Host John Matisz explores everything from major storylines and controversies to advanced stats and junior hockey in this podcast for the informed fan.
TSN's Bob McKenzie joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - How semi-retirement is treating the legendary reporter - Advice for others looking to reach the top of their field - Why he leans on the ancient philosophy of Stoicism - 2021 world juniors: gold medal favorites, players to watch - The inspiration behind "Everyday Hockey Heroes, Volume II" ... and more
Sportsnet's Ken Reid joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - How the hockey world has handled COVID-19 so far - The idea of an all-Canadian division for 2020-21 - Marketing the game through its best personalities - Being a hockey romantic and hockey card collector ... and more!
Rick Westhead, the investigative journalist and senior correspondent for TSN, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Westhead's new book, "Finding Murph, How Joe Murphy Went From Winning a Championship to Living Homeless in the Bush" - Gaps in the NHL's reporting on player health - Problems with hockey culture, hockey media - Overuse of anti-inflammatory drugs in the NHL ... and more
Toronto Marlies forward Rich Clune joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - How he managed to hit 10 years of sobriety - Starring in the film "Hi, My Name Is Dicky" - Pros/cons of going public with private matters - Fighting fading away from hockey in 2020 - Being "of service" to young Leafs stars ... and more
Ex-NHLer and former Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - NHL free agency: Taylor Hall, the goalie carousel, and the Maple Leafs - Kypreos' first NHL contract and playing for "arrogant" Mike Keenan - Winning the Stanley Cup with legendary Rangers captain Mark Messier - Kypreos' tenure at Sportsnet and the release of his new book, "Undrafted" ... and more
Harnarayan Singh, host and play-by-play commentator for Sportsnet and Hockey Night Punjabi, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Debriefing the 2020 Stanley Cup Final - Humble beginnings as a broadcaster - Don Cherry 'you people' incident, firing - His new book "One Game at a Time" ... and more
Sami Jo Small, the former longtime goalie for Canada's national women's hockey team, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Fallout from new book, The Role I Played - Future of women's professional hockey - How she dealt with old-school coaches - Living through the Canada-USA rivalry ... and more
Paul Bissonnette, the former NHL forward and current Spittin' Chiclets co-host, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Anton Khudobin's incredible run of success for Dallas - How Bissonnette would fare inside NHL playoff bubble - NHLers showing more personality now than ever before - The rise of Spittin' Chiclets podcast, long-term plans ... and more
Travis Yost, hockey writer for TSN.ca, joins the show to discuss a variety of Stanley Cup Final-related topics, including: - Stylistic matchup of Tampa vs. Dallas - X-factors for both teams - Conn Smythe front runners - Series predictions ... and more
Nathan Gerbe, Columbus Blue Jackets forward and a veteran of 400 NHL games, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Life inside the "luxury prison" that was the Toronto bubble - The importance of mental toughness inside/outside sport - How two years in Switzerland turned around his career - Why he leans into the "shortest NHL skater ever" label - Respect and admiration for friendly rival Zdeno Chara ... and more
Gino Reda, longtime television host/anchor at TSN, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - His start at TSN in 1988 and the Ben Johnson scandal - Best stories involving semi-retired insider Bob McKenzie - How the llama skit on 2015 trade deadline day came to be - Coming-out parties for Pierre-Luc Dubois, Miro Heiskanen - Why Wayne Gretzky has been his favorite athlete to cover ... and more
Rachel Doerrie, writer, podcast host, and former analyst for the New Jersey Devils, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Draft lottery: Lafreniere vs. Byfield, Rangers' smart rebuild - Qualifying round: Biggest surprise, biggest disappointment - Maple Leafs: Next steps for Dubas, giving Tortorella credit - Round of 16: Bruins' hole, Trotz-Isles, Pettersson's impact ... and more
Bill Hanson, registered psychologist and professor at Concordia University of Edmonton, joins the show to discuss a variety of postseason-related topics, including: - Potential mental health challenges within NHL bubbles - Psychological effects of playing in empty arenas - Importance of sleep to physical and mental health - What it really means to be "mentally tough" ... and more
Matt Larkin, senior writer for The Hockey News, joins the show to discuss a variety of postseason-related topics, including: - Dress code in bubble, type of hockey to expect - Oilers heavily favored, but don't count out Hawks? - Will Jets-Flames turn into a throwback series? - Why the Canucks shouldn't take the Wild lightly - Predators-Coyotes could be defensive showdown ... and more
