Empty Netters Podcast - Buffalo Is For Real This Time… We Swear w Jack Jablonski

Episode Date: January 29, 2026

The Sabres are dominating and there is no end in sight. Get ready for playoff action in Buffalo. It’s hat tricks galore in the NHL, and DP did some questionable research on who still needs one. Stadium Series needs to be completely pirate themed. Jack Jablonski joins the pod to share his incredible story, chat Heated Rivalry, and do a deep dive on the Wild and Kings. The Professors get you dialed in for the weekend and CP melts during Connective Tissue NEW EPISODES EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY! Watch full episodes, shorts, and clips right here on YouTube. Listen to the podcast on Spotify or anywhere you get your pods. Subscribe & follow Empty Netters everywhere: YouTube: / @emptynetters Instagram: @EmptyNetters TikTok: @EmptyNetters X: @EmptyNetters PRESENTED by BetMGM. Download the BETMGM app and use code “NETTERS” and enjoy up to $1500 in bonus bets if you lose your first wager! Thanks to our Sponsors! BetMGM: Use bonus code NETTERS when signing up to receive up to $1500 in bonus bets if your first bet loses. LUCY: Today by going to https://www.lucy.co/Friday and use promo code FRIDAY for 20% off your first order Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only. Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Empty Netters podcast. Can you believe what this has become? There was a full 48 hours where I felt like I was like literally Superman. Jumbo loves playing Fortnite, so he gets on the sticks. Did TR show you the sauna cycle or was that all year? Not I invented that. Almost a year now that I haven't taken a body check. That's kind of nice.

Finish tonight with some chicken fingers and a few guineasas is right into you guys. That's where this pod came to life. Ice is ready and we are back with another episode of the Empty Netters podcast, to you by BetMGM. I'm your host, Dan Powers, over here running the show. You know he's Irish because he's like a potato. He's amazing no matter what version of him you get, Sean Bavini. Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment. It is. They're incredible. And over here, to my left, you know he's mental because he thinks his immune system is like a brisket. The longer you cook it, aka sleep, the better it gets. As always, that's true. It's not even

that crazy of it. It's not at all because, well, what is crazy is I believe passionately that the millisecond we all fall asleep every night, you are the sickest you've ever become. Like literally, if someone woke you right back up, you'd be deathly ill, but then you continue to cook the sickness out of you all night, and then if you get enough sleep, you wake up healthy. I passionately believe that.

Sean, what's your favorite kind of potato? We do like a kind of like a breaded thing called a croquette. Oh, yeah, yeah. It's like these little cylinders of like bread and potato and goodness. That's good. That's fancy. Yeah. I was kind of expecting you to. be like boiled. Oh, no.

That's a peasant dish. Hey, hey, I like boiled potatoes. Boiled potatoes are really good. Have you seen the Martian? Yeah. That's you, dude. I picture that you're growing potatoes from your own sheep. Microwaves them and then dips them and ketchup. Dips them and ketchup and eats half over the day. With Vicodin as well.

I think it would be more fulfilling if you grew potatoes from your own poop, for sure. I'll tell you what. I saw a post once that was like, you will never see a man more fulfilled than when they eat a tomato that they grew themselves. and as someone who is a big vegetable gardener, it's true. Growing your own vegetables and then eating them is a pretty sweet feeling. Yes, it is.

And it's what we've made this show before, but A, well, you've got to pay attention, but it's not that hard. Like, you buy the plant and then you plant it. Keep itself alive is not easy. Yes. But then B, I love how I'm like, God, I saved six cents on this tomato.

You know, like compared to buying them in the store. Okay, that's not true. The longer you go, the way more cost-efficient it is. Yes. But I will say it's funny. Like when you first start, if you build a little veggie garden, when you buy all the soil and the requirements and the, you know, tomato cages and all this and all that, you are like,

damn, that cost me like $250 for like the whole shebang. For a potato. So you got to, you got to harvest a lot to make it worth it. We've got a big, great episode today. Lots of fun topics. The professors are back. and our dear friend Jack Jablonsky is coming on to share his unbelievable story. You're going to love that.

Let's jump right into hot ice. And there's nothing hotter in the league right now than hat tricks. It's the coolest thing to do. Pee in your pants is cool. If Pee in your pants is cool, consider me Rasmus Dahlin. Because I scored a hat trick last night. Rasmus Dahlene became the latest NHL hat trick in the month of January. I think there's now 28 hatchicks in 27 days of January.

I got a couple things say about this. One, and, you know, this isn't even a shameless plug. This is for real. Okay. That MGM runs a hat-trick jackpot. Oh, my God. Literally, receive your share of $10,000 in bonus bets. Everyone is scoring hatchet jackpot.

Like, the hat tricks are pouring in, and our main sponsor offers an incredible pot of money if you activate it and get a hat trick. Just do it. So I'm begging you. Do it. It's unbelievable. Secondly, de-hats. A lot of de-hat tricks. So the Oilers became...

Dat tricks. I don't know if that's right, but... No, dat-tricks is cool. Yeah, I like it. Dat tricks. The Oilers became the first team in NHL history a couple of nights ago to have defensemen score hat-tricks in back-to-back games. Bouchard did it, then Ekholm did it.

Unbelievable. Unbelievable. Snipe, 200-foot snipe from Ekholm. I know. That was cool. Because that was like traffic. Sometimes you do... Oh, yeah.

You get a full ice, but you're like, I can see it. You know, dude, honestly, you know the one, remember when I took that puck off the hand and barely the other night? Yes. When they had the goal he pulled. I had a clear lane. I needed to ice it because I was like my hand's broken.

Yeah. But I had a clear lane at that and I missed it. You know, and I was like, whatever I got a broken hand. But that echo one, they were fucking people everywhere. Oh yeah. It was a net seeking missile. That was unbelievable. That was so sick.

So I got curious. Yep. And I looked up and please, folks, fact check me here because I did the most, the most research that I was willing to do. But it was a decent amount. I got curious, so I looked into current NHL players with no career hat tricks and the most amount of games played. I love that.

I love this. So, did you peek at this? No. Okay. There are currently five players with over 1,000 games and zero hat tricks. All five of them have Stanley Cups. Okay. one with one, three with two, and one with three.

All five of them are defensemen. I was going to say they have to be D.E. Makes sense. Yeah. And in this man's opinion, four of them are Locke Hall of Famers. Okay. So these are great players. Yeah, all of them are great players, obviously.

Stanley Cup winners over a thousand games. So the five guys with over a thousand games and no hat tricks are Luke Shen. Wait, I want to see if I can guess. I actually haven't looked at this. Oh, wow. Okay. Is it guessable? Based on like the Cups, maybe, yeah.

Headman. Victor Headman is one of them. I wouldn't have gotten Luke Shen. Ryan McDunner? No, great guess. How many games? Or does he have a Hattuck? I think he must have a Hattrick.

No way. Long. Oh, they all have cups. Interesting. I was going to say Brent Burns. But he could have a hat trick. He has one. He does have a hat trick.

That's sick. Carlson must have a hat trick, eh? This says based on NHL statistics, statistics, Ryan McDonough has never recorded a hat trick. So maybe this research is terrible by me. There's a 30 people. I like McDonough.

Because Ryan McDonough has 1,028 games. So let's add Ryan McDonough. Ryan McDonough. I got another one. God, who, what is a defenseman who's been in the league forever? How about? Like I said, guys, please help me with the research Because I'm not entirely sure

This is the best I'm obviously forgetting such obvious people What about Petrangelo He is not on my list But let me do another search Let's check. Let's check because he's got a cup This says no

Alex Petrangelo has never scored a hat trick In his NHL career This website is trash Stat Muse I'm suoring stat news Sometimes sometimes is is garbage

I know they're not usually garbage sometimes they just they get crazy shit to say I guess that implies they're garbage I don't think they're garbage what who's on your list Alex Petrange or Stapmuse on this one

not because Petro 1,087 games maybe there's an old maybe it was an old before these guys got a thousand might be an old list what else they got the other guys are

John Carlson Chris LaTang no hatty for either of those guys Chris LaTang that's actually shocking to me and Drew Doughty. Our boy. Drew. We gotta get Drew a hat trick. I know.

How did I not say Drew? So here's my thing. It's because I knew he had a hatty. That's why. We need, this is why I said. I need help on the research. But we've added if I do a quick, yeah, tanger, no hat trick. So we've got seven guys now. We're adding Petro and we're adding McDonough this list of over. Maybe more, maybe more. It's probably way more. Someone find out, please. In the comments, I literally want to see this. With over a thousand games and no hat tricks. I'm actually showing. It's shocked it. Is it more, to be honest with you?

I'm sure it's... Yeah, it's got to be more. What stat did I even find? Haddy's hard. I was so excited about this. But it got me, got me so excited because I was like, when Eckholm scored his, I was like... He surely was on the list. And when all these guys are getting there, and they're like first career hat trick,

I'm like, oh, yeah, cool. I mean, you're... Sorry, an NHL hatrick is insane. And it was like five. And then, well, but again, it's the thousand games. You have to remember. There's tons of... of guys in the league who don't have hat tricks,

but not all of them have over a thousand games. So of current active players with over a thousand games, we've got at least seven here. And that's, these are all guys with cups. These are all guys with cups. So we got to be on Hattie Watch, is what I'm saying. Dude, I could not be more down with this. I need, I need teams to know this.

So like the caps for John Carlson, penguins for Tanger, kings for Doughty, lightning for headmen. Uh, blues for Schenner. Petro's not playing. But all these teams, dude, I'm kind of going through this. I'm thinking besides those two misses, this might have been right. It might have been right.

Because I'm looking at active guys over 1,000 and everyone, I'm not checking, but everyone I'm seeing, I'm like, they surely have a hat trick. The bolts have two in McDonough and Hadman. Name the guys. Name some guys that you're thinking. Um, that are active over a thousand. Jonathan Tase. He, I don't even need to talk about that.

No, it's no. Oliver Ekman Larson? Let's try. But like everyone else is a forward that's scored a bunch. I'm sure they have. Oliver Ekman Larson has not scored a hat trick, according to Gemini. Okay.

So let's add OEL to that list. Nick Letty? There's no way. No offense, Nick Lettie, but there's no way. Nope. Nick Lettie, no hatch. Come on, Nick, come on. Shea Weber, but probably, but could.

I bet she. Also, is Shea active? I mean, yeah. I guess, fair. Yes, Shea Weber has one career. Got one. Probably, probably. Who?

Give me one of them. Ryan McDonough, Brendan Dillon, there's, Enoch, Nita Ryderrider, Brendan Dillon, he does not have one. Yosey must, right? Yeah, I feel like,

I mean, this is what's, this is like the funniest real-time research of all time. This is how the pod gets made. Justin Falk. Justin Falk. Does Roman Yose have an NHL hat trick? Gemini says.

Everybody says. As a February 24, National Predators Captain Roman Yosey has not recorded a regular season hat trick in his NHL career. No way. Oh my God. So this... Justin Falk scored a natural hat trick.

Gas. That's gas. So this is some of the worst research I've ever done. Well, it's, probably 10. It might be more. No, there's not that many. I just looked at every active player or over a thousand games and they're all.

I guess there's a chance that some forwards that I just would be shocked by. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Give me one of those. Give me one of those forwards. Okay, okay. Codry. Like, did you say,

did you say, Nino? Yeah, Adam Henrique, I guess, could maybe. Does Nazim Codry have an NHL hat trick? Yes, Codry has one. now let's do Nino Adam Henrique has a hat trick

I just assume if you're a forward and you've been playing this and you have a thousand games I bet you have a hat trick So okay So we added Ryan McDunna We added

Alex Petrangela We added Brendan Dillon We added Roman Yosey Crazy Was anyone else No Well actually maybe But I can't remember

We'll have to Somewhat Well actually no we just did the work So this is a understandably. Nick Letty. Nick Letty. Yep. And Nick Letty.

So we're up to 10. Yeah. So needed to go deeper research. Thank you for the help there. This is a defenseman problem, understandably. Understandably. But this is what I'm saying. Teams.

