Empty Netters Podcast - The Incredible Road to 700 Games w/ Jason Demers

Episode Date: January 13, 2025

San Jose Shark legend and NHL Network star Jason "Daddy" Demers is here and boy does he have some great stories. Sweden being a thorn in his side every time he put on a Team Canada jersey. Playing alongside Jumbo Joe. And of course the very cool saga of him making it to his 700th game. Now he's a media darling crushing it across all kinds of platforms. Plus, the boys put him through the ringer in a game of Pass Shoot Score. NEW EPISODES EVERY MONDAY & WEDNESDAY! 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: BAUER. Bauer is the go to destination for all your training needs. Head to http://www.bauer.com/training to explore tools like the Digital Reactor Danger for stickhandling or the Reactor Slide Board to add strength to your stride. CASHAPP. Download CashApp and take control of your finances! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cash-ap... RIKI. Head to https://rikispirits.com/ to find out where to get RIKI near you. Follow @friday.beers and @rikispirits to stay up to date with upcoming RIKI contests and giveaways FUNKAWAY. To check out the full family of FunkAway products go to http://www.funkaway.com to learn more funk’in cool stuff. And head over to Amazon right now and grab FunkAway products with just a few clicks. FIREBALL . Fireball’s iconic cinnamon flavor tastes fire and goes down easy, making it the ultimate crowd pleasure. Go pick up some from your local liquor store and join us in drinking Fireball during our game days this season! #IgniteYourRivalry EVERYMANJACK. Give Every Man Jack a shot today and go to http://www.everymanjack.com and use code “NETTERS” at checkout for 25% off your first order CBDMD. Visit http://www.cbdmd.com to explore their extensive range of products and find the perfect solution for your needs. Don’t forget to use code “FRIDAY” at checkout to get 30% OF + Free Shipping. DOLLAR SHAVE CLUB. Dollar Shave Club products are now available everywhere, so you can order from their website, Amazon, or get them at your favorite retailer near you. Visit their site right now for 20% off $20 or more, and get your products delivered right to your door. Visit http://www.dollarshaveclub.com/netters and use promo code NETTERS for 20% off $20 or more CHOMPS. If you are looking for the PERFECT on the go snack that has zero grams of sugar and packed with high quality protein, then Chomps is for you. To learn more about Chomps, click here! http://www.chomps.com/emptynetters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

That is so wild that you said, though. Did you, like, research me to see these three shows? Oh, yeah, we've done significant digging, dude. Ice is ready, and we are back with another episode of the empty netters podcast brought to you by BetMGM. And we have got a long overdue interview today with our boy Jason Demers. Unbelievable to finally get him on the pod. We've been three peas in a pod ever since our golf tournament up in Half Moon Bay. And good Lord.

Is J.D. hilarious. Dude, I was so excited for this interview just because I knew the stories and the laughs were going to be flowing. And like starting right off the bat, just getting into all that shark stuff. The team he was on getting into the league, the Jumbo Joe stories, it's just incredible stuff. Oh, my God, man. Anytime I can hear a Jumbo story, it just pumps me up beyond belief. And then he got me so fired up for Four Nations talking about playing for Team Canada and just, I feel like so many guests now

we keep talking about international play because it is just it's the balls. So cannot wait for you guys to hear it. Dive right in, enjoy this interview with Jason Demers. At long last, we are absolutely thrilled to be joined by our Dorval, Quebec native,

the 186th overall pick in 2008 by the San Jose Sharks, also a member of the Dall Stars, Florida Panthers, Arizona Coyotes, and Edmonton Oilers, a 2017 World Championship silver medalist, an Olympic athlete.

And now a budding television star that is gracing your screens on NHL network. Jason Demers, welcome to the empty netters podcast. You forgot Spangler Cup champion. Spangler Cup champion. And a Spangler Cup champion. Wow. That's a nice feather than the cap. Damn, that is that.

That one. That one I still got on my mantle somewhere. There we go. Dude, that actually pumps me up. I can't tell you how many guys we interviewed that are like, yeah, I've lost my Olympic silver medal. And I'm like, what, dude? So, yeah, Spangler Cup champ, loud and proud. And we could have mentioned the man who is always still in it in the net at the Half Moon Bay Golf Tournament.

Oh, I, nobody uses my gin, my handicap more than I do in any game. I'm always looking for strokes. Hey, I don't give it. Everybody's like, ah, we'll play you straight up. I'm like, listen, there's a reason I'm an 11. Let me have, let me get inside the net. Yeah. And I get there.

And I get there. It exists for a reason, my friends. What a run I have. on that week. Dude, it was incredible. Pure electricity. The fans watching you climb the leaderboard from their couches, dude,

was just a sight to behold. It was amazing. The seven fans. And then capped by it on 17, a chip and birdie. Dude, which I had a compliment. With no camera running. Yeah.

God, dude, I was sprinting across the green. I made a fool myself. That footage is good. Yeah. You just absolutely ripping across the green is on camera. Unfortunately,

the shot's not. Well, Because the poor guy that was supposed to film all of my shots, like quit because he would film all the bad ones. Yeah. And then I'd like chunk a shot. And then all of a sudden I'd turn around and I'd hear it in the background. I'd hear, uh, what club did you use? And I was like, shut the fuck up.

Yeah, yeah. You're talking about the footage. Get the good ones. Dude, that was the funniest. Like, anytime there was a bad shot, like you just see guys like, God damn it. You're just like normal golf frustrations. And then that guy would just be like this. Hey, uh, what club was that?

Yeah. It's for, it's for the. show. I would give anything for the deleted scenes from that show of all after the bat shots of all the boys like, motherfucker. I mean, that whole week, we'd probably all be canceled. Yeah, absolutely, man. The, the blooper reel of that is just incredible, truly horrific. Absolutely incredible. Um, dude, uh, how was your winter classic experience? It was great other than, you know, you guys kind of chose the spit and chicklets guys over me, but, you know, uh, was a great experience. You know, I'm at House of Blues. I'm staring across the bar and I'm like,

hello, darkness, my old friend. Yeah. Just sitting there. But that's what happens when you bring your wife to the party, you know? Yeah, not as cool. Listen, I'll tell you what, I was at the bar and I got talking to this Marine who had just, oh yeah, had a crazy training accident and like his hand got blown off and he was literally the most interesting man I've ever met in my entire life. So I can't I got pulled away from everybody, but I apologize for nothing because he was awesome. It was such a cool story. Yeah, I can't compete with that. Yeah, I mean, none of us can.

Now, you just, thanks for making me feel bad. But thank you for your service. No, but it was, it was cool, man. I was able to do MetLife last year. And then this year, I've never been to Wrigley. So that setup was bananas, just how they did it. I thought was so cool. The anthem at the start of the game.

was electric. And then the blues fans yelling, let's go blues and the Hawks fans, like, I don't think people on TV could have heard it, but if you were there, like, so much fun to watch. And I think I was watching the show

and I told a couple of people that Jim Montgomery, when they interviewed him in the first period, was like, was literally made a point to say, like, did you hear the blues chance against the Hawks chance? He's like that was nuts. It was incredible.

It felt like a playoff game. Obviously, didn't end up being a playoff game. It didn't look like one. It sounded like one. Yeah, but it was fun. The start was great. Dude, I think a lot of people who are not blues or Hawks fans

who are kind of unfamiliar with that rivalry, got a good dose of it in that pre-game. Yeah, I think a lot of people were unaware of how much that those fan bases go at it. That part was sick, for sure. Well, Braden Shen being an absolute nail gun and just wanting to fight so he could say he fought at the Winter Classicist. Wanting to go at Center Ice at Wrigley. What are the all time?

What was it? What are the all-time quotes? It was like 5-1. It was 5-2 or something at that point, and he still just absolutely went for it against Fliggy. That was unreal. Yeah, I loved it. Just as like, yeah, screw it.

Let me get a little Instagram. Dude, it's great for the resume. Great for the resume. Absolutely. JD, I want to start with your Sharks days. Dan said you were drafted there. You get called up to the squad as a 21-year-old, I think. And, dude, that lineup is like Patty Marlowe, Jumbo Joe, Danny,

Heatley, Rob Blake, Joe Pavelski. What kind of shock to the system was that for you as such a young kid getting there? Well, I mean, you know, my first year, I got drafted like seventh round. I was I was not even expecting to get drafted. I was thinking I was going to university in Canada. I was like going to play one more year junior. And that was it. I've kind of reserving the right like, yes, is it.

I still had a good year the year before in the queue. And, but I was like, I don't know if I can, if this is going to, to work and then I got drafted and it was like I went to camp right out of camp played in the in Worcester for the year and was like oh shit like this is got a lot of good feedback that year and I was like this could be real I could be on pace here to at least you know play some games in the NHL and then the next year they like told me out of camp I just had a great camp and and was it was just perfect timing they were looking for like a second power play guy and I was just like at that time was really offensive-minded.

So I was like, it just like, everything fell into place, started the year. And then it was like, I started off so hot. I think I had like 10 points and 12 games. And like, our team was so stacked. And I was like, oh, my God, I'm the greatest player alive. I'm Wayne Gretzky. I'm Wayne Gletzky.

And I was like, this is incredible. And then I got sent down at like 35 games in because I just, you know, you learn that it's so, it's hard to make the NHL, but it's even harder to stay. And like that's the one thing I tell a lot of young guys. I'm like, listen, once you make it, it's like a constant grind every day to stay and stay up and keep getting better. And I didn't know that.

I kind of got really comfortable, really fast. And it just, you know, when you're playing on a team, like those sharks teams, those years was like it was win now every year. And you were like, either you're coming with us or you're getting left behind and you're getting thrown off the boat. and not only the coaching staff, but like the players will let you know, like if you're fucking not up to snuff and practice,

like those years was the craziest shit. Like you were, if you missed a pass, you were not only getting the coaching staff blowing the drill and the whole practice dead, but everybody was yelling at you and chirping you. And I was like taking Sudafed and Red Bulls for practices because I was like,

I need to be way better. Yeah. All times. I have not heard a Sudafed and Red Bull shout out in a while. And that just sent me back, dude. That is great. I lived on those for two years. That probably wasn't the best for my liver, but.

Dude, we read some quotes, too, about you saying in those early days that, because obviously, you know, we know you well and how funny you are, that you're, that's your personality, right? It's like keep it light and have fun and it's a game. And it was hard for you in those early years trying to tow that line of, of like, you're a young kid and you're like, this is who I am. But the vets are like, hey, dude, this isn't a joke. And you're like, well, I know, obviously I'm a competitive guy.

I'm taking it seriously, but this is who I am. Can you tell us about how that was an adjustment until you had enough games to kind of be yourself, if you will? I mean, I kind of always was myself. I never changed. But the thing that I could never explain to people until I retired was like everything that was rooted in an anxiety. Like I was so anxious.

I didn't want to lose what I had. And that was, I just had so much pent up energy and I didn't know where to put it. So it would just be in my personality coming in the room. because I would be no joke hyperventilating before games and like before practices. And I needed to like if I guys would always make a joke. Like if I didn't talk, I'd suffocate. But because like when I wasn't talking, I was just in my own thoughts. And that was like my whole career.

Like I really took me. Took me till retiring and like my last couple of years to really figure it out. Because, you know, when I came up back then, you just didn't talk about anxiety or anything like that. You just said like, hey, either you can play or you can't play. And like, you know, just. figured out. So it always got misconstrued as like I was unprofessional. And yeah, at times I was, listen, I like to have fun and it was what it was. But majority of the time was me like masking anxiety. And that's how I did. It was just being as loud as possible and trying to like almost talk

myself into not being so nervous. And it worked. But, you know, I took a ton of shit because I'd get called into the dressing room all the time and into the coaching staffs room being like, do you care or you professional and I'd you know it'd be so tough because I'm like I do I do trust me I do to the point would be it'd get really frustrating but that's just the way it was then and it's gotten significantly better and that they've really allowed guys to kind of let their freak flags fly but yeah it was it was honestly just something I battled with for my whole career it was just crazy and then people just think like meeting you that you're just not a you're just a clown and in a sense of you're just you just want to joke

and you don't really care. So you always just fight that. And that was the issue that followed me kind of my whole career. And it was so tough to shake. And obviously I stepped on, I was tell, I make a job, I could write a book called Landmine

because I stepped on every single one humanly possible and still played 13 years. So I tell guys like, listen, don't avoid those landmines as much as you can, like the plague. But yeah, that's just,

it's, it's, it's been good now, being on TV and be able to get the message out of like talking about anxiety and mental health has become a lot more commonplace to talk about it. So I'm glad that it's become something that's at the forefront and teams are taking it seriously and guys are taking it seriously too and getting help when they need to. At Medcan, we know that life's greatest moments are built on a foundation of good health

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Dude, and a great point because you were far, far, far from the only one dealing with that while dealing. So it's like, it's awesome for the state of the league that it's turning around so much right now. Do you have a if one is the top of your mind, do you have a favorite or funny jumbo story from those days when you were? I mean a million. Like I have a million ones of like jumbo destroying me like ripping me. And I have ones where, you know, I always tell the one that our first road trip, uh, one of the first ones we were on. He, you know, he always wanted to hang out in guys' rooms and would knock on your door as soon as he put his bags down.

Yeah. And then he would sit in your room all night. and you couldn't go anywhere. You were with him. And if there were, there were times later, my crew, I'd leave my own room

and he was in there, and I'd come back and he'd still be watching TV. Yeah. And ordered dessert. But he, like, one of the first road trips with him,

he, he came into my room. He said, put on a movie, bud. So I ordered Hurt Locker, and then he ordered room service, got under my covers,

took a nap, for all of Hurt Locker. So didn't watch it out. What? got up eight took his shit and then left and i and it is the all time i literally sitting up on top of the covers i did not get underneath and i'm sitting there and watching this hall of famer man and i'm 21 and he's sleeping and said hey bud put on a put on a movie and i'm watching hurt Locker and I didn't really want to watch it.

So I was force fed watching her locker. I was like, not a bad movie. Like the cinematography of it and it's great. Well, J.D., like not an easy watch either. Like it's not like he put on anxiety. It's not like high intensity, high octane military movie.

Oh yeah. And I'm just, I'm like, do I call somebody and like do I wake him up? And then, you know, eating the foot. It was it was nonstop. And, you know, at that age, you just, you kind of just took it with Jumbo because he was,

that's larger than life. But yeah, that's that, that one always sticks with me because I remember the movie and I could remember from the minute it started till the minute he left and was like, thanks, bud. See ya. A nice little nap for the fellas. Dude, taking, taking the shit and then leaving is just like. But I feel like the story is not as good as if he doesn't take a shit.

And I think he knew, I think he knew that as well. He's like, well, I've come this far. as well just put the cherry on top here make it my own 100%. Like it's a dog peeing on a new new area. He's just marking his territory. Captain Phillips. I'm the captain now. Is he the one?

He's the one that gave you the nickname daddy. Is that right? Yeah. We're at the Jersey retirement. Well, which is the funniest thing because when he was when he did his speech, he started saying all the nicknames of guys he made. And half of those names guys don't even know. know what the hell it means.

Like he called Patrick Rissmiller Street Dog. Like that's one of the all the time. He called like Jimmy. He called James Shepherd like Le Bonn. I call him LeBone. And then he called me he called me at first. My first before daddy was he called me Ocho Cinco. Yeah, of course.

Because why the hell not? And then he called me Cinco and then Ocho. And then it ended up just being like Ocho. And then daddy came later. But that was like he says I called myself, Daddy, but it was, it was, it was him. And, you know, I probably helped make it stick because, you know, by that time, I started just referring to myself as daddy and the third person. And the boys as your son, dude.

Yeah, you just got to lean into it, dude. Yeah, I, yeah, you know, like, it was so funny because your guy, you play with these guys that are like, you know, you play with Rob Blake and Danny Heatley. And he was like, I'm not calling you. he's like I'm not calling another grown man daddy and then guys would end up calling me daddy like these guys that are like hallfamers and it just then when I got traded Dallas I'm like oh thank goodness like I can get rid of this and as soon as I got there I walked room was like somebody told me like we have to call you daddy and then it was

just like it's stuck and then it's just so guys still call me daddy like yeah that I'll see like which is crazy like years years later yeah absolutely unbelievable dude um Dude, I want to talk about playoffs. Like you mentioned, like you, the sort of trial by fire when you got into the league with these guys that are just in win now. But you made the playoffs seven times in your career. But those first two years, it was just like straight to the conference finals, both times. Like with these unbelievable players, Hall of Fame famers, you beat Colorado in Detroit in that first year. Then you get bounced by the Hawks.

Next year, you beat a great L.A. team and Detroit. Then you get bounced by the Canucks. What was it like on those runs being with these guys who were definitely in that cup chasing, mode and just being thrown into it and knowing that you had to play the most competitive hockey in the world right away. Yeah. Man, it was it was such a whirlwind that year just like coming up and then obviously I got sent down at like 35 games in and then kind of kept coming back up and up and back. I think after that when I first got sent down my first year, I think I did like 20 cross-country flights was flying middle seat to Worcester. I was playing like

I was playing three games and three nights and then getting called up to play like on a Tuesday in San Jose and then getting sent down. And then even at one point, they struck a partnership with the East Coast Hockey League in Stockton. So they didn't have to send me down to Worcester. They would just send me to practices in Stockton. So I'd have to drive an hour and a half to Stockton, sign in on a piece of paper and then drive back. And I did that for like two weeks. and funny story before I get into the playoffs. So I was doing those Stockton practices.

So I'm practicing in the East Coast for, you know, three practices. And obviously, you know, it's a good league, but it's not the NHL. And I'm sitting one of the nights, I was like, ah, you know what, I'm going to treat the guys. So I take these guys out to a strip club in Stockton. And I'm watching on the TV. I'm watching the Sharks play. And I'm like, they were losing it.

I'm like, oh, I'm probably going to get called up tomorrow. and hopefully get a chance to play. So they end up calling me up. And they called me up. I'm playing the Detroit Red Wings. And that was the year we beat him, but they're in cup winning mode. So I've been practicing in the East Coast for like a week.

No NHL practices right into a game against Detroit Reddings. What do you think is going to happen? I just get lit up. Just dash two, giving up a breakaway. And I'm like, I get into the room after and I'm like, pissed because I'm like, you know, it's on me because I got to, you know, show up. But I'm also like, I mean, like, you're not set me up for success. And, but that's the way it was. Like, you can't really get mad. So then the next day I get to practice and Patty Marlowe's like, pulls me aside.

And I always tell this story. And he goes like, hey, man, he's like, I told them to call you up because like, we need you to win. And he's like, if you ever make me look bad again, he's like, I'll never be in your corner again. And I was like, oh my God. So I was like, Kay. like I was like mad at the coaching staff for like them be like they're fucking me. You know, they're screwing me over. And then Patty Marl was the guy that kind of orchestrated me. So after that it was like. Well, J.D. Patty, Patty, Patty's like, what were you doing last night?

And you're like, well, I went to bed early. Patty. I was, I was, I was getting hydrated. Well, I had a couple days. This strip club thing. That was a couple days. Like, I wasn't just back to back. Come on.

I don't make me look back. I just being. I was being a nice guy with the East Coast boys. Get him a night. You are. You are. You are. You are.

You are. But, yeah. And at that time, that was the year after they got bounced in the first round to Anaheim when they had, you know, JR was on the team in 08-09 and it was like a huge failure. Like Milan Mahalc was there. They did a bunch. And that's when they kind of, they brought in heater. They did a bunch of changes. So this was like so much pressure to get out of the first round.

Like they were like, if we don't get out of the first round, like this is like, it's like kind of like Toronto is. Right now it's like this year where it's like if they don't get out of the first round, it's blowing. shit up. Oh, 100%. And they're like, you guys better get through. So that whole series, and then we play Colorado and we should beat him. And they made it as hard as possible on us as they could. Like we go down, uh, Anderson was playing lights out. We were putting like 55 shots up on him every game. He was playing lights out. We had that was when Dan Boyle scored on, on his own goal. And like, we were like kind of in trouble a little bit. We ended up winning in six, but it was a tough series. They gave us all we can handle.

And then we were like, okay, we got through. It was like a deep exhale. And then I got to play, you know, Detroit. I get to play like a team that I idolized growing up and got to playing Joe Lewis in the playoffs. And we and playing Nick Lindstrom, who's like one of my, you know, him and Sergey Gontra are my two favorite players. So I'm like watching Nick Lindstrom and we kicked the shit out of them too, which was like incredible. You know, that playoff run, I had like five points. I scored in that series.

sorry, I scored in the next series, but, you know, I had like five points. I was contributing. I was playing good minutes. And then, yeah, we get to Chicago. And Chicago was one, too, where, you know, we just caught Antony. It was a hot goalie, and we couldn't solve Bufflin in front of the net. But I got to score the first goal of that series was, like, huge. And I'm on the ice on the power play with, you know, Dan Boyle, Joe Thornton, Danny Heatley, Patty Marlowe.

And it's like, me. And I'm just like, as a kid. you're like, holy crap. Like, this is like a moment that I'll never forget. And obviously I haven't. So it was it was such a cool experience, but you know, you get swept. And then it's like so many questions. You know, we made it to the conference finals.

And it was like we didn't do anything because that's how much we were supposed to win. It was like it's not acceptable to not make it to the Stanley Cup finals. Yeah, dude. Is it hard? Jeez. after like because I've talked to some guys because you do that two years in a row basically so almost same story right and it's like as a young player are you like well I'm going to get a bunch of more cracks at this does that creep into your mind and how are you feeling in the few years after when kind of playoff

success is is fading compared to those first two years man I listen I made the playoffs seven times in my career six of them were with san Jose my first six years so I only made the playoffs once after Well, I consider twice because I consider the COVID year when we beat Nashville in AZ. I consider that one because, listen, we needed to, AZ needed a win there. Let's give the coyotes a little love. We made it. But, yeah, it, you know, Trent Yanni always said, Trent Yanni was one of my first D coaches. And, you know, after those first years, he's like, listen, man, he's like, you got to cherish the times and be in the moment in those in those runs when you have a good team because it is so hard to make the playoffs.

and you don't know when you're going to get a chance. I mean, look at Jeff Skinner. He's never played in the playoffs. His whole career. And it's like, you do not know when you're going to get back. And you have to take advantage of every opportunity because it's a gift, you know, it's a privilege to be in the playoffs. And it's so incredibly tough.

So he's like, don't shortchange yourself when you get come playoff time. And that was always something that stuck with me. And it sucked. And I'm making the playoffs. And, you know, at least getting around is like more. valuable and worth it in your career than just missing the playoffs and having good like individual statistics in a year. I just feel like if you can just get to the playoffs, it's just life's better. That's the real hockey in the NHL is the playoffs. It's the real hockey. Like you

talk about guys that have success in season. It's like you don't know what success is until you're in playoff time. Yeah. I'm so curious about, I mean, those teams just as an objective fan, was like that run felt like how how does this team not win the cup like that you guys were so good yeah when you do end up losing obviously losing sucks we all know that that feeling what was going on with some of you guys and some of those vets knowing how good you were and coming up short was it was it hard to get past that and move on to the next season and then kind of have the same thing happen again or did they all just stay positive and with that mindset that they knew how good you guys were and just got right back on the saddle

Well, the pressure just mounts, right? And then, you know, because especially with the same core and if you keep a core together for a certain amount of time, it's just the pressure that mounts. And they did make some changes, you know, a few times. So it really wasn't, you know, the same team. And that was the other thing. Like, you know, I always try to tell guys, I'm like, you know, cherish those good teams you have because you'll never ever in your career play with the same group of guys two years in a row. There's always one person gone. So it's like cherish that team.

and be, you know, be present in the moment. And, and because otherwise, you know, like I said, the pressure just keeps mounting and mounting until if you don't win, they, they, they, they blow it up. And it's just, that's what happens in the NHL. It's, it's just, it's pro sports. Your core gets an opportunity. If they can't get it done, they're going to find another core.

So it's like, you know, the pressure just mounted every year. And then obviously frustration, you know, not, you know, obviously losing after not making it back to the conference finals. And then they did make it to the finals a year, two years after I left. And then, yeah, since then it's been, you know, it's been tough. So it's really just you don't know you're in the good time. You know, we were making that joke.

It's like you don't know you're in the good times until they're gone. And we kind of recognized that when we had Jumbo's Jersey retirement because we got out on that ice for that alumni game and it was, man, it was one of the most fun games I played in, you know, because the place was rocking. It was like 8,000 fans sold out. Place was going bananas. Guys were like going hard. It was it was so much fun.

You know, it was just such a good time. And I just think we like all looked up and had kind of collectively, we're like, wow, like we really had it good. And the fans really had it good because the fans were like recognized and we're so appreciative of us even years later because they're like, it was such a good moment in time for the Sharks fan and Sharks faithful and us as players. Like those, you know, when you have that dual kind of kinship with fans and it's really they love you, you love them back.

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Yeah, absolutely. 100%. In 2017, J.D., you get the opportunity to do what every young Canadian boy dreams of and pop on that national sweater, play in the world championships. That team, dude, I'm going to read some of this. That team was stacked. And then me. And then there's Jay.

Yeah. No, no. Dude, you're right at it. Nathan McKinnon, Matt Duchayne, Braden point, Travis Kineckney, Mitch Marner, Clodgeroo, Jeff Skinner, Mark Sheifley, Ryan O'Reilly, Josh Morrissey. again, to name a few, like the entire thing top to bottom. You guys make it all the way to the final in play in a tilt against Sweden. 1-1 goes to a shootout.

You end up getting clipped there. What was that experience like both getting to wear that jersey and coming up just short? Oh, so much bullshit losing into a shootout. When, you know, Nate Dogg missed an open net, it just bounced over a stick in overtime. Like it was, Lundquist was out of the net and it just like was trickling to a stick. And that was it was it. We won. And it just like, boom, right over his blade.

