Pucking Funny

Jordon Bourgeault has been designing and airbrushing helmets and masks for beer league hockey goalies and more prominent athlete such as Olympic skeleton riders. Some time last year Jordon got a message from non other than Carey Price telling Jordon he (Carey) had seen one of Jordon's creations and was interested in getting a similar one done. One thing led to the other and the mask Carey Price is wearing during the 2021 season was designed and airbrushed by today's guest, Jordan Bourgeault

Autumn Macdougall is from the hockey superstar hotbed which is Cole Harbour Nova Scotia. She started playing in boys' leagues until she eventually made the Canadian Women's National program. Later in January 2021 Autumn will play her first season in the NWHL as a member of the Buffalo Beauts.

Carly Jackson grew up in Nova Scotia, played hockey on boys' teams until College where she was a standout at University of Maine. Carly was drafted 3rd overall in the 2020 NWHL Draft by Buffalo and is getting ready for the upcoming NWHL bubble season Jan. 23 – Feb. 5 in Lake placid NY.

Warren Nye grew up in Canada playing and coaching hockey. Now he is a full time coach and mentor to young players.

Drew and Josh grew up in the US playing hockey regionally, Josh making it to College hockey. Both knew they’d plateaued and likely wouldn’t play pro, but their love and passion for the greatest game never waned and they both continued playing and coaching. Some time in their 20’s they gradually lost their eyesight. Now both legally blind, Drew and Josh play blind hockey and host a podcast about blind hockey entitled The Dented Puck. 2 great stories of determination, overcoming major challenges and how the love of hockey always prevails.

Chris Cederstrand grew up in Saskatchewan and played major junior on the Red Deer Rebels and Swift Current Broncos. Concussion problems prematurely ended his junior career and any hopes of ever playing pro. So Chris ventured into firefighting, but at 25 while working construction he suffered a terrible accident which lead to his right leg being amputated. Chris didn't let that keep him down, he rehabed all the way to playing on the Canadian National sledge hockey team at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, went back to firefighting and now runs the Cederstrand foundation supporting individuals with physical limitations to reintegrate sport and physical activity. Chris Cederstrand is an inspiration

Jordan Juron has come back from hip surgery, a broken back and has an autoimmune disorder for which she takes immunosuppressants. Despite all of these, nothing will prevent her from representing the Buffalo Beauts in the upcoming NWHL season Jan.23 – Feb.5 2021 at Lake Placid NY.  JJ discusses her hockey journey, overcoming severe injury and the future of women’s hockey.

Manon Rheaume was the first and remains the only woman ever to play in the NHL. She also played on Canada’s National Women’s Team at the 1998 Nagano Olympics winning Silver and winning Gold at the IIHF World Championships in 1992 & 1994. Angie Bullaro is an actress and author who recently penned “Breaking The Ice: The True Story of the First Woman to Play in the National Hockey League” a children’s book which chronicles Manon’s story of courage, determination, and love for the sport. Sasha King is a goaltender for the Perth Inferno in Western Australia. As I was aware that Manon is Sasha’s hockey hero, I got her in on the interview.

Sami Jo Small has done it all. Olympic Gold, IIHF World Championship Gold, played pro, started, backed up, was General Manager of the Toronto Furies, is a partner, and mother. She recently put out an autobiography titled The Role I Played - Canada's Greatest Olympic Hockey Team.

Alex Carpenter grew up in a hockey family, her father Bobby was the first US-born player to score 50 goals in an NHL season. Alex didn’t ride dad’s coattails though, she play in boys’ leagues into her teenage years, transitioned into the women’s game making the USA U-18’s at age 15 and never looking back. She has 5 IIHF World Champion gold medals, an Olympic Silver medal (Sochi 2014) and is currently captain of the KRS Vanke Rays in the Zhenskaya Hockey League (ZhHL).

Erin Whitten played goalie for the UNH Wildcats women's team. Erin was a member of the U.S. women's national team from 1992-1997, as starting goaltender. She was USA Hockey Women's Player of the Year in 1994. She is currently the head coach of the Merrimack Warriors women’s team.

Continuing on the great Women In Hockey series, today’s show is with the first ever full-time female on air talent on Hockey Night In Canada. Andi Petrillo started her broadcasting career at the local level in the Toronto area, slowly but surely made her way up to broadcasting Pan Am Games, Olympics and becoming the first full-time female on air talent on Hockey Night In Canada.

Jacklyn Hawkins played for the Connecticut Huskies women's team and the Boston Blades of the CWHL. Hawkins is an entrepreneur and the founder and owner of WomensHockeyLife Ltd, WHL Podcast,WHL Academy, and WHL Gear.  

Jessi Pierce co-hosts the Bardown Beauties podcast. She’s also a freelance writer whose work can be found in USA Hockey Magazine. Growing up and still residing in the beautiful State of hockey Minnesota, Jessi is an encyclopedia on all things Wild.

Saroya Tinker was an eight-sport high school athlete playing, hockey, badminton, basketball, curling, field lacrosse, soccer, track & field and ultimate Frisbee. She played Collegiate hockey at prestigious Yale University after which she was drafted fourth overall by the Metropolitan Riveters in the 2020 NWHL Draft. Saroya  has been outspoken against racism in hockey and has been willing to share her experiences as a multiethnic player in the predominantly white sport by sitting for a number of interviews and penning several essays regarding race and inclusion in hockey culture. The NWHL have unveiled plans to hold a 2021 season between January 23 - February 5, 2021 at Lake Placid NY’s 1980 Rink – Herb Brooks arena, and Saroya has elected to play and will represent the Riveters.

Kailee Cavaliere grew up watching sports in the US Pacific Northwest as a fan of the Mariners, Seahawks and Thunderbirds. After moving to the east coast, her passion for sports never waned. She has worked for the Mariners, Chicago Cubs, and since moving to New England, the Celtics, Bruins, and currently is an administrative assistant with the Red Sox. Kailee also runs www.thesportspassport.net a website with tips, tricks & trips for the sports fans.

Remi Harvey has been playing hockey since the age of 7 which is rather impressive considering she has always resided Sydney Australia. She debut in the AWIHL at age 14, has been represented the National Team at the last 7 IIHF World Championships including the Gold medal winning team in Iceland in February 2020. Remi is a regular on the defending Joan McKowen trophy champion Sydney Sirens.

Saverina Scozzari is a Branding + PR Player Representative. Currently, she represents a variety of current and former NHL players. Her goal is to help both sports and non-sports fans see athletes as real people by helping the players that she works with build their brand and connection with their fanbase through authentic partnerships and media content creation.

Originally from New Zealand, Fiona Birch worked as a trainer / exercise physiologist in Australia (AFL & NRL) and did not get into hockey until 5 or so years ago after a move to Canada. As the founder of Pro Athlete Online, a company which helps athletes, coaches, teams and sports organizations build their brand withstanding a crisis, crisis management, reputation and how to use data, analysis and content strategy through social media.

2020 has been memorable for many reasons. Pucking Funny in December will be unforgettable as I present to you Women In Hockey. A series of interviews with champions like Jacklyn Hawkins, Fiona Birch, Erin Whitten, Manon Rheaume and other barrier shattering women in the greatest sport.

Brad Leeb grew up and played major junior in Red Deer Alberta. He was part of the silver medal winning Team Canada at the 1999 World Juniors alongside teammates such as Simon Gagne, Brenden Morrow and Roberto Luongo. Brad was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks for which he played 5 games. He also played one game for the Pat Quinn coached Toronto Maple Leafs. Brad then played several seasons in Germany, and finished up his playing career in the UK playing for the Coventry Blaze where, in his last pro game he played with his brother Greg and they both scored. After hangin’ ‘em up, Brad, not unlike other newly retired athletes went through dark times, and now has his own podcast about that entitled Life After Hockey. Brad Leeb was a great player, is a thoughtful interview, and an even better person.

Brock McGillis played goalie on the Sault Ste.Marie Greyhounds, Windsor Spitfires as well as Canadian collegiate hockey at Concordia University in Montreal. After hanging up the pads, Brock got into training and coaching.   In 2016 Brock was the first, and remains the only male professional hockey player to come out as gay.   Brock tells us how despite the backing of truculent hockey personality Brian Burke, the hockey world pretty much cancelled Brock.   Brock took this affront head on and is now outspoken about LGBT+ issues and problems within North American ice hockey.

Colin Mulvey was born and raised in Worcester Massachusetts. Played NCAA hockey at Norwich University in Minnesota. He played pro in the ECHL as well as in Germany. Colin is the prototypical “hockey story” telling player. Stories like the time he was invited to a skate in the Boston area with other “local players” and he ends up scrimmaging with Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak and Tukka Rask. How his favourite part of playing in Germany was Oktoberfest. Colin now runs Vora which is a line of luxury mens boxer briefs.

