Barn Burner: Boomer & Pinder with Rhett Warrener - Josh Morrissey (FULL INTERVIEW)

Episode Date: July 21, 2026

FULL EPISODE | FN Barn Burner: Boomer, Pinder & WarrenerJosh Morrissey joins Pinder on Barn Burner for a wide-ranging conversation about his journey to the NHL, growing up in Calgary, and his career with the Winnipeg Jets. The two discuss playing alongside Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele, Dustin Byfuglien and Patrick Laine, the evolution of the Jets, coaching, leadership, international hockey, the 4 Nations tournament, becoming a father, and life away from the rink. It's an in-depth conversation with one of the NHL's premier defencemen as he reflects on the moments and people that have shaped his career.TIMESTAMPS ⏰1:30 Growing Up In Calgary6:00 Players From Calgary12:30 Draft/Young Jets Group14:30 Young Connor Hellebuyck18:00 Playing In Winnipeg21:30 Trouba23:30 Player Power27:30 Jets Team29:00 Dustin Byfuglien31:00 Patrick Laine37:00 Worlds40:00 Scheifele47:00 2022/23 Breakout49:30 Ehlers50:30 Good & Bad Seasons52:30 Jets Coaching56:00 New Rink In Calgary59:00 Flames 04 Run1:04:00 International Hockey1:06:00 4 Nations Fight1:07:00 Sick For The Final1:08:30 Injury Olympics1:12:00 Sidney Crosby1:15:00 Becoming A Dad1:18:00 Life Outside Hockey1:20:00 Fan960Subscribe to FN Barn Burner 🚨➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@FNBarnBurner📲 Follow Barn BurnerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fnbarnburner/X (Twitter): https://x.com/barnburnerfn🎧 Listen to the PodcastApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/barn-burner-boomer-pinder-with-rhett-warrener/id1648562889Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mc6Qd5U22R2zbMlQ7RxIi🛒 Barn Burner Merchhttps://nationgear.ca/collections/flamesnation🎬 Watch Barn Burner Shortshttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj_bcGtvvo-cW2DHEDZ6dEO5ePDmlhZc9Powered by our partners:• bet365 – http://www.bet365.ca/• McLeod Law – https://www.mcleod-law.com/• Village Honda – https://www.villagehonda.com/• Outdoor Dental – https://www.outdoor.dental/• Capital Chev – https://www.capitalchev.ca/• Crowfoot Dodge Chrysler – https://www.crowfootdodgechrysler.com/• Renfrew Chrysler – https://www.renfrewchrysler.ca/• Crystal Waters Plumbing Company – https://www.crystalwatersplumbingcompany.com/• Bon Ton Meat Market – https://www.bontonmeatmarket.com/• Templ – https://drinktempl.com/• Sundre Golf Club – https://www.sundregolf.com/• Taco Time Canada – https://tacotimecanada.com/• Adrenalin Source for Sports – https://www.sourceforsports.ca/pages/adrenalin-source-for-sports-calgary• GMC – https://www.gmccanada.ca/en/trucks/sierra-1500• Greta Bar – https://gretabar.com/calgary/Business [e-mail]: Jack Haverstock#NHL #Hockey #CalgaryFlames #EdmontonOilers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey buddies, welcome to Barnburner. Another summer long form coming at you today. Presented by Bet365. Canada just hit the biggest home run of the summer. Bet365 available in Alberta and here to stay. Download the app. It must be 19 years of age. Please play responsibly.

McLeod Law Studios got one of Calgary's finest in earlier this summer. Let's check in with one of the finest hockey products this city's produced. And a reminder, any legal needs? McLeod-Dash-Law. dot com a lot of good players coming from our fair city this guy olympics four nations pretty damn good let's check in with josh morrisie let's welcome in one of calgary's finest hockey exports a gold medal winner at u 18s u20s the four nations silvers of the world championships in the olympics a memorial cup champion and geez so one of the best defensemen in the n hl josh morrissey

how are you man good man thanks for out of the end uh i've been wanting to chat with you for I've seen you around town a bit. I didn't know a ton about, you know, your background in Calgary before, you know, you were drafted, but I'm going through your career. You've been around a lot of huge, huge events and or trades or events to do you feel a bit like Forrest Gump sometimes with these things you're at, especially just the last two years. You look at Four Nations Olympics. Yeah, I mean, I think as an athlete, you just, just in the moment, right? And you just kind of keep going, what's the next thing and preparing for the next season or the next event or however. it may be. And so, but yeah, when you kind of stop to, you know, look around, I guess,

with the reference, it's like, wow, there's, you know, it goes by quickly. Everyone tells you that. I remember being a rookie in NHL and the older guy saying, hey, you know, you blink and next thing, you know, you're in your 30s or you're, you know, on your way out or, you know, retired. And it's just, it goes by so quick. So, yeah, I think just looking back, it's great memories and great experiences. But yeah, it's, it goes by quick. Tell us about growing up in Calgary. Great. And your path to get to the NHL. You know, you're a high pick in round one. You're an outstanding Western League player, but it all started at minor hockey like it does for everyone else. What was that like growing up?

Yeah, totally. I mean, started out playing out in Springbank. My dad kind of coaching, either as the head guy or assistant, my younger brother played hockey as well. We both grew up just kind of like every other, you know, Canadian kid wanting to be on the ice all day. long and going home and, you know, shooting pucks in the garage or an unfinished basement in the one house. And I mean, the amount of times we shot pucks through the, uh, uh, into the insulation and all that was, was crazy. He was a goalie. So, um, lots of him running upstairs crying as the younger brother and me telling him, I won't shoot hard on him anymore and vice versa. So, uh, but yeah, just kind of that typical story. And, um, from there, I ended up playing with the Royals, uh,

Bannum and Midget and then ended up moving on to the Western Hockey League and PA and Colonna and then on to Winnipeg and NHL. I want to take you back to the Royals. There were some really good local players that time. I mean, you look back and everyone is like this quadrant hockey, everyone has dreams of being NHL and we're going to be real good. A lot of those teams, there's never even a guy and maybe one or two go pro, but you know, you had Hunter Shankarck around for a bit.

Joe Colburn's a name. People will know. Logan O'Connor's another Calgaryan that is. still going with Colorado. How do you feel about that Calgary crop that you came up with? And that was just the Royals, never mind the rest of the city. Yeah, totally. I mean, you know what, some great guys there. Just special, you know, like you mentioned, Logan, obviously division rival in Colorado and play against him a lot. And I mean, you know, it is, I think you always take a second and it's just cool to know that we both kind of grew up playing for the same organization, obviously, you know,

to both make it. I mean, it's pretty cool. And then as you mentioned, other guys in Calgary, we've got a pretty good crew a few years younger and older. And yeah, just kind of competing against guys growing up and becoming friends playing, you know, Team Alberta events or, you know, hockey Canada stuff and getting to know guys a little bit better. And now, you know, training and skating with a lot of these guys as we're, you know, well into our NHL careers. So I think all of us feel a lot of pride kind of that we grew up here in calgary and in uh you know calgary minor hockey and uh different teams tell me about logan because i remember he brought the cup back after colorado one a few years ago to flames community arena and my kids were i guess three or four years younger so it's like

the cup and they got a picture with it but his story was like i got cut i was never the best player of my team but he just kept working and working and working and then i believe he like basically walked on to them out of college with Colorado and has really carved out a nice P.K. Role. But what do you remember about him? Like Ultimate Grindr or back at that level was he super skilled? Yeah, I mean, we didn't play a lot together because we were a year apart. Yeah, he had one year overlap. Yeah, one year overlap with the Royals. And I think we played, you know, some games throughout that season together. But even then, I think he might have played double A that season and then would get called up. But yeah, I mean, just, you know,

I think it's funny because you go at every age group, I think, when you're six years old, there's always a best player. And 10 years old, there's a best player around, you know, 12, 14, 16. And, you know, I don't think, you know, if you're looking at who you think is going to make the NHL and the parents are talking around the water cooler, you know, I'm not sure they would have said Logan in those moments. And he just kept working and working and working. And I mean, by all accounts, I don't know too many guys that have worked harder.

