New England Hockey Journal’s RinkWise

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

Former BC QB & Hockey Dad Scott Mutryn

Balancing Acts: Parenting, Fan Etiquette, and Navigating Sports Culture
Former BC QB & Hockey Dad Scott Mutryn provides insights into fostering children's athletic careers, emphasizing the importance of supportive environments and independent decision-making. He also tackles the unwritten rules of sports fandom, from jersey wearing to the contentious debate on leaving games early. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, the discussion covers the emotional depth of being a sports fan and parent, debating the values of staying till the end of a game against practical concerns. 
01:16 Scott's Journey from Football to Hockey Parent05:30 The Intersection of Football and Hockey in Family Sports18:15 The Importance of Multi-Sport Participation and Specialization Debate23:56 Navigating Youth Hockey and the Impact of Practice Over Games32:23 The Transition from Youth to Prep School Hockey34:29 Navigating the Hockey Community: An Outsider's Perspective34:57 The Allure of Hockey: Physicality, Skill, and Community36:45 Hockey Parenting: Embracing the Journey and Lessons Learned42:06 Youth Sports Philosophy: Enjoyment Over Winning47:46 Navigating Sports Fandom: Rules and Etiquette51:48 The Sports Fan Constitution: Debating the Do's and Don'ts01:02:00 Concluding Thoughts: The Joy and Pain of Being a Sports Fan

Kent School Coach Dale Reinhardt

Hosts Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly chat with Kent head coach Dale Reinhardt about the transition from hockey season to school responsibilities, the recruitment process for student-athletes, and the importance of choosing the right path for youth hockey players. The coach shares insights on balancing sports and academia, the evolving landscape of hockey recruitment, and stories from his coaching career to illustrate the journey of developing players. The discussion also touches upon the benefits of multi-sport participation, the impact of the transfer portal and NCAA changes on recruitment, and personal anecdotes from Reinhardt’s playing and coaching career to shed light on the realities of youth hockey development and recruitment.
Topics:
00:59 Life After Hockey Season: Transition and Activities01:48 Recruitment and Changes in Hockey Culture at Kent03:01 Balancing Sports and Specialization in Youth Hockey13:21 The Journey from Youth Hockey to Coaching19:57 Reflecting on Youth Hockey and the Shift in Team Loyalty23:40 Exploring a Player's Season and Mental Growth24:51 The Importance of Personalized Paths in Hockey27:00 Navigating Junior Hockey and College Commitments28:26 The Evolution of Prep Hockey and Recruitment Strategies34:47 Adapting to Changes in the College Recruitment Process38:00 Guidance for Players Choosing Junior Leagues and Future Prospects

10 Biggest Stars in Boys & Girls Prep Hockey

Evan and Pat count down the 10 biggest stars in boys and girls prep hockey.

Biggest storylines from this MIAA season

Evan Marinofsky and Pat Donnelly examine the championships of the boys and girls MIAA seasons and the top storylines and players that paved the way to those titles. 

Previewing and Predicting The MIAA Title Games

Evan and Pat previewing and predicting the MIAA title games.

Breaking Down the NEPSAC Championships

Evan Marinofsky and Pat Donnelly break down the NEPSAC Championships.

Previewing the MIAA Playoffs

Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly handicap the field for the MIAA playoffs.

Previewing the Prep Playoffs

Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly preview the boys and girls prep hockey playoffs.

Breaking Down the NEPSAC Elite 8 Race

Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly do a comprehensive roundup of the race for the NEPSAC Elite 8.