The Hoops/Hockey Crossover Show

This crossover episode between New England Hockey Journal's Rink Wise and New England Basketball Journal's Hoop Wise podcasts. The hosts discuss the idea of merging the discussions around the two sports, focusing on the differences and similarities in player development, recruitment, and the unique challenges each sport faces. Topics covered include the yearly schedules for basketball and hockey, the impact of club and prep teams on player growth, the role of advisors and agents, the rising cost of playing these sports at elite levels, and the potential of future changes in the structure and governance of these youth sports.

Topics

01:13 Basketball vs. Hockey: Seasonal Differences

01:38 Open Gyms and Recruitment in Basketball

04:18 Fall Hockey Showcases and College Scouting

05:33 The Role of Club Teams in Player Development

12:05 Prep School and Club Team Dynamics

16:52 Balancing Multiple Sports and Commitments

26:46 Shoe Circuits and Sponsorships in Basketball

31:25 Exploring Brand Influence in Basketball and Hockey

31:53 The Business of AAU and College Recruiting

35:09 Junior Hockey Pathways and College Eligibility

46:38 The Role of Advisors and Agents in Youth Sports

51:46 The Rising Costs of Youth Sports

57:45 The Impact of Club Teams on Local Hockey Programs

59:46 Conclusion and Future Discussions

Evan and Pat talk with Sean O'Brien, the new head coach of the boys' hockey team at Phillips Exeter Academy. Sean shares insights from his career, including his recent move back to New England from Pittsburgh, his previous coaching stint at Harvard, and his philosophy on integrating technology and video analysis to enhance player development. He also discusses the balance between academics and athletics in a prep school environment, the impact of the CHL ruling on prep hockey, and the importance of building professional networks and relationships for long-term success. The episode concludes with a discussion on outdated hockey strategies and the evolving role of analytics in coaching.

Topics

00:29 Guest Introduction: Sean O'Brien

01:34 Sean O'Brien's Journey to Phillips Exeter

05:03 The Appeal of Phillips Exeter

07:23 Recruitment and Academic Balance

12:32 Lessons from Harvard

16:49 The Role of Technology in Coaching

24:24 Seamless Video Integration in Coaching

25:17 The Importance of Self-Reflection in Sports

26:48 Impact of CHL Ruling on Prep Schools

29:15 Evaluating Player Readiness for Junior Hockey

31:19 Balancing Hockey and Academic Development

35:46 Building Long-Term Professional Networks

40:04 Hockey Strategy Insights: Overtime Segment

Evan sits down with Brandon Borges, the newly appointed head boys hockey coach at Williston Northampton. Borges, an alumnus of the school, shares insights about his transition into the coaching role and his vision for the program. He discusses the importance of summer training, balancing player workloads, and the unique challenges of returning to coach at his alma mater. Borges also reflects on his own hockey journey from inner-city Providence to playing junior hockey, providing valuable advice for current players navigating college and junior hockey aspirations. The discussion concludes with a light-hearted segment about the nuances of being a passionate hockey fan.

Topics

00:26 Meet the New Coach: Brandon Borges

00:55 Summer Training Strategies

03:06 Returning to Alma Mater: Williston Northampton

03:42 Brandon's Hockey Journey

08:12 Challenges and Lessons in Youth Hockey

20:21 Junior Hockey Experience and Advice

24:21 Personal Struggles and Reflections

24:43 Timing and Development in Hockey

25:52 Deciding When to Move On

28:22 Realistic College Hockey Dreams

32:50 Recruiting and Building Relationships

38:30 Overtime: Fun Hockey Questions