Empty Netters Podcast - Evan Rodrigues Went From Undrafted Senior To The NHL’s Best Swiss Army Knife | EP.227

Episode Date: September 9, 2025

E-Rod braves the Florida thunder storms to crush an all time pod with the boys. He talks about his run at BU with Jack Eichel, playing with an incredible list of NHL legends, and of course everything Florida Panthers. Plus, the beer league hotline has everyone deeply upset NEW EPISODES EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY! 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! SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: MUG. Check out https://www.mugrootbeer.com/find-mug to find out how you can get your paws on some MUG. 00:00 INTRO 01:39 ROB HUTSON 06:38 CAREY PRICE 13:04 EVAN RODRIGUES 1:08:45 BEER LEAGUE HOTLINE 1:25:27 BLIND RANKING Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Put the bags on our own plane. And then our pilot was like, here we go. Like, right. Oh, my God. I'm talking like borderline tropical storm probably. flooding all around the area. And they're like, we got to go. Like, we don't have a choice.

And the pilot's like, all right, here we go. Okay. Everyone's strapped in. Ice is ready. And we are back with another episode of the empty netters podcast brought to you by BedMGM. I am your host, Dan Powers, and sitting next to me, a man who will not pick up the phone if he doesn't recognize the number because he's afraid to talk to strangers.

Chris Powers sitting in. How are we doing? As always, we're doing great. We won't even answer the phone if it is a no number out of fear that it might be a stranger who has taken their phone. That is absolutely insane. You have mental problems. And I kind of appreciate you. Yeah, thank you so much. Here's the deal, folks. We're getting right

into hockey. We got hockey talk coming at you. Hot ice. Two big subjects. Two big topics. Shit that is buzzing. in the NHL right now, and we're going to jump into it. And after that, Evan Rodriguez, back-to-back Stanley Cup champion of the Florida Panthers, joins the show, gives us one hell of an interview

because he is just that fantastic. Before we do that, hot ice is coming out. You've got two big stories. Both of them include the Montreal Canadiens. Yes, they do. Number one, Lane Hudson, not invited to U.S. orientation camp. Big topic if you're a Canadians fan. People are fired up about it, pissed off about it, some would say, saying he got slighted.

And you know who would agree with that? His old man. Rob Hudson went on some podcast and said basically, USA, lick my balls. We're walking. We're going north of the border to Canada. My boys are Canadian too, he said. He went so petty, he might as well change his name to. Tom. This is the craziest move I've ever seen. He even got called out by Brad Marchand.

The I need, when doing our job, it's hard sometimes to not just run your mouth because sure. Run it. You got a microphone in your face. Say whatever you want. I got to be on TV. I got to be on air twice a week. Say something crazy. Rob doesn't need to be going on podcasts and stirring the pot like this. The pot, leave the pot. In bowls. Leave the pot unstead. Leave the pot in bongs. Let it sit. And joints. And simmer. And blunts. What the? You're talking like weed pot? Grab bongs. And you don't, you know that the stirring the pot does not have to do with stirring marijuana. No, they mean the, they, uh, the bowl. They go like this. Yeah. Why did you start talking about weed? Yeah, the bowl. No, they mean like a pot. It's a pot on a stove. No, they go, you can't be this. With a, uh, there's no way you're this. You take a paper. You take a paper. clip. Watch. You take a paper clip. You unfold it. Yeah. Put it in the bowl. Scrape the edges. Yeah. Stir the resin. Get the resin. Stir the pot. Smoke the resin. And then you get another hit.

I've never smoked weed, so I don't know what you're talking about. Stir the pot. Extra hit. You're out of your mouth. That's what that expression means. It means this, we can't get into this. You sound like Brad Marchant. You're saying get this guy in check. That's what Brad said. Brad said, at Lane, get this guy in check. Rob, my guy. do anything. What was that like just jerk off? JJO. I'm like, dude, I'm sure that's bothering you and the family, but I'm just like, here's my take.

Do you think Rob Hudson needs better friends? Yeah. Go to the bar, have a beer with your pals. A bitch to them. Tell them, it's stupid they didn't invite him to Canada. Go like this. My boys might defect to the Canadian team, and they'll go like this. In the morning, they'll go, Rob was.

Rob was on one. Rob was on one. He was on one last night. He said his boys might play for Team Canada. It's one of the funny things because we love Lane. Yeah. Incredible player. Worthy Calder winner.

He's going to be playing for, hopefully, USA Olympic teams for the rest of his life. Yep. He might make this team. No. Getting bent out of shape about this orientation roster and the amount of Habs fans being like, it's going to light a fire under his ass. I've said it before. I don't think there is a world where Lane is so childish and petty that he's

and pouting around this is ridiculous. You're five years old. This is ridiculous. I didn't get invited to orientation camp. I'm going to be but hurt all season long. Dude, he's not going to do that. He's not going to do that.

And in fact, I might go the other way that this is a distraction. If anything's going to impact his season, it's this. Answering questions about why his dad is saying he might leave for Team Canada. And if I could give Rob, a small piece of advice,

I would quote the great less grossman. This is going to be a real quote. We don't negotiate with terrorists. Okay. Rob, fuck face. Why don't you do me a favor

and take a big step back and literally fuck your own face? Oh, you want to go to Team Canada, dude? 20, 50 million? I'm talking a fucking binding resolution. I have an idea, dude. You will never,

those boys will never step foot in this country again if you want to keep running your mouth like this. It's, uh, what I can't get over is I wonder, I feel so bad for Lane. I know, because God knows, Lane didn't tell him to do this. Hell though. You know that that clip gets out. It's on fucking bar down. Marshie's chiming in.

You've got to imagine Lane sees that. It gets sent to him and he goes, oh my fucking God. Yeah. You don't, you don't expect to have your old man need to get P.P. for getting too hefy online. Take the man's phone away, dude. Take it away. The fact that he did it in like a parked car or two.

I was like, you needed to get this off of your chest that bad, pal? He just outside the bar, dude. Just, yeah. Yeah, he's tuned up. He was with his voice. He was with his voice. He's like, hold on, I'm going to get on this phone. In fact, it goes even more into he needs new friends

because his new friends are a bunch of booze hounds who are getting them all fired up, and then he's running his mouth. That's so good. Out of control. You can't be doing that. Stay focused. Eye on the price.

He's an amazing kid. He's an amazing player. They're an incredible family. Do less. Yeah. Pop down. Pop down. Pop down.

Moving on to the next topic. Carrie Price traded to the San Jose Sharks. Yep. Sharks get a fifth round pick to take on $10.5 million. They take the whole thing. They took it all. They took it all. What is your knee-jerk reaction?

My knee-jerk reaction is this. The Canadians would kill to get that money. off their books and normally when you have to do something like that, dude, teams usually have to do it with guys that are even playing still. Like, I don't want to throw anyone under the bus, but there have been guys where you're like, fuck, please just take this contract and take him. This is a guy who isn't even playing, will never play again, hasn't played since NOM. So this is a favor. Whoever takes this money is literally doing the Canadians a massive favor. And now the Canadians can use that space to like get very competitive. The only way you would ever do them that favor is if you also

take back a shining chip that becomes gold in in two years. This is a bank loan. Yeah, this is, no, it's a bailout, Dan. It's a bailout. This is a government bailout. It's a bailout. Yeah. You bailed out the Canadian. And you went across, you went across international borders and bailed them out. You gave them a government bailout. Why? They went like this. We are a 2C away from possibly going to the Eastern Conference final. Yeah, I said it.

Oh, I wish we had $10 million. It'd be great if we had over 10 mil added to the cap. And the sharks who needed to hit the cap floor went, Okay. Ptsk. Hey, we'll take it. Hey, I'll take it. I'll bring the bees.

Put it on me. Dude, on the house. Whom shall I send? They said, they said it's on the house. And then the Habs went, are you kidding me? And they went, why not? Just sweeten the deal, dude. Wet the beak.

And they went, how's a fifth round pick sound? And the Sharks sound good. I'll send you, I'll send you, Gannon LaRoc back to have him. And they all said, sounds good. And people are going, great deal by both sides. To that I say, it is a great deal. It is.

Good work by Greer. You get to the cap floor. what in the fuck are you going to do with a fifth round pair? Well, wait, why do you think it's a good deal by both sides? Because the sharks needed to get to the cap floor. Dude. And they take on a, it's a big fact contract. By stroking off the half.

