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

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 Meyer 01:08 Coaching at Rivers and Dream Big Hockey 01:32 Middle School Baseball Coaching 02:05 Wiffle Ball and Athletic Beliefs 02:54 Successful Season Recap 04:09 Youth Development and Coaching Philosophy 08:24 Transition from Pro Hockey to Coaching 12:36 Balancing Development and Game Planning 17:26 Skill Development Trends and Social Media Impact 23:13 Taking a Risk: Joining the National Program 23:23 Adapting to New Competition 24:00 Physicality and Penalties in High School and College 24:26 Reflecting on Career and Concussions 25:08 Changes in Hockey Over Time 25:26 Facing Tough Opponents 26:17 Memorable Moments and Players 29:42 Concussions and Player Safety 33:25 Retirement and Transition to Coaching 38:01 Advice for Hockey Parents 44:46 Promoting Summer Hockey League 46:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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 Baseball 02:07 Hockey Players and Their Spring Sports Choices 04:27 Mass. Hockey Festival Highlights and Food Reviews 06:44 Deep Dive into the 07s: Prospects and Performances 12:56 Spotlight on Standout Defensemen and Surprises 19:33 Highlighting Standout Players and Teams 20:46 Deep Dive into Forwards and Defensemen Performances 22:30 Spotlight on Surprising and Strong Performances 24:08 Focusing on the 09s: Future Stars and Development Prospects 32:29 Evaluating Defense and Goalie Prospects Among the 09s 36:55 Reflections and Insights on Hockey Talent Evaluation

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 Parent 05:30 The Intersection of Football and Hockey in Family Sports 18:15 The Importance of Multi-Sport Participation and Specialization Debate 23:56 Navigating Youth Hockey and the Impact of Practice Over Games 32:23 The Transition from Youth to Prep School Hockey 34:29 Navigating the Hockey Community: An Outsider's Perspective 34:57 The Allure of Hockey: Physicality, Skill, and Community 36:45 Hockey Parenting: Embracing the Journey and Lessons Learned 42:06 Youth Sports Philosophy: Enjoyment Over Winning 47:46 Navigating Sports Fandom: Rules and Etiquette 51:48 The Sports Fan Constitution: Debating the Do's and Don'ts 01:02:00 Concluding Thoughts: The Joy and Pain of Being a Sports Fan

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 Activities 01:48 Recruitment and Changes in Hockey Culture at Kent 03:01 Balancing Sports and Specialization in Youth Hockey 13:21 The Journey from Youth Hockey to Coaching 19:57 Reflecting on Youth Hockey and the Shift in Team Loyalty 23:40 Exploring a Player's Season and Mental Growth 24:51 The Importance of Personalized Paths in Hockey 27:00 Navigating Junior Hockey and College Commitments 28:26 The Evolution of Prep Hockey and Recruitment Strategies 34:47 Adapting to Changes in the College Recruitment Process 38:00 Guidance for Players Choosing Junior Leagues and Future Prospects

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

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.

Evan and Pat previewing and predicting the MIAA title games.

Evan Marinofsky and Pat Donnelly break down the NEPSAC Championships.

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

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

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

Evan and Pat target some sleeper teams in prep hockey for the Elite 8, then recap which teams stood out in the Ed Burns Tournament.

The number of female hockey players has grown by almost 40% over the past 10 years. The sport is exploding, especially at the younger levels. So what does that mean for the giant wealth of girls hockey talent in New England? ... Evan Marinofsky and Pat Donnelly also discuss the latest prep school power rankings (20:20).

Evan Marinofsky and Pat Donnelly go down the list of prep and MIAA teams that have impressed so far this season.

Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly share eyewitness accounts of the prep hockey tournaments from the weekend.

A chat with Frederick Gunn coach Craig Badger followed by Patrick Donnelly joining the show for previews of the boys and girls prep holiday tournaments.

An in-depth preview of the MIAA season for both the boys and girls leagues.

Evan Marinofsky and Pat Donnelly of the New England Hockey Journal preview the upcoming girls prep season.

Hosts Evan Marinofsky and Stephanie Wood preview the boys' prep hockey season.