Full Change features former New York Ranger, Los Angeles King, and Survivor contestant Tom Laidlaw along with producer Tom Smith (The Howard Stern Show, Nickelodeon) talking with former NHL stars about their playing careers and the challenges they faced transitioning to life after hockey. You'll hear hilarious stories from the ice and road and incredible tales of the triumphs, and tragedies that your hockey heroes faced during and after the game. Full Change is available on all podcast platforms. New episodes every Wednesday!
The Full Change podcast, hosted by Tom Laidlaw and Tom Smith, is a must-listen for any hockey fan. With deep roots in the hockey community, Laidlaw brings a wealth of knowledge and connections to the show, making it both informative and entertaining. The podcast features interviews with hockey legends and individuals who have ties to the game, providing a diverse range of stories and perspectives. Additionally, the chemistry between Laidlaw and Smith is evident, as they engage in humorous banter that keeps the show rolling.
One of the best aspects of The Full Change podcast is its ability to cover all areas of the hockey world. From classic stories from legendary players to feel-good recovery stories, the podcast offers a mix of content that appeals to a wide range of listeners. Whether you're a die-hard New York Rangers fan or simply a hockey lover in general, this podcast provides something for everyone.
Another standout aspect of The Full Change podcast is the rapport between Laidlaw and Smith. Their excellent chemistry shines through in every episode, creating an engaging dynamic that feels like you're listening to two old friends catching up. Their banter adds an extra layer of entertainment to each interview and discussion.
While there are many strengths to The Full Change podcast, one potential downside is that some listeners may prefer more focus on Laidlaw's insights rather than Smith's contributions. While Smith brings humor and keeps things lively, it would be great to hear more from Laidlaw himself in future episodes.
In conclusion, The Full Change podcast is highly recommended for all hockey fans across North America. It offers a unique blend of legendary hockey stories, inspirational tales of overcoming challenges, and humor-filled discussions. With Tom Laidlaw's deep connections in the hockey community and his entertaining dynamic with Tom Smith, this podcast delivers top-notch content that will keep you engaged from start to finish. Don't miss out on this fantastic show!
Legendary New York Rangers defenseman and Captain Ron Greschner makes his long-anticipated appearance on the show! In an incredible journey down memory lane, the former teammates, roommates, and now neighbors catch up and share some truly inside stories of life as a New York Ranger!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Former New York Ranger Cristoval "Boo" Nieves joins the show to talk about his career playing at the University of Michigan before joining the Rangers, being the first player of Puerto Rican descent in the NHL, and how concussions derailed his career. Nieves tells how he got his unique nickname, what it was like playing in MSG, his thoughts on roller hockey, and his current training company, Top Line Hockey.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Tom Laidlaw and Tom Smith commiserate as they analyze the Rangers 2024-25 season. They'll talk about what went wrong, what went right, who should stay, and who should go, in an episode that celebrates the season that was, and laments what could have been!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
One of the pound-for-pound toughest players to lace up skates in the NHL, Ryan Vandenbussche joins the show to discuss his career with the Rangers and Blackhawks, his legendary scraps with Nick Kypreos and Stu Grimsson, and his first NHL goal with the Rangers. Ryan also shares his personal story of how the effects of concussions led him to become a plant-based medicine advocate and grower!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Rangers fan favorite, all-star, and two-time 30 goal-scorer Eddie Johnstone joins the show to catch up with his former teammate Tom Laidlaw! Johnstone shares the story of his career, how he loved playing at Madison Square Garden, and how he still bleeds blue!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Tom Laidlaw and Tom Smith celebrate 100 episodes of the Full Change Podcast! The guys look back at the incredible guests who shared their amazing stories throughout the first 100 episodes of Full Change. Tragedies, triumphs, heartbreak, and hilarity are all wrapped up as the guys hit the century mark. And there are plenty of shoutouts to the listeners and Rangers playoff talk in an episode you won't want to miss!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A former client of Tom's and a rocket defenseman with a rocket shot, Sheldon Souray joins the show to share his story. From his early days in New Jersey through his excellent career in Montreal, Sheldon opens up about his struggles and how he overcame them, why he fired Tom Laidlaw, and how his friend Wayne Gretzky eloquently touched his heart at his wedding.