“Over the course of my career, I played for a lot of different coaches, teams and organizations, and every experience taught me something different about the game. There is no single path that works for every player. The key is learning from the people and opportunities around you, understanding what coaches expect, and developing the habits that allow you to keep progressing. My goal is to help young players use those lessons to make better decisions and get the most out of their opportunities.”

Skyler joins Hockey Horizons with a host of unique experiences in the game. 

Skyler Smutek brings Hockey Horizons the perspective that comes from a remarkably long and diverse playing career. Over 14 years of competitive hockey, Skyler progressed through junior and NCAA hockey before spending eight seasons playing professionally, competing in the ECHL, SPHL, and FPHL. His journey took him through numerous teams, organizations, and hockey environments, giving him the opportunity to play for a wide variety of coaches and experience firsthand the different philosophies, expectations, systems, and cultures that exist throughout the game.

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That longevity and breadth of experience are what make Skyler especially valuable to Hockey Horizons players and families. He understands that there is no single path through hockey and has seen how different coaches and organizations approach player development, leadership, opportunity, and advancement. Now a coach and teacher himself, Skyler combines those lessons with a strong background in fitness and athletic development, providing players with practical insight gained from years of experiencing the game from virtually every angle.