New England Hockey Journal’s RinkWise

In this episode of New England Hockey Journal's Rinkwise podcast, hosts Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly sit down with Jason Guerriero, recently appointed as USA Hockey Director of Player Development for Massachusetts and New England districts. Guerriero, a former player and college assistant coach, discusses his career, his new role, and the importance of development at all levels of the sport. The conversation delves into the intricacies of youth hockey, the scouting and recruiting process, and the challenges and evolving landscape of college hockey. The episode also features a lively discussion on topics like shootouts in hockey and the concept of a relegation system. Guerriero offers insights and perspectives on fostering young talent and the future of hockey development in the region.

00:36 Guest Introduction: Jason Guerriero

02:00 Jason's Career and New Role

04:28 Passion for Development and USA Hockey

07:29 Challenges and Opportunities in Youth Hockey

11:06 Improving Hockey Sense and Player Development

13:32 Regional Representation and Selection Process

18:21 Balancing Competition and Development

25:43 Teaching Hockey to Young Kids

27:05 Challenges in Recruiting

28:37 Evaluating Consistency in Players

31:00 The Role of Agents and Social Media

33:04 The Changing Landscape of College Hockey

43:02 Overtime: Fun and Insightful Questions

49:58 Conclusion and Farewell

Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly dive into several topics in this episode of the Rinkwise podcast. They start by discussing recent experiences at the River Rats Jamboree, noting the renaming of local rinks. The conversation shifts to youth hockey structuring, including the implications of rising commitments and player evaluations. The hosts then provide an in-depth recapitulation of recent college commitments by local high-level hockey players, discussing the strengths and potential futures of many players. The episode concludes with a debate segment covering topics like body checking in youth hockey, fighting in hockey, and the value of outdoor hockey games.

Topics

00:22 Hockey Season Kickoff

00:32 Arena Name Changes and Amenities

01:39 Ball Hockey and College Showcases

03:28 August Commitments and College Choices

04:37 Boston College Recruits

07:12 Boston University Recruits

10:49 Providence College Recruits

13:14 Harvard University Recruits

15:20 Merrimack College Recruits

17:27 University of Maine Recruits

18:57 Dartmouth College Recruits

22:34 Dartmouth's Strategic Recruitment

23:23 UMass's August 1st Recruitment Blitz

25:59 Vermont's New Recruits

27:07 Quinnipiac and Colgate's Key Additions

28:34 Upcoming Prospects to Watch

30:23 Girls' Commitments and Recruitment Insights

31:41 The Great Debate: Hockey Topics

44:04 Closing Remarks and Future Coverage

Evan and Pat are joined by John Messuri, the head coach of Arlington Boys Hockey, dives deep into the intricacies of high school, junior, and college hockey. The discussion traverses John’s impactful coaching career, his rebuild success at Winchester, and the broader evolution and challenges within the Massachusetts hockey scene. Key topics include youth athlete development, balancing sports with academics, economic barriers, and the significance of fostering a competitive yet supportive environment. Additionally, the episode covers the quality of coaching across leagues, the influence of the transfer portal, and how investment in new facilities is shaping the future landscape of hockey. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, listeners gain invaluable insights into the dynamics necessary for success in hockey beyond mere talent.

00:37 Introducing John Messuri

01:19 Summer Highlights and Golf Talk

02:25 Stanley Cup Stories

05:39 High School Hockey Memories

11:57 The Evolution of Massachusetts Hockey

20:24 Youth Hockey Challenges

28:03 The Importance of Confidence and Development

38:51 The Evolution of JP's Hockey Journey

39:11 The Role of Prep Schools in Hockey Development

40:22 High School vs. Prep School Hockey

42:27 The Impact of Junior Hockey

49:55 The Future of Massachusetts Hockey

01:04:09 The Changing Landscape of College Hockey

01:11:28 Overtime: Memorable Quotes and Reflections

The guest is Damian DiGiulian, head coach of men's hockey at St. Michael's College, discussing the unique aspects and challenges of coaching at the Division III level. Topics include the importance of maintaining a work-life balance in coaching, the differences between Division I and III hockey, and the impact of youth hockey development practices. The conversation delves into personal experiences with hockey recruitment, the benefits and drawbacks of full-time sports programs for youth, and the significance of fostering a well-rounded athletic experience. Highlights include reflections on the movie 'Miracle' and how youth sports development can influence long-term success and enjoyment in the sport.

