New England Hockey Journal’s RinkWise

Girls Prep 2025-26 Season Preview

Evan Marinofsky and Pat Donnelly discuss the upcoming girls prep hockey season, focusing on team rankings and expectations. They delve into potential top contenders for the Elite 8 tournament, highlighting teams such as Loomis Chaffee, Andover, Williston and Cushing. They also discuss key players to watch and provide insights into which teams might surprise this season. The episode concludes with a bit of fun as they tackle hypothetical hockey scenarios in the Overtime segment.
NEPSAC, girls prep,  Elite 8, prep hockey
Topics
00:40 Girls Prep Hockey Focus
01:12 Team Rankings and Insights
02:55 Top Contenders Analysis
03:51 In-Depth Look at Loomis Chaffee
05:14 Andover's Strengths and Challenges
07:24 Williston Northampton's Potential
08:41 Nobles and Cushing Overview
11:58 Dexter and Deerfield Prospects
13:58 Tabor and Exeter Evaluations
16:28 Rivers and Beyond
18:50 Next-Tier Teams
20:21 Team Analysis: St. Paul's and New Hampton
21:20 Berkshire's New Lineup
22:21 Frederick Gunn and Other Teams to Watch
24:21 MVP Candidates and Top Performers
25:32 Elite 8 Predictions
27:17 Overtime: Would You Rather?
31:46 Winter Classic vs. All-Star Game
35:45 Creative Ideas for Hockey Events
37:13 Conclusion and Season Coverage

Avon Old Farms coach Mark Naclerio on the future of prep

Evan is joined by Mark Naclerio, head coach of Avon Old Farms. The discussion delves into Naclerio's perspective on the fall hockey landscape, changes in player development, and the influence of specialized sports programs. Naclerio reflects on his time as an associate coach and his transition to head coach, the legacy of his predecessor John Gardner, and the evolving landscape of prep versus academy hockey. The episode also covers the importance of building personal connections with players, the effects of the CHL ruling on recruitment, and provides advice for young players starting out in hockey. The conversation ends with a fun 'overtime' segment featuring questions on sports betting and the number of games watched.
 
Topics
00:18 Meet the Guest: Mark Naclerio
00:58 Fall Hockey Season Insights
01:24 Changes in Prep School Hockey
03:02 The Importance of Multi-Sport Athletes
03:22 Fall Hockey Leagues and Team Dynamics
08:21 Coaching Philosophy and Challenges
08:34 Legacy of John Gardner
14:40 Academy vs. Prep School Lifestyle
17:05 CHL Ruling and Future Implications
18:06 Deciding Between High School and Junior Hockey
19:02 The Value of Staying in High School
20:28 NHL Draft Prospects and Prep School Hockey
23:03 The Impact of Online Sports Betting on Hockey
23:17 Overtime: Fun Questions and Insights
31:05 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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