Tyler Symonds

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

I’ll say it. Kids today are overcoached. If we want to develop better players, sometimes we have to get out of the way and just let them play and figure it out.

We had an amazing conversation on this with 500+ game NHL veteran, now youth hockey coach, @davemoss25

[Tyler Symonds @TylerSymonds]

@hx_variant @AGN45 @grok He is playing and starting tonight’s game.

[Tyler Symonds @TylerSymonds]

@JhanHky Recurring

[Tyler Symonds @TylerSymonds]

@JhanHky 72

[Tyler Symonds @TylerSymonds]

@JhanHky 31

[Tyler Symonds @TylerSymonds]

@JhanHky 99

[Jack Rolfe @JPR_25]

Unpopular opinion: Grassroots clubs need coach developers more than more qualifications.

How do you help the people helping people?

[Toronto Maple Leafs @MapleLeafs]

“And maybe hear their name announced by some idiot like me” 😂

@Bonsie1951 reflects on his 44-years career with @ryanlesliemedia

[Toronto Maple Leafs @MapleLeafs]

Joe Bowen Ladies & Gentlemen 🐐

[Jeremy Frisch @JeremyFrisch]

This is where youth sports often get it backwards.

Kids don’t need more sport-specific training.
They need more athletic development.

Somewhere along the way, we convinced ourselves that earlier specialization meant better outcomes. More reps of the same skills. More drills. More structure. More pressure.

But strong, fast, coordinated, resilient athletes are not built by narrowing movement early. They’re built by expanding it.

Before worrying about a child’s shooting form, throwing mechanics, or position-specific skills, we should be asking:

Can they run, jump, stop, and change direction?

Can they balance, rotate, climb, crawl, and fall safely?

Can they move with rhythm, coordination, and confidence?

Athletic development is the foundation that sport skills are built on—not the other way around.

Speed, strength, power, and durability don’t magically appear because a kid played one sport year-round. They come from movement variety, free play, and exposure to different physical challenges across multiple planes and environments.

When we skip this phase and rush into specialization, we don’t create better athletes—we create fragile ones.

Develop the athlete first.
Then layer the sport on top.
#LTAD

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

A few years ago we had Darryl Belfry on the podcast and it was incredible. Here he talks about the “practice player” and why they can’t quite translate their skills to the game.

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

Coaches: Here’s a great guide on leading through adversity and building resilience in our players.

🔗: https://t.co/a9rG01BlqV

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

This is why Vechs is one of the best coaches in the business. Well worth the one-minute watch on the power of accountability.

[Chris Williamson @ChrisWillx]

Perfection is impossible.

Roger Federer played 1,526 singles matches across his career.

He won nearly 80%.

But he only won 54% of all the points he played.

Which means that even one of the greatest to ever do it lost nearly every other point.

Treat every iteration like it matters, then let it go.

Whether it’s an unforced error or a perfect winner, it’s still just one point.

One failed relationship, one embarrassing interaction, one late wakeup time.

It’s still just one point.

What matters most is how quickly you reset, and where you finish in the end.

[Tyler Symonds @TylerSymonds]

@SamAMcKee You are assuming they would have drafted Jarvis. Being a Leafs fan is tough enough, even tougher when we play the what if game!

[Tyler Symonds @TylerSymonds]

@leafguy403 Go Leafs Go!

[Tyler Symonds @TylerSymonds]

@RossyOnTheMic Go leafs Go!

[David Alter @davidalter]

Mitch Marner's ice time last game was 20:07. Congrats to Adam who got the closest reply and gets first choice of prize.

@GrantCo10 was next closest and gets what Adam doesn't pick. Both of you please send me a DM.
Next contest coming up.

[Topher Scott @HockeyThinkTank]

I’ve talked to so many people in youth hockey about how to change the toxic culture - and it’s tough hearing so many good people saying they can’t do it the way they want (the right way) because everyone else is doing it the other way (the business way) and if they don’t do it that way they’ll lose their club.

I’m calling BS.

If you are involved in youth hockey, please listen to this clip. And if you are a person of influence wherever you are at, stand tall and don’t cater to the crazy. The only way we’ll see positive change is if people of influence in youth hockey areas, who know better, go against the grain and lead the change.