Puck Yeah Podcast

It’s the last podcast before Logan moves back to New Zealand! This week NZIHF coaching director Darren Blong joins us to discuss their new ‘Triple Star’ program and what that means for pushing New Zealand ice hockey to the next level and how they plan on creating sustained success. Puck Yeah Podcast will return in a few weeks following a couple weeks in quarantine. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more highlights and interviews, follow us on Instagram and Facebook (@puckyeahnz) for podcast updates and more.

In the spirit of celebrating International Women’s Day, we’re revisiting one of our favourite interviews from Puck Yeah’s four-year history - our April 2018 chat with New Zealand Ice Fernz captain Helen Murray. From her inline beginnings, to balancing two hockey codes as an international representative while undertaking extensive Alzheimers research, plus how the women’s game can improve in years to come - there is plenty to learn. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more highlights and interviews, follow us on Instagram and Facebook (@puckyeahnz) for podcast updates and more.

The Auckland Mako have created an air of excitement since they were announced to become the sixth team to join the NZIHL. Co-head coach A.J. Spiller joins the podcast this week to address some of your biggest questions around the team, including how the team came to be plus expectations for their inaugural season. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more highlights and interviews, follow us on Instagram and Facebook (@puckyeahnz) for podcast updates and more.

On this week’s podcast Ice Blacks veteran Martin Lee calls in from Montreal - we talk about how he entered the NZIHL from a young age and made an immediate impact, the success of the 2008 New Zealand U20s squad, plus his move into coaching. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more highlights and interviews, follow us on Instagram and Facebook (@puckyeahnz) for podcast updates and more.

This week Logan and Joe break down the 2021 NZIHL schedule and some of its more interesting quirks, what we know about the Auckland Mako now, plus a cautionary tale about spotting catfishes in New Zealand’s ruthless housing market - you’ll want to stick around for that, it’s weird! Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more highlights and interviews, follow us on Instagram and Facebook (@puckyeahnz) for podcast updates and more.

This week Logan and Joe get way too excited about the upcoming Mighty Ducks TV series, delve into the media hype surrounding Joel Rindelaub, plus Liam Stewart joins us from the UK to discuss his impressive 2019 ‘homecoming’ season in New Zealand and how gaming has impacted his life while hockey is on pause. Interview begins at 30:50. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more highlights and interviews, follow us on Instagram and Facebook (@puckyeahnz) for podcast updates and more.

This week Logan and Joe question whether the IIHF acted quickly enough to strip Belarus’ hosting rights for this year’s World Champs, reflect on the opening weeks of a shortened NHL season, plus Dustin Hall (Nomad Hockey) joins us from Nova Scotia to relive his New Zealand adventures with the Canadian Moose World Traveling Hockey Club back in 2005. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more highlights and interviews, follow us on Instagram and Facebook (@puckyeahnz) for podcast updates and more.

2020 wasn’t all bad! The Auckland-based ‘Hockey House’ was one of the first in the world to return to play, livestreaming their Backyard/Frontyard Hockey League Finals on YouTube to an audience starved for games. But this social league in New Zealand packs some serious punch in terms of entertainment value and talent, including players with NCAA experience. On this week’s podcast, we’re joined by Cam Green of Hockey House to chat about some of the wildest highlights and what’s to come for their ‘Travelling Goons’ squad when travelling is such an uncertainty these days. Plus, you’ll find out what makes this ‘beer league’ one of the greatest and most inclusive hockey communities in the world. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more highlights and interviews, follow us on Instagram and Facebook (@puckyeahnz) for podcast updates and more.

2020 couldn’t cancel us! Puck Yeah is back to reveal some big NZIHL news, we catch up with NZIHF president Andy Mills to discuss the IIHF cancellations and how New Zealand’s national teams can bounce back, plus what we’d like to see happen with the Trans-Tasman Challenge moving forward. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more highlights and interviews, follow us on Instagram and Facebook (@puckyeahnz) for podcast updates and more.

West Auckland Admirals captain Justin Daigle, along with AJ Spiller, has been helping hockey players around New Zealand continue their training during the nationwide lockdown by providing interactive workouts. Puck Yeah's Logan Swinkels chats to Justin about the AIHA's initiatives, the progress of the Under-20s program, plus which NHL pro he'd pick for the Admirals in the ultimate fantasy draft.

