New England Hockey Journal’s RinkWise

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.

Pro Scout Mark Mowers and Author Bruce Haas on the “Great Game!”

We have a fun two-parter in this edition of the podcast this week. First, we hear from Mark Mowers, pro scout for the Minnesota Wild. He shares his journey to scouting, which included playing for UNH and the Boston Bruins. Then we’ll talk with veteran youth hockey coach Bruce Haas about his book “Great Game! D1 College Hockey: People, Places, Perspectives,” an award-winning book on men’s Division 1 college hockey.

RI’s Saint Ms Matt Plante and Devin Rask Talk Team Building

Matt Plante and Devin Rask are co-directors of the Rhode Island Saint Ms at Mount Saint Charles Academy in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. A top hockey program with teams at the 14, 15, 16 and 18-U levels, this podcast delves into the backgrounds and experiences of both Rask and Plante. The extended discussion covers their insights into hockey, the attributes they seek in prospective players and other key topics related to the rise of the Saints program on the ice and in the classroom.

BK Selects’ Chris Collins Talks Culture and Commitment

Chris  Collins, the Bishop Kearney Selects program director, joins us to talk about his philosophy for winning at the Rochester, New York, school. Collins has had a long history in the sport at many levels, including playing as a star at the BC Eagles, and is now looking for students with character, good grades and a strong commitment to the team’s culture. 

Coach Paul Mara on His Journey to Leading the Boston Pride

We’re joined in studio by hockey veteran Paul Mara, head coach of the NWHL’s Boston Pride. Coach Mara grew up in Belmont, Massachusetts, and worked his way through the NHL, including a stint with the Bruins. He’s now leading the women of the Boston Pride, and provides insight on his latest challenge, as well as players to look out for.

Hockey Veterans Teach Young Talent New Way To Train

We’re lucky to have three experienced veterans of the game on who are now giving back to young hockey players. Torrey Mitchell, Pete “Swaggy P.” Lenes and Kevin Sneddon, all of whom played or coached at various levels of the game, are now working at Elev802, a Vermont-based company dedicated to helping young hockey players achieve their potential. Visit elev802.com/camp to learn about their hockey camps around the country.

Dartmouth Asst. Men’s Hockey Coach Troy Thibodeau

Troy Thibodeau joins Kirk to talk about his fascinating journey to coaching at Dartmouth College and why he loves the off days from hockey as much as game days. Prior to joining Dartmouth, Thibodeau spent the last three seasons as part of the coaching team of the Tri-City Storm in the USHL. The Danvers native has made stops at UMass Lowell, Merrimack College and Wentworth.