Empty Netters Podcast - This NHL Draft Is Better Than People Think And Movie Star Jack Falahee Loves Hockey | EP.207

Episode Date: June 26, 2025

We’ve got a guest loaded episode for you today! Cam Robinson from Elite Prospects makes his annual appearance to discuss all things NHL draft. And James Murray from Everything College Hockey brings his knowledge as well. We’ve got sleepers and busts and big trades galore. Plus, Jack Falahee from the film Shattered Ice graces the studio with his presence to give us all the details on the incredible hockey project he stars in which gets its west coast premiere this weekend! NEW EPISODES EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY! PRESENTED by BetMGM. Download the BETMGM app and use code “NETTERS” and enjoy up to $1500 in bonus bets if you lose your first wager! SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Z BIOTICS. Go to https://zbiotics.com/NETTERS and use NETTERS at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics.” LONG DRINK. Check out https://thelongdrink.com/AlmostFriday/ 00:00 INTRO 00:18 MOVING SUCKS 11:08 CAM ROBINSON 1:12:18 JAMES MURRAY 1:45:49 JACK FALAHEE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've got a special episode for you. We are doing Draft Talk with Cam Robinson and James Murray. And Jack Ballyhee from the movie Shattered Ice stops by the studio to tell us an incredible story of how that project got made. We got movie stars on the pod now. Ice is ready and we are back with another episode of the Empty Netters podcast brought to you by BetMGM. I am your host, Dan Powers, and alongside me, wouldn't you know it, he's sick again. Chris Powers. Woo!

Sick as a dog. as always, as always. That's not my real voice, but I am sick as fuck. I know, it sucks. Sick as fuck. You are the worst thing that's ever happened. Dude, a couple people at the parade, or not the parade, like the party after the cup.

Yeah, it was just like an elbow room and everybody. Oh, yeah. And people were like, dude, have you, have you been up for like 30 hours? And I was like, oh, yeah. And they're like, you're going to get sick? And I was like, yeah, oh, yeah. I sure, I sure am. You know what, though?

I actually think it was Boston, not Florida. Because I didn't feel. Yeah, you weren't really. sick and I'll tell you what man and I have the same exact cold so it must have been something yeah you're both in Boston you are both the worst people on earth for me you the two of you are sick all the time and I'm unfortunately around you all the time and it just drives me insane sick as a dog yeah but you know what I think it's the sun being in Florida down in the sun it's like keeps you it keeps you well I'm telling you I agree and it's like you go to Boston and immediately you're

sick and I'm like something to think about it was gorgeous We were on tons of planes. We were working so much, not sleeping that great, never got sick. I was on a couch the whole time. Yeah. Unbelieved. Got a bad back. It wasn't sick, though.

Wasn't sick, though. Didn't get sick now. Sick as hell now, dude. Fuck. Fuck. It sucks. It's like throat, too. It's not even nose.

I don't even mind, like, a stuff nose and like a head in the clouds. I hate it all. Sore throat. Fucking shoot me in the face. You know what else sucks, bro? Tell me. Moving. And let me just get into this for a second, dude. Imagine this prick bringing up moving to me. You know what sucks? Moving. And I don't mean being homeless, which you are. Yeah. I mean literally the physical act. And dude, people are like higher movers. And I'm like, yeah, okay, but it's not even that, dude. It's like the amount of things that go into a move, like I was like, let's move. Let's pack up our house and move. And then someone was like, did you, did you change?

Did you forge your address? Did you forge your mail? Did you change? Turn off the gas. Turn off the power. Turn up the water. I'm like, what the fuck? Dude. I'm like, what the fuck? I would have fucking, dude, I would have paid the internet for the new tenants for a decade. Yeah. Because I'm like, I don't know what the fuck is going on. Dude, you got to uproot everything in your life. I get, what are you changed my ID? What am I got to go to the fucking DMV and say, I don't live there anymore? Yeah. Like, are you shitting me, dude? I'm not doing that. You have to. What happens when I go, when I go, they go billing address on your credit card? And I go, I don't know, dude. It's the old, it's the old house still. Got to change it. How? How do you do anything? You have to contact all of your places and change, like, you got to go into your bank account. You got to go into all your credit cards.

You got to change everything. Dude, I go to change my address. They go, they go, 40 bucks. Forward your mail, 40 bucks. And I go, what? And they go, sorry, this is address, Jeannie. And I go, well, no. And you got to go to US, US, USPS.

And they go one buck. Yeah. And I go, okay. Thank God to figure that out. And then they go, this only works for 12 months. If you want to extend it, then it's, then it's expensive. It's like, $50. $20.

And I'm like, why isn't it forever? Like, why doesn't anything addressed to Chris Powers at the old address, get forwarded to me indefinitely? You, the lack of sensitivity and self-awareness from you to be complaining about all of this stuff, which I also have to do when I am literally a homeless. You don't even have anywhere to go. Like I people people thought I was kidding maybe on my on the story on on Sunday I got fucked over out of control so fucked over. Yep. We don't even need to waste time on it because it's a waste of time but your boy's homeless.

I had a place lined up for six months got ripped out from under me now I'm now I'm dead dead dead as a doornail. So I start packing shit up and little backstory CPN I have been so lucky. We've lived in the best house of all time in Los Angeles. Everyone in our, sphere has crashed there in our guest rooms. They've stayed there. They've, they've had blast there. We've had some amazing, amazing parties there. You guys have seen it on the Instagram. It's the best house in the world. Yep. And it is home. So it's very sad to leave. But we're growing up, we're moving on. And CP has a nice, beautiful place that he's going to. What a lovely life you have. Wow. I have been boxing up all my shit and appreciate you and Sandra. I will be putting a lot of

my shit in your home. But I'm literally homeless guys. Like I am on Sunday flying to Sweden with Alice and I am then going nowhere. Like we're going to go there and then come back to New York and I'm just going to be in New York because I literally don't have anywhere to go. I got to get a storage unit and put all my shit in there and then just they're going to be like this. How long would you like this storage unit, sir, and I'd go like this. Probably a while. Yeah. Because I'm homeless.

It'd be a minute. If anyone in the Los Angeles area, Westside, not the east side, because I'm not a fucking idiot, has any lines on places to live, any good spots, any realtors who follow us. For free. Who want to hook up your boy, maybe get me into a nice spot. That'd be great, because I don't have a home.

I'm going to be doing the pod from now on from coffee shops. because I don't have a home I don't have anywhere to go I got no place left to go dude and when you are packing your shit up and I am too but like put it in a boxes so we can make Dan's easier to transport

it is baffling how much shit how much shit is in everything dude and you also you overestimate what a box can hold like you you start filling shit up like my bookshelves and stuff I start putting books in

you get maybe a third I've got plenty of space left in the box, but it's just so heavy. Yeah. Then I'm like, I can't fill this all the way up. Yep. And it's like, I'm like, oh, I'll get five boxes. That'll be enough for my whole house. Wrong. It's enough for one quarter of my bedroom. I filled, no exaggeration, 10 full boxes, large boxes. Large boxes. Large. Yeah. Extra large, in fact. Extra large. XL from Home Depot of just my bedroom. I thought that was the whole house. No. We purchased those boxes

for the whole house. Nope. Bedroom. Done. And then, dude. And then I'm like, okay, let's bring our furniture to the new house.

And then everybody goes, that furniture is disgusting. You're a loser. And I go, okay. Won't match your new place. Which is true. Which is true. Let's either sell it

or throw it away. Fine. And then I go, put it up on Facebook Marketplace. Here you go. Used. Like new. Used.

Good. beautiful sectional TV stand fucking uh dresser everybody goes like this fuck you don't want it don't want it eat it don't get any money back

and I go okay I'll throw it out then and they go okay rent a dumpster $20,000 also you can't overfill the top line and you can't you can't use it we don't we don't rent to your zip code

fuck you so many fuck you And I'm like, what, should I just light the house on fire? I think I should burn the house to the ground. Yeah. Collect fire insurance, which doesn't exist. Fuck you. And then go on my merry way, dude.

Put a pole with my sack over my shoulder and hump it on down the road, dude. Looks wonderful under the 405. That's where I'm going to be sleeping. I literally do not understand, dude. They go sell your furniture. I can't. Throw it away. I can't.

Move it into a new place. No. I don't have a new place. I don't have one. this doesn't make any sense to me i'm not going to lie to you i haven't been this mentally and emotionally low in a long time i've got nothing dude where do you put stuff where does stuff go in your new place no it doesn't that's what i'm learning it doesn't go in there you also can't have a new place you can't have anything you can't have a new place your old stuff doesn't belong in your new place

even if you had one you can't sell it you can't throw it away and then i'm then oh and then i'm an arsonist If I burn it? No. Then I'm going to jail? In L.A., no less. That's going to go over well. Oh, okay. Now I'm an arsonist.

It's the worst. I hate every fucking second of it. I got boxes coming out my ear holes, but I can't fit anything in boxes, and all of that can't go anywhere. No, I hate it. I hate it. I can't even talk about it. We've got to get into this episode because I can't talk about this longer.

We've got a long, fun episode for you guys. Cam Robinson, joining us. talking all about the NHL draft. We've got James Murray from everything college hockey joining us talking all about the draft. We got both sides. Yeah, yeah. Pam is just an absolute weapon on Canadian juniors, European pros. James is a machine gun on college hockey. You're going to get both sides of the spectrum. We got a really exciting weekend ahead. So this episode dropping on Thursday morning, getting you prepped for Friday and Saturday. Everything with the draft, we're going to hopefully get some trades coming up here. But so much. much electric shit going on here. So let's not waste any time. Let's get right into Cam and let's start talking draft. Yep. Let's do it. Hockey season might be over, but that does not mean that we aren't still riding with BetMGM as always because there's always something to get in on the action with. And BetMGM is going to take care of you better than anyone because when you sign up right now

with promo code Netters, N-E-T-T-E-R-S, you're going to be able to bet up to $1,500. And if you lose it, you get it all back in bonus bets. That is the best deal you will ever find. So sign up for BetMGM right now. It's summertime, sure, but we've got tons of stuff going on. We've got European football coming up around the bend. We've got baseball going on. Everything is there for the picking when it comes to bed MGM.

So get in on the action and do it with your boys, the netters. Use that promo code. Get those bonus bets and let's absolutely cook. Gambling problem? Call 1-800 gambler available in the U.S. Call 8778 Hope N. or text Hope N.Y. 467369 in New York. Call 1-800-3-2-750-50-50 in Massachusetts.

21-plus only. Please gamble responsibly. Call 1-800 next step in Arizona. 1-800-Bets off in Iowa. 1-8001-0-0-2-3 in Puerto Rico. First-bed offer for new customers only, subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-wisdrable. In partnership with Kansas, casino, and hotel. See bed-MGM.com for terms.

U.S. promotional offers not available in New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. Back with us again. This time in studio, our good friend, Cam Robinson, with the boys again. It's that time a year. We're talking draft. We're talking free agency. We're talking madness. and there is no better expert in the game than you.

He came with his knowledge, but without his luggage. That's true. But it's all the good stuff's up here, right? It's all up here. Can't kill me. We don't need underwear. Yeah, dude. We need sleepers.

We need sleepers. That's it. How is the travels other than the luggage being lost? It's good, man. No delays. Got in, got down. Hotel's way too swanky for me. The NHL's doing us up, nice.

Which one are you in? J-dub there. J-dub? Oh, you are? Yeah, beauty. Yeah. There you go. Yeah.

It's going to be all right. It's going to be a good week. When was the last time you were in L.A.? Never. This is your first time in L.A. Wow. That's crazy. From the West Coast, too.

Yeah. Just never came down. Is that why you look so good? Why the lows gone? Yeah, yeah. You knew L.A. was coming. Like September. Yeah.

Yeah. I've been running short for a while now. That's great. How does it feel? It feels good, man. Make shower. It's easier. Oh, yeah.

In the summer, too, just hot, right? isn't that great? Yeah. Yeah. That's nice. It's really nice. It's easier to style, easier to figure out. Although I do, I walk by some dude who had great flow the other day.

And I wasn't missing the hair, and then I saw how I was like, and dude, and it's so real. The grass is greener, always. He looks at you and doesn't know what you're capable of. That's what pisses me off. He's like, there's another short hair regular dude, right? And you're like, no, sir. People don't know.

No, sir. Okay, Cam, I got to tell you. Yeah. The finals was insane this year. I've been running all over the place. I got a million things. going on, we're moving houses. It's just like a lot of action. I have never been less prepared for an NHL draft in my life. I've never needed you more, dude. It's Cole's notes. This is how we

prepare. This is how I prepare. I need you. As we get into it, we talked a little bit about this before. Tell everyone about the sort of narrative that's been going on about this being sort of a weaker draft. Yeah, good place. Because that's definitely sort of, I feel like the first thing people see right now. Yeah, I think my boss is like, hate it that I keep calling this a week draft because it's like you can't, you got to hype it up. Yeah. You want people to be interested in this. Yeah, like we put you up in the J.W. Yeah. Just say it's a good draft. This is the best draft you'll ever see. No, this is like at best mid, like a mid draft class. There's no generational or near generational talent to like anchor the top. You know, the top five to seven.

It's good. It's good. There's quality players in there, you know, top of the lineup guys. Then you start getting this kind of like mishmash zone in the first where it's like everyone's list is going to be completely different. Teams are going to be betting on the bigger guy or the smaller skill guy or the slower guy, the paceless guy and then they're just going to pick their poison. But I think like the depth falls off. Really? Really.

And what is that seven, eight? Like where would you say? I mean, like I'd still be feeling pretty good about picking guys around, you know, 14, 15. Okay. Like you still, you're still getting some assets there. You might even be able to pull something like a top six guy at a, you know, around 20. Okay.

But I'm talking. Like I released my board last week and it's like when I was getting a 25, 26, like, I was like, what are we talking about? I would feel good about taking any of these guys in the first round in a normal year. And so I think teams are feeling the same way. And I think we're going to see some weird stuff happen too. Like I had one guy telling me just the other day, like there might be three goalies that go in round one. Wow. This is not a goalie draft.

Yeah. Like again, I don't know if I would feel good about taking any goalies in the first round this year. And we might see three. And there might be three that go just because teams, they're not enamored with anybody at that end. Because it's like, whenever, who cares, I might as well roll the guys. Take a shot. Right? Yeah.

Especially a team that has like multiple firsts. Yep. 27, 28, something like, screw it. We'll grab it. When a draft is mid to call it that is, does it increase trade potential? Because people are like, whatever. I don't know what the fuck's going on. It's interesting because like I don't know if I've ever seen a year where more first round picks were on the table.

Yeah. Cool. Like so many teams, basically from 12 onwards, it's like you can have our pick. Yeah. Like Vancouver's been trying to give up 15. Yeah. Anybody who will listen. Like, you know, they dance it out there for Rossi.

It's just not getting it done. I think Columbus, they've got 14 and 20. I think they are like itching to move them both. Both. And either to jump up and get a faller. Yeah. Or more realistically to like grab a like a ready made roster player that's going to help you out. So few sellers.

Like selling players and everyone's a buyer. And so. Which I get because if the pick is in value, if they're in their eyes, the pick is invaluable. They're like, I'm not giving up a roster guy who can play. We know this for a crapshoot at 12. Exactly, right? And like, you know, even Chicago, they're dancing out third overall.

They're trying to get better, you know, for JJ Peturca. And Buffalo's like, we don't need third overall, especially not this year. Yeah, damn. It just doesn't make sense. So it's kind of like, obviously, one, two. Yeah. A ton of value there still. Anybody would want to jump into that range.

But, you know, we'll see. We'll see if, like, somebody like Higgins or Martone slips to 7, 8, 9, maybe we see somebody. somebody, you know, now that Pittsburgh has two back to back first, too, I had a little birdie put in my ear like maybe they look to trade up from 11 and trade back from 12. Oh, funny. Like get like a little creative on that. So that's what I have my eyes on the most is it feels like this type of a draft when you said like that drop off after 15, 16. Yeah. I feel like trades are so rich this year.

And there's a lot of teams with like a lot of picks trade those things. Yeah. But you need someone to buy them too, right? Yeah. You have to catch somebody who's like keen to buy. but I do like and and you know I'll say it's kind of a mid draft and and the boss won't love it but I do think that we could see some like banana pancakes on trades as well we could see we could see some bodies move in this year I think which is what we all came to see right oh dude it would be so

awesome yeah one of my favorite storylines of the draft which we might not see and this is like this is why we need you what do you think the chances are of Mason west getting drafted in the first round who is by the way CP you dying a high school Just like a public high school guy. Oh, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Like what I, is that possible? You know, and you know the whole story with him too, right? Tell me.

So six foot six, quarterback, one state with his hockey team already. Now he's going back for a senior season at Adina to play quarterback to try to win state and football. He's going to finish that season. He's going to go to the USHL right afterwards. And then he's going to state. He's going to Michigan State the next year. And so he's fully said, like he was on the fence. He's like, he was kind of, you know, accepting offers for football schools too.

And he's like, no, I'm going to go hockey. But everyone's like, what if he just lights it up next year? Just throwing sixes everywhere. And then as a six foot six quarterback. School comes up to him, and was like, come play football. Like state. Yeah, right? He's already going.

He's just play both. And he clearly loves it or he wouldn't go back for it. No, no, he loves it. Yeah. Yeah. So it's, it's, it's, I think there's a decent chance he goes in round one. Because again, at the end of that. first round it's like why not take a swing on a kid he's very raw yeah very very raw and we saw like

what dean letterno last year going the tail end and then he got kind of sewered getting rushed to bc yeah yeah yeah and they were like oh come and he got like what one assist all year i think he had two two apples as a bruin's fan i was delighted by production the fact that don swiney has survived 2015 and then trading o mark for that pick and taking dean lettono but i will say like give We'll give the kid a couple more years. Yeah, right? Give him a couple more years. Hopefully at least doubles that point production.

And it's interesting that we're seeing so many, because like Dean, right? Like Dean gets drafted and all the Bruins Bible thumpers are being like, he's Tage Thompson, Reborn, big man, going to start bearing. And when you hear six six and hockey, you're like, that's a defenseman. And now we've got Dean forward. And now we've got this kid. He's playing center. And I'm like, what the fuck is going on here?

Yeah. There's a bunch of big men in this class. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Oh, oh, oh, three apples. Three apples. Three apples. Oh, they went back and gave him a secondary.

Yeah, they went back. Yeah. Size of a smurf deal. Three apples. Yeah. That's great. There you go. Unbelievable in his first six games.

So do you, are you buying into, you know, we know that you're hearing stuff out of the Islanders camp and what their planet. We're hearing all these whispers that they're maybe trying to move into the top ten again. But is it basically as safe of a bet as you can make that Schaefer's going one? Yeah. I think. think that would be like one of the bigger shockers of the day if they went Mesa there. Okay. I can't see.

I know like, I know Wheeler and some other guys have been saying that they're talking to teams who have Frundel as like the one forward in this class. Yeah. Nobody I talked to on the team side will give that up to me. One guy said he's got Mesa at the top. Okay. Yeah. But everybody else I've talked to, Schaefer at one.

And I think, you know, the aisle said they're not moving the pick. Yeah, they haven't said they're taking Matthew Schaefer, but they're taking Matthew Schaefer. Yeah. And then it's like, we'll see what happens at two. I know, right? Could get into shit right way. Because it would be like if it was a surprise, if we had another Shane Wright situation here, and they took Mesa, that would be the greatest moment of all time for the sharks. Sharks would be doing backflops.

Because they just need to, they need D so bad. And what sucks is it does look like, looking at like every draft board I've seen, the drop off after Schaefer to the next D man is significant. It's significant. So it's like if you're the sharks, you can't be like, well, we're going to pass up on, you can't pass up on a guy like Mesa or Frundell, in my opinion, to just. get a D because you need it. No. I mean, I'm lower on Trondell. So could we see a shark's trade, maybe?

Well, and that's what I was going to say is like, I know like Greer, he's, he's been fielding calls. You guys are calling. And like Chicago wants Mesa. And so they've been trying to get up either to one or two to get Misa. Again, for San Jose, it's just like found money if they jumped up to one. It took Mesa and they get Schaefer. But I don't see them doing that either just because I don't, I don't see the value for

a team to actually pay up. Like Chicago would have to give up like three, 25, probably like 34 in a prospect to move up a spot. You know, that's probably what it would take. Well, could like, we're talking about, I mean, this would be fucking fireworks. We're talking about the islanders wanting to move up. Like, they're moving Dobson possibly. Dobson to San Jose for the two plus plus plus plus. Like, is that possible?

They don't even need to do it at two because like if they did it, you know, they're probably going for Hagen's. Yeah. Yeah. So they wouldn't target San Jose too. They wouldn't target San Jose. And it would be cheaper for them to do, you know, to move back to four. Like Utah has been like, we're listening. We'll listen to them for. Sure. You know, I think that, you know, even like Nashville at five, I don't know, Philly would move that pick. But you could probably slip back even, you know, four, five, six, seven and still get Hagen's.

Yeah. I did have someone, like, reach out to me and said that Dobson, like, went into that room there and was like kind of like a take it or leave it. Like, this is how much I think I'm worth. Really? And maybe it didn't go over. well, which is like only fueling the speculation that he could very easily be available of this. I mean, we've been talking about this move since the deadline.

I know. Again, it's so true. It's crazy how frequently we're hearing. It's the same with Robo right now, which you and I have talked. I don't fucking get that at all. I don't think he's available. I think, I think, I don't either. And I think it's just like someone along the lines of them being up against the cap freaked

out. And they were like, someone said he's soft. You got to move Robertson. I'm like, are you insane? The production as a for a 25 year old For the packages I'm seeing Coming back, I'm like, what?

We talked about it on the episode That came out today And for those listening, I'm referring to a Tuesday If you're in the position that Dallas is in, Three straight Western Conference Finals, If you trade Jason Robertson and you don't get back a 100 point score,

you have failed. And that's not coming back in any of these mocks. So what are we doing here? Well, the only way it would make any sense is if they're like, if Martin was like, I want to play in Dallas. And they're like, okay,

will open up the space by trading Robertson for like what, a guy like Stanghoven and a couple of firsts. It's like you just did. You just move that out. Exactly. You're probably going to be difficult to get that back from Carolina. And there's not too many assets out there that are going to be cost effective and have that value that's going to make sense.

I don't think Robbins is out there. And I was told I couldn't put it out there. And so I like hinted at it. That was like, Robo's not available, but Marchment is available. Yeah, yeah. And three hours later there goes. Bing. And so they're going to, I think they're going to work.

work around the edges, but I do think that they would love to make a big offer for for Marner, along with eight other teams. Sure. Yeah, yeah, right, right, right. All below the Mason-Dixon left. Yeah, correct. Okay, I want to go back to Schaefer for a bit. Because you were telling us some awesome stuff before we started recording.

This, as you said at the top, this isn't a generational draft. And Schaefer's an interesting one where going to the Islanders might have changed his next year trajectory based on if he'd gone to someone like the sharks. So what do you think about that? Yeah, really, really interested in, like, you know, talk to the agent and, like, they're just leaving all doors open. And so, you know, Shafe and Meese are, like, singularly focused on playing in the NHL next season. I think that if San Jose won that top pick, they have, like, a really good relationship with BU. And, like, they like their guys coming out of college, right?

Obviously, Mac and Smith at BC. I think that it would have been, like, draft shafer and be like, go to school. Go to school, yeah. Come on out at the end of the year. It's really difficult, though, you know, for a team like the Islanders, it's lacking young, exciting players to be like, hold on fan base. We're just going to park this guy. We won the lottery for the one and we're not getting them.

And we're not going to get the jersey sales. We're not going to get the hype. But like for Schaefer, like he played 17 games last year. See, he's 17 years old until September. People don't realize. He's one of the youngest guys in the class. Very young. September guy?

September. September. Yeah, there you go. Right. So like as young as you can be. And so he's basically missed a whole year. But he's good enough. Yeah.

He's good enough to go to camp and like force the issue. So I'm really curious to see Like if it was me If I was calling the shots I'd be like You're going to go play at Michigan State Or Michigan or Penn State or wherever Go have some fun

Get in like state of the art Training facilities Play against older guys Right but build the body up a little bit Really good point Yeah Right? Because they only play on the weekend

So they're training all day All week And then come out in April Right As soon as the Frozen 4 is maybe you get In a handful of games They're probably not going to the playoffs But it's like you just get the experience

And then you're ready to go As a freshly turned 19 year olds But how often do we see the first overall stay in school, right? It's like Power E.J., Eric Johnson, right? Yeah, yeah, I was going to say power is the last one. And there's two defensemen, and I can't think of one before that too, right, like in recent memory. Yeah, that will be interesting because I can't think of a good example where this has truly gone bad,

but when you do rush a guy up who's not physically there yet or whatever, it can impact your confidence, a lot of factors. Oh, yeah. Yeah. I was talking to David Carl about Higgins, who he said 100% he needs to go back to school. Yeah. And he basically started going off about all. He's like, I've never heard a player say like, oh, darn, I shouldn't have stayed that extra year at school.

Interesting. Never. But you often will hear guys being like, I wasn't quite ready. And it rushed me. Like, I always think about like Jill Bear Brulet. So it's throwing it back a little bit here, but like six overall to Columbus back in the day. Right from Vancouver Giants into the show at 18, brutal. Like ruined his career.

Like it literally, he ended up in the K for a bunch of, but he's never met his potential. I mean, there are so many what ifs who have done that where you're like, Oh, shit. I wonder what would have happened if you had just gone and played school, gone back to Canada or something like that. Now the school, right, is like that new path. It's changed everything.

Changes everything because it's like I wouldn't send, I wouldn't really send Schaefer back to Erie or I wouldn't send Mies back to Saginaw. So I was like, what are you going to do? Rip off 150. Have another 150 points season. It's like boring. But to go to school,

it makes a lot of sense, right? New experiences. I think people also underestimate that like, listen, are you going to school? Like, you talk to any of the boys and they'd be honest. Talk to Smitty. Talk to Mac.

Like, yeah, they're having tons of fun. But there's also, there is a maturity element of going to college. When you're not living with a billet, when you're not just like hanging out in these little podunk towns up in the W or in the O, no disrespect. Get out of a goose jaw. Yeah. Right? Like, you're going to these schools. You got to go to some classes.

That's what I was going to say. And it's also just the interaction. You're interacting with people your age, people older, very mature kids who have gone through four years of college, not only just on your team. but in your classrooms, in your dorms, wherever you're living, it's like, it is so valuable on more than just the ice. And it has completely changed the game that all of these kids are now going to be going to NCAA schools. Like that is wild.

It is wild. And like I couldn't like promote it enough. Yeah. Like these kids that, you know, there are going to be some guys. We're going to see it. And there is a window for guys to go to school and then to like pull the trigger, like pull shoot and go back to the SIGL. Yeah.

