32 Thoughts: The Podcast - The 32 Holiday Special

Episode Date: December 24, 2024

In this Holiday Special of 32 Thoughts Kyle Bukauskas and Elliotte Friedman welcome Dan Murphy, Hilary Whitebread, Sean Reynolds, Luke Gazdic, Caroline Cameron, Anna Dua, and Jon Abbott to the 32 Thoughts holiday party for a night of fun conversations. Email the podcast at [e-mail] or call the Thought Line at 1-833-311-3232 and leave us a voicemailThis podcast was produced and mixed by Dominic Sramaty and hosted by Elliotte Friedman & Kyle Bukauskas.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates

Welcome to 32 Thoughts, the podcast presented by the GMC Sierra AT4X. It's Kyle and Elliot here with you. Don Schimatti is somewhere amongst the crowd here, Elliot. It's the 32 Thoughts holiday get-together. Back after a brief hiatus, this is my first time attending the event as a host. I've got my Christmas sweater on. I see you've got the reindeer antlers on your head, Fridge. What is your favorite part of these get-togethers?

Well, this one we don't really talk about business, right? This is not a business event. This is our opportunity to talk to some colleagues, get to know what's going on in their lives, get to know what they think about traditions. Like there'll be one guest here who I really don't know at all. Like I know the other six guests really well, but there's one, she's new to our company. I really don't know her. So I'm looking forward to learning a little bit about her.

It's just nice to speak to people in a non-work environment and just have a fun conversation. Now, some things that we do here, everybody is entitled to pour a little bit of Christmas or holiday cheer. It can be either alcoholic or non-alcoholic. We don't discriminate. And everyone's welcome. We don't discriminate. And everyone's welcome. It's an inclusive, fun party. And everybody's welcome to join in and listen in.

So, Mr. Bacoskis, what will we be pouring you? Oh, for me, just a cold glass of eggnog. Neat. No rum, no ice, no nothing. It is the flavor of my childhood. Rum, no ice, no nothing. It is the flavor of my childhood, and I love, love, love, love sipping back a few of those this time of year. What can I get you, Parker?

What do you love more, eggnog or breakfast? Because I've heard these commercials on the pod. Do you love eggnog or breakfast more? Well, I think at this time of year, they go hand in hand. I love doing scrambled eggs for breakfast, and usually I do a little bit of milk in with my scramble mix this time of year, they go hand in hand. I love doing scrambled eggs for breakfast, and usually I do a little bit of milk in with my scramble mix. This time of year, instead of milk, I substitute for eggnog. Nice, nice, really nice.

And are you going home? Are either of your parents visiting? Like, what are you and Dana doing over the holiday? So, mom and dad, brother, are coming here to Ottawa. We are hosting this year. We spent a lot of time back west last summer. We were out that way for Christmas last year. So we thankfully convinced them to come out this way.

So we are hosting. And usually the traditions are Christmas vacation, Christmas Story, two flicks before the big day, and then Christmas Day, It's a Wonderful Life is usually playing kind of in the afternoon as everyone's hanging out. Dinner is slowly being prepared. Those are the staples in the Bukowskis house come Christmas time. Nice. And was there any great gift you got? First of all you're gonna get all the WHL scoops from your brother we need to point that out. Secondly, secondly was there any great gift that you remember

from your childhood? Yeah a Lego train set that was a big one because nice two years two years in the making and that was back when you know toys and stuff had a shelf life of that long where you could go an entire year and that still be number one on your list uh all that time later but i remember it was uh something i was wishing for didn't come to fruition uh the one year and then just continued to push for it over the next 365 days finally got the payoff and it was worth it that one always comes to my mind

yeah we love Lego too we're a big Lego family how long did it take you to do it oh it was like that became the morning priority like before lunchtime it was all aboard we had left the station nice

well I hope you and Dana and your family have a great Christmas you asked me what I was going to pour I would usually have I like the really well this year too it's kind of weird usually Hanukkah is earlier I was going to say happy Hanukkah too, it's kind of weird. Usually Hanukkah is earlier.

I was going to say, happy Hanukkah to you. It's on the same day as Christmas this year, which I don't ever remember happening before. I'm sure it has, but I don't ever remember happening. I'm a peaty scotch guy. I like my scotch smoky, so I'm a Lagavulin guy. I remember when Adam Oates worked with us once. I had a glass of it after a show with him, and he was like, that stuff's disgusting, get it away from me. But I love it, and that would be my Christmas holiday slash Hanukkah cheer.

Fantastic. And now over the Hanukkah festivities, what do you and your family love to do each and every year at this time? Well, you know what? We celebrate what's called Jewish Christmas, which is Chinese food in a movie, Kyle. That's what we do. Oh, great. Yes, we always go for Chinese food on Christmas Eve, and we'll find a movie to go see. I think Steph wants to see the Bob Dylan movie

this year. I don't even know if it's out yet, so I have to check and see if that's available yet, but that's what we do, and we enjoy the time off. As a matter of fact, I do have some relatives who celebrate Christmas.

So we will probably be spending a little bit of time with them. We do that as well. But, you know, generally, that was always my, like, we always used to play cards on Christmas with my buddies and I. But now that they're older, they go away with their families. So that is out of the question so uh Chinese food and uh and and a movie will be it and uh the the Hanukkah party we already had uh so that one is out of the picture and Dom is texting what is my favorite Chinese food? I love lemon chicken. I love lemon chicken. I love the Shanghai noodle.

I love hot and sour soup. And I need like one spicy meat dish. One spicy meat dish. That's what I like. And how about you growing up? What was this time of year like for a young Elliot Friedman? One of the things I really remember, a gift I really remember, and it wasn't like the most, it wasn't the most exotic Christmas gift, but Kyle, when you were young, did you ever play Stratego?

All I can think about is that line from Family Guy when you say Stratego I think we had it in the house but I don't remember what's the line from Family Guy I've never heard this one it was Mayor Adam West I'm trying to remember the scenario where it was like it was like something very serious happening and then he pulls that out he's like

does anyone want to play Stratego I have Stratego that's pretty funny i didn't know that i missed that episode so i will say this that that's one of the things i actually remember the most was i got that game i didn't know much about it and then pretty quickly it became like one of my favorite games and i always loved playing stratego that. That was, like, I got hockey stuff periodically. I would get, like, computer baseball games, and I loved all that stuff.

But for some reason, I always remember the game of Stratego. And I went on a run where I was like, I played it all the time with whoever would play it against me. Jeez. And you probably got pretty good at it. I not bad roughshod yeah good i was not bad i i was i was not bad and uh the key was being unconventional i don't want to get too much into this but the key was everybody always surrounded the flag with bombs. I stopped doing that, and people had a tough time figuring it out initially. Great. All right.

I've got my eggnog. You've got your smoky scotch. What do you say we go mingle? All right. Let's go say hi to people. Okay. I see there's Dan Murphy over in the corner there. We'll go chat with Dan Murphy here to kick off the

holiday party here at 32 Thoughts. Dan, first off, what can we fill your cup with? It doesn't have to be alcoholic. It can be a cold drink. It can be a warm drink. What is comforting you this holiday season? No, you're darn sure it has to be alcoholic. I would say there's three possibilities. Guinness would be one. Red wine would be the next. And maybe vodka on the rocks. Those are the three choices that I'll go through. What's your red wine of choice?

Are you a Malbec guy or what are you? It depends what we're having for dinner. But I do tend to like Italian wines. You know, Chianti's, Barolos, obviously, but those are a tad out of my price range a lot of times. And Pinot Noirs as well I like. I do like cabs when you're having something like a big steak, but usually Pinots or Italian wines. Nice. Now, I want to know, in addition to this party being in attendance, are we wearing the same suit? Because I got to tell you, because I got to tell you, when I saw

you wearing that corduroy suit, because it's like the prom dress, we cannot show up to the Christmas holiday party in the same suit, Murph. I know. Imagine my surprise. I got it last, I guess, spring. So I wore it once, maybe game one of the playoffs against Nashville. And so like that was the only time I'd worn it. And then I saw you post the picture. I'm like, Deb's cheating on me. And I'm going to be trained here. You know, I thought I was the only one.

Now, I do have a nice beige corduroy suit too, but it's not double-breasted. So anyway, you can pull it off, Breeze. Well, first of all, we know who the male model is between me and you, okay? We know who that is, and it's definitely not me. But here's what I want to know. When you saw me wear that thing, were you like, that's it? I'm pulling mine out of mothballs and I'm wearing it tomorrow. Well, I was made. Cause if that's one, as you know,

there's certain suits you can wear maybe twice a year. And I was getting ready to do it sometime in the holiday season. And then when you brought it out, I had to make sure I wore it because I have pants for that suit and you don't. So I needed to get ahead of things. That's true. I don't have the pants yet that's fantastic you got the corduroy of the west and the corduroy of the east that is fantastic so dan yes when you introduce yourself to people do you bring up that you used to cover the NBA and the Grizzlies as much as Elliot brings up that you used to cover the Raptors? Well, I mean, covering the Grizzlies, while it's true, it might be a little ambitious to say I covered them a long time.

I was a host for one season. And so, yes, I mean, I was a much bigger basketball fan growing up than hockey fan. So that would have been my preferred sport to cover at that time, breaking into the business. Now, I loved hockey, but basketball was I followed closely. So I will say that I did do a half of play by play as well. One time when Tom lost his voice and the story goes that I was up in the stand somewhere. voice and the story goes that I was up in the stand somewhere and producer Randy Stevens said how long will it take you to get courtside to the play-by-play chair and I said I don't know about a minute he goes we're up in two minutes uh Tom Glasgow lost his voice so I hustle down

I put on the headsets Jay Trano's the color guy beside me I've got a 15 count in my ear and I look over and Jay's like motioning for me to take my headset off I take it off and he's like don't f up it's up they didn't use f anyway as you know Jay can carry a broadcast and he did so yeah I do I do mention that I cover the Grizzlies for sure now was there a player that you really got along with well like and like the back then who was kind of like your guy when you did interviews post-game or halftime or anything like that? Yeah. I mean, that was so early in my career. I wasn't great yet at forging those relationships, and I didn't travel.

