In this episode of New England Hockey Journal's Rinkwise podcast, hosts Evan Marinofsky and Patrick Donnelly sit down with Jason Guerriero, recently appointed as USA Hockey Director of Player Development for Massachusetts and New England districts. Guerriero, a former player and college assistant coach, discusses his career, his new role, and the importance of development at all levels of the sport. The conversation delves into the intricacies of youth hockey, the scouting and recruiting process, and the challenges and evolving landscape of college hockey. The episode also features a lively discussion on topics like shootouts in hockey and the concept of a relegation system. Guerriero offers insights and perspectives on fostering young talent and the future of hockey development in the region.

00:36 Guest Introduction: Jason Guerriero

02:00 Jason's Career and New Role

04:28 Passion for Development and USA Hockey

07:29 Challenges and Opportunities in Youth Hockey

11:06 Improving Hockey Sense and Player Development

13:32 Regional Representation and Selection Process

18:21 Balancing Competition and Development

25:43 Teaching Hockey to Young Kids

27:05 Challenges in Recruiting

28:37 Evaluating Consistency in Players

31:00 The Role of Agents and Social Media

33:04 The Changing Landscape of College Hockey

43:02 Overtime: Fun and Insightful Questions

49:58 Conclusion and Farewell