I'm putting your teams on notice. We got to get these guys hat tricks. Yep. Drew Dowdy needs a hat trick. Oh, that would be sick. I mean, Drew Dowdy needs an image. I'd throw my hat. So here's the deal of Kings fans and Bolt's fans.

especially for headman and McDonough. I mean, also, Tanger, like, give me a break, Tanger. If these guys get two goals this season, you better be feeding them the puck with an empty net. And frankly, the other team, I don't care if they're up by five goals. Pull the goalie. We need more hat-tricks. That's what I'm saying.

Hatrick jackpot. Pull the goalie. Pull the goalie. Empty netters. We started talking about this because Rasmus Dalian got a hat-trick last night. So let's transition this right into some savers, talk. Look. The Buffalo Sabres are a serious franchise.

The Buffalo Sabres are not a serious franchise. Chris. Dan, the Buffalo Sabers are not a serious franchise, but this iteration of the Buffalo Sabers team is a serious team. They are now a serious franchise. No, they're not. And I won't hear anything different. This franchise is not serious.

However, however, the only way you become a serious franchise is by stacking runs of iterations of serious team. Yeah. This appears to be one. I thought they had one a few years ago, and then they followed that up with very unsurious teams. This appears to be a serious team. This is absolutely electric. What's happening? Oh, my God, dude, it's incredible. The Buffalo Sabres are, the heater that they have been on. It's the likes of which we haven't seen in a long time. And they, what, they had that, like, nine game or eight game win streak. And then they lost and people are like, oh, no, but then they were like, boom, they rattled off a bunch again. They've got four in a row right now. They're 16, 60. and three at home. They've got a plus 20 gold diff, and they're third in the Atlantic. Dude, and it's, I said this a while ago.

I need people to appreciate how rare it is for a team to turn around mid-season. Yeah. The Blues did it. When they were in last place,

usually like the Islanders, like the ducks, like the sharks, and any team that's a surprise in a season where you go, wow, they might make playoffs. Yeah. They do it from the very beginning.

Yeah. You go, oh, whoa, the ducks are like kind of competitive. And then it just continues. That's how these big surprises happen. It almost never happens where you go, Sabres are in last. Sabers stink. Yeah, true.

And then half the year they go, bang, we're actually fucking nasty. It's so true. And I owe Lindy Rough an apology. I know. Because I thought that I was unsure about that hiring. And then they started so poorly. And I was like, dude, I think that you,

just have to figure out that this is not it. But the return of Lindy has flipped on its head. Yep. In the best way, Yarmo came in, changed vibes. I just think, listen, the Joe Brady hiring of the Buffalo Bills, I don't think thrilled that many people. I don't even know they hired Joe Brady. I think he's like an LSU guy who was just coaching somewhere.

LSU. No, no, no, no, no. He's like, look him up. You fucking lazy shit. Yay, don't call me lazy. You said five dudes. I just had the worst research of all time. But hey, I got us there.

I got us on track. The bills have lost yet again. We got crying Josh Allen. It's breaking all of our hearts. That was sad. And now Joe Brady from... Joe Brady from... This guy can't keep up.

I have no idea. No idea. Does his name even Joe Brady? It is. It is. Good. Thank God. I didn't fuck that up.

but my point is the Sabres have officially become Buffalo's Obi-Wan. They are their only hope. Yeah. All of Buffalo needs to be pouring all their energy into this team. And what really makes me happy is I think that the Sabres have an opportunity to go for a fucking whale here at the deadline.

Make a trade. How is it possible that it's taking you this long to look up Joe Brady and who he just coached for? Literally. Because every article, this is why AI will win. Because I just type into ChatGBTBT, what did Joe Brady do? It's like this. But if you Google, what did Joe Brady do before the bills?

Yeah. It's 10 articles about like, the bills to fire John McDermin. And you've got to scroll halfway down to even see Joe Brady. And even all those articles you click on, the first thing that comes up is 10 pop-up ads. And I'm like, close, close. And I'm like, what was his job? Yeah. How have you not spit that back?

immediately. I'm just shocked that you didn't just go to Joe Brady's Wikipedia page. Yeah. Even that's like halfway down. Early life. College day. Just fucking tell us. Where he coach?

He worked for the bills. He's just an internal hire. Internally promoted. Jesus. But he was the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers in 2020, 2021. I want the Sabres to go get a fucking whale. I want that. Who do you want?

I think I want, I was looking at their lines. I think I want. middle six forward help like that first line that's not a whale though why not give me a second line great player okay that's a small whale what's the smallest whale Sean we find out thank you so much because I know it's a sperm whale no that's the biggest no it's it's a dwarf sperm whale so I was right whoa that's crazy I fucking knew it well is is a dwarf sperm whale and a sperm whale the same thing I don't think like if I you gave you a baby potato and told you a potato you'd be like where's the rest of the potato

but it's still a potato yeah but fair point no i think this is more similar to if someone said what's the smallest potato and i said a fingerling potato and john went it's actually a dwarf fingerling potato i'd be like well it's still fingerling yeah yeah yeah like i got sperm i and that means that's that means that's that means i'm actually shocked okay so i look samlinson dalien byram power like kestreling's great metza's great i i i I like their D. I know. And I just think that maybe we could get like a big time.

Like go get fucking Artaemi Panera. That's what I mean more. Like I think you got to go, you got to go here. You got to go get something real. That'd be sick. And like really do it. And it's actually crazy because still, dude. Isn't this exciting?

Oh, it's fucking awesome. Every year at the deadline, it feels like Buffalo is going to go like this. We're going to trade someone and they're going to go immediately win a cup. Can I ask a question? How about this time they trade for someone and they immediately win a cup? How about that? How about that? Can I ask a question?

How is this happening? Yarmau. Yeah. Culture changer. Because I remember when we brought this up the first time, you look at their stats. And, dude, don't get me wrong, Vegas won the cup with Ico having 66 points and leading the team. And they are complete. They're rolling lines.

Great goal-thending that year. Everything you want. You look at this team. And I know everyone goes, well, they've been even better lately. But I'm like, yeah, but Tage has 55 points and 15. games leads the team. 55 for I, 55, 65,000, yeah. Tucky, 43 points in 51 games.

And then, and then Dahlene's having great year. But after that, it's very, you know, you don't see the production that you go, oh, my God. Yeah, they're spreading the wealth. And then I go, oh, well, it's the goalie play. And then you look at the goalie play, and I'm like, that's actually not very good from any of them. And then I go, oh, that's interesting.

Yeah. So it's, I'm like, I don't know what's going on, but they are stringing, they are winning games. They're winning games. Which is all that matters literally. Yeah. But they are winning games. Yep.

It's true. They're winning games and they're doing it in a fun way. They're pumping in goals, getting Captain Chatrix. And also do want to take a moment to say that story released of Rasmus Dahlin and Carolina and the tragedy they dealt with with her heart failure, the unbelievable doctors and paramedics who helped her. And then the tragedy of losing their child, that was just such an emotional story. story. So all of the love in the world to the Dahlene family. And it just warned my heart so much to see

him get that hat trick. It's incredible. See this team going well with him as the captain. It's just, it's fantastic. Dude, I encourage everyone to go back and find that Players Tribune article. I think Dahlene wrote, right? Yeah. Yes. We want this so bad. For Buffalo. For Buffalo. It was such a sick read. And I remember what it felt like. I mean, we interviewed Tage and Tucky right that summer, like right after this. And obviously that season ended up sucking. But the buzz with them in that building. They were like, this is our time.

Yeah, it's special. And I, we got delayed, it got delayed. We had a speed bump. Yeah. But I think we're now back. And God,

a savers run would feel fucking incredible. Can you imagine? Just playoffs. If they make playoffs, I will be there for game one. Yeah. Whole cereal in hand. Yeah.

It's like, Tim Horton's fucking unbelievable. What do those things called? The, uh, the, Timbins. Yo, those are gas, but the, the drink that red. Oh, yeah, Red loves that drink. It's, um, like, uh, it's like a freeze, a creaker.

Ice cap. Ice cap. Ice cap. Ice cap. Ice cap. Ice cap. Ice cap. Come on.

Holy shit, dude. We're talking about going to Utah for playoffs, skiing all day. B-dubs, B-dubs game. Could you imagine a Utah Buffalo Stanley Cup final? Dude, dude, I'm going B-Dub, B-Dub. I would die. Playoff game. Then I go Buffalo.

Serial. Bits, wings, wings, oh, more wings. I go Buffalo Wild Wing into Buffalo wings. So you're talking about wings in Utah and not in Buffalo? The hell's the matter with you. The two wing capitals of the country. Everyone knows the two wing capitals. Also, we got flamed, pun intended by Calgary fans being like this.

You guys don't know shit about Calgary when we were talking about the environment in these places. And to that I say you are absolutely correct. So thank you for educating us. We're trying to learn here, folks. What do you learn? Oh. Apparently it's not that cold. It's not that cold in Calgary. Hey, you've never been.

They're fucking crazy. No, they're great. They're fucking cowboys up there. What do you think the temperature is in Calgary right now? In Fahrenheit or Celsius? I don't know Celsius. I don't know what that means. I bet right now at this very moment in Calgary, it's 29 degrees. Sean?

I'd say it's 32 degrees. Like it? 33 degrees. Yeah. We were both very close. Yes, absolutely. So it's not that cold. That's cold.

Yeah, that is cold. It's fucking cold in Calgary. If anyone thinks it's not cold in Calgary, then they are, they need to get a less incredible parka. Yeah. Because that's pretty cold. Take that off.

Yeah. That's not that cold, though. I'm sure it gets, we're learning. I'm sure it gets cold. We're learning. Okay. Buffalo, go get a whale.

Keep this up. Last bit of news, let's talk about stadium series. We're heading to Tampa. But tomorrow, when you're listening to this, no, no, I'll be flying in the morning when you listen to this.

Are we flying on Tuesday or Thursday or Friday Friday? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, we're heading to Tampa. It's going to be great. We got Boston, we got Tampa. Boston 4-1-0 in outdoor games. Their only loss was 2016 Winter Classic at Gillette against the Habs. Tough day.

Yeah, I got pumped. Tampa is 1 and 0. They beat the Preds in Nashville in the 2022 Stadium Series. That was a sick game. Yes. Preds had a good jersey in that game. The LBFRADs. Outdoor environment is unique.

Very cool. I'm loving that it's at Raymond James. Yeah. I love it. It's so interesting that the baseball stadium looks so incredible when you are zoomed out. Yeah.

And I even mean at the place, but like when you're in the concourse, you're just looking at everything, unbelievable visual. I pick that every time. When you are actually watching the gameplay, the football stadium provides just more logic, if that makes sense.

It's literally built to be around everyone staring at this one rectangle in the middle. Yeah. So it actually works out really nicely. I've been to Raymond James before. I'm excited to go back. I think that the normally I'm always on a home team, but I think the environment... Can I stop you real quick? Yeah.

Raymond James is a name is that's not a company that's a human. I assumed so, but I'm not. don't know. Who is Raymond? What's his name? Raymond. Fight Club. Sean, come on.

Who is Raymond? Yeah. Tyler Derton takes his wallet and he's at, Raymond's a veterinarian, and he goes, you're going to go back to your life and you'll be happy now. You remember that character's name? Yeah. I never would have.

He's like, Raymond. And he goes, and Raymond. Fuck. Yeah, we'll get it. Okay. Who is Raymond James? I think it's a Raymond.

He says. says the middle initial too. I mean, yeah. It's like Raymond K. something. Raymond James most commonly refers to the financial services firm

founded by Bob James, which is complete bullshit. But the name itself comes from a partnership with Edward Raymond, who sold his firm to Bob James in 1964, leading to the creation of Raymond James and associates. So it's not a man,

but it is two men. It is the last name of two men. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So not that cool. Edward Raymond and Bob James. We don't get stadiums much anymore that are, you know, Fenway Park. But even Fenway is like a huge conglomerate now.

But, hey, that's cool. That's cool. Raymond K. Hessel. Fuck. Raymond K. Hessel. And Raymond. You got the Raymond. I got the K.