And you talk about earning it. he certainly has and just way he prepares, competes, he's in tremendous shape. And then, you know, what he's carved out in Denver, obviously with the abs. And prior to that at school and USHL, I think he's captain of a championship team. So just kind of, you know, all along just kept working and going.

And yeah, it's pretty cool to see a guy like that that just truly has earned everything he's gotten and, you know, deserves, you know, to be in the NHL and having the success he has. You mentioned the Calgary Tynes, and not just your year, but a little older, a little younger. I mean, you got Kail McCar and you on the blue line. I think any other city in the world is going to have a tough time coming up with a pair that good. You got a Braden Point.

You've got a bunch of other guys. Who else is around that, you know, you look at each other. Like, it's pretty cool. How many legit good players have come out of Calgary? Yeah, you mentioned those guys. You know, obviously Adam Lowry growing up here. And, you know, there's a bunch of other guys. I mean, now our skates are pretty good.

You know, in the last few years, we've had, like I said, you mentioned kale and Pointer and Lows, and there's been some guys move into the city now as well. But I think, you know, also just, you know, seeing how all those guys have developed at different points. And then for me, you know, Jordan Everly, who's been in Calgary resident for a long time. I mean, going back to, I think the bus days and spending his summers here, you know, a guy I looked up to when I was kind of training and, you know, he was just breaking into the league and we're still skating together and everyone's pushing one another. So it's just cool to see kind of group of guys, some guys moving in, you know, as their pro careers have gone on and

spending their summers here and other guys that have grown up here. But yeah, I think everyone supports one other, wants them to do well. And then, you know, obviously during the season, you know, wants to beat him as well on the ice. For sure. Let's go to Prince Albert, where you played for the Raiders. You shared some overlap there, considerable overlap with Leon Drysiddle, who was obviously a very, very highly touted prospect coming over from Germany. Obviously, we've seen what he's become a superstar with the Oilers. What was he like in PA? And then I believe he went to the Oilers for a year. They sent him back midway through and they orchestrated a blockbuster with you and him to Colonna. Yeah. Yeah. So like talk about connected to the hip in a couple spots there. So Leon came over.

I think he was super high pick in the important draft and came over for his 17-year-old year. So my second year junior and kind of right away we were just same age, you know, both big aspirations in our careers and kind of became best friends right off the hop. And, you know, I used to drive them to school. We had an English class together in the morning and might have been late a couple times. But yeah, just right away we hit it off. I mean, we spent, yeah, two years, 17, 18. team together and then you know like you said he made the nchl as 19 year old and then um got sent back

at christmas just after world juniors and um both him and i got traded kind of in a it was two separate trades but one was for all the players one was for all the picks and we went to uh colonna who was already a great team and uh ended up winning the uh western ocky league and loss in the mem cup final in uh in overtime so that one still stings but uh yeah just a tremendous guy and you know I think when he came over, we were seeing some of his stats, like 100 some goals and 30 games. You can look it up online. In Germany. Crazy numbers, yeah.

And they were calling him the German Gretzky. And so had all this hype. And I mean, I remember the first time I saw him. And of course, now he's famous for his blade, right? Yeah. The paddle. And I don't even know if it was like, I think his dad was making him sticks or had a guy in Germany making him sticks. And his dad had a great hockey career himself.

But anyway, just kind of looking at these sticks and whatever. And then first time watching him, you're like, okay, I get it now. This guy's a stud. And I mean, he just got better and better from that first day, I guess, for those two years. And obviously, the rest is history. He's one of the best players in the league. But, yeah, I'll never forget that seeing that stick for the first time. And then trying it myself kind of like sneakily, you know, see how it would help my game and, you know, losing the puck and whatever.

So, yeah, it's a special, special talent. Every spring we get the playoff zoom-ins on the blade. Yeah. The broadcasters can talk about how unique it is or called a paddle or whatever. But is it just fatter, longer, taller than most blades? Yeah, yeah, pretty much. It's like, I mean, just really like a long straight blade. I don't know if it's taller.

I can't remember. But, yeah, I mean, he's probably got one of the best backhands in the world. And, you know, everyone's kind of gone to bigger and bigger curves these days, especially the kids come in now. And I mean, look at some of the best players in the league, how I guess efficient they are on their back hands, and certainly he is. And yeah, but he's been able to do that since he was, yeah, 15, 16. So, but like I said, it's just weird because you go out there on the ice,

try to shoot with it. And, like, there's no toe. So just for me, you'd almost have to, like, sauce it. It was this weird feel. I don't know how he does it. but I mean, he scored 50 a couple times at least. He knows what he's doing. He knows what he's doing.

That would have been fun on a power play with him. Never mind when you get to Colonna, this team that's already locked and loaded and making a WHL championship run. I mean, did you guys find great chemistry? Or is it just when two guys are as talented as you two, you can't help but just connect the bunch on the ice? Yeah, I mean, we literally spent every kind of minute together off the ice

playing, you know, NHL video games. I remember watching a ton of hockey too. like we both just love the game and kind of we loved like leon always loved datsook so we watch yeah detroit and i think lidsstrom was still there who obviously i love to watch and then um actually watched a lot of the senators at the time uh carlson was really just starting to break out and you know they had some pretty uh elite offensive players sphsa and i think alfredson was still there so um yeah loved watching hockey and then i think that chemistry kind of went on the ice and um i mean It was pretty fun being a D-Man playing with him because, I mean, everyone's seen his ability to make, you know, 50 to 80-foot saucer passes and whatnot.

And every time off the rush, I knew if I got up there, he'd find me. So definitely, definitely was a bit of a Leon merchant those years. But we had a lot of fun. So you win the Western League, Memorial Cup, the heartbreaking loss. You noted that not long after you're playing American League hockey. with Manitoba Moose after being drafted 13th overall by the Jets, what do you remember about going into the draft? Did you have a feel of where you were going to go?

Did you know how you were going to sort of fit in that crop? Or is it like, hey, some teams really like me in other ones. I'm not getting the vibes or what's it like? Yeah, I mean, you see all the, I guess, the mock drafts and the different rankings. And, I mean, who knows if teams feel the same way or not. So, yeah, I kind of figured at the time, like, anyone, sort of between 10 and 20. I felt like, you know, I should be ready, I guess, to hear my name potentially.

And, you know, my meetings always went really well with Winnipeg. And, yeah, just sort of, it's a blur, I guess you hear your name. And, I mean, now they do the draft differently with the remote stuff. But, yeah, at the time, I just remember, you know, probably blacking out for about an hour and a half. And then kind of realizing how incredible the moment was. But, yeah, it's a pretty cool. cool feeling like i said meetings went really well but but you never know so um uh i wasn't shocked when i was called by the jets just because i felt like there was a real possibility i go there yeah uh

so your first year in the american league you you got lowry there or me is there i believe hellabuck as well did it feel like there was sort of this new core coming like this was going to be the young crop of kids that was going to be the next wave for the jets yeah i mean i think like when obviously the jets came back they drafted chife yeah and Laos that first year. And then Truba the next year, I believe Helibuck was in those years as well. Andrew Kopp as well, myself. Eric Comrie was in there.

I'm missing some guys, but, you know, there was a lot of good pieces. And, you know, the team hadn't made the playoffs in a few years and had been picking higher. So, you know, I think, yeah, there was a feel that there was this big group of young guys and that we had a chance to kind of come in, hopefully, in the next couple of years and build something together. And, you know, at that point, I don't know if you're really thinking about that so much is just trying to improve and, you know, get your shot and make the most of it in the NHL. But, you know, it was definitely cool to kind of be at development camp with Schife and Troops

and Lows and Helley and, you know, copper. I think we traded for Army, you know, my last year junior. but a bunch of guys there that, you know, we ended up playing together and being in some of us now together for, you know, 10, 11 years. Did you feel like, Helibuck? You're like, oh, my God, this guy's going to be a superstar when you saw him. He's highly talented prospect. But goalies, you never really know. Some of how they tell the guys don't hit other guys undrafted, turn out to be great or later picks.

