New England Hockey Journal’s RinkWise

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

Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly dive in to the latest updates in prep and MIAA hockey. They discuss the strength of Catholic Memorial after its dominating performance against Xaverian, Canterbury's impressive rise in boys prep hockey rankings, and the U.S. team's dominating performance at the Women's U-18 World Championship. They also analyze the current standings and notable performances in both boys and girls prep hockey, as well as major developments in the MIAA.  Topics 02:31 Boys Prep Hockey Rankings Update 08:26 NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings 15:05 Girls Prep Hockey Highlights 22:55 Deerfield's Tough Loss and Exeter's Performance 24:08 Groton's Key Players and Recent Wins 25:03 Brooks vs. Lawrence: A Physical Game 26:50 JSPR Rankings and Key Teams 29:01 Women's U-18 World Championship Recap 33:49 MIAA Boys Hockey: Top Teams and Performances 40:41 MIAA Girls Hockey: Top Teams and Key Matches 44:52 Bishop Feehan's Recent Success and Other Teams to Watch 47:52 Upcoming Tournaments and Final Thoughts

Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly discuss the latest in New England prep hockey. They dive into rankings and updates for girls prep teams, analyzing key players and game outcomes that shook up the standings. The duo also covers the boys prep scene, discussing notable wins and upsets, and the impact of older teams this season. The podcast moves on to cover highlights from MIAA girls and boys hockey, including significant wins and losses and potential playoff implications. Both hosts share their insights and predictions for the remainder of the season. Topics 01:16 Girls Prep Hockey Rankings Update 01:50 Top Performers and Key Matches 06:22 St. Paul's and Other Notable Teams 09:40 Groton and Teams Outside the Top 10 14:47 Boys Prep Hockey Overview 22:05 Tabor's Impressive Performance 24:57 The Dynamics of College Hockey Recruitment 27:20 St. Mark's: A Contender in Prep Hockey 28:24 Weekend Recap: Salisbury and KUA Performances 31:56 MIAA Girls Hockey Highlights 36:51 Public School Hockey Standouts 38:50 St. John's Shrewsbury's Impressive Week 42:00 Top Teams and Rankings in MIAA Boys Hockey 46:37 Concluding Thoughts and Upcoming Highlights

Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly recap the second annual New Year’s Prep Puck Drop girls tournament, highlighting standout teams and players. They also delve into the boys prep Watkins Championship and the performances of significant teams including Thayer and Canterbury. Additionally, they provide an overview of the MIAA girls Tenney Cup and the state of MIAA boys, with a focus on Catholic and public school teams. The episode concludes with a sentimental "Overtime" segment where the hosts reflect on personal hockey experiences and relationships enhanced by the sport. Topics 02:44 Girls Prep Hockey Tournament Highlights 05:36 Rivers' Disappointing Weekend 08:37 Cushing's Performance and Challenges 11:09 JSPR Rankings and Analysis 14:29 Boys Prep Hockey Insights 16:33 Canterbury's Strong Performance 19:46 Tabor's Rise in Rankings 23:32 MIAA Girls Hockey and Tenney Cup 25:32 Young Stars Shine in Duxbury 26:48 Milton's Impressive Comeback 27:52 Hingham's Rankings and Performance 28:46 Emerging Teams and Players to Watch 33:03 Boys MIAA Hockey Highlights 41:03 Personal Hockey Memories and Relationships

Evan and Pat talk about recent holiday hockey tournaments, including detailed analyses of the Boys and Girls Prep tournaments, highlighting standout performances and memorable moments. To close the episode, they reflect on the most memorable hockey moments of 2025 and what they look forward to in covering New England hockey in 2026.   Topics 01:12 Holiday Cooking and Traditions 02:50 Holiday Tournament Recap 06:33 Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic 08:05 Flood-Marr Tournament Highlights 16:07 Girls Prep Hockey Highlights 23:58 Loomis and Kent Game Recap 25:17 Andover's Impressive Performance 27:06 Dexter Tournament Highlights 29:12 Rivers and New Hampton Analysis 29:43 Deerfield and New Hampton Insights 33:17 Governors' Promising Season 34:13 St. Mark's Dominance 36:16 Milton's Close Matches 37:19 Condolences to King Philip Community 38:54 Year-End Reflections and Overtime

Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly focus on the holiday hockey tournaments and the latest prep girls rankings. They discuss the excitement around holiday tournaments, with Evan expressing his frustration with technical issues but highlighting his anticipation for the holiday season. They delve deep into prep girls hockey rankings, with a new No. 1 team, Williston Northampton, and examine the performances of top teams and standout players. The episode also covers predictions and key matchups for upcoming tournaments. On the boys side, they discuss the Groton Lawrence tournament and the Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic. They conclude with highlights from boys and girls MIAA hockey and some engaging “Overtime” questions. Topics 00:56 Holiday Tournament Excitement 02:06 Prep Girls Rankings Overview 02:18 Williston Northampton Takes the Top Spot 03:13 Nobles' Dominance and Key Players 04:09 Tabor's Impressive Performance 05:19 Dexter and Cushing Highlights 06:13 St. Paul's and Other Top Teams 07:07 Preview of Upcoming Tournaments 08:46 Harrington Tournament Highlights 10:54 Watkins Tournament Preview 13:28 Dexter Holiday Tournament 16:03 Boys Prep Tournaments Overview 16:10 Groton Lawrence Tournament 19:14 Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic 22:45 NHL Draft Prospects to Watch 23:04 Deerfield's Rebound Weekend 23:31 Local Teams: Nobles and Milton 23:49 Andover's Close Games 26:13 Top 10 Prep Teams Update 27:42 Boys MIAA Highlights 31:11 Girls MIAA Highlights 33:13 Overtime: Holiday Edition 42:33 Wrapping Up and Holiday Wishes

Evan Marinofsky and Pat Donnelly explore the early weeks of New England's high school hockey season. They discuss the current state of both girls and boys prep hockey, highlighting key games and standout performances. On the girls side, they cover the exciting changes in the rankings, with detailed breakdowns of significant matches such as Nobles vs. Loomis Chaffee. On the boys side, the discussion includes surprising results including Kimball Union rising to the top and a thrilling game between Dexter Southfield and Kent. The episode also touches on the challenges teams are facing early in the season and the impact of young talent on the ice. Evan and Pat offer insights into the evolving rankings, standout players, and what to expect as the season progresses. Topics 01:06 Exploring New Prep Schools 01:45 Girls Prep Hockey Highlights 02:42 Loomis vs. Nobles Game Recap 05:26 Top Performers and Rankings 07:28 Cushing and Dexter Southfield Updates 11:06 Exeter and Governor's Game Analysis 15:17 Thayer and Milton Game Insights 17:30 Standout Performances of the Week 19:18 Boys Prep Hockey Rankings 23:49 The Importance of Early Season Challenges 24:57 Twitter Reactions to the Brawl 26:06 Caiden Pellegrino's Impressive Start 28:11 Notable Performances and Rankings 28:53 Opening Night Surprises 34:06 Belmont Hill's Young Talent 39:37 Prep Hockey Season Overview

Pat Donnelly and Evan Marinofsky preview the high school hockey season. They discuss the stress and excitement surrounding tryouts, recounting personal experiences from their own high school days. The duo provides detailed insights on the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association boys and girls hockey seasons, offering in-depth analyses of top teams and players to watch. They highlight top-ranked boys teams such as Catholic Memorial, St. John's Prep and Pope Francis, as well as leading girls teams including Hingham, Archbishop Williams and Duxbury. The episode also touches on coverage expansion to other New England states, ensuring a comprehensive look at high school hockey across the region. The podcast concludes with a lighthearted trivia segment focusing on hockey-themed movies and TV shows. Topics 02:42 Expanding Coverage Beyond MIAA 03:48 Boys MIAA Preseason Rankings 06:19 Top Teams Analysis 24:23 Players to Watch 26:50 Top Boys MIAA Players Recap 27:19 Transition to Girls MIAA Discussion 27:26 Top Girls MIAA Teams and Players 29:11 Archbishop Williams and Duxbury Analysis 32:05 Methuen and Tewksbury Insights 33:11 Milton and Malden Catholic Prospects 35:05 Notre Dame and Bishop Feehan Overview 37:39 St. Mary's and Waltham Highlights 40:55 Players to Watch Outside the Top 10 43:24 Trivia Throwdown: Hockey Movies and TV Shows

