Empty Netters Podcast - The Greatest World Junior Team Of All Time w/ Andrew Ladd

Episode Date: December 23, 2024

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Thank God you said that, dude. You are the biggest sturgeon slayer I've ever seen on Earth. Ice is ready, and we are back with another episode of the Empty Netters podcast, brought to you by BetMGM, and two-time Stanley Cup winner. Andrew Ladd is joining the podcast. The man stays busy. Still, he stays busy. I almost had, not almost, I had pant tightness, table liftingness when he was talking about Berg. at the world juniors.

Oh, dude, because you remember being, because we had seen him play for the bees. And obviously some guys that are, that are a year in pro go,

the team lets them leave for world juniors. Like that happens in life, but it was a lockout so there was just like, go. And there was all the sit hype and all that stuff,

but I just remember being like, we got a dog. Oh, he's dialed. So cool. And then also hearing stories about like a young, up and coming Patrick Kane,

Jonathan Dave, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Patrick Sharp, like guys about to win a Stanley Cup in Chicago, is so legendary. So legendary hearing about those stories, the parties too, unreal. And yeah, like I said, this guy, you're reading up on him. And the way this fucking dude was starting foundation, starting different programs while playing and is now on back to back to back to backs all day because he's just grinding.

He's the picture of how to just keep rocking even after you retire. Special, special dude. Special dude. We'll let you get into it. Enjoy this interview. Andrew Ladd, you are the best for coming on. Hope everyone has a great time. We are joined today by a Maple Ridge, British Columbia native, a world junior gold medalist, the fourth overall pick in the 2004 draft of the Carolina Hurricanes, who also played for the Chicago Blackhawks, the Atlanta Thrashers, the Winnipeg Jets, the New York Islanders, and the Arizona

coyotes. You know you're getting up there when two teams you played for don't even exist anymore. and a two-time Stanley Cup champion in 06 with the Cains and 2010 with the Hawks, Andrew Ladd, welcome to the Entenetters podcast. Let's go. Thanks, guys. Yeah, thanks for having me. It's always like that list has gotten bigger and bigger over the years.

But Ray Whitney always said it's just a sign that more teams wanted you. Fact. Love that take. It's the only take to have, dude. It just means you're an incredibly desirable guy. Yeah. That's just the reality. Got to see North America, too.

You know, a lot of guys, these guys stay in this one team the whole time, you never saw anything. It's absolutely beautiful. Dude, we also just want to jump in and say we're a little early, but I kind of like this. We're getting the first one in. Happy birthday. Thanks, fan. Yeah, thank you. Tomorrow.

I got one year left before the big four-oh. Yeah, we got to make sure you absolutely rip it, dude. I was going to ask, I was going to ask if there was any midlife crisis forming already now that we're ending the decade. How are you feeling? Yeah, not yet. Not yet. So it's too busy to have crisis right now.

Yeah, right. Right. There's no Porsche outside. Stay locked in, stay dialed, and you're going to be absolutely fine. Unbelievable. Yeah. Yeah. Well, dude, we want to jump into tons of your career here. And at first, you know, doing some fun research on you and just looking at your great, great career. The start, which I feel like has modeled a lot of what you are involved in now and the lessons that you've passed down to young hockey players. When we go back to the WHL, you were getting an early start back when you're 16, you're playing in the, WHL for the Vancouver Giants and you have this amazing story about how you get cut. And you keep a great mentality, want to get back into it, and then you get cut again. And then you eventually get traded to the Calgary Hitman after long conversations with your dad about what to do, how to keep the right mentality.

And you absolutely light it up, dude. Like unbelievable numbers, second in the league and points for first year players, I think. You won the plus minus award, absolutely buzzing. And then next thing you know, you're the second highest rated North American player. you get drafted fourth overall in Raleigh for the hometown team. Talk to us about that whole journey and really how it kind of has molded you as a player and now a mentor with that mentality of getting through adversity like that. Yeah, it's definitely really shit.

I'm coaching my kids are 11, 10, and 8 right now. So I'm coaching an age group that's pretty impressionable. And I think we all know what it's like now for young hockey players, coming up and feeling like they need to be the best at, you know, seven years old. And if they're not, it's a big downfall. So I think for me, growing up in a different time, I really, first of all, I just love the game. I love to compete. And I kept working and getting better. So early on, I actually like started before that because I used to play with my brother. My brother's year older. So we would play together every other year. In my first year, Banham, I got cut from the

team. So I had, I broke my leg early, the year before and came back and got cuffed from the team. And I always say like that was like the first like real adversity that I faced, which is funny to say because, you know, you're, you're over old and you're like, oh man, I got cuffed in the 18. But in, you know, it's everything with context. It's the world that you live in. And like it's a big deal, right? It was a big deal for it for me. And there was like a embarrassment and shame for like not making the team. And I look back in a lot of. of a lot of different things. And in that moment, it was like,

I remember my parents sitting me down and would be like, hey, okay, like you have a choice. Like you can go and be miserable as whole year because you're not playing with your buddies and your brother or you can make the best of the opportunity that you have ahead and make new friends and enjoy just playing hockey. And so that I decided to do that. And I think like the side part of that was being one of the best players

on the B team was much more impactful for me than being middle of the pack on the A team. So I played more. I was in every situation and I was the go-to guy. So as I, and I saw value in that and like, I was like, oh,

I really enjoyed being that player for that team. So it was interesting, I don't know if I truly understood that at the time, but as I moved along into like playing in junior and trying out for the Vancouver Giants when I was 16 and getting cut, I was just like, okay, cool. Like, I already know what to do.

Yeah. I'm going to go back and I'm going to find another team and I'm going to enjoy playing there and I'm just going to keep getting better, keep getting better. Yeah. And so that was the first time. And then, you know,

I went back as a 17 year old. Actually, like, they called me up late in the season as a 16 year old to play a game. So I played one game and obviously different now with the new rule change for CHL and NCAA and all that stuff. But so like I screwed my eligibility up essentially to like play that one game. So I came back the next year thinking, and hey, I had a legitimate shot to be a part of the team.

And lo and behold, yep, cut again. So I went back and played junior B. The next year I went back and played junior A. But in every situation, I went back and I played more. I was a go-to guy on one of those teams. And I kept building my confidence and my ability to, you know, to, you know, especially play the game offensively. I always had a knack for like working my butt off and grinding.

but I was able to add like that that offensive part of my game and work on that. And then halfway through my 17-year-old year and junior A, I got traded from the, my rights got traded from the Giants to the Calgary Hitman. And my cousin actually played for the Calgary Hitman at the time. So the next year, I was thinking about going, I was thinking about redshirting in college for a year at that point. So I had a few colleges reach out.

