No Holden Back

Great catching up and chatting with Lehigh Lacrosse Head Coach Kevin Cassese today! Kevin has been at Lehigh for 13 seasons as their head coach and he's built a solid, competitive program in the Lehigh Valley. The Mountain Hawks were off to a great start this season, 5-1, before COVID 19 hit the U.S., we talked with Kevin about some important updates, he learned of shortly before joining us today that affect the coming school year at Lehigh, we also discussed what it was like for his players when the season came to an end in March, plus, Kevin offered some great perspectives on lacrosse and sports moving forward in the climate we are living in. Kevin was a 2 time captain in his playing days at Duke, he was also part of 3 U.S. National Teams in his playing days, he discussed his best memories of wearing the Red, White and Blue, great stories and memories! Plus, we talked with Kevin about Mike Pressler, the coach he played for and later worked under as an Assistant Coach at Duke, great stuff and insight from Kevin. We also discussed some of his former Lehigh players, now playing in the pro ranks in the PLL and MLL. We also talked with Kevin about his Dad, Tom, one of the most successful H.S. football coaches in NY state history, being on his staff at Lehigh! Bottom line, if you like lacrosse, you will love this show with Kevin Cassese, one of the great people in the great sport of lacrosse, enjoy!!

In this episode, I catch up with a woman who had a lasting impact and impression on me and several other of my former coworkers at WILX TV - NBC 10 in Lansing, Mi! Meymo Lyons, or "Mem", as all of us knew her by, joined me to talk about the great times and group we had in the late 90's, early 2000's at WILX. Those were some great times, many of us in that newsroom were in our first jobs at the time in the broadcast field, and we could always count on Mem to steer us, and to set us straight on whatever the task at hand was! She is a news veteran, who prior to joining WILX, worked for 8 years at former Lansing, MI powerhouse radio station, WITL, she was an anchor, reporter and a great news mind in their news department, she's also done several high profile voiceovers in her career! Mem now lives in Austin, TX where she is a very proud mom and she's still telling us like it is, like she always did in Lansing!! Be prepared to be entertained and enlightened in this episode!!

Hello all! We hope you are doing well and staying safe and of course, enjoying our podcast. On this episode of the No Holden Back podcast we talk about Formula 1, MotoGP, NHL, NBA, MLB, NFL, and college football. Giving you updates and what we think of what's going on in the world of sports! We also get into the age old debate, What is and what isn't a sport. A fun segment that we hope you enjoy! Thank you as always for listening/watching. Stay safe and stay healthy!

So much fun in this episode with Steve Coon, longtime Chief Photographer, and now Operations Manager at WILX NBC 10 in Lansing, MI!! We had some great times in the 6 years i worked at the station, this is a very entertaining episode, the stories are endless!! Steve started as a photographer at the station 2 years before i arrived, he started in 1996, while working in retail sales, and he's still going strong today!! He's one of the most talented photog's i've ever worked with in all my stops in my career, he's got a knack for knowing when to shoot and when to shoot!! Steve has covered several Final Fours, Super Bowls, Bowl Games, World Series, the Stanley Cup playoffs, and years of MSU hoops, football, baseball and hockey and much more!! We reminisced about so many tales of our travels, some better than others, LOL! Bottom line, Steve has been, and continues to be an incredible asset to the station, whether it's doing his job, or helping develop others, he's the best!! Enjoy a very funny and entertaining episode with a true pro and a great man and pro at what he does!!

Excellent time catching up and chatting with former WILX NBC 10 (Lansing, MI), coworker, Aaron Baskerville in this episode!! Aaron and I met late in 2001, he joined the news department as a general assignment reporter. Lansing was his 1st stop in what has become an award winning career as a news reporter, who knows works in the city he was born in, Philadelphia! Our time in Lansing was significant to both us, and for Aaron, he learned the ropes of becoming a talented pro in his field! In 2004, he left Lansing for Buffalo, NY where he spent 2 and 1/2 years as a reporter, from there he moved on to Chicago, IL, where he grew up, his dad Steve was a meterologist for 30 years, he retired in 2017 after 4 decades in the TV business. Aaron spent 2 and 1/2 years at CLTV, before the news network ceased operations. From Chicago, Aaron moved back to Michigan and 6 years in Kalamazoo as an anchor and reporter. When he left Kalamazoo, Aaron made the move to a top 5 market when he landed back home in Philly!! Great time catching up and hearing Aaron's story, including what it's been like for him covering news in the climate of COVID 19 and protests in our country, great conversation with a true pro & a reporter who lives for covering breaking news!!

