Winchendon has found its new boys hockey head coach. And he just so happens to be a familiar face.
Mike Busconi, a graduate and defenseman of Winchendon School in 2013, is the next coach for the Wapiti. Busconi takes over for former head coach Brian Troy, who led the Wapiti to a 10-17-4 record. With room for improvement this season, the school was looking for a fresh start.
Busconi’s arrival in Winchendon has many at the school, including himself, enthusiastic and assured that he is the right fit to head their program.
“Super excited about it to be back,” said Busconi, a Watertown, Mass., native. “Looking forward to what’s ahead.”
As a former player and student at Winchendon, Busconi brings a bevy of history and institutional knowledge back into the program. The 16th coach in Wapiti history, Busconi follows in the footsteps of many talented coaches with years of experience but adds a unique perspective. As a former player, his understanding of the school's culture should serve him and the Wapiti well.
Busconi, 29, believes his age will help him connect with players while still implementing a solid footing of structure to the program.
"I'm a little bit of a mix,” Busconi said. “I think I can relate to the players pretty well. Obviously, I’m only 29, so on the younger side. I think that's important to be able to relate to kids. Everyone learns differently, and everyone responds differently to different types of coaching. Like a ‘player's coach,’ I can relate, but there has to be systems and structure and discipline at the same time. I think if you mix it all together, you hopefully have a pretty good product.”
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Coaching always has been in the back of Busconi's mind since graduating from Southern New Hampshire University in 2017. He combined a background in business administration, his major in college, with his coaching and managed to marry the two in his first few jobs out of college.
"I've always been super passionate about it. I worked hard,” Busconi said. “When you're in it, it becomes a lifestyle. When I got out of college, I was pretty open-minded about doing whatever, whether it was just a regular nine-to-five job or in hockey. But I was given an opportunity right away to work at Lawrence Academy and with NHL Central Scouting, and everything aligned. I moved from there, and it's been great.”
With insights into coaching at the high school level and working with the NHL scouting department, Busconi is acutely aware of the minds of young players. The delicate balance of understanding their ambitions while realizing the need for rigorous coaching and mentorship is something Busconi should know all too well. And he knows it is something he will need to contend with.
"I’m looking to be able to give kids a great experience and move kids on to whatever they want to do after, whether it's juniors or college," Busconi said. "Giving kids a great experience and building a successful program that can compete to win New England championships, I think that's a big thing as well. Success and giving kids great experiences and development, moving kids on to higher levels — I think that's important.”
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Though it has been a decade since he graduated from Winchendon, Busconi kept in touch with the program from afar. While coaching at Lawrence Academy and the Islanders Hockey Club, Busconi kept tabs on his alma mater.
"I followed the program a bit since I graduated,” he said.
“I didn't see them play a ton over the last couple of years. The position opened, and I was in touch with the school about it. And it all worked out. I think just everything aligned there, and it all worked. I think it can be a really good program.”
With experience coaching at a variety of different levels and a zeal for his former program, the Wapiti’s newest head coach understands the importance of team culture and institutional structure, which should help make for a smooth transition.
"I'm looking to build it and have success down the road,” Busconi said.
