The Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast Hosted by Mark Willand. "The Voice of Hockey Legends"
Episodes
Friday Dec 07, 2018
Friday Dec 07, 2018
Episode 22 of the Pro Hockey Alumni podcast features the personable Jordy Douglas, a WHA and NHL pro, who scored 33 goals with the Hartford Whalers in 1979-80.
After a great junior career with the Flin Flon Bombers, Jordy elected to sign with the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association in 1978.
With the Whalers, he teamed with hockey legends like Johnny McKenzie, Davey Keon and Gordie Howe as he learned the ropes of playing big league hockey. Jordy scored a goal in his first WHA game and really found his groove in the post-season. As a result of this strong performance, he joined Mark Howe as the only two protected Whalers skaters for the 1979 NHL Expansion Draft.
With the legendary Keon as his centerman in 1979, Jordy established himself as a legitimate NHL scoring threat. A highlite was a four-goal game vs. the eventual Stanley Cup Champion NY Islanders.
Unfortunately in game 77 of that season, Douglas suffered a broken collarbone, an event that began a cycle of serious injuries that would plague him for the rest of his career.
He’d later play for the Minnesota North Stars and Winnipeg Jets and conclude his career with a prolific two-year stay in Finland.
Upon retirement, Jordy found significant business success teaming with ex-NY Ranger Ted Irvine in the financial management industry.
Jordy is articulate, funny and an all-around good guy and you’ll enjoy his perspective on his days in hockey and beyond.
Also remember to subscribe to and leave a rating and review for us on iTunes, the link is in the show notes. You can also email the Pro Hockey Alumni at prohockeyalumni@gmail.com. Home base for our show and all of our many social media sites is prohockeyalumni.org.
Saturday Dec 01, 2018
Saturday Dec 01, 2018
Episode 21 of the Pro Hockey Alumni podcast features Mike Corrigan, a 11-year NHL veteran with the LA Kings, Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Mike was both an original LA King and Vancouver Canuck but it was in his second go-round with the Kings where he made his mark in the NHL.
A tough, versatile and gritty forward, Mike’s scored 37 goals with the Kings in 1972-73, playing on a line with Juha Widing and Bob Berry. He was key part of the 1974-75 Kings squad that garnered 105 points during the regular season.
Mike’s career ended with the Penguins in 1976-77 when he suffered a horrendous leg injury vs. the Sabres — but in hindsight even this story was hilarious.
A great storyteller, Mike is one of hockey’s good guys - a man who appreciates his place in hockey history and is well-liked by everyone. He loves the game and gives back far more than he ever received.
I’ve known Mike for quite some time and he never fails to put a smile on my face. I think you’ll be smiling too as you listen to the recollections rom Mike’s colorful career.
(Please note that Mike references some events he’ll be at in early 2019, one of which is The Springfield Thunderbirds’ “Blast from the Past night.” This night is on Jan 5th, not on January 11th as referenced in the podcast.).
Also remember to subscribe to and leave a rating and review for us on iTunes, the link is in the show notes. You can also email the Pro Hockey Alumni at prohockeyalumni@gmail.com. Home base for our show and all of our many social media sites is prohockeyalumni.org.
Sunday Nov 25, 2018
Sunday Nov 25, 2018
Today’s Guest on the PHA Podcast is Matt DiBiase, the author of the book — “the Art of the Dealers, the NHL Greatest General Managers”
"The Art of the Dealers" is based several interviews with NHL players and general managers (active and retired) like Lou Lamoriello, Cliff Fletcher, Ray Shero, Doug Wilson, Jim Rutherford, and David Poile, who shared their insights and philosophies about what it takes to manage, build, and maintain great hockey teams. In this interview we discuss great managerial legends like Sam Pollock, Emile Francis, Bill Torrey, Conn Smythe, Harry Sinden, Glen Sather and more.
Based on his rating system, Matt reveals what he determines to be the top 5 GMs of all time.
The Art of the Dealers is available on Amazon.com.
In addition to Matt, we welcome back the “Voice of the Boston Bruins Alumni” John Horrigan as he interviews a pair of NHL pros PJ Stock and Al Iafrate at the NHL Pro Am charity event in Boston.
Please consider leaving a rating and review on iTunes (The link is in the show notes). Also you can reach me directly at prohockeyaumni@gmail.com.
Sunday Nov 18, 2018
Sunday Nov 18, 2018
WHA and NHL Tough Guy, Hall of Fame Referee, Cancer Survivor, Paul “Stewcat” Stewart may be the most interesting man in hockey, but he made his mark well beyond the sport -- inspiring people from all walks of life to find, in themselves, the will and the courage to achieve and survive even the most dire of circumstances.
Incredibly, Paul climbed to the top of the NHL ladder twice — as a player and referee. In Episode 19 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast, we focus on Paul’s playing career -- an incredible journey from Zamboni Driver at Philadelphia Flyers practices to a respected enforcer in the big leagues. Paul delivers fascinating tales from his days slugging it out in the wild “Slapshot” era of minor league hockey and his eventual climb to the big leagues with the WHA Cincinnati Stingers and NHL Quebec Nordiques.
What fueled Paul’s unlikely drive to the top? You’ll get a good idea in his stories about meeting hockey legend Eddie Shore and and heartfelt letter he received from former puglistic foe Jack Carlson.