2020 was looking like a big year for Jana Kivell before the coronavirus pandemic shut down hockey around the world (except Belarus of course). Puck Yeah's Logan Swinkels catches up with one of New Zealand's most exciting young players today to find out how she's dealing with life in isolation and what's next following on from February's thrilling IIHF Worlds campaign.

After 72 games with the New Zealand Ice Blacks defenceman Andrew Hay has elected to step down from international duty, calling time on his IIHF career that spans over 15 years. He joins Puck Yeah this week for an exclusive interview to talk about his decision, the current state of the national team, and what's to come for the Botany Swarm as the NZIHL Playoffs approach.

On this week's podcast Dunedin Thunder import goalie Henri Tikkanen joins Puck Yeah to talk about his experience to date playing in the NZIHL, exploring the wonders of New Zealand and growing up with hockey in Finland, a nation known for producing NHL superstars such as Teemu Selanne and Tuuka Rask.

This week Logan Swinkels catches up with another Kiwi playing in the Australian Ice Hockey League, Kahu Joyce. The pair discuss his recent fight with Adelaide's Alex Gauthier, missing NZ comfort food, and how becoming a referee has helped his hockey game. Before that, Logan and co-host Joe Durie chat about the NHL's recent free agent frenzy and whether changes being made to EA Sport's NHL20 are enough to warrant buying a copy. (Interview starts at 24:10)

Jake Ratcliffe is a young Kiwi hockey player with the world at his feet. He was honoured as MASCAC's Rookie of the Year after a solid freshman year at Westfield State and now he's playing for the AIHL's Sydney Bears during the summer break. He joins Puck Yeah's Logan Swinkels this week to talk about his career to date that started with his NZIHL debut at the age of 15.

On this week's podcast, before reliving the excitement of staying up all night to watch the Toronto Raptors victory parade, Logan & Joe talk about what features NHL20 will need to make them jump back into the video game series, the USA v Canada Ice Hockey Classic and more.

Next month the New Zealand Inline Ferns head to Spain for the World Roller Games. Hannah Jensen and Jana Kivell join the podcast this week to talk about their recent stint playing in the Spanish elite league for CPLV Panthers, being placed in the 'Pool of Death' and Hamilton's influence on the sport. Interview starts at 09:55.

After a break during the IIHF's international window, the podcast is back! Logan & Joe catch up over what was a once in a lifetime trip following the New Zealand Ice Blacks through Colorado and Mexico, plus the guys look back on the first few weeks of the 2019 NZIHL season.

West Auckland Admirals captain Justin Daigle joins Joe from our Auckland studio, with Logan dialling in from Sydney, to talk about winning the NZIHL championship in 2018, recovering from a horrific eye injury that almost ended his career, coaching the New Zealand Under-20s, and much more! This episode is also available to stream on our YouTube channel. Note: With Logan overseas covering the New Zealand Ice Blacks, this will be our last podcast for a few weeks until he returns home.

This week we're looking into the weird science of hockey goaltending and our special guest Adrian Volpe knows all about it. Volpe enjoyed two seasons in the NZIHL as a Canadian import goalie with the Skycity Stampede as part of their impressive run of three Birgel Cup titles in three years. These days he's back home in Burlington, ON working as a goalie coach with his old junior team, the Burlington Cougars of the OJHL. Check out Volpe on Instagram (@goaliecoachvolpe29) where he regularly posts videos from this trainings. Perhaps one day we'll be saying he coached the next Carey Price or Marc-Andre Fluery?

The international ice hockey window is hitting its busy period with four New Zealand national teams in play over the next month. One such team is the New Zealand Ice Fernz, who are currently in the finals days of their brief training camp at the Sports Zentrum in St. Pölten, Austria. Under the guidance of new head coach Rachel Park, the national women's team are looking to push themselves to the next level of international competition when they take part in the 2019 IIHF Division 2-B Women's World Championship in Brasov, Romania from April 1st. The Ontario native joins the podcast this week to talk about her new role, the current state of the team and the women's game in general, plus we discuss some of the adjustments she's made to strengthen the squad within her first few months at the helm.

