Welcome back to The Hockey Review Podcast! Today, we're joined by Suffolk Hockey alum, Joe Vingi, to share his incredible journey through the New England hockey scene, prep school, junior leagues, and collegiate play, offering invaluable insights for aspiring players and parents alike.

Joe's New England Hockey Roots

Joe's hockey story began like many in New England: on skates by two years old. Growing up in Providence, Rhode Island, hockey was a family affair. As the third Joe Vingi, he followed in the footsteps of his dad and grandfather, both of whom coached him. He started playing AAA for the Providence Capitals, a foundational step in his competitive journey.

The Drive for Prep School: A Unique Path

The decision to pursue prep school was entirely Joe's own, driven by an intense desire from a young age.

Discovering Junior Prep

Early Research: Joe dedicated himself to researching every prep school, deep-diving more than he ever did for academic papers.
Parental Hesitation: His parents were initially surprised, as the plan was for him to attend high school in Rhode Island. At 12, going away to prep school wasn't typical, leading some, including a girlfriend's parents, to mistakenly assume he was a "troubled kid."
Love for the Lifestyle: Joe was captivated by the campuses and the idea of boarding school life, influenced by shows like The Mighty Ducks 3 and Zoey 101. He knew he was independent enough to handle living away from home.
"Summer Camp All Year Long": Living with his buddies at 12 and 13 years old felt like a continuous summer camp, filled with new challenges daily.

He first attended Hillside School for junior prep (8th and 9th grade), which excelled at preparing students for secondary prep schools. Hillside also boasted an incredibly strong basketball program, even producing future NBA players!

Earning a Spot at Winchendon

Joe repeated his freshman year at Winchendon, a common practice for athletic development. Despite his passion, making the team was a huge challenge.

Convincing the Coach: Winchendon wanted players for all four years, but Joe was undersized and young. It took time to convince the coach he was ready for a team primarily built around post-grads, seniors, and juniors.
Intense Pressure: The fall of his freshman year was the hardest of his life, consumed by the nervousness of making the team. With only Varsity and JV teams (and JV not being very strong), making Varsity was critical.
Humility Over Boasting: Joe emphasizes the importance of letting your work speak for itself rather than boasting. "Shut your mouth," he advises, as confidence should manifest through effort, not words. Older teammates further instilled humility in him.
A Freshman Accomplishment: Joe and one other freshman, Anthony Scarcella, were the only two to make the team that year, a testament to their dedication and a moment of immense pride.

Beyond the Rink: The True Value of Prep School

Prep school, Joe explains, offers far more than just hockey development.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Prep School Athletes:

Love the School, Not Just the Sport: Hockey only occupies about two hours of your day. The other 22 hours are spent living on campus. If you don't genuinely like the school, you'll be unhappy and won't fully integrate into the community.
Cultivate a Broader Identity: Don't let hockey become your entire personality. Find pride in other aspects of school life, academics, and community involvement. Joe proudly recounts being called "Mr. Winchendon" for his two years as a proctor and ambassador for the school.
Embrace Other Sports: Winchendon, like many prep schools, required playing multiple sports, even if it meant balancing split-season hockey with JV soccer. This broadens skills and experiences.
Value Relationships: The small, tight-knit community of a prep school allows for strong connections with coaches and staff, many of whom have dedicated their lives to the institution. They care deeply about your holistic development.
Enjoy the Moment: Don't be so fixated on the "next step" that you fail to enjoy the unique experience of prep school life, the campus, and even the downtime. Not everyone goes to the NHL, and these years are about fun, development, and self-discovery.
Build Self-Reliance: Living away from home at a young age fosters independence, problem-solving skills, and resilience, invaluable for college and beyond.
Perspective on High School: While you might miss out on some typical public school experiences like homecoming parties, the unique path of prep school offers its own rewards. High school isn't the "biggest thing" in life; there's much more to come.

A Different Path: The Host's Experience

My own prep school journey at Winchendon also highlighted the importance of self-assessment. While I loved the education and atmosphere, after two years on Varsity B, I realized it wasn't meeting my needs for competitive varsity hockey. Being honest with the coaching staff, I accepted there were no guarantees and transferred to Rice Prep in Vermont, where the coach wanted me for their prep team. This underscores that there are many valid paths, and sometimes, a change is necessary to align with your goals.

