New England Hockey Journal’s RinkWise

St. George’s Coach Allie Skelley

In this episode of the New England Hockey Journal's Rinkwise podcast, host Evan Marinofsky engages with guest Allie Skelley, the boys' hockey coach at St. George's School. They explore the dynamic nature of fall prep hockey, discussing coaching responsibilities, the balance between athletic and boarding school experiences, and future improvements. The episode covers the rigorous training routines, team dynamics, and recruitment challenges within the program. Key discussions include player development paths, highlighted by standout athletes who choose unique timelines for their careers, and the pressures faced by families in making these decisions. It also delves into the profound personal experiences of the speakers, particularly Skelley's life-altering hockey injury and its impact on his coaching philosophy, influenced by the Travis Roy Foundation. Throughout, the conversation touches on generational changes in youth hockey, personal anecdotes, memorable hockey memorabilia, and the importance of gratitude and supportive coaching.
Topics
00:00 Introduction and Fall Hockey Season
00:31 Guest Introduction: Allie Skelley
01:10 Balancing Coaching and Family
03:34 Challenges and Changes in Fall Hockey
09:51 Year One at St. George's
16:46 NHL Draft Prospects and Prep Hockey
27:19 A Career-Ending Injury
28:56 Reflecting on Life Post-Injury
31:23 Coaching Philosophy and Gratitude
33:45 Challenges of Modern Coaching
39:37 Parental Influence in Youth Sports
42:35 Overtime: Fun and Memorable Moments

College Hockey Commitment Trends & Transfers

In this episode of the Rinkwise Podcast, hosts Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly delve into college hockey commitment trends and transfer statistics. They discuss the recruitment process, transfer rates, and the impact of rules on player movement. Notably, 83.64% of players ended up at their committed school, but around 30% eventually transferred or left college hockey. The episode also covers recent girls' hockey commitments, with highlights from Yale, BC, BU, and more. A special segment features the creation of the 'Rinkwise Rebels' podcast theme song using AI.
Topics
01:36 Podcast Structure and Listener Feedback
02:39 Magazine Highlights and Photography
03:45 Recruitment Insights and Statistics
07:22 Transfer Trends in College Hockey
20:32 Goalie Commitments and Transfers
25:53 Division 3 Hockey Insights
27:33 College Hockey Stats and Challenges
28:14 Social Media and College Visits
29:24 Future of Hockey Recruiting
30:11 Girls' Hockey Commitments
36:13 Comparing Boys' and Girls' Recruiting
38:02 Overtime: Fun and Games
 

USA Hockey's Jason Guerriero

In this episode of New England Hockey Journal's Rinkwise podcast, hosts Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly sit down with Jason Guerriero, recently appointed as USA Hockey Director of Player Development for Massachusetts and New England districts. Guerriero, a former player and college assistant coach, discusses his career, his new role, and the importance of development at all levels of the sport. The conversation delves into the intricacies of youth hockey, the scouting and recruiting process, and the challenges and evolving landscape of college hockey. The episode also features a lively discussion on topics like shootouts in hockey and the concept of a relegation system. Guerriero offers insights and perspectives on fostering young talent and the future of hockey development in the region.
 
00:36 Guest Introduction: Jason Guerriero
02:00 Jason's Career and New Role
04:28 Passion for Development and USA Hockey
07:29 Challenges and Opportunities in Youth Hockey
11:06 Improving Hockey Sense and Player Development
13:32 Regional Representation and Selection Process
18:21 Balancing Competition and Development
25:43 Teaching Hockey to Young Kids
27:05 Challenges in Recruiting
28:37 Evaluating Consistency in Players
31:00 The Role of Agents and Social Media
33:04 The Changing Landscape of College Hockey
43:02 Overtime: Fun and Insightful Questions
49:58 Conclusion and Farewell

Takeaways From August College Recruiting

Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly dive into several topics in this episode of the Rinkwise podcast. They start by discussing recent experiences at the River Rats Jamboree, noting the renaming of local rinks. The conversation shifts to youth hockey structuring, including the implications of rising commitments and player evaluations. The hosts then provide an in-depth recapitulation of recent college commitments by local high-level hockey players, discussing the strengths and potential futures of many players. The episode concludes with a debate segment covering topics like body checking in youth hockey, fighting in hockey, and the value of outdoor hockey games.
 