Because he's going to be a hall of fame now. He's got the Olympic goal. He's got three Veznas, I believe. He's got two Jennings. Like, the dude's resume is incredible. Yeah. Is that sort of what you expected or just like, look, he's so good, he'll be one of the best? I mean, I think, you know, everyone was talking about his college career. And actually, so when, after my 18-year-old season and junior and PA, I was called up to St. John's with the ice caps. And we went on a playoff run there. And Hellie signed out of college and joined. And he was there for a little bit before actually going to the worlds, I think.

but yeah i mean just instantly you're like obviously big guy uh you know his angles were great immediately um but i guess yeah looking back at that to say hey you know if someone said i'll bet you 20 bucks hell he's gonna you know win i guess three venez now and he's not even done yet um you know the olympic gold um you know to our dismay but uh you know also the jennings and just if you look at some of the advanced stats around his game too i mean he's been incredible so anyway i think uh i don't know if i would have i probably would have taken that bet on the other side just because that's truly you know there's not many guys that have done that in history of the game so um but i think what always took out to me looking back at helly and and his greatness is just you know he he sees the

game differently than any other goalie i've ever talked to um and his mindset around the game is uh you know He's a very confident guy, but he's very confident in what he does, works hard, but just has this conviction in what he needs to do. It would be great and sort of how he's figured it out in his mind and, you know, just does it. I mean, I remember my rookie year, I think, which would have been, I think his true rookie year, he'd played a lot of games the year prior. But I think he got pulled in the game, and there was a media clip that people, people were kind of going byro with at the time was like you know where's your game at and he's

like my game's good enough to win a Vesna right now and I mean he had just gotten pulled and was in his rookie year and and whatever and course people kind of gawked at it but I mean year later he won his first business so and now we're looking back at three and he's not even done so I think it's just yeah he's known what he needed to do to be elite and had that figured out from a young age and and has put pen to paper with it yeah uh Winnipeg's a market that we hear a lot about being you know not sexy which which is fair I mean there's places like Miami Los Angeles New York it is not that Calgary isn't either but there seems to be this you know there can be a stigma about it you're a Western Canadian you went there

what did you know but when before you got there and what do you know now that you know made you commit max term to stay there. You must really enjoy it because it's a place you spend a lot of time. Yeah, I think for me, like you mentioned, being Western Canadian guy, playing a lot of junior hockey in Saskatchewan. I have roots in Alberta and Saskatchewan. So, you know, kind of just that's what I'm used to in a lot of ways. And so getting drafted to Winnipeg, you know, really wasn't much of a change.

And then I'd say now looking back at my time there, are just people are great. The fans are so passionate. You know, I've made many friends outside of the game in Winnipeg and just enjoyed being a part of the kind of the fabric of the community. I think it's cool to be a part of a place where, you know, a winner, a loss can really affect the mood of the city the next day. And obviously, you hope that it's more wins than losses.

But, you know, it really does matter to people. And that was what I experienced growing up here in Calgary, being a flames fan as a kid. You know, it's cool when, you know, the whole city comes together in the playoffs. And, you know, it just means more. It means so much to everybody. And I think that's special. So, yeah, I've never really known anything else.

Always played my hockey in Western Canada. And, you know, my biggest thing, though, really was just have a chance to play, be a part of a good team. Have a chance to win and have a chance to be, you know, go after my career and develop my career and, you know, I guess have that opportunity in front of me. And that opportunity was always given to me there, which I'm extremely grateful for. And, you know, I think we've had very good teams through the years and I've had chances to win. So that's all I can really ask for. Shelfdale has been there forever.

It's a very sort of stable, consistent organization. There's been a little more coaching changes of late. But can you speak to that stability or sort of the steady hand? I mean, a lot of guys that have been in the league as long as you have would have played for multiple GMs. Like, you haven't. Yeah, I think it starts honestly with ownership and Mark Chitman. You know, he's a tremendous guy. I know he's got a tremendous relationship with a lot of the players, entire organization, really.

And so, you know, I think him and Chevy are on the same page. And, you know, he believes in Chevy. And, you know, he's done a fantastic job. I mean, like I said, he's given us a chance to win when we've been really good. He's added and, you know, given us more of a chance, so to speak. So, but again, I think it comes from the top. Mark's not a guy that makes rash decisions. And, you know, as players, you really want to play for a guy that, you know, in him

and also in Chevy that, you know, I guess have that confidence in you and, you know, give you the opportunity to, if you're playing well, continue to play well, and if not get yourself going again. They're not going to make just crazy decisions pressured by, you know, external forces, let's just say. So I think that stability has been great for our team and for our room. We have seen guys go to Winnipeg and say, you know what, this might not be for me. And that happens everywhere to be fair. But, you know, I think of the Jacob Trubo on it, it was like, okay, if he does the ARB and he's short term, short term.

And then, okay, it's time to go. Did you feel that at the time that it wasn't going to be a long-term fit or was that circumstantial with him or just for whatever reason it was not going to be the fit long-term? Yeah, I think you hit the nail in the head before. Like it happens everywhere. I just think it gets blown up in, you know, markets like Winnipeg and like Calgary and some of the Canadian cities. I mean, you know, there's been players in other markets that have asked for trades and moved on as

well. So I think it does happen everywhere. And I think everyone's circumstantial. is just a little bit different. You know, and as a player, you know, in Troops' case, would have loved, you know, to be able to play our whole careers together and whatnot and have him stay. But that wasn't in the cards.

And so at the end of the day, like I said, it's just I don't hold ill will, you know. Everyone's got to do what's sort of what they feel is best for them and their career. And obviously, organization makes decisions as well to, you know, the best that they can. And so, you know, like I said, said it, I think it gets blown up and I think it's sensitive for people, you know, in Winnipeg and you know, different markets. Sure. And I understand that.

But like I said, it happens everywhere. And it's just part of, part of pro sports. Yeah. Especially in this league at this moment, it feels like there's been a big swing of leverage towards the player from management or ownership. And I think that's a good thing given where the game has been. I mean, there, there. When this was an original sixth league, there were owners that paid players horribly and did not share revenue.

And as time passes, you get CBAs. We're okay, it's going to be a 50-50 split. And now there's more no trade clauses coming in. And now we're going to do the point where you're actively seeing players saying, okay, I'm asking out. And here's the list of places I want to go. It's like, whoa, we were giving you the no trade commitment, not the trade me somewhere commitment. I think for a player to get more leverage gives you more power. That's good for players.

I also see fans and markets getting a little worried, whether it's Columbus or Calgary or Winnipeg or whatever, because they're like crap. Like you spend all this time drafting, developing a player and they can just snap their fingers and say, boom, I'm out of here now if they're of that caliber. How do you feel about this sort of recent swing? We've seen Lark and we've seen Brady Kachuk.

We saw Matthew do it a while ago. So, you know, there's a lot of question marks about, you know, what's going to happen with Zach Wrenski, even Connor Hallibuck all of a sudden, his name's out there, your team, I think, how do you feel about this movement of more power for the player? Yeah, I mean, again, I think it's circumstantial and each of those situations is going to be different for the players. You know, I think the reason that it's probably more prevalent now is there's more cap flexibility than there's been in a long time.

I mean, you know, big trades weren't as easy to come by when, you know, you had to trade money out to get, bring money in. And obviously with star players, chances are they're making a lot of money. So, you know, I think that's probably why it's more prevalent now than ever before. But, you know, I think it's, it is an interesting time. And to be quite honest, I don't really know how it's all going to go. And, you know, we've seen some guys get traded, big name guys to certain places and other guys. and other guys where, you know, deals haven't happened yet, and who knows if they ever will and how that'll go.