Because some guys are going to be like, oh, no, I'm not. I'm not made out, cut out for this. Yeah. You know, for this. So like Brady Martin, right? He's not going to school. Like, he's like, I'm either a hockey player or a farmer. Yeah.

Or both. And it's like, he has no interest in going to the NCAA. But, you know, other guys, it's like, yeah, like, I think Shaif would do very well down there. I think, Mesa, like, their family, like his brother's going, right? Luke's going to school too. I think Penn. It's like more of like an educational focused family. But I don't know, I loved going to school.

It was a best time my life. I'd go back and let me. Yeah, right. God. You kidding me? You fucking kidding? me dude that's awesome um okay let's go to haggins for a second do you think no matter before we even discuss where he's going what are the chances he goes back give me the percentage he goes back

to bc or goes to the nch l like 99% i think i would be very surprised if his like rep or if the the guy the team that drafts him encourages him to come out right away yeah it's like go back and and have a dominant year yeah go like push you know try to be one of the best players in college hockey, right? Like, go for the hobie, even though McKenna's going to be there and like really push him with those. Yeah, yeah. And there's going to be some boys in college next year. Yeah, I'm going to plan a couple trips out next season. Sick. Yeah, you got to let me know. I think, I think is going to be an absolute, yeah. It's going to be a wagon, man. Oh my God. And it's going to be great. It's going to be really fun next year. Yeah, so he's back almost

certainly. I think, I think almost certainly. Yeah. Was he, I mean, I know the answer is yes, because we were talking before we aired that, Bill, coming up to this, he was the one, he was the future 20, 25, one forever. Yeah. What level of disappointment would you give his season this year? And jump like World Juniors, clump World Juniors into that too. Like, I'm talking big picture. Yeah. His draft year hockey.

I don't think it was a disappointment. Me neither. I don't think it was a disappointment. I think that we were spoiled with Mac. Yeah. Right. And then before that, Fantilli, before that it was Eichel, right? Like, we've had a few experiences where these guys were just so good as freshmen.

But it's like, we don't see it. If you took away all those expectations of him being the first overall pick and it was just like, hey, look at this draft eligible who's the number one center on like a team that's going to contend for the Natty is the number one center for USA that just won the world juniors, right? You'd be stoked and he put up a PPG and he held his old. He's great at world juniors. You know, defensively, he just wasn't, he just wasn't demonstrably good. He just wasn't one of the top 20 players in the nation. Yeah. But I also think like we're just looking at the counting stats there.

It's like he was snake bitten. He scored 11 goals. He traditionally scores like 18, 19 percent going back to that. And then it like cratered this year. And so the shot, it wasn't working for him. And then, you know, I talked about it a little bit off air. It was like it was like Ryan Leonard's team. Yeah.

And like the year before that, it was like kind of all their team, the Schmitty and throw. Like they're all, it was kind of Will Smith's team a little bit. And then Leonard's like, this is my team. We're going to win with me or we're going to lose with me. And that's just how it's going to be. Yeah.

And so I do think Hagen's kind of deferred a little bit and was a passenger on that line throughout the year more so. And so next year he'll go. back. You know, he'll be playing with Teddy Stiga and their boys, right? I think Justin Carbono is going to end up there who's kind of like Ryan Leonard. Yeah, fair. Yeah, yeah. And then they'll run it back. And I think, you know, if he goes out and puts 50 points up next year, I'm not going to be surprised. And dude, how to, like, let's say he falls to fucking eight or something. And then let's say he goes out and is a Hobie finalist next year. Aren't you like,

Jesus Christ, we're so dumb. Oh, yeah. Well, I mean, no player in this class has the speed and handling package that he has. Yeah. Like nobody has. that. He's just five foot 10 and a half and, and, you know, doesn't have a rock it. And his playmaking's good, but not elite. But like, as far as feet and hands go, he's got the top. But you, you don't have to answer this obviously, because it wasn't you doing this, but he was always five foot 10. Like, I'm some kind of wondering what, like, what were people seeing that made him a lock one that now they're like he's eight? Well, I think going back, it's like looking at the strength and the depth of the class. Yeah. And so yes, Mesa was an exceptional status kid, but like didn't have a great

16 year old year. And so everyone's like, oh, maybe he's more like five, six, seven. And it's like, Martona's really good, really old for the class like Hagen's, who, you know, had some good showings internationally, but really hadn't taken that step forward. And so, and Schaefer wasn't in the mix. Yeah, right, right. Like I was in Edmonton for the Holinka last August, and I was watching this kid. And I saw him at the U-18s year before as an underager, and he was my vote for, like, best defenseman there.

Okay. And I was like, this kid's really good. This could be the second overall pick, I said back in August. Oh, yeah. And Merrick texted me, he's like, you need first overall pick. So Jeff was ahead of the game on that one, too. But it just, there wasn't a ton of competition for Hagen's. But at the same time, like, set the scoring mark at the U-18s beat Kooch.

Going on top Kuchrosk record. So it's like, this kid's been doing it. Yeah. But you're right. He was always 5'10. Yeah. So it'll just be surprising to me and we'll see. Or I guess let's talk about that now.

Where do you see him falling to? I don't think he's going top four. Okay. I don't see him going top four. I know Nashville took him off for dinner at the Combine. Okay. Showed some extra interest in them. They took up Martin, too.

Those are the two guys I know for sure. That'd be at five. Right? Yeah. I think, you know, I think Philly could take them at six, depending on who's there. I think that they would probably take De No Ye ahead of them. I think they might take, I think they would take Frontel ahead of them if Frundell was still there.

But I think at this point, like, and I've been told that one, two, three, it's locked. Really? Misa Frontel. Yeah. In any order or in that exactly. Well, yeah. No one's willing to say 100% that that's the order. But we can say it here first.

There's the smoke and mirrors rumors, right? I'm not. I never say anything 100% on draft week because it's like, you can't. But I think personally, and it might be just my own bias that I think Misa is significantly better than Anton Frundel. And if they took Frundel, it's like the only argument I could understand that is like, oh, we want, we want like a big, like, two-way center behind Celebrini, who's also a big two-way center, I guess. But like maybe they don't believe Misa's a center iceman or something like that. But I really can't argue myself into not taking him at two. And Frundel's not, I mean, he's heavy.

He's not that big. Six foot. Yeah, six one, one, one ninety-eight. Yeah. He's heavy. He's a big boy. So I wanted to bring up Frondell just for the people listening because this, this has been a new thing with a lot of these Canadian kids playing in these leagues being able to come to college. A guy like Frondell can't.

Is that correct? Because he plays professional in Sweden. No, he can play as well. He could come to college. He could. Okay. Yeah. So this is what I wanted to talk about.

I feel like we don't see a lot of those guys make that jump. And I do wonder, not to keep dogging the Bruins, a guy like Fabian Lysel comes up, and I'm like, I wonder what college would have done to kids like that. Yeah. Do you think that that's a next step for a lot of these guys playing in the Swedish league? So, like, for those listening, Anton Frundel plays in Sweden pro at age 18, but he could come to college, but he will likely go back to Sweden, correct? Yeah, 17. He was playing in the hockey, Elsvanskins, the second tier there in Sweden. So it's interesting, like Tom Vlander, Canucks, 11th overall pick.

a couple years ago. He was like a trailblazer. Went from the J20, which is Sweden Junior Circuit straight to be you, which we never see. I don't know if a defenseman's ever done it. And that was before they opened up the rules too. So he had played. He played one or two hockey Elsvinsky games. And then he got like rostered for an SHL game, I think, the year but didn't, didn't dress. So they just made him sit out two games to start the year. That was his punishment for playing pro. So guys can still do it. But Frundel has like fully said to me, he's going back to Juergarten next year. Like I asked him. But this is, this will be interesting.

And I haven't said this to anybody yet. Is that like I had somebody reach out to me a couple of times, same person, just being like, he has to get out of deer garden. No. They do not develop young players. They do not develop creative players. And it's like, is that why he just chips and chases everything? And so it's like, it's almost like baked into his game. And that's one of my biggest knocks on him is that he has very little creativity.

It's like he'll have room. He'll have space. And it's like chip and chase. Yeah. And then, and it's like, he's like, he's like, he's. He came, they just won the hockeyals Venskin. He didn't play much. He was getting healthy scratched a bunch.

But he went and like airlifted right over to Texas for the U-18s. It's like, so now you're playing against pros. Now you're playing against like Switzerland at the U-18s and you're still not carrying the puck. You're still chipping at. I was like, what is going on here? And this guy's saying it's like it's Gergaard. It's like that's their system.

Well, it's interesting. Like you see a lot, even in the Swedish pro leagues, like you see these guys who are top five projected who are lighting it up. He had 11 goals 14 assists at Jirgarten. And it's like... Which was like amazing production to the draft Holtiville. I think on a pretty basis, like set the record.

Like it's 25 points and 29 games. But it's like you look at that stat line and you're like, that feels low if you don't know. If you don't know. And players like him are always just so fascinating to me because it's like you say all those things and you're like, this kid might go too. Yeah.

Yeah, right. Yeah. I mean like he out kicked what Pedersen did in his draft year in the Alton skin. Yeah. Victor Ecklin was on the same team as him, was more used, like heavily used and in more offensive situations,

but didn't put up as many points. Yeah. But, you know, it was Acklin who was on the World Junior team. You know, I prefer him. He's got that dog in him. Yeah, yeah. He's Seth Jarvis clone in my eye. Oh, I love that.

Fuck yeah. And I bet you he slips to the mid-teens. Who is? Do you, off the top of your head, know, one of the more recent higher picks from George Garden? I have it up right here. Oh, here you go.

And there's no one, none of them strike, like, you know, here of the ears. None of them strike me as a very creative playmaker, you know? Playmaker, I mean, like, Kiermacki, like, I did like Uslin and Ugrin and those guys, like, but it's like, you know, and Holtz, like, busted out, right? And so it's, yeah, yeah.

But he's going to be probably the highest draft pick in their history. Let's see, I'm seeing a seventh. These two boys, back-to-back years, actually, that's cool. And, who's sixth? Oh, cool. Mika. Mika, sixth.

And so that's good. That's probably it. Savannah Jack. And like somebody, that's what the guy said to me. He's just like, look at, look at who they've developed.

Yeah. It's like they really struggle to develop creative play. That's a really cool observation. Very, very interesting. It's like a historic club and in Stockholm, right? Oh yeah. Yeah.

So it's like guys want to play there. Yeah. And then you have access to all the extra stuff though. So it's like you kind of balance it out. It's like maybe you're not getting the best on ice coaching, but or systems, but you do have access to everything that stuff.

Stockholm has to offer. Yeah, very, very interesting, man. This is a... Fascinating. Yeah, yeah. Okay, so talk to me. I want to go next about the depth of the defenseman in this draft. Because if you're not getting Schaefer, we were talking about the Sharks want a D guy.

And it's like, okay, well, do you maybe just take the next best available D instead of taking Mesa or whatever? But it does feel like there's a big gap there. There's no consensus on the second best D. Yeah. Okay? So it's, there's three guys. It's Kishon, Aitchison, who I love. Love him. Okay. Interesting.

I love, but I love him. Okay. Okay. Interesting. Maybe I don't love the player as much as I love the dude. Like he is, he is like coming back from Finland two years ago on the U-18s, they won the championship, won the U-18s worlds. They were up all night where everyone was up all night, right? Go to the airport like four in the morning. Everyone's catching our flights back home. They're passing me the trophy. I'm in the airport.

Celebrating the good boys, right? And now I'm on the flight and, you know, there's Martone and me and there's cash right across the aisle and my kids' facetiming me and he grabs the phone. he's FaceTiming with my son. That's awesome. He's always got this smile on his face. He hits like a truck. Like he will bury guys, open ice. And then immediately jump up, shed the mitts.

Dummy, whoever wants to come there. Again, with the big smile on his face, give the fans what they want to see. I've been saying it for all. I think he's juice. I think he's KB 2.0. Wow. Interesting. High praise.

High praise. In Montreal. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. You're out. That's a good night. That was a great night. I told him that and he's like, I can see it.

I can see it. Okay, I love it. Score 26 goals this year. Five OT winners? No way. From the blue line. Now, which is really difficult to replicate, right?

So he's 6-1, you know, he's going to play at like 2-10. He's going to be a fan favorite. Yep. But I'm not going to sit here and say he's going to be a top-air D. Okay. And then you've got Reddymirk-er-K. Yep. Six-foot six-foot six.

I was going to say, talk about big boys. Big boy. Fucking absolute mountain. Man, and he skates pretty well for his size, righty. Everybody loves a righty. Dude, what happened? Yeah. A mass of stopping potential, not a physical guy.

Like, he, interesting. He models his game after Moe-Sider, but, like, Momo was killing adults. Yeah, Moe is, like, 50s. Right? And so he's not that physical,

but he's huge stopping potential. A little wonky with the skating, but he gets around fine. And then there's Jackson Smith, six foot three lefty. Yeah, he's a good player. Super smooth. Super, super smooth skater,

like four-wing bill. It will flash these, like, like, really impressive rushes and, like, creative stuff. But I wonder about the IQ. to match the skill set. Interesting. Which is why, and like I kind of,

I'm on an island on that for elite prospects. Like, as a team, we put them sixth, even though on my board, I think I had him like 12 or 13. And so like my weight on that, like, didn't carry over. Yeah, yeah. The group thing on that one. Nope, don't care. Yeah, I was the only one of the U-18s who really got to see it

at the end of the year. I was like, ah, I just like, there's, there's a disconnect at some point. And I like him, too. His mom was talking to us at the combine. She'd have a couple pops, and she was, like, giving us all love for pumping her kid out. Yeah, yeah.

