New England Hockey Journal’s RinkWise

2022 Prep Hockey Playoffs Preview

Jeff Cox and Kirk Luedeke preview the 2022 Prep Hockey playoffs, focusing on the potential field for the Elite 8 NEPSAC tournament coming up the week of March 1-6. Belmont Hill is undefeated, but Avon Old Farms and Kimball Union Academy have been at the top of their respective conferences from start to finish in the regular season. What is the one school no team wants to face right now? Join RinkWise to hear the analysis and projections.

Boston Hockey Academy and Boston Imperials’ Dennis Franczak on Player Development

Boston Hockey Academy and Boston Imperials president and managing partner Dennis Franczak joins Kirk Luedeke on the latest episode of the New England Hockey Journal's RinkWise podcast. BHA is its third season since being formed and partnering with Matignon High School to provide hockey players with the opportunity to develop and grow in the sport, academically and as citizens. Dennis discusses BHA's core values, how it all came about and what the program is doing as part of the modern New England minor hockey landscape.
 
 
 
 

USHL’S Jason Deskins On The Evolution of the League

Jason Deskins, the Co-GM and Co-VP of the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms, joins this week’s podcast to discuss his history and the evolution of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Deskins also shares his impression of the USHL’s “state of the league” this year, calling it “a great league for development.” 

RinkWise podcast: A tribute to Mount St. Charles legend Bill Belisle with his sons

New England Hockey Journal's Mark Divver and Kirk Luedeke join special guests David and Peter Belisle, sons of legendary Mount Saint Charles Academy hockey coach Normand "Bill" Belisle (Manville, R.I.). In a celebration of their father's life and coaching career, the brothers, who both went on to successful coaching careers of their own, share personal and rare insights. From how it all came together in 1975, key elements to an unprecedented 26 consecutive state championships from 1978-2003, 1,000 career victories, a life-threatening accident and much more. Join us for the retrospective on the life, character and man who left us last month, but whose hockey legacy lives on at Mount Saint Charles and throughout New England and the USA.

McGuirk and Diffley: Two Veterans’ Advice For Up and Coming Players

This week’s podcast features two veteran hockey coaches giving advice for young hockey players. First, we talk with Danvers, MA. native Brian McGuirk head coach of the Governor's Academy prep varsity team. After finishing his collegiate playing career at Boston University, the Columbus Blue Jackets draft selection turned pro, playing several seasons in the AHL and ECHL. Then, we get advice from Ray Diffley, an experienced admissions professional and hockey coach who is the founder and principal of RD3 Education and Advising Center. His mission, and that of RD3, is to help young athletes find educational pathways while understanding the hockey world. 

Providence Bruins Head Coach Ryan Mougenel On Team Prospects, Lessons From Pro Coaching Career

Providence Bruins first year head coach Ryan Mougenel joins the New England Hockey Journal RinkWise podcast to discuss Boston Bruins prospects in Providence, and what he thinks will give them a chance to be impact players at the NHL level. He also covers some of his experiences and observations from his coaching career in the ECHL and AHL with both San Jose and Boston organizations.

Former NHL Player Ferriero Helps New Generation At Top Gun

Benn Ferriero, a native of Essex, Mass., was a star forward with Governor's Academy and Boston College before signing with the San Jose Sharks in 2009. During his NHL career, he played with some of the top players in the league, including Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski. He is now mentoring and helping young area players develop their skills as a coach with the Top Gun hockey program in Salem, N.H

Woodlief’s Red Line Report Gives Inside Scoop

Want insight into up and coming hockey players? This week we talk with Kyle Woodlief, the Owner and Chief Scout of the "Red Line Report," an independent evaluation service used by schools and pros to get a fresh look at young players. Woodlief will tell us about some names to watch for, and what he thinks about how the game has changed in his many years in hockey.

Aaron Volpatti: Overcoming Adversity Through Visualization

(NOTE: This podcast was recorded via Zoom because of Covid restrictions.) This episode of RinkWise features former Brown University and NHL forward Aaron Volpatti. A native of British Columbia, Volpatti overcame a major fire injury to earn a NCAA scholarship and eventually go on to a pro hockey career. He played NHL games for the Vancouver Canucks and Washington Capitals, and has since become a performance coach and is the author of a forthcoming book. Volpatti works with players and athletes over a wide range of ages to help them use visualization techniques he developed to achieve his own personal goals to reach the highest levels of the sport.

Tim Whitehead On Prep School Life And More

Kimball Union Academy head coach Tim Whitehead joins the RinkWise podcast to discuss a wide range of hockey topics and delve into his background as a coach at the NCAA and prep hockey levels. As part of the discussion, he talks about the things he and his coaches look for in players, the culture at KUA and how his student-athletes are actively involved in the prep school life beyond focusing on just their own sport.