Excellent time chatting with former WILX NBC 10, (Lansing, MI)  coworker Jeremy Ross! We spent 2 years working together in Lansing, and had some great times!! Jeremy is a Michigan native, from suburban Detroit, he attended the University of Michigan and later, earned his Master's Degree from Medill School of Broadcasting at Northwestern University! While at the University of Michigan, he worked several Michigan hockey games as the radio and TV play by play announcer, he was there during the mid to late 90's, a great era in Michigan hockey history! His stories of interviewing and meeting legendary head coach Red Berenson are tremendous! His first job in the business was working for Leo Burnett, a major advertising agency, after that he began his journey as an award winning news reporter/journalist in Lansing at WILX, we talked about several key moments and times in his career there. From Lansing, it was off to Milwaukee, and that stop in Jeremy's career was also very instrumental in his career as well. These days he's working in Chicago and we got in depth on what it's been like working in a Top 5 market, and what it's been like throughout the COVID 19 pandemic, protests and riots, very interesting to hear Jeremy talk about what that's been like!! He's also a huge fan of dogs and sports cards, great listen with a great guy and very talented reporter!!

Starting to do some shows/podcasts with several of my former co-workers at WILX TV in Lansing, Michigan. First up is WZZM News Anchor Nick LaFave, we spent a good part of 2004 working together on weekends. Nick has done great things in his career since then and continues to do them today!! He hails from Marquette, MI, he's a Yooper through and through. He began his broadcasting/journalism career in Montana, from there he moved on to Lansing, we had a great time working together, he held down the news anchor spot, i was the sports anchor. After several years in Lansing, Nick moved on to Duluth, MN, a job that was very instrumental in his career, he also met his wife in that stop in his career. He shared 2 outstanding stories with me about his time in Duluth, very good stories!! After Duluth, Nick moved on to Shreveport, LA for a stint in their news department. After the stop on the bayou, Nick was hired in Grand Rapids, MI at WZZM and he's done great things as their main news anchor. We discussed his role there, life in the times of COVID, his conversations with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. We also discussed the possiblity of schools reopening here in Michigan and many other topical items regarding the year that is 2020. Last but not least, there is some hockey talk in this episode, Nick has been a hockey referee for several years, great time catching up with Nick!!!

In this episode, I talk with Jason Zone Fisher, longtime TV Host, Reporter, Emcee. Jason is a native of Shaker Heights, Ohio and at a young age, he got his start in show business. At just 9 years old, Jason was cast in "Conversations With My Father", a show that played at the Cleveland Playhouse. In his high school years, Jason was a 2 time Emmy nominated host of "Browns Blitz", a show on that aired on the local NBC affiliate in Cleveland. From there he attended Syracuse University and the top notch, Newhouse School of Broadcasting. He did a variety of different things while attending Syracuse before graduating and entering the professional world. His father was a longtime lawyer and eventually became LT. Governor of Ohio, so Jason had grown up around law and politics. His first project after Syracuse was a documentary on living and growing up in a political family, that documentary did very well and Jason was off and running in his career! He has been a spokesman for several big companies, including Gillette, Butterfinger, PIzza Hut, just to name a few! His story of meeting and developing a relationship with Current NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver is awesome, its a must listen part of this podcast!! Jason is also a longtime, and often suffering, Cleveland sports fan, and he shares his story of being at the 2016 NBA Finals when Lebron James led the Cavaliers to the City of Cleveland's first pro championship in 52 years, another great story!! He's also worked on "Coaster Quest", a show on rollercoasters all over the country and he's also been involved with "Chopped" on Food Network as well as many other shows and networks. Jason and I have worked together the last 2 years on the WAL, World Armwrestling League, shows for Bleacher Report/Turner, Jason is our Pit Reporter! All in all, Jason Zone Fisher is always in the "zone", great guy, who has worked hard in the business and continues to have great success!!! Enjoy!!

In this episode, I'm joined by veteran TV director/producer, Warren Pick. We first met back in 2012 on a lacrosse event for CBS Sports Network, since then we've become good friends & working colleagues. Warren grew up in NYC & New Jersey, his mother & father were both in the entertainment business, his mom was an actress, his dad an entertainment lawyer. Warren attended Ithaca College & began his directing career in local TV news in Ithaca, NY & later in Binghamton, NY. In the 1970's, he was hired as a runner for ABC Sports, one of his first assignments was working the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY. During the 1980 USA/USSR hockey game, he was standing behind Al Michaels & Ken Dryden, as they called the Miracle On Ice! He tells that story & many others from the 1980 Olympics!! Warren has worked for virtually every major TV network in his career directing sports, just about every sport in fact!! He also spent several years at MSG Network, directing the Knicks, Rangers and several other events with MSG. Warren also talked with me at length about his advice for young men & women who desire to do what he has done in sports television for over 40 years!! Had a blast talking with one of my closest friends in the business!!

