Evan is joined by Mark Declairios, head coach of Avon Old Farms. The discussion delves into Declairios's perspective on the fall hockey landscape, changes in player development, and the influence of specialized sports programs. Declairios 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 Declairios

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

Evan and Pat delve into the current state of fall hockey, particularly focusing on high school leagues like Connecticut's Cutting Edge Management (CEM). They discuss the potential future of fall hockey and whether more teams will adopt a model where school teams play together. The conversation shifts to college recruiting updates for both boys and girls, highlighting several key commitments. The episode concludes with a fun 'Overrated or Underrated' segment, covering topics like playoff beards, NHL team names without 'S', and NHL mascots.

Topics

01:04 Fall Hockey Season Overview

01:42 Connecticut's Cutting Edge Management (CEM) League

03:48 Challenges and Benefits of Fall Hockey

08:34 Girls' Hockey and Multi-Sport Athletes

12:53 Future of Prep School Hockey Seasons

25:28 Recent College Recruiting Highlights

29:15 Big Names in Hockey Recruitment

29:41 Hockey East Dominance

33:13 Notable Recruits and Commitments

39:05 Princeton's Strong Recruitment

41:11 Setting the Record Straight

41:42 Overtime: Overrated or Underrated