This podcast is crammed with entertaining hockey stories and life inspiration as as is Paul’s new book titled “Ya Wanna Go?” which is sure to be a best seller. The book is available on his website —YaWannaGo.com, amazon.com and wherever great books are sold. This book is a must read for any hockey fan.
Host: Mark Willand
Friday Nov 09, 2018
Friday Nov 09, 2018
Episode 18 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast is a Tribute to US Hockey legend Keith “Huffer” Christensen, who died on November 5th, 2018 at the age 74.
After a legendary high school career in International Falls, MN, Huffer became a standout player at The University of Minnesota Duluth in the 1960s, putting that program on the hockey map. He captained the silver medal winning 1972 US Olympic hockey team and concluded his playing career in the World Hockey Association with Minnesota Fighting Saints.
In 2005 he was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame.
At just 5-6 and 155 pounds, Huffer was small in stature, but big in heart and talent.
To help commemorate Huffer’s career, we’ll talk with three of his Olympic teammates: RW Tim Sheehy, Center Henry Boucha and goaltender Mike Curran. We’ll learn about what made Huffer a special player and person — and we’ll examine the strong bond that the 1972 Olympic team still has today.
Rest in Peace, Huffer Christiansen
Host: Mark Willand
Saturday Nov 03, 2018
Saturday Nov 03, 2018
What an honor to talk with this week’s guest — my good friend and Boston Bruins legend Rick “Nifty” Middleton.
A first round draft pick of the NY Rangers in 1973, Nifty scored 448 career goals and 988 career points in 14 sensational NHL seasons with the Rangers and Bruins. He topped 40 goals and 90 points for five consecutive seasons in the 1980s and played in three NHL All Star Games and Two Canada Cups.
While his stick handling and offensive flair were legendary, he also was also a great two-way player and is the Bruins all-time leader in shorthanded goals.
Nifty is now the president of the Bruins Alumni Association, which raises hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for those in need. Nifty is one of hockey’s great ambassadors and is certainly worthy of having his #16 hanging from the rafters of the Boston Garden.
Host: Mark Willand
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018
Wednesday Oct 24, 2018
Terry "Roscoe" Ruskowski played for the Chicago Black Hawks, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Minnesota North Stars in the National Hockey League (NHL), and for the Houston Aeros and Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association (WHA).
Ruskowski's leadership on the ice was recognized with his tenure as captain of the Aeros, Blackhawks, Kings, and Penguins, the only player in major professional history to captain four clubs.
Ruskowski won two Avco Cup Championships in the WHA (1975 and 1979).
After his playing career, Ruskowski embarked on a successful minor league coaching career in a variety of leagues.
In this interview Terry discusses his toughest fighting foes, the WHA vs. the NHL, hockey legends like Gordie Howe, Mario Lemieux and Stan Mikita and he reveals the biggest regret of his pro career.
Host: Mark Willand
Friday Oct 12, 2018
Friday Oct 12, 2018
Drafted in the third round, 32nd overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, Joe Noris played 55 regular season games in the National Hockey League with the Penguins, St. Louis Blues, and Buffalo Sabres in 1971–74. During his NHL stint, he mostly played as a defenseman although he was a natural center.
Joe made his way to the World Hockey Association with the San Diego Mariners and the Birmingham Bulls, skating in 198 WHA games, scoring 72 goals and adding 116 assists from 1975–1978.
Noris was selected to the 1977 WHA All-Star Game and also played for the United States at the inaugural 1976 Canada Cup tournament.
Noris was the first player who grew up in Colorado to make it to the NHL. He would be the only Colorado native to suit up until Parris Duffus played a single game in 1997.
Joe later became a fixture on the roller hockey scene.
Joe tells some great stories from his interesting career.
Host: Mark Willand
Thursday Sep 20, 2018
Thursday Sep 20, 2018
14-Year NHL veteran Joe Juneau enjoyed an incredible collegiate hockey career at RPI all while earning a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
Joey went on to win a siver medal for Canada in the 1992 Olympics and became an instant sensation in Boston with a terrific post-Olympics debut in 1992 followed by a 102-point rookie season in 1992-93.
Despite his success in Boston, Joey was traded to the Washington Capitals at the trade deadline in 1994 in exchange for Al Iafrate.
Joey would proceed to have a solid NHL career with the Caps, Phoenix, Buffalo and Montreal.
Joey has devoted much of his post hockey career to helping underprivileged youngsters gain access to hockey, first-rate education and life lessons. Few have given as much back to the game and his community more than Joe.
Host: Mark Willand
Sunday Sep 09, 2018
Sunday Sep 09, 2018
Episode 13 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast is a tribute to NHL and WHA veteran forward Alvin Brian “Ab”Ab McDonald, who passed away on September 4, 2018 at the age of 82.
Ab played 762 regular-season and 84 NHL playoff games followed by two seasons in the World Hockey Association, where he was the Winnipeg Jets' first captain.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native won the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1958 and 1959 and then again with Chicago in 1961. He scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal for the Chicago Blackhawks in 1961.
Ab finished with 182 goals and 248 assists for 430 points during his 14-year NHL career with Montreal, Chicago, Boston, Detroit, Pittsburgh and St. Louis. He was also the first-ever captain of the expansion Pittsburgh Penguins in 1967-68.
To help us pay tribute to Ab, we’ve invited three of his friends from his WHA days on the show: WHA and Winnipeg Jets originals: Norm Beaudin and Joe Daley along with legendary Winnipeg broadcaster and Jets historian Peter Young.
Host: Mark Willand