Sean. Where the fuck were you, pal? Dude, I was thinking of Robert Paulson. His name is Robert Paulson. Yeah. That's really good. Yeah. They're doing a pirate theme.

Yeah, yeah. Dude, the pirate ship is there. I love it. Oh, I thought you were about to be upset about that. No, no, no, but I hope they lean into it. Like, if you get a penalty, I hope you go into the box and then you have to walk the plank. That would be awesome. Out the backside of the penalty box, because it's on the field.

There's no seats there. There should be a penalty box and a plank. You have to bounce. Yeah, you literally have to walk the plank and jump into a phone pit. You have to walk the plank, jump into a phone pit. Then you can come back and get in the box. Wouldn't that be funny? If you got a penalty, you kind of be like, the box play there.

So the Tampa Bay Box, which is why it's all hired it up. but the USF Bulls maybe it's the college why did you keep saying baseball field if this is where the bucks play because I said baseball fields look way cooler football fields are amazing

because they're all aimed at the same thing I'm so excited to be at a football field I got a hung up the bowls I think maybe play there all the time but I saw that's why I was there I saw a bowl's game

and there's a fucking massive Pirateship. What is a bowl? A bowl? The USF bowls. The USF. You're throwing too many teams in sports of me right now.

Yeah, you got to fucking pay attention. I'm sorry. And there's a huge pirate chip. And they, and granted, they're the bulls, not the bucks, but they just didn't use it. And I was like, there's a huge fire chip here, dude. You got to use the fucking, I don't give a shit. Do they fire the Irish fanning? You got to use the pirate chip.

No, that's what I'm saying. I want, I want cannon blast. Yeah. I know this is the Tampa Bay Lightning. Oh, there's going to be cannonballs. I want fucking can. and blast. I want the outside to be all pirate. Would you respect the commitment? You know how often times we see the goaltenders wear uh, tukes on top of their helmets? Would you respect if the

goalies wore pirate hats? Yes. Would you respect if any of the players wore an eye patch? Yes. threw off their depth perception in a big way. Can you imagine? I bet Cooch could do that. I bet Cooch could still play with an eye patch on. He played an NHL All-Star game cross-eyed. So I'm sure he could. Would you respect if we saw any peg legs? Uh, yes. Ovechkin's style. If one of the coaches, if Marco Sturm or John Cooper doesn't belt strap their leg in an upright position and then have a Halloween costume movie quality peg leg behind the bench, I'll be upset. I want him. What if Cooper just has a pirate, or I mean a pirate, a parrot right here.

Not a real one or a real one. But what if he coaches with a parrot the whole time? That'd be pretty sick. I would think that would be one of the coolest things that could ever happen. Yeah. I bet who's reffing, Wes? I bet Wes could ref with a parrot and then the parrot could say the penalties. Yeah. We could, if we get, if we work on this right now, it's Wednesday. If someone gets to work on this, I guarantee you by Sunday, we can have a parrot that can say two minutes tripping. If that's possible, it is. Someone needs to make that happen tonight. That's what I'm saying. That's what I'm saying. Which one's the better jersey? I think I like Boston's a little bit more,

but they're both very flashy. Yeah. Like we talked about, the ice blue of Tampa's kind of fun. I think they're great. I think it's going to look awesome. I think it's great. I think the NHL always puts on such a good show with these games.

I'm psyched. I'm psyched to be there. It's also going to be cold. Did you see that? Yeah. It's the NHL. I don't know who Gary's talking to up in the sky up there, but everybody goes, Gary, you can't,

you can't throw a guy. outdoor game in Florida. And he goes, what if it's 32 degrees in Tampa on Sunday? I'm telling you, Gary's... It couldn't be. It's 67 on Friday.

Yeah. And he goes, watch this. Pull, 32. I'm telling you, Gary's batting a thousand. Gary's batten a thousand lately. And he's been on a heater.

And somehow, he's turned off the heater. He did. Because it was freezing in Miami and it's about to be freezing in fucking Tampa. Good for him. Guys,

an absolute legend. Let's take a quick ad break. And then we'll jump into our chat with our dear friend, Jack Jablonski. We've been talking about it all episode. Hockey is in full swing and you are missing out on BetMGM's hat trick jackpot. You have the chance to win your share of 10 Gs in bonus bets.

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they score and you can get part of the Hatrick Jack, but if they get a hat-ie. Oh, that's outrageous, bet M-GM-G-M, make it legendary. At long last, super, super pumped to welcome to the Empty Netters podcast. Unbelievable human being who has shared his story so many times, inspiring millions and millions of people, started the Jack Jablonsky Foundation. He is a hockey fanatic, absolute weapon in your time on the ice. Unbelievable. Has worked with the Kings, with the Wild, and just, as I said at the top,

one of the better guys around my good buddy, Jack Jablonsky, welcome to the Empdenaires podcast. Hey, I appreciate it. It's good to be on. Dude, we're pumped to have you. Good to be up in Santa Monica. Brother of our beer league teammate. Yes.

Oh, that's awesome. The OG Jabs. Yep. The OG Jabs. Dude, it's so awesome to finally get you here on the show. Tons to talk about, as we said, worked with a bunch of teams. We want to hear all about that. But because it's so inspiring, because it's so amazing,

We wanted to open with the story of your injury and all the things that you've done. So please tell the fans about, you know, growing up, playing in Minnesota, your journey, what happened, how you didn't let it break you down, and how you've been just so inspirational and motivated to just keep going and getting better every single day. And Jeff, start with how a big hockey is in Minnesota. Because the people listening from there know, but I think a lot, you know, we've a lot of LA fans and stuff like, yeah, I want people to know that it is life up there. It is life.

You know, I think it's funny because when you look at anybody, whether it's in America or Canada or wherever, like, you dream of like winning the Stanley Cup. Like that's that's goal number two in Minnesota. It's about winning the state tournament. It's so true. It's so life. And, you know, I think youth sports in America specifically in the hockey world, like so much of it is, you know, you've got your AAU team or your AAA team and your traveling clubs or whatever for Minnesota. it's so much about where you grow up and what your identity is and your your city organization like you play youth hockey there and then you you dream about playing for the high school team making it as a freshman or a sophomore in some of those bigger clubs at the higher levels and for minnesota like that that's what it's about you know you play on the ponds and then you you know go to practice and you come back and play on the ponds again yeah yeah it's it's epic and so you know growing up in minnesota and i was injured uh as a sophomore in high school when i was was 16. I got checked from behind illegally, went headfirst on the boards and broke my neck in two

places and severed my spawning cord injury. And it was obviously a tragic, you know, event. It changed my life forever and in all the worst possible ways. But at the same time, I was so, so fortunate to have so much support and specifically coming from the hockey community. You know, it's such a tight-knit community, you know, I think when anybody listens to a hockey player talk, it's always the we before me thing. And we realize how much of a team sport it is. All the sacrifices, our parents make, our family makes, just to allow you to be able to play the sport, to afford the sport, so much of that. And when I got injured, I think it's one of those situations where you realize that, yeah, it's a contact sport, it's a physical sport, and it can happen to any one of us.

And for me, you know, you play the sport. You never think it's going to be you. And it happened. And I was very fortunate to kind of, I guess, spark that, that emotional chord with so many people that wanted to help support in so many different ways. Attention, you know, trending on social media, the front page of Yahoo. And obviously, people wanted to donate and help with the recovery process. And I think I came from a, from two very strong parents. and obviously a younger brother who was by my side at all times that always were there for me

and sacrificed so much of their lives after my injury to allow me to recover and to heal and try to make the best of obviously a not so great situation. And I never quit. You know, it was just one of the things where, you know, the athlete mindset, the way you goal set, the way you deal with adversity, just kind of put me in the mindset of, you know, this was the next stage and because of it just continued to trek on and obviously make the best of a situation. So stayed in the hockey world. I love the sport. Couldn't see myself without it even after the injury and, you know, almost, you know, 14 and change years later, here we are.

So still so stoked to be in the hockey world and to be a part of the game that I love. And, you know, it obviously may have had this impact on me, but it's been a, hell of a road and I'm very proud of what we've been able to accomplish both from a personal standpoint and obviously a career standpoint as well. Well, I mean, it's a better world having you in it. And I hope you know that. Seriously. I appreciate it. And I want to go back to, you know, you've talked so much about how incredibly helpful your family was and the community. Your teammates, all the people in Minnesota. So much rallying. Rallying together. But I do want to take a bit of time. It's funny that you said the we before me because you never talk about

this part, you always really harp on how great everyone else was, I don't think you ever give yourself enough credit. Because I do want to say not a lot of people hear the stories when stuff like this happens, when something happens to you unfairly, when you can't really understand it, how much it weighs on you. Yeah. And everything I know about you from, you know, the people who introduced us to our friendship as it's grown, it is remarkable to me, how positive you've always been through all this. And if you can, just, you know, speak on that. Because I think it's so valuable to people going through, whether it be an injury,

whether it be a trauma, emotional stuff. It is crazy how important the, you know, the self-care is and the words of affirmation to yourself. And I just think you've done such an amazing job of that. I appreciate that. And it means a lot. I think, you know, when you live this injury and you're forced to, you're forced to, you grow up at the age of 16 into being an adult or realizing what was in the past living a dream

life playing a sport that you love and having a promising future to make it you know through college and who knows where life would have gone post college and whatnot but the reality of you know living in a hospital for four and a half months at the age of 16 having everything flipped upside down from what was normal and what was a dream life to now what is a new normal it takes a huge toll on you and i think i think i try to just like deflect it to not like kind of in many ways bring back like so much of what we've had to overcome both as an individual and as a family and for me specifically you know i wouldn't wish this upon my worst enemy right like yeah you can't get in bed on your own, you can't get out of bed on your own. Like the day to day living, I think I'm almost numb to it

because I think if you really break down the lack of independence and what help and care that goes into every single day, and not just every single day, we're talking hour to hour, we're talking assistance, getting from A to B, whether it's getting, you know, having my caregiver slash assistant drive me around to being able to feed myself certain meals to to being able to go out and about with friends but you have to make sure that X, Y, and Z are taken care of if if something happens. So there's so much planning that goes around it. There's there's so many different obstacles that I've obviously had to adjust to or at least, you know, kind of give into. And at the same time, you know, it's all while still trying to make the best, right? You're still trying to

of you know you can't change the past and and I have a tattoo on my arm it says I understand my injury I don't accept it like I understand the situation I know what the reality is I know where science is in terms of recovery and and research but I'm also not just going to accept the reality of what this is yeah it's it's just you know it's not an area where I'm just gonna you know sit in my room for the rest of my life dope on you know how shitty things can be or what could be better. You just make the best of what you got.

Dude, I wanted to, and I'm going to want to get into your foundation a second, but think about when I think about the tattoo you have and the foundation you end up starting, how, if you're comfortable as to say, how did you get there? Like even the mantra that you just said out loud about the tattoo, because I have to believe at the beginning you were like, I also don't accept this and this is unfair. And be like, how did you get from fuck this? this to you like, you know what? I understand. I don't accept. So I will make change. Yeah. I think it's a combination of things. I think early on in the, in the injury, the days

following, like literally the day's following. I'm, I'm in a halo. I can't move any body parts. Like, I'm barely twitching muscles at this point. And we still don't know, you know, the prognosis is you might not move the left side of your body. You'd be lucky to bend your right arm. Yeah. And within a week, I was already like starting to move it. I like brought my brother right next to the bed and like hit him and shit. And he does he does the whole like, hey, don't do that. Oh, wait, fuck. Dude.

He's like, oh, yeah. He's like, wait. He's like, wait. Yeah, that was sick. Like, all right. Wait, so I can beat you up more like with, with consent. But, but, but for me, it was a matter of, it was so overwhelming. But while it was so overwhelming from a internal perspective while you're sitting in a hospital bed,

trying to comprehend, trying to understand how you got here or what led to it. You know, of course, I think everybody has those what ifs in life. What if I made this decision? And for me, you know, even to this day, you play it back. Like, what if I would have worked out more? What if I would have taken things more seriously? What if I didn't turn left instead of cutting across the ice? That would have led to not putting myself in the position that I did.