Junior Hockey: Hardship and Growth

After Winchendon, Joe embarked on his junior hockey career, signing with the Whitecourt Wolverines in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) during his senior year. This phase brought new challenges and profound lessons.

Unexpected Changes: His initial coach left, and a new, very tough coach, Gord Thibodeau, came in with his own Division I-committed defensemen.
Facing Adversity: Joe experienced being scratched for the first time—a common, yet difficult, reality in junior hockey. His advice: "Be a brave soldier." Don't show discouragement; work harder.
Embracing Hard Coaching: Tough coaches aren't trying to pressure you for mistakes; they're pushing you to extract more from your potential because they care. Let go of the "woe is me" mentality, or you risk being "dead" in the competitive environment.
Work on Weaknesses: To reach the next level, players must focus on improving areas they're not good at, even if it's uncomfortable.
The Junior Circuit: After Alberta, Joe was traded to the Minnesota Wilderness in the NAHL, experiencing the intense hockey culture of Minnesota. Homesickness eventually led him back to the East Coast to play for the Northeast Generals.
Preparation for College: Junior hockey prepares players for the rigors of college hockey, teaching them to handle hardship, make sacrifices, and mature beyond their years.

Suffolk University and the D3 Experience

Joe's college career at Suffolk University in Boston was a fulfilling experience.

"Kid in a Candy Shop": Living in Boston's North End as a freshman was a dream come true, with easy access to a vibrant city and numerous other colleges.
Prep School Preparedness: His time at prep school had equipped him with excellent time management skills, making the transition to balancing academics, hockey, and city temptations seamless.
Competitive Conference: Suffolk played in the challenging NEHC conference against top teams like Norwich, Hobart, and Babson. A highlight was beating Norwich 1-0.
Perspective on Losses: While wins are celebrated, Joe and his former teammates now laugh about their losses, realizing that the struggles often create the most memorable bonds and lessons.
Rising D3 Hockey: With recent rule changes benefiting D3 programs, the level of play is increasing dramatically.
Coaches' Dedication: D3 coaches, not in it for the money, are driven by a genuine love for the game and building community.
Recruitment Challenges: Attracting talent from comfortable areas like Southern California to D3 schools in more remote locations highlights the dedication required from true hockey lovers.

From Player to Coach: A New Perspective

Now coaching in California, Joe reflects on how his perspective has shifted.

Karma and Commitment: He jokingly acknowledges receiving "karma" for his past behavior as a player but is dedicated to instilling commitment in his young athletes.
Beyond Skill: At the AAA level, everyone can skate, shoot, and stickhandle. The differentiator is mental fortitude: refusing to lose versus being afraid to lose.
Finding Your Value: Joe emphasizes that players must "make themselves valuable." This means finding a role, doubling down on what you're good at, and excelling in it.
Reliability is Key: Coaches prioritize reliable players in crucial moments, not always the flashiest goal-scorers.
Pride in Role: As a captain in high school and college, Joe took immense pride in his role as a defenseman, even if it didn't always show up on the stat sheet. He cared more about winning for the team than personal accolades.
Balance Sacrifice and Growth: While sacrificing for the team is crucial, players shouldn't limit themselves to a single role. Take chances and step outside your comfort zone to continue developing.

Conclusion: Embrace the Journey

Joe Vingi's journey offers profound lessons that extend far beyond the hockey rink. His story underscores the importance of passion, resilience, humility, and self-awareness. Hockey, like life, is full of good days and bad days. The key is to stick through the tough times, as they forge character and lead to the most cherished memories and personal growth.

As Joe aptly puts it, finding your role, taking pride in it, and continuously striving to improve are paramount. Don't get bogged down by statistics; focus on contributing to the team's success. Even with 20 career points in high school, Joe reached the Junior A level, proving that dedication and embodying an invaluable role are what truly matter. Embrace the journey, and the sport will reward you tenfold.

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