Ryan Blair: Balancing Passion, Purpose, and Family in Hockey

In this episode of 'The Next Next,' host Jason Jacobs delves into the complexities of athlete development with Ryan Blair, who has extensive experience in hockey from various roles such as player, coach, and hockey operations manager. Ryan shares his journey from playing four seasons at UMass Lowell to coaching in the EHL and ECHL, and ultimately becoming the hockey operations manager at the Carolina Ice Palace. They discuss the different phases of hockey careers, the importance of balance in player development, and the impact of family dynamics on career choices. The episode also explores the benefits and challenges of specialized coaching, the role of video analysis in player development, and the importance of making educated decisions for young athletes. 

00:00 Introduction to the Show and Host 

00:18 Guest Introduction: Ryan Blair's Hockey Journey 

03:12 Ryan Blair's Early Life and Hockey Beginnings 

04:36 The Challenges and Decisions in Youth Hockey 

13:12 College Hockey Experience and Transition to Professional Play 

20:11 Post-Playing Career: Coaching and Operations 

24:57 Current Role and Reflections on Hockey Development 

33:52 The Importance of Video in Hockey Training 

34:23 Implementing Video Sessions for Youth Teams 

35:37 Challenges in Providing Individual Attention 

36:40 Balancing Skill Development and Decision Making 

38:31 Parental Guidance in Youth Hockey 

41:27 Team vs. Individual Development 

43:15 Future Directions for Charleston Hockey 

48:09 The Debate on Specialized Coaching 

56:30 Closing Thoughts and Reflections