And it was like one of the most heartbragy things. And then we lose into a, you know, a shootout. But yeah, we had such a good team. And so many guys that, you know, I look back now that I played with them. And, you know, they're now, I would say they're kind of in their prime. And they were still learning a little bit. But like the Braden points and, I mean, so incredible to play with these guys. And our goalie was Calvin Picard.

Yeah. his pickard was our was our goalie and i love it and he was good and he played great for us but you know i even look back i was playing with calvin de hon and ended up taking on like a defensive role and ended up playing a lot of minutes like i watched josh morsey now and mike matheson and i was playing like more minutes than them in that tournament and i'm like how the hell did that happen me and calvin de hon are playing more minutes than these two kids you know if it's not for them they that game we had a unbelievable game against Russia where we had a comeback and they were a huge part of that.

Like it was that was a crazy game playing Russia in Cologne. That was the semis, right? I'm pretty sure. It was the semis was nuts. Like we were down and then we just like had this crazy comeback to win. And then, you know, we just peppered Sweden and then, you know, Hank was did Hank things. And, you know, it was it was a great experience to have that to get the silver. and get the second, but, you know, it's one of those like, what ifs.

And like we had it and you're, you're just staring at the puck on the goal line. And basically we all had her hand raised like this. And it just, just one one inch of a bounce. And that's the beautiful and fucking annoying thing about hockey. Yeah. Dude, it's talking about your time with San Jose and some of those older boys that you played with. And then now this tournament, it speaks a lot to what we mentioned earlier, your longevity of your career and just battling. staying relevant, staying great at the game.

How cool is it for you right now, still being in this hockey world, like Chris said, seeing some of these guys who are in their prime fighting for cups, you have such an awesome era, I feel like, of your hockey career where you got to play and learn a lot from OG Legends, Hall of Famers. And then now, as we are seeing the game transition to a different style, these guys who are kind of taken over the game, you also played with them. Is that, do you ever sit back and be like, wow, how cool is it that I got to play with both of these eras.

Well, yeah, it's like the transfer, you know, I kind of caught the tail end of old school and into the new school. So I got to see, you know, I always say 1988 is like one of the best birth years because we know a little bit about technology and all the new school stuff, but we're still attached to the old school, you know, touching a little grass and making sure you're, and that's not a euphemism for smoking weed. I just mean like getting outside and enjoying, enjoying life and like not being stuck to your phones. So we kind of got a little bit of everything. And, uh, yeah, we, it was, it was a fun era to play

against, you know, the Lindstroms and the, the Joe Thorntons and all that stuff and, and then, and then also see the Braden points. And I watch him last night. I'm just like, this guy is so underrated still. Oh my God, man. It's crazy. Yeah. He is like, somehow people keep sleeping on him. He's so good, man. If you watch him for five games and you're like, he makes Kutraff that good as well. It's, it's a, it's a, it's a, dual relationship. But, you know, I got to, you know, Colton Pereko is another one. He was young, you know, watching his career and his game. And, you know, Josh Morrissey was just a young kid. And now he's a stud Norris Trophy style defenseman. And, you know, I even go down the list,

you connect me and Mitch Marner. I mean, those two guys, guys were kind of, it was on the fence of, like, are these guys going to be players or, you know, are they going to kind of just be really skilled guys? And they've both developed in, like, unbelievable two-way. players like you know marns on the on the pk is incredible and i was watching tk last night and i'm like these guys have just you know just shows how deep of a league we have skill wise and you know how these top guys are top guys and and it's fun to watch you know obviously you always want to be out there and you know still some games i'm like i could have made that pass or yeah i would have made a little backhand sauce dougie or i wouldn't have dove on that two-on-one and been an idiot

defending so but it's it's it's fun to still be in it and see the guys and you know even at winter classic i you know saw colton i got to talk to him and you know saw bina and and talk to dylan holloway and these guys that are coming up and kind of getting into the prime of their career and uh it's really fun to see because you know i was that kid with a lot of guys that were out of the league when i started you know the the boils and stuff like that and and they kind of ushered me in so you just got to kind of keep that tradition going yeah it's amazing Man. Well, after the San Jose days, you popped around to a few different homes. You had a great playoff run in a couple of years in Dallas, then down to Florida, then four years in Arizona,

finished things off in Edmonton. That period of your career is like we keep talking about, is a long stretch where you battled some injuries with your knee, going all these different homes, you know, early part of your career, like you said, you're flying back and forth a million times. Now this part, you've got a new home, new home, new home. What was that for? phase like and you know like what what are some things that people both fans and young players don't know about that era when you're you know older in your life you're an adult and all of a sudden you have to get a new home in different states different cities and seeing out the end of your career what was what were those feelings like uh you know unfortunately it was it was a lot of stress

and uh you know i always joked that like i never once felt comfortable in my my nchel career like not one game other than 700 because I kind of knew that that was it. And I was like, I had enough. And I, and I just kind of mentally was exhausted from from battling. And, you know, maybe that's part me putting too much pressure on myself and not just kind of letting it flow. And, but who knows? If I didn't do that, I might not have played 13 years.

And I might have been out of the league quicker. So, you know, you never want to look back. And, you know, I just wish I was at times more appreciative. of where I was and things like that. And that's something that, you know, age only gets you. I feel like you can tell kids that, but they don't realize it until you're kind of rolling out of, you know, your last few years. But I was lucky enough in the sense of when I blew my back out and I was like two years, like a year rehabbing, I saw the other side. So it gave me an appreciation of what I had and also made me appreciate that last year in the minors, which, you know, if I was, you know, two years before that, I probably would have jumped out of the bus when it was.

you know when we were halfway to halfway from Bakersfield and you know driving shit seven hour drive so I was just like so it made me kind of appreciated and enjoy the guys and stuff like that but yeah that's just the it's the nature of the beast and and you know those those years of buying a house and then kind of like I was in Florida I bought a house and renovated the whole thing I signed five years

I was like this is where I'm playing and obviously it was like one of the worst years of hockey in my career in terms of, you know, personally in my personal life, but also, uh, with the team and the organization. And then I got traded that next year when the house was like finished. The day was finished. Yeah. Start a training camp. I get traded. Oh, Jesus. And then I'm in Arizona and, you know, Arizona started off good. And, you know, I felt really good every year and was really trying to dial in. And I just couldn't get around, uh, injuries. Like I, yeah, you know, my first year I had a something I couldn't control. I had a blood clot in my hand. So I had to like, I missed 20.

games. Then I came back and I blew my knee out that second year and was like having a great start to the season and was playing like 22, 25 minutes a night and was like playing top minutes with OEL and we were doing really well. We're in a great spot in the standings, you know, blow my knee out. And then that next year it was like it was a concussion, back spasm. I tore my oblique. I, you know, I tore my oblique in one game, tried to play the next game. tore my transverse abdominal too, so I had two tears and then, you know, concussions. And that year was like kind of a battle. And then, you know, when you play in the league long enough and you start getting an injury trouble, you know, other guys seize the opportunity.

And then guys, you know, started getting into favor. And I was kind of always battling my way back. And even though it was effective when I played. So, you know, then you start losing minutes. You get frustrated. You're trying to kind of get back to where you were. and it's just, it's just not happening. And you're getting so, so frustrated on a day-to-day basis.

But that's just kind of, when you get, when that injury bug hits and you just can't escape it, it's, it's, it's very tough. And it's very, you know, you see guys go through it in the league. And I always kind of say, if you can avoid the needle and the scalpel as much as possible, you're, you're going to play a long career. And because, you know, once you start having to worry about rehabbing and coming back, it just, it's a downward slope because one surgery, you know, all the studies are coming out now about like what anesthesia does your body and breaking down your

tissue and, you know, one surgery leads to two leads to three, especially when you're playing such a high contact sport. You know, you can see guys now that's just it's you break a little bit easier. So I always, you know, credit to those guys that play a long time. But yeah, that's that's kind of where my last five, six years went. And, you know, we had some good years, had some good time, some great teams, great guys. But yeah, just like you're just like going up and down the, the roller coaster.

But, but yeah, grateful for all that because it led me kind of the, it led me kind of the next phase of my career and everything. So which was, which was fun. And I mean, I'm appreciative for everything.

It sounds like a lot of shit. And you're like, holy fuck, this guy's airing out his laundry. But it was all, everything happens for you, not to you. No,

man, I appreciate you saying that stuff because, like we always say, it's, you know, for people who love hockey. it sounds like the best job in the world. And how could you ever complain?

But I think it's good for people to hear about this stuff. Because it is, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. You know, things do get a bit of a grind. But to, you know, kind of swerve away from the grind of those days, you, were in some pretty sweet cities. Are there any awesome memories or stories from Florida, Dallas, Arizona? Because like you're in Arizona now. Clearly, it left an impression.

