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

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

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