Today on episode 49 of the No Holden Back podcast we talk about Monster Energy Supercross and the championship battle between 450 title contenders Eli Tomac and Cooper Webb, what's new in American sports, and the WAL. Of course, we also talk Father's Day and some of the great memories and things we've learned over the years from our Father's! Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there! Stay Safe and Stay Healthy! Ben and Luke

Welcome back! It's been 3 weeks since we've recorded a new episode and we are pumped to be back! on this episode we talk about Monster Energy Supercross, Moto GP, Nascar, NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL, College Football, PLL, and Soccer as well! it's a total sports round table! We thank you for all your support and appreciate you listening and watching the No Holden Back Podcast! Stay healthy and Stay Safe, Ben and Luke

Outstanding time catching up with Matt McConnell, TV PxP Announcer for the Arizona Coyotes! He joined Fred Pletsch & I to talk about where his love for hockey comes from, his childhood, his college days at MSU, his first job in minor league hockey, his first NHL call up, his stops in the NHL, working for the Coyotes & so much more in a very entertaining episode!

Great catching up with WMU Associate Head Coach Pat Fershweiler in this episode as he joined Fred Pletsch & I. We went back to Pat's hockey roots in the state of Minnesota, his college recruitment by Minnesota Duluth & later Western Michigan, where he finished his college playing career. Plus, how he got his start in coaching, his time with the Detroit Red Wings, his return to Western Michigan , his time in pro hockey as a player, which features a great story about Gordie Howe! We also talked with Pat about the 2019-20 NCHC season, and some advice for young players and parents, great stuff from Pat!!

Part 2 with former Denver head coach George Gwozdecky as he joined Fred Pletsch & I. Started out w/his friendship w/ MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo & what kept him from taking over for Ron Mason at MSU. From there great conversation & discussion on the 2 national titles he led Denver to, some excellent stories on some his former players & moments from the NCAA title games. We also discussed his 2 years in the NHL w/Tampa Bay as an assistant coach. Plus, his relationship w/current Denver head coach David Carle & so much more in an entertaining segment with George!

Part 1 of a 2 part interview with Former Denver & Miami (OH) hockey coach George Gwozdecky as he joined Fred Pletsch and I for some great conversation and stories from his playing and coaching days. We dropped the puck talking about Valor Christian HS Hockey, George finished his 5th season coaching there earlier this year, his team won the Colorado State Title, their 1st in program history! From we talked about his hometown, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and his days as a young hockey player and growing up. We also got an incredible story of one of George's former teammates on the Thunder Bay Vulcans, Bill "Goldie" Goldthorpe, who was the inspiration for Ogie Ogilthorpe, a character in the hockey classic, "Slap Shot", one of the best stories i've ever heard in my life!!! From there we shifted to a conversation George had with his college coach at Wisconsin, the late, great, Badger Bob Johnson, that had so much to do with George becoming a coach! We also talked about another conversation with the late, great, Ron Mason, who came calling to offer George a job after he had won the NAIA National Title at Wisconsin River-Falls in 1983, George originally told Mason "No", on the job offer, another classic story! We also talked with George about his days as the head coach at Miami (OH) and one special season that is to this day, one of the best he ever spent behind a bench coaching! Part 2 with George is coming soon, enjoy Part 1, it's outstanding!!

Excellent time chatting with longtime & veteran college hockey writer Neil Koepke in this episode! Neil joined Fred Pletsch and I to talk about several topics, great listen for the college hockey fan or hockey fan in general with Neil, who has nearly 50 years of covering the sport! We started out talking about his younger years as a goalie, growing up in Cleveland, going to Ohio State as a goalie for 1 year, there he played for Harry Neale, who later in his career, spent several years as the top analyst for "Hockey Night in Canada", Neale was a founding force in Ohio State's hockey program. Later in his college years Neil transferred to the University of Detroit, it was there he started to find his way a journalist/writer covering hockey. Neil spent several years on the University of Michigan hockey beat before he started on the beat of Michigan State hockey in the mid 80's, he's still on the beat today covering Spartan hockey and college hockey! We talked about some his fondest memories of covering the Spartans, the late, great Ron Mason, his top players and moments in Spartan hockey history, and so much more in this entertaining episode!!

Great chatting with Mike Commito, Sudbury, Ontario based hockey writer and historian, Mike is a great follow on Twitter as he puts out daily info about the history of the game, if you love hockey history, Mike is a great person to follow! He joined Fred Pletsch and I to chat about his road to becoming the team historian for the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and his role as a writer and historian for the Los Angeles Kings, he's also the Director of Applied Research at Cambrian College in Ontario. Mike wrote a book, "Hockey 365: Daily Stories From The Ice", it was released in September 2018, he talked with us about that and some of the stories from it. One story that is a must hear is his 1 interview with The Great One, Wayne Gretzky, very cool and unique how Mike's interview with Gretzky happened!! We also chatted with Mike about his role as the Team Historian for the Sudbury Wolves, and some of the top all time players to play for the Wolves and to come out of Sudbury, Ontario, really enjoyed chatting with Mike, enjoy the interview!!

