Avon Old Farms coach Mark Naclerio on the future of prep

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