But like I said, it's hard to comment on from like an overall theme perspective because I think those situations could be unique, you know, to one another. And so at the end of the day, it's, you know, as I look forward to next season, I mean, just want our team to be the best we possibly can and have a chance to win. And that's all you can really focus on and control is that and not, what where guys want to go or don't want to go or how, how the league's evolving. But, I mean,

it does make an interesting time as a fan, that's for sure. Yeah. And then, of course, there's like, are these a bunch of coincidences, coincidences all happening at the same time? Because players have asked for trades since the dawn of time, like forever. But all of a sudden, there's a bunch of them that all played on the U.S.

Olympic team or four nations team. And you're like, what's going on in that group chat there? I'm definitely not in that. You're not in that one. I know that. Yeah, but I mean, you do wonder, is this like a weird year where a bunch of shit just happened? Or is this a change in the way that business will operate in the NHL?

I guess time will tell. I mean, obviously in the NBA, you've seen maybe a little bit more player controlling where they're going. And, you know, that's sort of been how it's looked. I think I'm not a huge NBA fan, but just from an outside perspective with players kind of going to certain teams with certain guys. So I mean, I don't know. I don't know how it's going to go, but certainly it's made for an interesting few weeks

for, you know, the fans and the rumor mill, right? It's been buzzing. Yeah, no question. Okay, I want to take you back to when you joined the Jets because, like, I remember that decor. I'm like, whoa, this is crazy. Like, Bufflin was there.

Trubo was there. Tyler Myers was there, amongst others. Up front, you got Schifley, Wheeler, Liny, Eilers, Lauerie, Kyle Conner's arriving. Like, that's a hell of a team. And as a young defenseman, it's like, whoa, there's a lot of really good players there. As a young player trying to carve out a role, that would have been interesting because it wasn't like, this team's really bad. You got picked high. Here's top four minutes go.

Yeah. Yeah, for sure. I mean, you know, when I came into the league, like you said, I mean, it was buff, troops, Toby Anstrom. Tyler Myers, Mark Stewart had been there for a while and had a really good career. And so there was a lot of guys kind of in front of me. And so the one training camp where Troops ended up having a contract dispute and missing some time to start the year, I think gave me a little bit of a more of a runway. I mean, he's a right D, I'm a lefty, but still, you know, that's a top four Dman that was

out for the first 20 games. and I think that kind of gave me more of a shot, and I just tried to take it and run with it. But, yeah, those first few years, I mean, like you said, the opportunity for me to play was sort of five-on-five minutes, more PK, actually, and some defensive situations. And that really wasn't a whole lot of my game. I always tried to be an all-around defenseman growing up.

But, you know, certainly my offensive side was probably more of what I was known for coming out of junior. But again, if you want to play in the NHL, you know, figure out how you can make it. And that was sort of the opportunity and tried to run with it. Coaches did a great job kind of helped me out. I'd played with Buff my first 40 games. And, you know, I thought he really kind of put his arm around me and Misey and Trubes as well. And Toby learned a lot from them all.

But, yeah, it was a different start in that sense. You know, I saw other guys come in at the same time and kind. kind of like you said, on a bad team, instantly get power play. And it didn't always work out for them because you're sort of, you're thrown into that role. And if it doesn't go well, then they're on to the next guy. And you might be 22 years old and kind of already passed over in a way. So, you know, for me, I think learning that side of the game really paid dividends later on. And, you know, then tried to just kind of evolve all parts of my game.

But yeah, I honestly feel just fortunate because I got to learn from those guys and they were legends. Matt, you got to play next to Buffalo. You've got to feel a little more comfortable. A hundred percent. Mountain of a man. It seemed like a quieter guy, but one that everyone adored. Is that fair? Yeah, Buff is just a beauty.

I mean, one of the funniest kind of most unique, biggest character teammates I've played with. And I think just honestly, as a partnership, like, it helped me a lot. You know, a couple stories in my rookie year. I'm a guy that loves the game. I take it seriously. you know, I've always wanted to play in the NHL. And, you know, especially when I was younger, I could be too hard on myself. And I remember a couple games into the season, I think it was.

Buff and I got scored on and, you know, we're coming off the ice. And he said something along the line. So like, you know, first of many are like, welcome to the NHL. You know, here's me. I'm, you know, so rattled, we just got scored on and kind of chuckling on the bench. So it was some perspective like that from Buff that, you know, I thought really, really helped me. on and just, you know, his passion for the game, the way he loved the game, sort of the way he carried himself, you know, never, never was too serious. And, you know, I think just all of those things

kind of rubbed off on me. But definitely those, like you said, beyond just the physical presence, I mean, there was definitely a few instances where, you know, I felt a lot, a lot bigger when Buff was beside me, that's for sure. No one was going to mess with the rookie D in that case. But sort of those other lessons that just about enjoying the game and having fun, even in big pressure moments. I mean, he did it as well as anyone. Some other unique personalities. Patrick Lainey was an absolute phenom coming into the league.

We're talking tons of goals. I think he had like a four or five goal game in his rookie year. Like what was Linae like arriving? We all remember the interview before the draft. He's like lying on the bed, kind of like a little aloof, just hanging out. But everyone else is like formally in a suit or whatever. Like, I've got to say the right things. He didn't seem to, but this is me.

Take it or leave it. Like, what was it like? And how do you feel about where he's at? Like, is there, can he re, can he find that again, that scoring touch at least? Because, you know, watch him shoot the puck, that rookie year was crazy. Yeah, I mean, it was crazy when he came in. So his rookie year was my rookie year. So he'd been drafted, you know, that spring.

And he actually played in the World Cup. And so he kind of came into camp later. later on. I met you 23. Yeah, exactly. Or he would have been on team. Oh, Europe. Yeah, sure.

Yeah. And so. Or Finland. Sure. Yeah. And he was, there's just so much hype right away, obviously with him and Matthews. But yeah, the first time you saw him shoot the puck. I mean, it just, it came off differently.

There's not many guys that could shoot the puck like that. And so, yeah, just another great personality. Like I mentioned with Buff, like unique personality, really good guy. I mean, I think we get a lot of fun kind of as young guys coming in at the same time. But yeah, just, I mean, still to this day, I don't know too many guys that can shoot the puck like that. And, you know, he's had some injury issues, but hopefully he can, you know, get in the right fit and, you know, get that shot going again because it's pretty special. Capital Shev-13-103 Lake Fraser Drive in the southeast. Capitalshave.com.ca.com.ca.com.ca.com. Calgary.

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Lots of awards to be given away and raising funds so kids can get into sports who might otherwise not have the means to do so through Kidsport, Calgary. That's August 22nd at Village Honda in the Northwest Auto Mall, noon till 4, the sixth annual, Honda and Accura Show and Shine. We'll see you there. This weekend, adrenaline source for sports is hosting Bower Fest. Discover Bauer hockey's brand new, 2026 Supreme Fuse lineup, skates, sticks, player protective gear, and goalie equipment.

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And we're seeing it a lot these days where a younger player might say, this would be great for me. I can get some minutes, you know, a bigger role, play alongside someone like Sydney, which, you know, we saw Macon Celebrini do a couple summers ago. And other guys would be like, no, no, no, no. Like, I need to like go to the lab and make myself better. Connor did that. And I thought his skating was worlds better this year than it was two seasons ago. So that obviously worked in theory.

How did you enjoy your world championships experience? Because it's a long tournament. There's a lot of games before that you get to the knockout round. It's not like a bang bang. week and a half, 10 days. Yeah, I loved it. I mean, I just finished my rookie year. And I guess in my head throughout that last part of the season,

I mean, we were out of the playoffs for a little bit. And, you know, I was hoping that I might get that call. And so when I did get the call, it was a no-brainer. You know, I definitely think that every young player, if they get asked, should definitely take the opportunity to go. I mean, even if it's just one time, you know, know just to get that experience like for me all of a sudden um you know walking in the room ryan o'reilly clodrew you know Nate was there um du shane was there um marner marns was there

point i think is your guy's pointer yeah connect me uh shefe uh was with me from winnipeg and eric omere actually as well um vlasic ended up coming over who just you know won olympic gold so for me as a young guy, I guess, and coming out of my rookie year to kind of be around all these guys that, you know, had won cups, had won, you know, Olympic golds or different things like that, been perennial all-stars. It was pretty cool just to be in the room and then obviously kind of compete together and thought I learned a lot. It's, you know, the first part of the tournament, it's a lot of fun, you know, getting to know the guys. But yeah, and actually John Cooper was a coach too.

So yeah, pretty cool to, you know, get to connect with him, I guess, some, you know, nine, 10 years later. But, yeah, it was just an unreal experience. And, I mean, Hockey Canada, like, treats you so well at that event, like every event. But, yeah, I would for sure say that, you know, any young guy should take that opportunity for sure. You and Scheif have been, like, look along the way, you arrive at a similar time. I know you train a bunch or you hang out a bit in the summers. You go to the worlds together. like what's that friendship and bond like between the two of you yeah i mean uh you know he's my best

friend uh you know we spend uh a lot of time together we spent a lot of time together the last however many years and um going back to development camp was really when we first started hanging out and you know all the development camps have just wrapped up and um you know you kind of hear people talk about the value of those camps or the on ice stuff and and the on ice is great the off ice is great, but I think just the bonds you kind of make with guys that, you know, might end up being your teammates for 10, 15 years afterwards is, you know, that's where we became friends. And so, yeah, just he's such a great hockey mind, loves the game, as do I. And, you know, we've pushed each other. Certainly my career and, you know, some of the improvements I made

throughout my career. I owe a lot to him, sort of his guidance and I like to think that, you know, I've helped him as well when we push each other in skates and stuff like that. But, you know, he's so dialed in, loves the game, brings so much energy every day. And whether it's us golfing or skating together, yeah, he's a great friend and definitely, you know, look at him last year. I mean, I think he was his 32-year-old year and, you know, put up the first 100-point season. He's never stopped working on his game. And, you know, I think that's pushed me as well to do the same. He's sort of got the rep of like a hockey nerd.

And you say he's really into it. Like, what does that mean compared to other guys? Like, do some guys have no interest in watching games if they're on TV? They're like, look, I need to get away from the game. And he'll always want to watch. What are some other examples that make him sort of the hockey geek? Yeah, yeah. I mean, I think just his passion for it.

Like he said, some guys don't really watch a lot of hockey outside of the rink. Shife does, I do as well. So, you know, many nights on the road just watching games or, you know, having dinner at one another's house and watching games in the background. I mean, that's kind of a lot of what we do during the season. And then just kind of that never-ending pursuit of trying to get better. So, you know, we both have worked with Adam Oates for for me, I think six, seven years. And Schife's been with him longer kind of. of his day one guys.

But, you know, just whether it's the curve or the lie or however it is with his stick, different details, you know, always kind of in search of something. And then on the ice, I mean, you know, willing to kind of break it down to the smallest details, which is, you know, really what I think separates a lot of what Oatsy does. But then Schafe, you know, totally embraces it as well. And so, you know, for him and I, it's been great to skate in the summers, work on all those things. and in-season as well, you know, before practice or, you know, on off days or whatever like that to kind of, you know, nerd out on stuff and sort of just figure out, you know, how to do something

a little bit better. And I think that keeps the game fun because you're always kind of trying to figure out something new. You're trying to continue to work on and it's not, you know, mundane and sort of, you know, well, I've gotten an NHL. I'm just going to, I'm good now, you know, I can just do that same thing for the next however many years i think i don't think you're going to have that much success if you have that attitude and don't think a lot of guys do anymore but you know schafe definitely takes it to a whole nother level what's oates like because he's been renowned as a skills guy forever and i know he was he was brought in

in some capacities for organizations and then but for a long time i think has been back out on his own doing his own thing like is it a big group of guys do you go visit him does he zip out and see calgary guys like how does that work and you know do you keep tabs in season or is that like no no, no, like your coaching staff will do with that, or is it like, hey, here's some things I'm seeing that might help you? Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, I first of all, he's immensely helped my game. You know, like I said, I've worked with him, I think six or, this might be the seventh summer now.

And just, you know, I haven't really come across too many people that think the game the way he does. And I think that's why, you know, elite NHL players are drawn to work with him because, you know, at a certain point, you know, you're looking for someone that can look at your game and teach you something. And that obviously gets harder and harder as sort of you go up the ranks. And so, you know, the way he sees the game is just, yeah, it's different. It's something where it has to be the right fit from the player to really, I think, embrace what he's going to teach you as well. and then when if you do i mean it's it's next level stuff and um but it's also just it simplifies the game i think you know in the instagram world and everything where

everything has to be flashier and um you know jumping over things and you know just making it drill harder than it needs to be you know a lot of the stuff he teaches is just simplifying it which is really in game um what happens that much more and so it's never systematic. It's never like you should do a different forecheck route. Like it's literally nothing that would affect or impact your team play. It's literally, okay, you know, for me as a D man, I got a puck passed up to me at the point. You know, was I was where my shoulders closed a little bit to my partner, where they open? And maybe that being open helps me see him better. Maybe I see the seam a little bit better, you know, see somebody wide open in the slot or can get a shot through.

going back for a puck, how I touch a puck. You know, it's very simple things. But, I mean, you do it over and over 82 games, you know, hopefully plus a long playoff run. Those things add up. And, you know, those are the things that in key moments, you know, if you mess up a touch, you know, generally that's how goals are scored off turnover. So it's little things like that. It's kind of a long convoluted answer I gave. But yeah, he's awesome.

Yeah, little details. And dude, like you would have been too young. But to watch him in his prime, like distributing the puck, like savant, like incredible. I think like he was a big part of a lot of 50 bowl seasons around the NHL being the setup guy for guys like Hull and Neely and things like that. Like he was. And I think I would add on that too. Like, you know, so I mean, knowing Oatsy's game and watching some old clips, but also

just talking to him, like, you know, he would say and he would say this. I don't feel bad saying it. He's like, he wasn't the fastest guy in the NHL. So he had to learn the game a different way. Right. And when you watch those clips, I mean, you know, he never missed a triangle in a pass. You know, he found the smallest of seams and never missed Hall or whoever the guys he was playing with. And so for a lot of players in today's era, it's all about speed.

And, you know, kids are growing up with power skating so much more. And, you know, you look at every kid that comes in a league now. They're generally good skaters. And so for myself, skating was always kind of a big part of my game. And at younger ages, you know, you can kind of skate away from guys or open ice. And so you get to a certain point in the NHL where, you know, space closes quickly or everyone can skate as well or better than you. And so, you know, yeah, it's still a part of my game. But learning how to play the game, you know, if I'm stopped or in a smaller area or not going as fast as I can, you know, those are things that, you know, say,

a player that's a great skater doesn't necessarily have to learn growing up. And so those skills are, I think, more important in today's game than ever. You had an incredible year, 22, 23. It was funny, Darren Radish, he was up this summer as a free agent. And eventually a sign-in-trade sends him to Toronto. And you're like, wow, this is crazy. Like, he's kind of a journeyman. He's around 30.

And all of a sudden he explodes for like a 70-point season. And we're kicking it around. And we're like, man, like, is there another example? of a guy exploding like this. And I think it was like, Rhett mentioned Adrian O'Koyne or someone like that where there was a few examples. And then I was like, well, I think,

I always remember like one of the analytics guys on Twitter being like, then one year, Josh Morrissey decided he was going to be an offensive advancement. And clearly, you know, it's tongue in cheek because there's opportunity. But you increased 39 points to get up to 76 points in a season as a D man. I think you were viewed as probably a well-rounded top four guy at the time. And then all of a sudden it's like, oh, yeah, you were drafted as like, like a very dynamic offensive defense.

