New England Hockey Journal’s RinkWise

Duxbury Girls Coach Dan Najarian

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

The Future of Fall Hockey

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

Cushing Coach Dan Fontas

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

Takeaways from 2025 Hockey Recruiting

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

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

Exeter Coach Sean O'Brien

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

Brandon Borges of Williston Northampton

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

BB&N's Ed Bourget on Development and Recruiting

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

Reacting to the 2025 QMJHL Draft

In this episode of the New England Hockey Journal's Rink Wise Podcast, hosts Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly discuss various updates in the sports world, focusing particularly on the recent US Open and the New England D1 Championship in baseball at Polar Park. While updating on baseball, the hosts delve into the major topic of the week—the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Draft. They provide insights into significant picks, including a detailed analysis of picks from New England and the implications for prep schools, junior hockey leagues, and the National Team Development Program (NTDP). The podcast also explores potential recruiting battles between the USHL and Canadian junior leagues, value picks, snubs, and the future of New England players in junior hockey. The episode wraps up with insights into what the changes in draft dynamics might mean for the evolving landscape of prep and junior hockey.
 
Topics
00:31 High School Baseball Championships
02:30 QMJHL Draft Overview
05:29 Impact on New England Players
10:36 Future of Junior Hockey and Prep Schools
13:18 Quebec Ramparts' Bold Move
15:47 Carter Meyer Draft Reactions
16:41 Quebec's Strategic Draft Picks
18:46 Notable Draft Picks and Surprises
20:09 Underrated Draft Picks and Value Finds
22:45 Draft Snubs and Missed Opportunities
27:10 USHL vs. QMJHL: The Recruiting Battle
30:31 Concluding Thoughts and Future Updates

Scout & Former NHL Player Eric Boguniecki

Evan and Patrick Donnelly are joined by Eric Boguniecki, a former NHL player and current scout for the Arizona Coyotes and Utah Mammoth. They discuss Eric's impressive career, his transition from coaching to scouting, and his insights on player development. Eric shares personal stories about his son's unique path from baseball to hockey, emphasizing the importance of multi-sport participation for young athletes. The conversation touches on the evolving landscape of prep school and junior hockey, the impact of the CHL ruling on college commitments, and the potential for new NCAA Division I programs. Additionally, they dive into personal anecdotes about their love for hockey and the emotional highs and lows of being a sports fan.
 
Topics
00:46 Introducing the Special Guest: Eric Boguniecki
01:22 Eric’s Career Journey
01:51 Life on the Road as a Scout
03:21 Transition from Coaching to Scouting
04:58 Scouting Insights and Player Evaluation
06:21 The Importance of Hockey Sense
12:26 Balancing Sports and Family Life
16:53 Jake Boggan's Unique Path in Sports
17:15 Challenges and Changes in Prep School Hockey
36:45 Hockey Prep School Culture
37:16 Memorable Football Moments
38:25 Jake's College Recruitment Journey
40:37 NCAA Recruitment Rules and Challenges
42:00 The Impact of Transfer Portals
44:03 The Future of College Hockey
47:46 Hockey's Growing Popularity
55:12 Overtime: Personal Hockey Stories