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 strengths and weaknesses. The conversation also covers potential contenders and sleepers in the upcoming season, with a focus on specific players to watch. Pat and Evan also debate various fun questions in the 'Would You Rather' segment, including topics like best seating in a hockey arena and whether great food or loud fans make for a better game atmosphere. The show wraps up with bold predictions for the Elite 8 and discussions on MVP candidates. The hosts provide a mix of insightful hockey analysis and lighthearted banter, making for an engaging listen. Topics 00:42 Health and Flu Season Woes 02:04 State of Prep Boys Hockey 06:22 Top Prep Boys Hockey Teams 07:07 Dexter Southfield: The Team to Beat 09:59 Kimball Union: A Strong Contender 11:34 St. Mark's: Rising Stars 15:38 Avon Old Farms: Consistent Performers 17:22 Kent: The Swing Team 18:55 Salisbury: Defensive Powerhouse 21:06 Brunswick: Overcoming Challenges 22:57 Cushing: Defending Champions 24:55 Berkshire and Deerfield: Western Mass. Teams 26:18 Next 15 Teams to Watch 26:32 Potential Top 10 Teams 26:39 Winchendon: Proving Its Worth 27:11 Belmont Hill's Challenges and Potential 28:29 Sleeper Teams: Thayer and Milton Academy 30:19 Other Potential Sleeper Teams 31:23 Elite 8 Predictions 33:00 MVP Candidates to Watch 35:45 Would You Rather: Fan Edition 39:05 Stadium Atmosphere vs. Food Debate

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 a bit of fun as they tackle hypothetical hockey scenarios in the Overtime segment. NEPSAC, girls prep,  Elite 8, prep hockey Topics 00:40 Girls Prep Hockey Focus 01:12 Team Rankings and Insights 02:55 Top Contenders Analysis 03:51 In-Depth Look at Loomis Chaffee 05:14 Andover's Strengths and Challenges 07:24 Williston Northampton's Potential 08:41 Nobles and Cushing Overview 11:58 Dexter and Deerfield Prospects 13:58 Tabor and Exeter Evaluations 16:28 Rivers and Beyond 18:50 Next-Tier Teams 20:21 Team Analysis: St. Paul's and New Hampton 21:20 Berkshire's New Lineup 22:21 Frederick Gunn and Other Teams to Watch 24:21 MVP Candidates and Top Performers 25:32 Elite 8 Predictions 27:17 Overtime: Would You Rather? 31:46 Winter Classic vs. All-Star Game 35:45 Creative Ideas for Hockey Events 37:13 Conclusion and Season Coverage

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 academy hockey. The episode also covers the importance of building personal connections with players, the effects of the CHL ruling on recruitment, and provides advice for young players starting out in hockey. The conversation ends with a fun 'overtime' segment featuring questions on sports betting and the number of games watched.   Topics 00:18 Meet the Guest: Mark Naclerio 00:58 Fall Hockey Season Insights 01:24 Changes in Prep School Hockey 03:02 The Importance of Multi-Sport Athletes 03:22 Fall Hockey Leagues and Team Dynamics 08:21 Coaching Philosophy and Challenges 08:34 Legacy of John Gardner 14:40 Academy vs. Prep School Lifestyle 17:05 CHL Ruling and Future Implications 18:06 Deciding Between High School and Junior Hockey 19:02 The Value of Staying in High School 20:28 NHL Draft Prospects and Prep School Hockey 23:03 The Impact of Online Sports Betting on Hockey 23:17 Overtime: Fun Questions and Insights 31:05 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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 lasting, meaningful hockey experiences. The episode also touches on the challenges of college recruitment and the growth of girls hockey, providing a comprehensive look at the landscape of high school and junior hockey in New England. Topics 00:29 Guest Introduction: Dan Najarian 01:38 Fall Hockey Insights 02:32 The Role of Multi-Sport Athletes 05:02 Debating the 15-Only Rule 09:58 MIAA Hockey: Current State and Future Prospects 18:31 Coaching Philosophy and Player Development 30:13 Highlighting Unsung Talent in Girls Hockey 31:08 The Rise of Club Hockey for Girls 33:52 Balancing Academics and Hockey Dreams 35:44 The Appeal of Club Hockey Over Traditional Paths 39:59 Overtime: Personal Stories and Unwritten Rules 50:29 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell