Crunch Chronicles

In preparation for Season 2 of Crunch Chronicles, presented by Wendy's, Lukas Favale takes the listeners back through some of the best moments from Season 1 of the show. We hear from Pat Maroon, Carter Verhaeghe, Ross Colton, Vance Lederman, John Badduke, Zenon Konopka, Bobby Mac and Yanni Gourde. After that, we get a taste of what's to come on Season 2 of Crunch Chronicles, which kicks off Monday, October 3.

On the final episode of Season 1 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Ben Groulx. The focus of this final episode of the season is a reflection on the 2021-22 Crunch season, with the conversation taking place on exit day, less than 24 hours after the conclusion of the Crunch's run in the Calder Cup Playoffs. Groulx just completed his sixth season as head coach of the Crunch, and near the end of the season he passed Gary Agnew to become the all-time winningest coach in franchise history. He has led the Crunch to the playoffs all four years that the league has held postseason play during his tenure. Season 2 of Crunch Chronicles will return in September, and it will revert back to it's traditional format of chatting with a Crunch alumni.

On Episode 33 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Eric Neilson. Neilson spent three memorable seasons with the Crunch at the start of the team's affiliation with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Neilson was a member of the original team that won a Calder Cup in Norfolk in 2012 before the Lightning's affiliation moved to Syracuse ahead of the 2012-13 season. He was a key part of the group that help the new affiliate immediately connect with the Syracuse community, both on and off the ice. He played in 39 games for the Crunch that season, amassing 135 penalty minutes and scoring one goal. Although he did not appear in any playoff games during the Crunch's run to the 2013 Calder Cup Finals, his infectious personality was a big part of that group's run.  He would remain with the Crunch for two more seasons, through the 2014-15 season. In total, Neilson played in 94 Crunch games during his tenure in Syracuse and registered 297 penalty minutes in that time. He also chipped in with five points. Neilson's presence off the ice was as important as his role on the ice. He was named the Crunch's Man of the Year in each of his three seasons, and he was awarded the prestigious Yanick Dupré Memorial Award as the AHL's community man of the year. He remains the only Crunch player to ever win the award.   Neilson's playing career ended in 2016-17 and he then moved into coaching before the pandemic shifted his focus. On the show, Neilson discusses his memories in Syracuse, moments with P.C. Labrie, why he was so invested in the community and much more.

On Episode 32 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Trevor Frischmon. Frischmon spent four seasons with the Crunch at the end of the team's affiliation with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Frischmon began his pro career on a two-way AHL contract with the Crunch, and he split his rookie season with the Crunch and ECHL Dayton Bombers. He played in 33 games for the Crunch, adding seven assists in 2006-07. He also dressed in 24 games with the Bombers during the regular season, and then he helped Dayton make a run to the Kelly Cup Finals during the 2007 Kelly Cup Playoffs.  The Minnesota native followed that up by returning to the Crunch in 2007-08 and carving out a role on one of the top teams in franchise history. He added 16 points in 59 games for the Crunch during the regular season to help them surge to their historic finish at the end of the regular season. In the playoffs, Frischmon became etched in Crunch history by scoring the series-clinching, overtime game-winning goal in Game 6 of their series with the Manitoba Moose.  He closed out his tenure with the Crunch playing two more seasons through the 2009-10 season. In total, he appeared in 247 games for the Crunch, which ranks 11th in franchise history. He produced 73 points (17g, 56a) in that time. He earned his one NHL recall with Columbus during the 2009-10 season, playing three games for the Blue Jackets. On the show, Frischmon discusses his time as a player with the Crunch, that memorable 2007-08 team, his series clinching goal, and much more.

On Episode 31 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Tampa Bay Lightning Director of Skill Development Mike Ellis.  On the show, Ellis discusses the road which led him to his current role with the Lightning, his philosophies on skill development and working with current players, watching players develop into NHL regulars and much more.

On Episode 30 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Crunch General Manager Stacy Roest.   On the show, Dolgon discusses his path to becoming the Crunch's general manager, his responsibilities within the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, what Syracuse means to the Lightning organization, the current push for the playoffs and much more.

On Episode 29 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Crunch Owner Howard Dolgon.   On the show, Dolgon discusses the process of bringing an AHL team to Syracuse, the multiple teams he engaged to partner with from the start, the challenges of the last two years during the pandemic and much more.

On Episode 28 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Rob Zettler. Zettler served as a the Crunch's head coach for parts of four seasons. Zettler joined the Crunch as an assistant coach under Jon Cooper when the Crunch began their affiliation with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the 2012-13 season. He assumed the position of head coach late that season when Cooper was promoted to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Zettler led the Crunch over the final 11 games of the regular season as the team clinched the East Division. He then helped guide the team to consecutive sweeps in the first two rounds of the Calder Cup Playoffs and a five-game series win against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to earn the Crunch their first ever berth in the Calder Cup Finals. Zettler continued as head coach through the 2015-16 season and he led the team to a pair of playoff berths. In 239 regular season games, Zettler compiled a 108-90-28-13 record as Crunch head coach. He is one of five head coaches in franchise history to reach 100 wins. Zettler was reunited with Cooper in Tampa Bay when he was named an assistant coach for the Lightning before the 2020-21 season. He helped the team win their second consecutive Stanley Cup.   On the show, Zettler discusses his time in Syracuse and the team's run to the Calder Cup Finals and winning the Stanley Cup.

On Episode 27 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Corey Hirsch. Hirsch played for the Crunch during the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons while the team was affiliated with the Vancouver Canucks. Hirsch was a workhorse in the 1997-98 season, playing in 60 games for the Crunch, which stands as the second-most by a Crunch goaltender in a single season. He finished that season with a 30-22-6 record with a 3.19 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. Among AHL goaltenders, Hirsch ranked second in wins (30), minutes played (3,512) and saves (1,724). He also posted one shutout as he helped the Crunch earn a berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Medicine Hat, Alberta native returned for five games in Syracuse the following season, but spent the majority of that campaign in the NHL with Vancouver. Hirsch totaled 108 NHL games during his career with Vancouver, the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals and Dallas Stars. He also saw AHL action with the Binghamton Rangers, Albany River Rats, Portland Pirates, Philadelphia Phantoms and Utah Grizzlies, in addition to his time with the Crunch.   He also won a Silver Medal at the 1994 Olympics with Team Canada. Following his career, Hirsch opened up about his struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder while he was a prospect beginning his NHL journey. He is now a public advocate for mental health and hosts Blindsided, a podcast about sports, mental health and life. On the show, Hirsch discusses his time in Syracuse and the important conversation surrounding mental health.

On Episode 26 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Mike McKenna. McKenna's time in Syracuse was short - lasting just over three months - but it was impactful during the team's run to the 2017 Calder Cup Finals. McKenna was acquired by the Tampa Bay Lightning in a trade from the Florida Panthers on March 1, 2017. It was the first time in his career he was traded and it brought the journeyman goaltender to the Crunch.  He appeared in 14 games for the Crunch down the stretch and posted a 5-5-3 record to help the team capture the North Division on the final day of the regular season. He seized control of the net heading into the playoffs. McKenna backstopped the team in all 22 playoff games. He logged a 13-9 record with a 2.68 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. He was stellar in the North Division Semifinals against St. John's, guided the team through the Toronto Marlies in the North Division Finals and was strong during the Eastern Conference Finals against Providence as the Crunch made their second Calder Cup Finals appearance in franchise history.   McKenna would sign with Dallas the following season and lead Texas to Game 7 of the Calder Cup Finals. He played for several teams in 2018-19 after being traded or claimed on waivers multiple times; he retired from playing following that season and transitioned into media. On the show, McKenna discusses his immediate connection to Syracuse, the run during the Calder Cup Playoffs, his new role in hockey media, and much more.

On Episode 25 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Matt Taormina. Taormina, played four seasons with the Crunch over two stints and he is the only player to play for the team in both the 2013 and 2017 Calder Cup Finals. Taormina's first stint in Syracuse began in 2012-13 when he signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He produced 24 points in 55 regular season games that year for the Crunch and then added 12 more during the playoffs to help lead the Crunch into the Calder Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history.  He returned to Syracuse the following season after re-signing with the Lightning and he clocked in with another 18 points in 41 games before being traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets organization in a deal that brought Jonathan Marchessault to Syracuse. After spending the remainder of the 2013-14 season and the 2014-15 season outside of Syracuse, Taormina was reunited with the Crunch after signing with the Lightning ahead of the 2015-16 season. He notched a then career high 41 points that season. In 2016-17, his final season in Syracuse, Taormina became the second Crunch defenseman to win the Eddie Shore Award as the AHL's top defenseman. He produced 60 points over 70 games en route to being named an AHL All-Star. He added another 20 points in 22 playoff games to help guide the Crunch back to the Calder Cup Finals in 2017.   Taormina finished his Crunch career with 143 points (38g, 105a) in 227 games. He currently ranks 18th in franchise history in scoring and he is third all-time among Crunch defensemen. He is the all-time Crunch leader in playoff scoring with 32 points (7g, 25a) in a franchise record 40 playoff games On the show, Taormina discusses his time as a player with the Crunch, being traded and then returning the organization, the two runs to the Calder Cup Finals, and much more.