Of course, it wasn't my fault. But, you know, it was a legal hit. And, you know, shit happened. right you know it's a it's a fast game penalties get taken right you know it's it is what it is but for me i think part of it was the the fortune of having such an overwhelming support system and public support right away because it almost put me in a in a mindset of where i can't let these guys down like i i have so many people that are rooting for me yeah and so many people that care about the best for me right now and moving forward.

And for me, it was so much of a, well, you know, they're not giving up on me. I can't give up on them. Yeah. Such a fucking hawk guy. Yeah. And so it was it was so much of they were rallying around me, but I was rallying not for them, but in many ways you felt like it was. Like I had to rally for myself.

I still had to get up and go to physical therapy for five and a half hours a day for a whole year. And I obviously still do it. And I'm still. extremely active in the physical therapy world, but it was so important because with spinal cord injuries, the first 18 months after your injury is essentially when you're going to get what you get back in terms of activation, in terms of taking advantage. Once the 18 months hits, what you physically can do and can't do is a plateau in many ways, but it's taking advantage of those 18 months

because you can activate so much more as the spinal cord unswells. And then, then once you hit that 18 months, whatever muscles you can move around and activate, you can make stronger. It's just those 18 months were so crucial for recovery. Yeah, definitely. And for me, it was full go. The second, you know, you kind of get out of that first funk of realizing that, you know, this is, this is what's going on. So you might as well fucking do something about it. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. Okay. And then the foundation, I believe, started a year, yeah, yeah, yeah, year after. One year anniversary. Yeah. So sick. So, so, you know, what went into the planning of that? And.

Yeah. And what does it mean to you and all that? Yeah, I mean, first and foremost, had a great support system that that helped kind of deal with a lot of the stuff in the background. I was so fortunate to have a ton of support in all different facets in that first year after the injury. And my family and I kind of realized that, you know, we wanted to give back. We realized that I was very lucky in the aspect of having the support that I did, especially in that first year. and of course continued since. But it was time to give back to the community, a community that needed a voice,

that needed someone with more positivity to come in and say, this isn't good enough. The research isn't where it needs to be or we need to make it better so that people like myself, the 1.3 million Americans living with paralysis, can have something to look forward to, to believe in,

to continue working hard, for is the research can get better. And that's what we've really focused on. You know, the foundation's focus is to improve the quality of those, to improve the quality of the life of those living with paralysis. And it's through research. It's, it's finding out how we can improve every single day. Whether it's a surgical implant, it's stem cells, it's, it's, you know, on the skin stimulation, it's different types of stimulation. There's so many different avenues and it's the tough part about it is it's not like cancer where you have cancer and you do chemotherapy and that likely will kill X, Y, or Z. It's, we don't know exactly what's

going to fix things, but we do know that there's a bunch of different things that are improving the quality of lives. And it's probably going to be a combination of a few different things. But ultimately, it's getting better because of the research and a lot of our money in the research has really help progress that. Yeah, I mean, it's amazing, man. You guys have raised, you know, millions and millions of dollars. It's obviously helping so many people. How, how great has that been for you to, you know, it's, it makes me so happy that you, you know, you didn't let hockey leave you and you still do what you love and you're in a world that you love. But having this as well, that must be very fulfilling. It's extremely fulfilling, but it's also so healthy, right? Yeah.

I know that I'm not putting in the work for nothing. Yeah. Like I know that A, the work that I do with the foundation is going to a good cause. And then B, I know that the work that I'm putting in on myself, whether it's through therapy or it's through physical therapy, that all of that is going to benefit in both ends, right?

Like I know that me staying healthy and me putting in the time in the gym and working on the treadmill and all that stuff, that that is going to be beneficial because I'm staying healthy. healthy to be able to take advantage of when these medical research trial studies and and breakthroughs come to the clinics and are through the FDA and all that stuff. So, so no question. It definitely keeps me motivated, but it's, it's kind of a double-edged sword in both the best ways.

Yeah. You know what pissed me on that you spent four fucking months in the hospital and you had a tutor come in so you could keep up with school. Dude, oh my God. I was like, are you insane? I was trying to get back here. Get out of here with this social studies. We got 18 months to fucking get our muscles back.

And you're like, actually, I will not miss a beat in the classroom. I was like, well, I didn't want to. I had to. The thing was is, you know, injured Christmas break sophomore year. So you missed the whole second semester. And I was at a, you know, private Catholic school. You know, I went there for hockey. But, you know, education too.

And it was one of those things where it's like, I didn't want to like be a grade behind, right? I was like, I want to get back day one of junior year with my class. So like, well, you've got to do school. And I was like, well, what don't I have to do? And they're like, well, you don't have to do science because you're learning science. Yeah. And I was like, and then they're like, all right, so you got to do, well, we'll wave religion.

And I was like, great. And then it was like math. It was math and like English. So I was reading Macbeth during. Jesus fucking. And I was like, there's a, oh, it was bad. But it was partly because it began while I was in the hospital, like they had a random tutor. Yeah.

It did not go well because they're like giving me homework assignments and I'm not doing it. And then I got out of the hospital after four and a half months and I'm still doing it. My math teacher was my, his name's Jack Blatherwick. He's like a hockey guru like goat in the Minnesota world. Yeah, hell yeah. One of the people that was behind the 1980 Olympic team that convinced Herb how to try. He's like that's the guy. Amazing. Yeah.

He opted to like not be in the movie because he's a guy who hates being in the in the in the in the in the in the spotlight. Yeah. Just behind the scenes. Sorry. Jack. Sorry. Yeah. It's okay. But but but he was like her Brooks's best friend and and and he's a PhD guy. Yeah.

So he was teaching me geometry. I hate a geometry. I'm an algebra guy. Yeah. Kind of one or the other. And so, um, he was doing that and he was like, it's really simple. It's hockey. And I'm like it's, this has nothing to do with hockey.

I don't like a question. I don't like a question. So that was that. Eventually, I just got by and they just gave me that. And then I essentially was like had a friend's mom was like an English teacher and she's reading me Macbeth. And I'm just like, which is like I love Macbeth, but like dark. It's just not what you mean. And I'm like, this is guys. What are we doing here? And and then essentially like I got out of the hospital and I would just be like sleeping in the sun like acting like I'm listening while she's reading Macbeth. And that was enough. Pass. That's great. Check the box. Junior's, junior year, day one, back at it. So funny.

Well, listen, I had said, and I mean it, the hockey world is so much better having you in it for so many reasons. And obviously, this foundation is so great and all the work you do to raise awareness of that. And the other side that I think is just so amazing. Obviously, he did rivalry, massive, massive show that came out. Yeah. Doing a great job to, you know, raise awareness. and we're seeing such an uptick in fandom in the NHL. It's amazing.

And hockey in general. And you have been great and so vocal about being an open gay hockey person and hockey player. And, you know, the show, obviously, that's amazing. But you're talking about the game in general. And, you know, there have been setbacks in professional sports, not just hockey, but then ways that we're growing and improving. And I think that we're seeing this really amazing uptick of awareness. And what has that been like for you?

And, you know, can you speak to players who have, reached out to you knowing that you're an open gay hockey person and personality and player of the past and what it's meant to you to see the improvements and areas where we still need to keep going and growing. Yeah, absolutely. And before we get into it, I do want to say, you know, obviously with, you know, some of the news that's happened in the past, like I was, I was extremely disappointed to see some of the stuff that came out. When I, when I did come out a few years back, you know, that source did reach out to me and was supportive. And I was, you know, especially new into the community was extremely, you know, glad that I had support into it. So I was really disappointed to see some of the reporting that was on it, especially because of, you know, some misleading information and timeline, you know, lack of credibility, so on and so forth. So first and foremost, you know, fully supportive of what you guys have done for both the coverage of the show

and the support of those in the community like myself. And on top of that, you know, like you said, I think what the show is done, of course, it's not a, you know, on the ice hockey show. Yeah. Very much covers the other side of people's sexuality within the game. And for me, seeing what it's done for the sport is extremely promising. It's extremely welcoming. It's amazing to see people latch on. And of course, for different reasons, depending on which side of the, which,

way you swing. But for me, it's one of those things where the inclusion is all that anybody wants. Yeah. You know, for me, myself, I, when I came out a few years back, it was so nerve-wracking. A, because I'm already working in an organization. I have private access. I'm in the locker room. I, you know, I'm friends with players. I know a bunch of people across the, the sport in the NHL. So many different people and all you want to do is just be yourself and not have anything change. And it was so nerve-wracking to come out to be like, well, am I going to lose my access or they're going to push me into different corners because, you know, people aren't comfortable with who I am. And it's, you know, it's one thing where when you're in the closet for a decade,

you get in your own head. Like, you overthink everything. You think the worst possible scenario. Would my career be over? So on and so forth. So it's really. really awesome to see so many people embrace what this has done for the sport. Of course, you know, ticket sales are up and so many different directions. It's amazing what it's done. And, you know, I think once you get past the realization that you're not watching the show to watch quality hockey, it's really amazing. I'm such a fan of what everybody in the show is done, how big they've, you know, been able to kind of take this, you know, show and expand and, you know, publicly and be, you know, known and being the talk of the town. It's really awesome. And I'm just

extremely stoked that, you know, podcasts like you guys have been able to embrace it, be able to talk about it. And obviously with your guys' film background, it's, it's really need to kind of get your guys breakdown from a, from a different perspective. Had you read the books? Absolutely not. No, it's, it's, it's like, it's and it's, it was more, it was fun. It was fun to watch. Yes, I agree. I had way more. Rises were fucking electric. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, I, you start it and you're like, oh, this started quick. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don't we know it?

We keep saying, like, when we go back and look at our, you know, our episode one review, we're like, what is going on here? Like, this is like, I'm getting hot under the call. John did just know. I didn't know until the shower scene. I was like, I thought it was going to just be like a hockey show. And then all of a sudden, they're like cracking stick in the shower. Yeah.

Oh, my God. You're like, guys, do we, do we know what this is about? I was like, whoa, this has taken an interesting turn. Oh, my gosh. Yeah, it was great. That is unbelievable. So are you a, are you a, um, uh, Shane Anelia guy or a, or a skip guy? Shane andalia.

Okay. Um, now what I will say is it's live, having, I wish I would have lived this life. Yeah. But, um, but, but having lived their life through a emotional standpoint, it's so relatable. Yeah. In, in so many ways. Like, Shane specifically would you say? Same specifically for me because of I need someone to like pull me out, right?

Like for me it was it was having so many different feelings, feeling like you had to conform towards what everybody else is. And you had to fit in. You know, you're forcing yourself to to chase women even though, you know, you're confused, but you're not totally sure. And it's complicated because I was 16 when I got injured. So it started pre-injury. But then obviously it led in post injury, but my injury itself made so many things more complicated. Yeah, for sure. You're figuring out, you know, what you can and can't do physically from a life standpoint, let alone who you are sexually.

And so it was very interesting because I felt like so much of what I was watching in Shane was so much of what I went through. the stress of forcing things, but then, you know, trying to keep secrets in your head, but also not knowing how it's going to affect your career. And it was so relatable because if I would have continued playing, that was exactly what I was on track for at some point in my life. But at the same time, you know, emotionally and what he's going through on a daily basis, thinking and just so concerned about X, Y, and Z. And the same thing with the parents, too.

Like that I had to obviously at some point have a conversation with my parents I didn't have an Ilya which would have been great but um But I know it's like like hey where are you where are you with me now come on exactly but but it's from a emotional and experiential factor or perspective they nail it they really do that's and it's really cool because you've I literally just felt like I was watching a documentary if I didn't get injured. And so, you know, it's really awesome.

I think they nail it. I'm very excited to see what happens in season two. Hell yeah. Same. Don't read. Don't read. Don't read. Say with us. I'm not a reader. Yeah, as we know from McBeth. Yeah.

McBeth was my breaking point. Dude, no, that's sick. I think it's a cool testament to how much media entertainment matters because of the amount of people that have said this show, TV show, book, gave them the courage to come out after seeing it. That's sick. That's why this stuff is important. Yeah.

