A Player Development Deep Dive with Tyler Dittmer, Director of Player Development at Western Canada Hockey Academy and Skills Coach for the Brandon Wheat Kings

Creating the Next Level in Hockey: A Deep Dive with Player Development Expert Tyler Dittmer 

In this episode of 'The Next Next,' host Jason Jacobs talks with Tyler Dittmer, a seasoned player development coach from Brandon, Manitoba, who has an extensive background in both playing and coaching hockey. Tyler delves into his philosophy surrounding effective player development, the balance between individual skills and team dynamics, and the importance of mental training and holistic approaches in athletics. He also discusses his current work at the Western Canada Hockey Academy, the collaboration between different coaches, and his role as a consultant for an NHL agency. Tyler provides insights into optimizing hockey IQ and the nuances of integrating unstructured play with structured training. In the latter part of the episode, Jason and Tyler brainstorm innovative ways to make advanced player development more accessible and effective for young athletes and their families. 

00:00 Introduction to the Show and Host 

00:33 Guest Introduction: Tyler Dittmer's Background 

02:57 Tyler's Journey in Hockey 

05:08 Transition to Player Development 

10:30 Balancing Skills and Team Play 

15:30 Parental Involvement in Player Development 

18:14 Optimizing Training and Development 

20:15 Video Analysis and Skill Application 

36:46 Collaborative Coaching and Future Prospects 

42:01 Peer Collaboration in Player Development 

42:46 Resuming the Discussion with Tyler 

43:45 The Importance of Collaboration and Peer Groups 

46:24 Specific Examples of Collaboration in Action 

47:30 Balancing On-Ice and Off-Ice Development 

49:07 The Role of Academies in Player Development 

52:35 Specialization vs. Multi-Sport Participation 

57:25 Personal Reflections and Career Aspirations 

01:00:34 Leveraging Video and AI in Player Development 

01:00:44 Hockey Canada Master's Coaching Program 

01:02:07 Consulting and Agency Work with Matt Calvert 

01:03:07 Challenges and Opportunities in Player Development 

01:23:13 Final Thoughts and Contact Information