On Episode 24 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by J.P. Cote. Cote, who is currently the Director of Player Development for the Tampa Bay Lightning, played three seasons in Syracuse with the Crunch from 2012 to 2015. Cote joined signed a two-year AHL contract with the Crunch ahead of the 2012-13 season after he won the Calder Cup with the Norfolk Admirals in 2012. A veteran presence, Cote was an assistant captain for the Crunch, providing leadership while dressing in 74 games. The steady defenseman chipped in with 17 points and a career-high 143 PIM as the Crunch won the East Division with a 43-22-6-5 record. He went on to play in all 18 playoff games to help the Crunch roll through the Eastern Conference en route to their first ever berth in the Calder Cup Finals.  The Quebec native returned to the Crunch in 2013-14 and played 33 games with 13 points. He signed an NHL contract with the Lightning during the season and ended up playing 19 games for Tampa Bay in his first NHL action since the 2005-06 season. He played one final season in Syracuse, appearing in 74 games in 2014-15 season to end his tenure in the organization. Cote totaled 181 games during his Crunch career, putting up 41 points (7g, 34a) and 312 PIM over his three seasons.  Cote's playing career ended with three seasons in Europe, playing in Germany and France. He spent one season as a scout with the San Jose Sharks before returning to the Lightning organization as the team's Director of Player Development on August 1, 2019. On the show, Cote discusses his time as a player with the Crunch, returning to the organization in his current role, and much more.

On Episode 23 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by David Ling. Ling, a former Crunch captain, played three seasons in Syracuse with the Crunch from 2001 to 2004. Ling joined the organization in 2001-02 in his seventh pro season. He played in 71 games for the Crunch that season and finished the season with 60 points and 240 PIM. He finished second on the team in scoring to help lead the Crunch to their first ever division championship as the team finished first place in the Western Conference on their way to the Central Division title. Ling added 10 points in 10 playoff games before the Crunch lost to the eventual Calder Cup Champion Chicago Wolves in a seven-game series. The Halifax, Nova Scotia native spent parts of two more seasons with the Crunch. He served as captain during the 2002-03 season and produced 41 points over 46 games. He also saw action in 46 games with the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets. In his final season in the organization, Ling contributed 17 points in 14 games for the Crunch and another three in a career-high 50 games with Columbus.  Ling totaled 131 games during his Crunch career, putting up 118 points (33g, 85a) and 394 PIM over his three seasons.  His lengthy playing career continued overseas with stops in Russia, Switzerland, Finland, Italy and England before he finished his career playing in the ECHL with Brampton through 2017-18. On the show, Ling discusses his time as Crunch captain, the success of the 2001-02 season, and much more.

On Episode 22 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Mike Angelidis. Angelidis is one of the most iconic players in franchise history and he served as captain for four seasons from 2012 to 2016. Angelidis joined the Crunch as part of the Tampa Bay Lightning organization when the teams began their affiliation ahead of the 2012-13 season. He was immediately named the team's captain that season, a role he maintained during his entire tenure in Syracuse. On the ice, Angelidis contributed 24 points in 71 games in 2012-13 before helping the Crunch capture their first Calder Cup Finals berth during the 2013 playoffs. The Woodbridge, Ontario native increased his points production over the next two seasons while also seeing action in a handful of games for the Lightning. He matched his career high with 38 points during 2014-15 as the Crunch made the playoffs again. In 2015-16, Angelidis represented the Crunch at the 2016 Toyota AHL All-Star Classic, hosted in Syracuse.  In his four seasons with the Crunch, Angelidis amassed 110 points (50g, 60a) in 263 regular season games. He currently ranks eighth in franchise history in games played; he is fourth among players during the Lightning affiliation. His 532 penalty minutes are the sixth-most in franchise history.  Angelidis' impact was just as significant off the ice, where he spearheaded many community initiatives for the Crunch. He helped launch Change for Change, a fundraising initiative that raised money for cancer research at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital and Cancer Center to help improve the odds for patients with cancer. After his time in Syracuse, Angelidis spent one more season in the AHL with Stockton. He then went to Italy to play for HC Bolzano, where he won a championship in 2018. Angelidis also won a Calder Cup with the Norfolk Admirals in 2011. He retired after winning the Austrian league in 2018 and then returned to the Lightning organization as a scout. On the show, Angelidis discusses his impact in Syracuse, his approach to leadership, and much more.