Great time chatting with friend & co-worker Michael Frank, we've worked on the Army Football package the last 2 seasons together, Michael is our TV director on the package. Over the last couple years, we've had several opportunities to chat sports and I'm always blown away about the stories Michael would share with me of his years in the business. He grew up in New York and at young age his dreams were to become a radio announcer. He attended UCLA and then began his journey in the world of Television Sports Broadcasting & he worked in my opinion, the greatest era of Sports Television, he was fortunate to work with Pat Summerall and John Madden, working in a couple of different roles, he tells several outstanding stories about his time working with Pat and John, amazing stuff. He's also worked with TV legends, Dick Stockton & Gary Bender & many others in his career. He's also worked several Masters golf tournaments in Augusta, GA, he tells some awesome stories about his time working those tournaments, including one in particular where he got to interview Jack Nicklaus after The Golden Bear finished his round, and a story about the 1988 NBA All-Star game involving a young Michael Jordan, great stuff!! Michael and I are both massive Seinfeld fans as well, so we chatted a little about that as well, enjoy!!

Luke was back in the host seat today, always great to sit next to my son for these, been a lot of fun!! Today we talked about a few different topics, we started off with some news that Luke had about the Pro Supercross series, they will start racing again in late May in Utah. We also talked some about golf being back on TV on Sunday, we also talked some NBA. Now that "The Last Dance" is over, the 10 part documentary on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, Sunday night the 9th and 10th episodes aired and we weighed in with some thoughts a variety of topics about it, including thoughts on MJ, Pippen, Phil Jackson, Dennis Rodman and Steve Kerr, was fun as always with my son!!

Excellent conversation with former UCF guard & CBS Sports Network College Basketball Analyst Mike O'Donnell in this episode. Mike and I have worked games together a few times over the last few seasons, always enjoy working with Mike, and catching up with him in this forum was fun as well! We talked about Mike's career path on the court, he's from Largo, Florida, he talked with me about his development as a player and how N.C. State first came calling, and how he decided to attend the school and play hoops for 1 season, before transferring back to his home state of Florida, where he attended UCF for the remainder of his college career. Mike talked with me about some of the best players he played with, some of his greatest memories as a college player, and who he idolized as a player. We also discussed the NBA and the possible return of the league, including what Mike thinks about the possibility of the league choosing Orlando, FL as a potential destination to start playing again. We also chatted about "The Last Dance", the 10 part documentary on MIchael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, and much more in this episode of hoops discussion!

Great chatting with Joe Bertagna in this episode as he joined Fred Pletsch and I to talk hockey, with some great stories his days as a commissioner, player, and goalie coach! Before we jumped into the hockey talk, Joe shared with us how he and 3 members of his family had COVID-19 earlier this year, he's recovered and doing well now. The 2019-20 season was Joe's final season as commissioner of Hockey East, he spent 23 years leading that conference, 15 before his Hockey East days leading the ECAC, he leaves NCAA hockey as the longest running conference commissioner in NCAA Hockey history. We discussed his days as a goalie, including his time playing at Harvard, and later in his career, coaching the Women's hockey team at Harvard. We also heard some great stories from Joe involving his playing, coaching and days as a commissioner, one of which was about the late, great Badger Bob Johnson, and another about his good friend Ben Smith, who also had COVID-19 earlier this season. Joe also talked with us about the great Bobby Orr and something he did for Orr for years as the commissioner of Hockey East. We also talked about Jerry York of Boston College, no coach in the history of the sport has more wins than York. Great stories and great time catching up with Joe in this episode!!

Since 2005, Brad Schlossman has covered North Dakota and the world of College Hockey for the Grand Forks Herald. Brad joined Fred Pletsch and I recently to chat about a wide variety of topics, first we talked about how he got his start as a journalist with the Herald, he started in 2003 and in 2005 was moved to the North Dakota hockey beat, since then, he's become an outstanding writer covering North Dakota's program extensively and one of the best in the business. We also discussed the man who previously covered North Dakota, Virg Foss, who spent a half century covering the sport, Brad shared with us the impact Virg has had and continues to have on his career. We also talked about one very memorable World Junior Hockey Tournament Brad covered, which featured him having several one on one sit down interviews with a young Alexander Ovechkin! We looked back on North Dakota's impressive 2019-2020 season, the won the NCHC Penrose Cup as the league's regular season champions, plus, some of Brad's most memorable players, coaches and games he's covered, and we also got his thoughts on 3 on 3 hockey in overtime and if oneday we see that excitement of 3 on 3 become universal in College Hockey!

Luke was back in the host seat today, always a thrill to be next to my son when we do these podcasts, so cool to see him in his element!! Luke wanted to talk about Wednesday nights PLL Draft, he went through it all and broke it down some, love talking lacrosse with my man! We also discussed some NBA topics as well, and we talked about a recent Top 10 list of the greatest players in NBA history, we had some fun with this topic and the entire podcast for that matter!!!