From hockey YouTuber, to podcaster, sports broadcaster, and now a published author - the media career of Steve 'Dangle' Glynn has enjoyed a strange path that is both fascinating and inspiring. Dangle is a noted Toronto Maple Leafs fan, and while they are the team that is "ruining his life," he joins the podcast this week to talk about the humbling process of writing his first book, being involved with Sportsnet's coverage of the NHL's trade deadline day, and other recent highlights. His book 'This Team Is Ruining My Life (But I Love Them)' is available now from Booktopia and Book Depository for New Zealand and Australia. This episode is dedicated to the 50 people who lost their lives on March 15th 2019 in the Christchurch terrorist attacks. Kia kaha, Christchurch.

The NZWIHL has wrapped up the 2019 season with the Southern Storm claiming the championship, ending both the Auckland Steel's dominance and their own losing streak. A highlight of their bounce back campaign has been the play of Minnesota native Kellye Nelson, who ran away with the league scoring race tallying 35 points in 12 games (25 goals, 10 assists). She joins the podcast this week to talk about the Storm, life in Queenstown, and how she came to be in a VISA commercial with Team USA star Hilary Knight. Along with Kellye, we wrap up this week's episode with Storm head coach Angelique Mawson, who also coaches the New Zealand Women's Under-18 team that will be competing at the IIHF Challenge Cup of Asia next month.

It's our 50th episode! And to celebrate we're talking fitness with the man behind the successful Eaden Project gym, Chris Eaden. Chris is a big impact player in New Zealand ice hockey. Whether it be his strength and conditioning role with the NZIHF to prepare national teams for competition, being the Canterbury Red Devils captain, or the fact that he's the all-time leading scorer in the New Zealand Ice Hockey League with 203 goals in 168 games. Away from the rink he's making a difference in Christchurch by introducing Cantabrians to a healthy lifestyle. This week he joins the podcast to chat about how training for hockey has evolved as the game gets faster, getting the Ice Blacks fit for IIHF Worlds, and the struggles of being on a rebuilding team after years of success.

We're celebrating all things love on this week's edition of the podcast! January saw New Zealand Inline Ferns captain Tara Tissink marry the love of her life, Courtney Fox - whom just happens to be the Ferns team manager. Together the newlywed Foxes join the podcast to talk about their big day and how preparations are shaping up for the Inline Ferns ahead of the 2019 World Roller Games in Barcelona.

Puck Yeah Podcast is back in full force for 2019! And we're starting off with some big news out of the NZIHL. After spending the past five seasons with the West Auckland Admirals, culminating in lifting the Birgel Cup for the first time last year, goalie Rick Parry is moving across town to join the Botany Swarm. It's a busy time for the veteran netminder of 158 NZIHL games and 49 tests for the New Zealand Ice Blacks, recently he launched the Rick Parry Goalie Academy to help train the next generation of talent coming through. Parry speaks with Puck Yeah's Logan Swinkels to give an insight into why he's making the big move for the 2019 season.

Before the NZIHL season started we met Kelowna Rockets assistant coach Travis Crickard, who was in New Zealand to learn from the All Blacks while also helping the Botany Swarm in their quest for a fifth title. Fast forward to now and Travis is back in Canada for the 2018-19 season, hoping to help guide the Rockets to a WHL Championship and the Memorial Cup. But before departing from NZ, Travis caught up with Puck Yeah's Logan Swinkels for an in-depth chat about his time in the NZIHL, where he sees improvements being made, and the current state of the Swarm franchise.

PUCK YEAH! New Zealand's hockey podcast is back. We're sorry it's taken this long but it's been a busy NZIHL season and we're just two guys, so the podcast had to take a short hiatus while we focused on providing all the visual and written coverage for what was an exciting season. The past month has seen the West Auckland Admirals crowned NZIHL champions for the first time in the team's history and the New Zealand Ice Blacks claimed a historic series win over the Australia Mighty Roos at the 2018 Winter Games. One player who's been a key part of both sides for many seasons now is goalie Rick Parry. The masked man recently joined us at the Puck Yeah studios to chat about his career highlights, including doing the Kurt Baker Challenge twice, playing under the bright lights of Spark Arena, and the 2011 IIHF tournament in Melbourne. Quick note: Puck Yeah will no longer be a weekly podcast. You can still expect features and interviews to run on our website and Facebook page regularly, but podcasts will be typically saved for discussing the big topics and longer-form interviews.

This week we're joined in the studio by one of the original West Auckland Admirals, Steven Huish! He's been with the team since the NZIHL began in 2005 but only recently retired to focus on other ventures - we look back at some of the best and worst years for the Admirals and how things have changed since those early days.

