The MassNZ Podcast

Mark Bilotta and Mike McMahon bring you the latest in Massachusetts (MIAA) High School Hockey. <br/><br/><a href="https://massnz.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">massnz.substack.com</a>

Ep. 21: 2025-26 Season Preview

On the season three premiere of the MassNZ podcast, Mark and Mike discuss …* Rule changes across the MIAA.* Where do things stand with the Super 8?* New coaches? We got them.* Stories from the summer, including the impact of CHL players becoming NCAA eligible.* Junior hockey burnout.* New co-ops, and multiple divisional shifts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

11-26
01:01:16

2025 Mr. Hockey is ... Daniel Menyalkin of Saint John's!

Mark and Mike wrap up the 2025 season with an interview with Neutral Zone's 6th Mr. Hockey Award winner, Daniel Menyalkin of Saint John's in Shrewsbury. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

06-02
28:48

Sunday Garden Party Preview!

Well, it's time! TD Garden will be packed all day Sunday with state championship games. Mark and Mike get you ready for the action. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

03-14
59:05

The Elite 8 and the Path to TD Garden (S2, E8)

We're on the road to TD Garden. Mark and Mike preview the Elite 8 games this week and talk about what we've seen in the tournament so far. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

03-05
42:29

Tournament bracketology! | Ep. 17 (S2, E7)

The guys break down all of the brackets. D1, D2, D3, and D4. It's all covered here. Who has the toughest paths? Who do we like going into their brackets? This episode gets you ready for all of the state tournament action. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

02-23
56:09

The Return of the Super 8? | Ep. 16 (S2, E6)

So, you're telling me there's a chance?Mark and Mike begin this week's show talking about the BEAST report and the news that ADs are open to bringing back the Super 8. More should come after their meeting in May.Plus, breaking down the MIAA power rankings in D1, D2, D3, and D4. The potential favorites for Mr. Hockey, and a lot more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

02-13
55:07

Rankings, Ratings and Reports! | Ep. 15 (S2, E5)

The BEAST is almost ready! This week’s MassNZ Pod includes:- A lot of talk on our scouting reports. Process, and more.- Where’s the physicality? What are scouts looking for?- The boomerang effect is strong.- In-depth analysis of the power rankings.- The Ed Burns Coffee Pot starts this weekend.Teams discussed: Pope Francis, Reading, Hingham, BC High, Belmont, Attleboro, Medford, Billerica, Gloucester, Woburn, Canton, Agawam, Nauset, Marblehead, Bedford, Stoneham, Tri-County, and more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

01-24
57:36

We Got The Power! | | Ep. 14 (S2, E4)

Power Rankings are here!Mark and Mike dive into the first Power Rankings of the 2024-25 season.D1: Pope Francis is top of the pack at 7-1 by a WIDE marginD2: Undefeated Billerica in the top spot followed closely by TewksburyD3: Nauset remains undefeated and is the class of D3, much like last yearD4: Stoneham takes the top spot: scheduling matters! 0.0 margin of victoryPlus, a lot more! Holiday Tournament results, STATurday, and more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

01-10
01:00:17

Holiday Season? Tournament Season! | Ep. 13 (S2, E3)

Mark and Mike preview some of the holiday tournaments set for this week. - Youth is being served- Observations from the first few weeks- What teams stood out? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

12-27
49:40

Game On! The 2024-25 Season Beckons | Ep. 12 (S2, E2)

The season is about to begin! Mark and Mike hit on a ton of topics in this episode, including:- A lot of development talk. What are scouts looking for at these games? What's the difference between MIAA now and in the 90s?- How are states like Minnesota difference? What's the data?- What scouts are looking for, and the general timeline for player recruitment. - Takeaways from the Reagan Summit and some early season preview talk. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

12-12
52:53

Guess who's back, back again? | The MassNZ Podcast Ep. 11 (S2, E1)

The MassNZ Podcast is back ... tell a friend!Mark and Mike return for another season of MIAA hockey coverage. This episode is packed with everything you need to know heading into the 2024-25 season, from playoff changes, to new teams, and a lot more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

11-29
54:08

Sitting Down with 2024 Mr. Hockey, Jake Vana | The MassNZ Podcast Ep. 10

Welcome to a special edition of the MassNZ Podcast. Today, Mark and Mike took a trip to St. John's Prep to present Jake Vana with the 2024 Mr. Hockey Award. They also sat down with Jake to talk about the 2024 season, his future plans, and a lot more. Music by Nick Valerson from Pixabay This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

06-07
41:08

Playoff Favorites and Upsets | The MassNZ Podcast Ep. 9

We've arrived! It's State Championship week in the MIAA. Mark and Mike get you ready for all of Sunday's action and recap what happened on the road to TD Garden.Sunday's Schedule D4: DS Weston (5) vs Hanover (6) 11am D3: Nauset (1) vs Marblehead (6) 3pm D1: SJP (1) vs Winchester (11) 5:30pm D2: Tewksbury (1) vs Boston Latin (11) 7:30pm This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

03-12
54:44

The Playoffs Beckon | The MassNZ Podcast Ep. 8

The playoffs are here! Mark and Mike break down the final power rankings and take a look at the brackets this week. Who are the top seeds? Who are the potential sleepers? We react to everything from D1 through D4. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