In this episode, I chat with Tampa Bay Lightning Forward Blake Coleman, who was traded earlier this NHL season from New Jersey to Tampa Bay. Coleman and I go back a few years, he played in the NCHC at MIami (OH) before he embarked on his pro career with the team that drafted him, New Jersey. His last 2 seasons at Miami, Coleman was one of the top players in the NCHC, a rugged, solid, hard working, 2 way player with a knack for the big moment, including in the 2015 NCHC tournament championship game when he scored 3 goals and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. We also discuss his hockey roots, he's from the Dallas area, his time in the USHL, his time in the AHL, his first call up to "The Show", his 1st NHL goal, it came vs. his hometown team, the Dallas Stars. We also discussed the day and moment he was traded from New Jersey to Tampa, very interesting part of his career as his Dad was with him at the time. Plus, we chat about being a girl dad, Coleman and his wife are the proud parents of an infant daughter, plus his nickname "Pickles", great story, and much more in this entertaining episode!!

In this episode, Fred Pletsch and I catch up and chat with longtime pro hockey goalie, Jason Bacashihua of Dearborn Heights, MI. Cash, as he's known in the hockey world, was a 1st round pick of the Dallas Stars, (26th overall), in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. In his teen years, Cash played for the Chicago Freeze in the NAHL, Fred was the commissioner of the NAHL then, so they had some great conversation about that part of Cash's hockey journey. After 2 seasons in Chicago, Cash then played for 1 season in the OHL with the Plymouth Whalers before he was drafted in the 1st round. In 2001, the year he was drafted, he embarked on his pro career, we discuss that, his 1st NHL call up, some of the players and teams he played with and on, his journey through pro hockey, including his stints with the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL, a place Cash and I met, I was the team broadcaster there. We also chat with Cash about his journey, that started in 2012, in Europe as a pro, plus, where he was when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out and what it was like for him to get back to the U.S. during that time, and so much more in this episode!!

Luke and I chat with the always entertaining Trevor Baptiste, now with PLL Atlas, as their Faceoff Man/Midfielder, we started out with Trevor talking about what's he is doing to stay ready for the PLL, which is set to play a tournament style season in July. We also discussed his path from New Jersey to Denver University, where as a senior in the Big East Tournament Semifinals, at the time, set the NCAA record for faceoff wins, as he told us, he was an under recruited player and going to Denver was big in so many ways for Trevor, as a Freshman, he and his teammates won the NCAA title defeating Maryland. After Denver, Trevor was selected as the #1 overall pick of the Boston Cannons of the MLL, where he played part of his rookie season with the Cannons. We also discussed his move to the PLL last season, how his game is evolving as player on the field, some of the things he does off the field, fun stuff here, and playing for Team USA, plus his relationship with faceoff great, Greg Gurenlian, and so much more!!!

Luke and I caught with former Denver Pioneers Attackman Eric Law in this episode, we talked all things lacrosse in this episode. We went back to Eric's days growing up in Colorado and what got him started in lacrosse, the process for him to go to college and play at D3 Salisbury (MD), a D3 powerhouse, before he left after 1 season to attend and play lacrosse at Denver under legendary head coach Bill Tierney. We talked about some memorable moments in Eric's career at Denver. After Denver, Eric was drafted by the Denver Outlaws of the MLL, with the Outlaws, Eric and his teammates won 2 MLL titles in 2014 and 2016, we discussed those titles and some of the moments he remembers, including playing with lacrosse great, John Grant, Jr. We also discussed Eric's move to the PLL and playing for Atlas, and we talked with Eric how he works to continue to help lacrosse grow, great time talking lacrosse with Eric in this episode!!

In this episode we catch up with a man who has won 3 NCAA Hockey Championships as a head coach, Scott Sandelin of MInnesota-Duluth! Sandelin joined Fred Pletsch and I, and we dropped the puck talking about his Bulldogs, winners of the last 2 NCAA titles, and how they were primed to try and become just the 2nd team in NCAA history to win 3 straight titles, (Michigan did it in the 50's, only other team), and this years Hobey Baker Award winner, Scott Perunovich, who hails from the same hometown, Hibbing, MN, as Sandelin. We also talked about Sandelin's time growing up on the Iron Range of Minnesota, what ultimately made his chose North Dakota as his college choice, being drafted 40th overall, 2nd round, by the Montreal Canadiens, his time in pro hockey and what ultimately forced him out of the game as a player. We chatted about his 1st head coaching job, his time as an assistant coach under Dean Blais at North Dakota, his relationship with the now retired Blais, and so much more in a really enjoyable episode!