Which one? Can you say? but the midgy state was interested. I think Maine had like called, but like that was it, right? So nothing concrete, but like they're definitely, I was like, oh, that could be a path for me. And so, but when they traded for my rights, my cousin was playing there. So I was like, oh, like he was my best friend growing up. I'm like, oh, I'll give it one more shot because if I have a chance to play with him, that'd be awesome.

And I went and tried out. And lo and behold, just made the team out of camp. And, you know, Ryan Getslaff, and I remember, like, Brandon Siegel was a Nashville high pick. So I started off. They were actually at NHL camp, and they came back. And then I suddenly found myself with him or with Getsy and Siegs. And all of a sudden it was like, wow, like, we started to build some chemistry and had an amazing year. And, you know, throughout that year, it's such a weird moment because you're like not on the radar.

And then all of a sudden, like, you're moving up the draft rankings. out of nowhere, but it almost came out of nowhere, like it allowed me just to play. I wasn't really thinking. I'm like, I had zero expectation and nothing to lose. So it ended up being a great learning experience for me and something that I, you know, anytime I talk to parents or kids nowadays, it's like, man, like you guys have, these kids are eight years old. They have like 10 years before this matters.

Yeah, for sure. And 20 years before you want to be the best at what you do. Yeah. Like when you think about it from that standpoint, like, hey, you have a shitload of time to develop as a hockey player and as a person to get that next level. Dude, you're Michael Jordan. You're getting cut by your junior team and then you're getting drafted forth overall. Like, you're the perfect person to talk to these young kids. You're like, look at me. It all works out, baby. I wish I had Michael's career.

Man, when you were buzzing in that year with Calgary, were you able to kind of step back and say to yourself, holy shit, you know, the work I've put in, is is working out it's i i i do belong here i am going to make it to that next level or were you just so in it and in the zone of you know how you're playing was it was it total whiplash for you because like you had a funny quote that you were like i was young and dumb and i just wanted to play hockey but i'm like it must have been crazy to be like i was literally out of this and now i'm the number two prospect like that is crazy yeah i don't like it was what i said earlier was true like i i really truly loved what I did and I love to compete. Yeah. And I gained confidence from from how I trained in the offseason.

Like I would say I was like an early adopter of training and and working out with my trainer back in Maple Ridge. His name was Adam Francilia who was actually like, weirdly enough, was working with a lot of the top goalies in the NHL now. So I was an early adopter that and it really was like repetition and and and, and, work ethic that built my confidence. So by the time I got to Calgary, I had put so much time and effort into that, that it was just like, oh, like, I had confidence from, from the journey that I had taken and just continually trying to get better and better. Totally. And that I'm always curious when, when guys are a very high draft pick in a draft, I'm always curious if you're aware of

the guys you're getting drafted with. And obviously that sort of being the Evetchkin draft, were you aware of him? And did you have any idea of the type of player he was going to become or was it just like, you know, another young guy that you were like, oh, yeah, here's this guy from Russia. I don't know how he's going to be. Yeah, I think like at that time you had heard about OVy and like the expectation that was on his shoulders and kind of the next great thing to come out of Russia.

So, I mean, in that draft class, it was definitely, it was Ovi and Malkin and everybody else. Yeah, that's how everyone felt going into it. Um, and like I said, I was so excited just to be in that position. Like, I didn't really care where I ended up. But then there's like you're, you're still paying attention to like, you know, like Cam Barker was in Medicine Hat when I was in in Calgary. So like you're paying attention.

Like you know he's a high prospect. And like when we played them, it was like, oh yeah, like every time I get a chance to go through barks, I'm going through. Yeah. I love that. Yeah. So like you know that and you're, it's like a one up competition. Like whenever you're playing each other, you're assuming.

you know, scouts are watching and paying attention to those, those games, just to see how you show up. So that was always in the back of my mind is like fuel, like, okay, just, I think as, as with long seasons, you're always looking for ways to like get motivated to play night and night out. And that was just another reason to do that. Absolutely. Totally. Well, the prospects is a perfect segue into the world junior tournament, which I'm so excited to talk to you about.

You get picked for that 2005 team, obviously such an honor always to wear the national team sweater, right? So you've already got that going for you. And that was the lockout year. So everyone knew it was going to be such a unique tournament. And it was stacked up. Like you just said Gino and Malkin on the Russia team, Flip Kessel on USA, Tuka Rask, David Krati.

And then you guys casually are like, Dude. Shea Weber, Dionne Funf, Mike Richards, Corey Perry, U, Kroze, Berg. Stacked. Ridiculous line I've ever seen. You go 6 in O. You score, I wrote it down.

You score, oh, and Getzzi. I didn't even say Getzzi. You score 41 goals. You give up seven beat Russia 6-1 in the final. You two have two apples in. What was it like playing on that team? That's ridiculous. Oh, man.

I think everyone knew, like, the year before set the stage for the next year and the expectations the next year. Because, like, they had such a young team. So they had so many returning players. They, you know, in hindsight, they had a tough bounce in the finals against the U.S., the U.S. one. but for a young team, like they, they, you know,

dominated for most of that tournament. So I think everyone knew coming back next year, the chances of, of us winning a gold medal was pretty high. So like, for me, coming into it,

I'm like, I just want to be a part of this team. Like, I'll do whatever it takes to be a part of this team. So, lucky enough, you know, Brent Sutter's a coach. He, you know,

he coached in Red Deer just down the road. So he had the opportunity to see me, you know, 15 times a year, playing against. the Red Deer Rebels. So I think I had that working for me. And it was just like it was the first experience I had that like, oh, this is what it's like

to be a pro. Oh, cool. And it was like just like the execution level, the preparation from Brent's side to like even the players and how how when we hit the ice for practice, it was so dialed and everyone was so crisp and executed. And it was just the intensity level. was nothing that I'd ever seen until that point. You know,

and then there's always the fun stuff, right? Like, you know, Sid not being able to walk around outside because, you know, as a 16 year old kid, like that was, you know, crazy. That was crazy to watch,

see him handle that at such a young age. And I think we, we maybe take for granted sometimes, like how well he has handled the expectation, literally from that moment all the way. For sure. Such a good point. To the end of his career.

So, um, So that was the first thing that that stuck out to me. And then obviously once you're a part of that team, it was just, again, like the failure that you could tell the failure the year before in not winning in gold medal was such a driving force for all the returning players. And they were, they were just so determined to like, hey, like, we're not like, we're not going to leave anything to chance. Yeah. And I, you know, I thought we had the perfect coach with, with Brent to set the stage as like, allowing us to just. to just execute.