Good family. kid but yeah again i'm not comfortable saying any of them are sure would you do what what comp do you give him because he he kind of lit it up at tri-city he did pretty well you know like for a d man right and 60 i think he had 54 and 68 54 and from the blue line like even in the dub i'm like that's good and now he was going to pen now he's going to pen right and now i think that was a really difficult decision for him because he didn't dominate the west right yeah right and so now he's going to go to school but obviously they promised him big minutes and he's and i'm sure he'll do well there but um you know as far as comps go, like, I just, I think he's going to be like a good second pair guy.

Okay. You know, someone who's going to probably play on your second power play unit. But like at the U-18s, he wasn't even on the power play for a lot of the time. Keen Verhoff, an underage kid who's going to go top five next year, probably he took that job. And then another kid, Xavier Villano, or Villan Wave, another 26. Both were playing Pee-Pee over him at the U-18s. It sounds like with those three guys, you kind of have to give up something. Like you take the size or you take the smooth or whatever, but none of them are like the full package,

hence the drop off after Shaper. Yeah. And I don't know if any of those. of them you could say that have like high IQ. Yeah. Um, do you think any of those three break top 10? Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Really. Yeah. I mean like historically, teams cannot help themselves. Yeah. And it's and it's like, we didn't, we're not getting Schaefer, but you're going to have a team at 7, 8, 9, 10. Who like, we need a D. And I love that thinking too. Where it's like, we need a D right now. Yeah. So let's jump on this 17 year old who will be here in four years. And isn't it? I can't help but

laughing seeing Buffalo at nine and they see a six foot six defenseman like Merca and be like this we're just going to take this guy obviously just add him to the collection well at least he's on the right side yeah true very good point lefties but it's like my mocks coming out Thursday and it's like I'm pretty sure I mocked Murka to Buffalo like it's yeah yeah and if it's not if it's not them then how about Seattle at eight because he plays for the T-birds yeah and they're just hanging out watching Merca and he played like as soon as he came over from Chekia like he was getting like eight nine minutes night over there like not looking all that great yeah came to Seattle and they're like How about 30?

How about play 30 minutes a night? And everything will run through you. He's like sick. Just completely transformed their team. And so I'm sure the Cracken had a couple looks at that. Yeah, absolutely. For sure. Go ahead.

Well, I think my transition, you know, we don't want to get two in the weeds talking about every player here. Who do you think, give us a few. Who do you think this draft is most important for? Teams. Oh, good question. Oh, teams. I mean, like, Pittsburgh, pick an 11, 12.

in like a weak pipeline. Like they have a, they have a, I know I've been kind of shitting on the draft a little bit here, but they have a real chance to like elevate their pipeline in a big, big way. The New York giving them that pick was, that's big for them. It's, I mean, I bet you they didn't want that. Yeah, yeah. Bet you they didn't want it.

I'd much rather an unprotected 2026 and hope I get Gavin McKenna. Funny, yeah. The fact that the Rangers gave up that pick to begin with the Vancouver and that Vancouver was just quick to flip it. Dude. Protected 26. Man, really interesting take here. Do not move unprotected 2026.

Gavin McKenna is real. And then if you miss, you know, you're still going to land among the stars. You got Ivar Stenberg. You got Keaton-Berhoff. Yeah. You got Vigal Bjork. 26 at the top is going to be pretty nasty. Fuck, dude.

Oh, man. So Pittsburgh was probably like, we want that. Even though they're going to sell, but they're going to sell, but they're still going to have Gino. They're still going to have Sid. Right. It's like it's going to be difficult for them to bottom all the way out. But the Rangers.

They could be horrible. They could be horrible. Yep, they could be fine. They still have Chesty, but they could be horrible. It's like if Zabinajad doesn't come back, right? Dude, if Chesty gets any injury? Exactly, right? Chesty misses two months.

I'm like, you're done. They're cooked. And so I tweeted today, I was like, you know, I think it's the right move for the Rangers to keep that pick, right? The 2026, but it's like, you're telling your team, you're like, we're worried. We're going to suck. Yeah, yeah. And we don't want to give up this.

We can't afford the 2026 pick. Yeah. You're not pumping their tires even after a little bit and got Gat JT. That's so funny. Who gives the shit? If guys are being like, what does that say? I'm like, you let me worry about that. Yeah.

Go play hockey. Totally. Yeah. Like that's crazy. Yeah. Okay. Pitts one. That's good.

Pits one. Pitts big. I'm really curious to see like Anaheim, what Anaheim's up to me. Yeah. Interesting. You know, they're picking 10. And I think that they'd move that pick in a heartbeat. But it's also like they could go out and get themselves.

There's going to be like a really fun player probably sitting in that zone, like a guy like Roger McQueen. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Who I could sit here and make an argument that he has the top potential in the entire class. Really?

Just pure potential, though. Yep, yep. Six foot five, like, handily center who can, like, work it like Tage does in a phone booth a little bit. But back injury early in the year, you know, in the shadow of Kaden Lindstrom, last year who went four, everybody at the combine was like, it's all good? His back's good, guess. He's not going to do all the stuff, but his back's fine.

And then misses the entire year, right? Back. Not fine. No, at the combine there, I think, like, McQueen was the most, you know, watched player there, scrutinist player there. I was watching him do his pull up. Back muscles were looking good, boys. Yeah.

Cleaning them out at 9-10 of them. Let's go. Because he did it all, right? He participated in everything. Yeah, yeah, good for him. Yeah, yeah. And so he proved a lot of people. So, but, you know, he could be there at 10.

I know Anaheim's got a load of centers, but it's like, they just dished one. Disholns, one's gone. Yeah, yeah. Zegers is a C. Yeah. Nashville has a load of picks. Oh, good one. That's interesting to me.

Nashville, I think, probably going to take a goalie. One of the guys, like, I think, you know, Ravensburg. and I think they're high on him. Okay. Supposed to be the top goalie in this class. Yeah, it's, because it's the depth falls off. Yeah.

It's, you know, I don't know if it's that, like, critical for too many teams. And, and, like, is a team like Nashville picking three times? Or are they like,

we got to, that's ridiculous, we got to move these. I think they have to pick three times. Like, it's like, you look at their team and it's, you know,

just picking up Hala again for a nice reunion. Yeah, right. And then you look down their roster and you're like, great, another 34, 36-year-old guy. it's like that didn't work last year boys so i think they have no choice but to use these picks

and start building some some uh some youth into this team it's it's crazy frankly it's just unfortunate that it's this year right right dude like but they're gonna get a good player five and then it's all crap shoots at the end of the most years anyways too like calgary's picking twice as well but i think it's like 18 and 32 yeah the rare the rare don swiney win having two first next year that looks really good yeah real good Right. What 2026 picks, you want those picks. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah, I want to give me the all the way. We're sharing picks. I'll take some picks. I'll take some shit. I just go full of Bill Belichick, trade their seven to New York. There you go for that. And get a first next year.

Yep. Well, I wondered about as soon as I saw that, my first instinct was like, you know what you need for an offer sheet, need your own picks. Yeah. Right. It's true. And so Rags could be looking at an offer sheet, right? And there's some tasty offer sheet potential this summer too. Oh, absolutely.

I'm actually salivating about that. Love the offer sheet. underutilized. On the way under. And in fact. Because it's all relationships, right? They don't want to sue each other. It's like, this is a competition.

Yeah. It's like, dude, we're trying to win. It drives me fucking insane that that was like, everyone was, it's so funny when fans like come out us in the AMAs or the comments and like, hey, why don't teams offer sheet more? And I'm like, literally just because GMs are like, it's the good boys close. Yeah. And I'm like, what? We got a golf and drink together in the summer.

Yeah. Watching Army do it and be like, I don't give a fuck about you guys. Like, we're trying to win. I was like, yep, please break the ceiling. everyone do this. And I actually think Nill getting Bork signed was because he was like, that's, this is coming. Oh, hell yeah. This is coming.

I think I'm for like under a mill? Yeah. Yeah. Insane. I guess tax-free. Yeah, fair, fair. Still, though. I am salivating. Every day we get closer to July 1st without certain guys signed

who are like Mason Lurai getting a deal. I was like, whof, thank God. Because I could have easily seen teams jumping all over that. Oh, yeah. And every single day that Matthew Nyes is not signed, I'm like, oh, dude. And you know what's actually really fucking funny, man? I just was looking at it the other day. I think if you look at what he's probably getting.

And again, teams can match. Teams can do this. But what I think it's what, like 7.02 or something is the threshold if you sign. If you offer sheet someone and it's under 7.02 AAV. It's a first, a second, and a third. Yeah. if you are the Boston Bruins, or frankly, any team with a good amount of cap space, and you look at like, okay, this year I could go in with all the moves we made,

and I could use my first round pick on Matthew Nyes. Obviously. Do that. Do that. And seconds and thirds. Throw them out the fucking window. Oh, yeah. Your scouting staff will cry.

It is insane. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Provence is going to be mad. But I'm just like, I look at it and I'm like, what are we doing? And I'm pretty sure Boston has two seconds this year. I'll be right. And I'm like, what are you doing not sending that offer sheet yesterday? I think some teams are hoping he gets to July 1 so they can have the chance to do it.

Now, of course, it takes two. Yeah. Right? He's got to sign it. Yeah. But like I always say, and you mentioned, it's a competition. Make them fucking pay up. Exactly.

Like, it is hilarious to me that I'm like, dude, I would offer, I would be sending offer sheets like fucking hotcakes, brother. I'd be like. It's like, fancy hockey. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. I'm trying to win. I'm trying to win. I'm my people.

Oh, my God. I would offer sheet that kid fucking so fast. I like it when teams like St. Louis last year that they take two. Oh, yeah. And they like force you to make a decision. Yeah. Like you're going to lose one of these guys for sure where in Emmington's like, screw it.

We'll lose both and downgrade in both positions. Yeah. Interesting choice. How P.S. How good would Dylan Halle? Oh, don't even say. Hold on. Not even on that team.

Don't stop at him. Don't stop at him. Yeah, I know Broberg. But I'm just saying their D was like whatever. But it's like now if they had Dylan Holloway a 63. point 23 year old center that they could sell for a goalie bro right now they could get like i'm sure vancouver would be like have that you're demko yep and then you win the same look who just lost a center down south you could get

john gibson for that right like that yeah yep you could get you could fix your problems but instead you're like you know what we need we need arvetson we need skinner we're going to healthy scratch we're going to blow our load too early in free agency and sue ourselves and that i love it when a team takes advantage of them like that yeah you you paint yourself in corner. We're going to make it hurt. It was a thing of beauty, dude. Oh, my God.

Okay, give us a few names that, you know, not everyone that's following the draft that well hasn't heard of that you're like, I'm just really excited. It can be deep sleepers. It can be, you know, minor late first round sleepers, whatever you think. Yeah. Guys that I really like in this class. I mean, everyone's probably heard of Brady Martin at this point. But Martin is he, I know Bennett's about to get paid.

But like he might have to take Sam out for dinner. Because like his playoffs has like. elevated Martin stock significantly. That's cool. Because everyone's like, look at what Bennett does. And it's true. It's like if you have a good enough team, it doesn't matter if the guy puts up 50 points

in the regular season, if he's going to go off in the playoffs. Yep. Right? The problem is that you need talent around you to get to that point, right? So that you can kind of surf through the regular season. But, you know, Martin's a really, really fun player

who I think he's going to be like a fan favorite, but he's not going to be like a one seat. Okay. Yeah. You know, so a guy like that, um, you know, a kid like Cole Reshny is a really interesting one. Okay, yeah. So he played for the Royals, Victoria there.

I don't know if anybody had as big of a back half as him. Like he popped in the back half and like really propelled them in deep into the playoffs when they weren't supposed to be that good. Had a good U-18s. He's interesting though because now he's going to Nodak next year. Sick. Him and Farrhoff for Royals. And they were building to be like, we want to win a M-Cup next year and then they're two best players.

Yeah. Fuck. But he's like a really interesting player because he plays the middle of the ice, but he's not big. he's not super fast. He's kind of got like an accurate shot, but it's kind of a muffin. Okay. So it's like, is he?

Yeah, so he stinks. Yeah. But he's like super, super, like silky and elusive. Yeah. Really good playmaking, good handles. But it's like, are you, so now are you a winger? Right. I have a hard time.

So I'm really curious. I had one exact tell me that he thinks he's going like right after the top 10. Oh, wow. And then I know, and I tweeted that out there. I put it out there on a show or something like that. And I had a different exact text me who's picking like, much later.

And the first round was like, so you're saying we're not going to get them at this point? Yeah, yeah. They were thinking they're going to get them around 20.

Okay. So it's like, he's got a wide range of outcomes there too. So he's going to be one to watch. That'll be a really interesting one. Yeah,

okay, I love that. Yeah. And then, um, tell me about the three goalies. Okay. I mean,

Ravensburgin is like 6,5, almost 6,6. I think he's still growing. Yeah. He's like this gangly, goofy kid playing in PG and for the Cougars. As a, as like an underage,

as a D minus one last year, like, stole the job in PG on a good team off of Young, who was like a Canucks draft pick already like a 19, 20 year old, stole the crease and was good. Like, very good. Like, look like he was going to be maybe a top 15 pick this year. Was fine this year? Had to face like six breakaways of night. And, you know, stop most of them. But he wasn't great. And then, like, for some reason, Team Canada doesn't love him, like, so they don't, like, invite him to camps and stuff.