It's one year. Listen, this is why I brought it up. I think this is nuts. I love the move by the sharks. Like, you need to get to the cap floor, take on this. It's done after the year. You weren't going to do anything within it. But to not, dude, they need defense.

like nothing I've ever seen. They're a fucking leaking bucket. Put some cocking in there. Get a defenseman prospect. Get a body. Not a fifth round pick. I say again, what the fuck do you think you're going to do with that? Dude, the, the, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's not a good business decision.

Even though I understand it's just a year, it's expiring, blah, blah, blah. There, there should have been something. back from that and there's frankly no excuse that there wasn't in my opinion considering the reach around you are giving them do you like this is a literal under the table blowy yes for free do you think that there's tom foolery going on yes it just it feels to me and i know so many people are going to say this oh well the sharks needed it too i don't buy that there are ways to figure this out We've seen it with a lot of teams given fat

AAVs to players who are like, oh, they just, you guys need to get to the cap floor. You're telling me that they couldn't do that. You're telling me that Jack Roslavik, who is just hanging around, couldn't just get like a $5 million deal, one year deal.

Like, that's worse than this. And again, you are just, you are servicing. You are going to, you're taking Montreal to a rub and tug. Yeah. This microphone is literally falling apart as we speak. You're giving them a rub and tug. And just like,

were no one saying anything? Everyone's going, no, it's, they had to do it. It's a joke, dude. I think it's, I think it's. But it's actually a cool, trivia question now. Carrie Price is sharp. Yeah, he's a sharp. He's sharp.

Always has been. That's going to wrap up hot ice because we've got a great interview with Evan Rodriguez to get to. Before we do that, we're going to take a quick ad break. But when we come back, we're going to jump into an awesome, awesome.

Awesome. Awesome interview with a fantastic person. We battled through a thunderstorm. Truly. We were losing power, dude. Severe weather. Severe weather. Severe weather.

Late to pick up the kids. Quick ad. And then we'll take it to Erod. Babes, it's time to talk about BetMGM, the without a doubt, best sports book in the game. It might not be officially hockey season yet, but that doesn't mean we have action everywhere, which way that you look.

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a two-time second-team All-Star for the BU Terriers, signed his entry-level deal after being an undrafted legend with the Buffalo Sabres, who also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Colorado Avalanche, but not the Toronto Maple Leafs. a current member of the Florida Panthers, and a two-time back-to-back Stanley Cup champion, Evan Rodriguez. Welcome to the Outte-Natters podcast. Thanks for having me, fellas.

I'm excited to be here. It's going to be a good one. It's fantastic. This is fantastic. All right, well, dude, reading up about you, I think my favorite thing about you, no doubt, is how much of a family guy you are and how the kids are buzzing around the house

playing mini-sticks and stuff like that. And they're getting into hockey. and then looking at your early days playing, don't feel like a lot of people know this. You almost had your leg amputated when you were 10 years old. What the hell happened there? Well, yeah, yes and no. So I had a knee infection when I was 10 or 11.

And I was in the hospital and I was hooked up to an IV for six weeks, wasn't getting better at a fever of 104, 102. Like, it'd come down for a few hours, come back up, had different conversations with the doctors. And at first, it was like, like, I remember being like, am I going to be able to play hockey again? Like, we have to worry about walking. And then there was like a slight conversation of like,

if this doesn't get better, like, we might have to take it to the next level and, like, think about it. So it was never really like discussed, like, hey, like, we're taking steps. but it was like, hey, if this doesn't get better, like, you're going to get more sick and we might have to. So, but what ended up happening and what ended up happening was a nurse, I used to get my blood taken at like 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. every single day. And one day the nurse came in after like six weeks. It was 5 a.m. in the morning. And she was like, listen, like, you can't tell anybody. Like, this is, you can't say a thing because I'll get fired without.

without a doubt, but they've been giving your son medicine for a two-year-old for the past six weeks, and like, he's going to be better in, like, two days. Oh, my God, dude. Yeah. No. Yeah. So they just had to, like, the dosage, like, was for a two-year-old instead of a 10 or 11, whatever I was at the time.

And so they fixed it, and I was out of there, like, less than a week, I was out. And then it's been perfectly fine ever since. But to make the story worse was I go to, like, the CVS or whatever it was in Toronto. I go in to get my like at home medicine and I hop in and we give the prescription to the doctor and the or the whatever pharmacist. Yeah. She looks at us and she's like, who's this for? Because she sees like Evan and my parents were like, oh, it's for our son. And they're like, if your son took this, like he would be, it's medicine for a 40 year old.

Like you've got to call the hospital like this. It's like extremely vivid memory in my brain that like, like, yeah. things happening. I'll never forget them. And, uh, but they dialed that in and yeah, everything's fine. And now we're building. They weigh undershot and then they're way overshot. Yeah. Like it was, this is, I'm not making this up. Like I, I'll never forget these, like, where I was, I have it vividly in my head. Holy shit. I love those memories imprint on you, too. Like, I know that you can literally picture it perfectly. And then like, you, like, you like, obviously when it happened, you're in such shock that you tell everybody. Like, everyone knows this story. So I

have the story like in i can repeat it to anybody like errod got her fired immediately dead he's like that person never worked out whatever i'm imagining her listening to this episode right now being like fuck me i thought that was behind me and now it's still being brought up i wasn't given hospital yeah i know they're going to google like what hospital i was yeah yeah the floor that day oh man i love it i mean that that is as tumultuous as as as a young you know trying to start playing a sport career can go. But I do love the idea, man. Like, you know, you have siblings who played hockey. You guys were buzzing around all the time. How cool is it looking back on those memories of like you and your siblings playing hockey and now looking at your own kids,

ripping around the house, playing minisk like we said? And also, does it bother you that one of them? Is it your oldest who keeps being a ref out there while he's playing minisk? What's up with that? They both do it. They have their moments, but they both love being a ref. They both take time they're both goalies like they do it all so um you know sometimes when they get net you got a pepper a couple at their head you know to get them off the goalie thing but but no it's great i had two older brothers and we had like some of your best memories are from playing mini sticks and we used to hide it from from our payroll my mom especially she would go to work and we'd pull out everything and we'd get bins on the side move the couch to a certain spot and like play because she didn't

like the walls getting mangled and stuff and where we'd play it so we can relate yeah we used to wait till she'd left and then we'd start playing and so now with like my boys like whenever they want to play I'm always like I'm always in for it but I kind of cheat the system where I just like sit in front of the net and I just like rip like I'll use a goalie stick and just rip them because they'll go for hours like they're yeah yeah now I'm like holy like stop like give it a break but I remember being that age and like that's you could play for an entire day. not get tired. So I try to spend as much time as I can play with them.

My oldest is on a huge, well, both of them are. They're on a huge baseball kick right now. Nice. So I've been just like hitting pop quies in the backyard and throwing on pitches. We've, like, every day, as soon as we get home, it's like, can we go play baseball? Yep. And then if not, like if I'm like, no, like I got, I got stuff to do, like, need a second. My son will just sit in our like entryway.

Just throw the ball up in the air for an hour. Throw it up in the air, catch it. Staring at you. Yeah. Yeah. Just making eye contact. Like, are you done? All of a sudden, it'll get stuck on, like, the second floor.

Like, he'll throw it over the railing, and he'll just be like, oh, like, hear him stomp up the stairs to go get the ball. It's great. Like, they're both, they're both super athletic, and it's awesome, like, having them around the rink. And I actually talked to Chuckie a lot about it because, you know, he obviously had kind of the same upbringing. Yeah.

Totally, yeah, yeah. He just, like, says how awesome it was, like, being around his dad, being around the rink. So it makes me one. want to do it. And it's, you know, hopefully memories that they have for, you know, the rest of their lives. And I don't want to look back and regret not having them be a part of it. So I try to involve them in as much as I can. 100%. Listen, like we said earlier, they're all good luck charms. Like they're Boston sports fans. They're bringing in championships. Your daughter is, the only thing she is is a Stanley Cup champion. So it's like, we're just got to keep them

rolling here. It's funny that my, especially the boys, like they know what's going on. and they're starting to think this is normal, I think. Yeah, yeah. So we're going to do it? Like, what are the chances you're going to do it again next year? Like 90%? 95%? Like, like, like, 50, hopefully.

Yeah. But like, it's just to be like to not make you upset, 50? Yeah, yeah. They're mentally preparing the cup day next summer already. They're wondering what their cupkeeper outfits are going to be next year. Dude, that was so good. I couldn't believe that was awesome. It's amazing.

So, Erod, like we said at the top, you've got some Boston ties. Obviously, BU was an epic run for you. And I wanted to ask you about that because, you know, we grew up in the Boston area and we'd love going to those games and everything. And you get there. You have a great sophomore season. And then an awesome senior year. Jack shows up.