Luke Fox, NHL writer for Sportsnet, joins the show to discuss a variety of postseason-related topics, including: - Thoughts and observations on Phase 3 of NHL plan - Who wins battle of playing styles in TOR vs. CBJ? - Why the Rangers could be a dark horse in restart - Storylines to watch from East round robin games ... and more
Hockey Hall of Fame goalie Ken Dryden - who's also an author, a lawyer, and, formerly, a politician - joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Ken's thoughts on COVID-19, NHL's return-to-play plan - Why Scotty Bowman has lived a hockey life like no other - Getting into Bowman's mind for his 2019 book, "Scotty" - Breaking down the case for penalizing all hits to the head - Reaction to his thought-provoking book, "Game Change" ... and more
Dave Bolland, a former NHL forward who won two Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - What he's been up to since retiring last year - Mental toll of being on LTIR to end NHL career - Rivalry with the Sedin twins, Canucks fans - Former teammates Hossa, Byfuglien, Toews - Hanging out with A-list actor Vince Vaughn ... and more
Scott Wheeler, an NHL draft and prospects writer for The Athletic, joins the show to discuss a variety of draft-related topics, including: - The all-around brilliance of Ottawa 67's forward Marco Rossi - Why the Erie Otters' Jamie Drysdale is the draft's best D-man - The curious case of sharp-shooting Swede Noel Gunler - Best skating, best hockey sense, best defending in class ... and more
Former NHLer Guy Carbonneau (Canadiens, Blues, Stars) and John LeClair (Canadiens, Flyers, Penguins) - who were recently hired to coach in the new 3ICE hockey league - join the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - What people should expect from 3ICE next summer - How ex-NHLers plan on coaching a 3-on-3 pro team - Carbonneau on Montreal vs. Pittsburgh play-in series - LeClair on why the Legion of Doom was so successful ... and more
ESPN hockey prospects writer Chris Peters joins the show to discuss a variety of NHL draft-related topics, including: - Full scouting report on top prospect Alexis Lafreniere - Is Quinton Byfield a lock to go second overall? - Tim Stutzle and German hockey's "sweet spot" - Rest of Chris' top-10 prospects for 2020 draft ... and more
Akil Thomas, L.A. Kings forward prospect and Canadian world junior championship hero, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Perspective on George Floyd's death and associated protests - Experiences with racism as a black hockey player - How his life changed after scoring gold medal-winning goal - Starting Zale Apparel clothing line and Soul On Ice podcast - Plans for offseason and next season, when he should turn pro ... and more
Michael Traikos, national hockey writer for Postmedia, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Takeaways from Gary Bettman's press conference - Hurdles ahead in the NHL's return-to-play plan - Are expanded playoff formats a long-term fit? - Early thoughts on qualification-round matchups - Jack Eichel's end-of-season media availability ... and more
Riley Cote, a former NHL forward, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Using cannabis to heal old injuries - Stigma around psilocybin mushrooms - Daily mindset of an NHL enforcer - Having no regrets about career - Relevance of fighting in 2020 ... and more
Brent Sopel, former NHL defenseman, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Becoming a dyslexia/dysgraphia advocate - Finding sobriety after retiring from hockey - Changing style of play late in NHL career - Memories from Chicago's 2010 Cup win - Assessment of current Blackhawks team ... and more
Wendel Clark, former NHL star forward, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Conquer COVID-19 initiative, living in isolation - Being drafted first overall in 1985 NHL Draft - 1993 Leafs playoff run and losing to Gretzky - Current Leafs: Andersen, RIelly, Matthews ... and more
Mike Johnson, ex-NHL forward and current analyst for NHL Network, TSN, NBC, and SiriusXM, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Going straight from college to Maple Leafs' lineup - Highlights from Toronto's 1998-99 playoff run - Montreal teammate Alexei Kovalev's endearing side - Being coached by Wayne Gretzky in Phoenix - Mindset as a broadcaster, importance of being honest ... and more
Travis Yost, a hockey writer for TSN.ca, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Return-to-play scenarios for the NHL - Mark Scheifele's Jack Eichel Hart Trophy pick - Alternative awards: Sophomore of the Year - Alternative awards: Best Duo - Alternative awards: Most Improved Player ... and more
Todd Woodcroft, former Winnipeg Jets assistant coach and new University of Vermont head coach, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Why Todd left the NHL/Jets for NCAA/UVM - Short- and long-term challenges for UVM - Lessons learned from old boss Paul Maurice - What ex-Jet Dustin Byfuglien meant to Winnipeg - Patrik Laine's underrated strength, physicality ... and more
Sean O'Leary and Josh Wegman of theScore join today's show to compete in a lighthearted game of NHL trivia. Categories include individual awards, Stanley Cup winners, nicknames, and miscellaneous.