So he gave us the right framework to have success and we did the rest. But it was awesome, man. Like the crowds from our exhibition games in Winnipeg going down to Grand Forks, it was unlike anything that I've ever experienced. And it's like every goal you score is like,

you know, Stanley Cup winning goal. Yeah. So it is like everyone gets so excited to score in that tournament. Like no matter what the score is, it's like everybody is just, jack to put one in the nets. So even that, I was like, I'd never experienced, like, everyone's so excited to score a goal. Yeah, that rush. Dude, how cool was that? Obviously, that was really early in your career. It was that at the very, very, very beginning. But how awesome was that for your

compete level and just, you know, your maturity in the game to, in a lockout year, have a tournament that cool with that many high profile players? And be like, these are future star. I guess it's easy to say in hindsight you maybe didn't know, but certainly it felt like this is the future stars of the league. Yeah. Yeah, I don't, I don't, yeah, I don't think at the time we knew, but I think for me, especially coming out of nowhere and not, you don't really, I, I never did any of the hockey Canada stuff. Yeah. Yeah. All the way up. That was literally my first time playing hockey Canada. So crazy. That's junior football. And so I'd never had the opportunity to like, see how I stacked up against anybody or so like, for me, it was a confidence builder from the

standpoint of like, oh, like, I, I can play with this level player. So that was a cool part for me and be able to see like the skill level and the mix. I think it's like the mix of skill level and compete and determination and buy in like the willingness to buy into like we had, you know, like our fourth line. It was like Clark MacArthur, Stephen Dixon and Colin Fraser. And it was like they were like a true like bought in completely to like blocking shots, kill and penalties and doing our part. So I think that was the other part now that I think back is like the the buy in it takes to win was so apparent with that group. And there's a lot of egos. Like that's that's a lot of egos at a young age.

So like you had a lot of an ego can be a powerful thing when it's used the right way. And I think that was on full display when we when we were in that tournament. Yeah, no doubt. Would you go ahead. Oh, I was going to ask, could you tell you said very well at that young age. you know, you don't really know who's going to be what. You're just trying to play the game. But was there any part of you that remembers?

Could you tell with Sid, even at 16 years old, were you like, this kid's the real deal? Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, you could. Just like, man, his strength and his ability to hold on to the puck and make plays at such high speeds, you could die of me for 16 years old.

It was incredible to watch. And just his, like I said, his maturity was impressive. I think looking back like the like the player that I was like man that guy is exceptional was Patrice Bershron Yeah wow Like that 5th tell at that age

Like every fat like he was a He was a man amongst boys even with With the group that we had And playing Obey and Malcolm Like you could just tell He had had a year of pro under his belt But like he was he I remember watching him being like

Oh like he is like He is acceptable Like he's the best player on this team That's so awesome. Wow. So that's fun to look back now and now. And obviously you see his game evolve and watching him get all the accolades and Winston the Cups and sell keys and everything that he's done.

You're like, yeah, yeah, yeah, that makes sense. That tracks. That checks out. Checks out. Did you, do you remember what the boys got up to after when you were celebrating? Oh, yeah. Like, I remember, like, originally it was first in, it was, like, we had their family and everything in the arena.

was like, hey, going back to Winnipeg, because you're, you know, you're in the U.S., you're not. Yeah, yeah, yeah, you get over the border. You know, you get over the border. At least you could have a couple beers with your, with your buddies and celebrate what you've been up to. So that was a lot of fun. I think any championship team that you play with, having like that moment would just, like, hanging out with your, with the guys that you accomplished that with is always, always special.

So like it was that I do remember that part of just like being able to hang out as a group after and and let it kind of sink in, especially since, you know, at that point it hadn't been done in a while. We've had a little bit of a drought. So it was nice to fulfill the expectation that I think the whole country had. Which started a five-year run, I think, too. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Even six. The snowball began.

Well, you take the success from that. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's a completely ladder. Well, you take the success from that and you roll it right into the next year. You get called up to the NHL. You're playing serious minutes with the canes.

And you go as a two seed into the playoffs. And you guys kind of cruised to the Eastern Conference finals. And then you get into a slug fest against Buffalo that goes seven games. Then you go to the cup and you're playing the Oilers. And things get pretty tough. And you have an awesome quote talking about Brindamore and him telling the team, you said he sat everyone down and you said, if we were at the start of the year and said we had one game to win the Stanley Cup, would we take that?

And how much that impacted you guys in the locker room and being like, yeah, all right, we're here, we got this opportunity. As such a young player in the league, what was it like stepping into this role in the NHL and all of a sudden you're playing for a Stanley Cup? How did you channel that energy into eventually winning and lifting it before you were even legally allowed to drink a beer in the U.S.? At Medcan, we know that life's greatest. moments are built on a foundation of good health, from the big milestones to the quiet winds. That's why our annual health assessment offers a physician-led, full-body checkup that provides a clear picture of your health today and may uncover early signs of conditions like heart disease and cancer. The healthier you means more moments to cherish. Take control of your

well-being and book an assessment today. Medcan. Live well for life. Visit medcan.com slash moments to get started. Yeah, I don't, I mean, it wasn't hard for me to like channel any energy. I think it was like bottling up for, you know, to be constructive with it. Uh, yeah, I was like, I was 19 and full of piss and vinegar and I'd, you know, happily run out there and I'd help my head cut off, try to try to run people over. But, um, yeah, I think there's, I was lucky that year do you have, like there was multiple veteran players in that room that were able to, you know, um, that were able to in big moments calm the group down and refocus on like what was important. Yeah.

So and that that quote like about Roddy is like like we were context is we were up three. Three, what was it three one? And then yeah, that's right. And the game seven. So it was after game six. And again, it was just like leader, him leading was like refocusing the group on like, you know, when you're in a downward spiral, you feel like something's slipping away from you. There needs to be some disruption there.

And a call for like, hey, like this, you know, we have the group in this room to get this done. We're going back home to play to win a Stanley Cup. Let's refocus on just like, hey, what we have to do to win the next game. So it was like, for me, it was just thinking, okay, cool. And you'll, ever since that, you've noticed like even ebbs and flows of games, like it's impacted. how the ups and downs of different games that I've played is like, okay, like, let's, you know, great, we're real and refocus. Like, what's the next step that we have to get after to start having success and pushing

the ball the other way? So, yeah, so many great leaders on that team. And Roddy was, you know, for me leading the whole group with not only how he showed up day and day out, but when something needed to be said, he was the person to step up and and set everybody straight. Do you think, and I'll say, we heard a lot of that from the Panthers guys this year as they were kind of letting their lead slip away. It was a similar, similar mindset, similar argument. One thing I wanted to ask, because I know you've been asked before and people get this all time when you win early, but it's like, did you think you were going to go to the cup every year after that? And I know that you were like, no, it's hard and I get that. But one question I do have is, did you think you would be a cane forever at that? Like in those days, as you're celebrating with the boys, you're like, I know it's a business, but I'm going to be a long time. time, Kane, and we're going to compete forever. Yeah, because you have that funny story I think where you were talking to, or Kami said to you, something like, this guy's going to be a, you know, Power 4 for the Canes for decades.