Yeah, I mean, it was a fun year. You know, and I think a lot of things go into it. Obviously, you know, I've worked really hard on my game, talked about working with Oatsy for many years, you know, opportunity. I think when the big one really, the tangible is, you know, Rick Bonas came in as the head coach and Scott Arneal, who's now our head coach was the de-coach, but Bones especially was just,

you know, he kind of changed the way we played. He wanted the D involved. He wanted to de-active and, you know, a part of the rush and sort of preached it every single day. And, you know, it was kind of, like I said, perfect timing. I felt like I was just ready to, you know, really take on that offensive responsibility. And, you know, to then kind of pair that up with the style that he wanted us to play. And then his belief in me and kind of pushing me to do that.

I mean, my first call with him, you know, you're always nervous with the new coach what it's going to be like. And he was like, well, I think I want you to be top five in Norris votes. And I mean, that's great. Like, you know, that's a great first call. So kind of tried to embrace it right away. He believed in me. I wanted to bring my best. And I think it was just the right time of timing in my career.

And so a lot of things kind of aligned. And again, I think you mentioned a lot of the players earlier, but there's so many good players. on our team, offensive players, especially. You know, when I get to activate in the rush with Scheif or Connor, you know, Eilers was there for a long time, Gabe Valardi now. I mean, there's been plenty of great offensive players in our locker room. And, you know, I get to reap those benefits then. Were you a pump for Eilers to see him win the cup?

I mean, it's funny. You play internationally, and all of a sudden you got some teammates on Vegas from the Canadian team, and then you've got a former longtime teammate from Winnipeg with Carolina. Like, did that, were you rooting for them? Is it just like, are you just sometimes sour when the playoffs are on and you're not playing? Because that's what you want. Yeah, I mean, definitely happy for him. I mean, he's a great guy. He was a great teammate for 10 years. You know, obviously, I think as he sort of alluded to in his interview and

when we just exchanged some texts after, like, you know, wish it was with him and wish it was in Winnipeg during his time there. But no, you have to be happy for him. And like I said, he's a great guy was a big part of that win for them as well you've had some like roller coastery seasons here and there's also been a bunch of coaching changes in winnipeg and i don't know that they're related necessarily or not but like for example two years ago you got the highest point total in the west i think you won the president's trophy and then last year it's like your fourth or fifth from the bottom in the west and it's like not dissimilar like it wasn't like oh yeah they traded eight guys like there's been some changes but not huge like what do you chalk that up to and maybe is that more

speak to the parody of the league where if maybe a couple things just don't go right, that's enough to derail a really good team. Yeah, I think, you know, it's the margin of error between being a great team, a mediocre team or not having a good season, I think is a lot finer than people think. You know, the year prior, we were able to stay really healthy. Obviously, you know, players had great individual seasons team had great a great season special teams you know so many things go well and this year we had a bunch of injuries special teams different things you know it's it's the same recipe right it's just you know it was it was frustrating it was disappointing i know you know like you mentioned there were some changes and some players out and different players in but

you know i think we all still felt we we could have had a better season than we did and so Yeah, it's back to the drawing board and okay, how do we find the level that we were at before? And again, to me, it's always tangible things. You know, defensive game has been our calling card. So five on five, you know, goals for and against power play, PK, you know, any of the other categories. So, yeah, it was a frustrating year. But, you know, you did have a lot of injuries and you don't like to make it. excuses, but, you know, hopefully going into this year, we can get guys healthy. We've got a couple

really good young players that, I think, are probably going to make the jump. And, and lastly, to comment, I do think the parody in the league last year especially was probably as balanced as I've seen it. You know, I think the flat cap probably has a lot to do with that. But, you know, at the end of the day, eight teams got in and we weren't one of them, so we have to find a way to do that. Yeah, fair enough. I wanted to mention the coaching stuff. I mean, Arneal ran the D under Bonas. Now he's the head guy.

Maurice left abruptly, correct me if I'm wrong, but it felt like a huge stability there, and all of a sudden it feels like three in a real short amount of time. Yeah, I mean, Paul was there for a long time. And then, you know, obviously made the move out. And then Bones came in. and I think wanted to stay longer, but I was dealing with some health issues.

So, you know, as much as maybe we've had three coaches in however many years, it hasn't felt sort of like very unstable as a player. I think, like I said, just with the Bones health challenges. And plus Arne was assistant coach under Bones. So familiarity there. So, yeah, I think overall in my time in Winnipeg, like that's been something that our organization hasn't done a lot of is sort of the coaching carousel and you know the stability has been there i when paul left abruptly and i think was

december of 21 dave lowry came in and of course his son adam on the team great player you mentioned cabra guy what was that dynamic like because all of a sudden we were looking at vancouver and you're like okay well they're going to pick three the mahalter kid's going to be there they're going to hire his dad as a coach like very different in the sense that established veteran versus a rookie coming in but is it ever weird to be like man like i can't get a break from this damn coach and like oh that's the guy i'm sitting next to his dad or is it just like it wasn't that big of a deal because of how veteran dave and adam were yeah i mean you know dave had been there for a couple years um and it's funny because i i mean i skated at dave's pro skate in the summer here as a

teenager and all the way through so knowing them a long time but um Yeah, I don't think it was as weird, so to speak, because Dave had been there. And, you know, when you watch Adam play, like, there's not too many things you can kind of show him on the team video of, you know, what he should have done differently if he was cheating a game or, you know, your classic, you know, turnovers at the blue line trying to toe drag a guy or something like that. He plays such an honest game. So, yeah, I don't think it was weird. I mean, you know, it'd be more of a question for both of them, actually. Sure. They felt like it was weird or not and kind of got, you know, thrown into that situation.

But as a teammate, it didn't ever get in the way. No, I mean, in our situation, no. But like I said, I think just because of familiarity with Dave and because, you know, Adam and the way that he plays such an honest game, it's, you know, not like, like I said, he was, I don't know, cheating the game and then still getting thrown over the boards constantly. Right. No inside job there. Yeah, exactly.

We talked about the Canadian markets and, you know, okay, is it great climate? No. Is it tax-friendly? Depending where you are, it can be not ideal. But what you noted and what I think people often forget is that, like, if your team is rolling, you are the thing in town. And I don't know that there's an American market where hockey's bigger than all the other sports there.

You know, you're frankly competing against NFL. NBA, Major League Baseball and all kinds of other. He's college football in Columbus and Nashville. You can't replicate that passion that these markets have. And so I want to ask, Gail, what do you think this new rink is going to mean for Calgary? Because as a player coming through, if all you did was stay at a hotel and ride the bus to the saddle dome, you're probably not seeing the potential of the city because we know so many guys that move here after their career and love it. And yet you do see it on some no trade list more than I think I would expect.

Yeah, I mean, it's, it's, it's an interesting question, obviously, on the overarching topic. But I think, yeah, like you mentioned, I mean, being a Calgary guy, you know, I've always, I spend my summers here and whatnot. And a few guys, Lowry being from Calgary and we've had other Calgarians on the, on the team before, you know, flying in, we're always like, guys, like, it's, you know, great city, whatever. And same thing, you know, I've seen clips of Seth Jarvis being from Winnipe. The pegs kind of the same thing, right? Like where you're from. But again, yeah, I mean, you're going there on a business trip. You're staying in the hotel.

You're to the rink and you're out of there. So, you know, unless you have a few days off, I mean, in all the road cities, you know, you really don't get a chance to see a lot of things. So, but yeah, I think the new rink will be great for the city. You know, as a kid growing up and kind of having my NHL dream on the, you know, cultivate on the saddle. mice watching on TV and whatever, it'll be sad to see it go. And definitely hoping that, I don't know how they'll do it, but snag a few seats out of the dome for my house.

You know, I know my family would love it. But yeah, it's going to be cool. I mean, you know, you just see even from a home team perspective, all the new, you know, things you can do with new buildings and training facilities and stuff. I mean, it'll be a huge ad for them. And definitely for the city here. and concerts and stuff that haven't been coming through. So for those summer concerts, I'm pretty excited for that as well.

Hell yeah. Do you have a bunch of friends that rip in for Stampede every year? I know that we don't have the nicest weather, but Stampede Week is one of a kind. And we do see a lot of NHLers rip through, catch a country show, go to Cowboys, whatever it is. Yeah, I mean, definitely through the years. There's always been lots of guys. You know, my buddies in Calgary here as well. I mean, it's kind of an institution.