Kyle Raftis, general manager of the OHL's Soo Greyhounds, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Junior hockey perspective on COVID-19 crisis - Art of recruiting Americans to northern Ontario - Lessons from six seasons as an OHL GM - Taking over for Kyle Dubas, working with Sheldon Keefe - Developing future NHLers, such as Morgan Frost (Flyers), Rasmus Sandin (Maple Leafs), Barrett Hayton (Coyotes), Conor Timmins (Avalanche) ... and more
Danny Briere, former star NHL forward and current VP of operations for the ECHL Maine Mainers, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Danny's wife Misha working on the COVID-19 frontlines - Danny's interest in the business side of pro hockey - Going to the 2010 Stanley Cup final with the Flyers - Living with teammates Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier - Co-captaining those dominant mid-2000s Sabres teams ... and much more
Todd Humphrey, senior vice president of digital and fan experience for the still-to-named Seattle NHL franchise, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - How COVID-19 is affecting Todd's job and the Seattle organization - Appropriate time to unveil the team's logo, name, and colors - How Seattle plans on revolutionizing sports fan experience - Working alongside GM Ron Francis, owner Jerry Bruckheimer - Junior and minor pro playing career, how Todd ended up in Seattle ... and more
Sean Tierney, the man behind ChartingHockey.ca and the director of hockey analytics for the OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Simulating the rest of the NHL season using mathematical models - Playoff pushes for the Canucks, Rangers, and Blue Jackets - Hellebuyck and the Vezina, Matthews and the Rocket Richard - Duties and challenges for a junior-level hockey analytics director ... and more
Jonathan Willis, staff writer for The Athletic, joins this week's show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Latest on the NHL and COVID-19 - Potential return to play scenarios - Leon Draisaitl's Hart Trophy case - The case against using plus-minus ... and more
Todd Radom, a longtime graphic designer in the sports industry, joins this week's show to discuss a variety of branding-related topics, including: - Taking sports team logo from rough idea to finished product - Influence of nostalgia on sports branding and merchandise - Name, logo, and color ideas for Seattle's NHL franchise - General do's and don'ts of sports logo and uniform design - Islanders' 'Fisherman'; Sabres' 'Buffalo Slug'; Mighty Ducks' 'Wild Wing' ... and more
David Carle, head coach of the University of Denver men's hockey team, joins this week's show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - How the Denver Pioneers men's team is handling the coronavirus threat - Having his playing career cut short at 18 due to a heart condition - Getting the coaching itch, finding a way to climb the ladder quickly - Latest on mentor and ex-Dallas Stars coach Jim Montgomery - Denver stars Bobby Brink (Flyers), Ian Mitchell (Blackhawks) ... and more
YouTube hockey sensation Andrew 'Nasher' Telfer joins this week's show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Typical day in the life of a hockey YouTuber - How he built his channel to 400,000 subscribers - Growth of esports, Tik Tok, other platforms - How he became an official Bauer athlete - Blue Jackets' rollercoaster 2019-20 season ... and more
Josh Smith, founder of ScoutingTheRefs.com, joins this week's show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - David Ayres and emergency backups - Regular season vs. playoff officiating - Should Chara get special treatment? - Kane ripping Department of Player Safety - Most obvious changes to NHL rulebook ... and more
Mike Knuble, ex-NHL forward and current assistant coach of the Red Wings' AHL team, joins this week's show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Transitioning from being NHL player to being AHL coach - Old pal Alex Ovechkin chasing Wayne Gretzky's record - Development of prospects Filip Zadina, Moritz Seider - Working under former Wings teammate Steve Yzerman ... and more