You guys win the bean pot finally. And you win hockey East. And obviously, you come up just short against Providence and the Natty on that insane goal, by the way. and not even to make you relive that, but like, outrageous game tie and goal from Providence. And I know that playing college hockey was a dream, right? And it was, it's so sick that you got to experience it there. Did that the whole journey for you live up to what you saw in your head? Yeah, I think so.

It was growing, obviously a Toronto kid. Like everyone plays in the O. And for, you know, one reason or another, like going to college is always a big deal in my family. And you kind of get in the best of both worlds. And now it's obviously normal. for everybody. When I was going through it, it still was like,

you really only went to college if, you know, you didn't make the O. And like it was kind of a back. But for me, it was always like a big deal. And I think teams knew that and I kind of slid in the OHL draft

and was kind of, my brother had just gone to college when I got into juniors and, you know, was looking to follow kind of his footsteps. And obviously, committed to BU is a big deal. As a Toronto kid,

you don't realize, like, how big of a deal it is in Boston, like, playing in the bean pot. And even talk to guys now, like, everyone always says, like, it's four teams, like, same four teams every year. Like, what's the big deal? But once you're, like, in it, you don't understand. Yeah. You get the juice of it. Like, you get the rivalry. Back when I was committing, it was one of the only rinks that, you know, had such a nice gym inside the rink.

And, you know, I was kind of going for, you know, hockey. But still a really good school. Um, you know, they had a business program, which I was big into, I was always a numbers kid. Like I, yeah, I can't write a one page essay, but you sit me down with like algebra questions and I'll sit there for hours and just do them. Like I'm a, I'm a, I'm very much like a task finisher. Like even now, like, like, if I need to like calm down, like, I got to like do the dishes and like complete. Okay. Or like, I need to like, I need to finish like mundane tasks. That's like what like gets me like calm. Are you like a puzzle guy or like a mind game guy?

Like a puzzle guy, yeah. But I don't like, I can't like critical think. Like I'm not like a don't like give me a problem and be like give me three ways to finish like to like solve this. I'm like no. Like I need an answer and I'm going to get to the answer. Like that's yeah. That's like what like gets me down. I don't know how I veered into that.

I don't even know. No, but I love this because it's funny man. Every time I feel like we've seen anything about your BU days. Like whenever you answer questions, you do always kind of bring up the academics. And it makes me wonder with how fucking nasty you were at hockey. Was there a part of you that was like, well, let's have a plan just in case. I don't make it to the NHL. So yeah, I was always, oh, yeah, that's how we got there, the numbers thing.

But I was like, my thing was like, if hockey doesn't work out, like, I'm going to be an accountant. Like, from when I was 13. Like, it's just like, I was going to be an accountant. Even when I got into like into the HL, I had like two, three years where. it was like, hey, if this doesn't like work out, then like we're moving on. Like I'm not going to waste time and like prolong this. And, you know, like I'm going to get on with my life type of thing. And so I got my degree.

And then, you know, it was probably it was my sophomore year was a really good year. And then junior year I had injury and our team. We switched coaches and kind of went through a little dip. And then obviously our senior year was, you know, a special one. And even then after I signed, like, the NHL wasn't really, like, I still didn't think like there was a chance. I didn't, like, see myself as, like, that good.

Yeah. And it wasn't until my first camp in Buffalo that I was like one of our last cuts at a camp, like one of the last two or three on the last day. And after that camp, I was like, oh, like, there might actually be something here. Like, I have a chance here. Like, I could do this. So then I, you know, kind of. I dialed it in and put in the work and here we are.

God. So was there any other, like was, were some of the Boston schools kind of always the target for you? Or were you, when you were like, I want to go to college, were you looking wherever? Like whoever was interested, whatever looked good. Yeah, no, I was, I was wherever. It had, when I was like young, I don't know, 10 to 15, I remember having like on MSN, like the Wisconsin Badger logo is like my, my picture. So I always loved Wiscoe.

And then I got, when I was 15, I went to Miami of Ohio. I went on like our team visited there when I was playing for the Marley's. And then I went on like my own visit. And I was like, okay, this is where I'm going. Like I'm sad. I went on another one. And I got into juniors. And I went on like an official visit.

And I was like, hey, they're going to offer me. Like I'm done. Sign. We're done. And I got there toward the whole place, met with all the coaches, everything. And then nothing. There was no offer. And I was like, all right.

He's got, Dan, he's got a, he's got a badger tattoo already, you know. He's like, oh, fuck. And then I had the Red Hawk tattoo on the other arm. Like, I would, both of them locked in. And then after. Yeah, you were a cell sword. You were like, dude, I'll do anything for you guys. So then my first year in juniors, like, I didn't really get much.

And then my, the first, like, month, my second year juniors, it was like, I, I remember being in high school in Denver called me and left me a voicemail. and I was like, oh my God. Whoa. Yeah. And then it was like they called, and then within like two weeks, it was pretty much every school. Like I had the picking after that. The only one that didn't want me was BC was interested. And then we were going to like the World Junior A Showcase, if you guys know what that is.

Yeah. Yeah. Five guys on our team. And then one guy. And then Zach Hyman actually, we were playing Hamilton in Hamilton was on the other team. And so we were like we were leaving on Tuesday. the game was a Monday night. We were checked out.

And we got up there, we got pounded 8, 2. And like the next day, I don't know who, I think my brother, they called and we're like, yeah, we're out.

I was like, all right. I mean. Okay. Yeah. It's Monday night. I know. Caught me at the wrong time.

Like, we're going, like, I'm representing Team Canada for the first time of my life. You know, I know it's like, whatever,

the Junior A showcase, but I was like, we're all scared up. Like, we all thought it was sick. And like, we can carry a game on a Monday night. We got pumped eight too and they were out.

That's so funny. Well, fucking, you've rinsed them senior year, so whatever, yeah. Yeah. And it was funny, we went out to the World Junior Show because they took our phones away for two weeks. No way. Now you get put in prison if you try to do something like that. But you took the phones away. And I remember getting back from getting our phones back and like my brother texted me being like, hey, like, B offered you like this, this school.

Like, you all got full rat, like whatever. And went on a couple visits after that. And then once I got, it was fine, I went to a few schools. And every time I left, I'd be like, ah, like, let's see some, like, it's going one more. And then BU was like my fourth official visit. And before, like, I even got out of the city, I was like where this is done. Like, I'm, this is where I'm going. Such a good feeling.

Yeah, it was, it was good. I love that. Well, you just touched on, you know, the getting up to the show and battling in Buffalo and being like, okay, something's going on here. My favorite thing about your career so far is, you know, I always love a story that's like undrafted. You come in, you just work your fucking ass off. And that's what everyone who's ever played with you, coached with you, has said about your game and just your mentality. But when you look at your career too, going from Buffalo, obviously so cool that Jack then gets there. You guys get to play together again.

Then you go to Pitt, then Colorado, and now Florida. And when you really look at it, dude, you have played with Jack, Sid and Gene. Gino, Nate Dog, and now Sasha. And it's like, do you ever stop and just think like, Jesus Christ? I have, in my, already, in my young career, I have played with some all-timers here. This is wild. No, so I, like a year ago or something, something came out about like Tyler Tofoli's, like all-time lineup or something, like his thing.

Yeah, yeah. I was looking at it, being like, who, I think I could. I think I could. I think I could challenge this guy. No, but it's been, obviously, I've, you know, been very blessed and on top of it like not only being on their team but getting to play with them for you know a significant amount of time it's it's it's the best part about it is being able to like see how different they are like how every guy like you literally have to be a not

you have to be a different player with each of them like i i've said this before but like with jack he's a guy who like doesn't like get away from him like don't let him do his thing and when he needs you, like, he'll find you. Like, he's going to find you. So, like, just get open. Whereas Sid, I remember, like, huge difference. And that was always my mentality is, like, give people space. And if you get double team, then, like, you're open.

So, like, Sid was the polar opposite. It was, like, it was like a hard transition for me where he was like, we'd even enter the zone. And I'd be like, oh, okay, I'm going to open up. Like, being a righty playing on the left side, I'd be like, okay, I'm going to pull away and open up from him. And I remember him coming to the bench, be like, what were you doing? And I'm like, I mean, get open. And he's like, no. like stay tight.

If I lose the puck, like you need to be on it. And even if like now when he plays, like you'll see it. Like every guy, he's a type of guy who like, if you're in the corner, don't like pull away from it.