Travis Crickard is currently in New Zealand working as the Botany Swarm's assistant coach for the 2018 NZIHL season. Bringing his expertise in breaking down plays via video analysis, Travis is challenging the Swarm to think about the game differently as they strive to get back on top of the league. He joins us in the studio this week to talk about his NZIHL summer job, his pathway to the Kelowna Rockets and how a Canadian major junior hockey team operates, plus learning how to be a better coach from the All Blacks.

The NZIHL drops the puck on the 2018 season this weekend and on this week's podcast Logan and Joe do a whip-around of the league, calling up all five teams to see how their preparations have fared following the pre-season. Thank you to Travis Gibbons (Thunder head coach), Adam Blanchette (Stampede head coach), Chris Eaden (Red Devils captain), Nick Craig (Admirals alternate captain), and Ian Wannamaker (Swarm head coach) for taking the time to chat with us. Special mention goes to Justin Daigle...you'll know why if you listen.

Puck Yeah ran a feature back in December introducing the hockey world to Wellington's first ever team, the Seals. They're a chilled out bunch of guys and girls who just want to play the game, they don't care who their opponents are or what the rink might look like. We might as well start writing that Disney movie script because this team is all about Kiwi ingenuity on ice! Taika Waititi is slated to direct it (not actually, but call us bro). Since that introduction, the Wellington Seals have gone on to play in the BHL's Holiday Classic tournament and more recently the 2018 New Zealand Masters Games in Dunedin. The team have big plans for that crucial game time, including making the trip south for the Erewhon Cup. Luke Turner calls in to chat about the origins of the team, their unique training environment and how they've transitioned to bigger sheets of ice, the insane amount of beer that gets drunk during a rec league tournament, plus is this the beginning of a possible NZIHL team in Wellington?

The 2018 Ice Hockey Classic is just over a month away! Recently Puck Yeah co-host Logan racked up an expensive phone bill calling Finland and Toronto to speak with Team Canada captain Nolan Yonkman and coach Paul Rosen ahead of their arrival in New Zealand. It's not all #IceHockeyClassic talk however. Yonkman delves into his playing career including being the only Canadian on a Finnish side that won the 2018 Champions Hockey League, while Rosen has one of the most inspirational sports stories you'll ever hear. Plus we talk about the recent tragedy surrounding the Humboldt Broncos and what they plan to do to help the survivors. (The phone bill wasn't that bad really. Skype credit is a saviour for a podcast like us!)

This week Canterbury Ice Hockey Association's head coach Dean Tonks calls into Puck Yeah to talk about what's happening in Christchurch to develop the next-generation of NZ hockey players, the UK elite league, plus winning a NZIHL championship with the Canterbury Red Devils.

As a hockey player that we greatly admire, Helen Murray is someone we've been wanting to have as a guest on the podcast since we began. Along with being the New Zealand Ice Fernz captain, Helen also plays for the national women's inline hockey team. Away from the sport, she recently earned her PhD and now works as a scientist at Auckland University's Centre for Brain Research. Helen joins us to talk about how she juggles her busy life between those studies and her hockey career, the Ice Fernz's recent travels, the influence of inline hockey, and so much more! Puck Yeah wants to support women's hockey as much as we can, so having a highly-motivated figure like Helen on our podcast to hopefully inspire NZ's next-generation of players make this a special episode.

Kerry Goulet, the man bringing the Ice Hockey Classic to New Zealand, was recently in the country to promote the tour and meet with passionate hockey communities in Auckland, Wellington, and Queenstown. This week he joins Puck Yeah in studio to talk about all the exciting things happening within the events this June, including how it's going to help the development of local ice hockey.

This week we're in Wellington where Logan catches up with Ice Blacks legend Corey Down to talk about his time both as a national player and coach, his next career move, plus a few curly questions from the audience (aka the Puck Yeah Facebook). The former New Zealand captain will be making his long-awaited return to the game when he laces up for the June 23rd curtain raiser game outdoors at Westpac Stadium between the current Ice Blacks and the NZIHL All-Stars as part of the 2018 Ice Hockey Classic.

Puck Yeah is back and we're now the official podcast of the NZIHL! After a long break we've returned with a refreshed focus to learn more about ice hockey in New Zealand and the people around it. This week recently named Ice Blacks captain Nick Craig joins us in our new studio before the team headed off to Europe for the 2018 IIHF Worlds.