But I would say, because the team lost a lot. So you're going to cling to guys that are good speakers in tough times. And I would say Grant Long is probably the one guy I went to the most for interviews. He was really good. And Sharif was too quiet. But I still see Sharif on the road sometimes when he was in his GM duties for Sacramento, I believe. And he would recognize me and say, hi. I don't think he knew what my name was, but he knew where I was from.

But Grant Long, I would say, would be the guy that I went to the most. I only dealt with him a little bit because he came in when Miami was losing a lot. So unfortunately, he had that experience. He started with the Heat when they were an expansion team. But I remember hearing he was a really good guy. So what do you and your family do over the break? Well, as you know, Freeds, when you have kids, you kind of start your own traditions. So we usually, you know, there's a game on the 23rd and

then a game on the 28th so we always um well we have for a while uh christy's father passed away in 2015 so her stepmom comes on the 24th stays over that night so wakes up with us and and well our daughter opens presents i always go for a run uh late morning on christmas because i'm punishing myself for what happened the night before and what's such a preemptive strike almost on that night. And then we host Christy's whole family. It's just usually around 14 or 15 people, depending who comes. So that's what it is now. I mean, it's changed greatly from when I was younger or even before we had kids, but that's kind of what we do. And then on the 26 26th my sister and family and dad live in Comox and we'll take the ferry and go over there for a night or two nights depending on when I

yeah and for those who don't know I mean you are as dedicated as it comes to fitness and you get after it bright and early constantly and it blows me away and I wonder if that is all just in preparation of these times of year where you're around family, the cups of cheer are flowing, you've got good food around you. Is that the balance of it all? Well, it's not just for this time of year. You know, it's being on the road 120 days a year. It's tough to eat properly all the time. It's tough to eat at regular times.

times. So I think it's just, I always made a conscious choice that if I was going to consume bad calories, it would be through beer and wine. And I've kept to that promise. I try to eat as well as possible and it's not always possible. And I try to work out and that way, you know, I don't feel bad about indulging in some wine and beers after games. Now, have you guys ever run together? oh sorry Kyle I apologize have you guys ever run together no no no we've been the gym usually during tennis the tennis tournament the announcement Bank open myself and Kyle being at the same time Jesse Levine uh so I've seen Kyle put on a show there's like a show like okay what's the show this I have to hear what's no show. Okay, what's a show? This I have to hear. What's the show? He always wears a headband. Did you know that?

Yes, I did. Yes. I've seen that. I mean, he can pull it off. You know, he's half our age. So, you know, less than half our age. So, you know, he puts in, he does hard work. He gets a good sweat.

I'm not going to make fun of him. Actually, he works out hard. I think even harder at home when he's doing his Crossfit stuff nice gosh i barely get to that anymore all right last one for you murph so you said you're a big basketball guy growing up but i know like ken gratt ken dryden was your guy when it comes to hockey like you have a favorite hockey moment from your childhood oh boy favorite hockey moment from my childhood childhood? Oh boy, favorite hockey moment from my childhood. Didn't go to a ton of games. I guess I'll say this, you know, with my dad, I think we went a couple times into games from Abbotsford into Pacific Coliseum, and I just remember, like, hating Wayne Gretzky,

and it was because of the, you know, what he would do to the Canucks every time they'd play, I just remember, like, hating Wayne Gretzky. And it was because of the, you know, what he would do to the Canucks every time they'd play. And we went to an Oilers game one time, and it's just, my reaction to seeing him was visceral. I hated him. Absolutely couldn't stand him. So the biggest memory I have is like, you know, I was probably, I don't know if I was quite in my teens yet, but at that age, going and the game was more about cheering against Wayne Gretzky than it was cheering for the Canucks, if you can believe that. So that's kind of the one that stands out for me, for my early coffee memories. I've never told Wayne.

I've never told Wayne. I'm sure you weren't the only one. Now, do you remember, did you have a favorite only one now what would you remember did you have a favorite Christmas gift or anything when you were a kid? I do I remember it was right after like E.T. I remember I don't know if I was 13 or 14 but getting a Kuahara Diamondback

bike and that was I think the gift I remember the most getting when I was younger and you guys talk about traditions my favorite traditions were my parents. My mom has since passed, but they, after retired, they joined PGA West in Palm Springs. They'd go down there in winter down there.

So over Christmas, I would go down there. My dad and I had a tradition. Every Christmas morning, before we did any presents, we'd play the stadium course, which is extremely tough, but we'd play it from the the tips which makes it even tougher and that was our Christmas day play the stadium course from the tips and of course I'd have some you know breakfast beers whatever but that was that was a really fun tradition to play golf every morning on Christmas morning and I'm say

every morning on Christmas morning it's probably about five or six times but that was that was awesome great that. Great. That's awesome. And here's the last one for me, Dan. How many years now on Canucks broadcasts? So I started in the 0-1-0-2 season. So that was the year that they went

to the playoffs and played the Red Wings and were up 2-0. The Lidstrom goal on Cloutier. That was my first year covering the Canucks. So remember, you won't be alone and we're up 2-0, the Lidstrom goal on Cloutier. That was my first year covering the Canucks. It won't be long until we're at 25 years. The one thing I wanted to ask you

is, we joke about it, but I say it out of respect. One of the most passionate fan bases, they love the Canucks. I'm wondering over the years, what was your best interaction love the Canucks I'm wondering over the years what was your best interaction with a Canucks fan like just on the street or shopping for groceries whatever best interaction I mean as you know Fritz people are so you know passionate and they want to talk about

uh everything uh that goes on with the Canucks and you know I always say this like people said you get you get sick of it I'm like I'd much rather be people interested in them than not right I mean you want people to care about some of the stuff you you cover but I remember one time going to buy groceries at the Safeway, and there was a young woman there and said her dad was a huge fan, and they lived a couple blocks away when I go over and say hi.

So yeah, I followed her back, and I went and talked to her dad for a bit about the Canucks. Surprised him. Oh, nice. That's awesome. Well done, Murph. Good for you, buddy.

Very, very sharp, Murph. Very, very sharp. Dan, very, very sharp. Dan Murphy, he's a hell of a broadcaster and he will make house calls. That's right. Murph, this is great man. Have a great holiday with your family. We'll see you in the new year. All right boys, we'll see you soon.

Take care. Okay, so we're really fortunate at Sportsnet that not only do we have some fun personalities that you see on the television screen each and every night, we also have some wonderful people and personalities working behind the scenes. Hilary Whitebread, makeup extraordinaire. She is definitely one of them. Hilary, welcome to 32 Thoughts. Welcome to our holiday party.

Our first question to you is, what can we get you to drink? Well, I like a bit of rum and eggnog personally. So I would love that. Yeah, Elliot's not an eggnog guy, I've learned during this party. No, I'm not an eggnog

guy, but I respect anyone else who wants to drink it. Just don't bring it anywhere near me. I think it's an acquired taste. It sure is i have not acquired it yet so hill we we always want to have somebody on the podcast that that people aren't familiar with they may not know from television because as as kyle and i know extremely well without the great support people we have around us technical production wardrobe and makeup such as yourself we would be even more of a disaster than we already are so one of the things I think

everybody understands what makeup is but one of the things one of the things I wanted to explain is like just how do you prep like on a night like Saturday night where you're making up seven or eight different people how do you prep it all how do you know who knows what needs what like that's one thing I think people don't realize is the amount of work you do prepping for when that person gets in the chair you are so right. You made me sound really important and thank you for that. You know what? I think it's literally your face that's out for all of Canada to see and it's important. It's an integral part of what people see visually. I guess start a face is everybody has their own makeup bags and so that makes it really easy to choose exactly what's going on the face and it becomes very fluid and routine so I've been at

this for 11 years now with the NHL I was a day one with the NHL contract so I've you know cultivated really special relationships with everybody and it's it's a trust fall you know we're we're in this thing together when when people are going out on air I feel like a little piece of me is going out there with them each night so I'm curious to know what's in a makeup bag like explain explain to the audience, like what is in there? Like what do you have for my face, which needs like no work and what do you have for Kyle's face, which needs a lot of work? Okay. So you want recipes. Yeah. Like what's in there? Like I think people would actually be curious to know, like what's

in a makeup bag for us. What is in a makeup bag? Okay. So I'll give you an example with yourself, Elliot. You have a little bit of a drier skin, shall we say, a little bit dehydrated. You're a very busy man. You're doing things, you're talking a lot. Maybe it's sucking the moisture out of your skin. So we have to make sure that Elliot stays hydrated.

So a nice moisturizer, and then we use a powder foundation really quick and easy. Your hair on the other hand is a bit of a process if you will. Yeah, it's been too much hairspray. So I also I also call I need the lips. Yes, I know that too. Yes. Well, there's a lot of chatting, a lot of dehydration, a lot of chapped lips. It goes with the rest of my dehydrated face, Kyle. Well, Hillary, here's the thing.

Because when, because I, you know, I'll go into Toronto on weekends when they're playing at home on Saturday and Elliot will often come to the skates in the morning. And there's some times where I go sit down next to him or we're watching morning skate, and in the back of my mind, I'm going, oh. Like, wow. Hair and makeup has their work cut out for them here today. Like, there are ever some times where he sits down in the chair. And it's like that scene off of a 40-year-old version

where Steve Carell's going to get the hair removed from his chest, and it's like, cancel all my afternoon appointments because of how big the job's going to be. Like, have you ever had that where you're like, I've got to clear everyone else. Yeah. Yes, I would say, I mean, I've been compared to words like magician, miracle worker.

