The Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast Hosted by Mark Willand. "The Voice of Hockey Legends"
Episodes
Friday Apr 12, 2019
Friday Apr 12, 2019
Rick Smith was one of hockey’s steadiest defenseman in the 1970s and he’s our guest on episode 32 of the PHA Podcast.
Rick is a well-spoken and humorous guy and you’ll enjoy his reflections on his fascinating 13-year big league journey. Rick tells at least 25 great stories, including: joining Bobby Orr and Boston Bruins on their quest for the Stanley Cup, the shocking trade to the California Golden Seals, his amazing stay with the wild Minnesota Fighting Saints of the WHA and his return to Boston with Don Cherry’s lunchpail Bruins of the late 1970s.
Friday Mar 29, 2019
Friday Mar 29, 2019
Randy Manery, the Flames Franchise first-ever All Star is our guest on Episode 31 off the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast.
A steady defenseman, who could carry the puck, Randy played 592 NHL games with the Atlanta Flames, Detroit Red Wings and LA Kings. He was named as the Flames’ representative in the 1973 NHL All Star Game in New York and later was twice voted to be the top defenseman on the LA Kings.
In this interview Randy recalls the early days of hockey in the deep South, colorful personalities like Pat Quinn, Boom Boom Geoffrion and Tom Lysiak, the trade to LA, life on the west coast and the life challenges he faced upon retirement.
Just a reminder to subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating on iTunes because this helps more people find these old time hockey interviews. You can reach as at prohockeyalumni@gmail.com and you can find as at ProHockeyAlumni anywhere on the web.
Now, let’s talk classic hockey with Randy Manery
Sunday Mar 10, 2019
Sunday Mar 10, 2019
Episode 30 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast Features “Mighty” Mike Rogers, the speedy and skilled centerman, who was one of the most productive centers in hockey during the 1970s and 80s.
Mike was the WHA rookie of the Year in 1975 with the Edmonton Oilers, but was soon traded to the New England Whalers, where solidified himself as consistent 70-80 point scorer.
But, when the Whalers joined the NHL in 1979-80, Rogers really took off scoring 105 points and recording a plus 28 plus/minus rating. The “Stash-Bash and Dash” line with Rogers flanked by Blaine Stoughton and Pat Boutette would become one of the NHL’s most prolific trios.
Mike was named Whalers captain and appeared in the NHL All Star game as he hit the 100 point level again in 1980-81. However, prior to the 1981-82 season Rogers was dealt to the New York Rangers, where he didn’t miss a beat scoring 103 points for the Blueshirts.
Mike scored 347 goals and 886 points in the big leagues and went on to a great career as a color commentator for the Calgary Flames. He was recently inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.
Always personable, Mike is a great interview and you’ll enjoy his humorous stories about his days in the WHA and NHL
Now … Let’s talk Classic hockey with Mike Rogers!
Thursday Feb 28, 2019
Thursday Feb 28, 2019
Episode 29 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast Features Don Luce, a Buffalo Sabres Hall of Famer, who was one of the NHL’s premier two-way players in the 1970s.
Luce teamed with wingers Craig Ramsay and Danny Gare to form one of hockey’s most potent lines. In all, Luce played 894 career NHL games, scoring 225 goals and 329 assists for 554 points. His best statistical season was the 1974–75 season with the Buffalo Sabres, when he set career highs in goals (33), points (76), shorthanded goals (8), and plus minus with a +61 rating.
Don won the Masterton Trophy in 1975 and was and NHL All Star the same year. He is a member of the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame.
Post-career Luce enjoyed great success in player development with the Sabres and Flyers.
In this interview, Don tells hilarious stories about his days with the Rangers, Red Wings and Sabres and also discusses the heartbreaking trade from Buffalo to LA and the tough adjustment he had in the early days of retirement.
Don also discusses his exciting new business, which helps athletes of all ages maximize their mental preparation for competition.
Host: Mark Willand
Saturday Jan 26, 2019
Saturday Jan 26, 2019
Episode 28 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast features Bernie Nicholls, one of hockey all-time great goal scorers, who scored 521 regular season and playoff goals with several NHL teams in an impressive 18-year career. Bernie offers great memories of his NHL days, playing with Marcel Dionne and Wayne Gretzky and the exciting 1980's scene in LA’s Fabulous Forum. He also talks candidly about his fight to assist NHL Alumni, who have suffered post career health issue related to head injuries.
Drafted by LA in 1980, Bernie would enjoy over eight productive years with the the Kings, highlighted by his historic 1988-89 campaign which saw him record 70 goals and 80 assists for 150 points. He is one of only 8 players in NHL history to score 70 goals in one season, and one of 5 to score 150 points.
A 3-time NHL All Star, Bernie would go on to have successful stops with the Rangers, Oilers, Blackhawks, Devils and Sharks before retiring in 1999.
Today, Bernie is involved in All Sports Market — the first ever real money sports stock market where you can buy actual shares of your favorite team! Bernie explains this exciting program on the show. You can also visit allsportsmarket.com for more details.
Host: Mark Willand
Friday Jan 18, 2019
Friday Jan 18, 2019
Episode 27 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast features goaltender Phil Myre, who played over 400 NHL games in 14 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Atlanta Flames, St. Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers, Colorado Rockies and Buffalo Sabres.
Phil was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round, fifth overall, in 1966. He played parts of three seasons with the Habs before being chosen by the Atlanta Flames in the 1972 expansion draft.