Ian Cobb grew up on the streets on Montreal, literally. He was 15, sleeping in a park across from the Forum when he was approached by a stranger to work at the Forum. He washed players' uniforms, moped the floor, even baby sit players' kids. He went on to start his own business, and recently put out his autobiography ""My Headwinds To Freedom" The incredible story of Ian Cobb.

James Duthie and Darren Dreger from TSN discuss the upcoming 2020 NHL Draft, Free Agency and potential player movement.

Natasha Staniszewski has been anchoring TSN Sportscentre since 2010 and was part of the first regular female duo to anchor on the show.

Sharyn Peterson is a partner, parent and (ice hockey) team manager in Australia. Although she's never played, and doesn't intend on doing so, Sharyn knows her hockey and has strong opinions on women in the game.

Charlotte Turner plays hockey in the Sydney area, has tried out for a tournament in Japan, and has played in the USA with the Anaheim Lady Ducks. Charlotte is also a Women’s Hockey Life ambassador. All this at the ripe age of 14.

Pete Fry played Major Junior hockey in Canada, was drafted in 1987 by the New Jersey Devils as a goaltender. Although never playing in the NHL. Pete is now known as The Goalie Mindset Guy teaching and coaching the mental aspect of goaltending. Check out his website www.goaliemindsettraining.com

Kevin Kaminski played 139 games in the NHL amassing 528 PIM’s. Although known as an enforcer in the NHL, Kaminski was an extremely skilful player recording 99 points with the Western Hockey League’s Saskatoon Blades in 1987 -88 as well as seasons of 64 and 45 points in the AHL. Some of the players Kaminski “protected” include Joe Sakic and Petr Bondra. Some of the enforcers he went toe-to-toe with include Bob Probert and Tie Domi. Kaminski is now back in his native Saskatchewan coaching and running hockey schools, and is working his way up the coaching ranks with the goal of making it back to the NHL, this time behind the bench.

7 Canadian championships, 3 time World champion, 2-time Olympic silver medallist. Elvis Stojko is a Canadian and figure skating icon. Elvis explains how he was bullied early in life because he was figure skating. He is known as one of the first figure skaters to incorporate martial arts in his routines. Hear about the time Elvis met Chuck Norris, the infamous Eric Lindros incident and how he has moved on from competitive sports to acting.

Beth is one third of the great Habby Hour Podcast. From Virginia, Beth got into hockey around 2011 and immediately fanned up the Habs (who wouldn't ;) On the show we discuss the current playoffs, the Habs surprising run, Jake Allen and the future of the Bleu Blanc Rouge.

Alana got into hockey around 2010. She initially chose "her" team because she likes Penguins. She now creates all sorts of cool art work with team logos and players pictures. Listen to a "new" hockey fan who had a hobby into a passion. Check out her Instagram @thehockeycreative  

Cali, from San Diego California is a yoga teacher as well as a personal trainer specializing in strength and recovery. She took up hockey just recently and has already developed into her team’s starting goalie. Hear Cali tell stories like sharing a chairlift with Wayne Gretzky, and one time at practice this young cocky goalie hit the ice with the other players and stopped every puck shot at him. The cocky kid….Thatcher Demko.

Rae Rae and Breezy co-host the House of Hockey Podcast. In this episode of Pucking Funny we discuss how they started House Of Hockey as well as the recent NHL postponement of games, Mike Milbury’s dismissal from NBC sports, Allan Walsh’s awkward Twittering, the current playoffs, and lots more. Listen, share, subscribe, leave a review.

Veronica is one third of the great Habs Podcast Habby Hour. She was born in South America, now resides Vancouver and has always been an avid (or is it Habid?) Canadiens fan. Listen. Subscribe. Rate and Review.

Today we talk to former Montreal Canadien, and 1993 Stanley Cup Champion Gilbert Dionne. Hear Gilbert talk about his childhood in Drummondville Quebec when over the summers his eldest brother, Hall Of Famer Marcel Dionne would come spend time with the family. Gilbert discuses playing on the 1993 Habs with players such as Patrick Roy, John Leclair, Paul Dipietro and Gary Leeman as well as coach Jacques Demers.

Jules St.Louis was a boxer ranked #2 in her weight class in Canada, trained in Martial Arts with George St-Pierre, and is now a stunt person. Jules had a difficult upbringing, got into combat sports initially as a form of self defense, worked her way through the ranks. Subsequent substance abuse and depression had her leave sports and lose relationships. Jules has now recaptured her love of pushing boundaries as a stunt person. She has her own inspirational podcast aptly entitled The Untamed Gal.