So that's, you know, it doesn't help his stock. but I do think he's consensus. He's probably the top goaltender among most teams. Semyon Froloff is an interesting one. This Russian kid coming out of the MHL. MHL's such a weird league though. Yeah. You could be playing against guys that are really good one night,

and then you could be playing guys that like our junior B team back home would like pump. Yeah. It's like you, it's really like so we put up like a 930. There's also guys who are like 40 years old. Yeah, right. Yeah, they got a shave rate before they get their picture taking it, and makes you look a little baby face. But that's what I mean, like last week or even this weekend or something.

Someone said to me, like, watch out for Froloff. Like he could go, he could be the first goalie off the board. He could definitely go in the first round. And then it's like a crapshoot on who that third guy, like some guys really like Ivan Kovic. Okay. Who's 5.11. How tall is Wolf? Hasick, dude.

And I love Dustin Wolf at the time. So he was, yeah. Yeah. And he wasn't at the time, I don't think. I think he was tagged at under six feet. Yeah. draft eligible. I had him like in the 30s that year. I was in, what draft was that now? Dallas, maybe. When he went? Yeah, Vancouver maybe. I can't remember what year it was.

If I can pop in. Yeah. These guys, if they don't go one, yeah. Do they go two in your mind? Or are you like, this is either they go one because people panic or they're going to go third, fourth round like usual. No. We get a, dim and I, Filipovich, whenever we're at the draft, it's like round two, often, in, you'll see, like, early 30s, some team will take a goalie and we'll, like, find each other and, like, make eye contact. And, like, goalie run. And you see it. It's like four goalies in the next 10 picks. Because everybody starts to panic. Oh, shit, the goalies are going. We got to get our goalie. Because it's like, it does fall off. So I do expect it. And back in the day, that's how it was. It was like, even a guy like Demcoe was like, it was like, first round, but it's like, we'll take them 32, 33, right? We'll wait until day two because you don't take goalies in the first round.

Now teams are a little more open to it. But, but like, Wolfie, like, I was like, for the last. love of God, somebody take this kid. You had him in the 30s? I'm in the 30s. That's incredible. Straight by you. Third to last pick of the drafters? 214th, over all. I was outraged. And then when Calgary pulled the trigger, it's like, oh, look, now they have their, like, franchise goalie. Right? Five years later. And the trade piece of Markstrom. Yeah. It's like, yeah. Right. So it's like, yeah. But the thing with the difference

between Ivan Kovic and Wolf is that like Wolf was winning WHL goalie of the year, CHL goalie of the year, ripping off 947 percentage over the season. Like, I've Kovic, correct me if I'm wrong, I think was sub-900 this year, right? International God, like, plays excellent with Team Canada, but, like, has all those stacked players in front of them, too, traditionally, too. But, like, his club play is, like, a lot to be deserved for sure. So it's like, I would be shocked if he went. And then there's Medvedev, the London Knights goalie.

You know, they just won the Mem, and that you always get the London Night boost. Yeah, for the boys. So, I mean, he could be in the mix, too. But that's awesome. That is, like, they are the opposite of yours garden. Yeah. If you play for one. Yeah.

If I'm just getting statted out. Like crazy. Hunter Brother Boost playing in London. It's why everyone wants to go there. I can't cheer for them ever. It's like they're like the Yankees. Yeah, correct. Correct.

And then I don't want to count Hagen's for this because he's kind of slid in the projections. But is there anyone that you think could slip? I think like the guy everyone's forgetting about is Porter Martone. Okay. Like everybody, I know Bob. I know Bob's list just came out and had him three. Yep. Which is great.

And it's, you know, Bob is telling. tapped in with the, I mean, it's, it's just a poll, but this, the scouts he works with her tapped in. But like, I was told it's not Martone at three. Right. For Chicago. Okay. I don't think Martone's at the top of the list for Utah. I think Nashville goes center.

I think Philly goes center. I think he's maybe sitting there at seven and that's Boston. Yeah. And again, crazy value. He could, he could slip to that point. But at the same time, like, he could slip past it. I know, dude. He could get past it too.

He could get to eight in Seattle. Like, and for, for a kid who like, you know, he slowed down. a little bit in the back half of the year, but he has a very unique upside. And I made this comp a few times on different shows is that he really reminds me of Todd Bertuzi. Really? Remember Bert? Oh my God. Pete Bert, dude. Right? But like drafted by the aisle super early and they thought they're getting like heavyweight. Uh-huh. And that wasn't his game. He's just a big boy. Yeah. But he was a finesse player, a handler, a distributor. And then as he got into his mid-20s, then he's like, oh, I can crush guys when I want to and hurt him. And then like that part became a part

of his game and that's why he was so successful in Vancouver. I think Martone's being a little like, I think teams were probably aware of this, but a little miscast at least in the public eye, six foot three, probably played like the 20. He can hit. He dropped the mitts a couple times this year. Him and Misa actually threw hands, which is funny because we asked them earlier in the year who would win in a fight and then a couple months later they did. But I don't think that's going to be his game.

I think he's like, I think he's the best playmaker in the class off the wing. Dude, 61 assists. Like, that's ridiculous. And he's got a ripper shot too. Like he's a true dual threat offensive guy. You just need to light that spark all the time. Keep it, keep that burning on him.

And I think he could be like a, like, probably the most unique asset in that top 10. Yeah. If it all comes together for him and he could slip. I think he's a perfect spot like for Chicago. Put him on the wing with badart. Yeah. And they won't do it.

Size playmaking. Badaar's a shooter. Yep. Have Martone, right? And small, Bard, obviously. You know what I mean? They're small down the middle, right?

They got Bader, they got Frankie Nazar, who's small. They've got Oliver Moore, super speed. and small, like their Reichel's not big, like they're littered with little guys. Yeah. They need some meat. Dude, so would you, if it's you in Chicago? That's my pick.

Really? Yeah. That's my pick if it's me in Chicago. After he takes Mesa first. Correct. Don't know if I did that. All right. My final question for you as we close out here, give us a few things, anything that pops in

your mind to keep an eye on. Like what fireworks are you sniffing around that you think could possibly happen on draft day? Man, trades. Trades. Trades. Sniffing around trades, right? Like, I think I pissed off Carolina today. I had...

You think? Yeah, I definitely pissed off Carolina. I don't think you just pissed off Carolina, brother. You pissed off Tomosh Hurdle. Yeah, yeah. I mean, I had it on a couple people, and I said, Eric, like, Tolski, text me back. And we can get, like, these, you know, we won't have to have these misunderstandings. But, no, I do think, like, I think Hurdle could be out there because I think Vegas is trying to clear

cap space, right? To go after Marner. I think Marner is, like, really. interested in going to Vegas and I think they're very interested in bringing them in, but it's like for them to move out a guy in the hopes that Marner's going to come is like a pretty big swing. But like, everybody's looking for a second line center, right? Yeah. Vancouver, Montreal, Carolina.

Like, we can run down the list. Like, everybody's looking for a two C. I think we're going to see probably JJ, you know, if someone pulls the trigger and like says, okay, we'll give you a good player. I think he's moving. I think Rossi's gone. Yeah. Jesus Christ.

Right. Like, I think that bridge is burned now at this point. Which I've never really understood. I don't get why that doesn't fit there. He's 5 foot 9. Yeah. And teams loathe having a 5 foot 9 center in their top 6 that isn't named Braden Point.

Or Connor Bredard. Let's stop pretending like he's bigger than 5th. Yeah, sure. But like if you're a freak, then you can get that done. But nobody really wants to stack that up. So unless you have that big power pivot at one. Yeah. But like it is a little strange because like Rossi's skilled.

Yeah. He's a bit of a dog too. I think he's a great player. And like, he's super scrappy. And from like everybody I talked to, like coming out of Minnesota and stuff, is that like, he's a consummate pro. Like first to the rink, last of the rink. Like takes everything super seriously.

Like wants to get better. Lost a whole year of development too to COVID, right? Long COVID. Like, he was afraid he was going to die. Yeah. And so to come back from all that, I think he's got that mentality that he's going to prove everybody wrong. So it's like, I am a little, a little surprise that Minnesota is not super sweet on him.

And the market's not super heavy on him. Agree. that's what I think is the weirdest part. I'm like, so what am I missing? Can you imagine how frustrating it must be? You know, you're this team and you're like, okay, it's not going to work here. We've got to move the guy. And as it's all been whispered, everything I'm seeing, people are just like, okay, go for it, try.

And it's like, it almost feels like that's the way with everything we've heard, Perkerka, too. I think he's a great player. Yeah. And it's like, the market's soft on him as well. I think the market's a lot heavier on him. Him definitely heavier. But like, if you've heard what I've been hearing, it's like some of the stuff coming back,

I'm like, all right. But everybody's offering futures. Yeah. Right? Because like who wants to peel off from their team to get that, you want to improve your team. You don't want to make a ladder or give up like a better player, which was what Boston or a Buffalo surely wants. They want to be like, hey, give us, we'll give us Elias Pedersen and we'll give you JJ and Bo and Byron. In Vancouver's like, wow, we got to take a chance on our superstar.

We can't make that trade. And doesn't Rossi feel like a prime candidate for offer sheet? Because if they can't find a trade, which it's sounding like it's a weird market. Yeah, right. Someone offer sheets him on like nothing special. Like you get a bargain on him because I could see Minnesota being like, no, we're not going to match that and then be in this situation. They'll just take the picks.

Yeah, I'm a little surprised because it's like I haven't confirmed this myself, but a couple insiders have said it that Vancouver offered 15th and a prospect. Now, I don't know what that prospect was, but I can guarantee it wasn't like here back your view because that deal would have got done already, right? But it's like Minnesota and they shot it down. Minnesota is probably looking because they wanted Brock Nelson. They were going to go out and sign Brock Nelson this summer. Bring them home.

He's a local kid. And then I think that screwed them up. Me too. Me too. But it's like maybe you have to sell Rossi for futures and then parlay into a into an out player. Right? Like then you just got to do twice the work.

Yeah. But it's like at some point, if you can't make a hockey deal, you're going to have to do something. Yes. But you're right. An offer sheet. We know that they offered him like five mil and he wasn't taking that on like a five year deal. And so yeah, if you want to give them seven, if a team wants to give Rossi seven and do first, second and third, I'm sure

Minnesota would probably just take the picks. Yeah, fucking crazy. And it's probably going to be by a good team. Yeah. So they're like, this sucks. Yep. Right. Yeah.

But like that's even the funny thing is like, you know, when you think about it that way, if he's not taken that deal that they offered, it's like if you're another team where you're like, is Rossi worth the first round pick? Not just first round, first, second and third. I don't know. Yeah.

Depends on when the picks are. But yeah, I think he is. I think he is. Here's another one. E.K., watch out for Carlson this one. Oh, I like that. Oh, yeah, yeah. Yeah.

Like, you still got tenet on the tag, right? Again, even though San Jose's eaten some of that. But I do think that like Pittsburgh has fully said like he's available. Uh-huh. We will consider swallowing a little bit more of that money too because he's got a $5 million signing bonus or bonus coming on July 1. If they can get out of that, they might be interested in eating a little bit of that salary and let him go chase the cup. That's interesting. So, you know, he hasn't missed a game in three years.

I know, dude. It's a remarkable what a horse is. He's still good for 50, 55. And he looked fucking awesome at first. Four nations. Yeah. Like, I'm like, okay, dude, the right team around him. Yeah.

Well, I mean, you know why? I said this a million fucking times. I think why he looked good was because of who was playing in front of him. Yeah. That is that, and that's the interesting thing is like if you can get Pitt to eat enough where he, like, look at the Seth Jones deal. Yeah. Yeah. If you put him on a team like that, do you put him, I mean, I know he's hurt, but like, if you put him on a team like Vegas with a healthy Petro and Chee Theodore and he's playing second.

Like, you are, you're laughing. You know where he would look good? To Carolina. I'm going to get Tulski's going to text me now. He's going to text me now, boys. Yeah, there's the text back, dude. But can you hate? You got you got Slavin running all the hard minutes. Yep. And then you just soft minute them. Dude, it's actually hilarious. Ozone starts, P-E-1, right? Because they got ghost and they got the ghost of Brent Burns. But it's like, now they want. It's so funny that they get both of those sharks guys. Like they get Burnsy, then they get us. Well, I mean, I've said it a million times. I don't know how you'd make it work. But I, again, I've said it a million times, partially because of Four Nations. He'd look damn good in Tampa.

Yeah. Yeah. He'd look damn good. in Tampa. Yeah. A couple of Swedish Vikings. Fucking hell. Good God. All right. Cam, this is coming out Thursday 6 a.m. So tell everyone where they can find you when and where they can find all the mocks and all the latest stuff. All the good stuff

at EP boys. Okay. I didn't even send you guys draft guides. Remind me. Okay, send you the draft guides. Okay, I'll get you hooked up so you can do your cram and do your homework. Yeah, thank you. We got a discount going on on subscriptions right now. That's right. It's right. It's up a little bit extra with you guys. Maybe bump it up a little bit right now, 33% off.

Gets you the sub, gets you the draft guide. We're doing all our film rooms. And where does everyone get that? That's Elite Prospects.com, right? Head over there, sign up, get your sub. This is the best time of year to get it. Get it all year. You get all our work.

You get all the guides. You get all the rankings. Get all that good stuff. Myself, I've got another mock coming. I do an annual Thursday morning. So when you're listening to this right now, it's coming out this morning. And we'll pump that out with this episode.