In this episode we catch up with Grand Rapids Griffins Captain/Forward Matt Ford. I first met Matt in Cleveland when he was playing for the Lake Erie Monsters and I was the team broadcaster, in fact as Matt tells Fred Pletsch and I in this episode, his time w/Lake Erie was big in his development as a pro hockey player. Matt starts from the beginning with us as he tells us the story of his grandfather moving his family from Toronto to Southern California and Matt's first memories of hockey and how he started to play as a kid. In his teen years he would attend Shattuck St. Mary's School in Minnesota, a program that has helped produce dozens of players that have gone on to play college and pro hockey. From Shattuck, Matt attended the University of Wisconsin and was part of their 2006 NCAA Title team, he discusses that, and one teammate who helped teach him more about the game. Matt's pro hockey career started in 2008 with Charlotte, in 2009-11 he played for Lake Erie, leading our team with 26 goals in his 2nd season & was a part of our late season run to the Calder Cup playoffs! Matt has been with Grand Rapids since 2016, later that season, the Griffins would hoist the Calder Cup as AHL Champions. Matt is 35, and he's now showing the younger players in the Detroit Red Wings organization what it takes to be a pro player, all while still playing the game he loves!!!

In this episode, we chat with former Western Michigan Forward & Captain Jeff LoVecchio. Fred Pletsch joined me on this episode, we talked with Jeff about his roots in hockey in St. Louis, MO, to his tryout with the Omaha Lancers in the USHL, to his commitment to Western Michigan, a school that wasn't even on his radar when his college recruitment was going on. After 3 years playing in the CCHA at Western MIchigan, Jeff signed a pro deal with the Providence Bruins of the AHL, Boston's top farm team. Due to concussion issues, he had to sit out for a full year, concussions eventually made Jeff decide to walk away from the game, he had several in his career and talks openly about dealing with concussions. From the AHL, Jeff went to Europe and played pro, eventually he was playing pro hockey in Asia. After his playing career concluded, Jeff set his sights on staying involved in the game of hockey, he now owns RIPT Hockey in St. Louis, MO, where he trains and works with pro players in the NHL and AHL, his business is doing good and we discussed that as well!

In this episode, we catch up with Army Hockey Coach Brian Riley, who is the 3rd member of his family to coach the hockey team at West Point. Fred Pletsch and I talk with Riley about his early days of playing hockey in Waterloo, Iowa, his time playing at Brown University and how he started his coaching path, which eventually led him back home, he was born in West Point, NY, to take over for his brother Rob, who he worked under as an assistant coach prior to taking over the program in 2004. Riley's father, Hall of Fame coach, Jack Riley, who won 542 games in his career at Army, started the Riley Legacy at Army when "Red" Blaik hired him in the 50's to coach the team. Riley also talked with us about coaching against his 2 sons, both played at the college level. He also discussed the legendary story of his father and Herb Brooks, who before the 1960 Olympics was cut by Riley. Brian also shared a great story about where exactly his dad kept his gold medal from the '60 Olympics, fascinating stories in this episode. We also chatted about 2 former players Brian coached at Army, who were killed in action while serving as officers in the U.S. Army. Brian also shared with us how the men that have played for him at Army have impacted and continue to impact his life, powerful stories. This episode is inspiring, moving and very motivating!!

In this episode, I'm joined by Fred Pletsch as we chat with Penn State Hockey Coach Guy Gadowsky who was hired to help start the Nittany Lions program 9 years ago. We chat with Gadowsky about his hockey roots in his hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, he grew up as the Oilers glory years with Wayne Gretzky were starting, we also discuss his path to playing in the WCHA at Colorado College, his playing career after college, which included some time in minor league hockey and playing pro roller hockey, We also discussed Gadowsky's coaching path and his rise through the coaching ranks, which started in roller hockey and eventually led him to his first college hockey job as the head coach at Alaska-Fairbanks. It was in his tenure at UAF, that Gadowsky had a very meaningful conversation with the late, great Ron Mason, the head coach of Michigan State at the time, a conversation that has stuck with Gadowsky to this day. We also talked about his time as the head coach at Princeton, a program he helped turn around in his tenure, and his hiring at Penn State in 2011, since then he's led the Nittany Lions to a pair of NCAA tourney berths. We also chatted with Gadowsky about a very special hockey stick he wanted as a kid for Christmas, great conversation all the way around!

In this episode, longtime friend & college hockey broadcaster Sean Ritchlin joined me to talk all things college hockey. We started out talking some golf, and anyone who knows Sean won't be surprised by that!! As for the hockey discussion, we talked about several different topics, including Sean's 1st ever TV broadcast of college hockey, with yours truly, who inspired him to one day get involved in broadcasting, the Frozen Four being cancelled in the state we both live in, Michigan, our time together in the AHL and doing the NCAA regionals for ESPN for several years, the 2 National Championship teams he played on at the University of Michigan, the 1997 team at Michigan, a team retired legendary Head Coach Red Berenson has called the best team he ever had, and the future of college hockey and the role expansion will play in it down the road! Great talking with Sean, just a couple of guys talking pucks, enjoy!!