Like you like being. And J.D., can you tell the fake A story? Yeah. For people that don't know it. Oh, in AC? with the, oh, yeah, that one always, I, that one I love, because I love Stan Wilson. He's just the best and one of the best trainers in a game. And I think he's advising now for Utah, but he's, you know, he's just,

the guy's just salt to the earth. And I get to kind of, it was probably like my second or third year in Arizona. And we get into preseason games. And I was always that guy, I'd get the shit, you know, the first, you know, the first game that's on the road, I'd have to go with all the rookies. and you know i always call that game the lambs to slaughter game where they just send you and you know the other team's putting their full roster and you're just getting fucking whacked because you're going with like kids that are going to get cut after the game yeah and you're just like oh god here

we go so we're kind of get we we did one of those games and i had the a and i was like oh my god this is great so we we kind of get to like game one of the season and i'm sitting in the locker room and I come in and, you know, I put on my jersey and I'm like, I was like, whoa, my, I got an A. Like, they gave me an A. Like, what? I'm like, finally, like, they see what I contribute around here. Like, I'm just, you know, one of the, you know, I'm a leader and here and that. And then I see Stan Wilson walk through the room and he comes through and I'm like, Stan.

And he's like, oh, he's like, sorry. He's like, yeah, he's like, he's like, that's a, that's a mistake. Let me just grab that. He just like, rips the Velcro off. and I'm just like, oh, no. Such a dagger. Not again. I'm just the locker room lawyer still.

Oh, no. I'm just the guy sets up the team dinners. Shit. Adobe Acrobat Studio, your new foundation. Use PDF spaces to generate a presentation. Grab your docs, your permits, your moves. AI levels of your pitch gets it in a groove. Choose a tablet with your timeless cool.

Next those two. Drive design. deliver make it sing AI builds the deck so you can build that thing do that do that do that with acrobat learn more at adobe dot com slash do that with acrobat well did you ever find out what happened like why I think it was just you know they just had it on for probably some game

and and I probably because they would have announced me obviously like when they announced like right before the season so but it was just I was trying to see if they would notice and yeah they noticed you should have just sprinted out there just hit the ice dude be like this I dare you to rep this off during the game I should just stole it and kept that A God that kills me

Dude you had said You had said to Well I actually read a cool article about your time in AZ When Talk was there And how he had these really had a really candid conversation With you one time about like Watch your game Tell me what you think you're doing

How you're playing out here And how much you appreciated that And you had made a comment to your dad about how he's one of the best coaches you've ever had. Can you talk about talk and just like what your experience was with him and what you think he can accomplish with Vancouver and just the type of coach he is? Oh, that's great. You brought that up.

And that's funny that there's an article of that because mine and his relationship could not have ended worse in Arizona. Just one of the biggest blowups over like two years. And I mean, I'll say this. When we started together, it was really good. we kind of worked well up each other and then the relationship for whatever reason soured like it could never sour um i did see him in in Vegas uh last year and i did the awards and and you know just kind of said hey how are you i shook his hand and that was probably it but it was still like was he like

good how are you or was it oh no it was still like it was like hey it was like mr talk it was like okay like we were both like hey like you know whatever but there's i don't know if there's much chit-chat going on. And listen, I know he's so close with so many people in the NHL and it is what it is. We just had our own, our own thing. I'm, I'm completely past it. I, you know, I don't need to go to the bar with him and have beers, but I mean, like, it's fine. I think he does, you know, what I'll give him is, is he does know how to get the most out of certain players. And I do think he works really well with, you know, the, a lot of, I would say, you know, the only guys he has some issues with at times are like the, you know, he had a little issue with Taylor Hall and then obviously Elias Pedersen, you can see it just doesn't quite click because, you know, Talk was a different player. And I think he coaches that way. It was the way he played. And you can see the guys that thrive under him, the JT. Miller's, the Connor Garlands, the guys that the Dakota Joshua's. Like those are the guys that really, really thrive. Kiefer Sherwood. Looking Sherwood under talk. You know, he had a great run in Nashville. But he just,

He really does know how to speak to those guys and make them excel. And you can see it. And then obviously you see the guys where at times it's a little bit tougher for him, which is the Elias Pedersen, because Elias Pedersen needs a little bit more, you know, white gloves. And he needs to be kind of petted a little bit and told he's great. And there's nothing wrong with that. There's, you know, as a coach or a psychologist,

you've got to deal with 25 different personalities. And that's the hardest part about the job. And I think he's gotten, I think he's gotten better in Van, it seems like. But, you know, in AZ was kind of the same thing a little bit. There was certain guys that just didn't click with him. And I started out as a guy where we clicked. And then just kind of when it hit the skids, it hit the skids. And listen, I had my pardon as well.

I was, I was very resistant to whatever he said near the end. And more of a frustration and anxiety of seeing what was kind of I was losing and all the injuries. and I was just dealing with a lot and I blashed out and that's he was the guy that was on the receiving end and we also you know and then as anybody knows like coaching relationships with players is such a fickle thing and it can turn in a second and if you're out of favor with a coach

like I always tell guys like my dad coached me his whole my dad coached for years you know 15 years coached my brother coached me coached like us when we were kids and you know I always lean on him a lot for advice and in the coaching room and he always tell me listen he's like if you don't like a player it is very hard to find the good things in his game if you just don't like that player anymore it's not that you don't like the person or whatnot but if you're not in tuning you can see that's why some guys it's very important for guys to be in a good spot

with a coach that gets them and understands them because not all coaches and player relations are built the same so you really have to find that perfect fit because everybody goes well how did you know how did so-and-so do so great in vancouver and then he goes over here and he can't play it anymore like he's just he stinks and it's like well he had a coach that just knew exactly how to play and he had confidence and you kind of build the confidence together and if it that doesn't happen it's tough for guys to play and it's very much you are a product of your environment so that's that's as much positive as i'll give uh unrich talking and i know i know i mean listen I'm not going to sit here and just be like,

ah, that guy's a piece of trash. Because, listen, it's a two-way street, anything in life. And, and,

uh, I was, uh, I had my hand in it. Like I said, one of the landmines that I ran into. Yes, yes,

yes. And my book landmines was, was managing that relationship. And I did not do it. I did not do it great. But I mean, J.D., it's such a good thing to bring up.

And I think everything you've said is, it was so well said. Because people always, always talk about what does a coach really do if you have i mean look at trano is a great example you have all of these all stars and so often people are like how do they not perform these are the things that people don't think about that often it's it is i think it's player to player it's coach to coach it's not an easily transferable thing every single time you can have a guy who is an all star one year then goes to a new team maybe signs a new contract

after a big year they get to that new team with a new coach and it does not fit at all it's not necessarily the player's fault it's not necessarily the coach's fault it's not necessarily the coach's fault it's like these at the end of the day i think it's important for people to remember that we are all people and like all these players all these coaches are people and those things need to work for for yeah yeah look at the look at the look at the cast of characters that's left buffalo sabers to went on to have all-star careers everyone's got a cop and those guys were those guys were people were saying they busts and they stink and they're bad players and bad guys and it's like well it just just didn't fit and you have to find the fit and have to

find what works and it's such a, such a perfect formula that you have to create, to create winning teams consistently. And I think the teams that figure it out are just every year and they're at least in it. And then the teams that haven't figured out in organizations, you just see it. It's just, it's just like this.

It's just an up and down. They just can't figure it out. And for whatever reason, and that's just the, the mix hasn't quite been figured out. Absolutely. I want to ask you about what, for me is my favorite part of your career. You gave everyone these great stories and anecdotes

about the grind and all the injury. I mean, dude, that the injury of you tearing two things in back to back games. Yeah. It's just absolutely preposterous. That one stunk because that one stunk because and the funny story behind that is I think Brad Richardson and Michael Grabner were hurt and we were playing LA and just the pain I'll never forget. So I tore my, my ab. and you know back then I was very much uh I probably should have taken more time off on certain injuries and I just was very much from the school of you know put a needle in me and uh give me mark cane or whatever it is and and give me a nerve blocker so they like were dying laughing because I basically like ran into the room like and you know when you tear your ab and you're like suffice it's

almost like you're like so I'm like I'm like in severe pain screaming and I just walk into the room and I just basically drop my my I pull my ass cheek out and I'm like shoot me now yeah and not to like it's not to joke about it like everything's you know I got all my I could joke now because I got all my blood work done everything's good and I you know did destroy myself but I was like shoot me shoot me yeah and then you're just like oh okay okay I'm gonna I'll go back out and play and then I tried to do that twice and tore the other one and I was like okay good god time out Time out. I'm out. But I'm so glad you just painted the picture even more intensely there.

