Puck Academy

Puck Academy is a show and newsletter exploring how hockey players grow — on and off the ice. Each week, we share conversations with coaches, players, and experts about the habits, mindset, and development process that lead to peak performance. Our mission is to help players and families make sense of the journey — what matters, what doesn’t, and how to navigate it all with purpose.How It Works🎙 The Podcast — Smart, practical conversations with the people shaping player development.✉️ The Newsletter — Weekly highlights and reflections to help players and parents learn together.Together, they form a growing library of ideas and stories for anyone serious about getting better — and helping others do the same.Hosted by Jason JacobsJason Jacobs is a lifelong builder, parent, and student of development — exploring how people and systems improve over time. Through Puck Academy, he’s combining a love of hockey with a passion for learning, growth, and making sense of how players reach th

Puck Academy is a sports podcast hosted by Jason Jacobs, with 84 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Jason Jacobs hosts Puck Academy, a sports show with 84 episodes published.

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  Episode #83

  Brown Women’s Hockey Coach Mel Ruzzi on Player Development, Recruiting, and Keeping Youth Hockey Fun

  Apr 14, 202654 minS0

  <p>Host Jason Jacobs introduces Puck Academy and interviews Mel Ruzzi, head coach of Women’s Ice Hockey at Brown, known for defensive systems and program-building after roles at Princeton, Yale, Providence, Harvard, and Amherst, plus long involvement with USA Hockey. Ruzzi recounts growing up in Minnesota, starting organized hockey in eighth grade, playing high school at Burnsville, then captaining Providence College, and entering college coaching via a graduate assistant role at Amherst while earning a sport management master’s at UMass. They discuss how girls’ hockey pathways have expanded, the rise of academies and travel conflicting with school, and recrui...

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  Episode #82

  Sean Skahan on Modern Hockey Strength & Conditioning, Youth Development, and Avoiding Burnout

  Mar 31, 202650 minS0

  <p>Host Jason Jacobs interviews longtime NHL strength and conditioning coach Sean Skahan, former Minnesota Wild and 2007 Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks coach, now owner of Skahan Sports Conditioning and author of Total Hockey Training. Skahan describes entering hockey after playing football and interning with Mike Boyle, and explains how hockey training shifted from heavy aerobic work to a year-round focus on strength, speed, and power. He argues youth players often overdo summer ice time, limiting recovery and gains, and outlines an offseason model of four sessions per week with alternating high/low intensity, power work twice weekly, and conditioning...

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  Episode #81

  Elevating the Game: Insights from Jon Lounsbury, NHL Player Development Coach

  Mar 24, 20261h 4mS0

  <p>In this episode of Puck Academy, host Jason Jacobs sits down with Jon Lounsbury, owner of 11 Hockey and a player development coach who works with players from youth hockey through the NHL.</p> <p>Jon shares his journey from youth and high school hockey in Winthrop, Massachusetts, to Bridgeton Academy, University of Southern Maine hockey, and six years of professional hockey before transitioning into coaching and player development. Today, through 11 Hockey, he works with players across youth, junior, college, and pro levels.</p> <p>Jason and Jon discuss what actually drives player development, how video can be used effectively...

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  Episode #80

  Jack Ceglarski on Player Development, Recruiting, and Building Middlebury Hockey

  Mar 17, 20261h 9mS0

  <p>Host Jason Jacobs welcomes Jack Ceglarski, head coach of Middlebury men’s hockey, for a wide-ranging conversation on development, recruiting, and leading a program in today’s changing hockey landscape.</p> <p>A former SUNY Geneseo national champion and pro (Reading Royals, Indy Fuel, Huntsville Havoc), Jack shares his path from player to coach — including stops at New England College, Notre Dame, and ultimately Middlebury, where he became head coach in 2024.</p> <p>Jack reflects on growing up at Governor’s Academy in a prominent hockey family and why expectations around his last name felt more motivating than burdensome. He credi...

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  Episode #79

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

  Mar 10, 20261 hourS0

  <p>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.</p> <p>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 th...

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