On this week's podcast we're amped about the new Mighty Ducks TV series that's in the very early stages of production and pitch our best ideas for the show. Plus we look at the performance of Adam Henrique since being traded to Anaheim. Let's be honest, it's approximately 85% Ducks chat - with honourable mention to the Junior Ice Blacks who are currently in Bulgaria for the IIHF Under-20 Division 3 World Championship. Check out www.puckyeah.nz for hockey news, views, and all things puck culture from New Zealand and around the world.

This week Puck Yeah is joined by Kerry Goulet, the man who's bringing the 2018 Ice Hockey Classic to New Zealand. We talk about plans for the tour, what fans can expect, plus Kerry's personal experiences of living with post-concussion symptoms and his foundation StopConcussions. Check out www.puckyeah.nz for hockey news, views, and all things puck culture from New Zealand and around the world.

We're back for 2018! On this week's podcast we ponder the upcoming Winter Olympics: who's going, what could've been, and how the IOC/IIHF could include minnow nations into the hockey tournament better. Plus our thoughts on the NHL All-Star selections, not watching dodgy streams for the World Juniors, and fantasy hockey. Check out www.puckyeah.nz for hockey news, views, and all things puck culture from New Zealand and around the world.

It's the last episode for year one of the podcast and it's all about New Zealand ice hockey: We discuss the possible ramifications of the Frear Brothers suspension, Botany Swarm's new head coach calls in, plus exciting news about the 2018 Ice Hockey Classic!

We're officially back from holiday! On this week's podcast Logan recalls a couple life-changing moments from his travels to the USA and Canada, plus the various hockey games he saw along the way, while Joe salivates over the tasty Memphis BBQ devoured on his work trip with Radio Hauraki. Check out www.puckyeah.nz for hockey news, views, and all things puck culture from New Zealand and around the world.

Last weekend the Backyard Hockey League hosted the Holiday Classic, a beer league tournament featuring teams from Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch, plus Wellington's first ever hockey club, the Seals. Puck Yeah was there to chat with the organisers and players while sinking a few brews. Check out www.puckyeah.nz for hockey news, views, and all things puck culture from New Zealand and around the world.

'The Hockey Film' is a documentary currently in production that aims to tell a more grassroots tale, featuring characters of the game from Canada and New Zealand. On this week's podcast we catch up with filmmaker Chris Aylward to find out more about this special project. For more information check out 'The Hockey Online' online at: http://thehockeyfilm.com Check out www.puckyeah.nz for hockey news, views, and all things puck culture from New Zealand and around the world.

On this week's podcast we're joined by Sportsnet's Steve Dangle! Tens years as a hockey YouTuber, Mike Babcock impressions, and the NHL debut of Australian Nathan Walker - this episode might be short but it's packed with greatness and has a high Corsi rating. Check out www.puckyeah.nz for hockey news, views, and all things puck culture from New Zealand and around the world.

On this week's podcast we're joined by Puck Yeah contributor John Broadbent to talk about recently released hockey movies Goon 2 & Ice Guardians, plus his interview with Jay Baruchel. Check out www.puckyeah.nz for New Zealand hockey news, views, and all things puck culture.

Many of us fall in love with hockey at a young age - Josh Kretschmar however picked up the game in his later teen years. He's now a die-hard supporter of the NZIHL's Botany Swarm, the Vancouver Canucks, and plays beer league. On this week's podcast Josh tells us about his journey. Check out www.puckyeah.nz for NZ hockey news, views, and all things puck culture.

Cam Green and Aaron Somerville from the BHL, Auckland's premiere beer league, let loose on this week's podcast! We chat about their big ideas for making hockey fun, going viral on ESPN, and pissing off visiting teams with their in-game hosting antics.

Botany Swarm assistant coach and former Ice Black Ian Wannamaker joins the podcast to discuss youth development and his playing career, from Canadian junior hockey to representing his adoptive country New Zealand. Puck Yeah is back! Check out our new website: www.puckyeah.nz

This week Logan & Joe go through CapFriendly's mock expansion draft to create their own Vegas Golden Knights roster. With only 30 seconds per pick plus a special guest commissioner applying the pressure, there might be some questionable decisions. Let the boys know what you think of their picks via Puck Yeah Podcast's social media!