But you have all of that stuff, all of this grind. And then in 2022, I mean, after a decade of you being in the league, we come out of the COVID year and you get named to the Canadian Olympic team in Beijing. Taking a quick break from the pod to talk to you guys about our new partner, Dollar Shave Club. I love Dollar Shave Club so much because they're for everybody. You're stabbled, you're clean shaving, you're bearded. They've got whatever you need at any budget. They make the razors. You make the rules.

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all the different cities, all the grinding to at that part in your career, the end of your career being named to an Olympic team must have been the most unbelievable feeling in the world. And obviously you go there, you go, I think it was two and one in the first three games. You lose to Sweden. So you must hate Sweden at this point. Oh, right. And I scored in that game too. And they disallowed it.

I scored and they, they, uh, it was a stupid penalty call where, you know, if you lift a D man stick in the net front and the Dman loses a stick, it's a penalty. And I think it was Jordan Wheel lifted it and I scored and it was like in before the stick was out of his hand and they called it. And it was, it would have been a great moment. But yeah, I mean, that that was such a, that whole experience is, was kind of leading up to me getting my 700th game. And, you know, when I, when I was. scratched that last game of my last year of Arizona where I would have got 700 and I was kind of in my head was like I'd ask them for it and I was like I'm pretty much I was like quitting because I was hated the game hated you know parts of myself hated the whole system and you know didn't get the

game and I was like well fuck this I'm going to train as hard as I've ever trained and get healthy I train, you know, twice a day, six days a week in Arizona, in the 100 degrees sun outside, skated four or five days a week. I was like, I'm getting back. I ended up getting, I thought I was going to get a job offer or a call or at least a one-year deal, got nothing. So I'm like, then I started to panic. And I was like, holy shit, you know, got rid of my agent, changed agents.

And then two weeks before camp, I blew my back out. Yeah. And like, you know, my L5. us one, blew it out, was like, this is it, I'm done. I'm like, are you fucking kidding me? Like I was gonna, I was, because I knew I was kind of ready to go for on a PTO and I was like, I don't care. I'm like, 100%.

I'm like, feeling so good. Best shape I've ever been in, you know, dialed in my eating, dialed in everything. I'm like, I'm going to go on some team and crush it and play another, you know, five years. And, you know, the life had other plans for me. So I blew my back out and then was like, this is it. I'm done. I was like, you know what? what I'm going to do the surgery.

You know, my wife was like, listen, like, get the surgery. Let's fix your back. Let's just start rehabbing and see what we can't do. And, you know, my family too is like, you know, just keep going. So I went got surgery, did it in Arizona on my own, my own dime. I did it through the, I was lucky to still have the NHL healthcare insurance. Went in rehab, in Philly, on my own dime, spent like 20, 30 grand on rehab. with this specialist in Philly and did it quietly, changed agents, and then got like a call.

I think it was like November and I had been probably rehabbing for two and a half months and I just started skating. And I, you know, with the surgery, I lost all feeling in my, my leg and my foot. So I, when I came back, my foot was, my left foot was still numb. So when I was skating, I'd always, when I started for the first like three weeks, anytime I'd turn to the left, I'd like fall because my, I didn't have any feeling on my edge. Yeah. Jesus. So not many people know that like I've started to talk about it a little. I never wanted to use it as a crutch, but now that I'm retired, I'm like, okay, I could tell the story. So I was skating at Oceanside in Arizona. Um, Mike, one of the guys that worked for the sun devils and Johnny Loeffner, uh, who's now the equipment guy in San Jose. He was the equipment guy for ASU. He was like sharpening my skates and they were letting me come in at like six in the morning. And they were letting me skate, um, because all the times. it was like it was like so hard to get times yeah so they'd give me like 30 minutes in between ice

cuts to go on my own and skate and you know they were charging me half price so i you know adam mims and those guys in arizona like i own so much and they were like helping me kind of get back and in november i get a call from team cannon they're like hey we don't know if the nchl is going to go to the olympics because of the covid stuff and and we're kind of putting together a a b team and and they're like would you be interested and i'm like oh yeah and they're like are you healthy and I'm like yeah yeah he always I'm like how long do I have I'm like how long do I have and they're like they're like uh you know like the camps in like a month and I'm like yeah I'll be ready and then I went and skated every day was like got my foot back to you know my pinky toe is still numb

and I think it'll always be a little bit but um like but my outside foot but got all the way back had not practiced it was playing beer league to get like games in and game reps in A Z I was playing in like a beer league and got the got the call to go to the some pre-tournament game so i went all the way to moscow for a pre-tournament game dude jd jd answers the beer league email out out this week at olympics at olympics at olympics at olympics so i was like telling the guys at i'm like nobody fucking touched me i'm like i have to get the fun because it's like let's keep it just let me go so it was like a running joke i'd get texts from some of the guys in beer league and they're like, you owe us this.

Like, so they were like my, you know, they were the guys that those were I was getting my games. So I ended up going to Moscow for this pre-tournament like tryout. And it's like this, uh, it's this little tournament cup. It's like it's three games and three games and four days. And granted, I haven't practiced once. So I get there. I have one practice with the team. And it's like a flow practice.

the speed was a little it was intense and then my first game back from back surgery having not played a game or anything competitive was like there was against Russia in Moscow and they basically loaded up their team and that was like I'd have to look back because I don't want to mess it up it was like their 40 or 50 year anniversary Putin was in the building he gave like every player like five grand to beat us like and I'm sitting there on the, I'm sitting there on the blue line and they're doing the anthems. And I'm like, oh my God. I've made a huge mistake. I'm like, I might not be prepared for this. And I turn to the guys and the whole like,

the whole lead up to the game. Guys are like, you know, all these guys were there. They played in Russia too. And they're like, they're like, they're like, Russia doesn't really come hard. They like, they sit in a trap.

And I'm like looking across. I'm like, boys, I'm just going to let you know something. These fucking guys are coming hard. Just get ready because they're coming downhill. They're like seething. Like you can just see them like kill Canada. Yeah. And was like an absolutely, it was a,

it was such a fun game because I hadn't played in forever. And I was running around trying to kill everybody because I was like, it's just so excited to be back. And of course, in that game, I get tripped going to the corner. I scorpion into the boards. Oh.

And my foot touches my head. And I'm like laying down there motion. unless and only the trainers knew like there that I had back surgery. And I was like, am I dead? Yeah. Like did all of that surgery just go to shit? I'm like, I've died. I was like, oh God.

And then I was like, okay, I think I'm okay. Toes are fine. Toes are fine. And then I get to the bench. And the trainer's like, well, I think your back's fine. And I guess so here we go. And, you know, we got through the tournament. And it was tough to get through the tournament, honestly,

because we didn't play the, the Olympics didn't start for another month, but it was really tough because I hadn't, my body hadn't been through that. I didn't have a training camp. And then obviously like fatigue, you can train so hard, but you don't realize getting those games. And then I ended up getting the, you know, I ended up going to play in Russia for like a month and then played in the Olympics. And I was like, by the time Olympics said, I was ready to go and had a great tournament I felt. Dude, J.D, you were you were second, tie for second among all players in that tournament with a plus seven. how are you? Not a big deal.

I don't think I was on for a goal against and I was Pekin and it was it was frustrating though because I feel like we could have we should have meddled and it's still one of those. That one, this, that Olympics hurts a million times more than losing and shootout in world championships with having an empty net goal missing. That's how much I think we not only drop the ball, but I just think certain people behind us drop the ball. but that's just for another conversation on private time. But I just think you know, I was pissed.

We need to get the video of that scorpion and send it to your back surgeon so they can just play that on a loop in their offices. Like, hey, if you're ever worried about how well we're doing here, this happened a mere weeks after his surgery and he's fine. Oh, I mean, the guys on the bench, like their eyes when I skated, they're like, they're like, are you good, bro? I'm like, man, I'm like, I like, I don't think. so, but I feel like somewhere down the line of my life, I'm going to be feeling this Scorpion.

I'll pay for this. But for right now, this is good because it's Canada. Yeah, yeah, let's go. J.D., you mentioned how that Olympics got you prep for Game 700 and for the people that don't know the story. And you kind of alluded to it. It was like healthy scratched and AZ at the end for, I think a couple games, dude, even you were out of playoff contention.

I didn't sit well with you. It didn't sit well with a ton of players in the league. You grinded your ass up to get back. Signed with Edmonton and you're with the H.L squad. and then they let you know a couple days ahead of time that they're going to call you up and get you that 700th game. What were the emotions? I heard you say like after the first shift it was all business. But that first shift, what were the emotions for you to think that you, after the work you put in, you were able to accomplish that milestone?