On Episode 21 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Alex Picard. Picard spent parts of five seasons in Syracuse and is one of the top scorers in franchise history. Picard, the eighth overall pick in the 2004 NH Entry Draft, began his pro career with the Crunch in the 2005-06 season. He logged 30 points (15g, 15a) in 45 games as a rookie for the Crunch, while he also saw action in his first 17 NHL games for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Over the next four seasons, Picard would continue to split time between the Crunch and Blue Jackets. He set a career high in 2007-08 with 116 PIMs and also added 20 points to help the Crunch secure a berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs. He added three points during the 2008 playoffs as the Crunch advanced to the North Division Finals. Picard's time with the Crunch spanned from 2005 to 2010. In his final season with the organization, Picard played in the first ever AHL outdoor game when the Crunch hosted the Binghamton Senators in the Mirabito Outdoor Classic. Picard scored the first outdoor goal in AHL history to lead the Crunch to a win. He finished with 234 career games for the Crunch, which currently ranks 13th all-time. His 72 goals are tied for seventh in franchise history and his 146 points rank 15th for the Crunch.  Following his time with the Crunch, Picard two more seasons in the AHL with San Antonio and Norfolk. In his final AHL season, Picard won the Calder Cup with the Norfolk Admirals in 2012, helping many future Crunch players capture the AHL's top prize. On the show, Picard discusses his experience in Syracuse, the Mirabito Outdoor Classic, winning the Calder Cup and more.

On Episode 20 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Karl Goehring. Goehring is one of the most popular players in Crunch history, spending parts of five seasons in Syracuse. Goehring is the winningest goaltender in Crunch history, earning 78 wins while appearing in 177 games in a Crunch sweater. His career began in Syracuse during the 2001-02 season, playing in 15 games for the Crunch as a rookie; he also played in the ECHL that season and helped the Dayton Bombers advance to the Kelly Cup Final. Over the next three years, The North Dakota product played in 49, 38 and 49 games, culminating with his first career 20-win season in 2004-05. He helped the Crunch make the playoffs during the 2003-04 season and he appeared in five playoff games for the Crunch in 2004. After spending over two seasons away from the organization, Goehring returned to the Crunch during the 2007-08 season. He won 15 games for the Crunch as the team went on a miracle run in the second half of the season, collecting points in 23 straight games and winning their final 15 to make the playoffs. Karl played 13 playoff games for the team, which defeated Manitoba in the first round before losing to Toronto in the Division Finals. Goehring posted a 78-71-15 record in 177 career Crunch games. He had a 2.58 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage in his time with the Crunch; Goehring is tied for the franchise lead with 11 shutouts.   Goehring returned to Syracuse as the Crunch goaltending and video coach during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, helping the team post their two best regular seasons in franchise history, including the 2018 North Division championship. He returned to North Dakota as an assistant coach following the 2018-19 season. On the show, Goehring discusses his two hockey homes, his experience in Syracuse, returning as a coach for the Crunch and more.

On Episode 19 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Bob McElligott. Bobby Mac is radio play-by-play broadcaster for the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets. McElligott spent 10 seasons as the voice of the Crunch, joining the team in 1999 and staying with the organization until his promotion to the Blue Jackets broadcast team in 2009. His first season in Syracuse was the team's last campaign as an affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks and the final nine years in the Salt City were spent with the Crunch serving as the Blue Jackets' affiliate. Over the years he saw the Crunch set their franchise record with a 15-game winning streak in the 2007-08 season, while describing the action for six playoff-bound teams. Bobby Mac helped create "The Shootout Show" which was an extended postgame show following Crunch home games that has continued to this day. McElligott was also on hand in 2010 to call the Mirabito Outdoor Classic and he called several games during the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs.   On the show, Bobby Mac discusses how he ended up in Syracuse, his growth with the Crunch, some great moments during his time with the organization and much more.