I'm like, wow, what a story. I'm fascinated and I'm fascinated to see when there comes a day where a hockey player publicie comes out. And I hope that there's support not only from an external media standpoint, because of course there will be so many people who are supportive, but most importantly, the people within the locker room and the people that are in the sport. And, you know, there's, the reality is, is a lot of hockey people can come from small towns that that don't necessarily see life the same way as people like, like us, who obviously support people who have that lifestyle. And, you know, I understand that if it's not the lifestyle that you support or it's not something you believe in, it's also not your life.

And you should just be a good friend. And so I'm hopeful that teammates and, you know, we all know how much. important locker room. Everything. It is, right? Like, it is everything. Like, you can be a team, but are you a family? And I don't, and if there's beef in the locker room, we've seen different situations and different players be moved around from teams because of things that happen, you just

hope that this isn't something that can split a locker room or break something down. And, you know, I hope that there comes the day where this happens and it's fully embraced, both on the inside and the outside. Definitely. And, and, you know, just to, you know, to. to button that up, I think it's so important for all those things that you said to be able to come true, but part of it is what everyone else does. And I know it's a complicated question. But, you know, what are things that you see that you think are important for people like us to do or to keep doing

to make this growth get bigger and bigger? I mean, I think you guys are doing the most important thing. And that's embracing it. I think it's a matter of inclusion. Like we want to be included, but we also don't want to be treated any different. Like, I am who I am. Yeah. Just because of what I find attractive and what I don't or, or, you know, again, I'm not, I'm not into getting into politics or anything, but the thought process of I'm choosing this lifestyle is beyond ridiculous. Like, why why complicate so many more things that I have to, right? Like so it's one of those things where I just hope that people can continue to to freely talk about how yeah, it's, you know, people like me exist.

It's it's it is what it is. They're in every sport and I understand why someone would want to keep it quiet. I did for as long as I felt I needed to until I finally got to be comfortable with who I was. And that that point in everybody's life, no matter who you are, is, is different. So, you know, whenever someone does or, you know, wherever we cross that bridge, you just hope that it's embraced. You hope that it's supported and you hope that, you know, all we want to do is just be treated for who we are, not because of some random thing that is a little bit different than someone else. I love what you said about the not being treated differently. Did you ever watch Ted Lasso?

Yeah. I love so much because it was actually, you know, in the scene when I was, when Colin comes out to the boys in the locker. Yeah. As an athlete, like I just love that scene because you wonder, and I can't even imagine for you. It's, I can't think of the amount of times you must have played that over in your head if that were to ever have happened. And I loved in that scene because when I was watching it, I was, they, they, I think it's Danny is like, yeah, you're gay.

So what? We don't care. Yeah. And I love that sentiment, but because right after that, Ted is like, well, hold on, we do care. And, but I think that's it. Right. It's like, well, I care. I care that this is you and that you feel comfortable to tell us.

But I actually do love the sentiment of like what you're talking about not being treated differently. Like I don't give a shit. You're you. That's all. Yeah. I all the only thing I care about and what we all should care about is who you are right there. Exactly. And like I love that person.

So it's like I don't whatever. Let's just keep rocking. It's literally spot on. And the courage and the vulnerability that it takes to be able to tell one person, let alone a fucking team. Yeah. Yeah. Like that, that it's, it's heartwarming. And it's, you know, you hope that we can.

get to that point and where, you know, yeah, whatever. Okay, yeah, we shower together, whatever. It's not like, you know, there's things that are going on there. Like, dude, we're just getting clean. It's orgies, dude. Postgame orgies are literally just washing ourselves here, man. Whatever. So, you know, it is what it is.

But at the same time, it's so much more than what it is, right? Like, it's, it's, you know, I don't want you to care, right? But yeah, of course, like you care about your friend, being well and having a healthy life or a healthy mindset. You know, you don't want people to be struggling internally because of the fear of of someone else judging you for who you are. So it's, it's this, you know, Heat Arrivali has done so much for the sport already. It'll obviously continue to grow as season two and so on comes out in the near future.

So I'm extremely excited to see where it goes and hopefully it's continuing. continue to be embraced as we move forward. All right, let's stop being so cute with each other. And let's talk about some hockey. Absolutely. I do need the people to know you are a hockey not. Diled. And all your stuff is amazing.

And you've been working a lot with the wild. Yeah, I've done some stuff with them. Covering the wild. And I want to talk about them because I don't think there's been... The not top five powers. Yes, correct. Riled right. Yeah.

They did not make it. They did not quite crack top five T's in the league. Could not crack hit over the Buffalo Sabers. I do think... I do think the wild are as exciting as they've been in a long time. I can correct you. This is the most exciting they've been ever. Okay.

Talk to us about the wild. Like, why should fans be like, okay, this team can do something here? And I want to say pre-because, because the Quinn, I want you to get into Quinn, obviously. But pre-Quinn, there was a shift when they were not good. Like, you know. There were three and nine to start the season. And even after that, there was a stretch of still. like they haven't quite figured this out when everybody was expecting big things they gave

Vegas a good run last year you know it was like yeah they did not they started they started like oh wow you were gonna miss playoffs and then turned it and Quinn so yeah it it instantly went in it was like the Capri So up situation obviously he signs his extension but then every all of a sudden they get out to a three and nine start and you're like well do we do we blow it up yeah right yeah do you blow it up and but you just got him so what do we do and so They finally hit the, you know, they finally got things going. It was a funky beginning to the year, right?

Because you start with Zeev Bouillon. And I still wholeheartedly believe this guy's got a very bright future. Like I'm fully on board. It's unfortunate I think he just broke a bone in his foot or something. And he's out for a little while, which is a real bummer because it's so important at this time for development and so on. But you've got him and you see these flashes, but then there's inconsistencies on the defense. And so you're trying to push this guy because you feel like he's, you know, he is going to be a Quinn Hughes in the years to come.

But it doesn't happen early. So they're trying to juggle that situation. And then you've got a few injuries. And the wild seemingly are never healthy fully. But that's the NHL, especially in this day and age with how, how, you know, condensed the schedule is. Yeah. It is so fucking real, though.

Like, every time I look at the wild, you know, I pop on a wild game and I'm like, where's pro dine? Where's so and so. I'm just like, good God, this team. Injured. Eric's an egg, out half the year. But for the wild right now, they're so exciting because you get Quinn Hughes. And like you mentioned, they were all over the map pre-Quin-Hughes.

Like they had been on an absolute heater. And then they trade from in the midst of a heater. So you're like, whoa, how did that work out? But, you know, you move on from a few pieces. The Rossi situation was very interesting because. it just never seemed like both sides were fully satisfied. I know. Even with the extension, right?

Even with the extension, it was, I thought it was, you know, I thought it was actually a really good deal for both sides. Yeah. Both sides kind of came back to each other and were like, all right, let's just, let's just get this done with. And that was great. But, but I, you know, whether it was, you know, his agent and trying to strong arm, you know, Bill Gehrin, who Billy Balls doesn't bow to anybody.

So, so, you know, it goes back a little bit and that can be complicated. And you also have to remember, like, with Rossi, he had like a heart, he missed a whole year with his heart with his issue after COVID. Like, so, so, you know, then it goes back years. But ultimately, they move on from him. And like you said, it just never seemed like it was going to be a long term, you know, satisfying relationship between the both. And they, they, they get Quinn Hughes. And what Quinn Hughes is done, of course, you know, you've second best defenseman in the NHL. Right. And his ability to do what he does in the offensive zone, and even in the defensive zone, it's like you now have two Caprisovs.

Because they play such a similar game. Such a fucking good take. I love that. In the ability to be so unpredictable in the offensive zone in directional change and their vision, you know, these guys have the ability to stop and start and move left, right back forward. you know, it's, you know, the way I kind of compare it to is in Willy Wonka, when they use the, the fucking elevator, yeah, yeah. And all of a sudden they're going in like every direction out in the middle of the air. Like, that's both of them in the offensive zone. Yeah. So, and even then, that chemistry still hasn't worked itself out yet. But, but what Quinn Hughes is done, I think he has, like, 18 assists in the last 13 games. Like, he's on pace for just like 100 assists. It's, like,

Like it's insane what he does. But for me, it's not fully there yet, but at the same time, they're extremely sound defensively. Gustafson and Walsed are probably the best duo or if not top five, bear minimum. Yeah, yeah. And so, you know, of course, at the same time, it's an issue. There's only one net. But you have consistency there to be able to rest Gustafsson up so that he can make the run in the playoffs. assuming he's the guy.

Okay, so I want that take from you. Yeah, yeah. Because there have been a couple reports. I think Elliot Friedman was some recent. And I'm glad you brought it up. Elliot Friedman was like, there's a chance that they use Walshead in a trade. I would, that would blow my fucking mind.

To me, it would need to be a guy who, if they made the move to get rid of Walshdad, it would have to be for somebody who is in the, like, mid-20s. It's like under contract. Under contract for three years. Like this is not a let's go get Vincent Trochec who's 30-something years old. I think Vincent Trochick is going to get whoever he goes to, it's going to be a haul for him. Yeah.

I think he would make the wild better. I would not want to see Wellstead gone for him. Vincent Trochecich is a great player. That would be a terrible trade. I agree completely. I think it would have to be for like a like does Ottawa fall out? and do they go after, do they try to go after like a cousins, a Kachuk or a Stutzla? Now we're talking.

Like that to me is much more up the realm of like, get me someone in that age. Yes, but dude, I would do that. I'm like, go get Mike. 100%. 100%. It's so hard to get a freak stud young goalie. Exactly. Oh, but it makes sense for these other teams.

I'm saying it doesn't make sense for Minnesota. Not unless you're going to go get me one of the guys. Like that, Ottawa, if they fall out. Like they've obviously had a tumultuous year and, you know, hopefully things are on the right track. Yeah. With and their goaltending, obviously, it's, that's been a crazy journey in the last month. But at the same time, they like Walsstead, the other thing you have to consider is we just, we. The Wilde just extended Gus of Stinson to like a five-year extension at the very beginning of the year.

Trading him looks brutal. So now you kind of pigeonhole yourself into. realizing that you got a guy here in Walsstead, that again, first round draft pick was always a very highly touted player, even after the draft, had some ups and downs with Iowa, but that wasn't his fault. No, the organization didn't have many bodies in front of him. So the wild now, after this first trade with Hughes, now they've got less options. You've got your of, which you don't want to get rid of. But you've got Strammell, who's an extremely highly touted prospect at Michigan State right now, who's lighting it up.

Yep. Then you've got a few different, you've got a few different defensemen that you could move that are borderline NHL, AHL, HL right now, but promising futures. So,

you know, you're running out of draft picks. You traded last year's first. You traded this year's first. What else do you have? It's going to take a package, but it all depends on what you get back. If you're going to move on.

Who do you want to be the goal? Oh, yeah, good question. Yeah, come on, dude. If you,

you don't have to answer if you don't want to. No, I, Well, give me a timeline for the playoffs or? I want both. For the playoffs. And if you're a betting man, if you're, you know, if you're a wild fan and you're looking at the future, you could. But I'm saying like, if you're like, can't keep both, we might as well get something for one of these guys.

There's one net to your point. Yeah. Yeah. Well, if you're going to move one this year, I still think the one to move would be Wollstead. Yeah. Because of what you're going to get back. Yeah. Right.

I think Gus Simpson could easily get a haulback as well. But I think you've got a bigger package kind of. your way to go get a true game changer. Of course, we, you know, the wild, what they need scoring. Can I throw a name at you? Yeah, please. What do you think about Robert Thomas? I'm not sure St. Louis is willing to get rid of him, but based on everything you just

said, it's completely how I feel. That is the type of guy that if I'm Minnesota, I go, I can stomach that. I can absolutely stomach Robert Thomas. I think, I mean, I've watched him ever since he came into the NHL and he's, he's had a phenomenal career against the wild, right? if you can't beat him by him. So, so yeah,

he's, he's a hundred percent of guy that I could see as a game breaker. And let alone what Robert Thomas has done with the blues, he would be playing between Carilla Caprisov and Matt Sukarello or Boldie and Joe Hansen or something like that. They need depth scoring or top end scoring. Because you look at who's around them, they're going to have to go through Dallas and they're going to have to go through Colorado.