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When Kevin Klein was traded to the Rangers from the Nashville Predators in 2014, he injected some much-needed energy into the locker room and helped the Rangers on their run to the Stanley Cup Finals. A steady, tough NHL defenseman, Kevin joins the show to talk about his off-ice struggles while playing and how he overcame them, in an important conversation focusing on mental health, energy, and spirituality.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A Los Angeles King for over 40 years, former player, current broadcaster, and former Tom Laidlaw teammate joins the show to talk about playing for the Kings when they had no fans, to broadcasting games when they won two Stanley Cups! Fox discusses playing with Bernie Nicholls, his rough start to broadcasting, and pillow fights!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Former Flyers blueliner Jeff Chychrun joins the show to discuss his battles with Tom's Rangers, taking on the toughest heavyweights in the league, and the secret to raising an NHL player son in the non-hockey hotbed of Boca Raton, Florida!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Former tough-as-nails, New York Islander Dave Scatchard left the game with slurred speech and barely able to walk after 5 concussions. In this amazing and emotional episode, he joins us to tell his incredible story of healing, his 14-year NHL career, how he nearly signed with the Rangers but couldn't get past his hatred of their fans, and how he is a massive Tom Laidlaw and Survivor fan!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Hard-hitting defenseman, Rick Zombo joins the show to discuss his time playing with superstars Brett Hull, Adam Oates, and Steve Yzerman, many battles with tough forwards in the Norris Division, winning the NCAA National Championship at North Dakota, and how his 11-year NHL career, was eerily similar to Tom Laidlaw's!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Legendary voice of the New York Islanders Dynasty, Jiggs Macdonald joins the show to discuss his amazing career. Following his journey from Los Angeles, to Atlanta, to Long Island to the Hall of Fame, Jiggs shares several amazing stories of his front-row seat during the Islander dynasty, his affinity for Tom Laidlaw, and how he got the name "Jiggs!"See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Former Boston Bruin Graeme Townshend, the first Jamaican-born player in the NHL joins the show to discuss his career with the Bruins, New York Islanders, and Ottawa Senators and how a decision not to let his mother down, led him to an RPI degree, and hockey's highest level. Townshend tells of RPI's Big Red Freakout, squabbles in the minors with his coach, and scoring his first NHL goal!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Michigan native and one of the three NHL-playing Miller brothers, former Ranger and US Olympian, Kevin Miller joins the show! A dad of four daughters, Miller talks about growing up in a famous hockey family, playing for some interesting coaches, and his pursuit of a championship across 600 NHL games!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A Minnesota High School phenom (the inaugural Mr. Hockey,) Montreal Canadiens first-round draft pick, last cut of the 1988 Olympic team, and New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup champion Tom Chorske joins the show to talk about his NHL career, and the work he is currently doing for children of US service members.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Los Angeles Kings legend Charlie Simmer joins the show to talk about his amazing career, and how he went from bouncing back and forth between the California Golden Seals, Cleveland Barons, and minor leagues to back-to-back 56-goal seasons and Kings royalty with Marcel Donne and Dave Taylor!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Former Flyers brawler Riley Cote epitomizes the term "Full Change" and tells his incredible story of changing his life after hockey to one of self-care, mindfulness, yoga, cannabis, and focusing on the present. Host of the Nasty Knuckles podcast, and creator of Cote Culture, Riley shares his incredible journey on an enlightening episode.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Carolina Hurricanes President/General Manager and former college defensive partner of Tom Laidlaw, Don Waddell joins the show to share his incredible story and what it was like playing alongside Laildaw ay Northern Michigan! He'll share his journey from the green pickup in college to the port-a-potty business, to team president, and the warm welcome his buddy Tom gave him when they lined up against each other in the NHL!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
