Despite being a seventh-round pick, Dustin Wolf has certainly proven himself on the ice. Wolf played for the Everett Silvertips in the WHL for 4 seasons, consistently putting up remarkable numbers. He was able to continue this trend during his first 2 seasons in the AHL. Wolf has been so dominant in his position, he was won the Best Goaltender Award 4 seasons in a row - 2 in the WHL and twice more in the AHL. Dustin, although not short at 6'0" tall, has had to overcome the towering goalie...

Brett Howden can now call himself a Stanley Cup Champion. Howden, a key contributor in the Las Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup playoff run, shares his professional journey to this milestone during our 60 minute conversation. A western Canadian kid, Howden was originally drafted 5th overall to the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL and played 4 seasons with the team.  After his second WHL season, where Howden produced 64 points in 68 games, Howden was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning 27th...

Matt Bardsley took a very different route to WHL management, than most GM's.  He enjoyed the sport of hockey as a spectator, then zamboni driver, minor hockey coach, and scout for several years with the Portland Winterhawks, before becoming Director of Player Personnel, and finally, AGM in 2013. During his time as AGM of the Winterhawks, Bardsley helped lead the team to a WHL Championship in 2013, during their third of four consecutive trips to the league finals. Bardsley discusses with...

A star-struck roller hockey player from Florida went to a practice in Michigan and caught the eye of the coach of one of the top AAA teams in the US, even to this day. Noah moved to Michigan at the age of 14 and began his hockey career with Compuware, which led him to a spot on the USNTP. Winning Gold with Team USA at the Gretzky/Hlinka Cup, and having his stick in the Hockey Hall Of Fame, are just two of his major accomplishments. Babin battled through depression and earned a contract with...

Petri Karjalainen quit playing when he was 15 and  started coaching right away. He startted helping out around the arenas as he knew he wanted to be involved in the game and  since 2005 he has been professional coaching. Petri was recently hired as the head coach of Kalpa in the Finnish Elite League.  Petri's coaching journey enjoyed stops with various Finnish Jr. National teams. He has been to the U20 WJC on 3 occasions as an assistant coach, helping lead Finland to a gold medal in...

A Spokane Chief through and through, Toporowski said "playing in the WHL was the only thing he wanted to do" as a young hockey player.  His Dad was a Chief, his older brother was a Chief, so for this USA/Canada dual citizen playing for the Chicago Mission, his goals went against the typical American hockey player's goal of playing in the USHL as a pathway to the NCAA. Luke's dream came true when he was signed by the Spokane Chiefs and moved out to Spokane where is grandparents lived, and...

Billy McCreary is the President of Hockey Operations, Head Coach, and General Manager of the Commissioner's Cup Champion's, Danbury Hat Tricks. He sits down with Jason to discuss growing up in a hockey family and his dad being the player who knocked out Wayne Gretzky. Billy discusses the characteristics and qualities he looks for when building a championship team, with respect, passion, and hard work being more valuable than skill alone. Billy and Jason also talk about adversity, and how...

Leavold is a senior scout with the Everett Silvertips, of the WHL. He has decades of scouting experience for the Swift Current Broncos from 1998 to 2018, where he helped construct the Broncos squad that won the WHL's Ed Cynowith Cup in 2018, before moving on to help the Saskatoon Blades until being hired by Everett in 2022. Before becoming a scout, Leavold was a coach for many years, and is the proud father of former NHL prospect, and Mental Health Advocate, Brady Leavold. In this episode...

Dennis Williams has coached in the NCAA, NAHL, USHL, WHL, led Canada to a Gold Medal at the 2023 World Junior Championships in 2023. Dennis and Jason discuss coaching philosophies, the importance of making each and every player feel valuable, and what it was like to coach a generational player like Connor Bedard. Dennis explains what it was that made him want to become a coach, and how he attributes his coaching success to understanding that "every player has his own path".

Ryan Reaves is entering his 19th season as a professional hockey player. Drafted in the 5th round in 2005, Reaves talks about his days in the AHL and what it took for him to make the jump from the AHL to the NHL. Growing  up in a very competitive family, with his father, CHL Hall Of Famer, Willard Reaves, and his brother Jordan, who also became a professional football player, Ryan said his dad never let him win and all his victories were definitely earned. Ryan said there were no...

777 game NHLer and NHL Analyst, Bill Lindsay, talks about his 1996 run for the Stanley Cup as a member of the Florida Panthers, and why he thinks this current team has what it takes to win the Cup. Bill discusses the importance of teamwork, and how each and every person on a team is responsible for their teammates jobs. He says when you have that mentality, you work harder, knowing your are responsible for your teammate being able to provide for their family.

CFL Hall of Famer, and father of two professional athletes, Willard Reaves, talks to Jason about raising resilient kids, and the mindset he instilled in his boys, CFL player Jordan, and NHL player Ryan.  Willard says he was never easy on his boys, and said it didn't matter how big he was, he wasn't going to let them win against him, and they were going to have to earn their victories, because in life, "nobody is going to let you win". Willard talks about his service to his community, as a...

In this episode, former NHL player of 969 games, Cory Sarich, discusses with Jason how being traded from Buffalo, a team in a traditional hockey market, to the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team not on ANYONE'S radar, actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Cory talks to Jason about what it took to go from, in his words, a "bottom feeder" team, to winning the Stanley Cup in just 4 years.  He explains how changing the "Culture" was absolutely essential, not just within the locker room, but...

In today's game, size is not a limiting factor like it once was. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, with most people identifying and working to improve that weak area in their game.  But what if your weakness is something you can't control, like your height?  Your mindset becomes the most important part of your game. Dean McAmmond was listed with the Prince Albert Raiders as a 13 year old, and after playing 4 years in the WHL he was drafted in the first round, 22nd overall, by the...

Hockey to Hell and Back is the title of Brady Leavold's aptly named podcast. He's been there done that. Seen things and done things most of us only see in movies.  Brady isn't proud of his choices, or his history, but he wouldn't change it for anything - not even Jaime Benn's career, as he says in this episode. Leavold's journey is HIS journey and because he literally HAS been to hell and back, he is now using his recovery and his message to help others. There is grace, humility and guilt...

In this bonus episode I get to go deep on my discussions Nathan Mackie EP.57, Chris Joseph EP.59  and Cristobal Huet EP.53. Mackie is the current captain of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks and committed to Michigan State, but was 16 at the time of the interview and was looking forward to his rookie season in Salmon Arm. We speak about our work together during the interview. Chris Joseph was a teammate of mine in Mannhiem, and one of the best people you could meet.  Tragically he is also the...

If you know the name, Trevor Gillies, then you probably instantly think "handlebars". While in the NHL with the New York Islanders, Gillies was famous for his thick, black handlebar moustache. Trevor was also famous for his willingness to get involved in the rough stuff.  Gillies worked his way from juniors in the OHL, to the ECHL, to the AHL, and then to the NHL, because of his left hand and how he took care of his teammates. He rarely said no to a fight, and always had a clear...

Big time heavy hitters in this group of 10 to reflect on!  Check it out...

Tyler Shattock is now the head coach of a premier BCHL organization, but he was once a professional hockey player - and it wasn't too long ago. Drafted 5th overall in the 2005 WHL draft to the Kamloops Blazers - Tyler Shattock was a prized prospect that earned himself a 4th round selection in the 2009 NHL Entry draft to the St. Louis Blues. Shattock was never able to find his way to the NHL as a player and spent is pro career between the AHL and ECHL. Although Shattock's career should be...

In this episode I break down my favorite episodes from 31-40. So many excellent episodes to choose from in this group. I decide to highlight: Nathan Lafayette Dave Scatchard Jerred Smithson

Brent Gilchrist is best remembered by his teammates. Before I go any further, the above statement is a HUGE honor, When you have earned the respect of your locker room you have succeeded as a hockey player. Ask Brendan Shanahan or Steve Yzerman, or Chris Osgood about what Brent Gilchrist provided the Detroit Red Wings during their run to become Stanley Cup Champions in 1998 and they will tell you... Guts... Character... Sacrifice... Brent Gilchrist put the team first and played through...

In this episode I discuss the lack of confidence in today's players and also break down my favorite episodes from 21-30. I highlight: Nathan Dempsey from episode 27! Also, Stacy Roest, AGM of the Tampa Bay Lightning in Episode 21.

Mike Needham grew up playing his minor hockey in Fort Saskatchewan, but ended up getting listed by the Kamloops Blazers. And the Blazers were lucky to have him as he turned into a WHL star, scoring 59 goals and 125 points in only 60 games during his final season. Needham also won the gold medal while representing Canada at the World Junior Championships that same season in 1990. Mike Needham played in parts of two NHL seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Dallas Stars from 1992 to...

Reflections on Episodes 11-20 EP.11 Dave Oliver - A former NHL'er, a Director of Player Dev. for the Avalanche, an Assistant coach for the Rangers and a hockey dad... Dave has a lot of experience! A great interview EP.12 - David Michaud - President of the BCHL Alberni Valley Bulldogs EP.13 Wade Redden - NHL All-Star Defenseman EP.14 - Ryan Guenter - WHL Scout and author EP.15 - Scot Nichol - Nashville's Director of Player Dev. and former NHL'er - AMAZING story EP.16 - Joe Oliver -...

Pierre Turgeon's career was amazing. 154 points in 58 games for the Granby Bisons in 86-871st overall in the 1987 NHL Entry DraftGold medal with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in 1987 during the "Punch-up in Piestany"NHL All-Star 5 timesLady Byng Trophy winner515 Career Goals1327 Career Points97 Career Playoff PointsCaptain of the Montreal CanadiensAsst. Captain of the St. Louis BluesWe talk hockey, we talk about development, the mindset of goal scoring, who his best coach was,...