Phil and Dan Bouchard were an outstanding 1-2 tandem in goal for the next six seasons. Individually, Phil’s finest NHL season came in 1974-75 when he recorded five shutouts and a 2.85 GAA for the Flames.
Later in his career Phil helped backstop the Flyers to an incredible 35 game unbeaten streak.
After retiring as a player, Phil moved on to an impressive career as a goaltending coach with many teams, including the Detroit Red Wings, LA Kings and Florida Panthers.
Phil is now a sports consultant and inspirational speaker. You can visit his website at philmyretalkshockey.com.
Host: Mark Willand
Friday Jan 04, 2019
Friday Jan 04, 2019
Episode 26 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast features Peter Taglianetti, a 10-year NHL pro with the Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota North Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning and, of course, the Pittsburgh Penguins, with which he won two 2 Stanley Cups. Peter also enjoyed a standout four-year career at Providence College and is a member of the PC Hall of Fame.
A tough, old-school defenseman, Peter was an important figure on those powerhouse Penguins teams providing a hard-hitting aggressive style that was a perfect complement to his high-flying teammates.
Peter is an entertaining guy and a great storyteller. In fact, he tells about a dozen excellent stories in this episode alone.
Remember, you can contact us by visiting ProHockeyAlumni.org or you can find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ Pro Hockey Alumni.
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Host: Mark Willand
Saturday Dec 29, 2018
Saturday Dec 29, 2018
Episode 25 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast features Paul Gardner, a consistent 30-goal scorer with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Colorado Rockies in the 1970’s and 80’s.
Paul comes from a legendary hockey family, which includes his father Cal, an all star centerman with the Bruins, Leafs, Blackhawks and Rangers and brother Dave, a first round pick and NHL pro.
With the Penguins, Paul twice led the NHL in power play goals. Blessed with a great touch around the net, his career average of 36 goals scored per 80 games ranks the 55th among all NHL players past and present.
Unfortunately, Paul’s NHL career was short circuited by a pair of severe injuries, including a broken jaw — the result of the infamous blind side attack by Winnipeg’s Jimmy Mann, that cost him 22 games and a potential 50-goal season in 1981-82.
Paul tore through the AHL at an incredible rate in the mid 80’s and eventually launched a long and successful coaching career, which included a five-year stint with Barry Trotz and the Nashville Predators.
Paul is a terrific guy and an excellent interview and you’ll enjoy his take on his interesting career and the many characters he crossed paths with as a pro.
Don’t forget to rte, review and subscribe on ITunes.
Host: Mark Willand
Friday Dec 21, 2018
Friday Dec 21, 2018
Episode 24 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast features one of hockey’s all-time best LW’s — Brian Propp, who played 15 NHL seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota North Stars, Boston Bruins and the Hartford Whalers.
After a unbelievable junior career with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WCHL, Brian was drafted by the Flyers in the first round, 14th overall in the 1979 NHL Entry draft.
He’d go on to score 1,004 points over 1,016 NHL games and ranks second in Flyers history in goals (369, behind Bill Barber) and is second in assists (480, second behind Bobby Clarke)
Brian Played in five NHL All Star games, five Stanley Cup Finals and played on the Star-Studded Team Canada squad in the 1987 Canada Cup.
Brian was a sensational post-season player and holds the NHL’s all time record for points by a left wing with 148.
In 1999, Propp was named to the MasterCard Canadian Junior All-Time team, which also included Mario Lemieux, Guy Lafleur, Bobby Orr, Denis Potvin, and Bernie Parent — not bad company.
Also in 1999, Propp was inducted into the Philadelphia Flyers Hall of Fame. In 2014, Propp was inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame and the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.
Brian has gone on to great success in the business world and remains an active with the Flyers Alumni. His recovery from a stroke he suffered in 2015 is truly inspirational.
Easy-going on professional, Brian Propp is a “man of the people” and a real credit to the Flyers organization.
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Host: Mark Willand
Saturday Dec 15, 2018
Saturday Dec 15, 2018
Episode 23 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast features Mike Antonovich, the talented Minnesota Hockey legend and a seven-year WHA star with the Minnesota Fighting Saints and New England Whalers.
After three standout seasons at the University of Minnesota, Mike became an original Fighting Saint in 1972.
His Pro Career blossomed in 1975 when he played LW on a line with veterans Dave Keon and John McKenzie with the Fighting Saints. He was well on this way to a 40 Goal season until the team folded in February 1976. That Saints team was a threat to win it all in the league that year and Mike still bristles at the fact they they were short-circuited by cash woes.
After a brief NHL sabbatical with the NHL North Stars, Mike returned to the WHA in 1976-77 and scored 40 goals playing for three WHA teams, the last of which was the New England Whalers. Mike represented the Whalers in the 1977-78 WHA All Star game and remained with the team through their voyage to the NHL in 1979-80.
Mike concluded his playing career with the New Jersey Devils and eventually embarked on a long an successful stint as an NHL scout. He is currently an amateur scout with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Always a friendly and affable guy, Mike enthusiastically shares his memories about WHA legends like Mike “Shakey” Walton, Gordie Gallant, Johnny McKenzie, Dave Keon, Gordie Howe, Glen Sonmor and many more.
Just a reminder to subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating on iTunes. It helps us share the stories of these legends with hockey fans throughout the world. All places to listen and to contact us are available in the show notes.
Also, join us on social media, particularly Facebook, where you can follow our classic hockey sites: The Pro Hockey Alumni, WHA Hockey, Whaler Nation and The official Boston Bruins Alumni site.
Now, let’s talk classic hockey with Mike Antonovich.