You have to look at that. Yeah, I'll have my ear to the ground on all like rumors. try to break some trades, try to break some picks, five bull predictions. I do it every year. They're spicy, spicy, and sometimes I hit on it, which is even more fun. Feels so good.

Yeah, it feels the best. So I'll probably drop like six or seven things here in the next four days. Fantastic. Absolutely. It's going to be a great. Perfect time to follow along. Good to get there.

All right. Well, thanks for coming on. We got to do, I mean, this is a tradition. It's amazing. Got to come on. And what a treat that we're just in L.A. We get to see. I got to come to Santa Monica every year.

Yeah, right. We get to buzz around this. It's fantastic. It's fantastic. Yeah. Good stuff. Zbiotics pre-alcohol probiotic drink is the world's first genetically engineered probiotic. It's created and invented by PhD scientists. This is not a joke, okay? This is not a drill. This is something I'm telling you seriously. It was invented to tackle rough mornings after drinking.

Now, Dan and I have been on the road for the Stanley Cup final for what feels like 20 months consecutively. you think we had any chance to survive without having zibiotics with us? No, we did not. Okay? It is when we drink, we the people, human beings, when you drink, alcohol gets converted into a toxic byproduct in your gut. It is the buildup of this byproduct, not dehydration, which everybody thinks. It's the buildup, buildup of this byproduct that gives you that rough morning. Okay? This prebiotic drink creates an enzyme that breaks down that byproduct. Now we're laughing. Okay?

So the cup, we only survived because of Zibiotics. My summer, wedding season, I'm only going to survive because of Zbiotics. Then the hockey season is going to start again, and I'm only going to survive because of Zbiotics. Don't you want to do that? Don't you want to have so much fun, like the fun we're having, and then still be okay and have no rough mornings because of Zbiotics? I recommend you do, okay?

So go to Zbiotics.com slash netters. That's N-E-T-T-E-R-S, and you can get 15% off your first order. when you use netters at checkout and Zbiotics is backed with a 100% money back guarantee if you are unsatisfied for any reasons. They will refund the whole thing no questions asked. Come on, zbiotics.com slash netters. You're welcome. The year was 1952.

Finland was hosting the summer games and they wanted to make sure that they had a nice, delicious, efficient drink to serve to all of the people there. And that's when they came up with long drink. And now it is available to you. Without a doubt, my favorite new can cocktail on the market. This stuff is delicious. It's a nice citrus soda with a real liquor in it. It's not any of that malt liquor nonsense you find in some of these other products.

And it just tastes phenomenal from the first sip to the last. There's no fermented sugar and any of that nonsense in there. And then also they offer a non-sugar one, which, you know, me. I like to keep it tight. That one tastes just as good as the rest. And you're keeping the sugars out of it. It's just the perfect drink. It's the perfect drink for summer, and we're getting in there.

But got news for you? It's perfect all the time. Like we said, it's just this delicious citrus soda. It's so, so good. I was actually at a party. A couple weeks ago. Adam Fantilli there, star player for the Columbus Blue Jackets. We're going up to the bar, getting a drink.

He says, let's grab a long drink. Have you had one yet? And I said, oh, pal, have I had one? I got it right here. Absolutely delicious. It's the best thing. thing going on the market no doubt about it it's gluten-free it's all natural we got people like keigo rickie fowler we got tuka rask miles teller investors they're getting behind this because it's so

delicious it's got to be their favorite drink as well i can't begin to tell you how awful i feel when i drink a bunch of beer or a bunch of these seltzers and they're just so bubbly and you feel so bloated all the time this is just smooth delicious easy to drink and i can't begin to emphasize enough. The first one you have, tastes amazing. So does the last. You know that feeling

when you're going through. You're having a summer day. Maybe you're out on the lake. Maybe you're out by the beach. And you're just gassed on a bunch of these types of drinks. And just eventually you're like, I can't take this anymore. It's disgusting.

It happens with basically all of them. It does not happen with long drink. It's just, it's refreshing. It's crisp. It's just fantastic. I cannot stress that enough. Long drink has a ton of variety. You can get whatever you want from it.

every single one taste delicious it's going to be your new favorite canned cocktail i promise you and i guarantee it hopboard the long ship and have some long drink huge thank you to cam love having him on this time of year absolute beauty going to be having beers with him this weekend how are you and now for the college hockey flavor let's throw a short interview with james murray from everything college hockey what a beauty all right we brought in the big guns james murray everything college hockey here to talk about the 2025 draft happening. This will come out tomorrow. So happening tomorrow.

Thursday. Draft on Friday. James, first of all, how are you, man? I'm great, man. What a playoff run for the Panthers once again. Fun to watch just great hockey all year long. And fun year of college hockey. We got to travel so many schools this year and see it all.

And now we're getting to draft week. We're running draft weekend to see these prospects now get their name called. We covered a little bit of USHL this year too. So this is one of the most exciting times for me. We get to see them come in and then take off in college too. So I'm excited. Well, I mean, it's sick. All the hard work you've done all year kind of culminates this week, you know?

Yep, exactly. No, exactly. And we actually just did a Day in the Life video with Colin Potter of Arizona State, projected first round pick. So that video actually drops, if you're listening to this, this is tomorrow. So today, it drops the day. So it's out now if you're listening to this. And good insight on what it's like to be 17 years old.

playing in college hockey and and then now to hear your name called this week. He's pretty pumped. So great kid and excited to see where he lands. I can't wait to watch that, dude. Like you said, all time moment for these guys coming up here. I would say that recently we've seen some huge guys coming out of college, right? Macklin-Sellibrini, Jack, I go back to Ikes, Fantilli, right? Like there's been some huge, huge names.

And maybe this year it's less so. coming out of college heavy in the top, top, top. Obviously, Hagen's has been projected one for a long time and is falling a little bit, right? I guess first question, is that what you're seeing too? And the follow-up question to that is tell us who from those college ranks do you think we'll go, will be the first guys off the board coming out of college hockey this year? Yeah, yeah. I think I see that.

I think it's fitting that it's not the college hockey guys this year now with the new CHL rule being implemented. I'm curious to see where these guys go and how they are ranked first the college guys. And I know next year is going to be fun to see how they compete. How does Gavin McKenon and those guys compete at the NCAA level? I think right now, though, Higgins is the guy that I don't think there's any worry about him. I know he got up to a slow start. His draft stock dropped a little bit, but that's a guy.

I think he has a complete game. And yeah, he wants to put on some size and mature a little bit. But I think he's a for sure pick. I mean, I wouldn't wait until 5, 6, 7 to take him early. on. But that being said, I don't follow the other leagues as much, but I think, you know, the NCAA has time and time again and definitely proven these past couple years to be the number one path to the NHL. So curious to see where they land. I think maybe that's part of a mid down the road. They moved the draft age back a little bit. I think it's really tough to tell.

Oh, okay. Hold on. Let's dig into that, dude. I like that too. I like that too. I, you know, just filming with Potter last week, like the kid was 17 this year. Now he's 18. and make business easier for these GMs. Like, it's so hard to see. A lot of these kids aren't fully grown into their body yet at 18. It's the first time on their own. And having to do school on top of that. I just think it's young.

And then you see so many draft prospects not pan out for whatever reason. And I think it's because they're getting drafted too early. Dude, okay, I'm very into that. Me too. And especially just the way it's like where you're born in your draft year is such a factor, right? And it's like, oh, some of these guys are old. like, oh, this guy's so young. Schaefer, dude. Like, Schaefer's fucking 10 years old.

You know? I'm like, what the fuck? So I think that's a really interesting take. And I almost wish more guys, and I'm projecting here, but if Hagen's goes back, I almost wish more guys would do that more often. I feel like the top end of that first round, it's so much pressure to get rushed in. But sometimes these guys, it's like, let them develop a little bit more, even if you're drafting him here. What do you think about that?

Yeah, no, I really agree with that. I think just knowing him personally, Brock Faber, and him going back, and he's Jimmy Snuggler, the guys from Minnesota, like going back for their third year, they develop so much. And listen, you go back for that one extra year, you still get to come in at the end of the NHL season and get your shot. So I think it's worked for those guys. And I would advise many prospects to do the same. I told Potter the same thing. Like, you're young, get another year.

And, you know, if you're a first round pick, like the talent's there. You're going to get your chance. So enjoy it. College goes so quick. It's the best time of your life. And you really get mature and grown to your body. and we saw it with Will Smith. He got off to a little bit of a slow start this year with the Sharks,

but then really turned it around. But I think he would have been great. Another year at BC would have been great for him. We love somebody, but honestly. Especially with the boys. He's the best. He's the nicest kid. And he's definitely not in NHL.

I just think one more year. It's not even a full season. You still get NHL games this year. You would have got a run for the NCAA tournament. I don't know. Maybe they win it too, eh, if he stayed. Yeah. But it is, I mean, it's like you said, like he did,

he found his feet. He was unbelievable towards the end of the year. But that's slower start is definitely another piece of evidence that staying in college or going to college is super helpful. It's like Billy Madison. He's like, stay as long as you can. Well, especially with the NIL money, if you have some of that coming in while you're in college, like you're still getting some money. So, so true, dude. So true.

You know, price tag above your head when you're in the NHL. It's a lot more pressure. So something I wanted to bring up with you, obviously these new guidelines and these new, rules, we're going to get a lot of these Canadian kids who are able to play in college now, especially after they get drafted. Some of these guys can go from Canadian juniors and now pop into the NCAA. How big of a swing do you think we're going to see this year with a lot of these kids drafted in the first round who are maybe playing in Canada, who might now be coming to going to some NCAA schools, getting some reps in there, and how big of an effect do you think

that's going to have on college hockey? Do you think we're going to see a significant jump in speed and talent next year in NCAA hockey? Yeah, maybe not the first month or two, but definitely the second half of the season. I mean, every team's going to be more competitive. The rosters are going to be harder to make, and it might push those, I think the third, fourth line guys right now

on every team are a little bit worried with the CHL players coming in. But I see a drastic change. Like, the competition is going to be next level, and I think the number right now is like 30 to 40% guys coming from NCAA to the NHL. That's where you're seeing in the NHL prospects now. I think that's just going to rise.

So I think that's the path to go. You get an education. You get the best time of your life and you get to play against the best players in the world. And so if they're all going on. Yeah. And sometimes, oftentimes I would say an older group of guys, right? Like it's one thing to just light up juniors for a billion points against kids your age. But you go to college hockey and you're playing against some grown men.

You know, I think that's a huge factor of it too. 100%. 100%. I thought I'm curious to see what Gab McKenna does, you know, where he chooses. and how he does in the NCAA game. He's going to be playing against some 24-year-olds. So, I mean, that's going to change, change the game for him. It's tough.

There's not a lot of room and less space and faster pace once you get to NCAA. Yeah. James, you said. Yeah, it's going to take some time, different style of game. They're used to very offensive leagues as well as Canadian league. So a lot more defense than NCAA and better goal-tenth. Yeah, damn right. You said the competition level is going to be next level, which I agree with.

And also, and I'm projecting down the road here a little bit, but I think it's going to start spring. up more D1 programs the way we've seen Penn State and Arizona State and things like that. Do you see that in the forecast too? Yeah, Maryville just announced a couple weeks ago. They got, you know, I think it was $5 million towards the program to be launched in three years. And another St. Louis program, I want to see some schools down south gain a program. Same.

You see the run that Penn State just made to the Frozen Four, and now they're getting these top-end CHL guys coming in right away. What a difference that makes. And yeah, they have more NIL money, so that helps too. but those national tournament runs really help programs out. And so you get some good CHL players and get a complete roster and make a run, you're just going to keep getting commits. It's so competitive now with recruiting.

And Maine's pouring so much money in their new locker room and facility and everything, which is great for a program like that. I'm excited to see it. Yeah, I think the bottom tier teams are going to be more competitive. And, you know, listen, like the last couple of years, it hasn't been these Big Ten schools winning national championships. It's Western Michigan with no NIL money. you know, and Quinepiak.

So sick. They're winning it. They got older guys. They're going there to win. Minnesota State consistently in the tournament every year. Those guys are, a lot of them age outs and juniors, but they're going in with one idea, and that's to win. That's it.

That's all they care about. So, yeah, I'm excited to see those teams with not as much NIL funds make runs with these players now and have more complete rosters to compete with the Boston colleges, BUs, and Michigan, Minnesota. So, yeah. Love it. Yeah, absolutely. Are there any guys in this draft who are going to be coming from NCAA already, guys who just played this past season in college hockey, that you have your eyes on heavy, that you're like, this guy had an unbelievable year, maybe a bit of a sleeper, someone who you think is going to have a huge impact on whatever team they're drafted by. Is there any name that you are really looking at?

Maybe outside of Hagen's and Potter. Yeah. Yeah. Hensler, out of Wisconsin. I think he's there. He's got body for it. And solid defensemen still fighting his game. maybe a guy that is one,

one, two years out of making that jump, but I thought he was really great for Wisconsin and excited to see, you know, what he can do. But yeah, I mean, there's, listen, you're taking a chance on all these players just based off one college season. That's, again, why I want to move the age to that to get a better look at them because, like you mentioned,

it's, you're taking, you're going off what they did in junior hockey, and it's so much different than college hockey. So, but Hansler's my guy. I think he's a safe pick. Where he goes and not the, I don't know. It depends, you know, who needs defensemen and whatnot, but that's, that's one guy I really like. And he has a chance to be in the mix because it's a bit like, we were talking earlier, there's a bit of a drop after Schaefer on D specifically.