New Jersey Legend, High School State Champion, NCAA Champion, and New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup Champion, Jim Dowd joins the show to talk about his amazing journey from Ocean Ice Palace in Brick, NJ to a 17-year NHL career with championships at every level along the way!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In an amazing episode, we catch up with Tom's former teammate and a Ranger, that got away, Kelly Miller. Part of one of the worst trades in Ranger history, Miller tells of his early days with the Rangers, growing up in a family of NHL players, and his outstanding career with the Washington Capitals.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Undrafted after college, Ed Belfour went from three years in the minors to the Hockey Hall of Fame. A legendary goalie with a legendary temper, Eddie "the Eagle" forged an incredible career, winning a Calder, Vezina, and Stanley Cup with 484 wins along the way. Now, the CEO of Belfour Spirits, Eddie discusses his incredible career and friendships with Vladislav Tretiak, Dominik Hasek, Mike Keenan, and Chris Chelios among others in an epic episode!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Former towering defenseman Andy Sutton joins the show to talk about his journey from undrafted college graduate to 15-year NHL career, to CEO of Verbero Hockey, with stops in San Jose, Minnesota, Atlanta, and Long Island along the way!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Massachusetts native and former Boston Bruin defenseman Frank Simonetti joins the show to talk about living every Boston kid's dream to grow up and play for the B's, his work with veterans, his current role as President of the Bruins alumni, and throwing the javelin!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Hard-nosed former St. Louis Blues Captain & Detroit Red Wings Stanley Cup Champion, Dallas Drake joins the show to talk about his 1,000-game NHL career, being a true Northern Michigan University Wildcat legend, and what it was like being represented by Tom Laidlaw!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As we close out the first year of the Full Change podcast, Tom Laidlaw and Tom Smith recap the highlights of 80 episodes! You may hear some laughter, you may hear some tears, but you definitely will hear Tom Laidlaw say, "Oh, I didn't know that!" The guys also talk (a little bit) about the current state of the Rangers and the NHL, but mostly just thank all the listeners!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Motor City Smitty, Brad SmIth joins the show and the guys get right after it as they discuss their scrap at the Garden! Smitty recalls his playing career with the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and his three Stanley Cups in various roles in the Avalanche front office!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Former Toronto Maple Leaf, Florida Panther, Los Angeles King, and current host of the Up My Hockey podcast Jason Podollan, joins the show and we talk about, parent-coach relationships, mental health, podcasting, and marrying a Spice Girl?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Former Detroit Red Wing, New York Ranger, and NHL 406-goal scorer, John Ogrodnick joins the show! A big-time scoring left winger Johnny O discusses his time in Michigan and his amazing chemistry in New York with Kelly Kisio and Brian Mullen, and how a certain stay-at-home defenseman became his agent.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Veteran defenseman Grant Ledyard joins the show to talk about his 1000+ game NHL career, getting a big break in his rookie season thanks to Tom Laidlaw's wonky spleen, and how he repaid Laidlaw with an epic stink palm!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In an epic episode, Hall of Famer, 668-goal scorer, and NHL Legend, Luc Robitaille joins the show! In a tremendous conversation, Robitaille discusses his incredible career, and how he overcame early doubts to become a Stanley Cup Champion, Hall of Famer, and President of the Los Angeles Kings.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The pride of Fort Frances, Ontario, Mike Allison joins the show to talk about breaking into the NHL with a young Tom Laidlaw, and his 10-year career, including stops in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles. In this episode, "Red" recounts, his struggles with depression, sock fashion in the locker room, and playing with Wayne Gretzky, all while dealing with a pesky generator!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Former 1st overall NHL Draft pick Bryan Berard tells his incredible story of reaching the heights of the game, then suddenly losing it all to a horrific eye injury from an errant Marian Hossa stick, to somehow making a miraculous return to the NHL with vision in only one eye! The slick-skating defenseman also discusses brawls in Woonsocket, RI with his friends and his Mom, his feelings on playing for Ken Hitchcock, and his special relationship with his former agent and wingman, Tom Laidlaw!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The sixth all-time leading scorer in New York Rangers history, and the inspiration for the nickname "Big Walt," Rangers legend Walt Tkaczuk joins the show to talk about his 945-game career with the Broadway Blueshirts, the devastating injury that ended his career, what it was like to coach a rookie Tom Laidlaw, and his life as a golf course owner!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In an absolute blast of an episode, Islander legends Rich Pilon and Mick Vukota join the show for a hilarious conversation, reminiscing about old scraps, pranks on teammates, marriage advice, and eventually the Islanders' upcoming season!