Mental performance coaching

Roster full. Waitlist open

Stop playing scared when the pressure's on

Learn how to perform your best in tryouts, playoffs, and showcases, not just meaningless games.

Ben Vutci's 1-on-1 roster is currently full. New players are taken from the waitlist, in order.

Players sitting in the locker room before a game

The problem you already know

Let me ask you something

How many times have you:

  • Felt great in warmups, then played tight and tentative once the puck dropped?
  • Made one mistake and couldn't shake it off, letting it snowball into a bad game?
  • Known exactly what to do in practice, then second-guessed everything in games?
  • Lost your confidence after getting benched, pulled, or having a rough stretch?
  • Performed well when games don't matter, but fallen apart in tryouts, showcases, or playoffs?

Here's what makes this so frustrating

You're putting in the work. You're not lazy. You're not unskilled.

But something clicks off when the game starts. Your mind races. You overthink. You play scared instead of confident. And by the time the game's over, you know you're capable of way more than what you just showed.

Here's the brutal truth

If you can't control what's happening between your ears, none of your skill matters.

You can have the best shot, the best skating, the best hockey IQ in the world. But if your mental game isn't dialed in, you're leaving massive performance on the table.

The cost

What happens if you don't fix it

Here's what I see happen to players who don't address this.

01

You keep choking in big moments when it matters most

02

You lose confidence and start playing not to mess up instead of playing to win

03

You overthink every decision and your game gets slower and more tentative

04

You spiral after bad shifts and can't bounce back during the game

05

You miss opportunities, roster spots, scholarships, contracts, because your head wasn't right when they were watching

And the worst part?

You blame yourself. You think you're "mentally weak" or "can't handle pressure." But that's not true. You just haven't been taught the skills to manage your mind under pressure.

And yes, it's a skill. One you can learn.

Ben Vutci, Ghost Athletica mental performance coach
Mental performance coach Ben Vutci Former NHL strength coach. BS Exercise Science, MS Sports Psychology in progress, CSCS.

Meet your coach

Why working with a mental performance coach changes everything

My name is Ben Vutci, and I'm a hockey mental performance coach. I've worked with:

  • Junior players trying to make the jump to pro
  • College athletes fighting for ice time
  • NHL players managing the mental demands of the highest level
  • Youth players learning how to compete without fear

What I've learned after years of doing this

Most hockey players have elite physical skills but zero training in mental performance.

They're either:

01

Playing scared because one bad game could cost them their spot

02

Overthinking every decision because they're trying to be perfect

03

Losing confidence after mistakes because they don't know how to reset

04

Carrying the weight of expectations (parents, coaches, scouts) into every shift

The difference between a player who crumbles under pressure and a player who thrives in big moments isn't talent.

It's mental training.

That's not motivational talk. That's what the research shows. And that's what I see every single day working with players.

How mental performance coaching works

A system built around you

We're not just talking about "being mentally tough." We're building a personalized mental performance system based on your specific challenges.

01

Pre-game routines that lock you in

You'll learn how to show up to games in the right headspace, calm, focused, and ready, instead of anxious, distracted, or overthinking.

No more showing up tight. No more feeling unprepared mentally. You'll have a system to get your mind right before the puck drops.

02

In-game reset strategies

Bad shift? Tough call? Mistake that rattles you? You'll have a system to reset your mind in seconds so one moment doesn't ruin your game.

This is the difference between spiraling after one mistake and playing the next shift like it never happened.

03

Confidence building, even after rough stretches

Learn how to build unshakeable confidence that doesn't depend on your last game, your ice time, or what the coach said.

Your confidence becomes internal, not based on external validation. You show up believing in yourself, no matter what happened last shift.

04

Pressure performance skills

The biggest moments shouldn't be the scariest. You'll learn how to perform your best when the stakes are highest: tryouts, playoffs, showcases, contract years.

Stop choking when it matters. Start thriving under pressure. The games that count become the ones where you shine.

05

Focus and attention control

Stop thinking about the scouts in the stands, the mistake you just made, or what might happen if you mess up. Learn to lock in on the present moment and play free.

Your mind stops wandering. You stop overthinking. You play instinctively, the way you do in practice when nobody's watching.

06

Post-game processing and recovery

Learn how to analyze your performance objectively without spiraling into negativity or losing confidence after tough games.

Bad games don't destroy you anymore. You extract lessons, let go of what doesn't matter, and move forward with clarity instead of doubt.

This isn't just "think positive" advice

Evidence-based mental performance training

The same systems used at the NHL, college, and junior level.

We're not just talking about your feelings. We're building:

  • Pre-game routines that get your mind right
  • Between-period and whistle reset strategies that keep you locked in
  • Post-mistake protocols so you don't spiral
  • Visualization and imagery techniques that wire your brain for success
  • Breathing and focus tools that calm your nervous system under pressure

This is systematic. This is trainable. And it works.

Is this right for you?

Who this is for

This is for

  • Players who have the talent but struggle with confidence
  • Players who overthink and play tentative in games
  • Players who can't bounce back after mistakes
  • Players who perform well in practice but choke in games
  • Players who feel the weight of expectations and pressure
  • Players who want to compete fearlessly instead of playing scared

This is not for

  • Players who aren't willing to do the mental work
  • Players looking for a magic fix
  • Players who think mental training is "soft" or doesn't matter
  • Players who want someone to blame
  • Players who aren't coachable or open to honest feedback
  • Players looking for a quick fix instead of building real mental skills

1-on-1 with Ben

Every spot is taken

Ben caps his 1-on-1 roster so every player gets real attention between sessions. Right now the roster is full. These are the plans you're waiting on.