You have to go Sampeed and, I mean, I remember being a little kid going to the parade and rodeo. And my dad actually rode in the parade a couple times. We had horses as a kid. So it's special. I mean, there's lots of different ways to experience the stampede. But it's fun, I think, no matter which way you are. And definitely, yeah, city comes alive.

It's a fun time of year. Yeah, right on. So you would have been, what, nine or ten when the flames in 2004 went all the way to the final. Is it too young to remember? Are those some of the early memories? No, I remember vividly. I mean, my friends and I still talk about it. I mean, you know, most of my friends, as much as they'll cheer for me.

I think they're still mostly flames fans. And I'd catch them wearing the flames jerseys as well and whatnot. It's always funny. But yeah, no, I mean, we talk about the run. I think I was in grade four. So kind of lived every moment of it and was just old enough to be like hockey crazy and kind of aware of what was going on. And so, yeah, just, I mean, what was it?

Where the jerseys of school on game days and watch all the games? And yeah, I think when they lost in game seven, I do remember shedding a few tears. My younger brother and I were crying. And, I mean, it was just, it was heartbreaking. And, you know, who knows, no Marty Jellina pretty well. I played with his son and got to know a few of the X flames from those years. Rob McGere, amongst others. And I don't know, that game six goal, I don't know, I mean, don't have to bring it up.

But as a Flames fan, as a kid, I mean, I think it's hard not to go back to that and wonder. But, you know, we talk about like the entrance. I think it was, oh, what was the song? The ACDC? Yeah, I think it was like, bring me to life when they would come on to the ice. So we still talk about that. And late at night a couple of times, my buddies will throw that on YouTube and whatever,

and we'll watch it. So yeah, it's just memories of, I think, you know, you're a great sports fan all your life, but definitely when you're a kid, it's just you live and breathe the team and that sort of era for sure was what, you know, I remember about being a hockey fan and a Flames fan as a kid. Hey, buddies, a reminder that Barnburner is brought to you

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Some of the biggest memories, hockey fans that, you were young, like my kids, that are going to be lasting ones were four nations and Olympics. You were on both Canadian teams. You ended up being ill for what? The finals of the Four Nations and you got hurt early at the Olympics, but it stinks. But after international

hockey and Best on Best being gone for so long, I mean, it's been incredible to watch those two tournaments. I know the Olympics is fresh in our mind and everyone's, but like, that Four Nations was bloody insane. You had this political tension and then it's in Montreal and you get the fights right away.

against the Americans. Like those two tournaments, man, like, we're watching them. And we're like, how have we not done this for 10, 11, 12 years? Like, what's going on? It's so good to have this back. Yeah, I mean, for all the players that fought so hard to get it back in NHLPA and, you know, owners as well that wanted it and wanted it back on their side. I mean, you know, I think it just proved how valuable it is to the game and how much it

means to people. I mean, we're watching the World Cup right now and how much, you know, playing for your country unites the players but also obviously the countries the fans and and four nations didn't disappoint i mean i don't think anybody anticipated it being you know as intense as it was uh you know and in toronto or in montreal and and and boston i mean the two two of the greatest hockey markets and the bell center was just absolutely rocking um yeah it was a blast and uh and obviously olympics as well i mean even though you know as you mentioned it stings, you know, for multiple reasons for me, but, you know, bottom line, international hockey,

I hope is here to stay. I know coming up in a couple years, obviously with the World Cup and, you know, Olympics again in 2030. And yeah, it's just something about representing your country or cheering on your country that there's nothing else like it. And certainly, yeah, I mean, as you mentioned, I had some unfortunate luck in those instances, but still some of the best experiences of my career. So against the Americans at Four Nations, when did you know it was going down? Because the chucks apparently had, we're going to, we're going to scrap off the opening draw. Was that a thing or did it feel organic at the time? Or was it like, what that was going on here?

Yeah, I mean, I didn't know it was going down. That's for sure. I don't know if there was any chatter in the warm up or not. But I mean, everyone's so dial in preparing for that game and ready to go. And I actually started that game. So, you know, I'm ready for the opening draw. And then, you know, puck drops and away we go. So, I mean, I was as shocked, I think, as anyone because I had no clue that that was on the, you know, on the ticket, let's say.

And then maybe is equally shocked when the second fight happened. And then the third. And I mean, yeah, I mean, to replicate the feeling, you. even though I wasn't in those fights, just being on the ice and probably all the players and coaches and whatever that were down there. Like, yeah, that feeling of energy was incredible. You know, I've never heard. It's as loud as I've ever heard a building for sure. I mean, our arena gets pretty darn loud, but that was, that was crazy.

And yeah, just, I mean, trying to kind of calm down afterwards and just go play. Yeah, it was it was pure emotion. I think after that game, we were all just exhausted because it was so emotional and and so much fun. I mean, obviously we ended up losing that one, getting some redemption in the final. But yeah, that was a special game for sure. So were you sick for the final? Like just illness or what happened to you there? Yeah.

Unfortunately, there was a stomach virus going around the tournament. and, you know, I think a bunch of the guys on Sweden had gotten it. And they had a tough showing that, but it makes some sense. Yeah. And so, yeah, it was just, you know, unfortunately not to go into the grim details, but, I mean, we were doing everything possible up until basically just before warm up. And, you know, it was, it really wasn't the right decision. It was devastating for me.

and but i mean yeah the frequency of things going on i don't think would have you know would have been the smart move especially with you know a healthy body ready to go and a great player um so that was disappointing but um it was what it was and then it's game one against chequia the olympics you get injured and it's like how is this happening again like you got to be so frustrated at that yeah i mean equally, if not more, I suppose, in that it's the Olympics. And yeah, just, unfortunately, injured my shoulder. And, you know, the one, looking back on it now, I suppose the one saving grace for me was like, it wasn't like, hey, you're out two months. So mentally, I was checked out the rest of the way. Like, there was still a chance to potentially come back.

And so, I mean, we did everything we could with the medical team and whatnot and all the different things you can do behind the scenes. But again, sort of the same thing. It just couldn't get it to a place where I could go at that level, especially. And again, with a healthy body. So, yeah, tough and ended up missing some time afterwards. But, yeah, disappointing to say the least. but I still some of my greatest

memories just being there and being in that room with the guys and you know obviously just it hurt I think not playing it killed but and not being able to be out there and feel like you could help the guys in the final

to helpless brutal feeling but you know definitely hoping that you know there'll be more opportunities to represent Canada and you know have another shot at it and honestly like you look back to what the 70s and it was like Soviet Union Canada and it's like you've got these huge rivalries in sport like we're so back like two years now it's Canada USA hockey that is it's a rivalry that we were missing and it's clearly at this point the two best nations on earth earth at hockey and they've been

absolute classics the the two tournaments that you guys have played against each other at And it's like, I can't imagine us not having had those. And what we maybe did miss when we won a decade without best on best. It's been sensational hockey. Like probably the fastest, highest, skilled, deepest rostered games you'd seen. For me, for sure. I mean, I feel bad for the guys that maybe their window to play in those events would have been,

you know, some of those years we didn't have international hockey. But definitely, I mean, I think after the first game at Four Nations, you know, up until then, most of us, you know, Sid and, and doubts, I guess, would have had the experience at Olympics and then Marci at 2016 World Cup and few of the guys that played on Team North America, but it had been a while. And so we're kind of sitting there after the game, I think it was against Sweden. And, you know, we won and we're all just exhausted and ended in overtime. Marnes with a great goal.

and I think, like, I think a lot of us were thinking it, but Sid kind of said something like, yeah, that was the fastest game I've ever played. And then we're like, oh, my God, it's so fast, you know, once he gave it to go ahead. But, like, I mean, it really was. It was just the skill and speed and everything that where the game's at today. I mean, you see it. 10 years makes a big difference. And now, yeah, hopefully we never go, you know, more than a few years without it.

because as a player that hopes to play in it again and continue to represent Canada and obviously as just a pure hockey fan, I mean, it's it's the best, right? Sid really commands that room, hey? Like even amongst a team that's got McKinnon and Crosby and all these other perennial All-Stars, he's still just a man? Yeah, I mean, he's such a great person, you know, and for a lot of us growing up, kind of idolizing Sid watching him play and yeah I mean he just he has such a great feel on the room such a great feel on the guys he's such a competitor obviously he's still an incredible hockey

player yeah which was a huge loss in the tournament as well you know kidding but um yeah just his leadership abilities I mean I felt like I learned so much from just being around him you know in the four nations and at Olympics um but But yeah, I mean, it's one of those things where when you're on the same team, you're just teammates. But definitely, you know, growing up idolizing him, you know, there's not many guys you meet and they live up to such a high expectation. And, you know, I felt like in my experience getting an O. Sid, like, he exceeded that.