He wants you to have like if he loses it, like poke it so he gets back in the corner and then he can do his thing again. Like he wants you to be like tight, like really within three, four feet of each other. And he likes to go tick, tack toe.

And then Nate is similar to Jack where it's like get me the puck and I'll find you. just put it out in front of them don't put it behind them because like obviously no one's going to catch them so yeah yeah and then get open and then um Sasha and Rhino like playing with those two

it's like the same here more like Sid where it's stay tight let's like work it together up the ice together and um even playing with guys like Chuckie Benny like there you have to learn not have to but like you like to learn how they play and try to compliment them as best as you can. And just seeing especially like those four, like the elite centers,

just how different they are, but how they're all still elite at what they do. It's like they find what they're good at. And it's like, all right, no one's going to stop me. Yeah. Dude, Dan, what a scary question from Sid when he's like, what were you doing? Oh, my God. I genuinely like my skin crawled when you said bad.

And I was like, I couldn't. I would legitimately take my shit off and be like this. Dude, I'll see myself out. I'm sorry. No, there's not a better guy than sit in the league. Like, I may have, like, came off wrong, but he is like... No, no, everyone says that, Jim. This guy is like, I mean, now playing with Barkie, it's two of the nicest people on the planet.

Like, they give you a bad pass and you're like, man, obviously you're like, my bad, like, sorry. Yeah. It's like, my bad. I'll kiss your feet. I'll make help for it. And they're like, no, no, it was me. It wasn't flat enough. I'm like, oh, yes.

Okay. Okay. Okay. You're right. Yeah, no, that's fine. Is there anything about any of those guys that, you know, off the ice stuff that kind of jumped out at you that surprised you about their personality, ways they kind of just like hang with the boys or do their thing in the locker room? Barkie is the funniest guy you will ever. No way. The funniest guy, like the driest humor you'll ever, like everyone comes off of this like quieter, like shy, you know, lead by exam. example, but you get him in a one-on-one or just in like a good mood, the driest humor you'll ever hear. Like it is a, like, and as soon, like for me, it took a year, you know, he obviously has his deal that he opens up to and like we've become closer.

And now, like, even like he'll come in and he'll have like a joke, like waiting for you. And he'll say, and you'll be, are you getting parted? Like, are you? Yeah, yeah. Excuse me? Do you just say that? And no, he's, he is all, like, he's. I've heard people say it before, but like I wish he would open up like more, honestly,

because he is hilarious. That's awesome. Yeah. That fires me up so much. Dude, well, another hilarious guy in your room is your coach. And one thing I love about him is that we either win or we learn. That's such a sick message. But I was dying, listen to some of you guys, because you've said that your guy's room

is so tight, but obviously you chirp each other a ton. And he gets it on the action. too, Maurice, where he's like, what was that one where he's like, you guys are sweet sauce in it tonight, boys, and he's like, you guys are being too cute, you know? What's, what's he like? Like, how does, what is it about his messaging that gets the best out of you guys? I think he's just real. Like he's, he's, he's. Yeah, nice. And I, maybe over time it gets easier because, you know, we're a winner now and, you know, the broom's very close. And, but since I've been here for the two years, I've been here, he's just honest and real. Like, he doesn't, you know, those, you know,

moments where you say something and you're like, oh, like that was, that was awkward. Like, he'll do that in our meetings. He'll, like, say something and the guys will just, like, kind of give it one of these. And he's like, oh, man. Like, yeah, calls it out. Yeah, he's like, honestly, like one of us. And it's, he says what's on his mind. And if it, like, it's like, it's like he makes mistakes too. Like, he'll say something. And if we don't agree, he'll like, oh, all right. Like, yeah, I was wrong. Like, even, it's funny, like the exit meetings. Like, even that, he'll be like, hey, like, I tried this this year and, like, it didn't work. Like, I was like, I had never won before.

You guys had never won before. Like, I had a point, like, in the season where, like, I thought I was doing the right thing and clearly I wasn't. So, like, he just, he's, he's just honest. Like, he's our coach and he gets us motivated. And that's probably his biggest talent. Like, he knows exactly, like, when to push and when to not. He's masterful at it.

Like, I've never had a coach that, like, knows when to be, like, okay, let's let them figure it out. And when it's like, okay, like, enough's enough. And it's not yelling every day. Like, we'll go on, you know, four or five game losing streaks. And he'll be like, all right, we're just going to let them figure it out. And, like, wait almost until, like, one of us steps up. And so he's just, he's very, he's, the way he thinks about coaching is, is masterful.

Like, he, it's unlike any other coach I've ever had. Yeah, that's awesome. He seems like the type of guy. that you guys can go to with stuff too. Is that right? Like if you ever needed to say something to him, ask him something like he's always there and it makes you feel comfortable to do that. Oh yeah. He's, there's always an open door with him. And like he just, you don't even have to though, because even in our like team meetings, he'll just say what's on his mind. So you don't have like, if he thinks like he'll call out a guy in the room and like that's where like the maturity of our

group and like how close we've become or like he'll blatantly call out a guy and like, you know, Usually, like, when someone gets called out, like, the room leaves, like, quiet. Like, our room, someone will get, like, called out. And then as soon as the meeting's over, like, another guy will be like, nice play, like, Chuckie. They'll, like, chirp them right after the meetings over. Like, it's like, there's no. Yeah.

It's the best. Yeah. There's no, like, you walk out and be like, oh, my, like, we just got ripped. It's like, as soon as the meeting's over, it's like, yeah, buddy, like, that was the worst play I've ever seen. Like, nice play. Like, do it again. Like, nice pizza.

Yeah, yeah. Unbelievable. It's almost like we build on it. Like we're like, oh, most of us. I'm like, all right, we're going to get them even better. Like, we're going to get them. Dude, it's such a good standard to set. Dude, I think that's awesome.

You know, like, the honesty is the best word. But, like, that whole crew is just so real and honest with each other. It's amazing. Yeah. It's unbelievable. I say, I've said this before, but I always describe it as having, like, being in a locker room with, like, 20 of your brothers. Like, oh, you guys know. Like, you guys will, like, chirp each other more than anyone on the planet.

But then at the same time, like, there's no one else you're rooting harder for. Yep. And that's like where, that's like what we've become. Like we're shitting on each other all the time. But then it's like there's not a guy in this room that doesn't want the next guy to succeed and like get paid and like, you know. Dude, you can see it. God, I know, Dan. It's like, it's truly the most, it's so palpable how you guys are with each other.

And you even saw it when, when Marci got traded and day two, he's like calling Benny a scumbag on national TV. Yeah. This was like, I was like, yeah. It was like, yeah. It was like, hour two. In our group chat, the first words out of his mouth were chirping back. That's so good, dude. But that's like Marci, too.

Like, there's, I don't even know if there's, like, a guy in the league who could do what he does or, like, say what he does. Like, even his, like, Instagram comments. Oh, my God, buddy. Like, he had one today. I'm sure you'll find it eventually. But he had one today. We're in the gym. And he's like, I got to say something.

And he goes and he posts it. And all of us, like, man, I wish I had the nuts to say that. Was it the Lane Hudson thing? Yeah. Oh, I saw it immediately. I texted him. I was like, dude, you are out of control. And he was like, am I wrong?

Yeah, exactly. Like he's like, no. And like, every guy in the league is like, everyone's like, oh, I should have said that. You know what I mean? Yeah. Coming from him, it's like he can just say it. And he backs it up. It's unreal.

When he was still in Boston and he got named captain, he was talking to us, we were in Nashville. And he was just like, yeah, when I got named captain, they said I had to deactivate my Twitter. And we were like, yeah, it's probably smart. It's crazy. But you're right. It's all, like, I love how he does it. Yeah. It's funny. Like, guys, too, that come in. Like, the way we play, everyone, you know, like, Marci right, playing the system for 17 years. And I've skating Boston with them past 10. So. Oh, yeah. Shit.

I would talk to him for, you know, quite a bit. And he'd be like, the first few games, he'd be like, hey, where do I do like this? Whatever. Everyone, you know, you go to a new team. It's hard, especially when you're on the same team for however long he was in Boston. But there was a time, like, end of the season or maybe like first round of the playoffs where like we always like, we dump the puck in a lot. And like guys, once the playoffs come to especially, like we coach ourselves on the bench. Like there's no like, Mo will yell at us here and there. But for the most part, like every guy's holding each other accountable.

