Welcome to another episode of Inside The Game with Pierre McGuire. In this conversation, Pierre sits down with Greg Carvel, the Head Coach at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, for a wide-ranging discussion on coaching, culture, player development, leadership, and the values that shape a program.
Carvel reflects on growing up in Canton, New York, his playing days, and the standards that helped define him early in his hockey life. He shares how work ethic, integrity, trust, and preparation became the foundation of his coaching identity, values that he now carries into every team he leads.
The conversation dives into Carvel's coaching journey from Amherst College to the Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators, Saint Lawrence, and eventually UMass. He looks back on working with Mike Babcock and Brian Murray, building trust with NHL players, taking on major responsibilities in Ottawa, and how those experiences helped cement his belief in himself as a coach.
Pierre and Greg also discuss the rise of UMass hockey, the recruitment and development of Cale Makar, and why Carvel's program has become known for developing NHL-ready players. From high standards and hard hockey to care, connection, and vulnerability, Carvel explains what it takes to build a culture players believe in.
The episode also explores how college hockey is changing through NIL, revenue sharing, CHL players, European recruiting, and the growing talent level across the NCAA. Carvel shares how he continues to adapt as a coach while staying true to the values that have made UMass one of the most respected programs in college hockey.
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Produced by 1TEAM Media.