So, you know. For the foreseeable future, too. by the way. And then Chicago's come in. Like, you know, it's, you know, this division's a gauntlet. Utah, obviously, a borderline powers ranking five. Like, barely, barely missed the cut. So, so, yeah, it's a gauntlet of a division. And the other thing the wild have to consider is, is special teams is, is so crucial. Like, I went back because it's probably what a 99.8% chance that you're going to get the Dallas stars in the first round. They've played, I think, they played in 2023 in the playoffs and since then the the head-to-head matchup between Dallas

special teams wise has been crucial because i think it was Dallas is a 33% power play clip against the wild in that time the wilder like 16% yeah and and the wilds penalty kill is i think 27th or something in the nchel they need help there and obviously your goalie has to be your best penalty killer i think both of them are our phenomenal goaltenders to get back to that original question. I think it's Gus Lisson's net until Walsstead pulls out another 10-0s run. And he had actually had a pretty crucial game earlier this week when he played Chicago. He did.

He gave up three goals on the first 15 shots. And that third goal against, it was McKayev, not a good goal. And then he stood on his head the rest of the game, killed off two penalties in the third, killed off of four on three in overtime. Hopefully that'll get Walsett going. And obviously, the more he's winning, the higher your package can get if you choose to move him. You don't want to. But when it comes to what they have left in the prospect pool, if you're going to get a true first line center, he's probably going to have to be a part of the package.

Yeah, that's true. I mean, I love that taken. But I'm glad we agree. It's like, you know, I keep seeing name, like hearing names like Nazim Kodry, names like Vincent Trochek. And I'm just like absolutely not. You need a guy that's going to be there for the next five years while this core is still intact. Yeah. I mean, if you went and got Brady Kachuk, that would be crazy.

That would be crazy. Oh, my God. All right, let's shift over to the Kings because you've worked a ton with the Kings, and they are in one of the most interesting spots that they've been in in a long time. It's interesting spot. I would say interesting predicament. Yeah. Give us your take on the Kings.

Like, what do you think this team is going to do this year, and then whatever it may be? I think we can agree. No, spoilers. I don't see the Kings winning the Stanley Cup this year. No, nor do. but I still think they're going to be buyers because they have to with Copatar. They simply have to. Copatars announces retirement.

You're not going to just let them finish 24th in the standings. So they're going to go out and buy and they need goal scoring as well. Could they go big game hunting? Do you go for a Panarin? Do you go for a guy like that who, you know, do they go after, you know, they got rid of Deno. Obviously, that didn't work this year. He was extremely serviceable while he was with the Kings. But this year, it was a nightmare.

It really was. I mean, you know, he had, I think, one goal, zero goals. I think it was literally zero goals. Like, you know, whatever was working in it, and it was, it was great for a period, but you're right. Like, it's just that it wasn't, what, nothing was going. It wasn't going and then the byfield emergence, but byfield also hasn't broken through yet, right? Like he, he, we really at this point, I think, thought he would be a point per game guy. Yeah.

And someone that every single shift is asserting himself extremely noticeably. And, and you see that, but you don't see it every shift. you don't see it every game. And so that has to be a frustration point. But also, I still think this guy is going to be a phenomenal superstar. So does he continue to take that step forward? Obviously, you have to be extremely satisfied with the way that Laferrier is playing. He is taken over as kind of the heartbeat of that offense or at least that forward group right now.

And he's looking good as a center. Yeah. Yeah. And, you know, we always talk about it. Which you didn't expect. At all. So does, you know, next year, obviously they're going to have seven. mil off the cap with copatars contract but you also have to figure out roster construction right

not to mention uh kempie's contracts bumping up yep next year so yeah you you lose a few mil there so that's yeah obviously the bump in the cap is is a great help to everybody but but they're going to be buyers it's just a matter of where do they they fit in that offense because you know you've got a funky top nine where armi has been maybe your best player the whole year i yeah i'm so glad you said that i i genuinely think there's a case for Army to be considered the most consistent player on the Kings this year. Maybe Clarkie. Yeah, Clarkie and credit to him, man. Actually, it's Darcy. Darcy. We're talking about skaters. Yeah, yeah, for skaters for sure. I mean, Darcy's been unbelievable and the backbone, because obviously this is a defense first team. This is a team that relies on having,

you know, 915, say percentage. And if they don't, they're not a team that's made to be able to be comfortable playing from behind, right? You know, you can't play a six-five game multiple times in a month for the Kings. Right. And so, you know, the defense first, they're not going to do anything with the defensive core because they just recently signed. Cease and Dumo, but, you know, it's funny. I'm glad you brought that up.

Going into the season, I mean, we even had a chat about this. I feel like a ton of people were like, oh, the King's D doesn't look that good. Here they are. They're top five in the NHL in goals against. Like, it's unbelievable. And a lot of that has to do with D. But, like, this, I actually love this D group. Like, they're playing so well every game.

I think this is interesting with what Holland did with the D. Because I think Holland built a defensive core that can succeed in the playoffs. And I wholeheartedly agree that this six can do that. Yeah. The caveat, I don't think this six can do that against the Edmonton Oilers. Fair. Now, they're not on track to play each other, which is a huge bonus for the city of Los Angeles. And their chances of making it to the second round and beyond.

But they have to make the playoffs first, and they're not in a playoff position right now. So I agree in the aspect of, you know, their top five in D. They're top five and save percentage with Darcy's on the ice. And they have that. But they also don't have the offense producing. Kopitar has taken a little bit of a step back. Kempay has not. had the season, I think most people had hoped within the organization. And Byfield hasn't

produced offensively consistently enough. So you need more out of what's going on up there. But you also have to find some offense somewhere else to bring in the ability to have different players have off nights and pick up the slack because a different guy shows up. And when some of the superstars haven't shown up, the other guys haven't either. Yeah. It's such a predicament because, you know, I've said it a number of times whenever it's brought up. I would put this team against any team in the NHL as far as the group. Like they are truly the best collection of guys in the world. They love each other.

They play for each other. They have great leadership. And when I look at the roster with guys like Cope and, you know, just talking forwards here, guys like laugh, juice, Morsi, Fogel, Q, Coozy, Fial. Like, there is so much talent there. that I am like, it's a predicament because the D has been playing great. Like we said, they're top five or so in the league and goals against. They just don't score.

And it's like, what is it, whether it be a player, whether it be a system structure change, that gets all these guys going? Because if these guys get going, like, we know they can, you're like, fuck. The issue is you can't really change structure too much in the middle of the season. For sure. There's no practice schedule because of the game. schedule you've got you know great you've got two weeks off but half the team is overseas the other half is you know in Bahamas yeah yeah in Cabo for a week or

whatever so what do you do right like I think it's it's a combination of you still need more out of of a lot of what you're not getting insert players yeah you know offensively from the blue line you love to see the steps that Clark has made this year but you also still want to see the offense from Drew hasn't totally been there. And let's be honest, the rest of that D core is is not known for offense. Yeah, they're defensive guys for sure. Exactly. They're not going to lead the NHL on the blue line in scoring, but they also still need to score. And they haven't. So, so that's an area. But at the same time, when you look at up top, you know, you hope that Kopitar, once he gets back and healthy can,

you know, enjoy this little, you know, legs up break with with a little bit of an injury. And, and hopefully he can kind of get back to that last push in his career and hopefully that can spark a little bit and I think at the same time knowing that it's Kovatar's last year I think you're going to get an extra spark from a lot of people I agree who are going to realize like we're about to miss playoffs. Guys we're not going to miss the playoffs with Kope's last year and

that'll be huge. Holland knows that the team knows it so I expect a push I think it'll be a push both from a transactional standpoint and from an internal locker standpoint realizing the severity or the magnitude of what this last season means for the greatest king of all time they're they're a bit saved by the pacific too right like if this is a central team by the way he just slipped in greatest king of all time i heard it i heard it suck on that pal who did i say i think you're your uh glazer and you say way no yeah yeah i think in my mind i'm like wayne was there long enough but i hear you but my my caveat is Wayne is the greatest player to ever play for the kings

but he's not the greatest king yeah yeah well he certainly He's substantial in having hockey here and what it's done not only for the Kings in Southern California, but youth hockey, so on and so forth. The game's expanded immensely because of him. We love Wayne. Most important king, maybe. Yeah. Not the greatest.

Yeah. Okay. I like that. I like that a lot. See? But yeah, he's talking about. Pretty much any other division, maybe the Met. But, like, you know, they'd be in real trouble where I'm like, hey, it's too late.

But you're saved by the Pacific here where you can go, hey, guys, Maybe we go big game hunting. That would be help too. But we've got to come back and elevate internally. I also think one of the things that on the downside because of that is there's going to be multiple teams that are going big game hunting being like, dude, this could be our year because no one's taken. Vegas has been extremely underwhelming. I'm interested to see how Rasmus Anderson fits in. And I assume a contract extension is inevitable, given how that organization works whenever they make a big trade.

Isn't it crazy that that's just going to happen? Well, it's, I mean, there's different strategies, right? Like, how many people value the first round draft pick or the second and so on? And so, you know, I think in analytical speaking, maybe we value the first round draft pick a little bit too much. And especially when they're drafting 24th to 29th or 30th every year, you know, it's not your fifth overall pick. But, you know, and again, it differs every year in the depth of the draft or how you analyze who's good at, at that at range. But ultimately, you've got Vegas, who is the one seed, but, but isn't dominating. Right. Like they haven't really at all at all. They, like you said earlier, like,

they've got less wins than San Jose or something. Is that crazy? Like San Jose is going to continue to buy. They're not, they're not selling pieces off unless they're going to get better. And, and that's extremely promising. And on top of that, you know, Seattle's still in it. What do they do? Like, there's multiple teams. So, Edmonton, you know, of course, they're going to try to add. Who knows what their cap situation, what they can afford at this route. Anaheim. I mean, these teams are all going to be like, we're in this.

We can make a run because this division is wide open. So they're all going to be buying and who buys the most, who can afford to, you know, ante up whatever is in their prospect pool. And on top of that, if you go back to the Kings, they've got three NHL-esque prospect goalies. Yes. There's only one net. It's the same issue as Team USA. Correct.

Not all three are going to be playing. Now, you know, you've got time. You've got developmental leagues. They're all on different timelines because of Carter George and the OHL and Hanson-Sukinsky and, you know, the college and then Petteri Rempenin and Finland. So they're all in different timelines, but only one's going to be able to play in the net every night. Yep. Yeah, it's true.

And if you're a player, by the way, and you're looking where the Kings are maybe headed as this core kind of ages out. And you're getting calls from the. ducks and from the sharks and from the Kings and you know maybe talking trades and extensions i'm like probably rather go to those other two california teams you know what i mean that's a factor too when you're trying to bring in people right now that is one of the things i do think the kings guys need to do a better job of is there are a few better places to play in the nchel than in l.a like it's they i think it's almost like they protect the bubble that they have like it's

the south day we all live in the same area i mean i live right in the same area and obviously you guys are right down the road like this is paradise it's paradise jack like more players need to figure it out because it's like it's it's been funny even pairs you know played for anaheim forever like getting here he was kind of like damn this is pretty sick yeah you're living blocks from the beach you're in a bubble where you're not dealing with Toronto pressure. Nope. You wake up and it's sunny out.

Every day. You can go to the fucking beach and go surf before practice. Just ask what I have followed. Yeah. So true. Like it's the perfect life. And, you know, I understand that everybody prioritizes what you like in life or what you want in a hockey team or preference of living.

Like I think, you know, you look at Zegras. He was a great example of someone who actually didn't love it here. Yeah. Like he, seasonal depression. On the other side. On the other side. Like what a fucking killer. Yeah.

He's like, give me the snow. He's like, give me, give me, you know what I want? A Philadelphia winner. Like what? You are right, bro? Yeah. Oh, he's such a beauty. We need to check that.

But some people are like that. The majority of the people I would say, this is probably a preferred lifestyle. And, you know, coming from Minnesota, my injury complicated things because I lost my ability to control my body temperature. So I'm always cold. Yeah. Sunshine and warmth is what I strive for. Yeah.