And Marci obviously, you know, didn't really dump a puck in for the past 17 years. So you never say we get to like Tampa, I think. Maybe Toronto is somewhere near the end of the season or beginning of the playoffs. And someone like hit the red. And from the bench, he was like, pound it. And our whole bench, I'm not kidding you. Everybody on the bench was like, and we're like, all right, it's over. Like we've got the thing.

Like we are winning. If Marshy's in, like, if he's dumping it in, yeah, that's so good. We're done. You know you're dialed at that point. This is where everyone's pulling on the rope. Like, we are, this thing's over. Yeah, that's fucking. Well, dude, going into that cup run, you've said a few times, winning the second time around was almost better and cooler because you knew what to expect. I love that and want to hear more about it. But there's one thing I did want to point out because going into this series, there were all the narratives, you know, like the revenge tour, Edmonton's been there. Let's see how this goes. They've got home ice now, this and that. We're in Edmonton. You guys lose that crazy game one in OT. And then you and I see each other in the gym. And we chatted a little bit.

And you were so fucking calm. You were so relaxed and collected. And the last thing we said to each other, I was like, how are you feeling? And you just kind of smirked to me. You were like, great. And then look at that. You go into another barn burning OT, game two and win.

How the hell did you guys stay so calm? And it's, you know, I know the answer can be everything that you're saying. It's like you guys, I can't think of a bigger unit as in a collective group and unit of brothers in the last 20 years in the NHG. But just going beyond that, stepping outside that and just kind of getting back into that mindset of like a little kid playing hockey because that is how you feel half the time. How in the world were you guys just so collected the whole time? I think we knew we were the better team in our mind. Obviously with McDavid and Dryside all like that's like the, that's the scary thing, right? Like you always.

There's not, there's no like stopping them. It's containing them. So like game one we lose and, you know, they were riding high and we. kind of felt like they, like their celebration postgame was like a little, a little early. Yeah. Like they were really fired up and we kind of knew it was a long series. And then game two, you know, I might have played at Com, but that was one we knew we had to win. And it was after game two, after we won game two, we got in the locker room and that's

when we kind of knew we had it because they had just played eight periods and those two had played, I don't know how many minutes. and then after that, like the way the schedule worked was they were in Florida for like 12 of, they were either traveling or in Florida for the next 12 of like 14 days because we had game three, a two day break. And then for game five, we traveled, played, and then left the next day. So we knew like at that point they were going to be exhausted. They had never, like every time we traveled into Edmonton in the past two years,

we'd always travel the day before the game, play. Like last year, or the first year we played them, we got in at like 10 p.m. one night because there was a thunderstorm. Yeah, that's right. Oh, yeah. That's a crazy story, too, for another time or later. But we knew, like, they had never experienced that. They would always travel the day.

They'd fly home. They'd get a day of practice, and then they'd play the day after. So they had never done this, and we'd done it every time. So we kind of knew, like, game five was ours. Like, that's our ranks that we had. and we knew they were going to be exhausted and after the first two games they had played I don't know how many minutes the two of them

probably close to 60 more I don't know I don't know what the exact number is so after we won game two we were like okay this like they are going to be no way they can keep this up especially those two and that was kind of where we were like okay like if we

our whole thing is if we play the way we can play like we're the only ones who are going to stop us and so after that we kind of like okay we just dialed us in and like we got this. Dude, I never considered that Dan with the travel stuff like in all that time in Florida. That's such a good point. That's amazing. Oh yeah. Yeah. Oh yeah. In the community if you're not

used to it, especially that time. Yeah, yeah. They'll get to you and they were, you can figure it out, but it was something like 12 or 14 days that they were in Florida from one game two ended to end of game six. Yep. That was big. Game two was big though. That was Larsi, right? In double-o-old. Yeah, that was fucking crazy.

You need a doubt. Yeah, we needed that one. So, like, we were going into games, you, like, it was, we were, we weren't, I may have played that one cool to you in the gym, but we weren't, like, we knew that was a must win. Like, that's what our mentality was, like, this is a must win. Oh, no doubt, no doubt. You could see it, too. Like, the way you guys were playing in O.T, it was like.

That rink is. You weren't going to let that one. Yeah, that rink is nuts, dude. Oh, my God. Oh, Jesus Christ, it's mental. Yeah. And that is like a compliment in the highest way. Like that arena, that barn is out of control.

Yeah. Game six of the first year, I've... Oh, dude. I've never, ever been in a rink that loud. It was madness. And then it was, that was a crazy atmosphere. Everyone's like, they're leaving. I'll never forget this either, like, walking off the a day after game six. and like the whole crowd's going like this.

Yeah. Yeah. Like, oh God. Dude, and you guys played it so cool then too. Oh my God. We're talking to Monty and he's like, yeah, dude, we knew. We were fine. Like, it was whatever.

Now the pressure was even. We had home ice. I was like, what are you talking about? No, you know what? I told everyone this and the true story, game seven, between games four, five, six, and seven, game seven was the most calm I was before either of those games. Because we had so many, like, get out of here.

I couldn't, I swear on anything. I couldn't eat my pregame. meal. I couldn't nap. Like, you're so excited about winning. Couldn't do legit. No nap, no pregame meal. Like, I would eat a couple bites and feel like throwing up. Like, you would gain seven hit. Hammered. Salad, plate, like everything. Napped for like two and a half hours. It was like, it's like, it's almost like the pressure was off because, like Monty said, like this is, this is, this is, Mo said it and we all firmly believe it. Like it was, they, we knew they were going to, finally have that feeling of like, oh my God, this is going to be the best comeback of all time.

If we get this done, like, this is going to be epic. Like, you know, Hyman's getting a book. I remember like that sort of. They knew, they had that feeling. So I guarantee you none of them napped. And we were all like, all right, like, here goes nothing. You know what I mean? That checks out.

That makes sense. Yeah. That's so game seven, it's hard to believe. and you're like, you might not believe me, but I swear, I didn't eat for like a week. That's so funny. And it was like, all right, here we go. There's nothing like, this is it. We're either going to win or we're going to lose and we're going to move on.

That's so unreal, dude. There was such a meal made of your guys rip after. You know, we were talking to Benny about the 72 hours after winning this year. We got, we were, you know, we were at elbow with those boys and everything. What was your, give me some highlights of your, from the final whistle till the parade. it was, so this year was better in the sense that, like, last year you were just like, you didn't know what was happening. Then someone would be like, all right, team dinner at six here, like, in three hours.

And you're like, all right, here we go. Yeah, yeah. And then the next night it was like, hey, we're going to catch. And then 11, like, okay, here we go. Like, just scramble and get going. It's like, hey, everyone's at Chuckie's house at 10 a.m. Like, all right, get, sorry, go to Chuck. Like, it was such like a whirlwind.

You didn't know what was going on. And this year, like, you could actually like, be like, all right, like, we're going to win or to stay in the locker room until like three, four in the morning. We're going to wake up, like, if you're going to elbow room if you can. If not, like, you're going to go to Chuckie's after. Then we're going to have full team meal. And the next day we're going to Miami. So you, like, knew what was coming.

Yeah. So we had, you know, it was Chuckie's house. And then we had a team dinner, like, on Los Olis, like rooftop, like whole family, everything. And then the next night did the Miami scene, which self-explanatory. Was casual. Yeah. Yeah. Like, you screwed enough.

We did Maple and Ash this year, and they put us in, like, put us in, like, a back room that was, like, the cat, like, it was, they dialed it, and it was unbelievable. And then 11 and whatever, that, you know, I've seen it. It's been talked about enough. Yeah. And then we had, you know, the parade was, that was another one. Like, last year, you know, it rained, but it also was.

Yeah. No one knew what was going on. And we were stuck, like, we were on the buses for, like, two hours prior because we're waiting for the storm to end so we could drive. So then like this year, it's like, all right, everyone's got ponchos. Like, they had coolers last year. This year they gave us like backpack coolers. So like everything was just smooth.

So you're like, yeah, yeah, yeah. So you like, enjoy all the like little things more. Like you got to, you got to take it in more. Whereas last year, like you were just like wide-eyed, like going through the motion. Just whole, just like enjoying it. But like you're just going through the motions. Whereas this year, like, you actually soaked it in. Like you.

So cool. You took it in. Like, I tried to make my kids a part of it as much as I could. Yeah. You knew where, like, I knew where they could be, where they couldn't be. Like, it was just, it was a smoother process. And for me, like, it was way more enjoyable because you could actually take it and enjoy it. Whereas last year, you just was like, what's next?

