New England Hockey Journal’s RinkWise

The world of hockey recruiting is continuously shifting, and in this episode, Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly dive deep into the latest trends and notable commitments. August 1 marked a significant day for rising juniors, with many players starting to announce their commitments. However, Evan noted an interesting trend: despite the anticipation, the number of commitments felt slower this year. "It felt like fewer commits than last year. It felt slower, not as much." Upon reviewing the numbers, it turns out the commitments were fairly similar to last year—14 players on August 1 compared to 15 the previous year. This highlights the changing dynamics in recruiting, especially post-CHL ruling.

In this episode, Carter Meyer shares his journey through youth hockey, the impact of the CHL ruling, and his recent move from the U.S. NTDP to the Quebec Remparts. We discuss leadership, development, and the path to professional hockey, offering valuable insights for aspiring players.

Jerry Keefe, head coach of Northeastern hockey, shares insights on player development, recruiting strategies, the impact of junior hockey, and the importance of culture and relationships in coaching. T

In this episode of the RinkWise podcast, host Evan Marinofsky and co-host Patrick Donnelly are joined by UMass Amherst men's hockey head coach Greg Carvel. Fresh off a season of major shifts in the college hockey landscape, Coach Carvel dives deep into the changing world of recruiting, the impact of the CHL ruling, and what he looks for when building both a winning team and a cohesive coaching staff. Carvel also shares personal insights into his coaching philosophy, the transition from the NHL to college hockey, and why he believes UMass has become a premier destination for players aiming for the professional ranks. The RinkWise Podcast from New England Hockey Journal is a Seamans Media production. Find more daily hockey news at New England Hockey Journal: https://www.hockeyjournal.com/

van Marinofsky and Jason Cooke break down the 2026 Mass. Hockey boys festival. They run through the '09, '10 and '11 birth years, highlighting the top players, who rose their stock and who got snubbed from USA Hockey Select Camps.

Evan interviews Providence College men’s hockey head coach Nate Leaman about coaching, player development, recruiting, and shifting NCAA hockey pathways. Leaman recounts starting hockey at 13 in Ohio after soccer, crediting intensive skating instruction for later coaching and evaluation skills, and discusses key development windows (especially ages 10–14 for agility) plus the growing importance of hockey IQ after puberty, aided by game-like small-area games. He explains how juniors and adversity prepare players for college, why frequent team changes are recruiting red flags, and how the transfer portal often yields depth rather than “game breakers.” Leaman describes CHL players adjusting well to college culture but facing higher season intensity and more practice-based development. He anticipates later recruiting due to CHL/Europe eligibility and weighs proposed five-year eligibility rules, urging a 19-year-old start, while advocating for more Division I teams and possible structural changes beyond the NCAA. Topics 00:34 Sports Dad Road Talk 02:31 Starting Hockey at 13 03:36 Skating Development Secrets 09:54 Hockey IQ and Small Area Games 13:28 Juniors and Handling Adversity 17:39 Transfer Portal Roster Building 21:57 CHL Players in College Hockey 25:59 Recruiting Shifts and D1 Expansion 36:25 Five Year Eligibility Debate 43:14 Recruiting Mistakes to Avoid 48:20 Wrap Up and Thanks

Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly discuss key USHL Phase 1 and Phase 2 draft takeaways for New England players. They argue the recent CHL eligibility ruling is driving USHL teams to tender more players to avoid losing them to the Q/O/WHL, noting 11 of 15 first-round Phase 1 picks were tenders. The "Overtime" segment features lighthearted “kindergarten hockey” questions. Topics 00:39 Podcast Intro and USHL Talk 01:23 USHL Tenders Breakdown 05:40 Why Tenders Are Back 08:01 Phase 1 Overview 11:13 Colin Walsh Spotlight 14:17 Phase 1 Falls and Snubs 17:40 Phase 2 Early Picks 19:10 Glantz Draft Options 20:50 Prep vs. USHL Decisions 21:36 Late-Round Sleepers 25:04 Avon Prep Standouts 25:40 Najda Translation Talk 27:49 Kindergarten Hockey Overtime 35:28 Wrap-Up and Sign-Off