6 sessions

Full
$400 $450
  • 1-on-1 sessions
  • Complete mental game assessment
  • Personalized pre-game routine that locks you in
  • Pressure performance training for big moments
  • Between-session support via chat
No spots open

12 sessions

Full
$825 $900
  • 1-on-1 sessions
  • Extended mental performance development
  • Season-long support and adjustments
  • Post-game processing
  • Advanced visualization and imagery training
  • Mental performance tracking
  • Priority access for urgent support
No spots open
Waitlist open

Get in line before the next spot opens

Spots only open when a current player finishes their plan, and they go to the waitlist in order. The players who get in are the ones who asked before the spot existed.

  1. Request your spot One email to Ben with your player's name, age, position, and what you want fixed.
  2. Ben confirms your place You'll hear back with where you stand on the list and a rough timeline.
  3. First call when a spot opens Ben emails you before anyone else. Claim it and you start. Pass, and it goes to the next name.
  • First come, first served
  • No payment until a spot opens
  • Players and goalies
Join the waitlist

Opens an email straight to Ben. Takes about a minute.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Why is the roster full?

Ben caps the number of players he coaches 1-on-1 at one time. Every player on his roster gets a personalized system and between-session support, and that only works with a limited group. Right now every spot is taken, so the only way in is through the waitlist.

How long is the wait?

It depends on when current players finish their plans. When you request a spot, Ben will tell you where you stand and give you a rough idea of timing. Spots are offered in the order requests come in, so the earlier you ask, the sooner you hear from him.

Can I still book a free consultation?

Not while the roster is full. Free consultations are paused so Ben's time goes to the players he's already coaching. If you have a question before joining the waitlist, email him directly and he'll get back to you.

Is this safe for youth athletes?

Yes. All strategies are age-appropriate and performance-focused. This isn't therapy. It's mental skills training, the same way you'd train your shot or your skating. We're teaching you how to manage your mind under pressure, build confidence, and stay focused. These are foundational skills that help young players develop healthy relationships with competition and performance. Everything is designed to support your development, not add unhealthy pressure. Mental performance coaching is not counseling or mental health treatment. If an athlete needs that kind of care, we'll point you to a licensed provider. In a crisis, call or text 988.

Is this for goalies or skaters?

Both. While goalies and skaters face different mental challenges on the ice, the core principles of mental performance are the same: managing pressure, bouncing back from mistakes, staying focused, and building confidence. I adjust the strategies to fit your position and the specific mental demands you face. Whether you're a goalie dealing with the weight of every goal against, or a skater trying to stay aggressive after getting benched, the training works.

How long does it take to see results?

Most players notice improvements within 1-2 weeks: better focus in games, quicker recovery after mistakes, or more confidence in their decisions. But real, lasting change takes consistency. Think of it like strength training: you might feel stronger after a few sessions, but building muscle takes months.

The mental game is the same. If you commit to the process and actually use the tools we build together, you'll see progress fast. But this isn't a magic pill. It's a skill you develop over time.

What if I'm already confident?

That's great, but confidence alone isn't enough. The question is: does your confidence survive mistakes? Does it hold up under pressure? Can you maintain it after a bad game or when you're not getting ice time? Mental performance training isn't just about confidence. It's about focus, reset strategies, pressure management, and attention control. Even confident players struggle when they can't shake off mistakes, overthink in big moments, or let distractions derail their game. If you're confident in practice but struggle in games, or confident until something goes wrong, this training will help you level up.

Do I get a plan I can follow?

Yes. You'll get specific routines, reset strategies, and mental tools you can use before, during, and after games. This isn't vague advice like "just relax" or "be confident." You'll walk away with step-by-step protocols for: preparing mentally before games, resetting after mistakes during games, processing performance after games without losing confidence, and building unshakeable self-belief over time. Everything is personalized to your situation and easy to implement.

My kid says they don't need mental coaching. Should I still book it?

This is common, especially with teenage players. A lot of players think mental training means something is "wrong" with them, or they believe they should just be able to "figure it out" on their own.

Here's what I'd suggest: have an honest conversation with them. Ask if they've ever felt nervous before a big game, struggled to shake off a mistake, or felt like they played better in practice than in games. If the answer is yes (and it almost always is), that's what mental performance coaching addresses. It's not about being weak. It's about training a skill they've never been taught. If they're still resistant, start with a free consultation. Most players change their mind once they realize this is performance training, not therapy.

Will this help if I'm not playing much right now?

Absolutely. In fact, this is often the perfect time to work on your mental game. When you're not playing, you can focus on building the foundation (confidence routines, visualization skills, mental preparation protocols) without the pressure of immediate game performance. Then, when you do get your opportunity (and you will), you'll be mentally ready to take advantage of it. A lot of players wait until they're playing to work on their mental game, but the best time to build these skills is before you need them.

What if I don't believe in "mental stuff"?

Fair question. Here's the thing: you already know the mental game matters. You've felt it. You've played great in practice and then tight in games. You've made a mistake and couldn't shake it. You've overthought a play and hesitated. That's all mental. The question isn't whether the mental game exists. It's whether you're going to train it or just hope it gets better on its own. Every elite athlete works on their mental game. The ones who don't are the ones who plateau. If you train your body and your skills, why wouldn't you train your mind?

Don't wait to hear about it

The next open spot goes to the waitlist

Ben's roster is full. When a player finishes, the spot is offered to the list in order. Get your name on it now.