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, what's going on? You're just waiting for someone to write. You're the next text. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. My favorite thing about the parade this year was the city's preparation to motherfucker everyone

who was just being like, oh, there's no fans, like all those drone shots, all the video footage of... So many people there. It was really great watching a bunch of the Canadian fan bases squirming, trying to be like, oh, shit, there's a lot of people there, actually. It was crazy because we had to be, say we had to be the rink at 9. I ended up getting a hotel, like, down on the water, so they didn't have to go home.

We had it. After the parade, we do, like, a team, you know, team dinner and at a hotel, whatever. So I was like, hey, this year I'm just going to get a hotel down there. So I don't have to go home, come back, worry about people driving and people stand so over, whatever. So I came down here at like 7.30 to check in and I couldn't get to the hotel. Like it was. Oh, no way.

Because there's only like two bridges that come. Yeah, right. Yeah. To get down on where the parade route was. And I took, I had to like get cops and be like, hey, like I'm used the card. Like, hey, I'm having like, I kind of get to the hotel. I got to get to the ring to get on the bus. I need help here.

So like I got like a six man bicycle cop like escort, but down like the backside to get into this hotel. They waited for me. I just left my luggage at like the bellhop. I'm like, I'll be back. And then they escorted me back. And then once you're off like the bridge, it's you. You get back when I felt like such like a, such a dweeb.

Dude, everyone's so pissed. Like this fucking guy. Who is this guy? Yeah. I get a police escort. The first car I asked, it was like, he was, the guy I was like, hey, I'm Evan. He's like, just, you know, that you ask them. Yeah, yeah.

Like, sure. Sure you are. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, sounds good, pal. Yeah. Oh, my God, dude. Incredible. You did the Boston BU run last year.

This year, Disney World, with the family, and you sponsored a family, which I thought was so epic. So just, yeah, I was sick. Tell us how cool that was. Yeah. So, you know, last year, obviously brought it to BU, went on the Charles River. boat ride and then had like the big party which you know everyone comes days the cup and the whole day was like we got the flight got delayed in so everything got pushed back we ended up hitting like rush hour traffic last year so we didn't have any family time like not the single like no pictures no nothing so this year like we had 20 people it was

keeping it tight knit um we were at the four seasons you know they were dialed in and then we went to disney and went around the world drank around the world a little bit yeah did the rides the kids. My nieces and nephews and kids were like over the top. You know, you're good. A little Nesquick dude. Little Nesquick in the cup. How could you not be? Bunny juice. So I was a big Nesquick grown up. Like I always chocolate milk Nesquick. We used to use a syrup when I was younger. Now we have the top from Costco. There's a 400 gallon tub from Nossum. But one of my sons calls it bunny juice. Yeah, that's so good. It's like his one, like he had morning and night and whatever. So we're like, hey, we have to do that.

And then, yeah, went around the world. And then after that, just, our big thing this year was, like, we just want to make memories. Like, we want things that, like, everyone's going to remember. So we did the Disney thing. Then we came back, golfing. They had a lawn outside the hotel they let us use for mini sticks. And that caught, like, really competitive because, like, all my buddies, my brothers, like everyone, it started off as, like, for the kids.

And then all of a sudden, it was, like, party checking. Like, it got intense. And then we did like water slides, lazy river, just like things to remember. Cool. It looks so epic. You know, we'll have forever, stuff like that. Oh, yeah. So it was great day.

And then a nice dinner at night, fireworks. It was just a cool day. It's amazing, dude. It's simple. And, you know, obviously, I have a nice luxury to be able to do that kind of, you know, the second time around. So, yeah, it was a great day. And now that it's over, like, I couldn't be happier.

Yeah, yeah. That's awesome. And gifting that to the, to the family. The other kids you brought was so cool, dude. I don't know if I've ever seen anyone do that. Yeah, it was Joe DiMaggio is their. Yeah. They have a children's hospital here, and they've been great to us and our kids,

and whenever we need anything, like, it's, they have us taken care of. So just kind of wanted to give back, you know. Give it back, dude. Yeah. It was awesome. Just texted them and said, like, hey, kind of want to sponsor a family. If there's anyone needs, like, a boost, and, you know, kind of would make their day, bring them out to Disney.

you know, get them a couple-day park hoper passes and let them see the cup and put them up in a hotel and just kind of take their mind off of things. You know, like you want to, they're going through a hard time and you just, you want to give them something, you know, get their spirits up and, you know, take their mind off of things. And that was probably the, you know, best part of the day, I would say. Like, I think even everyone that was there with us. us, like, just to see, like, the effect it had. And I'm really glad, you know, we were able to do that because it's special. Yeah, it's special. Yeah.

Really? The next thing, you know, they're getting body checked through the bushes playing minors. Like, Jesus, dude, they don't signed up for it. It's supposed to be a fun day. No, it was like, and then my, there was like, what, my son had, like, a backdoor once equal, which everyone was like, we, like, not to, it was, like, out of nowhere. And everyone went, but then. It was like, it was like, it was awesome.

It worked out perfectly. And like the videos that came of it were awesome. Okay. Erod, let's hit you with a pass shoot score lightning round. Okay, you know how to play. We'll give you three things in a category. You rank them pass, shoot, or score. Pass is your least favorite because passing the puck's fine.

Shooting's your next favorite because to get puck's on net. But scoring is our ultimate favorite. Get the course. Yeah. That's my favorite. Like someone throws a muffin on net. You're like, oh, I say, coursey. Corcy.

That's such a good chirp. Oh my God, I'm stealing the fuck out of there. That's so funny. Okay, your first category is your favorite players growing up. Okay? So pass-shoots-s score, Alexander McGilney, Marcus Nasland, Pavald-Dat-Soo. So growing up, I'll go, Pavel Datsu pass. Really?

Yep. Dude, he likes the off-wing guys, Dan. He likes the off-wing guys, Dan. He likes the off-way. And this is me. This is like when I was growing up. Because Datsu kind of, I would. was a little older when you got, you know, to be Datsuk. So, and then I'll go,

McGilney shoot, Nazland score. I was a big, I was a huge fan of that Morrison-Bertuzzi Nazan line. I was a van, I used to, like, first, like, first snapback was Vancouver Connect. I was on board. Like, I was a huge. They were nasty. Yeah. They were nasty. So, but then McGilney, when he was in Toronto, I loved them too, but I'll go that order. Now, like, if you were to ask me now and after watching, um, I'd put, Datsuk at the top, but growing up when I was a kid, that would be my order. Like, this is like you're talking to like 10, 11, 12 year old. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I actually love those, like, when you're young and you're not totally understanding the game and the significance of certain players, there are just guys you clung to that you're like, I just love this dude. One of mine was Michael Pecka. There you go. He was just one of those guys as a kid. I was like, this guy, I don't even know why, but I was like, this guy plays the right way, He plays Hardy's snapback draws.

Like, this guy's awesome. Dude, it was Martan LaPointe for me. I just loved him. He was a badass. And like, you know, no one's heard that name in 20 years. So it's crazy. All right, your next one, I care a lot about this one because I think that you are your quality in this area. This one's going to be your Mark Russell suits.

So pass-shoot score, your blue plaid, your gray pinstripe, and then the light blue one that the boys have. Okay, I'll go past the blue plaid, shoot the gray pinstripe, and then score the blue one. But it's good, having a suit the same as your kids, like, there's, that's, that's so sick. Like, even if it was my, it's so sick, even if it was my least favorite, like, it could be, like, just a plain black suit. It still picked that one. Like, that is, but the fact that it's, like, ice blue, they picked it out. Like, it was. So they?

Yeah. So they picked it out. And then so we have like a kid's day this year that we're going to get another one. So my middle son's going to pick out this year's. Last year he wanted just like bright red. Like he was like, just right. That's kind of nasty. I like, we're going to go with Tracons though this year.

Next year you can you can pick out the one for this year. So we're going to try to get maybe a little pattern something. Yeah. You know, but yeah, they picked it out. So that's like I'm looking forward to wearing that one. is one of those especially lucky like do you have one

that you're winning a lot in so the blue plaid one was the first year was my game seven suit and so I wore it I kept over past that dude yeah well it didn't it was last year

it was the yeah it didn't translate it didn't translate yeah it wasn't we tried it wasn't so it was but yeah the first year

I wore game one and then I wore it I forget it was like each closing game, and then I would wear like the one suit, only, I wouldn't roll suits over. And then it got to the finals and I, we obviously lost four or five, six. And every series I was just wearing a different suit every game. And so it got to four, five, six.

