it.
As a father and coach, Greg saw how pressure from adults could overshadow the joy of playing. That experience inspired I Just Want to Play, his first children’s book and the beginning of a youth sports series celebrating friendship, confidence, laughter, and the freedom to be a kid.
Expect hockey stories, honest conversation, and a reminder for parents and coaches: kids deserve to enjoy the game. Greg shares why making room for fun matters, on the ice and beyond.
Explore Greg’s books at Simmer Books.
Special thanks to The Lodge Bar and Grill in Randolph, MA, for hosting the recording, and to owners Jimmy, Dave, and Steve Rooney for their hospitality. Check out The Lodge Bar and Grill.