In this episode of the RinkWise podcast, host Evan Marinofsky and co-host Patrick Donnelly are joined by UMass Amherst men's hockey head coach Greg Carvel. Fresh off a season of major shifts in the college hockey landscape, Coach Carvel dives deep into the changing world of recruiting, the impact of the CHL ruling, and what he looks for when building both a winning team and a cohesive coaching staff. Carvel also shares personal insights into his coaching philosophy, the transition from the NHL to college hockey, and why he believes UMass has become a premier destination for players aiming for the professional ranks. The RinkWise Podcast from New England Hockey Journal is a Seamans Media production. Find more daily hockey news at New England Hockey Journal: https://www.hockeyjournal.com/

van Marinofsky and Jason Cooke break down the 2026 Mass. Hockey boys festival. They run through the '09, '10 and '11 birth years, highlighting the top players, who rose their stock and who got snubbed from USA Hockey Select Camps.

Evan interviews Providence College men’s hockey head coach Nate Leaman about coaching, player development, recruiting, and shifting NCAA hockey pathways. Leaman recounts starting hockey at 13 in Ohio after soccer, crediting intensive skating instruction for later coaching and evaluation skills, and discusses key development windows (especially ages 10–14 for agility) plus the growing importance of hockey IQ after puberty, aided by game-like small-area games. He explains how juniors and adversity prepare players for college, why frequent team changes are recruiting red flags, and how the transfer portal often yields depth rather than “game breakers.” Leaman describes CHL players adjusting well to college culture but facing higher season intensity and more practice-based development. He anticipates later recruiting due to CHL/Europe eligibility and weighs proposed five-year eligibility rules, urging a 19-year-old start, while advocating for more Division I teams and possible structural changes beyond the NCAA.

Topics

00:34 Sports Dad Road Talk

02:31 Starting Hockey at 13

03:36 Skating Development Secrets

09:54 Hockey IQ and Small Area Games

13:28 Juniors and Handling Adversity

17:39 Transfer Portal Roster Building

21:57 CHL Players in College Hockey

25:59 Recruiting Shifts and D1 Expansion

36:25 Five Year Eligibility Debate

43:14 Recruiting Mistakes to Avoid

48:20 Wrap Up and Thanks