Yeah. And then when that happens, teams start being like, well, fuck, there's been nine forwards in a row. Like, I need a defenseman. I want to take a swing. And in a draft where it's, you know, nothing's real, no one's really breaking out. It's kind of like pick your flavor. the week, right? Like, which, which prospect does your scouting department think is good? I think there's a chance we could see some D fireworks up earlier than projected, and he would be a name that I'd be

interested in watching. Yeah, yeah, I think he's got real first-round talent, and again, we'll see what happens, I think, might see some teams trade down in this draft. I don't know, what are you guys have friends on the overall draft in general as far as skill, like, compared to the last couple years? It's an interesting thing. We had, we had Cam Robinson on, he'll be in the step too, and he was saying his bosses were getting pissed. that he kept calling the draft mid. And it's like, it's weird, though, dude. Yeah.

You know, it's funny. Like, yeah, sure, there's not, we get spoiled often, right? There's a Mac. There's a badard. There's these guys that you're like, okay, he's literally plug and play. He's going to be my captain next year. He's the best player on the team as an 18-year-old. That's not normal.

You know, like, that's not supposed to happen every year. So what pisses me off is when we say this draft is mid, we mean as prospects. their mid, but there could be major super stars sitting here in the draft right now. It's just let them grow into their body and see what they become. They're just not prospect porn. Yeah, yeah.

And I think also it's like I love that we have you on right now, James, because we're all big college hockey fans. And I think let's go the high end example. It's like Lane Hudson is just a great example of a guy who goes in the second round because people are like, oh yeah, maybe he's a little bit smaller and he's playing in college. Is college that much of a prospect pool these days? And I think that is changing.

I think, yes, it absolutely is. And I like that we're looking at a lot of these mocks and we see some of the lower end. I wanted to talk about my guy William Horcroft. I'm obviously a Michigan guy. And I think he had a really solid year, such a young player. He's being projected in the late first round, maybe early second round. And it's like those are guys that I'm like, perfect example of a dude who's going to get drafted here probably going to go back to or not probably definitely going back to michigan and

probably will have a monster sophomore season second year and people are like oh fuck like yeah that's such a sick pick right like such a late round or early second round pick that you get another year in college hockey and all of a sudden you just develop it's it's interesting there's that kid um that kid sasha at uh i think he's at b you right the Swedish kid yeah yeah and i'm like the The fact that there's a Swedish kid on BU right now who's going to be a first round, second round pick. And I'm like, this is fucking sick. Like some of these guys could pop off in this next year in college hockey.

I think he, Sasha, particularly like he goes earlier in the draft. You got a guy like Pandolfo coaching him what he's done for the players with Celebrity Hudson, like all these guys. He's won every season getting to the team to the Frozen Four and developing these players in NHL talents. So that's a guy that could see going earlier for sure. Deason size is great playmate ability. Another guy that's not in college right now that I want to put out there for Minnesota people, they know, a Mason West, going back to Edina High School to play quarterback, huge body, already has the NHL body.

We watched him in the state tournament this year in Minnesota. Great talent. I just spoke to him last week. Yeah, he's going to Michigan State. He committed, but he's playing his football next fall, and Edina and then going to Fargo and then a Michigan State. So I think a team could take him earlier as well. Another guy's projected in the second round, but take a chance on him with a big body. Dude, he's super exciting.

I loved reading about him. That's crazy. I wanted to ask you, or I just got I wanted to touch on, such a good call by you with looking at something like Pandolfo and BU in the pipeline. So much credit belongs to these programs, too, right? The way they're shaping these kids to take the next step. That's such a big factor in this draft, I would argue, not just the talent that you're looking at as the prospect, but kind of where he's coming from and who's been molding his game.

Right. No, it is a big fact. And there's a lot of great coaches in college hockey. But you look at these big programs, you know, BC, Greg Brown, too, same thing, developing these guys. And they're jumping into the NHL and taking off. What did GoJ have this year, 20 goals cutter on the dogs? Yeah, yeah, yeah. They're molding these players and they're becoming college hockey is almost pro hockey now. I think we talked about that on my podcast a little bit.

You know, now there's some money involved. And some of these facilities are better than the NHL facilities. Like, they're in nonstop training and preparing you for the next level. So, yeah, it really depends, you know, who your coaches and what resources you have in college to prepare you for the next level. But for a lot of these programs, it's working out. And we're seeing success for a lot of these guys in the NHL right away. On that topic, James, we were talking to Cam about some of these European leagues and then certainly Canadian juniors. And we brought up Jurors Garden in Sweden with Frontel and how when you look through it, they get a bit of a knock on maybe not the best.

program for developing pros. Like truly, if you look through all of their draft picks, the last guy, I mean, Holtz is there, but then Zabanajad is kind of like the most successful one, and that was years and years and years ago. Now, you also look at a London Knight situation in Canada of like they feel almost like a pro factory and like just so many great players go. Cam called them the Yankees. Do you look at any college program right now, maybe with their coaches, with their

facility, whatever it is, that you, maybe. maybe not historically, but right now, you are like, this is such a good program for developing pros. Guys who are going through a program with those coaches, with that system, and when they get to pro, you're like, I think that's one of the best pipelines for the NHL right now. I think turning into one right now is Michigan State. You're going to see a bunch of guys come out of there right now.

I hate that so fucking much. Like that, goalie factory too. Same with Maine. A lot of good goalies coming out of there. Obviously, the both Boston schools, BC and BU, like it's crazy what these coaches are doing for these players and how much they're progressing each and every year and same thing when you get to the NHL same thing as a freshman in college you got to give them some time and it's again back to this age of getting drafted like

not all these guys have a breakout freshman year that you want them to and that really takes coaches to guide these now kids you know 18 years old to get them through the hard time to deal with real life problems now you're on your own managing school and for you know the top prospect guys like it's a lot to manage make sure you're staying focused and I just talked to Potter about this, like, hey, you're going to a party school, ASU, you know, nationally known as that. How do you stay focused knowing the first rounds in your future here? And he's just, he's already a pro, like, just talking to him and, you know, doesn't go out and party,

just stays to his regimen and gets it done and scores, like, at the end of the day. Yeah, yeah. So awesome. Michigan State, though, is that, that place is crazy. Like, the facility I got to tour that's really, really cool. There's a bunch of good colleges now. Colorado College who just went to this year, like Michigan, they're going to, all these facilities are insane, and these guys have all the resources necessary to

improve their game. I'm a little surprised to not hear Denver coming out of your mouth right now. Denver, too. I should have said Denver. Okay. They've had their good guys, too, Carl. One of the best coaches obviously just received a bunch of NHL offers. And Western Michigan's becoming that, too, with a new arena coming.

They're going to have all those amenities too. But, yeah, Denver has definitely produced their fair share of prospects and won championship. So, Carl's master the program at getting to the NCAA. tournament every year. No team wants to play him. So very good spot to go. And my buddy Eric Polkamp went there from Mimidgee to Denver and said he developed his game so fast and loves where he's at right now, Sharks draft picks. So yeah, Carl is one of the best at developing guys.

And obviously that's part of the reason why he's got the USA rule. I'm coaching his world junior teams too. Dude, they're like the Sam Bennett of college teams where they just playoff. They're an entirely different animal in the playoffs. They don't even get into shit. These other schools I just mentioned, like Michigan State football and basketball, they have too. So Denver, it's unique what they've been able to do. So perfect for me transition with you just mentioning Western Michigan

and that unbelievable majestic run that they just went on. With what we were talking about earlier, a lot of these new players being able to come in, you said it's going to be more competitive, harder to make rosters. Do you also think that's going to make us see some college hockey programs that maybe we haven't heard about or don't hear about every year in the tournament start to rise up and become bigger, bigger programs because there's going to be more players available

to start making different D1 rosters? Yeah, I do. I think Western Michigan is one of those schools. Minnesota State's another one where these guys, they have older players on their team. Now you end a high-end talent from CHL that's looking to get some good playing time. That's really going to help. We saw Rhett Pittlet come from the Gopher's Minnesota

to Minnesota State this year, and he's a high-end talent, one of the most talented forwards Minnesota State's ever had, and he came in as a huge difference maker. Now you get a talent like that coming from the CHL to join one of these programs. It makes a difference. It's another threat on the power playing for on top of playing against a physical team, like a very physical team that has nothing to lose.

So, yeah, I'm excited to see it be more competitive. The Michigan techs of the world that keep finding their way into the tournament, they're going to get some CHL guys. We just had one of their players on. So, yeah, it's going to make it way more competitive. I'm excited to see it. I mean, the conferences, the standings last year were all so tight, especially in the Big Ten, Hockey East, CCHA.

So, yeah, I expect to see the same thing this year and moving forward. Is there anyone, James, that, because obviously the mocks are crazy, but it's for the most part, it's kind of like Hagen's Potter, Hensler, Dan's Boy, Will, Sasha, that's kind of like the first round college hockey names I'm seeing. Is there anyone on your radar that you guys have met with or anything like that that maybe isn't a first round name that people that the listeners haven't heard of, that you're like, I love this guy's game. I might be a later round pick, but you're interested in him?

Yeah, Macy O' Phillips. He is committed to Minnesota too, but he's huge. He was in this Colin Potter video coming out. Six-six-Body defenseman, like just so much, such a great kid too, works his ass off and another kid from the program. But that's a guy that I want to see go earlier. Maybe his speed isn't there yet, but I mean, he is quick for a big guy like that. So that's one guy that could be going second, third round,

and that I would take a chance on going earlier. I love that one, dude. Sixth, six, defenseman? You kidding me, dude? He sent him to Boston. He's strong, man. He's a big kid. I couldn't believe he was 18 when I met him.

Isn't that funny, dude? Because especially the league these days, some of the guys are so small and we meet him for interviews, and I'm like, thank God you're tiny. But I love when you see a big boy. He's 18 years old. And you're like, Jesus Christ, dude. That's awesome. So, James, if I can put you on the spot, go into the draft here, I want to hear your

mock top five. We've got the Islanders, Sharks, Blackhawks, Mammoth, and Predators. Who do you think that five run is going to be? And this is like you. Every pick, I am now momentarily making you the GM of these teams. You get to pick your player. Yeah, I mean, I think Schaefer and Mesa are good picks. I would take Hagan's three.

Dude, this is perfect. I think he's a safe pick. That's why I take him earlier. I don't know if some of these teams will trade down, too. I know some teams have discussed it. So that's where I'm like, I'd rather take the safe pick there for one of those guys taking Higgins. After that, I think some teams are going to trade down. But I've heard good things.

That's exciting. Two. And, yeah, I mean, that would probably be four for me. I don't know. McQueen maybe at five. It's top. Okay. So, such an offensive league.

And that's where, like, I've been trying to just figure out how are these guys going to translate into NCAA that are coming over. Hold on. Hold on. Did you just have Jackson Smith three? Four. Oh, Hagan's three. Four, sorry, I meant four. Yep.

That's, I love that. I love that pick, too. Anton, Rundman hates James. These teams need defensemen. That's why I see them going early on a four. It's very true. The teams that want their defensemen may trade up or just take them early just to be sure that they get their guy. Dude, we were, we were joking about that with the sharks where it's like they want D so bad.

And if anyone, yeah, if anyone could jump to one and take. Mesa 1 like if somebody really wants and Chicago maybe and they get Schaefer they'd be thrilled but presuming they don't Islanders don't want to trade so they're going to take Schaefer

and then the sharks are kind of fun I mean you're not fucked you're getting Mesa but they're kind of like damn it dude I want a D but my position on the draft board just doesn't lend myself to it yeah and you just can't let a guy like Misa go what's your take James on we've been talking about this a lot

Schaefer is obviously such an incredible player it looks like his skill set is ready for the NHL but he's so young, 17 years old until September. Do you think that there's a world where we might see an Owen Power situation and he might not go straight to the show, or do you think no matter what, his talent just speaks for itself and he's gone? Possibly. I mean, I don't know his options right now, to be completely honest, like, yeah, I mean, I would go to this Owen Power situation. I think, wait, again, wait, he's so young.

Yeah, yeah. You're playing now, you're playing against 35-year-old, some of them that, you know, are looking to take you, especially come playoff time. So it's so important on development of these kids and their confidence too. And how easy that can be broke down with a slow stretch. So, yeah, I think he's going to play elsewhere instead of the NHL right away. That's what I would do if I was a GM, not rush him in. Dude, it is. Especially if it seems like the sharks, that's not, they're not playoff ready yet.

They don't have that yet. Yep, right. It is crazy when you, it's so easy to just, we watch the game on TV and you see a young kid, a baddard, a Mac just like completely fitting in. And I mean, that's a compliment, right? You're like, you're just so fine. You're an NHL player. You're scoring 20 goals.

But then when you see them, and you see them all the time, James, but when we're with them, they are children. Like, you are a young kid, and it is so crazy to me that I'm like, Jesus, dude, you're in the same league as like Ovechkin. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I think, like, guys like, it's like, OV is like officially at the point where, like, he could not only could he be, like, it would not be absurd at all if he was Schaefer's father.

Yeah, he's so much older than him. It's insanity. Fuck. Yeah. Like he's what, like 27 years older than him, or 23 years older than him? Yeah, he's 39.

Is he not 40 yet? No, I think he's, oh, I think he'll be, actually, I don't know. I think you're right. I'm thinking of Perry's 40, right? Yeah, yeah.

Like Perry's 23 years older than this. Yeah, yeah. Perry would have been 23 having a kid, and now here he is. In the league. Unbelievable. No, yeah. It depends on their body, too.

