Inside the World of Hockey Development with Dwayne Blais, Detroit Red Wings Skill Development Coach
In this episode of Puck Academy, host Jason Jacobs speaks with Dwayne Blais, Skill Development Coach with the Detroit Red Wings and co-founder of Total Package Hockey (TPH) and the National Skill Development Association (NSDA). Dwayne shares his journey from starting hockey at age 9 to becoming an influential skills coach working with players at all levels, including youth through NHL. He emphasizes the importance of player development, best practices, and the evolving nature of hockey. Dwayne also discusses how competitive landscape is shifting, the role of parents, the integration of skill development into coaching, and the opportunities presented by the changing rules in the development path for young players. Additionally, the conversation highlights the balance between on-ice and off-ice training, the potential of AI and technology in hockey coaching, and the importance of cultivating good humans, not just good players. Dwayne concludes with reflections on his personal journey and the future of player development.
Puck Academy · Dwayne Blais, Jason Jacobs
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Show Notes
In this episode of Puck Academy, host Jason Jacobs interviews Dwayne Blais, a Hockey Canada certified skills coach currently working with the Detroit Red Wings. They discuss Dwayne's extensive experience in player development with teams like the London Knights, Hershey Bears, and Washington Capitals, as well as his work with youth hockey through his company, Total Package Hockey (TPH). The conversation covers Dwayne's journey from his late start in hockey to coaching, the importance of fundamentals like stick-handling and scanning the ice, and the challenges and strategies of developing elite hockey talent.
They also touch on topics like balancing skill development with a love for the game, the role of technology and analytics, and the changing landscape of hockey development pathways. Throughout, Dwayne emphasizes creating good people and maintaining a balanced perspective on the sport.
00:00 Introduction to Puck Academy
00:15 Meet Dwayne Blais: Hockey Skills Coach
01:23 Dwayne's Journey in Hockey
04:47 The Importance of Skill Development
06:54 Starting Total Package Hockey
12:48 Transition from Player to Coach
19:14 The Rise of Private Hockey Schools
24:00 Balancing Hockey and Life
32:42 Parental Influence on Athletic Development
34:19 Balancing Encouragement and Accountability
35:48 Personal Reflections on Parenting Styles
36:59 The Role of Self-Motivation in Sports
38:52 Challenges of Modern Youth Sports
41:16 Outdoor Rinks and Unstructured Play
44:50 Accessibility and Resources in Competitive Sports
49:58 Teaching Hockey IQ and Skills
55:54 The Importance of Communication and Scanning
01:02:00 Coaching Strategies for Skill Development
01:06:56 Accountability and Skill Development at Home
01:10:10 The Role of Coaches in Player Development
01:13:51 Analytics vs. Eye Test in Hockey
01:21:47 Teaching Hockey IQ and Player Development
01:32:18 Changes in the Development Path and NCAA
01:38:47 Final Thoughts on Hockey Development
Note: Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).