On Episode 18 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Yanni Gourde. Gourde is one of the great success stories of the Crunch's affiliation with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Gourde's time with the organization began late in the 2013-14 season when he contributed eight points in 18 games with the Crunch. His first full season with the organization was in 2014-15 when he skated in all 76 Crunch games and produced a career-high 57 points, helping the Crunch make the playoffs. In 2015-16, Gourde followed up with a 44-point campaign over 65 games, and he also made his NHL debut for the Tampa Bay Lightning that year. He culminated his Crunch career in 2016-17, powering his way to 48 points in 56 regular season games. He then went on to add 27 points in 22 games during the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs to help the Crunch advance to their second Calder Cup Finals appearance in franchise history. Gourde finished his Crunch career with 215 games played and 157 points (67g, 90a), which ranks eighth all-time in franchise history. He ranks second among Crunch players during the Lightning affiliation.  Gourde graduated to the NHL full time in the 2017-18 season and remained with the Lightning through the 2020-21 season. He was a key part of back-to-back Stanley Cup championships for the Lightning in 2020 and 2021. He was then selected by the Seattle Kraken in the Seattle Expansion Draft and was named an assistant captain for the new team.   On the show, Gourde discusses his time with the Crunch, his Toyota Frozen Dome Classic memories, the team's memorable run to the 2017 Calder Cup Finals and much more.

On Episode 17 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Brent Sopel. Sopel began his pro career with the Crunch and played three full seasons in Syracuse during the Vancouver Canucks affiliation. Sopel totaled three regular season games for the Crunch during the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons before beginning his pro career in earnest as a rookie during the 1997-98 campaign. The defenseman piled up 43 points in 76 games for the Crunch before adding on seven points in five playoff games. He followed that with 31 points in 53 games in 1998-99, while also making his NHL debut with the Canucks that season. He ended his tenure with the Crunch in 1999-00, producing another 31 points in 50 games to help the Crunch return to the playoffs. Sopel ended his Crunch career having played in 182 games, recording 105 points (26g, 79a). He is one of five Crunch defensemen to reach 100 points in a Crunch sweater.  Sopel went on to play 658 NHL games for Vancouver, the New York Islanders, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and Montreal. He won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010. Sopel spent three seasons in the KHL before returning to North American for one season with the Chicago Wolves in 2014-15.   Sopel, who was diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult, founded the Brent Sopel Foundation, which is dedicated to providing financial and educational assistance to help students with dyslexia fulfill their potential through early detection and intervention. More information is available at www.brentsopelfoundation.org/.  On the show, Sopel discusses his time with the Crunch, his work away from hockey and much more.

On Episode 16 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Mike Brown. Brown played one season for the Crunch at the end of their affiliation with the Vancouver Canucks. Brown played his rookie season with the Crunch in 1999-00 and appeared in 71 games. He 31 points (13g, 18a) while amassing a team-high 284 penalty minutes over the course of the season, helping the Crunch make the playoffs. He dressed in all four playoff games for the Crunch too to close out his time in Syracuse before Vancouver's affiliate moved to the IHL with the Kansas City Blades. A native of Surrey, British Columbia, Brown made his NHL debut with Vancouver in the 2000-01 season. The former first round pick went on to play 34 NHL games with Vancouver, Anaheim and Chicago. He also played in 309 AHL games for Syracuse, Manitoba, Cincinnati, Binghamton and Norfolk.  On the show, Brown discusses his time with the Crunch, the trade that brought him to the Vancouver organization, Stan Smyl and much more.

On Episode 15 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Joe Motzko. Motzko saw action in five different seasons for the Crunch during their affiliation with the Columbus Blue Jackets and is one of the most prolific scorers in team history. After playing in two games at the end of the 2002-03 season, Motzko embarked on his rookie campaign in Syracuse during the 2003-04 season, amassing 41 points in 70 games. He added four more points during the playoffs before the Crunch lost a heartbreaking Game 7 against Rochester. He also made his NHL debut with Columbus that season.  The Minnesota native followed that up with a strong sophomore season, producing 66 points in 79 games during the 2004-05 season. He was a point-per-game player the rest of his tenure with the Crunch, finishing the 2005-06 season with 61 points in 61 games and adding 36 in 33 games before being traded to the Anaheim Ducks organization in the 2006-07 season. Motzko finished his Crunch career with 204 points, which ranks fifth in franchise history, while his 85 goals rank fourth.  After his time with the Crunch, Motzko went on to win the Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2007, appearing in three playoff games for Anaheim. The following season, he captured the 2008 Calder Cup with the Chicago Wolves.  On the show, Motzko discusses his time with the Crunch, his connection to the city and much more.