Topics
 
00:22 Hockey Season Kickoff
00:32 Arena Name Changes and Amenities
01:39 Ball Hockey and College Showcases
03:28 August Commitments and College Choices
04:37 Boston College Recruits
07:12 Boston University Recruits
10:49 Providence College Recruits
13:14 Harvard University Recruits
15:20 Merrimack College Recruits
17:27 University of Maine Recruits
18:57 Dartmouth College Recruits
22:34 Dartmouth's Strategic Recruitment
23:23 UMass's August 1st Recruitment Blitz
25:59 Vermont's New Recruits
27:07 Quinnipiac and Colgate's Key Additions
28:34 Upcoming Prospects to Watch
30:23 Girls' Commitments and Recruitment Insights
31:41 The Great Debate: Hockey Topics
44:04 Closing Remarks and Future Coverage

Arlington Coach John Messuri

Evan and Pat are joined by John Messuri, the head coach of Arlington Boys Hockey, dives deep into the intricacies of high school, junior, and college hockey. The discussion traverses John’s impactful coaching career, his rebuild success at Winchester, and the broader evolution and challenges within the Massachusetts hockey scene. Key topics include youth athlete development, balancing sports with academics, economic barriers, and the significance of fostering a competitive yet supportive environment. Additionally, the episode covers the quality of coaching across leagues, the influence of the transfer portal, and how investment in new facilities is shaping the future landscape of hockey. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, listeners gain invaluable insights into the dynamics necessary for success in hockey beyond mere talent.
 
00:37 Introducing John Messuri
01:19 Summer Highlights and Golf Talk
02:25 Stanley Cup Stories
05:39 High School Hockey Memories
11:57 The Evolution of Massachusetts Hockey
20:24 Youth Hockey Challenges
28:03 The Importance of Confidence and Development
38:51 The Evolution of JP's Hockey Journey
39:11 The Role of Prep Schools in Hockey Development
40:22 High School vs. Prep School Hockey
42:27 The Impact of Junior Hockey
49:55 The Future of Massachusetts Hockey
01:04:09 The Changing Landscape of College Hockey
01:11:28 Overtime: Memorable Quotes and Reflections

St. Michael's Coach Damian DiGiulian

The guest is Damian DiGiulian, head coach of men's hockey at St. Michael's College, discussing the unique aspects and challenges of coaching at the Division III level. Topics include the importance of maintaining a work-life balance in coaching, the differences between Division I and III hockey, and the impact of youth hockey development practices. The conversation delves into personal experiences with hockey recruitment, the benefits and drawbacks of full-time sports programs for youth, and the significance of fostering a well-rounded athletic experience. Highlights include reflections on the movie 'Miracle' and how youth sports development can influence long-term success and enjoyment in the sport.
 
Topics
00:33 Guest Introduction: Damian DiGiulian
00:50 Summer Activities and Coaching Life
04:53 Differences Between Division I and Division III Coaching
06:02 Advice for Aspiring College Hockey Players
15:01 Recruitment Experiences and Parental Insights
23:51 The Prep School Hockey Experience
30:09 Youth Hockey Development
31:36 Concerns About Youth Hockey
33:08 Importance of Multi-Sport Participation
34:16 Burnout in Hockey
36:31 The Role of Creativity in Sports
41:50 Financial and Emotional Strain on Families
44:49 Overtime and Final Thoughts
45:05 Miracle on Ice Discussion

Tyler Holske on Junior Hockey and College Recruitment

In this episode of the New England Hockey Journal's RinkWise podcast, hosted by Evan Marinofsky, the guest is Tyler Holske, GM and head coach of the South Shore Kings, 2024 Dineen Cup champ, and assistant GM and director of scouting for the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL. Tyler discusses balancing multiple roles, the trend of drafting based on player size, and the challenges of transitioning from prep to junior hockey. They delve into the importance of selecting the right time for young players to move to juniors, the significance of game experience for goalies, and the value of division three hockey for player development and education. They also touch on the nuances of college recruitment, the role of practices, the importance of playing minutes, and the vibrant Foxboro Prep League. The episode concludes with 'Overtime,' featuring quotes from hockey legends and discussions on toughness and mistakes in hockey.
Topics
01:23 Discussing the 2024 Draft and New England's Performance
02:36 The Trend of Size in NHL Drafts
04:28 Challenges and Decisions in Junior Hockey
06:39 The Value of Prep School and Junior Hockey Experience
09:40 Coaching Insights and Player Development
16:38 The Importance of Division III Hockey
21:26 College Recruitment and Commitment Challenges
25:23 The Struggles of Junior Hockey Goalies
26:09 Importance of Game Time for Goalies
29:37 Choosing the Right College for Goalies
32:39 The Foxborough Prep League
35:28 Overtime: Fun and Insights
42:49 Conclusion and Farewell