You know, I want to be humble about this. You know, I don't want to give too much away about how wonderful my abilities are. But, yes, I mean, we sort of have it down to a science, and sometimes we don't have a lot of time. Elliot, I don't know if you recall a time that you came in, you had a flight that was late late and you had to scramble to get here and I think we had like maybe I don't know six minutes to process you that means hair and full full hair and makeup and you had to get out to set and

we had you dressed and ready to go within like I think it was like eight minutes record time do Do you recall this? Yes. You know what? You're right. You're, you're a hundred percent right. Your memory is tremendous. It was last year. Last year. Yes. It was, we're coming back. Dave Amber and I were coming back from Victoria for, from hockey day in Canada. And we had a regional on the Sunday night. It was Toronto at Seattle, I think, or Toronto, Seattle. It was something like that. And our first flight was canceled

and Dave actually left his bag at the airport. He said, I'm rushing to, because Dave likes to prepare. Dave likes, like we all prepare in our own ways. Dave is like, if everything isn't perfect, it's a nuclear meltdown. So he actually left with, he says, I don't have time for my bag to come. They'll just have to, I'll either have to claim it in a couple of days or they'll deliver it to my house. And I said, I am not doing that.

I'm going to get your bag and I will bring it to work. So he got to work about 45 minutes before the game. And you're right. I got there about 12 minutes before the game. That is true. And it was like you had nine arms. Like you did a great job. Yeah. These are the types of situations that sometimes get thrown our way. We have to think quickly, you know.

So that was a fun night and you did a good job getting yourself out there now the other thing too is what is the difference like so I've been at schools before and I have to say like talking to young people getting into the business and makeup becomes one of the funniest conversations because people are like you're you actually know what to do with makeup and I'm like you have to so what is the difference between someone in the studio like me or someone in the field like Kyle because you don't have studio lights there so is it different in terms of what he wears one well um yeah I mean Kyle obviously works so much harder than you do, Elliot. Of course, yes. I don't know about that.

Well, first of all, Kyle, your hair, I mean, okay, can I just tell you, too, a fun story that I was actually the makeup artist that did Kyle's audition makeup when he first got here to Sportsnet. audition makeup when he first got here to Sportsnet. So Kyle, I don't remember how many years now, because I'm sort of losing track of time in this little vortex of makeup world here, but this was, I don't know how many years ago that would have been. Wow. So I remember you coming in and I did your makeup for your audition and I thought to myself, this kid's going to go places. I thought and I thought to myself this kid's gonna go places especially with that head of hair my god it's flawless I mean I hardly have to do anything so to answer that Elliot when Kyle is doing his own hair and makeup somebody like Kyle can just simply throw a little powder on and he's good to go but but elliot you know a little a little more attention that's all a little more

love a little more love but i'm happy to give that to you yeah you do great job now so who is who was like the biggest who is the worst problem getting into the chair? Are they grown about getting makeup? Or, like, who's that person that you've had to deal with? Just be quiet. This is going to help you. Oh, gosh, yeah. A big part of my job is dealing with personalities and moments where people aren't, you know, maybe behaving their best. Jeez.

Who doesn't? Well, Elliot, I doesn't, well, Elliot, I don't think you love hair and makeup all the time. I mean, I think, you know, like you're kind of happy to just roll in here and let's get this show on the road.

You know what? I'll say this. I will say this. Like, I don't think it's your favorite, but I love doing your hair for the record. You're my favorite. I would say this. I have no problem with the makeup.

I understand it completely. I know what I look like in real life, and you're a miracle worker. But I do hate that the hair has to be seen as more perfect. The hair has been a conversation. I would leave it left a total mess. Yes. Right. Like, I love when you sit down in my chair and you kind of say, like, no, no, it's fine.

It's fine. And I'm like, well, well. And, you know, I don't want to, you know, there's this hybrid of, you know, a little bit of me and a little bit of you. So I like to meet people halfway. That's fair. Yes. Now, where did you go to school for this? Like, how did you learn all this?

So I went, I volunteered a lot with community theater growing up in the Markham Stovall area. theater growing up in the Markham Stouffville area. And I just I kind of went from one little interesting job to another that was makeup affiliated. So I used to work in cosmetic retail. I sold high end makeup at the Bay Yorkdale for the long comb counter. And I I went to school for it at Seneca College, took a makeup artistry program and I actually ended up, originally I started at the Score Network. I met somebody that had

a connection to the Score and that was my first start really with sports, well, sports network and makeup, basically. So television makeup. And then from there, it was just sort of like, it's an interesting career path. I don't think there's one direct path. It's sort of, you sort of start, but it's, you know, one thing leads to another. And I met somebody that knew somebody that worked at Sportsnet and

yeah I got in and I mean yeah the rest is sort of I guess history now we're talking probably since 2012 that I've been here nice and when we landed the NHL contract I was floating around from actually from here at Sportsnet and TSN over on the other side. And when the opportunity came in with the NHL contract, I was asked to do the in-house resident makeup position. So sort of Monday to Friday style. So I've been with the NHL side the whole time. So I'm a day one. And I'm still here. I'm still here.

Still here. Oh, yeah. And we need you. I've seen a lot of faces in my day. I've seen a lot of faces in my day. Oh, my gosh. Think about it. Yeah, that has all evolved over the last 11 years. That's incredible.

So it is a holiday pod here, Hilary. So when it comes to christmas time favorite memories is there traditions that you had either growing up or still have now as an adult what's top of mind there well um let me see one of my favorite uh memories or things to do or traditions is um my favorite movie is It's a Wonderful Life with James Stewart and Donna Reed. That is, I don't know, there's something about that story that just resonates every year.

It can sort of be put into modern times, you know, like being really grateful for your life and, you know, when you're down and out, don't give it all away on the bridge. Right. Yes. Right. I was trying to politely approach that.

That is one of my favorite traditional movies. It's just kind of resonates with me every year. Can't argue with that. Well, so before we let you go, I just want to make sure, like we've got Corinne, we've got Nadine, we've got Sasha, we've got Christine. Is there anybody else I'm missing on the critical Sports Night Makeup staff?

No, I think you've nailed it. We've got Sasha. Did you mention Sasha? Yes, I did. Kate? Kate Easterbrook no I forgot to mention Kate so we have Kate yeah so all of us

her dad's gonna kill me too yes the eye doctor yes yeah I think you've covered it I guess my we can't live without them okay so here's my last question Kyle who at Sportsnet needs the least makeup?

I know it's not me, so you won't break my heart. It's not me either. Who at Sportsnet needs the least makeup? Are you asking Kyle? No, asking you. No, asking you. Oh, the least amount of makeup. My God.

This is a tough question because everybody needs a little bit of help, let's be honest. Yeah, I understand that. Some need it more than others. I get it. Yep. I'm going to go with, you know what? Maybe I can position it this way. Carolyn Cameron is probably my most favorite

and she complains the least. So she's very easygoing when it comes to makeup application and just being very professional about getting ready. I'm gonna go with Carolyn Cameron on this one. You know what? I got no problem with anyone shouting out Carolyn Cameron. I can live with that answer. Kyle, you got anything else for our guest? No, I don't, Hillary. Just thank you for looking after us

for all these years. My pleasure. It's an absolute making people feel good about themselves. That's the true gift of Christmas. Yeah. Well, yeah. 100%.

The way you approach things, certainly, because when you come sit down in the chair, you're usually not long before the show, so you're a little nervous. There's just that feeling of uncertainty and the calm you bring to those few minutes there we get to spend with you. I like to think I'm the... Well, that's nice of of you to say and i like to think i'm like the opening act

it's very much a personality role i think 100 100 100 you do a great job well i'm happy happy to be a part of this amazing collection of people all right hillary have a great holiday. I never have a bad day, that's for sure. All right, well, thank you for having me, and happy holidays to you guys as well. Sean Reynolds, our Winnipeg Bureau Chief, and you can see him ringside for the NHL on Sportsnet

all throughout the season. Sean, first question to each of our guests. What can we fill your cup with? It doesn't have to be alcoholic, though it certainly can. It can be cold, it can be warm. What are you craving? Oh, geez, that's a tough one. What's the Simpsons line?

Nothing like a nice cold beer on a hot Christmas morning. I'm one of these guys who's kind of gotten into the IPAs and those kind of different kind of, you know, the brew circuit. I like going on the road. I like I'll always go and belly up to the bar after a game. And I'll just ask them for whatever you can find me that's a local IPA that's a little bit citrusy. That's typically if I have my choice, that's what I'm going for these days. Now, do you really enjoy the flavor or do you just feel because some people are doing it, you're like, well, I guess I should join?

No, it's funny- Basically, Kyle is calling you weak-minded here. I just want you to understand what's going on. No, I'm not. I get it. No, you are, clearly. I've been through this before. Hey, listen, you know, growing up in the 90s in rural Manitoba, I remember you would be going to house parties afterwards, right? Because that was what you would do. You'd go to the bar, you'd shut down the bar, you'd grab a two-four, and then you'd head to the house party. And that's where the real fun began. And I just remember you'd have like all of these different debates

and people would be so offended because you bought Labatt's Blue and this guy got Molson Canadian. Like there's a difference. Like all those beers basically taste almost exactly the same. And there was like this massive debate over who should be drinking what back then, at least with my buddies growing up. I just find that you can take things in a different direction. I actually, it's why I said the thing about getting a citrusy IPA. I'm not really huge into the hoppy kind of things that are like, you know, kind of piney tasting. My wife absolutely hates it.

Every time I always force her to have a sip of my beer and she hates it every single time. But the citrusy element of an ipa is something i really like uh so so yes it's maybe my weak-minded nature brought me into it but i've learned to appreciate it once i got into it nice nice so how's your year gone so far jet started the season strong nice and hot built up the nice pad. How's it been going for you? Yeah, I mean, it's a good year, not just with the Jets, but I've done a lot of, you know, Kyle's a busy man. So when he leaves town, we are two ships passing in the night and every once in a while I'll pop in and cover Ottawa Senators games, done a couple of Canadians games

so far. So it's good to see Patrick Laine back doing the things that he does that makes hockey fun. I've really enjoyed covering the Ottawa Senators, just the management group there and the coaches I find are really, really interesting to talk to. They give you a lot of good stuff that I think makes for good broadcasting. And, you know, it's interesting to see that Ottawa Senators team trying to turn the corner right now.