On Episode 14 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Cedrick Desjardins. Desjardins spent one and a half seasons with the Crunch and backstopped the team to their first Calder Cup Finals appearance in 2013. Acquired in a mid-season trade during 2012-13 campaign, Desjardins stabilized the Crunch's goaltending and provided a strong veteran presence as the team was in a battle for the East Division. In 14 regular season games down the stretch, Desjardins posted an 8-5-1 record with a 2.12 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage, best among Crunch goaltenders. He helped the team clinch the East Division championship in the penultimate game of the regular season, giving the Crunch their first division title in a decade.  He carried that strong play into the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs, appearing in all 18 playoff games for Syracuse. He went 11-1 over the course of the first three rounds of the playoffs, leading the Crunch to sweeps of Portland and Springfield before they easing past the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to advance to the Finals. 'Ceddy' picked up three shutouts along the way, including two in the Eastern Conference Finals.  Desjardins returned for one more season with the Crunch in 2013-14 before moving on to finish his career across three different leagues.  On the show, Desjardins discusses his the Valentine's Day trade, fitting in with the Crunch and the team's extended playoff run.

On Episode 13 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Reggie Savage. Savage spent three seasons in Syracuse and was tabbed by the Crunch as the player to bridge the organization to a new NHL affiliate, playing for the Crunch during both the Vancouver Canucks and Columbus Blue Jackets eras. Acquired in a trade late in the 1995-96 season, Savage helped the Crunch make the playoffs in their second season in Syracuse. He scored the playoff clinching goal for the Crunch and tallied nine goals and 14 points in 10 games to close out the regular season. In the playoffs, he added another 15 points in 16 games to lead the Crunch to the Conference Finals.  After spending a few years away from the organization, Savage returned for two more seasons from 1999 to 2001. During the 1999-00 season, the Crunch's final season as the affiliate of the Canucks, Savage ripped off 70 points to guide the team back to the playoffs after they missed out the previous season. He was then retained by the organization as they welcomed in the Blue Jackets in 2000-01 and he responded with another 61 points and a trip to the playoffs.  During his time with the Crunch, Savage played in 166 games and logged 145 points. His 82 goals rank fifth in franchise history.  On the show, Savage discusses his reaction to the trade that brought him to Syracuse, his love of Syracuse and the Crunch organization and much more.

On Episode 12 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Zenon Konopka. One of the most popular players in Crunch history, Konopka made a lasting impression on the organization despite spending parts of just two seasons in Syracuse from 2006 to 2008. Acquired in a trade during the 2006-07 season, Konopka joined the Crunch and produced 20 points in 20 games. He was instrumental in changing the culture of the team, joining the Crunch when they were seven games below 0.500, but helping the group finish 34-34-4-8, narrowly missing the Calder Cup Playoffs.  In his second season in the organization, the Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario native was named the Crunch's captain and he produced 55 points in 62 games, despite breaking his hand. The club went on a 20-0-0-3 run to end the regular season before advancing to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs; Konopka added 10 points in 13 games.  After leaving Syracuse, Konopka played for the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Minnesota Wild and Buffalo Sabres. He totaled 346 NHL games and 350 AHL games in his career, before retiring as a member of the Crunch. On the show, Konopka discusses his welcome to the Crunch moment, his belief in that 2007-08 team and much more.

On Episode 11 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Tyson Nash. Nash played three seasons for the Syracuse Crunch to begin his pro career from 1995 to 1998. A 10th round pick by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1994 NHL Draft, Nash dressed in 50 games as a rookie for the Crunch in 1995-96, when he produced 11 points. He also saw action in the playoffs as the Crunch advanced to the Southern Conference Finals. Nash played in over 70 games in each of his final two seasons with the Crunch, culminating in a 20-goal, 40-point campaign in 1997-98. He finished his Crunch career with 201 games played and 85 points (41g, 44a) to go with 347 PIMs.  Nash joined the St. Louis Blues organization following the 1997-98 season and eventually made his NHL debut with the Blues in 1998-99. He went on to play 374 NHL games with St. Louis and the Phoenix Coyotes. After retiring from playing, Nash jumped into the broadcast booth to serve as an analyst on Coyotes broadcasts, a role he still holds today. On the show, Nash discusses his experience with the Crunch, reaching the 20-goal plateau in Syracuse and more.

On Episode 10 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Vance Lederman. Lederman is the Chief Financial Officer for the Syracuse Crunch and has been with the organization since the very beginning of the franchise. A childhood friend of Crunch owner Howard Dolgon, Lederman was involved during the process of bringing the Crunch to Syracuse in the leadup to the 1994-95 AHL season. Over the years, he has become one of the beloved members of the organization and is a staple in the Syracuse community.   On the show, Vance discusses the process of building an AHL franchise, getting through the pandemic, what continues to motivate him and more.