And that kind of, that's pretty special. So pretty amazing guy. And obviously, hockey career speaks for itself. Well, and Celebrini is the guy that I was like, okay, we knew he was going to be a good player. but like this already and apparently like right under sid's wing at the world championships a couple years ago and he's like man like he he felt like he hit like eight posts and still had a ton of points of the olympics like you obviously saw him in conference a bit but then to see him on that stage yeah what do you make of the young vancouver product yeah i mean he's the real deal i think uh

everyone was just amazed um you know mature beyond his years i mean being around him and stuff like that such a fun guy like brink brought a lot of energy to our room too as a young guy but just you know mature such a competitor i think like when you watch him play his uh his compete on the puck like he never gives up it's just constant um to go along with his skill set so yeah i mean he's he's one of the next greats that's yeah crazy yeah um to pinch yourself like you're on these canadian teams you're at the olympics you know this this is a lot of a good defenseman come on Canada. Like,

there he are, the last two big events. Like, did, I know you, you, you clearly take this all very seriously. And, you know,

you're setting goals and always wanted to get better. But like, you're at the pinnacle of the sport playing on that blue line in those tournaments. Yeah. I mean, it's like, you know, you don't think about it like that,

I suppose in the moments. But, um, yeah, it's, it's something I've worked extremely hard to try and be in those situations and been so lucky to have people at, around me to help support me in my dream.

And from the time I was a kid with my family, you know, my dad to my pro career and everything in between, I think, you know, I've just always kind of looked at it like I'm trying to get better every single day and, you know, set those goals and I've been fortunate to have those opportunities. So I think, yeah, it is a pinch yourself situation. I mean, you know, standing, standing on the blue line, you know, representing Canada, the um yeah at the olympic games i mean it's it's pretty insane something that you know watching 2010

or 2014 i mean you dreamt of but maybe who knows if that would ever be a possibility and maybe it's a pipe dream but uh yeah it's something i don't take for granted that's for sure yeah right on uh life in calgary just got a little more interesting uh congrats on becoming a father what's that been like yeah it's been amazing i mean you know as much as i just talked about how special it is to represent your country and play at the Olympics and, you know, beyond Team Canada and whatnot. I mean, having a having your son and seeing them look up at you. And I mean, it's the best thing in the world. Everyone's described that to me that are parents.

And yeah, it's, it's been, it's been an incredible spring. You know, definitely, you know, life, life changing for sure. lots of diapers and a little less sleep but yeah just the best thing best the best thing in the world incredible um yeah i know for me personally and it certainly wasn't playing in the nchel but it was easier to leave work at work when you came home to a family not just you know you're at home and you're thinking about what could i have done different at work today and for me that was like i should have said something differently for you it's like oh i got to get that puck out or whatever it is but all that seems to matter a lot less when you're holding the kid in your arm can you relate to that

Yeah, I mean, you know what? I think even last year, you know, going through like the Olympics, let's say, and being injured and missing the final and, you know, obviously us not winning the gold, you know, kind of knowing that, hey, I have a son on the way. Like, I think there was some perspective in some ways there. And even if it's not necessarily perspective, it's just a, you know, you can really. rely on knowing how important that is and you get to go home at that point not yet be a dad but know that that was on the horizon and so um you know i haven't had any games i guess this far uh since we've uh had him but um definitely the the perspective is as already i feel like taking shape and um yeah just excited to uh you know have have him watch me play to be honest so cool that's amazing uh you and your wife margot are part of the calgary wild fc women's soccer team in the nsl here in canada what was that venture like and uh what have you learned about being an owner albeit at a different sport and a yeah yeah and a local team and more roots that you're putting in this city yeah it's been fun i mean

you know what i love sports in general and um i think there's been so much momentum around women's sports in Canada and all around the world, which is incredible. And when I was kind of approached about being a part of the ownership group with Margo, and it was definitely something that was exciting, you know, it's obviously lots of little things come your way and to be sort of on the other side of the chair, let's say, and, you know, be able to watch the games with literally an interest in it, let's say. and, you know, hope that the team continues to evolve and get better. And, you know, I think from my standpoint, hope to bring a little bit of help from, like,

the player side, like, you know, being a player professionally now, 10 plus years, it's like, you know, hey, what the players need, like, from the ownership side, it matters. And it makes a difference in, you know, your preparation or your recovery or things like that. So, yeah, it's been fun to kind of add a little bit of that. insight when when wanted but also just learn sort of the other side of the sporting business and yeah it's been fun but mostly honestly just cool to watch the team and and share them on tell us about the 44 in Winnipeg yeah so another kind of cool venture good friend of mine Winnipeg runs a bunch of restaurants and there's a food hall sort of right next to the arena where a lot of

people go, you know, all day, but definitely pre and post game or concerts and stuff like that. And so he approached me about sort of collabing on a restaurant. And he wanted to call it to 44. And, you know, he's kind of a marketing whiz. So I was like, all right, sure, let's do it. And yeah, it's been fun. I think basically we've evolved the menu a little bit, but we do a lot of sandwiches, stuff like that. People like it kind of all day, but definitely pre and post game.

And I think what surprised me, honestly, is just how much connection with the fans it's provided. Like, I wasn't really sure if there would be any more necessarily and how many people come up to me on the street now. And, hey, I ate at the 44. I had this. You know, maybe now they're critiquing me about the sandwich versus, you know, the play I made on the blue line the night before. So if I can, you know, avoid any of those, then that's always good. So, but no, honestly, it's been fun and, uh, and kind of, again, just cool to kind of see a different side of, uh, you know, a different business. It's crazy.

He's like, oh, I just, you know, part team owner, part restaurateur, Olympic defensemen, champion of the four nations now father. I mean, this is exciting stuff. You're 31. We wish you all the best next season in Winnipeg. And I know, I think Calgary is pretty damn proud of, you know, that we're from the place that you came from because it's clear you're dedicated professional and like you know there's a lot of good causes you're tied to so everyone's proud of you and really appreciate you taking the time to

coming to chat with us yeah thanks for having me always uh you know like like i said actually we touched before 960 and um sad to see it off the air and um growing up listening to you uh originally there and a lot of the other guys uh yeah just that was my first connection to uh to yourself and obviously you've gotten to know each other a little bit the last few years. But yeah, sad to see it go and a lot of new memories there. No, I did have that circled and forgot to ask it. But it does, it's weird to be in the city and not have that to turn to. Yeah.

Whatever time of day it was, there was always sports talk going on. And these guys that love sports, it's like, it's like, it feels like something's missing all of a sudden. Yeah, it's, you know what? I saw it and it was sad. I mean, I still, the last number of years, you know, have thrown on 960, especially around, you know, draft or free agency or different points in time and I think for myself even a lot of my buddies I'm sure many Calgarians like you think about Peter Marr on the call you know through so many years definitely though four run but I think about my dad and I you know whether it was going to hockey

practice or you know going to flames games either listening before or after you know and kind of listening in and just those memories and you know it's There's so many of those for so many people, and it'll be missed, but definitely remembered in the best way. Thanks for being here. Thanks for coming in. We appreciate it at a ton. Thanks for having me.