Curt Fraser, former NHL player/coach and head coach of the KHL's Kunlun Red Star, joins this week's show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Coronavirus' affect on KHL season - Growth of hockey and NHL in China - Coaching alongside Alexei Kovalev - Memories of a young Ilya Kovalchuk ... and more
Scout Mark Edwards, founder of HockeyProspect.com, joins this week's show to discuss a variety of draft-related topics, including: - Wayne Simmonds and HockeyProspect.com's origin story - Mark's scouting philosophies and 3-to-9 grading scale - First overall in the 2020 NHL draft: Lafreniere or Byfield - Stutzle, Perfetti, Askarov, and other high-end prospects ... and more
Former NHL forward Daniel Carcillo joins this week's show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Treating anxiety/depression with psychedelics - Ex-teammate Steve Montador's last days - The neurodegenerative disease called CTE - Hockey's recent coaching abuse scandal ... and more
Former NHL goalie and Vegas Golden Knights TV analyst Mike MeKenna joins this week's show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - That one time the team bus caught on fire - If we should be labelling goalies "weird" - The lost art of the poke check - Golden Knights' recent coaching change - Watching Marc-Andre Fleury up close ... and more
Sportsnet senior writer Chris Johnston joins this week's show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Grind of being a 24/7 journalist - Strangest story he's ever covered - Maple Leafs' Stanley Cup hopes - Trade deadline buyers/sellers ... and more
Kori Cheverie, the trailblazing Ryerson University men's hockey coach, joins this week's show to discuss a variety of coaching-related topics, including: - Introduction to hockey as Nova Scotia kid - Making history at U Sports men's level - Benefits of diversifying coaching staffs - State of coaching, personal goals in 2020 ... and more
*Note: This episode was recorded before Jeremy Roenick's 'unacceptable' remarks and subsequent suspension* NBC Sports president Sam Flood joins this week's show to discuss a variety of broadcasting-related topics, including:- - Origins of the Inside The Glass analyst role - What some people have wrong about Pierre McGuire - 2020 Winter Classic, dream future outdoor-game site - What hockey broadcasts might look like in 2030 ... and more
Sportlogiq CEO and former Olympic figure skater Craig Buntin joins this week's show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Transitioning from figure skating to business - Sportlogiq founding story and Mark Cuban - Player/puck tracking and hockey analytics - Practical applications of Sportlogiq data ... and more
NBC analyst and former NHLer Patrick Sharp joins this week's show to discuss a variety of decade-closing topics, including: - 2009-10 Blackhawks, team of the decade - Passing of the torch between Crosby, McDavid - Uniqueness of ex-teammate Dustin Byfuglien - Price, other goalies who defined the 2010s ... and more
Canadian Hockey League president Dan MacKenzie joins this week's show to discuss a variety of junior hockey topics, including: - Why MacKenzie left the NBA for the CHL - Lessons from David Stern and Adam Silver - CHL's role in helping shape hockey culture - Player compensation, class-action lawsuits ... and more
Brock McGillis, the first openly gay pro hockey player, joins the show to discuss a variety of timely topics, including: - Is a Me Too-type movement taking shape in hockey? - Hockey workplace culture vs. real-world workplace culture - When will we see the first openly gay NHLer? - What life's been like since coming out in 2016 ... and more
Former NHLer and NBC analyst Eddie Olczyk joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including: - Getting traded in 1990 during his son's birth - Being a Hockey Fights Cancer ambassador - Connections to Chicago, identifying as a Hawk - Feeling cathartic, deciding to write a book ... and more