Insights on Player Development from Tyler Holske, Head Coach & GM of NCDC South Shore Kings

In this episode of Puck Academy, Jason Jacobs sits down with Tyler Holske — head coach and general manager of the South Shore Kings (NCDC), where he is in his fourth season leading the program. He also serves as assistant general manager and director of scouting for the Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) and as a regional scout for NHL Central Scouting, evaluating draft-eligible players across New England.

A former goaltender, Tyler played junior hockey in New England with the South Shore Kings and Boston Junior Bruins before playing four years at Southern New Hampshire University, where he captained the team and became the program’s all-time saves leader. He went on to play professionally in Europe for two seasons in the Netherlands.

Tyler brings a rare perspective shaped by experience as a player, coach, general manager, and scout — giving him a comprehensive view of player development and the evolving hockey pathways.

What we cover:

What really matters in player evaluation

Hockey sense first

Compete level second

Skill third

Why high-IQ, high-compete players win long term.

Can hockey IQ be developed?

Small-area games vs. skill-only training

Teaching “how to play” instead of just skating better

Using video the right way

Building internally motivated self-starters

How development has changed

The rise of 12-month hockey

Early specialization and burnout

Why kids need to love going to the rink

Prep vs. juniors vs. CHL

There is no single right path

Why academics still matter

Due diligence families should do before leaving prep

How the landscape is getting more competitive

The bigger picture

There aren’t enough college spots

Most players won’t play pro

If you love the game, keep playing

Show notes:

00:00 Welcome to Puck Academy + Meet Tyler Holske (Goalie to GM/Scout)

02:28 Tyler’s Current Roles: South Shore Kings, USHL Scouting, NHL Central Scouting

03:34 Origin Story: Backyard Rink, Choosing Goalie, College & Pro in Europe

05:10 From Player to Coach: Kings Goalie Coach to Head Coach/GM & Building a Winning Culture

07:55 How the Development Path Has Changed: 12-Month Hockey, Specialization & Burnout

10:45 Let Kids Be Kids: Balancing Love of the Game, Commitment, and Parent Pressure

13:51 Synergy of Coaching + Scouting Hats Across Levels

15:57 What Tyler Looks For: Hockey Sense, Compete Level, and Skill (In That Order)

18:07 Can Hockey IQ & Compete Be Taught? Video, Self-Starters, and Accountability

20:17 Raising Hockey IQ: Small-Area Games, Teaching ‘How to Play,’ and Video-to-Ice Pairing

24:19 Tools of the Trade: InStat Workflow, Drill Sources, and Learning as a Coach

27:26 Analytics vs Eye Test: Opponent Prep, Special Teams Tendencies, and Key Metrics

29:29 When Skill Work Backfires: Making Training Game-Translatable

30:31 Can You Develop Compete & Hockey IQ Over Time?

32:26 Modern Coaching: Managing 26 Personalities & Building Buy-In

34:05 Choosing the Right Path: Don’t Rush Levels + Academics Matter

37:05 Prep vs Juniors: The 24/7 Hockey Environment Explained

39:36 Should You Skip Juniors? Readiness, Reps, and Due Diligence

43:18 CHL Rule Changes & the NCDC’s Niche in College Placement

46:27 Advisors, Outreach, and the Behind-the-Scenes Placement Machine

49:23 Recruiting vs Development: Culture, Process, and Handling Adversity

51:22 A Tougher Landscape: Not Enough Spots + What Needs to Change

54:24 Reality vs Dreams: Playing for the Love of the Game

56:44 Future of Hockey: Opportunity, Cost Barriers, and Final Wrap-Up

Note: Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).