Lex DeMolina is a young, up & coming hockey coach who recently was hired TPH (Total Package Hockey) in New Jersey. Lex told in this episode his first memories of hockey were watching NY Rangers games with his Dad, Carlos DeMolina, a longtime veteran TV producer, who i've worked with the last 6 season of the NCHC on CBS Sports Network. He fell in the love with the game and eventually played in college, after his playing career, Lex embarked out into the world of coaching, he's done everything from hauling equipment to sharpening skates, you name it, this young man has done it all as he continues to work his way up in the coaching world! Among the stops he's made, the USHL with the Muskegon Lumberjacks, a job in Division 3 College Hockey in Duluth, Minnesota, and many other stops which we cover in this episode. We also talked about his new role with TPH and how he's helping develop young hockey players and guide them with coaching and mentoring, Lex is a young man with loads of passion in what he's now doing with his life!!

On the latest edition of the No Holden Back podcast, we discuss the PLL (Premier Lacrosse League) starting quarantine play on July 25 in the Championship Series. We also talk about the latest episodes of "The Last Dance" and some of the interesting takeaways from episodes 5 and 6. We also discuss the ongoing debate of paying college athletes and also Luke announces that he will be playing lacrosse at Concordia Ann Arbor next school year! We hope you enjoy! Stay safe and Stay healthy!

In this recent episode NCHC Commissioner Josh Fenton joined Fred Pletsch and I to talk all things NCHC, including the days and moments leading up to the cancellation of the season and some updates on next season. We also went to back to Fenton's roots in the hockey rich state of Minnesota to chat about the sports he played growing up, the sport he played in college, the Minnesota H.S. State Hockey tournament and a little trip down memory lane about his time in Oxford, OH at Miami University and much, much more!

Colorado College head coach Mike Haviland joined Fred Pletsch and I for some great conversation about his playing and coaching career in this episode. Haviland has been the head coach at CC since 2014 and in 2019 he guided the Tigers to the NCHC Frozen Faceoff Semifinals for the first time as a member of the NCHC. Haviland started his head coaching career in the ECHL with the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, from there he moved on to the Trenton Titans for the 2004-05 season. In 2005, he was hired by the Chicago Blackhawks to coach their AHL affiliate in Norfolk, VA and later moved on to Rockford, IL, when the Blackhawks moved their top farm team closer to Chicago. In 2008, the big club came calling and Haviland was called up to "The Show" as an assistant coach with the Blackhawks. When he was with the Blackhawks, several of the players he helped develop in the AHL where up as well and in 2010 the Stanley Cup was the Blackhawks at seasons end. Haviland talked with us about the players he worked with in the minors and the moment and feeling of winning the ultimate prize in hockey, the Stanley Cup!

Excellent time chatting with former St. Cloud State Forward Robby Jackson, who in 4 years with the Huskies scored 52 goals, set up 69 others for 121 career points!! Robby is in his 2nd season of pro hockey, he's spent time with the Tulsa Oilers of the ECHL and the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL, and is now back home in Oakland, CA due to the shutdown of sports because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Robby was broadcast major at St Cloud State, he's an aspiring sportscaster and is a talented guy when it comes to broadcasting. My son, Luke, and I had a blast talking with Robby about a wide variety of topics, all very entertaining, including what he's doing during the shutdown, the NBA, and his hometown Golden State Warriors, which was great with Luke, since he's a Warriors and Steph Curry fan. Bottom line, this was a lot of fun and very entertaining episode!!!

In this episode, I'm joined by Fred Pletsch, who goes way back with Stanley Cup Championship winning Head Coach Marc Crawford. We discuss a pair of Memorial Cup Championships Crawford won, his very competitive family of hockey players and coaches, all of whom had success in both playing and coaching. We dive into the 1996 Stanley Cup Championship Crawford guided the Colorado Avalanche to, the heated rivalry in the 90's between the Red Wings and Avalanche. We also discuss Crawford's involvement and development of Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews, before Matthews came to the NHL, and 1 of Crawford's all time favorite players he coached in his NHL coaching career, and much more!!

In this episode, Fred Pletsch joined me to chat with longtime and always entertaining Air Force Hockey coach Frank Serratore. We chatted with Frank about growing up on the "Iron Range" of Minnesota, an area rich in hockey history and tradition. We also discussed coaching path and how he eventually became the head coach at the Air Force Academy, some of his best teams and NCAA tournament runs at Air Force, what it means to him to be the head coach at Air Force, and the rivalry on ice between his program and Army & much, much more in this entertaining episode!

In this episode, Luke and I recap and discuss the latest episodes, 3 and 4, of The Last Dance, the documentary on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. We talked Dennis Rodman, The Worm, and his 48 hour vacation during the season to Vegas, The Bad Boys, the Non-Handshake after the Bulls finally defeated the Detroit Pistons in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals and much, much more!