And then it's like ends a couple years later. Yeah, it was, yeah, I didn't have a full appreciation of how hard it was to Win a Stanley Cup. That's for sure. And then, yeah, to your point, like, I definitely thought it was going to be there a long time. Yeah. I mean, looking at the roster that we had. you know, we essentially had three younger players. It was me, Cam Ward, and Eric Stahl.

Yeah. You know, we had a very veteran-based roster. And so I thought, like, yeah, like, if I'm looking at this, like, they'll, I'm going to be here a while. A lot of house, you know, during the worst reception in a long time. Another learning moment. But, and then, yeah, so like, I think you're, the challenge of coming back after winning a Stanley Cup is, is a real thing. Yeah. You're such a high to come back to training camp.

You have a short summer. And then you're trying to, like, get back up to that pace that you need to get back up and get that hunger back. And you're, you know. So, and that was a challenge for everybody. So we struggled to refine our, I would say, our identity. and you lose some different pieces, you know, whenever you have success, things change. So you kind of have to refine it. And, you know, that's part of it.

I was, like, definitely blindsided by that trade. I still remember sitting in, we were in the meal room before the game. And our team service representative came in and was like, latter, can I talk to you? And I was like, oh, okay. No, no. Yeah. Fuck.

Yeah. And then they're like, Lavi, Lavi wants to talk to you. So Peter Laviolet. I was like, okay, you know, my, my heart's in my stomach and just waiting to hear what was up. And it was a weird moment because like the trade hadn't gone through yet. But like, so like, Lavi was like, I got something to tell you, like, can you wait here? Oh, wow. Like, I think you've been traded.

I'm like, okay, cool. I'll just stand here. And then my phone blow up, my agent. Yeah. And I think it hit maybe TV at that time. So my agent was like, I think you just got traded to Chicago. And I'm like, okay. So Labby comes back.

He's like, he's like, if you heard and I'm like, yeah, like I think, I'm like, I'm guessing it's Chicago. That's what I heard. My agent told me. And he's like, yeah, Chicago, like Dale Tallinn will reach out shortly. And so just, you know, I want to thank you for everything you done. But like actually, the weird part was I actually never heard from Jimmy, like Jimmy Rutherford never came down to say anything to me.

no way damn which was which was odd so I think maybe it was just busy that day or whatever but sorry it was a little sweet dude sorry I was odd like that

that Jimmy never came down and told me himself but yeah that's that's part of the business and then you're you're on to the next plan I think I had I always tell this story but like it's I literally was like waiting for my plane to Chicago and Ron Transfran It's just like running through the airport to pick up to a more route to coming off the plane that I was about to get on.

So it happens fast and then you know, you're in the next city onto the on to the next thing. So you learn pretty early that it's a business and that's, you know, there's a people like to say like, hey, we're family and we want to treat people like family. And it's like, you know, you don't trade family. So it's like sometimes that word gets tossed around a little freely and at a young age. you you tend to take it to heart. But yeah, that's just part of the business and on to the next city and the next opportunity. Well, another perfect segue,

as we moved to Chicago, and before we even get to the 2010 of it, when you got there, it's a 19-year-old caner and Taze. It's a young 20s, Keith and Buff and Seabrook. Were you like, oh, we're on to something here right away? No, no, I wasn't. Interesting.

Yeah, it was, you could definitely see the potential. But coming from such a veteran team with like watching the habits that they have away from the rink and practice and all this different stuff and showing up and I'm like, you know, everybody's kind of like floating around. And he definitely still to see the skill level. But it was a little bit of like chaos. Like it was it was it was not as. was the best way to describe that. Like, we won games based solely on skill. Right.

And not, not the structure, not working together, not, not playing as a group. So I think that was evident. But like you said, like, I mean, watching Canter and Taser practice and playing games and like picking out the puck and like they would just score. Right. That's so awesome. Yeah, you do that all the time. Right. Yeah.

So it's like, oh, like, we're not playing that great and we're still like keeping it closer winning hockey games based solely because like we have these these two studs that are, uh, are just that talented. Yeah. So and I think like that's the, that's the power of, of such a veteran coach and like, like, you learn to appreciate exceptional coaches because they have the ability to come in and like harness all that and refocus it to like, hey, how do we create a winner here?

And we came back the following year, and they made the coaching change from Savi to, so Denny Sabar to Joel Quinville, the year was like, yeah, okay, like this is, we're going to have,

like this is the guy that will help us turn this around. So immediately, I think that helped bolster the confidence in the group. And then, and then it was like, hey, like everything started to shine through in terms of like, like you said,

dunks and siebs on the back, on the back end. and allowed them to step into being more leaders and a big part of, of, you know, that D for the next, you know, 15 years and then,

you know, creating and then putting people in the right positions to succeed. So it was, it was such a fun group to be part of because everyone was so young. And you could tell there was hunger to get better. We just needed help like, you know, putting it together and having some structure and putting all that stuff to good

use. Yeah. And a perfect coach for, and you certainly did put it together as you begin the 2010, that run in the playoffs. You guys were just dominant. When you get to the cup, I think it was game four, I want to say, of the Western Congress finals, you got hurt and you didn't come back till game four of the finals. Was that ever up in the, were you like, oh, I might miss the whole cup or were you like, I'm definitely getting back. I just don't know which game. How on the knife's edge was that injury for you?

No, yeah, like I didn't think I was going to get back. So I actually broke the bone in my shoulder right on the front here. And so I spent pretty much every I would literally go physio to another physio and hyperbaric chamber back to the rank. Like I was literally doing everything I could just to your shoulder is so connected to everything in your body. Like I was just trying to get it so I could lift it over my head and move it because then I was like, then I can play. Like I just need to build to move it.

but right now it was just dead for, for, I don't know, a week or a half or whatever. So I essentially came back, I came back in game three of the finals. It was a game three, I think.

Bad memory, man. And they were like, yeah, like it might break, might just break again. God, dude. And I was just like, okay,

like, I'll freeze it. How was the pain? Were you like in a ton of pain too? Or were you just on, you just shot up there? How is that like? I mean, once, yeah, once I got shot up, I was, I was good to go.