And so this is paradise. But I mean, you guys, cold climate, like this is exactly where life, you come here and you go, do they realize this is an option? Yeah. So yeah, 100% I agree in terms of the realization of, oh, you're telling me I can play hockey in this weather. Yeah. So, yeah, I agree completely. But, you know, L.A. specifically, Orange County's great. San Jose, you know, all these warm climates are great.

but I truly don't think there's a better living situation and a better lifestyle to be living than a hockey player in Los Angeles. It's hard to top. Well, dude, clearly you are a brain and you know this world's so incredibly well. So tell us and tell everyone, you know, what you're doing now, what you got going on now, what you're trying to do more of and where everyone can find you and all that. Yeah, totally. So, I mean, I departed from the Kings in August.

And this year, I mean, I've been all over this year in terms of figuring out the next steps. other than just knowing that life in hockey media is the direction I am frankly kind of made for or moving forward with. And for me, you know, obviously social media is the best place to start with Twitter. Obviously, that is where a lot of my content is while I'm in the midst of, you know, figuring out the next step of where home base will be, whether it's sticking just through podcasting, It's through shows or editorial. I'm all over the map right now, but social media is the best place to start and continuing to push, you know, content out through my web show and trading jabs and stuff like that. So I'll obviously have you guys on in the near future.

Yeah. And we got to, you know, I mean, the door is quite literally always open. So we got to get you back in here. Hopefully as the wild make moves and the Kings make moves, we got to get your voice. all that. We should do deadline stuff. Absolutely. Yeah.

I'll be here. Come back. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You're right at the road. Like, get back here. It's like 20 minutes right down the road.

Yeah. Just sunshine to sunshine. Beach the whole way. Yeah. I'll just take the strand and, you know, it might take a few extra minutes with a maximum of seven and a half miles in the chair, but I'll start out early. Yeah. Yeah.

In addition to all the content, can you tell everyone where they can find stuff on the foundation and any donations people can make, how ways we can all continue to support and stuff like that. Yeah, absolutely. Jablonsky Foundation.org is where the Jack Jablonsky Foundation information is. We have multiple different events mainly in Minnesota and here out in L.A. We've got a pickleball tournament in Los Angeles. So we'll get you guys out there and involved in, I think it normally is in June. So we'll get that going up again.

But ultimately, yeah, any donations, it goes to spinal cord injury research. we're on the cusp of some really promising things within spinal cord injury improvements and what we've learned within the research world. So it's, you know, ironically, there's no time better to be in a spinal cord injury, I guess, if that's a positive. I love that.

You know what? Fuck yeah. That's a fact. But, yeah, no, it's, you know, very fortunate to have been given the opportunity of life that I have post-injury and ultimately just making the best of it. And why not talk some hockey? while we're doing it. Exactly, brother. We're just going to keep living.

I love it. Well, dude, thank you so much for coming on. Like I said, long overdue. Glad to be on. More and more and more. More and more. We'll be in touch. And I'll see you guys soon.

Oh, yeah. Massive thanks to Jack. Such a beauty. Such an amazing friend, amazing person. So awesome to talk to him and hear that whole story. Hope you all enjoyed it. We are going to take a quick ad break and then jump on back in.

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Professor Feeney, how are you feeling? Fantastic. Fantastic. The Mega Palais live on the beach. There were only nine games, gentlemen. And we thought we could do it. Well, we were over 500 and frankly, I'll take that as a win because things were not the best.

the week before but I think you have some explaining to do my friend well perhaps not me perhaps someone we will get to not you not you excuse I thought I did no no it's not you it's not you it's not anyone in this room to be quite frank fair enough Megapilay recap Isles no mammoth yes Bruins yes Keynes yes yes bolts no wings yes kings yes wild no caps no five and four not the best but again again Daniel we could always do worse. We could always do worse. Now the life on the line recap and we just we vowed we vowed to be better here and the results have been have been closer but not all the way home yet. And this surely should have been the one life on the line recap. Cain's yes. Bruins yes. Mammoth yes. Bults no. Three and one. Now yes it was I that picked the bolts. For the second week in a row I might add. It was the best team in the league. They lose never. Absolutely terrible luck. In fact they only lose on Saturdays. It is a thing of disgrace.

The boats, here's the thing gentlemen. I we make these selections on a Wednesday. It is a Wednesday. Yeah. I am unaware who is going to play goalie, who's going to play keeper on Saturday. I assume Vasilevsky will play. I did not know Jonas Johansson was going to get eight-ball corner pocketed on Saturday against the fucking blue jackets. I did not know that. So I don't play to place blame on myself. You were you are painted into a corner I'm afraid by Sir Jonas. Now I will say to switch things to a more positive note the Friday fade continues to be the most consistent thing on the internet. It's unbelievable. The Friday fade faced the Friday fade face

its toughest test, going the Flyers, with the Flyers traveling to Colorado against a juggernaut avalanche team who has lost once at home in regulation all year, and we select the Flyers. And the Flyers absolutely bamboozled the Avalanche, dummy them seven to three. I am starting to think the Friday Fade has a bit of magic behind it. The flies went up 1-0 and I thought, what, I should screenshot this because it will not come home, but what a moment this is. The next thing I know, it's 7-3. Truly remarkable.

Remarkable results. And I suppose that I said the toughest test was Flyers at apps because of the matchup. But gentlemen, to this week could actually be the toughest test because the fade faces one game. there is one Friday game on the slate, blue jackets at Hawks, which I wouldn't have called a fade at all in the first place. I, there is, neither team feels as they are an obvious winner. And the whole point of the fade is when you know one team will win,

the other team wins. Which makes this an absolute conundrum. This is a conundrum. Therefore, do we fade both? The over. Oh, I don't know if that's allowed. It could be, it could be. It could be. No. No, no. No, Smee, no. You are absolutely correct. We must select someone to vote. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. On three, on three, I am going to ask,

oh, I'm going to ask the question right now, who wins this game actually? Ignore the fade. Don't answer. On three, say who wins this game in your mind. And if we all say the same thing, then we take the other time. Correct, correct, correct. On three, gentlemen, who wins this game? Are you ready? Blue jackets or black? I'm going to say, three, two, one, and then we will say,

who wins this game? Three, two, one. Hox. Blue jackets. Fuck. What did you say? Hocks. Fucking hell.

So, it's, we have two hawks. So maybe we, maybe that means that the, we take the jackets as the fate. I think we should take the jackets as the fate. Take the jackets. The hocks are home.

The hocks are home. We take jackets. That is a factor here. I bet they're favored. I surely they're favored. So they must be. There, there we have it. We will.

Fade the Chicago Blackhawks at home. Therefore, we are taking the Columbus Blue Jackets money line. Excellent. Excellent. Excellent. Problem solving. Well deduced gentleman. That's the guy of this theory.

That was geometric proofs. We're solving geometric proofs now. We are incredible. Incredible. Now take us, Professor, to the Saturday Selly. We had selected David Parsonak to torment the habitants. The Bruins did win. Paster did record an assist.

And that's it. He did not score. Fuck. It's okay. We were on to something. This Saturday, the Sally will come home. Here are some candidates that I have flagged for the team. Matthew Boldy has nine goals in 12 career games versus the Oilers, but he is on the road.

Incredible, incredible track record. Macklin Celle Brini, four goals and six career games against the flames. Also on the road. You know I hate to road, Sally. Sydney Crosby, 40 goals in 90 career games, hosting the Rangers. And Cole Cofield, eight goals in 17 games. games versus the savers. I would like to go with my blood.

We shall take young Maclin Celebrini against the flames. On the road, it does not matter. He will be our anytime goal scorer and Saturday Selly. He can score anywhere. Done. Maclin Celebrini, anytime goal score, which brings us to the Sunday Hattrick Parley.

Last week, it was Vegas Golden Knights versus the Ottawa Senators. We had the Vegas money line. We had under 6.5 and an Eichol point. The senators won 7 to 1, was pointless. Just shambolic. Shambolic display from the professors this past week.

We must get back on track. It's terrible. Rasmus Edison with a worthless goal, fuck yourself. Congratulations. You first, you twat. Now, our matchups this week are the Kings at Keynes, Bruins at bolts, and night at ducks. The question, gentlemen, is if this week,

the Sunday Hattruck Parley must be stadium series. I almost feel like it must to give the viewers something to do the stadium series We'll be watching Stadium Series regardless The outdoor games

are too difficult to predict Let's stick with Kings Keynes I love the under I love a Jarvis Point

New pick the money line Kane's money line at home Wow Kane's money line Under 6.5 Seth Jarvis Point and if you are

interested in participating in a stadium series An extra sprinkle A sprinkle of stadium series I think because we always, always, always, as a rule, take the home team in an outdoor game. They slept in their beds, their families are here, it's a party, everyone is enjoying themselves. In that case, we will take Tampa Money Line, and because there's never good ice in an outdoor game,

we always, always, always, as a rule, take the under because no one can score, because the song is out. So we take under 6.5, and we will take a Nikita Kuturoff point because, of course. extra Sunday hat-tray palais. If you were interested in the stadium series. Phenomenal. Now take us to the Saturday, live on a beach palais. We have 14 games. Nearly a frenzy.

Professor Christopher, read them through, and we shall begin. Nearly a frenzy, I shall start this week. Christopher, Kings at Flyers. Flyers have been lovely lately, but you know what? Give me the Kings. Give me the Kings. Love. Professor Feeney, Avs at wings. Avs.

Avs. Yes, I love that. Daniel rags at pens. I will tell you. take the ironically hot penguins. The ironically hot penguins, correct. Christopher, Jets at cats, give me cats at home. Professor Vini, Sharks at Flames. Oh, is it just two amazing, amazing teams.

I will take the sharks, though. Yes, Shark is on the road with a Mac goal, with a Mac goal. We should track how many times this any time goal score that we select their team wins, and we should use that moving forward. If we were true professors of the educational realm, We would use data. Maybe some day. Academics.

Academics. Christopher. Daniel, Daniel, Daniel. Cains and Caps. I will take the canes. I don't believe the caps are playing the best hockey right now. Caps and a bit of a rut. Christopher, Habs at Sabres.

Give me the Sabres. Brilliant. Oh, Professor Feeney, devils at Seds. Devils. Devils, yes, devilish pick. Difficult match up. Devilist pick. Daniel, Preds and Isles.

I believe in the new fun of the islanders. Christopher. Jack. At Blue's Putrid game. Putrid, putrid game. Give me the jackets. Interesting. Versovini Leafs at Canucks.

Canucks. Yes, sir. Yes, sir, Fini. A devastating blow for the Maple Leafs, that pick. Dear me. I love it. Yes. Daniel, stars at Mammoth.

I will ride the Mammoth. Really? Yes, excellent. Gerservis Wild at Oilers. Ah. Tricky one. Tricky. Curious. Give me the wild.

Professor Vini Cracken at night. Spunk, Fienie. Spunk at nights. They've burnt me before, so I'm going to have to go nights. Yes, the spunk always does get feeding. The spunk always gets feeding. Live on a beach, ladies and gentlemen. Kings, avs, pens, cats, sharks, canes, sabers, devils, aisles, aisles, aisles, jackets, canocks, mammoth, wild, and knights.

Now, brilliant. Life on the line, boys. Life on the fucking line. One time. Four and O, one time. Deemee, how would you like to proceed? You tell me, Daniel. No, no, no. I think you are the one who needs a breakthrough, so you tell me which. You're right. Okay, then let's alternate. I like the alternate, but you start because I started last time and you start.

I shall start. Our first pick, in Life on the Line Parley. I like, I enjoy not looking. I enjoy hearing these in real time. You simply must. The Vegas flu won't make you a chew, but it will surely knock you flat on your back. In Sin City things aren't always pretty, and it's not just chips you'll be starting to lack. Cracken come with a storm, but it's them, you should warn.

You might lose a kidney and wake up in the tub. If you're somehow manned down, take a look around town. the boys might still be in the strip club. Vegas Money Line. Yes, sir. Vegas Money Line. Leg number one. Leg number one. All right.