And people will probably go back and look at this holiday episode and call me an idiot for saying it at the time, you know, a couple months from now. But it looks like maybe, maybe, guys, are we in the middle of this Ottawa Senators turning the corner that everyone's been waiting for? Is this the moment that everyone's been waiting for? It's looking like it quite possibly could be and then with the Jets you know they just started out and kind of lapped the field a couple times to the point that their first 16 games they only lost

one game they've actually been below 500 teams since then and still first place in points in the NHL so the Jets always make things interesting because they can, on one hand, be so utterly dominant, and then at other times look like they don't know how to figure out hockey. So trying to figure out the mad mind of the Winnipeg Jets is always a fun task. So for those that don't know, as you say, you're from rural Manitoba. And once upon a time, you were well on your way to becoming a phys ed teacher. And now you're a reporter for a national TV network.

And you've lived a number of different places over the course of your journey, Sean. So through all of that, I wonder, like when it comes to the holiday season, was that always a priority for you? Was there traditions with your family as you were moving from place to place through the early parts of adulthood? Or how do you celebrate this time of year now? Yeah, I did move around quite a bit. And I lived out in BC and I lived out in Alberta. I've lived in Ontario.

The one constant was always coming home for Christmas time. So my parents, my dad was the vice principal in the high school of the small town that I grew up in. My mom remains there. My sister, so my dad was a teacher slash principal. My mom was a guidance counselor slash teacher my sister has now gone home and is a uh is a teacher in the very same high school that both of us graduated from so my family's got very deep roots that always brought me back at christmas time traditions start to change as you add your own family into there so with two daughters now uh two teenage daughters that I have. We're trying to kind of create our own. I'm trying to take, you know, my Christmas traditions and make them theirs,

and they're accepting some. But one of those things is we always like to kind of watch the same Christmas movies over and over again. So A Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation and The Grinch and all those kind of things. Great movies. Yes. And my daughter the other day was said, why we keep watching the same movies every year. Let's get some new Christmas movies.

And for me, I was like, that's the whole point. It's the point you're trying to replicate it over and over again. But clearly my daughters, they want different Christmas traditions. So that's kind of what this year is about is maybe trying to carve out some new traditions that work for them.

Do you know what you're going to do? Do know what they want like what are they i have no you know what ellie what's going to happen is we're going to watch some terrible cheesy christmas movie on netflix it's going to be horrible i'm going to be miserable no no no with a wooden smile on my face sean sean sean let me tell you something okay so you have what two daughters yes So you have what, two daughters? Yes. Okay. So I grew up with four sisters.

Okay. Cherish this. Even if you hate the movie, cherish it as long as you can. Because when they're old enough, they're going to hate you just because you're their dad. So you better enjoy this while you can. I lived it. I know it. I know it. I've seen it. There's going to become a day where you have to put your foot down when they're teenagers,

and they are going to loathe you for it. So even if you hate the movie, you sit there, and you smile, and you enjoy the time while you got it. Yeah. You know what? I have a sister as well, as I mentioned. time while you got it yeah you know what i have a sister as well as i mentioned uh and uh her teenage years were an absolute nuclear war with my parents uh so i i saw the direction that went in i'm way i'm kind of you know bracing for it to happen i'm a pretty affable guy guys i i'm easy to get along with i'm hoping yeah i'm hoping that that plays well with the daughters but uh

there are a couple moments where they give me a look where it's like, oh boy, this is going to head at some point in a different direction. So yes, I'm going to soak it all up, Elliot, and watch a terrible Netflix movie just to keep the peace in my house. Okay, Kyle, before you go here, here's my question for you. Is Die Hard a Christmas movie okay I'm gonna say no just because something happens at Christmas doesn't make it that kind of movie do you know what I mean I don't think the focus of it is solely on Christmas or there's no like release the hounds like I'm learning you know what I mean but uh but yeah I I'm gonna say no but I'll I'll say this and maybe I'm gonna lose my my man card for this.

But Die Hard, I love Bruce Willis. I love a ton of his movies. Die Hard is a movie that has never really resonated with me. To be honest with you, maybe it's because I saw it in the theater with my buddy. Dom, uninvite this guest. I saw Die Hard 2. We're not running this interview. I prefer Die Hard 2 to Die Hard 1.

When the plane is leaking the gas and he just coolly and calmly is lying down as the plane's taken off and he lights his cigarette and throws the Zippo lighter into the gas fuel and the plane blows up, I thought that was the epitome of cool. So I don't know.

Maybe it's just the era that I come from, but if I thought the diehard 2 was cooler than Die Hard 1, I can't be a hardcore Die Hard guy. No, you know what? I'll say this. I don't think that is a bad take. Die Hard 2 is a great movie.

I do not think that's a bad take at all. But just the way that you diss Die Hard there is unacceptable for this level of a high-class podcast. Don't dox me, Elliot. I can't take any more hate. Hey, Sean, how was the 32 Thoughts holiday party? I just got lectured the whole time. I just got thrown out.

Yeah, they buttered me up with a free drink. I can imagine Elliot backing me into the water cooler, just giving it to me right now with a glass of eggnog that smells a little bit too much like rum in his hand right now. That's right. That's right. Let me tell you something, Sean. I will just say, we don't need to continue the debate, but if It's a Wonderful Life is a Christmas movie, then Die Hard absolutely is too. Yeah, but it's got that Christmas lesson in there. You know what I mean? It's got that fine Christmas lesson. And I don't know, here I let me turn the tables on you guys.

What is what's the Christmas lesson that we take away from from Die Hard? Don't mess with Bruce Willis. There you go. There you go. Which which is a great Christmas lesson. I wouldn't I wouldn't mess with Bruce Willis at Christmas time. But I don't know if it resonates as much as what we get from from some of the other holiday classics the fbi needs to change its playbook that was the other one i got from yeah all right sean last one for you uh you mentioned the traditions that you're trying to get going with your daughters what were your favorites when you were their age you know uh my cousin steve and later my cousinel, who's quite a bit younger than us, and my cousin Jayanne and all the family would come out and we would always head out.

And it just always seemed like it was just a perfect Christmas Eve every year. And we'd always go play a game of road hockey outside. I remember my grandpa coming out and he'd always go in net. And like the way he held his hockey stick you could tell that he'd never you know never played a game of hockey in his life but in that road hockey net he was just a god and he just had this stand-up style uh you couldn't get the puck past him um and i just remember the the the moms the dads everyone would come out there and you'd be grabbing every kind of stick that you could find.

And adults would be bending over, you know, sore backs later on because they'd be running around with this, you know, little kid's stick that was way too small for them. And I just remember those, you know, those clean, crisp Manitoba winter nights, just cold as heck. And you come inside and your nose is running and your face is beet red because of how cold it was, and I could have stayed out there for hours doing that. That Christmas Eve road hockey game for me is just as Christmas as it gets. Love it. That's fantastic.

Awesome. I think that's great. Sean, thanks so much. Thanks for having me, guys. I appreciate you coming on. Merry Christmas. Happy holidays to you and all your listeners. All right, our next guest,

one of our favorite hosts on the NHL on Sportsnet, who you may have not seen or heard from in a little while now. That's because Carolyn Cameron has been busy being a mom, being a mother to Charlie this past summer. Carolyn, we welcome you back. It's great to have you on. The first question is, beyond how are you doing, before we get to all of that, what drink can we get you to kick things off?

Ooh, good point. I'll have a glass of red wine, please. Is that irresponsible to say while I'm holding my baby? No, as a matter of fact, I please. All right, you got it. I'm holding my baby. No, as a matter of fact, I think it's very responsible. Is there a particular blend that you prefer, a particular style? I'm not much. I wish I knew more about wine. I like a cabso.

Okay, excellent choice. I'm down for like a $17 bottle. How's motherhood? How are you doing? It's great. Yeah, I'm loving it. It's been great. He's sitting right here on my lap, so if you hear him, he's just sucking away on his teether. Five and a half months old, and it's still surreal, even when you guys introduce me and say that I'm a mom.

But it's been so fun, and he's at an age now where he's giggling and more personality and smiling. So I love Christmas, so me and my husband are really excited for this first Christmas with Charlie. That's right. Yeah. Now, is he a sleeper, Carolyn? Or like, how is it? Yeah, he's been he's been a pretty good sleeper. There's still like even last night, there's the kind of middle of the night wake up, but

he's able to get himself back down to sleep. So I guess, as you know, you kind of just get used to being tired. Yes, that's right. Get ready. You get used to being tired. Yes, that's right. Get ready, Kyle. You get used to being tired. I've been told it never really ends. But no, generally speaking, we've been lucky. He's been a good sleeper.

Good eater, good sleeper. Very fortunate. So, first Christmas for Charlie. What's on the docket? So, I still want to, it's kind of fun because we get to introduce him to traditions. The thing is, like, I always watch a Muppet Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve. But I mean, he'll be in bed by the time I do all those traditions. But we already have a stocking hanging up with his name on it.

And I'm sure Santa will come because he's been a very good boy. And the gifts that we give him, I haven't wrapped yet, but I will wrap them even though I will be the one opening them for him. So, yeah, we're doing Christmas at my in-laws this weekend and then Christmas with my family locally here in Toronto on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. So it'll be fun. He'll just be the center of attention. Are you still watching much hockey?

Like, you know, I know you're a huge tennis fan. Do you watch many sports now? Oh, yeah. And that's the thing that's been nice. Like, he goes to bed at 7, so I still watch hockey most nights. I have not been staying up, though, for the late games. So, for me in Toronto, that's like any West Coast games because I wake him up to feed him at 10, and then I go right to sleep. So, I haven't been watching as much West Coast games because I wake him up to feed him at 10 and then I go right to sleep.

