Episode 41: From Tiger Mom to Junior Ducks (with Alex Kim)
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Show Notes
Surviving one of the wildest hockey paths you’ll ever hear.
Scott and Jamie sit down with Alex Kim - former pro, Colorado College standout, and now Director of the Jr. Ducks to unpack a hockey journey unlike anything in the sport.
Alex walks through growing up in non-hockey Southern California under a tiger-mom who preferred harpsichord, abacus, and speed-reading over slapshots, negotiating just to play the sport, and leaving home at 15 for the Soo - where culture shock, racism, and sheer grit shaped everything that came next.
He also shares the twists that defined his career: turning down Ivy League offers, transferring colleges, and playing professionally in Europe and Korea. It’s a raw look at development, identity, sacrifice, and how much parents shape the journey without even realizing it.
In this episode:
- Growing up outside the traditional hockey pipeline
- Facing cultural and racial adversity in Michigan
- Billet challenges and the mental toll of leaving home early
- Why parents chase the wrong milestones
- The “hockey as a vehicle” philosophy
If you want perspective, humility, and a real look at what development actually requires… Alex delivers.
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