Evan and Pat discuss releasing New England Hockey Journal boys top-50 rankings for 2007–2009 birth years and a 2010 watch list, describing the late changes, depth differences by class, and challenges comparing prep/U18 players with juniors while excluding college players. They break down key 2007 debates and note recruiting trends shifting due to the CHL ruling and schools waiting longer to commit. The 2008 class is described as extremely deep; The 2009 class is framed as higher-end talent with strong NTDP top names, a high-ranked goalie, and many skilled uncommitted forwards. Topics 01:09 How the Top 50 Came Together 03:46 O7 Overview and Depth 04:57 O7 Top 10 Breakdown 09:51 O7 Ranks 11 to 20 11:52 O7 Ranks 21 to 50 and Recruiting Trends 16:05 O8 Class Is Loaded 16:49 O8 Top 10 and Rising Names 19:46 O8 Ranks 11 to 20 Bubble Cases 21:35 O8 Ranks 21 to 50 Sleepers and Goalies 25:32 O9 Depth vs Star Power 26:19 O9 Clear Number One Carter Meyer 28:10 Top Five Upside 28:52 Ranks Six to Ten 31:12 Deep Dive Eleven to Twenty 33:15 Skill Forwards Twenty One 34:28 MIAA Names Thirty Plus 35:21 2010 Watch List 38:06 MIAA Shoutouts Debate 39:44 Overtime Trivia Showdown 45:45 Results and Wrap Up

Evan and Pat discuss New England Hockey Journal’s “Best in New England” girls rankings: top 50 lists for 2007–2009 birth years and a 30-player 2010 watch list, noting how difficult and changeable the exercise is. Pat describes 2007s as top-heavy with many already in college and highlights key players and debates defenders and goalies. The 2009 group is called exceptionally deep and high-end. Overtime returns with NHL trivia. Topics 00:43 Podcast Kickoff and Busy Week 01:12 Best in New England Rankings 02:02 Why Ranking Is So Hard 03:42 Girls Rankings Themes 05:39 07s Top 10 Breakdown 08:52 07s Picks 11 to 20 11:24 07s Surprises 21 to 50 15:00 08s Who’s Number One 17:33 08s Middle Tier Debates 21:00 08s Goalies and Uncommitted Targets 25:53 08s Underrated Names 26:57 09s Deepest Class Teaser 28:24 Top Pick Debate 30:29 Rounding Out Top 10 32:40 Defenders and First Goalie 34:12 Level Program Dominance 35:21 Underrated Names to Watch 37:25 Oh Nine Storylines 39:27 Spotlight on Tens 42:57 Tens Watch List Dilemma 45:30 Overtime Trivia Throwdown 53:26 Wrap Up and Sign Off

Pat Donnelly joins Evan Marinofsky to recap the girls NEPSAC championships. They review lessons learned among all three finals on Sunday.

Evan Marinofsky joins Pat Donnelly to recap the boys NEPSAC championships. They review lessons learned among all three finals on Sunday.

Patrick Donnelly joins Evan Marinofsky to discuss his reactions to the winners and losers in the quarterfinals of the girls NEPSAC hockey tournament on Wednesday, March 4.

Evan Marinofsky joins Patrick Donnelly to discuss his reactions to the winners and losers in the quarterfinals of the boys NEPSAC hockey tournament on Wednesday, March 4.

This episode features Evan Marinowski and Patrick Donnelly breaking down the brackets for the NEPSAC boys hockey tournament, specifically the Elite 8, Large School, and Small School divisions.

This episode features Evan Marinowski and Patrick Donnelly breaking down the brackets for the NEPSAC girls hockey tournament, specifically the Elite 8, Large School, and Small School divisions.

Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly focus on Massachusetts postseason hockey. They review MIAA boys Division 1 seeding (Catholic Memorial No. 1, Xaverian No. 2, St. John’s Prep No. 3, Arlington No. 4) and discuss potential sleepers including Reading, Wachusett, Framingham, Marshfield, Weymouth and a deep Pope Francis run, with Evan picking CM over Pope Francis in the final. They then break down MIAA girls Division 1 depth and Pat’s bracket picks (Bishop Fenwick over NDA; Methuen/Tewksbury reaching the final quadrant), plus Division 2 picks highlighting Westwood, Milton, Duxbury and King Philip with Pat selecting Milton to win. The show shifts to boys prep, citing Salisbury’s dominant win over Avon and changes in the Elite 8 picture, plus Avon’s six-game skid. Girls prep rankings change significantly, with Nobles rising to No. 1, Loomis to No. 2, Dexter moving up, and St. Paul’s surging after beating Exeter. In "Overtime," they discuss potential future Russian Olympic participation, the impact of the U.S. women’s gold on women’s hockey and the PWHL, and where the men’s win ranks historically (both place it behind 1980). Topics 02:15 MIAA Boys D-1 Bracket 04:27 Boys D-1 Sleepers Picks 08:00 Why CM Wins D-1 11:10 Girls D-1 Wide Open 13:35 Girls D-1 Predictions 19:41 Girls D-2 Bracket Picks 26:09 Bracket Challenge Idea 26:46 Boys Prep Salisbury Surge 29:36 Avon Old Farms Slump 31:49 Avon Slump Concerns 33:12 Elite 8 Projections 35:14 Bubble Teams Watch List 39:12 Girls Rankings Shakeup 39:44 Nobles New No. 1 43:21 Loomis Surge Analysis 45:25 Dexter And St. Pauls 48:41 Top Ten Newcomers 50:43 Elite 8 Seeding Outlook 53:26 "Overtime" Olympic Questions 56:41 Women's Gold Impact 59:33 Men's Gold Memories 01:05:01 Wrap And Signoff

Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly open with reactions to the shooting at Dennis Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, R.I., offering condolences and noting reported heroes. They then preview late-season prep hockey: boys teams slipping (Avon Old Farms, Belmont Hill) and rising (Cushing, Kimball Union), and girls hockey shakeups with Phillips Andover taking No. 1, Nobles surging, plus Williston Northampton, Groton, St. Paul’s and Cushing bubble scenarios. MIAA notes include Canton’s Ed Burns win, Reading’s defensive run, Catholic Memorial over Pope, Algonquin’s perfect season, Hingham, KP, St. Mary’s, and a Framingham highlight. Overtime discusses Olympic hockey. Topics 01:34 Tragedy at Dennis Lynch Arena: Community Shaken, Heroes Step Up 04:32 Pat’s Ski Crash: The Collarbone Break Storytime 07:59 Back to Hockey: Playoff Stretch Run and Bracket Watch 08:34 Boys Prep: Avon Old Farms Slipping, Elite 8 Pressure Mounts 10:29 Boys Prep: Belmont Hill’s Rough Patch and ISL Gauntlet 12:45 Boys Prep: Cushing’s Late-Season Surge: Can It Make the Elite 8? 16:44 Boys Prep: Kimball Union Rebounds and Lakes Region Tournament Impact 20:35 Olympics-Themed Feature: "Four Nations’"All-Star Concept for Prep Hockey 23:52 Girls Prep: New No. 1; Phillips Andover Tops Williston, Elite 8 Chaos Ahead 25:28 Girls Prep: Nobles Rolling and Francie Ames’ Ridiculous Scoring Streak 27:07 Girls Prep Bubble Talk: New Hampton’s Turnaround and Groton’s Uphill Climb 29:55 Girls Prep: St. Paul’s vs Exeter Home-and-Home Could Decide the Cut Line 31:08 Girls Prep: Cushing Back in the Mix; Big Week vs Deerfield, Rivers, Dexter 33:02 Nobles vs. Andover Projections and the Race for the No. 1 Seed 34:35 Dexter’s Path to Cracking the Top Four (and the Girls Standings Chaos) 35:45 MIAA Boys: Can Williston Still Sneak In? 36:36 Canton’s Ed Burns Statement Win and Super 8 Talk 38:33 Reading’s Shutdown Streak: Built for the Tournament 41:16 Catholic Memorial Beats Pope; CM as the Clear D-1 Favorite 42:40 MIAA Girls: Algonquin Stays Perfect with Win over NDA 44:31 Girls Contenders Heating Up: Hingham, King Philip, St. Mary’s 47:23 Power Rankings, Showcases and the Shifting Super 8 Picture 49:54 Quick Hit: Framingham’s Ed Cahoon Cup Win and Sleeper Potential 51:52 Overtime (Olympic Edition): Is Hockey the Best Olympic Sport? 57:23 Gold Medal vs. Stanley Cup and U.S.–Canada Final Hype (Wrap-up)

Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly, with guests Ray LeBlanc, Jeremiah Tabor and Kip St. Germaine of Adaptive Hockey, discuss Mass Hockey's third Adaptive Hockey Day, scheduled for Feb. 22. The event will showcase six USA Hockey disciplines, including blind, deaf, sled, special standing, amputee and warrior hockey. LeBlanc details the growth of the East Coast Jumbos and the increasing involvement of prep and high school players as volunteers. St. Germaine shares his experiences in adaptive hockey, culminating in his gold medal wins. The panel also discusses the rising popularity of girls hockey, the role of private equity in rink ownership, and the various developmental paths for young players in Massachusetts. Topics 00:32 Mass Hockey's Third Adaptive Hockey Day 01:38 Ray LeBlanc's Journey with Adaptive Hockey 02:11 Jeremiah Tabor's Role and Adaptive Hockey Growth 05:25 Kip St. Germaine's Inspirational Story 08:54 Adaptive Hockey Events and Initiatives 31:56 The Impact of Adaptive Hockey on Volunteers 35:54 Community Support and Local Partnerships 36:16 Inclusion of Athletes from Various States 36:53 Exciting Game Series and Event Details 37:43 Growth and Impact of Adaptive Hockey 38:45 Collaborations and Youth Clinics 39:15 Role Models and Inspirational Stories 46:30 Challenges and Opportunities in Town Hockey 50:47 Development and Future of Youth Hockey 52:50 High School Hockey and Junior Levels 01:02:21 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly delve into the highlights of Beanpot Monday, evaluating the performances of Boston College and Boston University on their path to the title game. They provide an in-depth analysis of several prep hockey games, including thrilling matches such as Dexter Southfield's win over St. Mark's and the dynamics of this season's top players. They also address the recent developments in the MIAA, notably the anticipated return of the Super 8 tournament and its implications for Division 1 and Division 2 teams. To wrap up, they make their Super Bowl predictions, weighing in on the big game's potential outcomes. Topics 00:22 Recap of Beanpot Monday 00:56 Harvard vs. BC Analysis 01:50 BU vs. Northeastern Game Insights 03:55 St. Mark's vs. Dexter Thrilling Match 05:49 Player of the Year Candidates Discussion 11:36 St. Sebastian's Comeback Season 15:03 Berkshire's Rise to Contender 16:19 Winchendon's Impressive Turnaround 18:15 Weekly JSPR Check-in 19:15 Girls Prep Hockey Highlights 31:06 Analyzing Team Stats and Plea for Submissions 31:46 Girls MIAA: Milton's Ups and Downs 34:04 Bishop Feehan and Archie's Weekly Check-In 36:00 Hingham vs Pembroke: A Prove-It Game 36:41 King Philip's Undefeated Streak Ends 37:15 Super 8 Tournament: Boys and Girls 44:01 Division 2 Teams Shine in Ed Burns Tournament 46:58 Arlington and Canton: Top Public School Teams 49:10 St. John's Prep and Arlington Catholic Updates 51:47 NHL Enforcers Trivia Challenge 56:46 Super Bowl Predictions and Final Thoughts

Evan Marinofsky and Pat Donnelly discuss the nostalgic feeling brought by a recent snowstorm, reminiscent of high school days. They delve into the impacts of the snow on hockey tournaments, particularly the MIAA's Ed Burns Tournament. The conversation pivots to notable performances and rankings within girls and boys prep hockey, highlighting teams such as BB&N, Williston Northampton, Loomis Chaffee, Avon and Belmont Hill. They debate the potential for D-2 teams to challenge D-1 teams. The episode rounds off with a Super Bowl trivia quiz, focusing heavily on memorable moments and key players from the New England Patriots' storied history. Topics 01:09 Snowstorm Adventures and Shoveling Stories 02:20 Girls Prep Hockey Rankings and Highlights 04:48 Williston's Dominance and Upcoming Challenges 06:40 Loomis and Tabor: Recent Performances 09:17 Elite 8 Hunt and JSPR Analysis 12:09 Boys Prep Hockey: Belmont Hill's Rise 15:49 Deerfield and Berkshire: Upset Potentials 18:03 Avon's Consistency and JSPR Rankings 23:47 Girls MIAA Hockey: Undefeated Teams and Rankings 28:54 Player Losses and Team Resilience 29:10 Bishop Feehan’s Winning Streak 29:57 Top 10 Rankings and Upcoming Games 30:23 Ed Burns Tournament Highlights 31:18 Canton's Impressive Performance 32:42 Weather Challenges and Game Cancellations 33:24 Tewksbury's Dominance 35:11 Catholic Conference Teams Update 36:58 Overtime Trivia and Super Bowl Hype 50:51 Conclusion and Upcoming Content