Our Kids Play Hockey What Youth Hockey Can Learn From How NHL Players Develop with Flyers' Director of Player Development Riley Armstrong
🎙️ Ever wonder what “player development” really means — beyond the buzzword?
This week on Our Kids Play Hockey, we sit down with Riley Armstrong, the Director of Player Development for the Philadelphia Flyers, to talk about how great players are truly made — from youth hockey to the pros.
Riley’s journey is one few can replicate: from figure skating lessons taught by his mom in Saskatchewan to an NHL coaching role recommended personally by Flyers GM Danny Brière. His story is a masterclass in patience, precision, and purpose.
💡 In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why figure skating (yes, figure skating!) builds elite skaters and confident players
- The biggest time and money mistakes parents make — and what to do instead
- The truth about tournaments, burnout, and how pros use their summers to really improve
- The importance of coaching quality over chasing “top-10” teams
- Why the best development happens when kids are having fun — and how music can help
- How NHL players like Tyson Foerster and Bobby Brink used skating to change their careers
Whether you’re a hockey parent, a coach, or a young player with big dreams, this episode breaks down what separates “busy” development from meaningful development — and how to focus on what truly matters.
🎧 Listen now — and start seeing development the way the NHL does.
📖 Want a written version you can reference anytime? Check out our companion blog: How NHL Pros Develop (And What That Means for Youth Players) with Flyers' Director of Player Development Riley Armstrong
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