James Lipscomb | Hockey Operations Manager, New Jersey Devils

James Lipscomb | Hockey Operations Manager, New Jersey Devils

Front Office U welcomes James Lipscomb. James is the Hockey Operations Manager for the New Jersey Devils, where he helps oversee the countless day-to-day details that keep an NHL hockey operations department running smoothly. From coordinating with pro scouts and managing draft preparation to balancing year-end meetings and organizational priorities, James plays an important role behind the scenes. Originally from the Bronx, James grew up playing Little League baseball and rec basketball before first stepping into team operations as the manager of his high school varsity basketball team. That early experience sparked an interest in the behind-the-scenes side of sports that ultimately led him to a career in the NHL. In this conversation, James shares what life inside a professional hockey operations department is really like, including how game days become valuable networking opportunities with visiting team staff, the importance of flexibility in a fast-paced environment, and why simply being a dependable, good person matters so much in hockey operations. Connect with James on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-lipscomb-mba/]

Jude Scibelli | Equipment Manager, Boston Fleet

Front Office U welcomes Jude Scibelli. Jude is the Equipment Manager for the Boston Fleet, where he oversees the day-to-day operations that keep a professional hockey team running behind the scenes. Originally from Springfield, Jude began his journey in hockey as a locker room attendant with the Springfield Thunderbirds in 2016 before balancing responsibilities with both the Thunderbirds and College of the Holy Cross hockey program. In this conversation, Jude shares what life is really like in an equipment room — from early mornings and skate sharpening to managing jerseys, organizing road trips, and preparing the locker room for a professional team every single day. The episode also explores Jude’s path through the hockey world, the challenges of breaking into the industry, and the persistence it took to keep pursuing a career in the game when he was close to walking away from it entirely. ⁠Connect with Jude on LinkedIn⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-scibelli-a288b512a/]

Bryan Wilson | Publisher / Editor, The Hockey News

Front Office U welcomes Bryan Wilson. Bryan is a Publisher and Editor for The Hockey News, where he primarily covers the Calgary Flames while also contributing across the digital media landscape of hockey coverage. With experience spanning writing, video editing, broadcasting, and digital content production, Bryan has seen firsthand the evolution of sports media. In this conversation, Bryan shares insights into the changing world of hockey journalism, the realities of covering an NHL team on a daily basis, and the importance of adaptability in modern sports media. The episode also touches on content creation, relationship-building in the industry, and Bryan’s past mentors. ⁠Connect with Bryan on LinkedIn⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanwilson19/]⁠ [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/author/bryan-wilson] Follow Bryan’s coverage on The Hockey News⁠ [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/author/bryan-wilson]

Mike Lorenz | CEO, NGU Sports Lighting

Front Office U welcomes Mike Lorenz. Mike is the CEO of NGU Sports Lighting and has played a pivotal role in transforming the sports lighting industry twice. He first made his mark as President of Ephesus Lighting, where he helped scale groundbreaking LED technology into a dominant force across professional and collegiate sports. Under his leadership, Ephesus reached a defining milestone in 2015 when its system powered the first ever LED lit Super Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium, signaling a major shift in how stadiums and arenas approach lighting. After Ephesus was acquired by Eaton, Mike launched NGU Sports Lighting, built around his personal mantra, Never Give Up. Through NGU, he is pioneering an innovative Performance Lighting Delivered model to make advanced sports infrastructure more accessible and scalable than ever before. This conversation explores the evolution of sports lighting and the leadership mindset required to navigate risk, failure, and growth. Mike also shares lessons on confidence, relationship building, and why surrounding yourself with optimistic, resilient people matters. Connect with Mike on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-lorenz-61239057/] https://ngusportslighting.com/ [https://ngusportslighting.com/]

Chris Whalen | Hockey Player Development Expert

Front Office U welcomes Chris Whalen. Chris is a hockey player development expert and former OHL video coach with a background in scouting, roster evaluation, and front office operations. After spending several seasons on the management side with organizations in Hamilton and Brantford, Chris built a well-rounded foundation across video analysis, draft preparation, and player development before transitioning full-time into his own development business. Through his work, Chris trains a diverse group of players ranging from AAA to junior and pro levels, focusing on the often-overlooked side of the game: hockey sense. Using detailed video breakdowns, both from his clients and NHL footage, he teaches players how to read plays, recognize patterns, and make better decisions with and without the puck. His approach emphasizes puck touches, routes, deception, and situational awareness, while also incorporating a strong mentorship component. This conversation explores the gap in traditional player development, why hockey IQ and decision-making separate players at higher levels, and how Chris is helping the next generation think the game more effectively. Connect with Chris on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/whalenchris/]