Topics

00:33 Guest Introduction: Damian DiGiulian

00:50 Summer Activities and Coaching Life

04:53 Differences Between Division I and Division III Coaching

06:02 Advice for Aspiring College Hockey Players

15:01 Recruitment Experiences and Parental Insights

23:51 The Prep School Hockey Experience

30:09 Youth Hockey Development

31:36 Concerns About Youth Hockey

33:08 Importance of Multi-Sport Participation

34:16 Burnout in Hockey

36:31 The Role of Creativity in Sports

41:50 Financial and Emotional Strain on Families

44:49 Overtime and Final Thoughts

45:05 Miracle on Ice Discussion

In this episode of the New England Hockey Journal's RinkWise podcast, hosted by Evan Marinofsky, the guest is Tyler Holske, GM and head coach of the South Shore Kings, 2024 Dineen Cup champ, and assistant GM and director of scouting for the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL. Tyler discusses balancing multiple roles, the trend of drafting based on player size, and the challenges of transitioning from prep to junior hockey. They delve into the importance of selecting the right time for young players to move to juniors, the significance of game experience for goalies, and the value of division three hockey for player development and education. They also touch on the nuances of college recruitment, the role of practices, the importance of playing minutes, and the vibrant Foxboro Prep League. The episode concludes with 'Overtime,' featuring quotes from hockey legends and discussions on toughness and mistakes in hockey.

Topics

01:23 Discussing the 2024 Draft and New England's Performance

02:36 The Trend of Size in NHL Drafts

04:28 Challenges and Decisions in Junior Hockey

06:39 The Value of Prep School and Junior Hockey Experience

09:40 Coaching Insights and Player Development

16:38 The Importance of Division III Hockey

21:26 College Recruitment and Commitment Challenges

25:23 The Struggles of Junior Hockey Goalies

26:09 Importance of Game Time for Goalies

29:37 Choosing the Right College for Goalies

32:39 The Foxborough Prep League

35:28 Overtime: Fun and Insights

42:49 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode of the New England Hockey Journal's Rinkwise podcast, Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly host Jay Pandolfo, a renowned figure in hockey. The conversation covers Pandolfo's remarkable career trajectory from playing at Burlington High School, BU, and a 13-season stint with the New Jersey Devils. With two Stanley Cups and extensive experience both as a coach and a scout, Pandolfo provides insights into his current role as BU's head coach. Key topics include the evolving landscape of hockey recruitment, the impact of the COVID-19 era on player development, and the challenges of coaching at the collegiate level. Pandolfo also shares his perspectives on the differences in coaching styles over the years and offers advice to young players and their parents about navigating the hockey world.

Topics

00:28 Guest Introduction: Jay Pandolfo

01:57 The Changing Landscape of College Hockey

05:20 Recruiting Challenges and Parental Perspectives

09:06 NIL Impact on College Hockey

13:16 Personal Reflections and Career Decisions

20:39 Support System and Staff Contributions

21:41 Navigating College Hockey and NCAA Changes

22:07 Transition from NHL to College Coaching

27:45 Reflections on NHL Career and Winning Stanley Cups

31:35 Coaching Philosophies and Influences

32:01 The Role of Communication in Coaching

38:14 Advice for Hockey Parents

39:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The guest is Freddy Meyer, the head boys' coach at Rivers and former NHL player, to discuss various facets of hockey development. Freddy talks about his transition from professional hockey to coaching, emphasizing the importance of fundamental skills and development over strict game planning. He also shares insights on being both a coach and a hockey parent, the impact of social media on skill training, and the significance of a supportive role for parents. The podcast also touches on his experiences playing in the NHL, his thoughts on concussions, and his efforts to promote a high-level summer hockey league.

Topics

00:37 Guest Introduction: Freddy Meyer

In this episode of the New England Hockey Journal's Rinkwise podcast, host Evan Marinofsky is joined by Patrick Donnelly to discuss the recent Mass. Hockey Festival, where they evaluated young hockey talent including the 07s, 08s, and 09s age groups. They explore standout players across various positions, the impact of playing in different competitive environments like prep schools and the MIAA, and the potential for these young athletes to move on to higher levels of play. Additionally, they cover the nuances of scouting and identifying talent in youth hockey, the challenges of evaluating goaltenders in festival settings, and share personal insights on the progression of young players. The conversation also touches on the future of girls prep hockey and the academy model, emphasizing the growth and development of hockey talent in New England.

Topics

01:32 Exploring the World of MIAA Baseball

Balancing Acts: Parenting, Fan Etiquette, and Navigating Sports Culture

Former BC QB & Hockey Dad Scott Mutryn provides insights into fostering children's athletic careers, emphasizing the importance of supportive environments and independent decision-making. He also tackles the unwritten rules of sports fandom, from jersey wearing to the contentious debate on leaving games early. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, the discussion covers the emotional depth of being a sports fan and parent, debating the values of staying till the end of a game against practical concerns. 

01:16 Scott's Journey from Football to Hockey Parent

Hosts Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly chat with Kent head coach Dale Reinhardt about the transition from hockey season to school responsibilities, the recruitment process for student-athletes, and the importance of choosing the right path for youth hockey players. The coach shares insights on balancing sports and academia, the evolving landscape of hockey recruitment, and stories from his coaching career to illustrate the journey of developing players. The discussion also touches upon the benefits of multi-sport participation, the impact of the transfer portal and NCAA changes on recruitment, and personal anecdotes from Reinhardt’s playing and coaching career to shed light on the realities of youth hockey development and recruitment.

Topics:

00:59 Life After Hockey Season: Transition and Activities