And I was like, I haven't lost in this suits. And I got it right before playoffs to them. Pretty. Or whatever it was. I forgot the story. But it was like, I hadn't lost the whole playoffs in it. So I'm like, okay, like I got to bring this back. Yeah, I got to whip it out.

So, yeah, I wore it game seven. and I'm pretty sure it worked game 6th actually this year too. Fuck, okay, yeah. I was like, okay, I'll give this. Because in my head, I'm like, it wasn't working. Actually, I know for a fact I did because it wasn't working this year and it wasn't working in the playoffs. And then I was like, okay, I have to work game 6 because if it doesn't work, then like I can't save it for game 7 because it's. Yeah, true.

Oh my God. Can you imagine? And it was like, we're at home. Like everything was kind of. So that one has like the most. I guess has like the juice in it, but the gray pinstripe I think just looks like. I feel like I'm like, wall. It's so gas.

Yeah. I couldn't believe you didn't score that one. I also have like the big question. The one that I really like this year too was the green white check one. That one was up there too. He's gotten me. I just got myself a green suit and like I'm not, I'm not kidding you. That suit that you just mentioned is I'm like, yes, green suits are so nails.

He's got me dialed. We just, I went in there like a couple weeks ago and did the ones for this year, and it's, I'm excited. You're excited. I was always like, I never really like was big into it, but like now that I'm like working with them, I'm like this. I'm like, I'm looking forward to like everything. It's amazing. That was about to be my question. With the no dress code, are you still going to rock the suit?

No, yeah, I'm going to suit for. I've done it my whole career. Like I'm not changing now. Yeah. I might know, like, no, I might mix in like a no tie, but I've, I don't know. all. It just, you've done it. Good play good, dude. You're like, I'm not changing now. You know what I mean? Yeah, yeah.

It's also classy as shit, dude. Yeah. Keep it up. It's fantastic. Like, when else do you get to wear a suit? Like, to a wedding? You know what I mean? That's my biggest thing, dude. It makes you go into it feeling good. I know how these suits, I never wear them. And I'm like, this sucks. Yeah. It's ridiculous. Okay, here's your last one.

This category is things that make you nostalgic. Okay? So, pass shoot, score. the book Captain Underpants this goal call Woo Woo! Kenny Woo! Or this address. 208 Bay State.

Oh, I will go past Captain Underpants but that was like my childhood. So I'm having a hard time doing that. And then shoot 208 Bay State. just that was it was self-exambered.

Yeah. And then growing up like it was, the score has got to be woo, Kenny Woo. Like that was, that's what we always like. I had three movies. It was that. Angels in the Outfield and Monkey Trouble. Like I don't have another memory of watching anything else as a kid.

Other than like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Like that was like cartoon. Like those are, I don't remember watching anything else as a kid except for those movies. Coming at us with an Angels in the Outfield is iconic. That movie fucking rocks. I watched it for the first time in like years of my kids like three days ago. And it was like, yeah, we had to step over like some parts that, you know, whatever.

But it was like that movie is awesome. It's electric. It's also so crazy thinking about the people who are in that like Matthew McConaughey, Adrian Brody and Joseph Gordon Levitner. I know. I actually listen to his book too, Matthew McConae. and he's like his like story like he's whatever and saying like the roles how he started and he said that and I was like that's what kind of brought it up like I got to watch that again I thought I did that's great but I was not prepared for that shout out what a poll yeah what a poll yeah and Kenny Wu what a guy love love me some Kenny Will great ad that whole movie is just it's an all time are the boys watching the ducks movies yet they got to be right yeah oh yeah yeah there's the first one like we'll watch the first two a lot um but

They go on to my oldest is a huge Little League World Series kick. That's all that's been on our TV. That and Savannah bananas, it's all that's been on a TV for the past month. Dude, the boys are in a baseball mood. Yeah, they're sports kids, which is awesome. Are they socks fans or Marlins? Yeah, that's fantastic. They don't, I don't even think they know what the MLB is.

Yeah, like there's just Little League and Savannah bananas. Dude, their dream is, they're dreaming about being a Savannah banana. Yeah, that's their team. No, we've explained to that, like, watching the Little League. World Series. Like, this is like baseball, but like little kids, and this is like, this is like entertainment. And he gets that, he's like, every time he catches the ball now, it's like trip plays. Like, every time he throws it to me, like you have to go through his legs. Throw it. Like, it's doing like tornado patches and stuff.

Oh, yeah. I love it. Whatever makes them happy. Yeah, exactly. Dude, let it go. That's perfect. All right, well, E, we got to let you go get, go pick up these kids at the moment. Before we let you jump, is there anything you want to shout out, call out, anything like that? I don't think so. Usually I like to give a shout out to my family because, like, Brownie points and like the kids are awesome and my wife's awesome. There you go. It's perfect. And yes, they are. That's amazing. Yeah, lucky guy. Well, dude, you are the fucking best. Thank you so much for popping on. This is a blast. I feel like we got to do this again.

Hell yeah. There's more. There's more stories to be told. The kids are cutting you short. I make them wait in line for a little longer, but. I want to hear the, I want to hear the plane, the thunderstorm on the plane story. Oh, yeah. Yeah, that was next. Really quickly, we had to have like our people, like our team services people and our like training staff, like drive the like luggage truck, drive the gas truck to the plane and fill it up ourselves. Because the airport people, they weren't allowed out of the building. So it was a full blown thunderstorm.

So we gassed up our own jet, like put the bags on our own plane. and then our pilot was like, here we go. Like, right. Oh, my God. I'm talking like full thunderstorm. Like, I don't even borderline tropical storm probably. Like, full-blown thunderstorm flooding all around the area. And they're like, we got to go.

Like, we don't have a choice. And the pilot's like, all right, here we go. Okay. Everyone's strapped in. Like, we're going. Yeah, buckle up, boys. That take off. It's a machine and miracle.

You take off and within like two minutes. Once you get out of the clouds, it was like not a bump in the sky. the rest of the way. Yeah. It's just like, it's getting struck by lightning seven times. Yeah, legit.

Like they come on with the t-tros. Like, drenched, completely drenched. All of our equipment managers drove the little ramp truck and then our, like, team services guy,

like drove the gas truck. I don't know who knew how to gas it, but someone did. It, dude. Someone did and legit, gasped up a plane. And loaded it. And here we go,

game three. And then we went in there. Like, got into 10. Everyone's storyline was like, got in at 10 o'clock, 11 o'clock. Yeah, yeah, yeah, we're fine. Yeah, we're loud. We're good.

And then game four, pounding. Yeah, right. They caught up to us game four. Yeah, yeah. Pounded. All those jet fuel fumes eventually caught up to you guys. We rolled the adrenaline and then we were like, oh, boy. Then the HRVs went from like 150 to like two.

Plum it, yeah. What an absolute beauty. I want him to come on every month. We will have him back on. plenty. There's no doubt about it. He's in the fam. It's beautiful, beautiful, beautiful stuff. Dude, he's funny. Oh, he's hilarious. He's really funny. Great storyteller. I actually really enjoyed

that because, you know, obviously all the boys are pretty media trained in their interviews and stuff, but I didn't know, some of them I can tell that they got jokes. But Yrod is fucking sneaky, funny. Electric. Going to do another ad break, and then we're going to get into a beer league hotline, a double dose. Double dose. Here's a question for you. Do you have this dog in you like I do? Because the mug root beer that hits so well every time I have it gives me that dog inside me.

You know Dan and I just had to take a red eye back to the East Coast. Haven't been on a red eye in years. Screaming baby next to me the whole time. Screaming. I get no sleep. I land. And I got to act. I got to be ready to go.

I got to have a dog moment. And because I was so tired and I thought to myself, Nope, this whole day's ruined. Now I have to take a nap and miss everything I'm here for. Boom. Mug root beer. No caffeine, no sugar. Don't need any of that.

I just need the dog that comes inside every can. Because that's what gets me going. And that lets me have an unfiltered, dog-powered life the way I want you to have one. Okay? So the next time you are craving something cold like this, something frothy like this, something packed with unapologetic dog house flavor, then I want you to crack open a mug root beer. just like I do. You can find them at your local stores or you head to mug rootbeer.com

slash find dash mug. That's F-I-N-D-M-U-G. And you can find out how you get your paws on some mug and have dog days just like I do. Thank God we're at the bar because it is time for Beer League Hotline. We got a special shout-out Beer League Hotline and then we're getting into the real deal. So hit us with the shout-out first. We got this Beer League Hotline submission, which is just DM, just DM us. Okay. We get a million of them. But this one was from, I'm not, I'm trying to say this wrong, probably, but Mark Agowin.