Yeah. I wasn't feeling much pain at all. You're like, I might be broken. I can't feel anything. Yeah, yeah. I mean, I still remember like my first, my first game in the finals was in Philly, game three, and I like come in my first shift, and I literally turned a hit with my right shoulder.

I think I buried Braden Coburn after the whistle and got a penalty. And then I was like, okay. we're good we're back now yeah so um and and and then after that like once you're i don't know in those moments it's just you're so hyper focused on playing and doing the right thing that like uh once once i got going it was it was actually wasn't bad okay good and then and then just you know describe game six to us with kane or sneaking it in nobody knows what's going on you know absolute chaos scenes what was that and how were you guys feeling you know you're in o t obviously in a game six, were you thinking you got to get the job done now?

Did you feel like you were in control? What were all the feelings in that game? Oh, I mean, like, I've never been a part of a more confident group to, like, damn, win. Like, it was, it was such a weird feeling. Like, when we were in Carolina, it was like, holy shit, like, are we going to win? But, like, with that team in Chicago, it was like, we're going to win. Even more so than the World Junior team, which was literally the Monstars.

Yeah, maybe not that much. but but but um but in terms of like an NHL roster it was like we were never out of a game we always had the ability it just felt like we had so many different pieces that could step up at any given yeah um and and it was going to happen so i it was it was a weird feeling in that but there was such a belief that we were just we were going to you know it was going to happen and that we we were the group to do it that uh you know you're just create such confidence on the bench. Was there chaos after the caner goal? Because I mean, that's got to be one of the most famous Stanley Cup goals of all time. Because you can tell half the boys don't want to celebrate

yet because they're looking back like, are we sure that went in? Because I don't want to throw my stick if we have to keep playing. Yeah. I, so like, I mean, I had no, I didn't see it. Like I was facing battling with in front. So I was facing the other direction. So I didn't see it that went in. But I was pretty like usually when Patrick Cain's, shoots the puck like he knows if it's going if it's in the net he knows yeah so uh i was trusting his judgment on on that standpoint and i think Patrick sure i think is still pissed off to me to this day because i like cut him off as he's chasing caner and he's got to stop and then and then so i ruined his his celebration a bit but it was just so weird because then you were like we're pretty sure it went

in but you're like hey like if this isn't in this is going to be so awkward great So awkward. And then lucky enough, like our coaches and our bench had the reaction. They saw the replay and it was pretty evident that it was in. So yeah, I think looking back, it would have been like more enjoyable if everyone just knew it was in the bench. And we could have had that celebration without the pause of like, should I take my helmet off or pick it up? But like you said, it's one of the more memorable Stanley Cup goals in history. So something that people remember.

More fun cup for you because of some perspective or it's like picking between your children. Yeah, a little bit like picking between your children. There's definitely differences. A non-traditional hockey market winning a Stanley Cup is different than, you know, a hockey hungry city, which I didn't realize how hockey hungry Chicago was until we started having success there and they put the team back on TV. But like rolling up Michigan Ave with a million people. at the parade was an experience.

And so that was that part, my appreciation for what it took to get back there, even at that point was higher. I felt like I was a bigger part of like the leadership and bigger piece of that group. So there's a bunch of different differences. You obviously don't trade either one. they're both a part of you.

And the other part is, is like when you've won before, you have, you know what to expect with after. And like, it was like, hey, like, I actually like want to spend more time on the ice and like let this soak in. And, you know, even remembering the first, like the best part of that first cup was like us being in the dressing room. Yeah. Yeah. And like actually like, you know, letting guys know like, hey, like, let's take time like actually enjoy this and just hang out as a group. because when we get back to Chicago, it's going to be a shit show.

Yes, dude. So, and it was, like, actually one of the nice things about winning the cup on the road is the fact that, like, you have more time with the group. So you have that, you know, time in the room with everybody. And then all of a sudden the families and everyone leaves. It's just you, you and your team and the trainers and coaches. And then you have, we had the full plane ride home together. So to me, like that was, anytime you accomplish something like,

like that that takes a full you know full season and blood, sweat and tears to to accomplish. It's nice to have those moments just to like sit down and enjoy and reflect as a group. Absolutely. Are there any all-time stories from that celebration that you can share? Oh, man. Probably not. That's fair, Latter.

That's why I said that that you can share because I know some of them need to be kept into the vault. Um, they're like, one of the coolest things we did was we, we'd get, we just had a party bus. So I think Adam Burrish got a party bus. And we would literally go from, from bar to bar, just different places around the city, places that we, we had frequented over the last few years and like, that we'd like to go to as a team. Um, and it was literally like a flash mob. So like, you know, on a Tuesday night, we'd walk into a bar and then all of a sudden, like, the whole place was just jammed. Yeah. And then people started to get the idea that we were doing that.

So it was like, where is it going next? And so I remember walking. They, who someone, I can't remember who, someone decided it was going to be a good idea to take the cop down the street. And it was like all the sudden, it was like a ma, like a mob of people, the street was full. And then we got back to the bus. The cuff guys like, yeah, don't do that again.

Don't do that. Never again. Yeah. Yeah, never again. And then, you know, we've had like, so like, to me, that was the best part is like we just shared it with the city. And like, we were everywhere all over. And just enjoying it. We had such a young group.

Like, we were all 20 to 26 or 27 years old. Just enjoying that with the city that had been, you know, again, had a long drought. They hadn't won in, you know, 49 years. So to be a part of the excitement to come back and bring. hockey back to Chicago was pretty awesome. Ungrateful, dude. Walking the cup down the streets of Chicago. Absolutely

unhinged behavior. I did that in Carolina and it was like Yeah, no one knew. Where is everybody? Why does this guy have wheels on a suitcase? What the fuck is this half? Jesus. Well, man, you talked about your shoulder injury before that and getting into some more of those

after Chicago, you get traded to Atlanta with a bunch of the other boys, which is crazy, but you get named captain. You then have some of the best years of your career set in career highs and a bunch of different things. You know, you have the switch to Winnipeg where you're the captain there as well. You sign the contract there. And you then get dealt to the Hawks again for another little cup run there. And after all that, you know, you go to the Islanders. The ACL happens in 2018.

And I think it's an interesting situation because I want to talk to you about where you have in flashbacks to before, or the Vancouver Giants days of, you know, like, geez, I'm getting, you know, I'm not playing. I'm trying to battle some of this stuff. But also, like I alluded to earlier, just the unbelievable compete level that it feels like you have and how you just battle through adversity and how you've passed this on. What was that phase in your career like? Oh, man, it was, it was tough. Like we were like, I picked up three kids along the way. Yeah. At that time, you know, when I first got to New York, I had a three-year-old or two-year-old and newborn, which is another part of handling, you know, obviously not only what you're going

through, but you're influencing a lot more people and your wife and your kids at home. So it was a struggle. I literally had a tour my meniscus, had a miniscope pair, came back for 10, 10 games, and blew my ACL MCL meniscus out on the, on the, on the, and my other knee. Yeah. And it was just like, oh, you're grinding back. And then all of a sudden, like, you know, as you get older, it just starts like, it doesn't come back the same.