In this episode we chatted with the 2019-20 National Coach of the Year, Brad Berry, Head Coach at North Dakota. Berry guided his team to the NCHC regular season championship and the Penrose Cup this season. We chatted with Brad about the championship regular season it was for his team, his playing days at UND, his time in the NHL and in the Minors, which included mentoring many prospects who would go on to NHL careers. We also shared some unique stories about hockey sticks of former North Dakota players and so much more!!

Great time chatting with former NHL enforcer Ryan VandenBussche, as he joined Fred Pletsch and I recently. VandenBussche spend 9 years in the NHL and developed a reputation as the toughest pound for pound enforcer during his playing career, racking up over 700 career penalty minutes. We discussed his Junior hockey days, his days in the minors and the moment he first got called up to "The Show". We also covered some of his top moments and players he battled on the ice with and his friendship with the late Bob Probert, the two were together in Chicago for years, and the first time VandenBussche hopped on a Harley with Bob Probert, it's a must listen story!! We also discussed what VandenBussche is doing in life after pro hockey and how he has helped and worked with the Canadian military over the years!!

Chris Wilkie's NCAA hockey career started at North Dakota in 2015-16 & at the end of that season, North Dakota won the NCAA title. Wilkie would play 1 more season in Grand Forks before transferring to Colorado College for a fresh start and with the hope of playing for the Tigers with his younger brother. However, the brothers never played together due to a serious injury Wilkie's younger brother sufferred, he is now recovered from the injury. This past season, Wilkie's senior season, he was 2nd in the NCAA with 23 goals. When the regular season ended, Colorado College was slated to play Wilkie's former team, North Dakota, in the opening round of the NCHC playoffs, and Wilkie was seemingly coming full circle as he would be facing his former team on the road in Grand Forks, ND. However, the opportunity to play came to an abrupt ending as Wilkie and his teammates were on a charter bus from Minneapolis to Grand Forks when word came down the season was over due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Talk about a tough pill to swallow, your college career comes to an end on bus. Wilkie shared his feelings and emotions of that last college bus ride & his career with me in this episode.

Great time chatting with Army Football Head Coach Jeff Monken! We discussed having no spring ball due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what Jeff and his staff are doing to keep busy during the shutdown, as well as what his players are doing during this time. We also discussed 3 Army players who have entered the NFL Draft and how Jeff thinks they would fit in the NFL, if given the opportunity to do so. We chatted about some of Monken's most memorable games at Army and just how important the CIC Trophy is to Army and the sports world. Great time with Jeff, really good listen, enjoy!!

My son Luke is 18, soon to be 19, and never got the chance to see Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls play. We both watched the first 2 parts of the 10 part documentary, "The Last Dance" this past weekend and wanted to sit down and discuss and debate a few things. Was a fun episode as an 18 year old son and a 40's something dad talk about MJ and the Bulls that had two 3 peats in the 90's! Fun episode, enjoy!!!

Outstanding time chatting and catching up with NY Rangers Head Coach David Quinn who had his team in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs before COVID-19 shutdown the sports world. Quinn is in his 2nd season as the Rangers head coach, after being the head coach at his alma mater, Boston University. Prior to returning home to BU, Quinn was an assistant with the Colorado Avalanche, after spending 3 seasons at the head coach of the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL. Quinn and I met in Lake Erie, where was the radio/TV broadcaster for 2 seasons. We chatted about the AHL days, his current team in New York, and much more! Was a lot of fun to have my son Luke on the podcast with me, Quinn had not seen or talked with my son in 9 years, was pretty cool to have him now asking questions to the Rangers head coach. This is a very entertaining episode, enjoy!!!

Great time talking hockey with former North Dakota Defenseman Travis Dunn about his playing days, the 1980 NCAA championship North Dakota won, thoughts on the 2019-20 North Dakota Penrose Cup champions & much, much more!!

7 time NCAA championship winning head coach Bill Tierney of the Denver Pioneers joined us to talk about the day and moment he and his team learned the 2020 lacrosse season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discussed his championships, both at Princeton and at Denver. We chatted about the possibility of future expansion to college lacrosse. Bill also discussed how important his family is to him, especially in times like these we are all living in. 

Excellent conversation with long time friend and former co-worker, Jason Colthorp oif WDIV TV in Detroit. Jason is a news reporter/anchor and he talked with us about covering the COVID-19 pandemic. We also talked about our time together at WILX TV in Lansing, Mi when we both worked in the sports department. He also did several of his celebrity impressions, which are great! Fun podcast with Jason!! 

Great conversation with former Northeastern hockey captain & assistant coach, Glen Giovanucci. Glen owns Rhode Island based, G-Form, a company that makes protective padding & equipment for MLB players, soccer, and mountain biking. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit our country, Glen was faced with the prospect of laying off all of his workers, however, the company found a way to make protective face shields for healthcare workers on the front lines battling the virus. The shields are now being shipped to hospitals all over the country. In the end, Glen's company saved close to 250 jobs and in the process they are helping the courageous healthcare workers in our country!