BU Coach Jay Pandolfo

In this episode of the New England Hockey Journal's Rinkwise podcast, Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly host Jay Pandolfo, a renowned figure in hockey. The conversation covers Pandolfo's remarkable career trajectory from playing at Burlington High School, BU, and a 13-season stint with the New Jersey Devils. With two Stanley Cups and extensive experience both as a coach and a scout, Pandolfo provides insights into his current role as BU's head coach. Key topics include the evolving landscape of hockey recruitment, the impact of the COVID-19 era on player development, and the challenges of coaching at the collegiate level. Pandolfo also shares his perspectives on the differences in coaching styles over the years and offers advice to young players and their parents about navigating the hockey world.
Topics
00:28 Guest Introduction: Jay Pandolfo
01:57 The Changing Landscape of College Hockey
05:20 Recruiting Challenges and Parental Perspectives
09:06 NIL Impact on College Hockey
13:16 Personal Reflections and Career Decisions
20:39 Support System and Staff Contributions
21:41 Navigating College Hockey and NCAA Changes
22:07 Transition from NHL to College Coaching
27:45 Reflections on NHL Career and Winning Stanley Cups
31:35 Coaching Philosophies and Influences
32:01 The Role of Communication in Coaching
38:14 Advice for Hockey Parents
39:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Freddy Meyer on Skill Development

The guest is Freddy Meyer, the head boys' coach at Rivers and former NHL player, to discuss various facets of hockey development. Freddy talks about his transition from professional hockey to coaching, emphasizing the importance of fundamental skills and development over strict game planning. He also shares insights on being both a coach and a hockey parent, the impact of social media on skill training, and the significance of a supportive role for parents. The podcast also touches on his experiences playing in the NHL, his thoughts on concussions, and his efforts to promote a high-level summer hockey league.
Topics
00:37 Guest Introduction: Freddy Meyer01:08 Coaching at Rivers and Dream Big Hockey01:32 Middle School Baseball Coaching02:05 Wiffle Ball and Athletic Beliefs02:54 Successful Season Recap04:09 Youth Development and Coaching Philosophy08:24 Transition from Pro Hockey to Coaching12:36 Balancing Development and Game Planning17:26 Skill Development Trends and Social Media Impact23:13 Taking a Risk: Joining the National Program23:23 Adapting to New Competition24:00 Physicality and Penalties in High School and College24:26 Reflecting on Career and Concussions25:08 Changes in Hockey Over Time25:26 Facing Tough Opponents26:17 Memorable Moments and Players29:42 Concussions and Player Safety33:25 Retirement and Transition to Coaching38:01 Advice for Hockey Parents44:46 Promoting Summer Hockey League46:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Takeaways From Mass. Hockey Boys Festival

In this episode of the New England Hockey Journal's Rinkwise podcast, host Evan Marinofsky is joined by Patrick Donnelly to discuss the recent Mass. Hockey Festival, where they evaluated young hockey talent including the 07s, 08s, and 09s age groups. They explore standout players across various positions, the impact of playing in different competitive environments like prep schools and the MIAA, and the potential for these young athletes to move on to higher levels of play. Additionally, they cover the nuances of scouting and identifying talent in youth hockey, the challenges of evaluating goaltenders in festival settings, and share personal insights on the progression of young players. The conversation also touches on the future of girls prep hockey and the academy model, emphasizing the growth and development of hockey talent in New England.
Topics
01:32 Exploring the World of MIAA Baseball02:07 Hockey Players and Their Spring Sports Choices04:27 Mass. Hockey Festival Highlights and Food Reviews06:44 Deep Dive into the 07s: Prospects and Performances12:56 Spotlight on Standout Defensemen and Surprises19:33 Highlighting Standout Players and Teams20:46 Deep Dive into Forwards and Defensemen Performances22:30 Spotlight on Surprising and Strong Performances24:08 Focusing on the 09s: Future Stars and Development Prospects32:29 Evaluating Defense and Goalie Prospects Among the 09s36:55 Reflections and Insights on Hockey Talent Evaluation