Yeah. Well, it was after the pizza that I turned over because I'm like I was chalked that up to the emotions too. It was a pizza. It was a pizza and I was making the pass through tears basically because my fucking eyes were watering the whole time like a, little bitch. But, uh, and I was so,

I'm so mad at myself because the rest of that game was, was, was good and solid. And, and I had a chance to, a couple of chance to score and, and, um,

you know, hit some guys, but that's just, you know, you make that mistake. And they had, they had a great team and, and I probably just didn't do enough.

But, um, yeah, it was, it was, uh, it was a great run. Like I said,

playing down there. And, and obviously, I mean, when I got the call, they called me a couple of days before. I mean, I was in the hotel.

You were leaving the strip club with the HL boys. She gave a good time. No, my life was so cleaned up at that point. It was, it was, you know, just craziness. Like those are the young boy days. And I had my wife with me. So unless she, yeah, she probably wouldn't mind going to the strip club. Yeah, she would have gone.

Yeah, she'd be gone. She's a, she's a gamer. Dude, do you get a gift for Cici's kid every year on his birthday? Because that's one of the great, that's one of the great assists of all time. Oh, one of the great. like it worked out great and obviously him having his kid and so i i see him in sandoza all the time so but i'd like you know it was one of those weird things i i wish i'd pushed earlier in the season like hey bring me up give me a chance this and that and i kind of just said you know what i'm gonna

take on the the being a leader and giving back and things like that but yeah i i've credit to his wife for pushing out that baby right on that exact day but the whole thing the whole you know the whole two years were just so cathartic and and you know that call and I tell you know my wife's the only person that saw me I mean I was on my I never knew what it meant to like when people say like I lost my balance you know because the emotion overtake you and like I kind of hit my knees and had to sit down because it was like you know I never cried like that in my life it was it was more of a release of emotion of like two years of like just holding and and yeah getting getting there and and you know practiced in Anaheim and I got to Anaheim and practiced with the team before we went to San Jose.

So I got to play in San Jose for my seventh game where I started. And then Anaheim, Anaheim, the place, not many people know this, but, you know, Anaheim was like the place where Tauk, it basically told me, like, I'm not going to play the rest of the season. No way, yeah. And like, just like basically it was like, hey, we're going with the young guys and that's it. and, you know, it was like at that hotel and it was just like very, I showed up. It was like practice there. That was like one of my last practices at Honda Center before that San Jose game of like kind of knowing that this would be the it. This would be the end.

And then so being able to do that, go to San Jose, you know, all my family showed up. You know, my wife came. My niece came who'd never seen me play. She's like, she was seven at the time. she'd never seen me play hockey live and was like my brother was there so incredible and they gave they gave me like you know mike greer and everybody in san jose like i owe him so much because they they gave me uh like a a tribute video sort of sorts like hey like congrats on 700 so my parents got to be there and see that and i got to kind of do uh the little the little presidential wave and

and it was their last home game so like the rink was packed and it hadn't been packed at all that season like because they weren't a great team and and it was packed and I got a huge pop in the arena and was like I you know I I tell my I tell this story of what we left after and I was sitting at the bar and ordered myself a huge Manhattan and basically looked at my mom and was like I'm like like that's it like that's that's that's it I'm going to play out the playoffs in in Bakersfield and try to win a Calder Cup but I'm like I'm I'm fucking I'm done after this season like I'm good. The rest is all cherries on top and all that good stuff. What a moment. Unbelievable storybook, dude. And, you know, quickly, like you just said, after retiring,

and we touched on it a bit in the beginning, you've made the transition to media here pretty seamlessly. And you've said it's not something that you ever really thought you wanted to do, but a bunch of people in your life, including Gillian, said you'd be a natural at it, and you clearly are. And it's been amazing, man. Like the past few years just watching you do some stuff with NBC Southern California doing shark stuff. And now you're doing tons of things on NHL network. We talk to you all the time about all these different content ideas that we have. So it's clearly become something that came natural to you.

Like you see the creativity all the time. How fun has this new era of your life been so far? It's been busier than when I played. And it's been incredible to meet everybody, you know, especially you guys and, you know, people in the in the industry how helpful everybody is and how supportive everybody is is is really cool it's like you know you always think that like the hockey community and everybody knows that it's very small tight-knit community but you know extending i never knew it extended so far out and into like the media and i mean everybody's been great at the network great with the sharks you know guys

people that i meet are always so like hey you know if you need any help give me a call and it's you know I, you know, you see guys like, I see Eddie Olick at the, at the Winter Classic. And, you know, he's like, hey, if you need anything, just call me. Like, here's my number. And Kenny Alberts is like, hey, if you need anything, really like what you're doing. And guys are super supportive. It's not like very, it doesn't seem, or maybe I've, I've, I've just stayed away from it, but doesn't seem backstabby.

Everybody's like super, super, super supportive. Like I did the Joe Thornton interview and I had guys coming up, like guys that, you know, probably wanted to do that interview there's probably a line up out the door and people were like super gracious with like hey we loved what you did very good work like if you need any help with anything else and and that's just been the great part of it and that's what's kind of made me love it so much is you know the the people involved in this is what makes it go around and like i tell people and i i tell my family and i also when i talk to people with the network like i've really seen the bird's eye view of the fandom and that, you know,

you know as a player that it, like, it takes a village to win a cup. Like, it's not just the players. It's the, it's down to the ticket, the people that sell tickets, down to the fans that come and down to the media. It's down to you guys doing these podcasts. Like, you guys, you guys make it go around and you round it out in the league. The players are just but a small part in this grand scheme of things. And it's very cool to see this and also be a part of it and be like,

okay, I can still contribute. and grow the game in our own in my own way and and uh give back and and some semblance to what i received in my career so it's always fun and it's been fun to kind of be a part of this uh and you know save myself some bumps and bruises because i don't i don't get hit as much you're absolutely crushing it and everybody who didn't see the joe thornt interview which i imagine is no one but whoever didn't go watch it immediately so for the very if only to see jd and jumbo naked behind a bail hey it's worth it for that alone that was yeah that was That was no stunt men were used in the making of that.

It was all me, baby. Well, J.D., we want to close you out with our game pass-shoots score that we do with all of our guests. Basically just a ranking system, essentially like Mary, Mary Fuck Kill. Is Mary Fuck Kill? I love this game. So passing, we love passing the puck, but shooting's a little bit better getting pucks on that, scoring the ultimate goal. So scoring will be your top choice. Okay, so there's no defending.

Yeah, walk a pass. No defending here. Okay. So we're going to start you off with something we all love TV shows. Yes. So your first one, past shoot score, the office, Veep, and Seinfeld. Oh. That is so wild that you said, though.

Did you like research me to see these three shows? Oh, yeah. We've done significant digging, dude. Okay, because I was like, I was like, how'd they know they're like, you're my three favorite shows? Yeah, I love Here's the thing. So probably VEP will be

Yeah, VEP would be pass. Really? Wow. Just because I love VEP, but obviously the office is will be my shoot and then Seinfeld the score

because Seinfeld is what I grew up on. Yeah. It is what I watch to this day. I just watch the puffy shirt and the low talk. and loved it. And then, uh,

the office, it's like a toss up. I, I just think if the office came any earlier, it would be that. And then I'm just, you know, it's categorically.

And then obviously, VEP is so good. And I love it. It's something I watch with my, my wife pushed me to watch it and we watch it together. And I think it's so, so funny. But it's,

it's hard to get off of sign, Seinfeld. It's just Seinfeld score all day. I need to know. Are you a curb guy? It's funny that I have, I've watched curb and I've, I've watched.

I've watched quite a few seasons, but I have not like fully, I didn't fully get into it. You know, I, I don't know why. I just feel like I watch Seinfeld and that's what I watch. And then the other one I watched was always sunny in Philadelphia. Oh, my God, dude. I mean, that's my jam. Absolutely unhinged. You do.

Yeah, I would say, yeah, you are a Dennis. You're a Dennis. Yeah, you're a Dennis. Yeah. The amount of times I watch that show and I feel like Dennis is. the hero and people are like dude what is wrong with you oh you know it's a favorite episode when he's when they're living in the house in the in the burbs and he's going on it it's hot out here today this heat wave is it is it hot i dude jd i watched that episode all the time like his

rants in the car driving through traffic yes dude that yeah his rant he's the cat you dumb bitch he's so good day man Ah, yeah. Jesus, that show. It's perfect. Yeah. That's amazing. Okay.

Your next category is some of your cooking. Okay. Okay. Pass shoot score. Blueberry salmon, a cast iron ribeye or ground lamb tacos? Oh, I mean, cast iron ribby score all day. Wow. There we go.