Leg number two. Leg number two. Here we go, gentlemen. Crosby, Carlson, and Tanger are a dangerous three. Ready to give New York a shot to the kidney. But the rags say they aren't scared of a star with double D's. But I say that's the wrong Sydney. Give

Bequins Thank you. You are despicable, sir. Despicable. Our next leg Fucking guy. Our next leg

in the Life on the Lion Parley. It's the new team of dreams and they're picking up steam. Sabres fans, could all this be true? Yarmot is in. Now they're starting. to win. Playoff Buffalo would be an absolute zoo.

But the Habs come to play. Call scores every day. They don't believe in this new Buffalo fable. But the fans will come out and you can have no doubt. They're ready to fuck Montreal through a table.

Save us Money Line. Save us Money Line. Like number three. Incredible work, Daniel. Incredible work, Daniel. All right, in the fourth and final leg of the life on the line, parley. The Sharkies have stunned winning so many games, while Calgary stinks like a lavatory.

Watching 19-year-old Macklin fuck the flames is nearly statutory. Sharks money lie like before. Vegas, Sabers, Penns, Sharks, one time. You belong in a prison, my friend. That is our life on the line, ballet. Those are the picks from your professors. The bell has rung, glass is dismissed. Dear Lord, we all need a break.

Help us, please. Help us, please. Thank you, professors. And before we get to our game to close out this episode, I got to give a shout out to my OG crew. The people over at AMC Network, Stan. Okay. Kelly Nash, Neil MacDonald, Malia Wong,

the whole gang. Okay. We have a show, and I got to tell you to the listeners, I worked at AMCE, the TV channel for a long time, making all kinds of shows. Great people.

All kinds of shows, tons of which I am extremely proud of. And the second I walk out the door, they bring in the greatest TV show of all time. The millisecond. And in fact, and they would tell you, I'll get Kelly Nash on the phone right now,

and she'll tell you that this pitch came in while I was there. and I was like, we have to do this. We have to do this show. And, you know, it wasn't, I'm not, I'm not taking credit, okay? But we, I worked on it, and I worked on it. And then I said, all right, I'm leaving, but I really hope this happens. And then it morphed.

There was a thing and it was close to trying to get a green line. I don't know if it was going to happen. And then it morphed and became what it is now. But it doesn't exist without me. And I stand by that. And now it's finally coming out. And Sean, you don't know me. that well, but I imagine you will appreciate when I tell you that my friends at AMC have made a show

called The Rise of the 49ers narrated and executive produced by Tom Brady. They've been at his fucking house, dude, tossing the football around with him. And you missed that. And I missed it. And I'm like, are you insane that I worked there for a decade and can't get a face-to-face with Tom? You better get like a special thanks in the credits or something. Dude, I am dead ass. If there he does not say thank you to Chris Bowers at the end.

Start with that. Tom should be saying. I can't believe that they didn't just at least send you a picture while they were with Tom. Oh, they did. Kel dab me up to it. I have so many picks. You should have been like, I don't need a special thanks. I just want a text from Tom that just says, hey, Chris, wish you could have been here.

That would have done it all for you. I want to have done it all for you. Maybe I can still get that. Maybe I can still get that. Holy smokes. Okay, so it's called the Rise of the 49ers. It's a two-night limited series event. It's this Sunday.

So we'll be at Stadium Series. This Sunday is February 1st and then Monday, February 2nd. It's on AMC and AMC Plus. It is insane because they got everybody. So essentially it's about, no, dude, this show has everything. Yeah. It's like for football fans out there, you just crave sick docs like this. And that was fans, fans, dogs are sick. Are you too, where people at AMC would be like, we can't get, we would get cool sports pitches and they'd be like, we're not a sports network. We can't compete. Yeah. But I was like, no, sports fans will find it if it's a cool doc. If the last dance, Michael George,

Jordan's last dance hadn't been on Netflix, had been on Bravo, you think Bulls fans would have been like, I'm not watching that. I assure you they would watch 10 hours of Michael Jordan interviews, wherever it is. So that's what I'm excited about for this. If you are a football fan, especially a Niners fan, it is that Gold Rush 1981 to 1995, five Super Bowls. And like I said, Joe Montana is there. Jerry Rice is there.

Steve Young is there. Every big name that you want to hear from is doing interviews on this show, chopping it up with Brady as because he was a fan he was a niners fan growing up because he grew up in the bay area so it's like his experience watching that team go from going to n-h-l or nashl empty netters go into nfl superstardom you know it's absolutely nuts dude and it's sick because there's kind of a rivalry between the eras of those niners teams like it was joe montana then this other quarterback steve young took over and like those two sneaky aren't there aren't best friends you know because it was joe's team and then

steve came and it was like and jerry rice kind of get like bridges the gap and it's just catching tuddies from both but it's it's awesome to see them both feel like they are NFL royalty but also being like fuck that guy fuck that guy but it's like that's dude the NFL is intense yeah that's that's what this show is true it's going to be insane so sunday february 1st 9 p.m. eastern followed by the remaining two episodes on monday february 2nd two night event rise of the 4th We're going to put the trailer in this YouTube. So just keep watching and you'll see it. But it is going to be incredible.

Huge shout up to the AMC crew. I am so incredibly and extremely impassionately jealous. Yeah. Didn't get to you if hardness. I'm so bummed for you. You're so excited. But what a way to channel that by fucking pumping it up and gas in it up. Oh, dude.

Yes. Go watch. Celebrating. Because guys, I've seen, you know, I'm probably getting Kelly in trouble now, but I've seen some shit. She sent me some shit. And it is the behind the scenes. Never before seeing stuff.

That's what you always crave. Oh, for sure. Certainly a sports doc. When you're like, holy shit, I've never, as a fan, as a mega fan of a Tom Brady, for example, you feel like you've devoured every piece of content ever. Yeah. When you get unheard interviews, unseen clips, all that stuff, that is football porn. Fucking right.

And that's what you're going to get here. So I cannot wait. So my family had seasoned tickets to the San Francisco 49ers. That alone made me fall in love with football. I was Joe Montana throwing passes with Jerry Rice. Rice is there. The model for winning is a star quarterback. Montana has the body.

It's hard to measure what's in people's desire. I'm a competitor. You have a Jerry. Never thought that I was going to get drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. And to Rice, touchdown. In Irani. The way that we went about fighting for inches,

we're going to climb the heel. And then here comes Steve. I was a left-handed scrambler. Talk about an oddity. Look at the things they're trying to do. This is a football of the 80s. This city deserves a winning ball club. Eddie DeBarlow said, all I want is for you guys to win.

You know, Walsh. They call him the genius. The West Coast offense, nobody else was doing it. If you ran it right, it was unstopping. Joe Montana was all of a sudden one of the hottest names in America. And candlestick bark becomes silent. To suddenly have the greatest quarterback to ever play the game, get yanked. He was the best in the game and I was trying to be.

Game on. I'm better than he is. Off we go. Steve Young comes on. Here comes Joe Montana. Steve Young. And now Joe Montana is coming back in again. All this man thought about trying to have a competitive advantage.

Here we go. We have the pressure to win or you fail. win or you fail. That made it very, very difficult. There was a high level of expectation for greatness. And in the end, they changed the city. For this town, they'll never forget this day. No one could appreciate what we went through and how great it was being part of a dynasty. I don't know that it isn't the best team that's ever been. All right, let's play a game, Dan. Let's play a game and get out of here. Yeah, let's wrap up this game and this one is called connective tissue so i'm going to give chris the bio of two players

their names connect he needs to figure out who it is good example is brandon carlogan couture nice are you ready yes okay selected in the first round of the 2015 draft this player has only played for one team oh he signed a big 70 million dollar extension two years ago after showing fans he was much more than a gritty two-way forward He even represented Canada last year at four nations. He then was the highest pick ever at fifth overall in 2010 for an NHL player from his country until the devil selected Nico Heeshire first in 2017. He played for the Islanders, Wild Canes, and Preds, before ending up with the Jets where he's been since 2023.

Okay, give me number two again. He was then the highest pick ever at fifth overall in 2010. for an NHL player from his country until the Devils selected Nico Hesher first in 2017. He played for the Islanders, wild, canes, and preds before ending up with the Jets

where he's been since 2023. Okay. Fifth overall in 20-fucking 10? What are you insane? 2010. What's wrong with that? And he has played everywhere and he's on the Jets now.

Correct. He's on the Jets. He went fifth overall. And he's old. He's old as sin. He's not that old. He's like 33. He's old as dirt.

Jesus Christ. Old as dirt. You're an age's piece of shit. You know that? So it's so ironic coming from you, given the fact that you're basically dead. Yeah, I'm thousand years older than everyone we ever talk about. Okay, he's old as shit on the jets.

Old as shit on the jets. Okay. I can think of people on their roster. none of whom are old except for one guy, but he is definitely not from where Nico Hesher is from, which I think is Swiss. Yes.

Okay, and then give me the first guy? Selected in the first round of the 2015 draft, this player has only played for one team. He signed a big $70 million extension two years ago after showing fans he was much more than a gritty two-way forward. He even represented Canada last year at Four Nations. Okay, so we're not.

a gritty two-way forward, 70 million extension, two years ago. He's only played for one team. Yep, still playing for the team who drafted him. Yep. Okay, so I'm going to try to think

of Team Canada, 2015, for this one. It's a very famous draft for you. Think about it. 2015, that's the B's? That's the disastrous Boston draft. Yep, that's the Bs draft. Okay, so on that team,

you've got and forgive me, but I'm just going to do this. Do you want hints rather than going to? No, no, no, no, yet, because I'm just going to try to think of the forwards really quickly. It's like McKinnon, Connor, Sid, Marner, Stone, different teams, different teams, not gritty, Sam, Sam Reinhert, different team. Bennett, has Bennett been on one team?

You know that, that, you know that. He's only been on one team his whole life. Nope. Did Tom Wilson make Four Nations? Do you want me to tell you? Nope. Did he make the Olympics? What was he on that Four Nations team?

I think he wasn't. I think he wasn't on that four nations team. But maybe he was. I think you might need a hint. Give me a hint. This first player is considered by some a top 10 player in the league. Really? Top 10 player in the league.

That is a cheeky hint for you. Considered by some. Yeah. Top 10 player in the league. Okay. Four nations, gritty two-way forward. Only one team. Yeah.

There's a hint in that part too First rounder Yeah Okay And oh my god Well you just fucking relax Just get headphones all over the place This is terrible terrible

Radio Well it's hard when you're alone Like when I do this with you guys in the game You're right? I know but you're all talking Do you want more hints? Um Uh

No Swiss I'm just trying to think of Swiss guys on the Jets Do you have a hint for the second guy? I can get one. No, no. Is he a forward? Yep. You already told me that?

No, you didn't tell me that. Oh, I think I got the first guy. Okay? JP. Yep, you got it. I was like, who the fuck is top ten? I don't know. Okay, the first guy is Travis Kinecti.

That's correct. So the second guy, who is a Swiss guy in the jet? Well, use the, use the game. Connect, knee, knee, Nico, no, fuck. Oh, yeah, not Nico, he's sure. I suppose I could have made it a little easier by doing Nico Hesher, but this is also a player

that you should get. He's got a great name. Neino, Neider, he just came up today. He came up in this very episode. Like, what the fuck? Damn, dude. That's a good one.

Wow, funny that both the Swiss dudes would have worked. The two highest-ass-ad-ed Swiss guys would have worked. They love knee names. Travis Kinechniknino-neider. Correct. Wow, great one. Really, really, really good. Travis Kineo-N-N-A-Rider, there you go.

There is your game. There is your episode. Make sure you cash those professor bets. Hope you enjoyed it. Hope you enjoyed Jack. Unbelievable story. Thanks for coming on again, Jacko. So guys, we'll see you at Stadium Series.

We're going to be pumping out a lot of content over the weekend. It's going to be a blast. Hope to see you there. If you were there, if you are, come up to us. Give us a big hug. Let's chat. Let's hang. We love seeing y'all.

Cannot wait. Until then, skate hard.