So I haven't been watching as much West Coast games this year, but all the East Coast games I've been watching. So it's been great. And actually when he was born, it was beginning of July. So I came home and just watched Wimbledon all day for two weeks and then it was the Olympics. So we had that for two weeks. And he's a newborn.

He's sleeping most of the day. So we had that for two weeks. And this is like, he's a newborn. He's sleeping most of the day. So the TV was just constantly on. Now during the day, he's a bit more alert. So I can't really have the TV on as much because I'm trying not to have a screen in front of him all the time. But yeah, once he's in bed, we're watching games. You guys are doing a great job.

Yeah, you know, first of all, I don't know if that's true. And secondly, you know, I was sitting on the Wednesday show the other night and I'm sitting there with Luke Gazdik and Cosentino and Dave Amber. And I'm like, this show is yeah, this show is much uglier without and much less talented without Carolyn on it. I really did feel that. No, it's great. Amber's doing his usual great job.

I wouldn't say that to him, though. Wouldn't admit that. You're much classier than I am, I have to say. So, Carolyn, how about, like, for you growing up in the Etobicoke area, like, what were some of the staples for you around this time of year? Yeah, like, I was always the big athlete, but I was also very into music and in choir. So this time of year always makes me think back to Christmas concerts and singing Christmas music. And that was just a really big part of the holiday season and kind of got me in the mood for Christmas.

So I think back fondly at that. And it was just a lot of family time. And I'm just very fortunate because Christmas brings a lot of happy happy positive memories back so that's why it's exciting again as I mentioned now with Charlie is kind of trying to have those same traditions with him and I mean I sing made-up songs to him all day not really uh Christmas carols but just trying to introduce um those memories so they're part of his his story but yeah a lot of it a lot of it's music surrounding Christmas is kind of my fondest memories and time with family. Does he like music? I think he likes my made up songs.

Yeah, it seems that way. He kind of wiggles. Either it's dancing or it's gas. You never really know. Yes. Well, it's funny because I was thinking about this the other day, like the idea of those the school Christmas concerts that I'm sure they weren't. I know like for myself growing up, I imagine for all the parents, they weren't great to listen to necessarily. But I love them just because you knew it like it was all part of the lead up to the big day.

When the concert got there, you're like, oh, we're only a week, 10 days away from Christmas day, whatever it was. Did you have a favorite songs or carols to sing that time of year? We wish you a Merry Christmas. Always a classic at the end of any school Christmas concert. I think though, that's what I, that's what it makes me think Kyle is I actually think I enjoy the lead up to Christmas better than I even love the day or the night. I mean, as a kid, it's so exciting waking up on Christmas morning and the holidays in general, such a

wonderful time of the year, but it's because of the lead up. It's all the activities and music and all the parties leading up to it. But in terms of, yeah, I like a lot like Silent Night's a good one. I feel like now that I'm a mom too, I don't know if it's the hormones or do they all just make me emotional now but silent nights yeah silent night's a nice one and yeah i think we wish you a merry christmas that's one of my favorites i like a lot of the covers like i i have to say i got you know bruce springsteen santa claus coming to town paul mccartney um even like um uh you know there's a couple ones that are kind of off the beaten path like the Barenaked Ladies have a couple

that are really good I don't know what is happening to me in my old age I'm turning soft but I'll get like that channel with some of the Christmas music and as long as it's covers I'll listen to it I don't know what's happening to me in my old age River Sarah McLachlan I think you could camp out as a holiday song yeah I agree that's right a lot

of good covers now you is uh is when you walk the dog is is Charlie going with you is he enjoying that yeah that's what's been great and I'd recommend for anyone listening maybe who's on maternity leave is I've found just even for my own mental health it's just so nice getting out of the house so we have our dog Molly so every morning regardless of the weather we're out for a walk and then usually in the late afternoon so that's been great it's getting a little bit colder but I really enjoy that time and the fresher is good for charlie too i think that probably helps him sleep um sleep a little bit better we actually went to the distillery market just yesterday in toronto so that got us it was pouring rain that was bad idea but it still got

us in the festive mood and just packed you know i have to remember the first time we ever took max out in his stroller carriage i can't remember what it was but the first time we ever took Max out in his stroller or carriage, I can't remember what it was, but the first time he ever got rained on, like we're like, oh no, this is going to be a disaster. And he loved it. He wanted to go back out in the rain. He loved the way it felt on his skin. That's like Charlie, those moments with weather where I think, oh my gosh, this was a bad idea or this is not, this is a lesson learned. He's, he, I'm the one who's stressed. He's just happy, content and just snug in his stroller.

Okay. So I know Carolyn, for those that aren't aware that you were and still are a dynamite tennis player. Will that be the, I imagine Charlie will have the opportunity to do any activity that he desires when the age comes to. But will it be a tennis racket in his hand first? Where do you kind of begin? That's a good question. I don't know.

My husband and I haven't really talked about where he'd begin. Well, he's going to start swimming lessons in January, so that'll be fun. I really like swimming, and I think it's important to get him in a pool sooner rather than later. Swimming lessons at this age are really just so they get used to the water. My husband plays hockey and still does so I know that he'll be on our local out on our local rink basically as early as he can stand get some skates on him. Yeah we end tennis of course in the summers. We want to introduce as much to him as possible and then just see what sticks. So swimming's first just because of the ease of it, and then we'll see once he can really stand.

I saw, though, Jordan Binnington. I just saw it on Instagram yesterday, actually. He had, like, a baby-sized racket in his kid's hand, and I thought, ooh, I'm going to get one of those for Charlie. Didn't even know they made them. That's a good idea. You know what? We'll have to ask him at the Four Nations where'd he get it.

See if we can do some intel for you. I can tell you one thing too about when you first take Charlie swimming, if there's one mistake we made right away is we didn't have Max dunk right away. Don't make that mistake. Dunk him right away and get him used to it.

Okay, he likes bath time so I feel like that's a good start and I more than enough times have accidentally gotten water in his face so hopefully we're off to a good start. Accidentally on purpose, yes. But no, like some kids they're like resist dunking and ours did so we played it too soft. If I could do it over again, I'd say, nope, you're getting used to it. Let's go. Okay. As you can tell by Charlie's grunts, I don't think he's convinced.

He'll be fine. That's right. So, Carolyn, do you miss hosting at all, or are you just so happy, like, ah, screw those TV guys? No, I do. I feel really lucky because I really love my job but I'm also very I'm I'm very purposeful to enjoy this time every moment of it with Charlie just because I know it already is going by really fast

and I want to take it in and enjoy it but I really miss I'm I have a bit of FOMO I remember watching opening night night. I just miss the social aspect of work too. Like we have so much fun every night watching games and you're just sitting in a room, for those who don't know, with a bunch of TVs when you're in studio and just chatting and laughing. So I definitely especially miss that aspect of work

and even just challenging myself in that way mentally. But it's a whole other challenge mentally here and learning experience. So, yes, I do miss it, but I'm really enjoying this time, and I feel very fortunate that I have it. Well, I think that – Charlie might make a heck of a broadcaster one day. Yeah, seriously. He can really get over the audience.

Charlie is saying this interview is over, so just wanted to say we miss having you around too. We're glad you're happy, but we miss having you around. Well, thank you. I appreciate it and thanks so much for having me on and happy holidays. I actually have an ungood authority today, Elliot, that there was a lineup of shoppers

to get a photo with you at a kosher grocery store, so it is the Hanukkah season as well so happy holidays and happy Hanukkah thank you our next guest Luke Gazdik former player broadcaster now with Sportsnet and doing a heck of a job with all of it so Luke the first question to each of our guests on the 32 Thoughts Holiday Party is, what drink can we get you? The bar does not discriminate. Cold, warm, anything you're feeling. What are you thirsty for?

Get me a warm apple cider. Oh, nice. Great Christmas call. Yeah, it's a great Christmas holiday drink. It's something my mom always has back home when we go home for the holidays. So that's a little nostalgic for me. So, you know, Luke, I was always wondering, like I'm looking over your career. You were in places like Idaho, Texas, Edmonton, Oklahoma City, Bakersfield, Albany, New Jersey, Stockton, San Diego.

I don't know how often you got a chance to go home for Christmas. So what would it be like in those various players in terms of players celebrating as a group or if they couldn't make it home? Oh man, yeah. You just listed almost all the places. We might need a longer pod to go through all the places I played but honestly for me I loved the Christmas holiday and like the Christmas break so it was a little more challenging in the American League sometimes we only had two three days off whatever it may be and if you finish on the road you never know where you are but I always tried to make a point to get home no matter how much the flights were or you know what obstacles were the way. I loved going home and having that, even if it was 48 hours,

home with my family and my friends and getting to kind of put hockey aside just for that short amount of time and then hop on a flight and head back to Texas or wherever it may be. But I also do remember that some of my greatest memories in my pro career were those Christmases where we weren't able to get home And I specifically remember yeah, I specifically remember one when we were I was about 22 I was playing in Austin, Texas and for some reason, you know, just the way the schedule worked out It wasn't it wasn't in the cards for anybody. So me and Colton Sevier who was my roommate longtime NHL player

We hosted about ten of the guys and we did it all up, you know guys asked their parents It wasn't in the cards for anybody. So me and Colton Sevier, who was my roommate, longtime NHL player, we hosted about 10 of the guys. And we did it all up. You know, guys asked their parents for different recipes that they had made and their parents made. And it was just, you know, outstanding. I remember Jordy Ben, Jamie Oleksiak, Scott Glennie. You know, we had a really good group of guys down there. And like I said, some of my best memories are just being with the guys over holiday season

so you don't necessarily feel like you're alone. What did you make? What was your dish? What did you prepare? I was the head chef for that one. Most of the boys were sous chef for me, but we did it all. I had the turkey going,

all the side stuff and cranberry sauce and then my aunt lisa always makes this it's like a casserole but it's it's more sweet it's like sweet potatoes and uh sweet potato and banana with like a marshmallow crust and uh i had to get her to send me the recipe for it because uh i wanted it on the table as well but it was really cool we kind of you know had a bit of everything from from everybody that's someone everyone contributed so did you say are you a good chef i was going to ask did you spend time in the kitchen growing up yes not growing up but i mean my mom is was the cook in our family um my italian grandma my my noni she she passed down a couple recipes as well. But I

mean, I moved away from home when I was 17, obviously billeted with a family in junior. But then by the time I was 19, I was living alone in an apartment in Boise, Idaho. And then I was off to Austin, Texas the next year. And me and Colton, the player I just talked about, lived together when we were rookies. And you have to learn, right? Like we weren't making a ton of money back then in the minors, so you can't be, you know, eating at restaurants every single day for lunch and dinner. So we kind of had to figure it out.