All day. And then, you know, I've really turned, you know, when I stopped playing, I kind of went into the carnivore diet. So lamb would be, lamb would be shoot, and then salmon would be passed. Dude, I couldn't be the blueberry salmon recipe

you were throwing around out there. Right? I've never even heard of that. I was very impressed. It's fantastic, man. It's just, you know, blueberries in a, in a sauce pan,

a little bit of sugar, but if you don't want sugar, and you want to keep it healthy, just that balsamic vinegar, some rosemary, little salt and pepper, cook it till it's kind of saucy and then right over top of the El Samon. Simple.

With the, with the, with the rib eye, you baste in with butter, rosemary, all the, all the bells and whistles. Oh,

man, there's so much butter in that thing. That thing is just dribbin. Oh, it's all butter. It's a butter steak. Yeah. I just,

I put butter to cast iron and eat it. That's it. Yeah, same too. I love butter. Are you doing most of the cooking at the house? or did Julian tag in too? Yeah.

No, my wife will jump in, but she knows that if we start cooking together, it always ends up with me micromanaging and her getting mad at me and then me cooking. But she's a good teammate. She'll be, she'll clean. And then she's like the baker. She makes like awesome sweet. Oh,

there we go. You need that. And I need that. Perfect. Perfect. That's good team. You need healthy sweet treats. Yeah.

I got to know, though, have you, do you feel like you've surpassed your mom or does she still have the ground. My mother is always going to goaded, destroyed me. Goatid, always the go. There you go. There's just, listen, it's made with love. You know, when your mom makes you something, it could be, it could have no spice in it. But if it's something that you grew up on your childhood, you're always going to enjoy it.

It's just the way it is. Yeah, it's just a weird thing that I can't explain. It's also like dad's strength. Like you'll never be stronger than your dad. Yeah, correct. Like it's just, it's like, it's a transitional thing that just can't happen. I want to switch it to foods that you hate JD. So this one will be,

we'll say score is going to be the one that you hate the most. Yeah, yeah. Score I hate, okay. Score you hate the most. Yep. Yeah. Pass shoot score. Muscles, clams, shrimp.

I fucking hate shellfish too. Most shellfish things, too. I just started the thing. Like, I won't touch. If you said lobster, that would have been score. because I think, you know, the big running joke is I always tell I don't eat bottom feeders. I left it off because we're from Maine and I couldn't have you disrespect lobster.

Yeah, which is fine. No. So would you say muscles, clams, shrimp. I mean, listen, shrimp's the old. Shrimp would be passed because, you know, it is what it is. I just think clams or score. I'll never touch a clam. And then muscles are, muscles are, shoot.

Because I won't touch muscle. I won't eat. Like the only thing I've started eating now because, strictly because of health benefit stuff. And I've read a ton on his oysters. But it has to be, it has to be the like small Japanese ones where it's as small as possible. And I'm loading that bitch up with horseradish. and then I can all down about 12 of them. Exactly.

Get the horseradish going little hot sauce and a minionette. 100%. It's so funny. Yeah. 100%. But yeah. It's all about the flavor. Shrimp.

Like I, there was a time when I could like, if I took a bite of a shrimp, I'd like, like, like, like just like Will Farrell gag. I got to send you,

you clearly didn't see our video with Jack Eichel where I had to try to eat 72 shrimp cocktail, but I'll send you a photo of it. The boat. of shrimp that was sitting in front of me would probably make you kill yourself. Do you like shrimp? You love shrimp. It's his favorite food.

I fucking love it, dude. You love shrimp. Oh, God. Classic California. Dennis, do you love shrimp. Dennis does love shrimp. You are Dennis. Dennis and Patrick Bateman mixed.

Yes, seriously. Two bad characters to be compared to all this. I'm being honest. Okay. Jay D, here's your last one. Last category is music. Okay. Okay.

Pass you'd score. Leon Bridges, St. Paul in the Broken Bones, Black Joe Lewis and the Honey Bears. Oh, I just got into Black Joe Lewis and the Honey Bears. Such a good, such a good. If Booty City. Go listen to and download Booty City

by Black Joe Lewis and the Honey Bears and tell me you don't get up and have yourself a good old time because it is such a great song. It's a bop. And then, bitch, I love you. he was great too, but no, uh, Leon Bridges score. I just think Leon Bridges is unbelievable.

I mean, we talked about the story when, at Winter Classic where, uh, we were at dinner and, uh, my wife got a, a message from somebody she knows in L.A.

And through like a friend of a friend and, and they were like, hey, Leon Bridges is playing like a set at this little speakies. You want you come through. I got a table. And I was like, I'm fucking going.

Like we're going there. And we walked in and, and, oh man, just he was, we realized he was DJing when we got there. So it wasn't like the same. So we stayed for like 20 minutes. I'm like, I'm not watching Leon Bridges DJ. I want to hear that man crew. I want to hear Leon Bridges. Yeah.

Yes. I want to hear Liam Bridges. Not, not DJ Leon Bridges. And he was just sitting in the back like sipping a cocktail and like every now and again like saying a few words. And I was like, the money they raked in on this bull. shit. So I just, we left.

Because I thought it was going to be like an intimate thing where he's playing guitar and and chilling. And not that he should. He should be enjoying New Year's. But so we left. But yeah, Leon's my score. St.

Paul and the Broken Bones will probably be my, I saw him in concert too. And they're great. It's a guy. It's just, it's this bald guy with glasses, a little bit heavier on the heavier side that wears like a cape and like swallows the mic.

But he's like one of the best. singers I've heard. I would just say because of recency bias, I'll put not, I'll put Black Joe Lewis and the Honey Bears as my pass, and then score will be St. Paul and the Broken Bones. But Black Joe Lewis climbing the charts, dude. Yeah.

Oh, he's climbing. Yeah. If I'm looking for any kind of juice, it's Booty City. I'm all to take you to Booty City. It's so good. God. It's such a great song. That's JP Mayor,

who is my, strength coach in AZ. He's like, he's like the biggest. He sends me all these like playlists and like shaky graves and all these little bands that I, he introduced me to, St. Paul and the Broken Roads and like his music knowledge is like crazy.

So he sent me back Joe Lewis and I'm just like, yes, play. Yes. Dude, if we, if we had put Green Day in that, where would they have ranked? They're just a little too political for me.

Unfortunately. Yeah. This is a good song. I went to their concert and started saying some bullshit. And I was just like, just stop. Just play the goddamn hits. Play me have wake me up when September ends and just get in and out of here. How hard is that?

This is a transactional relationship here. I'm giving money. Sing. It's like hockey. Like just play. I understand there's we all have causes and I get it and we all have things we're passionate about. But when I'm at the concert, if you want to host an event and a rally up, hey,

I'll show up and maybe I'll. support you, but let's just cut to the chase here. I'm here to hear your music right now. That's all we want. Yes. Yes. I'll go to your Instagram and Twitter and see what you believe in and put a heart on it. But let's just fucking strum that guitar baby.

Correct. Absolutely. All right. JD, we've taken enough of your time. This has been an absolute blast before we let you go. Is there anything that you want to shout out, anything you want to plug? Yeah. I mean, listen, I'm doing a podcast on IHeart with the NHL and IHart.

Sorry, it's unscripted with Verkan Demers. And that's, we just started that. We're on episode five. We're going to have to get you guys on it too. So a little bit of exchange of services. Because we love getting, you know, we're a little bit more. It's unscripted for a reason. We do a little bit of hockey talk, but it's more pop culture.

And you'll love Adnan. I mean, he's the biggest cinephile of all time. And like, we'll talk movies, we'll talk everything. And then just tie it all back to hockey. So it's a good little time for people, easy listen and come on down. Make me some money. And players only were in season two, eh? Yeah, players only season two.

And on the NHL network, we do that with the league. It's been great getting guys out and trying to, you know, loosen them up a little bit and get away from the canned answers. But, you know, it's fun to do those interviews and hear about some guys that I never even, I played against. and I never knew anything about. Yeah, so cool. So cool. So, yeah, everyone, make sure to check out all that stuff. J.D., you're on all the socials.

You'll be tagged in all the stuff that we release on this. Sweet, yeah. Long time coming. Thank you so much for popping on. This is going to have to be a recurring situation, just so you know. Yeah, anytime, boys. Thanks for, let me flap my gums there for a little bit. Huge, massive, gargantuan thank you to our boy, JD.

Dude, I'll tell you this. He, this is the highest compliment that I can give someone. He is one of the boys. And that's all I say about that, dude. He sure is. He is one of the boys. He's one of the boys. He's so funny.

He's just great. I mean, you know, we talked all about the transition to media. And gosh, he's just, he's so good. He's such a natural. So it's just no surprise that it was so fun talking to him. But love JD coming on. We're going to have him on more often for sure. Do some more stuff with him.

Hope you guys enjoyed this episode. We will see you later this week for all the fun and nonstop action. And until then, two words, skate hard.