The guest is Ed Bourget, Director of Hockey Operations at Buckingham Browne & Nichols (BB&N). The discussion delves into Ed's extensive background in hockey, from playing high school hockey at Shrewsbury High and Sacred Heart to his professional stint in Europe. Ed provides insights into his new role at BB&N, focusing on supporting both the boys' and girls' hockey programs. The conversation also explores player development, managing the grueling prep school hockey schedule, and balancing the demands of athletics with academic and personal life. Ed emphasizes the importance of rest, development beyond just hockey skills, and preparing for life after the sport. The episode concludes with reflections on the evolving landscape of hockey recruitment and the significance of enjoying the process.

Topics

00:19 Ed's Hockey Background

01:26 Coaching Philosophy and New Role

03:09 Player Development and Training

09:51 Recruiting Process Insights

17:49 Balancing Academics and Athletics

21:59 Life After Hockey

22:55 Path to Coaching

25:28 Future of Prep School Hockey

30:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the New England Hockey Journal's Rink Wise Podcast, hosts Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly discuss various updates in the sports world, focusing particularly on the recent US Open and the New England D1 Championship in baseball at Polar Park. While updating on baseball, the hosts delve into the major topic of the week—the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Draft. They provide insights into significant picks, including a detailed analysis of picks from New England and the implications for prep schools, junior hockey leagues, and the National Team Development Program (NTDP). The podcast also explores potential recruiting battles between the USHL and Canadian junior leagues, value picks, snubs, and the future of New England players in junior hockey. The episode wraps up with insights into what the changes in draft dynamics might mean for the evolving landscape of prep and junior hockey.

Topics

00:31 High School Baseball Championships

02:30 QMJHL Draft Overview

05:29 Impact on New England Players

10:36 Future of Junior Hockey and Prep Schools

13:18 Quebec Ramparts' Bold Move

15:47 Carter Meyer Draft Reactions

16:41 Quebec's Strategic Draft Picks

18:46 Notable Draft Picks and Surprises

20:09 Underrated Draft Picks and Value Finds

22:45 Draft Snubs and Missed Opportunities

27:10 USHL vs. QMJHL: The Recruiting Battle

30:31 Concluding Thoughts and Future Updates

Evan and Patrick Donnelly are joined by Eric Boguniecki, a former NHL player and current scout for the Arizona Coyotes and Utah Mammoth. They discuss Eric's impressive career, his transition from coaching to scouting, and his insights on player development. Eric shares personal stories about his son's unique path from baseball to hockey, emphasizing the importance of multi-sport participation for young athletes. The conversation touches on the evolving landscape of prep school and junior hockey, the impact of the CHL ruling on college commitments, and the potential for new NCAA Division I programs. Additionally, they dive into personal anecdotes about their love for hockey and the emotional highs and lows of being a sports fan.

Topics

00:46 Introducing the Special Guest: Eric Boguniecki

01:22 Eric’s Career Journey

01:51 Life on the Road as a Scout

03:21 Transition from Coaching to Scouting

04:58 Scouting Insights and Player Evaluation

06:21 The Importance of Hockey Sense

12:26 Balancing Sports and Family Life

16:53 Jake Boggan's Unique Path in Sports

17:15 Challenges and Changes in Prep School Hockey

36:45 Hockey Prep School Culture

37:16 Memorable Football Moments

38:25 Jake's College Recruitment Journey

40:37 NCAA Recruitment Rules and Challenges

42:00 The Impact of Transfer Portals

44:03 The Future of College Hockey

47:46 Hockey's Growing Popularity

55:12 Overtime: Personal Hockey Stories