Yeah. You don't have the same pop. And at that time, like, the leagues get faster and everything just kind of feels like it's slipping away. And my go-to is always, like you said, like I could grind. I could work my ass off. I was determined. And at that time, it was like, oh, shit, I don't know what to do anymore.

Yeah. That button's not working anymore. Yeah. Yeah, so it was it was a tough time because I I've never I've never been to that point. I would always just like internalize and carry whatever burden was going on. I would carry the way to that and I'd figure it out. And it like it's I would say it took me out of being like present at the rink. It took me out of being present at home.

Like I just I really struggled with. I was like numb to everything that was going on. And now I can look back and be like, oh, shit, like my identity was wrapped up in being a hockey player and having success and being able to be that guy that always bounced back. And it wasn't happening. So it was, it was a challenging time for me. And then I, you know, I ended up in the minors. So I was doing a two and a half hour drive to Bridgeport every day from Long Island because I didn't want to uproot my family. And, you know, you're kind of back to like there's the embarrassment and there's shame.

oh shit like you know like i was a you know like 16 years in the n hl and now i'm back here and um and i still want i was 50 games away from a thousand so it was like i want to you know i wanted to get back to get to a thousand thousand games so there was it was you know i look back now and and i it was the best thing that happened to me because i had to like re um well first of all i i I had reached out to a mental performance coach through Thomas Hickey, who was kind of the same situation. He was in New York with me at the time. So he recommended him.

And I started working with him and really changed how I was approaching the situation that I was in. And I remember him being like, hey, like, you could quit, man. You don't have to do this anymore. And you got lots of money. Like, you don't need to do this. And I had like, I was just like, fuck you, man. Yeah.

Yeah, for sure. And so it really was like tapping into like that part of me and also understanding that like, hey, like I can, there's opportunity here to influence young players. And like they're, they have a guy who's coming back who has two Stanley Cups to the minors and that they get to learn from. Like, you know, they can learn different things. They can learn that you're an asshole and that you're, you don't want to be there or you can, they can learn like, hey, like, those guys are willing to help me out. and help develop and is happy to be here.

So I had that choice laid in front of me and then it was like, okay, cool. I'm going to choose to actually enjoy being in Bridgeport. And I'm going to enjoy helping young kids. And I'm actually going to enjoy playing the game without any pressure. And it kind of dawned on me. Like, holy shit, I hadn't, I stopped loving the game and enjoying what I was doing. And like that's such a big part of grinding.

And because if you don't love it and you're not enjoying what you're up to, man, it makes that grind such a heavier lift. So, and it really started to shift how I, how I was interacting with people and how I interacted with my wife and kids and what was, what was valuable to me in that moment. So, yeah, like I said, it was, it was definitely a tough time with lots of adversity, but it was, it was like one of the most impactful, you know, a few years in my life. Absolutely, man. And once you achieved that mentality, I know you were the type of player who was chasing accolades or anything like that. But how special was it once you kind of got into that mindset once you ended up in Arizona were able to get to a thousand games and kind of finish off your career in a really cool way? That must have felt amazing. Oh, it was awesome. Yeah. I think, you know, like I said, like I would give my, the guy who was working with a hard time because it was like we were two and a half years into working with each other. I'm like, man,

like we've been working together for two and a half years and like I played three NHL games since we since we started working together. So something's got to give. But it was it was a journey, man. Like I like I was in the minors and then fought my way back. So like I started like shifted my mindset and was like actually got back to playing well. I want to talk to you all about a nicotine fix right now. Lucy is changing the game with all of their different nicotine products because everything is brought to you by scientists to give you good, clean nicotine, always tobacco-free for adults in so many different varieties and flavors. They've got lozenges, they've got gum, they've got the refreshing breakers, and they've got the pouches. They've got unreal flavors myself.

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US promotional offers not available in New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. The big contract. So in my mind, I was like, hey, New York Islanders are going to try to win. Like, they want to win now. So my contract at that time was a pretty big burden that I was like, hey, at some point,

they're just going to have to, like, find a bullet and get rid of me. and you know i mean looking back they traded away to aves mostly because like my contract right um yeah and then i think got to the point where um you know i was i was in the minors and i was trying to play well enough that other teams would actually take a chance on me and luckily you know bill armstrong and chained own uh at that time i think valued my leadership and what I could bring to that organization who was trying to, you know, they build a really young group.

They wanted a lot of young players to develop and start to change the culture there in Arizona. Arizona was looking for leadership with your young group, and they decided to take a chance on me. And it was funny talking to Bill Armstrong after it because he's like, I don't even know if you could play. Yeah. Like I was. So I think they were pleasantly surprised that I could still have someone in an impact

to play and be a part of helping to lead that group. So yeah, it was great, man. Like, it was fun to be a part of playing hockey there. Like my kids and my family had an awesome time there. We loved it. And it was just like a second lease on like, hey, like I get, you know, you appreciate the next opportunity or your last opportunity to play in the league. And you're enjoying those games, you know, even that much more.

I think over the course of your career, you can get into. different moments where you're just take take for granted like what you have and like the opportunity you get to to play in the NHL and to live the way that we live and um playing the places that we do so it was nice to have that second opportunity to like okay like I'm actually going to take advantage of this and make sure that I'm my kids are going to all the games and that we can kind of soak it up as a family and um one more time so it was awesome man and then you know at the end it was again i was like i think i was eight games away from a thousand and my my my my my my my my my miniscus just finally decided it was it was done with me yeah so um so like i had one more surgery and they

ripped that out and um so now it's gone and and then i had like two weeks to get back and and play just to have enough games to to finish and get to a thousand before the end of the year so it was a grind right to the end i was like i flew i remember it was like nine was it 999 99 and I was like throwing up on the plane to Vancouver so I was just like you know we're not even in the playoffs

I'm like grinding to like get out there and I think that might have been the worst game ever played in the NHKal but you know have one knee and no fluid left in my body ladder's dead body just sit on the far blue line dude don't move yeah yeah exactly and then I you know it's cool

I played my thousandth game against against Carolina was in Carolina yeah I think it was Carolina and then you know I had the opportunity to to have my like ceremony against Chicago and wind up against Caner one last time and Johnny so it was

the way it worked out was awesome and you know that moment of you know getting the silver stick on the ice and with all my family and friends there was pretty special after after the you know the previous three years everyone had kind of known what I'd gone through extremely storybook, dude.

