Evan Marinofsky and Pat Donnelly discuss the state of MIAA hockey with Duxbury High School (Mass.) girls coach Dan Najarian. They delve into topics such as the development of young players, the benefits of playing multiple sports, and the dynamic between MIAA, prep schools and club hockey. Najarian shares his insights on how MIAA hockey can serve as both a developmental platform and a source of lasting, meaningful hockey experiences. The episode also touches on the challenges of college recruitment and the growth of girls hockey, providing a comprehensive look at the landscape of high school and junior hockey in New England.

Topics

00:29 Guest Introduction: Dan Najarian

01:38 Fall Hockey Insights

02:32 The Role of Multi-Sport Athletes

05:02 Debating the 15-Only Rule

09:58 MIAA Hockey: Current State and Future Prospects

18:31 Coaching Philosophy and Player Development

30:13 Highlighting Unsung Talent in Girls Hockey

31:08 The Rise of Club Hockey for Girls

33:52 Balancing Academics and Hockey Dreams

35:44 The Appeal of Club Hockey Over Traditional Paths

39:59 Overtime: Personal Stories and Unwritten Rules

50:29 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

Evan and Pat delve into the current state of fall hockey, particularly focusing on high school leagues like Connecticut's Cutting Edge Management (CEM). They discuss the potential future of fall hockey and whether more teams will adopt a model where school teams play together. The conversation shifts to college recruiting updates for both boys and girls, highlighting several key commitments. The episode concludes with a fun 'Overrated or Underrated' segment, covering topics like playoff beards, NHL team names without 'S', and NHL mascots.

Topics

01:04 Fall Hockey Season Overview

01:42 Connecticut's Cutting Edge Management (CEM) League

03:48 Challenges and Benefits of Fall Hockey

08:34 Girls' Hockey and Multi-Sport Athletes

12:53 Future of Prep School Hockey Seasons

25:28 Recent College Recruiting Highlights

29:15 Big Names in Hockey Recruitment

29:41 Hockey East Dominance

33:13 Notable Recruits and Commitments

39:05 Princeton's Strong Recruitment

41:11 Setting the Record Straight

41:42 Overtime: Overrated or Underrated

Evan is joined by Dan Fontas, the new head coach of the Cushing Boys Hockey team. They discuss Dan's transition from head coach of the Varsity B team to his new role, his coaching philosophy, and the importance of relationship-building with players. They also delve into the challenges and changes in recruiting, impacted by recent CHL rulings, and the future of fall hockey for prep schools. The episode wraps up with anecdotes from Dan's own career, including his transition from player to coach and the influences that shaped his coaching style. The show ends with a fun segment called 'Overtime,' where they react to famous hockey-related quotes.

Topics

00:57 Meeting Dan Fontas: A Funny Encounter

01:51 Recruitment and Promotion Insights

05:09 Challenges and Changes in Prep Hockey

09:23 Varsity B Coaching Experience

15:34 Dan's Personal Hockey Journey

23:22 Coaching Philosophy and Influences

29:01 Commitment Beyond Hockey

29:26 Impact of Coaching Relationships

30:32 Evolution of Coaching Styles

32:00 Increased Skill Levels in Modern Players

35:58 The Future of Prep and Fall Hockey

43:22 Overtime: Fun and Insightful Hockey Quotes

Evan and Pat dive into the college hockey recruiting season. They discuss the landscape of hockey recruiting as fall hockey approaches. They explore notable recruits, the effects of the CHL ruling on recruiting, and the trend of players making more realistic commitments. The episode also covers significant commitments in the boys and girls hockey scenes, highlighting key players and their potential impacts on their future teams. Additionally, the show includes a nostalgic segment on memorable hockey experiences and locker room smells.

Topics

00:40 Recruiting Season and College Choices

03:32 Impact of CHL Ruling on Recruiting

05:20 Realistic Commitments and Player Strategies

10:46 BC and BU Commitments

20:41 Northeastern and Other Hockey East Schools

28:17 Dartmouth's Recruiting Strategy

30:25 Dartmouth's Strategic Recruiting Moves

30:50 Harvard's High-End Prep Kid Trend

31:22 Dartmouth's New Market Strategy

33:29 Notable College Commits

33:38 UMass and Other Local Commits

34:16 Notre Dame's Local Talent

34:46 Cornell and UNH Commits

35:21 Quinnipiac and Other Notable Commits

35:48 Transition to Girls' Recruiting

36:52 Big 10 and Local Girls' Commits

39:22 Trends in Girls' College Hockey

43:07 Notable Girls' Commits

48:42 Overtime: Hockey Nostalgia

The Hoops/Hockey Crossover Show

This crossover episode between New England Hockey Journal's Rink Wise and New England Basketball Journal's Hoop Wise podcasts. The hosts discuss the idea of merging the discussions around the two sports, focusing on the differences and similarities in player development, recruitment, and the unique challenges each sport faces. Topics covered include the yearly schedules for basketball and hockey, the impact of club and prep teams on player growth, the role of advisors and agents, the rising cost of playing these sports at elite levels, and the potential of future changes in the structure and governance of these youth sports.

