New England Hockey Journal’s RinkWise

Evan Marinofsky and Pat Donnelly preview prep boys hockey. The hosts delve into Pat’s recent bout with the flu before launching into a detailed discussion on prep boys hockey, addressing the impact of the CHL ruling and how it has influenced player movement. They analyze the current landscape by highlighting top teams, including Dexter Southfield, Kimball Union and St. Mark's, and assess their str...

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...

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 acad...

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 la...

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 e...

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 epi...

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 potentia...

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 sched...

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 ath...

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 hi...

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 convers...

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...

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...

Evan and Pat discuss the recent Mass. Hockey Festival for both boys and girls, providing insights on standout players, snubs, and potential future stars. The conversation also touches on the unpredictability of New England weather, their personal gripes about hockey, the impact of youth sports' financial demands, and fun insights into their hypothetical Zamboni ride theme songs.   Topics 01:38 Mas...

Evan and Pat reflect on the recently concluded boys prep hockey season, discussing standout teams, surprising performances, and key players. They highlight teams like Deerfield, St. Mark's, Dexter, Rivers, and more for their unexpected success. They delve into the contributions of standout players such as Carter Meyer, Joe Salandra, Billy McCaslin, and others. Additionally, they discuss the potent...

Evan and Pat reunite in the studio to discuss the end of the girls' hockey season. They reflect on the exciting season, highlighting standout teams like Loomis Chaffee and Nobles. The discussion covers how various teams performed, their top players, and expectations for the next season. Goal-tending performances and uncommitted prospects are also spotlighted. The episode concludes with a fun 'over...

Evan and Pat preview the MIAA State Championships, scheduled for Sunday. They discuss the format of the preview, likening it to their 'Rinkwise' podcast, and emphasize the appeal of concise and direct coverage. The preview covers multiple divisions, starting with the Division 4 boys' matchup between Winthrop and Dedham, analyzing their paths to the final. They move on to the Division 1 girls' game...

Pat and Evan provide a detailed recap of the boys prep hockey championship games. Key highlights include Cushing's dramatic 4-3 victory over Dexter in the Elite Eight, Andover's commanding 4-1 win over Westminster in the large school bracket, and Kimball Union's 5-3 triumph over Berkshire in the small school final. The episode delves into critical moments, standout players, and season trajectories...

Evan and Pat recap the NEPSAC Girls Championships, highlighting three thrilling games that took place at Taft on Sunday. Loomis Chaffee triumphed over Phillips Andover in an intense Elite Eight final, characterized by heavy penalties and relentless gameplay. Deerfield claimed victory against Tabor in the large school bracket, powered by a solid performance from goalie Campbell Croate. New Hampton...

Evan and Pat discuss the freshly released NEPSAC Girls' Hockey Brackets. They review and analyze the seedings, highlighting late-season drama and upsets, significant team performances, and critical matchups. Notable teams and players are discussed, including the unexpected rise and falls of teams like Groton, Thayer, and New Hampton. They go further into detailing the Elite Eight, Large School, an...

Pat and Evan delve into the excitement of the boys NEPSAC playoffs, examining the results, standings, and potential outcomes. They discuss significant matches, such as Westminster's upset over Belmont Hill, and analyze Elite Eight matchups including Deerfield vs. Nobles, St. Mark's vs. Rivers, Dexter vs. Salisbury, and Cushing vs. Brunswick. Evan offers insights into potential game-changers and ma...

Evan and Pat delve into the excitement of the prep hockey playoffs and break down their predictions for both boys and girls divisions. They discuss key matchups, highlight potential upsets, and analyze the paths for top seeds. The conversation also explores the historical context and current form of various teams. Additionally, the episode features a fun segment where the hosts review and rate fam...

Evan and Pat discuss recent girls prep hockey results and key matchups. They highlight notable games like Williston's victory over Andover and speculate about playoff seedings. The conversation then shifts to Boys Prep hockey, analyzing teams on the cusp of the Elite Eight like Cushing and Andover. The discussion also covers upcoming crucial matches and possible tournament outcomes. Evan and Pat t...

Evan and Pat dive deep into recent hockey events and upcoming playoff scenarios. The duo discusses the significance of the recent Boston University Beanpot win and the implications for local stars like Cole Iserman and James Higgins. The conversation shifts to an in-depth analysis of both boys' and girls' prep hockey power rankings, focusing on the Elite Eight and projected playoff seedings. They...

Evan and Pat delve into reactions and analysis from the latest Beanpot tournament games, discussing disappointments and highlights. They also explore the emerging talents and performances in both boys and girls prep school hockey, highlighting teams like Deerfield, Dexter, and Groton. The discussion extends to MIAA boys and girls hockey, identifying top teams and potential surprises for the upcomi...