Extremely storybook. And not to mention the challenges that you faced during that led you to the 16-16 thing that you and your wife Brandy formed through the Ladd Foundation. And I, first of all, I love how many reasons that name is cool. Like you wore 16, you played 16 years. 16-16 was when the Buffalo was found, which was whether the storm was a packer. Like there's a million. It's the best name.

The versions of the name are elite. So sick. So sick. But it's just tell our little. listeners a little bit about it because it's such an awesome thing you guys have going. Your inaugural season, you had 88 teams involved, 1,400 players. It's kids age 10 to 12, right? And so you can do the physical, mental, and social well-being of the game,

ready to face the challenges and the ups and downs of life they're going to inevitably go through through the eyes and the POVs of guys who made it in the league. So tell everyone about the 4C's concept and just what that whole situation means to you and your family. Yeah, so it's our third year. So 88 teams are first year last year. 213 and this year we had 427. Come on, dude.

Unbelievable. We've literally, so don't understand me, okay? Yeah. So, yeah, we've doubled every year, um, to, which has been awesome to see. And really, it started with, um, actually like when I was on Long Island. So I, my last year in Long Island, I, it was a COVID year, um, when we, they had taxi squads. So I actually wasn't playing. So I would literally,

they didn't have enough games in the minors for me to play in the minors. They didn't, I wasn't, I didn't qualify to get called up from the taxi squad. They didn't want me on the main roster. So I would literally text Lou Lamarillo at like 10 o'clock at night and be like, hey, what time can I skate tomorrow? And I started by myself that whole year. Crazy, man. And, and I remember like the performance coach that I was working with like,

hey, man, like at this end of this year, like what do you want to be proud of? because he's like, I don't think you'll just be proud of yourself if you just skate by yourself every day. Like, yeah, you may become, like, get your skills back up and stay in shape, but like, what do you want to? Like, what's your purpose going to be this year? So, and that was really like the start of like thinking of like, my wife and I had long supported mental health initiatives,

but everything that we had saw was very reactive, not proactive. So it's like, hey, kids are having a problem or someone's having an issue. Like, how do we help them now? Instead of, you know, like we develop, hockey players and give them foundational skills on the ice. Like, you know, can we do that off the ice? Can we do that with the mental skills that, that, you know, a lot of NHL players these days are working on?

They have people that they're working when they have specific coaches and experts that they're working with in that space because they're seeing, you know, not only the health benefits, but also like the performance benefits of what they're doing. So that was the start of 16. And then it was like, hey, how do we, there was actually randomly had a connection to a researcher at Queens University in Ontario that their expertise was positive youth development in sport. So essentially they were sitting on over 30 years of research on how to create the ideal environment for kids to thrive in sport. And you mentioned the four Cs. So it is like that if you focus on these four Cs and you can help kids develop in these four Cs,

then they'll have the best opportunity to thrive and grow in that environment. And those four Cs are the competence of just playing the game. And then confidence, connection, and character. So our program really focuses on confidence, connection, and character. And how we do that is we use stories from current, former, pro players, men and women, that have, you know, and hockey players are funny because they usually don't like telling you, they're modest, right? It's like, hey, we're, you know, we don't like telling people like our stories about how we got to where we are and, and a lot of the, the tough

times that they have. But so, unless they're telling them to kids, and then they were like super excited to do that. So our program is for 10 to 12 year old players. And we went out and found, over 20 current and formal pro players to tell their story about how they're like, you know, maybe they struggled with confidence or they struggled connecting with teammates and didn't understand that value and then came to, it became to light how valuable that was, the different character elements like resilience and those types of things. So very, very simple concepts actually, but, you know, like we're being very very very very intentional with teaching kids that, hey, like, your people that you look up to have struggled

with the same thing that you're struggling with. Here's how they overcame it. And here's the choices you have in those, in those moments. So it's been great. We've created like five, or sorry, they're over 20 episodes. They're like five to six minute episodes, like fast-paced YouTube style videos. And we have two seasons. So two 10-week years that, that, that, kids can go through and you go through it as a team. And so my, my U-13 team is going through it right now. We watch a video every Monday.

It's five to six minutes. We chat about it. Kids have it, get an understanding of the concept and why it's important. And then the other part of our program is, is how, like halfway through the week, they'll get a iPhone style video from a current NHL or PWHL player

that says, hey, this is what I'm doing in my life currently to work and practice on these things. we call it our live it out. So then the kids get challenged to, hey, practice this. Like you would go practice your shot or like you would go practice your skating. Like practice this in your life this week. And yeah, we've had some amazing testimonials from different parents and coaches

just on the value that we've created in the minor hockey system across North America. So it's been a great transition for me out of the game to have this purpose and continue to pay it forward. Dude, one of the most fascinating stats I saw was that mental health challenges have arrived by age 14 and we're rarely getting ahead of that. So I just think you should be extremely proud of what you've done here because this didn't exist before you. It's so impressive, Latter. I just, you know, it's, I think a lot of people, myself included, when you looked up 16, 16 and saw that it works with 10 to 12, my immediate knee jerk reaction was, wow, that's,

that's so young. But you are so on to something. in that it's important to get ahead of it with with young kids and young athletes that it's these are things that can start to seep in super early and and working with young people and athletes to get their confidence specifically up at a young age is so smart and just beyond awesome that you guys are doing this yeah thanks and it and the best part about it is it's like what we've seen is it's we have three three streams so one for the coach one for the parent and then one for the kids. Because we understand, like, hey, we can teach the kids, whatever.