And I pride myself in my chef skills now, I've come a long way and I really, I love hosting. I love having people over. It's one of my favorite things. It's whether it's to have a couple people or a group of people over and to cook a nice meal, tell some stories around the table. It's one of my favorite things to do is just be in the kitchen

and try different recipes and all that stuff. So if you are ever to invite Kyle and I over for a romantic dinner, what are you making? What should we expect to be served? I just made it the other day, actually. It's my go-to. We always made it the night before games, but it's just a homemade baked chicken parm.

I love making chicken parm with side of pasta and a little salad. Chicken from scratch, pound it out, and make a nice sauce on the stove. That's my favorite. That's what I'd be making for you boys. That's a pregame meal. Nice. You've got my favorite. That's what I'd be making for you boys. That's a pregame meal. Nice. You've got my heart. So, Luke, like growing up in Toronto,

your dad, Mike, played high-level hockey, played for the Sudbury Wolves, a draft pick of the Sabres once upon a time. Your brothers, Ben and Mark, were players too. Western Mustangs. Western Hall of Fame. How dare I leave them out. Yeah, come on.

But your brothers were players as well. So when Dad built the ODR, take us to that scene. Oh, that's my childhood, right? In the backyard, not sure what the lot size is, but from whenever it started getting cold, I remember my dad being out there um bundled up from head to toe uh two two toques on with this old green garbage bin we had that we ended up using for the stanley cup we'd play one one on one on one or me versus my older brother

and that was our stanley cup but he'd be out there flooding the rink um in the cold and in the in the you know the dark hours of the night I remember faking sick a couple times so I could stay home and just play all day but whether it was at night when we got home from school like we were on that thing all day every day my younger brother Marky my older brother Ben whether it was taking shots or you know having friends over and playing shinny or just playing like I said one-on-one versus each other for the green garbage bin. We were out there till my parents were yelling at us to come back in. Some of the best memories of my childhood, and I thank my dad for this a lot, was building us that rink every winter because I understand how hard it is.

But growing up in the north end of Toronto here in North York obviously hockey is a huge way of life and I was fortunate enough to have a dad that played and understood it and and uh and made that for us every every winter now what were the games like with your family like we hear about the bx of family games it's like a miracle all of them didn't end up in traction what was it like when the gazdik family went out and played oh man it was usually my me my older brother uh you know picking on my younger brother a little bit i'd say sometimes it'd turn on into like a two-on-one game he'd be storming off and and yelling at us and then i'd always try to beat my brother but he was just he was bigger and stronger than me at the time. And I do remember beating him one time.

It was like overtime and we were doing the whole thing, you know, it's game seven, Stanley cup. And I beat him and I was celebrating. And then he beat me with the green garbage can over, over, over and over again after that. So here I am getting just dusted off by this garbage bin. My dad's coming out to break it up. But no, we were always just competitive with each other. But I love those two guys. I just will never forget the three of us out there going at it night after night after night. And this is on top of us all being in minor hockey

and being in travel tournaments and playing a couple games a week and wherever we could find time, we were at the home rink. So from Steve Thomas on the ice to Steve Austin now with the garbage bin. Going back and forth. Ben was not too thrilled. No. Luke, think of this last year for yourself. Working on Hockey Night in Canada,

it was great having you part of the coverage out in Edmonton during the Cup Final. And all the things you've gotten to do on the broadcaster side as you've grown that part of your career and your life. I mean, how do you look back on 2024 for yourself? Yeah. Well, it has certainly happened, you know, faster. I don't want to say faster than I expected,

but I never really envisioned myself doing this in the first place. I think hockey was kind of taken away from me. The pandemic season was the last pro hockey I played. In March, we were sent home. The season was cancelled. Didn't really know what to do. And I was at this crossroads in my life where I wasn't sure what route I wanted to take. And I always thought I'd get into coaching or player development. And there just wasn't a lot on the table until, you know, I got a phone call from Rob Corte asking if I wanted to try out some Edmonton Regionals on TV with Gene Principe. And here we are three years later, and I'm doing Hockey Night Canada.

I get to work with Elliott Friedman on a weekly basis. I don't know if that's a prize, to be honest. I was waiting for your comment on that. Speaking from experience. But, you know, like I was thinking about this the other day, like I've kind of I'm growing up in real time, you know, with with the viewer and like with my teammates at Sportsnet. I think I'm starting to figure this out a little more. The analyst part of it. It was always something I took pride in when I played was that if I was only going to get six to eight minutes a night and I was primarily there to you know be a physical intimidating enforcer presence but I wanted to make sure the details of the game were always clean so that I couldn't give coaches excuses not

to play me or to take me out of the lineup I always wanted to be as prepared as possible so I had the pleasure through 11 years of pro hockey to be able to learn under some of the best coaches that I think are in hockey. You mentioned all the teams I played for. Imagine all the coaches I had on the bench from the head coach to the staff. So I learned a lot over my 11 years. And I mean, I joke about this a lot, but I also sat out for a lot of games and sat on the bench with the front row seat to watch some of the best players in the world perform at the top of their level. And I learned just so much over that span and over that time that that's what I've been trying to do, is kind of relay that to the viewer and also try to be a little more personable and mix in some of my experiences.

I was not an 11 year NHL thousand game guy I played in the East Coast League and over 400 something games in the American League and there's a lot of stuff I just try to try to bring to the table and it's just it's been great for me to be honest in a transition from hockey being able to stay involved in the game but not be so hands-on I'm not riding a bus, doing three and threes, traveling through Ontario, wherever it is. I get to sit there and watch hockey and kind of take my spin on it. It's been a blessing for me in more ways than people probably know. And I'm loving every night I get to go there. Honestly uh luke like you have a huge future in this business

um i would rather have your future than mine no question about that now there's one thing kyle that luke and i have in common and we're going to go back to the food part of this interview kyle luke and i have the same favorite restaurant in toronto There are lots of great favorite or great restaurants in this city, but we both had the same one. I used to go to it every year on our anniversary, but you know, kind of it shut that that shut down over COVID, but we're going to reignite that tradition. The, the, and Luke, why don't you tell us about this great restaurant that we both love? Luke Gromen So this was actually, why don't you tell us about this great restaurant that we both love so this was actually i don't know if you remember this elliot this is my first interaction with you and it was

via twitter on dms because i had posted a photo i used to i mean it's been a while obviously since covet too but i used to go to yoso's in toronto at avenue and davenport for my birthday every year it's my favorite restaurant in the city leo Spraglia, who runs the place. Incredible guy. I just, I love the food. I love the vibes. And I remember posting a picture and Elliot DM me and said, where is that? Where's your favorite restaurant? And I said, Yoso's. And you said mine too. So it's been a while, but I do think we got to get a date on the calendar and go have a little team dinner there. And for anyone that hasn't been there yeah kyle you're coming too you're coming kyle's invited i'm just looking at the menu right now it's all fresh fish and some of the best risotto in the city uh it's just really good homey cozy vibes haven't been there in a couple years and i think we we got to

get a date on the calendar jeez 100 percent 100 Between Yoso's and Luke's place, we are covered for the next little bit here, Freak. This is good work by you. And the other thing, Kyle, I learned about Luke this year, big Swifty. Big Swifty. Oh, that's right. And you are the ultimate teammate.

You gave up your spot at the concert this year to work. I did. I am a big Swifty. I mean, I was in junior when her first album came out. And I don't know, like me and all my buddies on the Otters, like we had that going in the dressing room. And I understand she's poppy and whatever, but I love her music. She just, she makes hits all day.

She's so talented. She's incredible. And then I got to see her in Detroit two summers ago now for her beginning of her heirs tour. And then as she was coming to Toronto, yes, I got my hands on two tickets, not for free. They were a fortune. And then I got the Hockey Night in Canada nod for Oilers Leafs, and that's where I wanted to be. So I sent my girlfriend and my sister. And yeah, just good team guy. They had an absolute blast.

Good karma coming your way. Luke, this has been fun. Hope you have a great holiday season. And it's been great having you as part of the group. You too, guys. Thanks for having me. And happy holidays to you all. OK, our next guest guest one of our newest

teammates at sportsnet anna dua joins us now anna the first question when you come on the 32 thoughts holiday party is what is your drink of choice the bar is open what are you thirsty for thirsty for? Okay, so I have forced myself to like my drink of choice. It is a vodka martini. It's a dirty martini. I hate olives, but I like the way it looks. So I spent the last six months preparing for the holiday season by forcing myself to drink them. And now I think I finally like them. Wow. The key word here is forcing. Yes. Yes. It is. It is.

You know, it's all about the vibes. I was like, I want to be the type of person who orders a vodka martini, so I'm going to become that type of person. I got to admire the commitment. That's harder work than I've done on anything this year. That's for sure. So, Anna, I wanted to ask you, like of all the we're having uh on the pod um you're the one that I know the least uh I don't know what your relationship like is with Kyle how much you guys

have seen each other on the road but you're the one Kyle and I are best friends we've been best friends since I was five years old okay that's good to know way back yeah this is something else I'm learning so like as you're introducing yourself to the fans of the podcast, how would you describe yourself? Who is Anna Dua? That's a really good question. I think I am a unique person. I'll go out by starting and saying that. I know I get a lot of flame for a lot of my takes that I have on everything, whether it be hockey related or life related on X. So if you want to get to know me, you should just look at my X. I can't promise you'll like me after that, but you'll get to know me for sure. It doesn't matter if they like you.