On Episode 9 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Brent Tully. Tully played three seasons for the Syracuse Crunch at the very start of the Crunch franchise. A fourth-round draft pick by the Vancouver Canucks organization, Tully's rookie season coincided with the first season for the Crunch in 1994. The Peterborough, Ontario native dressed in 63 games for the Crunch during the 1994-95 season and tallied nine points to go with 106 penalty minutes. He established career-highs in points (16), assists (13) and PIM (114) over 52 games during the 1995-96 season. His Crunch career came to an end following the 1996-97 season, during which he had six points in 26 games. He totaled 141 games in a Crunch sweater over the course of his three seasons.  After his time in Syracuse, Tully played the rest of his career in Germany from 1997 to 2002, retiring following one season with Frankfurt. On the show, Tully discusses his experience with the Crunch, what it was like to grow up as a young adult in Syracuse and more.

On Episode 8 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by John Badduke. Badduke played three seasons for the Syracuse Crunch at the very start of the Crunch franchise. He was a member of the Vancouver Canucks organization and a part of the original Crunch team in 1994. Badduke became an instant fan favorite with the Crunch as the team's original enforcer. In the Crunch's inaugural season, Badduke logged 334 penalty minutes in 44 games played; that ranks as the second-most PIM in a single season in franchise history. He followed that with 245 penalty minutes in 1995-96 and he ranks fourth all-time in franchise history with 649 PIM in his 114 career Crunch games. Badduke had his jersey raised to the arena rafters after winning a fan vote in the 1998-99 season. He has been a fixture at Crunch milestone nights, including the team's 25th anniversary night during the 2018-19 season. On the show, Badduke discusses his experience with the Crunch, the penalty box incident and more.

On Episode 7 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Brian Loney. Loney played three seasons for the Syracuse Crunch at the very start of the Crunch franchise. He was a member of the Vancouver Canucks organization and a part of the original Crunch team in 1994. Loney played in the very first Crunch game on September 30, 1994 and totaled 191 games for the Crunch from 1994 to 1997. He ranks 11th all-time in franchise history with 149 points (76g, 74a) in those 191 games while his 76 goals rank sixth. He netted 34 goals in just 48 games during the 1995-96 season before adding 11 points in 14 playoff games to help the Crunch advanced to the Conference Finals in just their second season. After his three seasons in Syracuse, Loney played the vast majority of the remainder of his career in Europe, spending time in Germany, Finland and Italy. On the show, Loney discusses his experience with the Crunch, what the buildup was like before the very first Crunch game and what it meant to return during the team's 25th anniversary celebration.

On Episode 6 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Joey Mormina. Mormina played three seasons for the Syracuse Crunch at the end of his career. He joined the organization starting with the 2013-14 season and totaled 140 games with the Crunch through the 2015-16 season. In that time, Mormina served as an assistant captain and produced 36 points and 180 PIM. Mormina totaled 670 career AHL games during his 11-year playing career. He played for Manchers, Albany, Adirondack, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Rochester and Syracuse during. In 2012-13, he captained the Penguins to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the Crunch in five games. Following his retirement, Mormina began coaching and he spent two seasons as an assistant coach for the Hartford Wolf Pack. On the show, Mormina discusses what brought him to the Crunch organization, playing at Upstate Medical University Arena as a member of both the Crunch and as an opponent and his life after hockey.

On Episode 5 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Ross Colton. Colton played parts of three seasons for the Syracuse Crunch starting as a rookie in 2018-19. In his first pro season, the New Jersey native played in 66 games and added 31 points to help the Crunch win the North Division. He followed that up by being named an alternate captain in his second season (2019-20) while he tallied 42 points in 62 games before the AHL season was cut short due to Covid. He started the 2020-21 season with the Crunch, appearing in three games, before he earned his call up to the Tampa Bay Lightning. As an NHL rookie, Colton chipped in 12 points in 30 regular season games. He then added six more points during the Lightning's run to their second straight Stanley Cup. Colton's playoff moment came in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final; he scored the lone goal in the Lightning's 1-0 cup-clinching win over the Montreal Canadiens. He became just the seventh rookie in NHL history to score a cup-clinching goal. He signed a new two-year contract extension with the Lightning during the offseason. On the show, Colton discusses how he grew as a player in Syracuse, his relationship with Crunch head coach Ben Groulx, his dream NHL season and more.   We also referenced a story about J.T. Brown. That story can be found here.