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In a hilarious episode, former Ranger and US Olympic Gold Medal Winner, Dave Silk joins the show to talk about the Miracle on Ice, hitting on Muhammad Ali's wife, being an NHL rookie with the Rangers, and the ridiculous shenanigans that took place with Tom Laidlaw!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Former Devils Grant Marshall and Randy Velischek join the show to discuss the Devils' upcoming season. The chirps are flying as Randy battles technical issues and Grant gives his prediction (much to the chagrin of Tom Laidlaw) on just how far the young Devils squad can go this season! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Former Buffalo Sabres legend and captain Danny Gare covers many topics in a wide-ranging interview, including his 354-goal NHL career, two 50-goal seasons, being named captain of two teams, playing in the Canada Cup, how learning to box and wearing a giant round helmet, helped him take on much bigger opponents during his 85 NHL fights, and having his number retired in Buffalo!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We catch up with New York Ranger greats Dave Maloney and James Patrick in an awesome episode where the guys debate their ranking on the All-Time Greatest Ranger list, reminisce about the heartbreaking Overtime loss to the Islanders in 84, and preview the Rangers' upcoming season!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Former Ranger goalie, and owner of one of the coolest masks in Blueshirts history, Steve Baker joins the show to talk about playing behind Laidlaw, leading a deep Rangers playoff run, and his current work with 3Ice!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Swaggy P!!! Stickhandling magician, viral video maker, co-founder of Elev802, hockey influencer, and star of 3Ice, Pete Lenes joins the show! In this episode, Lenes discusses, his hockey career at the University of Vermont, the ECHL, and Europe, those incredible videos, and his ridiculously silky mitts!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Cincinnati Cyclones Head Coach Jason Payne joins the show to talk about his career as a minor league pugilist and his current rise through the coaching ranks. Payne recalls, growing up in a tough Toronto neighborhood, dealing with adversity and his goal to one day be behind an NHL bench!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Scott Parker joins the show to talk about his career from his youth hockey days in Alaska to winning a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche! Taking on legendary NHL heavyweights, The Sheriff tells what it was like to square up with other enforcers, how Bob Probert treated him after their first fight, and the incredible work he is doing with veterans.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Two-time Ranger, Winnipeg Jet Captain, 1st Round Draft pick (ahead of Mike Bossy,) and Stanley Cup champion Lucien Deblois join the show to discuss the pressure of being picked over Bossy, his time with the Rangers, and winning the Cup in his hometown of Montreal.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Rangers captain Barry Beck joins the show! An all-time fan-favorite, "Bubba," talks about the blockbuster trade for five players that brought him to New York, butting heads with Herb Brooks, and how "Shoot the puck Barry" doesn't bother him. In a somber tone, Beck tells of dealing with tragedy after his son's tragic murder, the loss of Mark Pavelich, and how the Rangers and writing has helped him to try and find a measure of peace. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Malik Garvin, Executive Director of Ice Hockey In Harlem joins the show to discuss the amazing work his organization does bringing the great game of hockey to underserved kids of Harlem, the challenges they face, their partnerships with the NHL, Rangers, Devils, & Islanders, and how as a 4-year-old Ice Hockey in Harlem participant, he dreamed of one day running the organization of which he is now the Executive Director!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Stanley Cup Champion and former client of Tom Laidlaw, Warren Rychel joins the show and tells how a conversation with his agent changed his path and led to an amazing 1400+ PIM NHL career followed by an incredibly successful run as an owner/GM of the 3-time Memorial Cup Champion Windsor Spitfires! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
TV superstar and long-time Ranger commentator Kenny Albert joins the show to take us through his amazing career calling unforgettable games in all sports, growing up in a family of broadcast legends, his upcoming book A Mic for All Seasons, and scoring the first goal in NYU hockey history!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Scorer of the Miracle on Manchester game-winning goal, current Kings radio announcer, and style icon, Daryl Evans joins the show to talk about his career and how exuding positivity and a post-hockey career in car sales made him a great hockey analyst!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In a rollicking interview, creator of Subway Creatures, Rick McGuire joins the show to talk about his social media empire (What is New York, What New York Wears, What New York Eats,) his love of the New Jersey Devils, and taking Tom Laidlaw to some secret New York spots to find trouble!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.