Jim Thomson played 7 seasons in the NHL on the Washington Capitals, Hartford Whalers, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He played under coaches such as Barry Melrose, Rick Bowness, Bryan Murray and Larry Pleau. After hockey Jim went through difficulties, bounced back and is now a coach and mentor to young players.

Rob Pallante grew up in Mississauga Ontario, played hockey at Michigan Tech where he was teamamtes with Damian Rhodes. Rob also played in the Roller Hockey League with Pucking Funny friend Graeme Bonar. Rob now owns and operates MindSet Body Bank which helps young elite athletes develop their full potential.

In this special playoff edition, Greg discusses the NHL's Play-In and Round Robin Bubble Playoffs. The Habs upset of the Penguins and their chances against the Flyers. Greg also debunks teams "Tanking" in order to land Alex Lafreniere, and NHL lottery conspiracies.

Australian ice hockey fans may know Kerry Goulet as the brains behind the Canada V. USA Ice Hockey Classic which has featured NHL’ers such as Ben Scrivens, Kyle Quincey, as well as John Scott and Brent Burns, and in 2016 the Greatest of them all, Wayne Gretzky.

One of only 8 players to ever score 70 goals in a season in the 1988-89 Bernie Nicholls added 80 assists for 150 points. In a 15+ year career Nicholls scored 1209 points in 1127 games and won a Stanley Cup as an assistant coach with the 2012 LA Kings. Listen to Nicholls talk about playing junior in Kingston, his time in LA with Gretzky, and the story of how he was so confident when he got drafted by the Kings that there was only one player better than him at his first NHL training camp.

AJ Salsman is Hal the mascot of the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads. AJ also mascots for the HFX Wanderer FC soccer team and the Halifax Hurricanes basketball team. Learn how being a mascot differs from sport to sport, and listen to AJ's epic Patrick Roy story

Cam Green grew up in the Niagara area of Canada. When he first moved New Zealand, he started The Backyard Hockey League  which has expanded to House Hockey NZ. The League consists of 16 teams with coaches and GM's. They hold an NHL-like draft and even engrave winning team’s members names on the Championship Cup.

271 NHL wins. Played on Team Canada at 1987 Canada Cup, and has been a mainstay on HNIC for over 20 years.Kelly Hrudey is as competitive as they come while being one of the true gentlemen of the game. Hear Kelly talk about his junior days in Medicine Hat Alberta, playing on the star studded 1987 Canada Cup Team Canada, backstopping the Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals to his current career in broadcasting. Now residing Calgary, Kelly is prepping for the NHL’s Return To Play this coming weekend as well as for his daughter’s wedding later in August.  

Dean Arbuckle was born and raised in Cole Harbour Nova Scotia, saw Sidney Crosby play midget hockey, and talks about the love/hate relationship locals have with another Halifax native NHL'er, Brad Marchand. Dean also has his own Podcast webfamepodcast which looks into the lives of some of the best content creators on the web.

Tom Barengrent is a Dutch goalie, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and most impressively a 3 time cancer survivor. Oh, and Tom is still only 23. 2020 being the shit show that is keeps on being, Tom’s story and message are just what the Doctor ordered (pun intended). These 90 minutes will remind you that adversity is not pleasant, overcoming it is priceless. Also a huge shout out the Jesse Gabrielle for hooking Tom and I together. Listen. More importantly, share.

Aussie born and bred Kellie Del Pozzo was invited to attend a Melbourne ICE game 10 or so years ago and from the drop of the puck that night she’s been hooked. Despite being a self-described “bad skater”, Kellie is a regular at ICE game at The South Pole, volunteers as part of the ICE’s social media team, and co-hosts her own Podcast called “On Thin ICE” which is about all things ICE.

For friends and listeners in Victoria, especially Melbourne, these are trying times. May you all stay safe. As small a gesture as this is, I’ve put together a triple episode of Pucking Funny for you guys, and everyone else of course. Pucking Funny’s first ever multi interview episode includes talks with Lauren Didusko, Chri Wong and Sarah Dash. All 3 are current members of the Melbourne ICE, and could have more different roads to landing in Australia's City by the Bay. Lauren from regional NSW, Chris from Hong Kong, and Sarah from London Ontario Canada. Their different roads to Australia and to hockey show how no matter a person’s origin, we all have more in common than different.