Don't look at me. You're acting like, I know the guy. You're the name guy. I'm the name guy. Yeah, yeah. What is that even mean? You can pronounce any name on earth. I'm, that's, I think that that's kind of true.

I'm pretty good at names. It is. But I can't see it. You have the dock. But I'm not looking at it. Okay. Well, look at it now. Mark Aguwen.

I think Agwin's probably right. Agowan. It says, Fellas, I'm 32 and started playing hockey with my team 13 years ago. Some of the guys had played when they were younger and some, like me, learned the game in their 20s. I proudly report this is the first year we have won our

spring summer division. I know it's not anywhere near the feeling of a real league win. Yes, it is. But considering most of us met and started playing together in our early 20s, I could not be more proud of our lineup for sticking with it, having as much fun as possible, and finally winning

our Beer League division. Wow. We are going to adopt the idea of signing some wood sticks for the roster that won thanks to your previous episode. Just wanted to say thank you for promoting that idea and keeping this game as accessible and fun as you guys can. Big fan, thank you if you read this. Wow. Gas. That's cool. We're spread in tradition. Sign the sticks. Get an old wood stick. All the boys sign it. You will never forget those ships. It's better than the shitty trophy that all of these leagues give you. Dude, we get a cup. Yeah. I'm like, thanks. That's essentially the equivalent of your names on the cut. Because all your names are going on that tweet.

So sick. So Mark, big congrats, you and the boys. Because that's a real shit. Love that for Mark. Fantastic stuff. Wags, it is now time to hit us with the Beer League hotline that we will be discussing this week. Our regular goalie had to quit the team because he was having a kid and couldn't commit anymore because he wouldn't have time with the baby. We got a new goalie who was both way better and a super solid dude.

basically won us the ship this year. Sadly, the original goalie lost his child in a miscarriage and now wants to come back. What do we do? I can't. Dude, believe. I can't. Sometimes I can't begin that things that aren't funny at all. I can't begin to express how happy I am that I did not start reacting and responding before you finished that wags. Like, I was ready. I had work. in my mouth and I was ready for them to come out of my mouth and say some not so nice things. This is a tragedy. Is a tragedy. For a number of reasons.

This is Shakespearean tragedy. Dude, what do you think is more tragic? A Greek tragedy or a Shakespearean tragedy? Greek. Okay. This is a Greek tragedy, dude. Because... Hold on. Hold on. Hold on.

The first thing... that needs to be addressed here is this man sending this message in. This is literally the most insanely insensitive thing I have ever seen from a human being. The fact that you think that you need to come to us. On the heels of Mark Aguwen, dude. You think I get this guy. I get this terrorist. On the heels of Mark Aguwen.

You think that you need to bring this dilemma to us? You can't figure this one out on your own. Buddy, you obviously bring him back. This is not a question. Your brother in arms lost a child. And you're going to go, we found someone better than you. He's good.

You can't play in. We won the ship. You can't play no more. Dude, this guy needs you more than ever. Yes, and unfortunately, the other goalie will be immediately poached by another team in your division and you will lose every championship from now on because you are up against a human brick wall. That is what is about to happen. No, no, no, no. And on top of that, I need you to know this.

And I actually want to take this opportunity to normalize how common miscarriages are, because, because people are devastated. This is not the forum for this. This is absolutely not the forum for this. This couple will get pregnant again. Yes. And have a baby. You'll have as many beautiful children as you want.

And it's going to be incredible. He's going to quit imminently. We know his playbook the second they hit 12 weeks. And we want you to know that we are here for you and we love you in this time. So, Dan, if they take him back now, 12 weeks from now, listen to me. He is quitting. He's quitting.

You are on a short leash. He's quitting. You're talking too much. He's quitting in 12 weeks. We don't. And early congratulations. Will you shut up? For your baby.

Will you shut your pie hole? We don't lose the new goalie. You go tandem. Oh, okay. Now you're Mr. Tandum, dude. You go tandem. Now you're Mr. Tandum. You go tandem because you have a phenomenal goal.

And he's good vibes, too. Yeah, he's the man. You don't lose the new goalie. You absolutely bring your boy back. You tell the new goal of the situation. And you say, listen, these guys, they're going to try again. They're going to get pregnant again. And he will have to step back again.

And then the job is yours. Yeah. That will happen. The miracle of childbirth will happen for these people. And we're rooting for it. Oh, I know. And you just cannot lose your guy. Yep.

You explain the situation. You fucking bring him back immediately. Yes. And shame on you for even messaging us. We love you, but shame on you. This is not a. a question. You bring him back, but you don't lose the new goalie. Bring him back in an advisor capacity. Ridiculous. An advisor to the team. It is time to get into a Bauer blind ranking.

Bauer bringing us the greatest gear in the world in the hockey game, and we are bringing you the greatest blind rankings going. C.P. We're doing Bauerblind rankings. N.HL.com's most underrated goalies. They release their list. We're going to rank them. Underrated. Interesting. This is difficult because what if someone is on here that I'm like underrated?

Yeah, do you want to, are we ranking them on their underratedness or their straight up ability? I think their straight up ability. Okay. Not like, well, this guy's more underrated. Like they have categorized these guys as underrated. Yeah, they published this article. I didn't do this. Yeah, they went, here are the most underrated goalies in the league.

Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I love it. Wags, hit us. Aiden Howe. Four. No way, dude, no way.

I think this list is going to be Fubar. No way. I think there's going to be so many good gullies on here. I need minimum three. Fine, deal. I hate a three. I maybe even go two. Deal.

What, three? Yeah. I knew that was going to happen. Four. I literally, I think you're going to, I think you're going to want four here. I think Aiden Hill's been a little banged up. We know, we know him. We love him.

the man. Give me three. Deal. Three. Mac Blackwood. Four. And I'm okay with that. The Aves fans are gonna... I know, but dude, he needs... He needs to do... He had a nice, he had a lovely little run there. Lovely little post-trade run. Lovely. Adorable.

I think he is, like, he's great. Aiden Hill won a cup, dude. Aiden Hill won a cup. I want a cup. Tell Mac to get out of the first round, dude. Tell Mac to get out of the first round. I just... I don't get out of the first round. I just... I don't get this whole thing. Like Mac, Mac last year had like a 9-12, say, percentage, 2.55 goals again.

Yeah, lovely little runs. Good year. 28, 21, and 6. Like, he's good. He's good. He's good. Lovely little run. I'll take a four. I'll take a four and love it. I think I'll take a four there.

Kemper. That is, dude, how are you a Vezna-Fi? finalist and we're calling you underwriters. NHL.com, dude. What? Um, one. One.

One. It's the finalist. One. Two. Because you are thinking that a certain friend of ours is going to be on this list. Who is better than him? They're both so good.

Because there's someone that they, Because I've seen it's an article. I've read the article. There's someone that they named who's better than Kemper, I think. Kemper obviously got a Vesna nod and this person didn't. Sure. But I guess I don't know if he's coming. So we could go one.

I think Kemper is one. He was a Vesna finalist. That was his only time that happened, right? Believe so. Okay. Yeah, we'll go Kemper one. Dostal. Oh, wow.

Fantastic, too. Yeah. But maybe. five. There is a chance. Yeah, I think he has to be five. Okay, if we do this, we are actively going, we have fucked up. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

It's not five, but we're doing it to save face because thinking maybe a better two is coming. And if the dude doesn't come, we're fucked. Yeah. Or we go two and then apologize. Something like bad. No, I think we go five here and we apologize. A thousand parts. Lucas, I love you.

I wear your shoes all the time. do, actually. You are not five. We are doing this to try to save our asses. Five. My list was set in stone before we started this. LT. Yes! Yes! Unfortunately, Lucas Dosell needed to die for us to save the list. Which was nearly great. Yes, it was nearly great. LT and Darcy are, I'm like one A, one B. Both phenomenal. Man. Three, four in the Vesda. LD.

I feel terrible about that. Yeah, that was tough. We wear his shoes. I hate to see it. Absolutely hate to see it. That is going to end this episode of the Empty Netters podcast. Hope you enjoyed that interview with Evan Rodriguez, back-to-back Stanley Cup champion.

CP is trying to talk to a dog in the studio here. We've got some great stuff. Fun stuff coming for you later in the week. As always, enjoy your week. Until you see us next time on Thursday. Beautiful stuff. guys buy some merch, subscribe to the YouTube.

Follow us on all the socials. This fucking guy is absolutely distracting the shit out of me, so I'm just going to kick it to him. I'll say, we'll see you next time, and until we do. Barkhart.