But if the parents and coaches don't have the skills or the tools or the understanding and how to support the kids in these concepts, then it's not going to have the same effect. Totally. So, and I think, like, what we have seen, too, is parents and coaches, it's given them an avenue to approach these concepts without, you know, having to an awkward way of approaching it. Or like they've naturally and organically just happened where they can have that

conversation that, you know, we all know, like there's so many valuable lessons that you learn in sport and so many, like, micro moments that you can leverage for kids to understand. And the best part about sport is like, hey, you get another chance to do it again the next day. So even if you screw up, it's like, oh, here, you know, like another chance the next day. So having everybody in that ecosystem understand the importance and the opportunities that are available to teach kids in those moments, it's super. valuable and something that we're going to try to keep honing in and getting better at as we move forward. I love it. It's a beautiful thing. Ladder, the last thing we do with everybody will play

rapid fire with you is a game we call pass shoot score. And we're going to give you categories of things that we know you like. And there's three things in each category and you have to rank them pass shoot and score. Pass is your least favorite because pass in the puck is cool, but whatever. And then all the way up to scoring, which is your favorite because we're trying to light the lamp, baby. Okay. Your first category is weekend activity. Pass shoot score, a round of golf, wake surfing, or sturgeon fishing. Oh, I'll pass on golf. Oh my God. Yeah. It's a lot of time. I will, yeah, that's tough. I will shoot on surfing and I will score with with sturgeon fishing because thank god you said that too you were the

biggest sturgeon slayer i've ever seen on earth dude ladder i would have put my life savings that you were going to score with fishing i've never fucking seen anything like what you do in my entire life like why why did you ever become a professional hockey player you should have your own charlie more outdoors channel about fishing you just you i mean and the the dirty little seekers that i like i my fishing skills are not great. I just have like a really good guide who's literally named Turgent Slayers. And so his name's Kevin Estrada and he like, we played together my first year pro and Lowell. So he does all the work and I just love to tossing the line in. Dude, what does that entail? We love to fish, but it's like striped bass in Maine, you know,

like those things are the best, the biggest fish I've ever seen. What does it entail to catch one of those? I mean, you got to find the right spot in the river because they have their bottom feeders. they sit on the, you know, over ledges and at the bottom. So like, you know, having a good guide that knows exactly where those spots are. Fresh bait always helps. And yeah, like it's, there's definitely an art to it that I've tried to pay attention to. But and then like it's such a remote location where they're at. So like they're like an hour and a half from Vancouver.

Yeah. Like up in a canyon. So they know the water is extremely well. And there's a lot of massive fish out there. like I got to re I used to do a tournament every year and we've kind of slowed down just a little bit with all the work we've been doing with 16 16 but um you know Matt Barzell came out and I don't think he's ever fished in his life and he had like within 10 minutes had like an 11 footer on.

This is fucking bullshit. I want to go do you. I need to go. I'm the I'm the least lucky fisherman who's ever fucking lived. So if Barzie can reel an 11 footer, then I must have a chance. This is unbelievable. All right. your next one.

Yeah, there you go. Your next one is tennis legends, because I know you are a tennis guy. Pass shoot, score, Federer Nadal, Joker. Oh, score with Federer. Yes, thank God, dude.

Thank God. Pass with Nadal score, or sorry, shoot with Joker. That's my guy right there, dude. That's my guy right there. I love it. I love it. I will, I have to admit, though, that documentary made me like Nizalm. Yeah. I mean, they're all unreal. Um, you, I mean, we've seen that you're a fan of the inner game of tennis, the book, and then you've also been to the open a few times. Um, what was the best open experience for you? Oh, I mean, I think like seeing Federer live, um, you know, at, at the open was, was probably my, my favorite moment. I think it's, It's such a cool atmosphere and like seeing like

Dude, so awesome. New York crowd and like center stage. It's under the lights. It was like watching that guy do his thing at the US open at center car was pretty amazing. Dude, underrated tweet.

I was scouring through your tweets is like 2011. You were at the open and like you tweeted something like at the US open. And then like an hour later there was another tweet from you that just said this Roger guy is pretty good. I was like, oh fuck yeah. That's awesome. Yeah.

He's legit. Okay, your next one is local specialty foods. Pass shoot score, Chicago Deep Dish, New York bagels, or Winnipeg honey dill sauce. I was literally just in New York and I crushed my four bagels. Good. So I'm going to score. You know what's funny, man? Like I was so dialed my diet when I was in New York.

I knew you were going to say this, dude. I knew you were going to make I've never had honey dills sauce. Right. And then and then and then I was like, it was funny because like I all of a sudden I wasn't playing and I was just like, I don't, whatever. I'm done worried about what I eat. And I felt it was like I discovered New York bagels after living there for three years. And I was like, this is the best thing. Let's go.

I'm going to score with New York bagels. I've never, like I haven't heard the honey. What do you say honey dill? Dude, apparently it's, it's honey, mayo and dill. And they give it to you on your chicken fingers and fries. And it's all the rage. I bet that's gas. So we got to make it.

That's a Winnipeg staple, apparently. I will shoot with that because I trust the culinary skills of Winnipeggers. Love that. And I will, I'm going to pass the deep dish. I'm not a deep dish guy. It's not pizza. It's ridiculous. It's ridiculous food.

Sorry, Chicago names. I don't love it. But, yeah, a lot of great things in Chicago. But I'm not, I'm going to pass on the dish. Yeah. But the bagels, baby. The bagels. Fantastic.

All right, your last one. These are important destinations for you. Pass shoot score, Little Engine Wines, Bora Bora and Crown Mountain. All score with Crown Mountain. So sick, dude. That picture is that better. If that is not framed in your house somewhere, you are a fool.

Oh, my God. I don't think it is yet. Actually, she put it up there. Hey, anyone who needs a birthday gift for ladder. Yeah, yeah, Christmas gift. Or actually, yeah, tomorrow's the birthday. Frame the picture, yeah. So I will pass on Little Engine Wine and score with Borobora because...

I mean, honey... Yeah, it's pretty sick. It's pretty sick. It's hard to talk. It's been cool seeing a bunch of Little Engine wine stuff. Are you a big wino or is that just like an awesome group that you work with for some of the stuff that you guys have been doing? Yeah, they're a great little great winery up here in, in, um, the Okanagan here in Canada. So like it's in BC, a great BC wine.

There's, you know, after, after being in the U.S. long enough and tasting like the, you know, California wines, uh, it's tough to find Canadian ones that match up in my opinion. So Little Engine is one, is one of the very few that I find has the same, same quality as,

as they do, um, in, in the states. So I am, uh, I would say like I've dialed it back a little. I definitely was a wino. Now I'm more of like tequila guy. Oh, nice. Those are the two. That's huge. Yeah, that's huge.

I love it. All right, Latter. Well, this has been amazing. We know you got to run. Can't thank you enough for hopping on. This has been so, so fun. Before we let you jump, is there anything you want to plug?

Anything you want to shout out? Yeah. So 16-16 is, it starts up every year. So we're already like almost at the end of this season. But if you have a 10 year, 10 to 12-year-old who's playing, hockey and wants to try out 1616. It is completely free to everyone. We made it free to everybody.

So be on the lookout for our next season, which we'll start next fall. But we're always doing different things throughout the summer to keep people the loop on what's coming up. And we're going to keep working on getting it better and continue into enroll more people we're up to. Hell yeah. Amazing. Absolutely.

So cool. So cool. All right, man. Thank you so much. This was a blast. Thanks, guys. Yeah, I appreciate it. That was awesome. Dude, no, you're the truth, dude.

We can't thank you enough. It's so fun.