On Episode 4 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Eddie Pasquale. Pasquale played two seasons for the Syracuse Crunch in 2017-18 and 2018-19 after he was acquired by the Tampa Bay Lightning in a trade on February 1, 2018. Eddie posted a 10-1-3 record with the Crunch after joining the team that season and he helped them advance to the North Division Finals. He returned for a second season in the organization and grabbed the number one goaltender spot, going 27-12-6 in 2018-19. He guided the Crunch to the North Division title in the regular season and earned the Harry 'Hap' Holmes Memorial Award as the Crunch led the AHL in goals against per game.   Over the course of two seasons, Pasquale recorded a 37-13-9 record with a 2.20 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. His 37 wins are tied for sixth all time in Crunch history. His 2.20 goals-against average is the best among Crunch goalies who have played a minimum of 25 games and his .921 save percentage ranks fourth among that group.     The Toronto native also made his NHL debut with the Tampa Bay Lightning during his time in the organization and he went 2-1-0 in three appearances in 2018-19. Following his time in Syracuse, Pasquale has spent the last three seasons in the KHL; he won the KHL's goaltender of the year award in 2020-21.   On the show, Pasquale discusses how he enjoyed playing in Syracuse, both as a visitor and as a member of the Crunch, making his NHL debut with the Lightning and his new venture in the KHL.

On Episode 3 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Carter Verhaeghe. Verhaeghe played two seasons for the Syracuse Crunch in 2017-18 and 2018-19 after he was acquired by the Tampa Bay Lightning in a trade during the summer of 2017. After forcing his way into the lineup a few weeks in the season, Verhaeghe ended up second on the Crunch with 48 points over 58 games in 2017-18. He followed that with a franchise-record 82 points in 2018-19 to lead the Crunch to the North Division title. He became the first Crunch player to win the John B. Sollenberger Trophy as the AHL's top scorer and he also shared the Willie Marshall Award with teammate Alex Barre-Boulet as they led the AHL with 34 goals apiece.   After spending two seasons in Syracuse, Verhaeghe earned his spot on the Lightning at the start of the 2019-20 season. He played in 52 games and added 13 points during the regular season before adding two assists during the Lightning's run to the Stanley Cup. He joined the Florida Panthers ahead of the 2020-21 season and posted 36 points in 43 games, leading to a three-year contract extension during the offseason.      On the show, Verhaeghe discusses how his career blossomed in Syracuse, winning a Stanley Cup with the Lightning and what the future looks like with the Florida Panthers.

On Episode 2 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by J.T. Brown. Brown played parts of two seasons for the Syracuse Crunch in 2012-13 and 2013-14 during the first two years of the team's affiliation with the Tampa Bay Lightning. As a rookie in 2012-13, Brown had 28 points in 51 regular season games. He then added nine points in 18 playoff games to help the Crunch earn their first berth in the Calder Cup Finals. He started the 2013-14 season in Syracuse, where he formed a dominant line with Nikita Kucherov and Vlad Namestnikov, before earning his NHL call-up in November.    After leaving Syracuse, Brown played for the Lightning into the 2017-18 season. He was ticketed for a return to the Crunch during that season, but was claimed on waivers by the Anaheim Ducks. He spent his last two seasons (2018-20) in North America playing in the Wild organization, then spent the 2020-21 season in Sweden. After retiring this summer, Brown was hired by the Seattle Kraken as their first television color analyst.     On the show, Brown discusses his new role in Seattle, his experience with the Crunch and his life-changing moment in Syracuse.

On Episode 1 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Pat Maroon. Maroon played two seasons for the Syracuse Crunch in 2010-11 and 2011-12 during the Crunch's affiliation with the Anaheim Ducks. He is tied for 24th in franchise history with 122 points (53g, 69a) in 132 games in Syracuse and he helped push the Crunch into the playoffs in 2012. His 74 points that season are the seventh-most in a single season in franchise history and only one player--Carter Verhaeghe in 2018-19--has produced more in a season for the Crunch since then.    Since leaving Syracuse, Maroon has gone on to win three consecutive Stanley Cups. He won with his hometown St. Louis Blues in 2019 and has captured back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Crunch's NHL affiliate Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021. He is the first player since the 1980's New York Islander dynasty to win three straight Stanley Cups and only the fourth in NHL history to do so with two different teams.    On the show, Maroon discusses winning three straight Cups, his time in Syracuse and how his career turned around when he joined the Crunch.

The Syracuse Crunch have been an AHL staple for nearly three decades. Each week on Crunch Chronicles, host Lukas Favale chats with a special Crunch guest to uncover the stories about their time in the Salt City.