It just matters if they pay attention to you. Right. That is true. And here's the other thing that some may not know, Anna, is that you were a heck of a hockey player growing up. So could you lead us into kind of your background playing the sport before you're now covering it in the capacity that you do with Sportsnet? You're too kind to me, Kyle.

I did play hockey my whole life. It was my dad who got me into it, just like most kids up in Canada. I wouldn't say I was a phenom. I was a bit of a grinder. But you know what? I did what I did well. So I was a big face-off girl and I could skate well and that kind of carried me throughout my hockey career I went down and played hockey in high school in the states so got a girl playing in Canada youth hockey and then I went down to

the states and I played hockey for a couple years down there and then eventually I never wanted to be a sports reporter that wasn't my goal I wasn't one of those kids who had like a microphone in their house like pretending I wish I had one of those videos, you know, when you post the throwbacks and you're like, look at me now, was not me. I got injured pretty badly in my knee. And that's when I stopped playing hockey. And I had like an existential crisis. So I call up my dad as one does. And I'm like, what should I do with my life? And my dad's like, well, you never shut up. You should be a sports reporter. And here I am. So it worked out. I got to tell you, that's good advice. you never shut up. You should be a sports reporter. And here I am. So it worked out. I got to tell you, that's good advice.

You never shut up, so you should be a sports reporter. I think it works for a lot of us. It really does. Yes, yes. And that's also why Anna and I are so well connected. Both of us in our hockey playing days, though she did it at a much higher level than I did, knew the importance of face-offs.

Face-offs matter. Face-offs matter. Face-offs matter. I need to get a hat that says that on it. That's good. So you played in Virginia, right? Is that where you played? I did, yes. So one semester. Yeah, one semester.

It was ACHA hockey. It was different for sure. I went through a lot, I think, like towards the end of my hockey career, kind of figuring out what to do. So I got hurt twice within one year and I was at Virginia for a little bit of time and it was it was a great experience to like be down in the States specifically and see how different it was from Canada and then after a semester down there that's when I got hurt again and I decided to do something else with my life and kind of hang up the skates but being down in that area actually after I was done playing hockey I coached hockey so I

used to practice and play at the Washington Capitals practice facility I believe it's called MedStar now wasn't called that when I was down there but it was during the Barry Trotz era and he actually set up a really cool system where all of our coaching plans would like come from the Caps coaches and they would host camps as well for kids all across the country that would fly out like Mitch Korn was their goalie coach at the time and he would run these really cool goalie camps where like all the best goalies all across America would come out and try to learn from Mitch Korn so I was there I wasn't really able to play anymore so I thought maybe I'd give a swing at coaching Mark Messier's son was there as well I don't know how he ended up there but I met a lot of folks while I was down at DC coaching

hockey and you look at the game from a way you never look at it as a player and it was such a life-changing experience for me so that actually I always say like even though I played hockey for years and years and years my whole life the one year I spent coaching hockey I think has made me a better sportscaster than all the years I spent playing hockey. What did you learn? So when you play hockey compared to other sports hockey's such a position specific sport you're quite literally out there to do one very specific role. I was a center I watched the center before me who was out on the ice then I get out on the ice and then I sit down and I think about what I have to do next. And I have the little plans in my head exactly what I'm supposed to go out there and do. And then my brain kind of shuts off. I'm

not really watching what the goalie is doing. I'm not really watching what the defensemen are doing when I'm on the bench. I'm literally just sitting there thinking about what I have to do next. So when I was a coach and I had to coach wingers and I had to coach defensemen and I had to coach goalies and kind of look at hockey as a full sport up and down the lineup, there's a lot of nuances that I just didn't recognize because I was so hyper-focused on doing what I had to do as a centerman. So that was great, and I learned the game in a way that I just never saw it before. Nice. That's really great. Did you have any, growing up, Anna, did you have any uh growing up anna did you have any traditions

with the family around the holidays and any little stuck a lot so noelle is my middle name it's literally christmas so whenever anyone argues with me on anything that's related to christmas i say my middle name is christmas because technically it is a very very big holiday family over here uh the funniest one i have for y'all is when i was little so my dad loves bass pro shops uh he goes every week even if he doesn't have to buy anything so when i was little i would go see santa at bass pro shops as one does uh niagara on the lake and i would go there to santa's wonderland and i would see santa every year and i was like way too old when i learned that there was Santas in malls like I

thought everyone went to see Santa in Bass Pro Shops and it took me a really literally I was like talking to these kids in my class I was like are you going to Bass Pro Shops to see Santa they're like what are you on about I was like where else would you see Santa so I think I was like probably like 10 or 11 when I learned that Santa was not, in fact, only in Bass Pro Shops. I thought that was like his part-time job. And was there a favorite Christmas gift or anything like that you got? Oh, of course, it's got to be a hockey stick. When I was younger, I mean, there was nothing like seeing a hockey stick under a tree.

The prices are like kind of through the roof right now, though. Oh, my goodness. I'm taking a look at them right now. And I was like, okay, I'm happy I don't have kids yet. That's making me real happy seeing how much they cost. Now, I also understand why my parents would get so mad when I broke one. I didn't understand it as a kid, but hockeyby jersey in 2010, right, 2011, no, 2010, end of 2010, right after the Olympics, whatever year that was. And that was a big deal because like any Canadian kid my age, the 2010 Vancouver Olympics were unreal and was definitely the sporting event that kind of sparked like my passion for like watching hockey. So the Sidney Crosby jersey is pretty special. special it's old now but it's somewhere in my house now did you have a favorite stick growing up that you had is there a specific model that

you loved over all the others I did yeah I was a Bauer Nexus one end girl um I rattled it off immediately I had it ready to go I was a big Bauer girl I was a big Bauer girl. I was a big Bauer girl, and that was my go-to stick. I switched. I toggled between whose curve I like to play with, but I think I landed on when I was nearing the end. I was a big Backstrom girl. He was with Warrior, so I had his stick with Warrior. I forgot who I had with Bauer,

but it was the closest I could get to a Backstrom curve, but I love that stick. That's awesome. Now, big goals for you, Anna. Like, your career is just taking off. I'd said before with Luke that I'd rather have his future than mine. That's definitely true. I'd say the same thing about you.

I mean, you're starting out. You're just taking off. Ultimately, do you think play by play? Like, ultimately, what would you like to do? What would I like to do? That's a great question. I mean, sky's the limit. I always say if I'm waking up in the morning and I'm talking about hockey for a

living, I really don't care how I'm doing it. So I feel like I'm on cloud nine every day, whether it's doing ringside, whether it's hosting in the studio. I don't know if I'm at the play-by-play spot yet. Maybe I'll give it a go. Me and you, Elliot, we can do it in the studio i i don't know if i'm at the play-by-play spot yet like maybe i'll give it give it a go me and you elliot we can do it in the house where no one can listen and we can see if i could actually pull it off but um anything i mean like i feel like i'm living my dream right

now just being able to hang out with you guys even this is crazy better for us than it is for you i think yeah i think it's better for our reputations than yours no question about it yeah no hey it's been been great having you part of the the group anna and getting to know you a little bit here over the last little while so yeah we're excited to see where you take it all from from here so thank you for joining us have a great holiday season and i'll see you at the rink soon, eh? Oh, thanks, guys. Thanks for having me. Happy holidays. Our next guest, play-by-play voice of the Calgary Flames, a new position this season for John Abbott.

John, we welcome you to 32 Thoughts and our holiday extravaganza. The first question to each of our guests is, what drink can we pour you? It can be alcoholic, non-alcoholic cold warm whatever you fancy what do you crave in oh all right if i have my choice uh i'm not a big eggnog guy and this is probably gonna make me seem yeah no i'm not a big eggnog guy sorry i i if i'm splitting hairs here in the in, then I feel bad.

But yeah, I got a side with Frege on that one. Frege and I will discuss this at a later time. You know what? If you're giving me any choice, then a little dram of scotch will do for me. That would be great. Nice. I like this man. Nice big ice cube. Good pick as a guest.

Yes. You've redeemed yourself slightly. I'll make sure I hold you to that one. How's life, man? So how's it gone? How are things in Calgary? Yeah, how's it gone? It's been great, guys.

Like, overwhelmingly positive. Just enjoy Calgary so much. The team has been playing well, so that's great. Everybody around the team has been fantastic to meet and to get to know. And you think of the Sportsnet crew as well. That's just been overwhelmingly positive. So it's been really nice getting into Calgary. We're excited for our first Christmas here as a family.

So we're forming some new traditions this year. Okay, so I got to know then, John. What are the things that you haven't had a chance to do yet in Calgary that's still on the list? Is it a trip out to COP? Is it a venture down to Inglewood to try one of the craft breweries down there? What else are you hoping to do

now that you're a Calgarian? Well, I think I need to use my wingman because with three kids, those usually aren't on the list. So my speed is more, the zoo lights are on our list here. Oh, of course. To get to as they light up the Calgary Zoo for Christmas and Spruce Meadows as well does something similar.

So those two will be on our holiday list and barring a Chinook guys which could be coming soon we're told trying to hit the outdoor rink the the Moyers are Calgarians as you guys know and the legendary stats combo father-son and they have an outdoor rink in their neighborhood that is legendary so that's on the list to bring the kids skating hopefully sometime around Christmas Day and that's kind of where I'm at and enjoying it through the the three kids eight six and three so lots of fun. So you have a really good schedule here

you've got your your last game before the break is on Saturday afternoon and then you the Flames don't play again until they go on the road the 28th in San Jose. So with your three kids, like what's the Christmas plan, John? You got a nice break here by NHL standards. Yeah, it's incredible. And I've been talking to the guys around the team

and usually Calgary's been in California on the 23rd, coming in real early in the morning on the 24th and then turning around on the 27th so somehow I caught this one in the first season on a heck of a break with the home schedule as you said going in so we're hoping that you know my wife is is a Dutch background and their big evening was Christmas Eve actually growing up so we usually get the kids opening one or two gifts on Christmas Eve and then we're looking forward to a real you know quiet Christmas in a sense of just us being

together as a family for our first one in Calgary so enjoying Christmas morning and then yeah hopefully heading out to an outdoor rink to enjoy some skating and some hockey and stuff like that so nothing crazy. We do, we love Christmas. Most of our things guys are packed up right now in a storage container so it's a little disappointing. I mean we're not the Griswolds but we usually do go pretty big for Christmas so it's a little bit lacking this year on the lights and the decorations but we're excited to be able to kind of take it a little bit slower and use the time that we have and just enjoy our first win in Calgary.