Topics

01:13 Basketball vs. Hockey: Seasonal Differences

01:38 Open Gyms and Recruitment in Basketball

04:18 Fall Hockey Showcases and College Scouting

05:33 The Role of Club Teams in Player Development

12:05 Prep School and Club Team Dynamics

16:52 Balancing Multiple Sports and Commitments

26:46 Shoe Circuits and Sponsorships in Basketball

31:25 Exploring Brand Influence in Basketball and Hockey

31:53 The Business of AAU and College Recruiting

35:09 Junior Hockey Pathways and College Eligibility

46:38 The Role of Advisors and Agents in Youth Sports

51:46 The Rising Costs of Youth Sports

57:45 The Impact of Club Teams on Local Hockey Programs

59:46 Conclusion and Future Discussions

Evan and Pat talk with Sean O'Brien, the new head coach of the boys' hockey team at Phillips Exeter Academy. Sean shares insights from his career, including his recent move back to New England from Pittsburgh, his previous coaching stint at Harvard, and his philosophy on integrating technology and video analysis to enhance player development. He also discusses the balance between academics and athletics in a prep school environment, the impact of the CHL ruling on prep hockey, and the importance of building professional networks and relationships for long-term success. The episode concludes with a discussion on outdated hockey strategies and the evolving role of analytics in coaching.

Topics

00:29 Guest Introduction: Sean O'Brien

01:34 Sean O'Brien's Journey to Phillips Exeter

05:03 The Appeal of Phillips Exeter

07:23 Recruitment and Academic Balance

12:32 Lessons from Harvard

16:49 The Role of Technology in Coaching

24:24 Seamless Video Integration in Coaching

25:17 The Importance of Self-Reflection in Sports

26:48 Impact of CHL Ruling on Prep Schools

29:15 Evaluating Player Readiness for Junior Hockey

31:19 Balancing Hockey and Academic Development

35:46 Building Long-Term Professional Networks

40:04 Hockey Strategy Insights: Overtime Segment

Evan sits down with Brandon Borges, the newly appointed head boys hockey coach at Williston Northampton. Borges, an alumnus of the school, shares insights about his transition into the coaching role and his vision for the program. He discusses the importance of summer training, balancing player workloads, and the unique challenges of returning to coach at his alma mater. Borges also reflects on his own hockey journey from inner-city Providence to playing junior hockey, providing valuable advice for current players navigating college and junior hockey aspirations. The discussion concludes with a light-hearted segment about the nuances of being a passionate hockey fan.

Topics

00:26 Meet the New Coach: Brandon Borges

00:55 Summer Training Strategies

03:06 Returning to Alma Mater: Williston Northampton

03:42 Brandon's Hockey Journey

08:12 Challenges and Lessons in Youth Hockey

20:21 Junior Hockey Experience and Advice

24:21 Personal Struggles and Reflections

24:43 Timing and Development in Hockey

25:52 Deciding When to Move On

28:22 Realistic College Hockey Dreams

32:50 Recruiting and Building Relationships

38:30 Overtime: Fun Hockey Questions

The guest is Ed Bourget, Director of Hockey Operations at Buckingham Browne & Nichols (BB&N). The discussion delves into Ed's extensive background in hockey, from playing high school hockey at Shrewsbury High and Sacred Heart to his professional stint in Europe. Ed provides insights into his new role at BB&N, focusing on supporting both the boys' and girls' hockey programs. The conversation also explores player development, managing the grueling prep school hockey schedule, and balancing the demands of athletics with academic and personal life. Ed emphasizes the importance of rest, development beyond just hockey skills, and preparing for life after the sport. The episode concludes with reflections on the evolving landscape of hockey recruitment and the significance of enjoying the process.

Topics

00:19 Ed's Hockey Background

01:26 Coaching Philosophy and New Role

03:09 Player Development and Training

09:51 Recruiting Process Insights

17:49 Balancing Academics and Athletics

21:59 Life After Hockey

22:55 Path to Coaching

25:28 Future of Prep School Hockey

30:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts