Associate Professor & Mental Skills ConsultantDr. David Scott is a distinguished sports psychologist and academic whose career spans over two decades of high-level performance consulting and research. He currently serves as an Associate Professor of Sport Psychology within the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of New Brunswick (UNB), alongside active consulting roles with elite professional and major junior hockey teams.
Academic Background & CredentialsDr. Scott began his academic journey in Northern Ireland, completing his undergraduate work at the University of Ulster in Belfast, where he graduated with a degree in Sport Science and earned a teaching certificate.
He then relocated to Canada to pursue advanced postgraduate studies at the University of Victoria, where he earned three separate graduate degrees:
- Master of Arts in Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Master of Arts in Psychology
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Sport and Exercise Psychology
Research & ContributionsDr. Scott’s primary research focuses on behavior change, performance enhancement in competitive sports, and the psychological benefits of sport and physical exercise. He is a prolific contributor to his field; within a three-year window, he published 15 articles and abstracts across prestigious psychology and sports psychology journals, and delivered 30 national and international conference presentations.
Professional Consulting in Elite HockeyBeyond his academic research, Dr. Scott is widely regarded as "one of the best in the business" for mental conditioning and athlete preparation. He has worked directly with National Hockey League (NHL) franchises for over 23 years, most notably serving as the Mental Skills Consultant for the Montreal Canadiens.
His extensive sports psychology portfolio also includes consulting work with:
- The Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)
- The Acadie-Bathurst Titan (QMJHL), where he spent eight seasons working alongside general manager Sylvain Couturier
- The Czech Para Hockey Team
- Various franchises across the American Hockey League (AHL)
In his consulting roles, Dr. Scott works face-to-face with athletes and coaching staff to strengthen mental preparation, resolve personal challenges, and break through psychological roadblocks—helping players succeed both on the ice and in their personal lives.