02-28
55:16

It's the (Regular Season) Final Countdown | The MassNZ Podcast Ep. 7

Mark and Mike are back with a TON to discuss this week as the regular season wraps up.- Who are the leaders in the Power Rankings? Some teams have started to establish themselves as top seeds in their state bracket.s- End-of-season touraments are happening already (some are done). - Some other interesting storylines across the MIAA.- An update on the D2/D3/D4 Report. And a lot more! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

02-16
52:11

THE BEAST IS LOOSE! | The MassNZ Podcast Ep. 6

NZ OFFER: MASSHS24 is the code to use at checkout for 25% off a Neutral Zone subscription.THE BEAST HAS ARRIVED. We detail the MASSIVE report on D1. Plus here are some of what we highlighted in this episode.D1: SJP claims Catholic Conference title for first time since 2013, starting to pull away, up by 0.86 now. Big win for Pope in OT over Archies: up to 3 Big win for Franklin over Hingham in Ed Burns Coffee Pot Archies wins CCL last night with shutout over St. Mary's LynnD2: Concord-Carlisle still unblemished but Tewksbury is nipping at their heels. There is a big rematch TOMORROW for supremacy rights! Gloucester vs Masconomet is coming up Saturday 9 vs 11 North Andover plugging right along: beat D1s Waltham and Acton-BoxboroD3: Nauset up big: 0.86 points on Scituate Shawsheen up to 3 with big margin of victory: they can score Lynnfield up to 7: beating Triton helped How about Grafton moving up from D4 at 9?D4: Winthrop is the top dog by 1.01 rating points: lapping the field All the same top teams, not much change here... Lunenberg-Ayer-Shirley and Gardner-Murdock punch their playoff tickets with .500 or above record guaranteed (shoutout to Jim Clark for the .500 heads up)Plus, a lot of notes on our huge D1 report. It features 256 players, 95 new, 48 teams (all 41 D1 teams) 62,000 words, 91 pagesSome players who stood out: Forwards: Daniel Menyalkin, SJS, Finn Kelly, Archies Defenders: Jake Jarrell & Zach Buffone, Pope Francis, Brian McFadden, CM From the publics: Will Manchuso, Concord-Carlisle, Travis Rugg, Hingham, Ben Paterson, Franklin, Logan Brennan, Hingham, James Gigante, Reading, Ethan Bauer, Belmont Under the radar: Anthony Sasso, Bishop Fenwick, Cam Moore, Shrewsbury, Brody Sharpe, Wellesley, Nick Burns, Westford Academy, Tyler Taddia, MedfordWant to read it? MASSHS24 is the code to use at checkout for 25% off This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

01-31
52:16

We've Got The Power! | The MassNZ Podcast Ep. 5

The MIAA Power Rankings are here!Here's some of what we highlight in this episode.D1: St. John's Prep at the top, but the Archies aren't far behind. The Catholic Conference is still dominating, Pope is in the mix despite missing Foley, and Shrewsbury is on the rise.D2: Concord-Carlisle ain't no joke at 9-0. Canton continues to roll. Woburn is liking its move to D2, and we aren't sleeping on King Phillip or Billerica.D3: Connor Brickley has Nauset surging as the No. 1 team. Scituate (no shock) is near the top. Bedford is undefeated, and the rise of the Techs with Shawsheen at No. 5 and Essex Tech at No. 8. Plus, Taunton is a sleeper.D4: Winthrop wants it all, and they're rolling. Norwell and Sandwich are still in the mix and Dover-Sherborn-Weston had a big win over Norwood, so up the rankings they go. We also talk about THE BEST, which is a NZ player report approaching 200 players. The Junior Beanpot, and a nice touch from Chelmsford. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

01-19
52:53

Tournaments, Titles, Teams and Timing | The MassNZ Podcast Ep. 4

This episode is jam-packed!Mark and Mike begin the show talking about the Holiday Tournaments that wrapped up last week. Who were the big winners? Were there any surprises? What did we learn?Other topics included: Some D2 and D4 teams to watch Out-of-state teams Top stars playing big minutes Expanded media coverage Are divisions by enrollment the right way to do it? Does MIAA hockey need a D5? THE BEAST is coming Where will we be this week? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

01-05
53:57

MIAA Says Nope to Pope | The MassNZ Podcast Ep.3

There's no shortage of topics this week in Mass. High School Hockey!Mark and Mike begin this week's episode looking at the suspension of Pope Francis head coach, Brian Foley. What happened? How will it affect the team? Isn't everyone doing what he's been alleged to have done?Plus, here are some other early observations:- Youth has been served - Are we seeing more blowouts early on? Why?- Canton has looked good. CM, Belmont, and Reading are all contenders- Christmas tournaments are coming up next week. The Frates Classic, MHL Cup, Serino Christmas Classic, and the new High School Holiday Classic are the big ones to watch.- All of the D1 rosters are live on MassNZ!Follow MassNZ all season long.Website: https://www.neutralzone.net/masshs-boys/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialneutralzone/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/MassNZ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

12-20
57:14

Let The Games Begin! | The MassNZ Podcast Ep.2

Mark Bilotta and Mike McMahon get ready for the start of the MIAA season.- Who are some of the top teams?- Who are some of the top players?- Thoughts from the Garrett Reagan Summit last weekend- Some games to watch this weekend This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit massnz.substack.com

12-08
51:21

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