Okay, so then like a typical year, though, like are you big on the lights, the decorations, exterior and interior? Are you leading the charge there, or is that your wife? It's kind of a combined effort, but I probably, Kyle, I probably do push it a little bit. Like when she starts taking things down from places, I know I've hit my limit. So I guess I'm the tacky Christmas guy, if you will. So, yeah, it's probably a little bit more me than her. But together, we're really, we really enjoy it.

And, you know again just going back to the the kids you want to make it a as fun as it possibly can be so yeah we probably go a little overboard on the decorations and the lights typically uh maybe a little bit more inside than outside but tell me you don't smile when you go buy a house that's all lit up with all the decorations right even if it's not your jam in the amount that you see now we're not the inflatable people with the the blow up frosties and and reindeers and that stuff but yeah lots of decorations inside some lights outside make everybody feel good and just enjoy it with the with the kids too so that's christmas is probably the biggest one for us so you know what john i know you're a big hockey fan.

Do you remember Michelle Petit? The defenseman? I do, but I don't know where you're leading me on this one. Okay. Well, nobody knows what I'm doing. Welcome to the podcast, John. Yeah, I do have a plan with this. So I believe Michelle Petit played for the most Canadian teams.

He played for five Canadian teams. And you and your family, you have worked for Toronto, you've worked for Ottawa, and you've worked for Vancouver, and now you've got your dream job as a full-time television play-by-play guy for an NHL team And I just wanted to talk to you over Christmas like your family's moved around with you You're we're all teams right like our families go through this with us So when you think about this Christmas is it extra special for all of you because number one You know, you're gonna be in the same place for a long time now and number two the family fulfills the dream together.

Frege that's an awesome question so I love that it ended up at the end there thank you and you're right much like Michelle Petit I guess I'm collecting tracksuits along the way here but we are we are Albertans and we're very excited to call Calgary home. Through all those other stops, and you guys can relate to this, it helps build you as a professional. It helps build you as a person, and you enjoy the moments you have with other people that you make friendships with

and relationships with along the way. And yet, just so incredibly thankful to end up in Calgary and you're right have the family together and be able to enjoy this plant and roots in Calgary so that is special and you know I actually haven't been home for all Christmases either you know going back to being able to fortunately be able to do some some overseasHF work. So you know you get settled and now you have a chance to start developing that family time in Calgary now that the kids are at a great age as well. So yeah I'm loving every single second of it. The family's really adapted quickly and well so we're thankful for that. They have had some of their time back in Ontario previous to this just

with the whole idea of having the first Christmas in Calgary be you know the five of us and being able to enjoy it together and and go from there. So we're looking forward to hopefully a lot more Christmases to come here and this one's gonna be a special one because we'll remember it as our first in Calgary. That's really awesome. Has the dry air been the biggest adjustment as the temperatures get colder? We're just starting into the into the well I think of the hotels I guess as again we would relate to whether you fire up the kettle or whatever but the humidifiers are going

yep so that's that's one adjustment for sure. And with the big nose that I have, you gotta make sure you take care of things here. Otherwise, it's not so comfortable front and center there. But we're waiting on this, apparently, I don't know, you guys tell me, have you experienced the Chinook anywhere in your travels? I haven't yet.

So apparently that's one to adjust to, too, as the temperature goes from, you know, well below zero to jumping up into the positives like we might have around the corner here, apparently. It's incredible. The first time you experience it, you'll be like, wow. Like, it's eventually will become boring. Oh, I've seen this before. But the first time you experience

it it is it is pretty amazing um okay so have you had to do a rookie dinner with rudy and leslie and if the answer is yes how much did they gouge you for i feel like you might have some inside information on this one for you i did have i just this one, Freed. I did have to do a rookie dinner. I just heard rumors. I heard rumors, yes. I did have to do a rookie dinner. I was actually looking forward to it. It's one of those good rite of passage things. And I'll say this.

The group let me off easy. Paul Grist was part of that as well. One of our great producers. Yep. And they had the option. It was Utah or Vegas, and they gave me Utah because it could have certainly racked up a pretty big bill in a hurry in Vegas, and they softened the blow.

I was taking care of the beverages and the appies, and so that's not nearly as bad as it could have been. Not too bad. I can't complain, guys, yeah. Those two guys are getting soft in their old age. That's not too bad. Yeah. Well, by the way, the Rudy Christmas party is coming up.

So hopefully that's a tradition if I get the invite again. So we got to make a good impression on year one or we might not make the cut for year two. Oh, boy. You'll be fine. It takes a lot to get thrown out of that one, I think. An awful lot. Okay, good.

Awesome. John, this has been great. Have a great holiday with your family there. You're the first one in Calgary, first of many. Thanks so much for coming on with us. Gentlemen, thanks for having me. Happy holidays to you and yours, and best to everybody listening in, too. All right.

Looks like the party's starting to thin out. Everyone's making their way home. Elliot, once again, we have closed down another shindig. Success. It's just you, me, and Dom here left. I hope everybody had a good time. But before we wrap up, Dom, it's your turn. Tell us about what you're going gonna be up to over the holidays

here well my extended family all live in Europe so it's just me mom and dad here in Vancouver so I'll be at their house on Christmas Eve as Eastern Europeans we celebrate on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day and then on Christmas Day we'll watch the Santa Claus and jingle all the way with Arnold Schwarzenegger and there'll be sports on TV and plenty of leftovers. So that's our Eastern European Christmas celebration. So here's my question for you. Yeah, what do you cook?

It's generally a fish soup, some kind of fish, in keeping in line with our traditions. Now do you sit there like a lump on a log and make your parents do everything or do you actually help out too? A little bit of both. Sometimes I help and sometimes I'm useless. Now do you have a favorite gift from your childhood or anything oh yeah what are we gonna say what are we gonna say kyle what are we gonna say i was just gonna say it sounds like this podcast here too yeah i do all my work when everyone leaves

so did you get a did you have a great christmas gift that you remember as a kid? When I was about, oh gosh, 10, I think. Whenever the first Xbox came out, that was a monumental Christmas gift. Oh, nice. I had never received a video game console like that before. It was my first big console. And I just remember Tony Hawk's Pro Skater on there, and I would play for hours. It was one of the best. And I just remember Tony Hawk's Pro Skater on there, and I would play for hours. It was one of the best Christmas gifts I've ever received.

Were you expecting it, or were you surprised? I was surprised, because it wasn't under the tree until we wrapped up, and then my mom did the thing where it was like, what's that over there in the corner? Oh, my goodness. Yeah. The Xbox was your Red Ryderb gun yes yes oh i like your mom she's tricky yeah very well have you guys ever received a gift where it's like you open a box and there's a smaller box and then there's some

like subsequently smaller boxes no you receive. My mom loves doing that. I've had that happen to me way too many times. Really? So was the payoff worth it, though? Oh, yeah. It's usually, like, a watch or something cool, but small. Yeah. I know, like, my parents, sometimes they were good at doing things

just to throw us off the scent of what we were looking for. Like I remember one year, my brother and I were big on onesies. We really wanted these specific onesies. And so, you know, it'd be easy to put them. They would be in similarly shaped boxes. They don't weigh a ton. So my dad went in and took like weights that he had, like from his fishing gear and threw them in the box just to make them feel a little heavier so you thought they were something other than clothing.

They get creative. It's a fun time of year for that stuff. Dom, am I the only one here who wants to see the Bukowskis brothers onesies photo? Nope. I think everyone would love to see that, Elliot. Kyle, that should be... When we post this episode,

that picture should be posted. It's like the album cover of this year's Christmas party. Nicky, your Twitter avatar. Does this picture... How old were you guys? How old were you guys? We were... This would have been close to 10 years ago.

10 years ago? Yes. Oh my God, you have to get this photo. All right. I'll work on it. There's a few. I'll work on it. Come on, pajama boy.

Onesie boy to you. Well, I just want to say to both you guys, it's been a pretty unique year at the home of the 32 Thoughts podcast. And I just want to say it's a pleasure. Another great year working with the two of you. I think, Dom, you do an incredible job. I think, Kyle, you do an incredible job. I think Kyle, you do an incredible job. And we kind of got thrown together in pretty unique ways. And I just want to say that I think you guys have done incredible work and I hope you both have a great

holiday and I'm looking forward to another incredible year. Appreciate that, Elliot. Thank you both for helping make me feel comfortable as this has all been a new thing for me, but it's been wonderful to get to know not only both of you better, but the listenership and our audience each and every week. And Dom, it was great to finally meet you in person in LA at the start of the year, and now our relationship continues to grow. It's just been a wonderful first few months here, the three of us. So thank you relationship continues to grow it's just been a wonderful first few months here the three of us so thank you both well let me just say you guys are making progressively less and less mistakes each and every recording making my life a whole lot easier

so thank you so much for your contributions and i do love working with both of you and i can't wait to see you in chicago for the winter. That's right. Winter class. Well, you know, I got to say that's about as weepy as I get Dom. So I'm glad you came back with something a little harsher than that. I like that. For all of us here at 32 thoughts.

We hope that you had just a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones, whichever you celebrate, however you choose to celebrate. We'll be back with more business. The hockey talk come next week. But for now, enjoy the relaxing holiday season. We'll talk to you again soon. Merry Christmas, everyone. Thank you.