We at Neutral Zone are proud to announce the addition of four new interns for our Fall 2022 class, William Dahlquist, Dennis Ruppe, Christian Dahl, and Kevin Norton. Each intern has a storied background in hockey and is looking to learn about the scouting side of the sport and are looking to get their start on that side of the game with Neutral Zone where they can help to diversify the views of the company.
When asked to comment about this year’s intern group, VP Brian Murphy said, “This year’s group of Interns already have been very busy as we have helped NZ make the transition to using Rinknet and posting reports from all over North America. Some of it is grunt work. However, they are getting important experience in how reports are written and posted. As I say. ‘If you want to be a head coach someday, you have to know how to launder the game sweaters.'”
As well, this year we implemented a system of video calls with the intern group to help give more personalized, group learning that can provide invaluable experience to the young group. When asked about the implementation of this approach Murphy said, “All of them want to be in hockey in some way, some day and we want to be sure they learn as much as possible about what we do and how we do it. They have been terrific and are wonderful representatives of what Quinn Robelle emanated; a love for hockey with positive attitudes and quality work efforts.”
The group took listened and took notes on Brian Murphy’s approach to evaluating players last week on a video call. There was a lot of information with an emphasis on finding each person’s best way to attack the process. They were given homework which he wanted to remind them to get in soon!
More video calls will follow with NHL, CHL and Junior hockey scouts and coaches as well as some in person training with NZ’s scouts. Ian Moran is due to speak the group in the upcoming days.
Working with these interns has already shown quite the payoff as they are a studious group who are able to take direction well, and learn on the fly. The interns are highly valued at Neutral Zone and work hard to learn about the processes at Neutral Zone.
Our first intern is William Dahlquist. William is currently pursuing a Masters of Sports Administration at Boston College, where he has a specific interest in Hockey Operations. Before University, Will played hockey with Tilton Prep School, before attending Bentley University for his undergraduate degree. He also already completed multiple summer internships at an NHLPA sports agency, as well as a video manager for Bentley’s men’s ice hockey team.
“Excited to learn. I think there’s a lot of hockey knowledge to absorb and learn from. I also think the way they conduct themselves as people and the standards they set is important for anyone coming up trying to be involved in the industry”
William Dahlquist
Also joining us is Dennis Ruppe, from Ohio State University where he serves as Vice President of the Club Ice Hockey Team, as well as playing for the team as a solid right-handed forward. As well, he is pursuing an Exercise Science Major and is currently in his fourth year. Before University, Dennis played for several teams across the US, as well as being a member of the Puerto Rican Men’s National Hockey Team where he won Gold in the 2022 Latam Cup. His unique hockey background brings an interesting perspective, that Dennis looks to refine in his time with Neutral Zone.
After playing hockey for the past 20 years of my life I’m excited for the opportunity to getting a chance to see a different side of the game with Neutral Zone
Dennis Ruppe
Next up we have Christian Dahl, from Saint Peters, Missouri. Christian grew up playing hockey, playing for the Carshield AAA before moving into the EHL with the Philadelphia Revolution. In his final years of junior hockey, he moved to the NAHL before moving into the NCAA D3 where he now plays with Alvernia University. Along with playing hockey, Dahl is pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management at Alvernia. When asked what he is looking forward to while working with Neutral Zone, this is what Christian had to say:
I’m looking forward to gaining experience in the field of scouting and retaining what I learn throughout this internship to assist me as I pursue a career in hockey operations once I graduate from college
The final addition to the Neutral Zone Fall Intern class is Kevin Norton, from Merrimack College. Kevin has always been involved in hockey, whether it be playing from a young age to watching games with family. Norton is now studying at Merrimack College, pursuing an education in Sports Management, which he hopes will help drive forward his aspirations of working in hockey. While with Neutral Zone, he hopes to refine his knowledge of the game, working closely with Mark Bilotta in New England to learn the ropes of scouting out games and tournaments. When asked what he looks forward to doing with Neutral Zone, this is what Kevin had to say:
I am looking forward to helping scouts prepare and post different games in the New England area and perhaps contributing to game reports on Neutral Zone some day