Like, like I said, like the Potter, like those guys are, they're pros at heart, but their bodies aren't ready yet. you don't want to get an injury too going into early or any of that. So give the body time to develop. You know, the people, they mature at an older age sometimes.

You just got to give them time. So I think coaches are very, especially in college hockey, like, they have a good grasp of where their players at, and that's why these GMs are asking them, like, where are they at? Are they ready? Because a lot of these coaches know what the NHL consists of and what it takes to get there and succeed there. So I think a lot of these GMs are really relying on these college coaches to give them a good. Yeah, I love it. Okay.

Okay, James, before we let you go, can you give us a way too early, but just a next year look at your college hockey power rankings? Like, who you got your eye on? What programs are you like this? These are the guys going to be fighting for a natty next year. I think the terriers are won for me, right? They've been so close the last two years and they lost the championship this year. Cole Hudson coming back, he's really a difference maker, same, you know, same thing that Lane was. and then they got goal-tending.

They got great coaching. Like I said, Pandolfo's gone to the Frozen Forest so many times now, and they keep winning in the tournament. Boston College, obviously, be there. Michigan State is right there, too. They were won the rankings basically all year, or right there, top three.

So outside of that, Western Michigan finds a way to be up there. Denver is right there. So I'd say Denver, B, U, B, C, Michigan State. I want to see Michigan have a little bit better year this year, too, And if they get McKenna, it's problematic for everyone else. Oh, my God. I heard Penn State, though, for him?

I mean, God. That would be insane. I know, dude. If this kid goes to Penn State, no disrespect Penn State, but I'm like, no, absolutely. I won't let it happen. But as a kid, you see, you know, you see that student section at Penn State. It's hard to say no to that. Like, they're crazy.

Yeah, it's so true. They deserve it. And now they got other kids going there. So if they get him, it's, I can see them winning the big. 10. And what do you think, James, about, we had a great time watching Maine kind of come back into relevancy in hockey east there. And like, I would love to see UNH get in the game too. You know, what do you think about some of those more legacy hockey east? Yeah. What's, what do you think is the issue with UNH? Like, why can't they come back? That's what I've been trying to figure out.

Their fans are still very supportive of them and we're trying to make it out there this year for sure. But maybe some CHL players can help them get to that level. Yeah, true. The whole hockey East was, everyone was competitive. Anyone can beat anyone any weekend. So they're not far off, but for whatever reason, they haven't been able to get there. I don't think it's coaching. I don't think it's the skill level. It just kind of Dunvers these top teams, these other teams, the BUBC, and last year, Maine, like, really controlled the game and found a way to win those games.

It's not, it's not like they're getting blown out every weekend either. So it's, they're in a route right now, but I think they're not far off. Yeah, okay, good. That makes me happy. Yeah, it makes me happy. We grew up going to those games. And, dude, like the Whittimore Center is electric. Durham is so sick.

It's, I don't get why. I mean, there are so many of these, I don't want to shit on any towns, but there are so many of these great programs where I'm like, Durham is right up there. Like, I mean, you should definitely go this year. Oh, man. It's a blast. Yeah.

Blast. UNH is the shit. Seeing them come back would be so electric. And it's a hockey school. Getting to talk to a lot of these players, they want to go play at a hockey school, where that's the number one sport. Oh, dude. No doubt.

That's another great point. It's like Maine. It's like UNH is a hockey school. Like there's no team. They're not going there. No one's going there for fucking football. No one's going there for basketball. It is a hockey school.

Make UNH sick again is what is our campaign here. Okay, B.U. Natty. We're calling it here. B.U. Natty this year they finally do it. I think they get it done here. Yeah. Yeah. We'll see.

I'm not bent against them though. And you better believe Denver will be there too again. But B.U is so hungry. And I think they want to win. it and get done. Who beat Michigan State last year? Cornell. Yeah. Cornell. Oh, my God. They got a new coach coming in this year. I'm curious to see what happens with them, but

they're always the top of the ECAC and find a way to get in that tournament. So they had a win to get in this year too. Won that championship game, the ECAC versus Kirkson. That's right. And then took down Michigan State. And now pissed off all those guys and they're all coming back from Michigan State this year. Yeah, yeah. Dude, isn't that crazy? The Domino's? Like, just because Cornell beat Clarkson means they beat Michigan State, which means kids at Michigan State are coming back because they didn't win last year.

It's crazy. It's crazy. I mean, they're going to be mad that they had a first round exit this year. So with obviously being coming back in the Hobie Baker winner, Isaac Howard, they're going to be a tough team to beat. And there was a lot of last year. You got their fan base back at Michigan State. So I'm excited to see what they can do this upcoming season. Hell yeah.

All right. Well, James and I are on Hagan's going high. Fuck you. Where do you think Higgins is going? I have no idea where that is coming from. out of pocket ricochet shot for no reason. Literally on our hockey talk the other day, I was like James Higgins is one of the best kids I've met in a long time.

I hope he goes one. So, he's a great kid. He's unbelievable. He's so he's just, he's got the swag, man. I'm telling you, I only got to meet him once,

but he's got that swagger that I love, dude. I think he, if he falls, because I think he's going to fall, by the way. Like, I want him to go high, but I think he's going to fall. And I think it's going to be,

we're going to look back and be, Like what an insane drop that was steal of the draft. Yeah, I mean, I was just on nesting the other day, and they were talking about getting Higgins at 7 at the Bruins. Yeah, dude. If that happens, by all means, I know he wants to stay in Boston. So that's a great. If he's there, that's an easy take for me.

No brainer. I'm rooting for that. My God, dude, like the Bruins slip to 7, and I'm like, nightmare, and now we get Hagen's. Like, actually. He always think there's going to be a lot of trade downs. I don't know about trade downs. I'm actually, I'm waiting.

I think we're going to see a lot of trades more. I hope we're going to see a lot of trades after pick like 10. Because I do think after pick 10 to 15, we're definitely in that realm of like, we're kind of just, we're picking futures here. Like I don't really know what's going on. And I could see a lot of trades happening, people popping down, maybe people getting picks next year because I do think next year's draft looks disgusting.

So we'll see. But I've got my eyes peeled. heavy on that islanders trying to get a second pick in that top 10. I would love to see something happen there. And then there's just a lot of guys. There's a lot of guys right now who I could see on the move in the league currently. Yeah, I was sorry. Vander Kane just got dished today for a pick.

Yeah, dude. So I want trades. I love trades. Yeah, trades are the best. It makes it fun to watch. I want the draft to be a bigger deal. I know, and maybe a part of that is getting these kids drafts out an older age, but we see in the NBA, NFL, it's a huge deal.

So how does the NHL make it more of a thing, make it more popular? Exactly. Exactly. It's one of the ways. Well, James, do you're the best for popping on, dude. Anytime we get to pump the tires of college hockey, we love that opportunity. We've got to do it more this season, I think, especially with some of the kids. College hockey's growing, dude. And if we're going to make UNH great again, we need to start helping.

So let's do it. But, dude, thanks so much for popping on. And let's make sure. Tell everyone where they can find you and where your articles and everything are coming out. Yeah, everything, college hockey on Instagram and YouTube, those are two biggest platforms. Team ECH on Twitter, now known as X. But yeah, that's where it is. So a bunch of videos coming out still.

And we're excited to visit more schools next year and keep growing this game of college hockey. Amazing, bro. Hell yeah, buddy. Thank you so much. Gotta love James, everything college hockey. Make sure you go check them out. College hockey's growing. We're growing the game.

Yeah, it is. As we finish up our draft talk, we are now kicking it to something very exciting. Jack Fallahey, unbelievably talented actor, amazing dude. We're also going to be hanging with him this weekend. He's got this fantastic movie coming out. It's going to have a nice, awesome premiere here in L.A. this weekend. Shattered Ice. He's one of the stars of the movie.

Getting you some nice entertainment and acting flair on the episode today. You get to hear a little bit about Jack's story, and we get to tease this. movie that's coming out hopefully you can all see it soon let's kick it to jack have a blast as well all right we are joined today by the incredibly talented incredibly good looking jack valley just a dude you know what we're like it's kind of our thing everyone's like oh like all the hockey bros or idiots but there's like the la pretty boys i'm not sure you're what's been funny is slowly transitioning the show into doing more entertainment stuff because we write you're you're you're kind of breaking down the walls and you're starting us off hot literally which is

Let's go. Something we appreciate. I'll take it. I need the gas up. Thanks, fellas. There you go. That's what we're here for, dude. That's what we're here for.

So for the locals in the chat, Jack hucked all the way over here from Echo Park, which I don't think should be underappreciated. The best part was when you came and I was like, was it a grind again? You were like, no. We were like, where from? You're like, Echo Park. I'm like, Jesus Christ. Look, I'm a Midwest boy. We'd take a, you know, four hour drive to go see family.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it. It's fun. You know what? I think has, I wonder if you'll agree with this. the living here has completely warped what like drives are acceptable. Like I go home to Maine and my friends are like, I'm like, we should go to this IMAX theater to see this. And they're like, where is it?

I'm like, it's like two and a half hours away. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. What? 100%. Yeah, excuse me? Yeah, you're like, ah, shit. Like, I'm sorry, we drive a long way in L.A. all the time. Yeah.

Holy hell. So, Jack, you are Michigan boy. That's right, from the very beginning. Yep, I'm raised. Yep. What was grown up in Ann Arbor like? the best. I mean, I think I took it for granted, but it, you know, it constantly made those lists of, like, top ten places to raise a family in the States. And it was, it was typically, you know, in the, like,

number one or two spot. But it was just, like, a very picturesque place to grow up, you know, plenty of time outdoors, but also, like, a very diverse city and kind of has this, like, weird, funky, like, granola backdrop to it. Yeah. It's where, you know, fun fact, where, like, 420 started, National Hashback started. Is that true? What? Yeah. I don't think enough people know that. My dad was, my parents were both like, you know, hippie adjacent, I think, in, because they met at University of Michigan.

And my dad would, like, slyly take me and my brothers down to get our haircuts on campus on 420, I think as like a cultural exposure thing because you'd walk around and there'd just be perma smoke everywhere. Wait, how old were you when this was happening? I don't know, 10. Were you aware? Were you like, oh, everybody's high here? Where were you, like, just like, cool. Foggy again today, Dan? Because it was like decriminalized and so, you know, out in the open, I went to school in New York.

And I remember people warning me, like, you cannot smoke weed outside in New York City. Like, you will get arrested. Yeah. So, yeah, Ann Arbor, it's a great, great place to grow up. Also, like, a huge hockey town. Massive. You know, it was talking about hockey, good looking hockey. studs, it was very eye-opening for me to, I went to a parochial private school up until high school.

So when I went to the public high school, all of a sudden, I was in class with, like, the U.S. hockey development team players. And I was like, who are these studs that look 35? And why do I have to compete with them for a homecoming dance? They have more facial hair than me. It's just fucking bullshit. No, they're all good boys, though. They, you know, they, you know, a couple of them went on to go playing the show.

And like they, yeah, they were really good time. But they were like, you know, going to school half the day and then skating for like six hours. Typical. Yeah. Yeah. That's my favorite thing when you talk about to talk to the guys at the dev program. You're like, what was schooling like there? And they're like, it wasn't.

Yeah. No. It didn't exist. Like you read a book in a group. They were like, they had to go to class with all these nerds from the private school, middle school. Yeah. Oh, I mean, we were definitely doing homework for some of the boys. That's for sure.

And then, you know, we go on like camping trips and fish and stuff on the weekend. It was a good time, man. You always joke, you take a creative writing class and it's just doing homework for someone. Yeah, 100%. Yeah, 100%. Did you grow up a Michigan fan, like the University of Michigan? Yeah, big time. Being in Ann Arbor, it's hard to avoid.

Yeah. And so many of my aunts and uncles also went to the school. So, and my younger brother went, I did not get into the acting program at University of Michigan. It's okay, I'm not bitter. We would never say something. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Of course that. But yeah, no, we had, I mean, growing up between my uncles and my pops, we had, I think, six season tickets to the big house.

So we're, I mean, I was at every game. Really? Oh, yeah. That environment is out of this world. Out of control. Like, you can't even, it's hard to explain to people that haven't been there because it's like, you know, they would be overcapacity at like 118,000 people. Yeah. You know?

So nuts. And it would be like bitter cold. Yeah, yeah. Oh, yeah. Late October or early November and people don't care. It was, it was electric. Yeah. Yeah.

Dude. It's mayhem. I imagine you're still a fan. Oh, yeah. And the last few years have been just. Oh, I mean, I was at the Rose Bowl. Really? Oh, yeah.

Fuck, yeah. So sick. God, that's incredible. Unbelievable. So you grew up in this kind of hockey town and definitely in a hockey state. You played hockey. You were a hockey guy. A bit.

I played some pond hockey. Yeah. Like, you dabbled. I dabbled. I was not, my dad's an orthopedic surgeon, so he was in big on, you know, contact sports. But funny enough, my mom actually put me into, it's also a huge figure skating town. Oh, shit.

I didn't realize that. Of course it is. All the coaches are there. Yeah, yeah. Because I think it was in like the 90s, they built the ice cube, which was like the big indoor rink facility. Yeah. Which attracted the dev team and then all of these figure skating coaches.

And so my mom put me and another neighborhood. boy, a buddy of mine into figure skating. We were, we were young, like six or something like that. And I think I lasted like one class. And I was like, this isn't for me. Yeah. And then he kept doing it. And now he has an Olympic gold medal. So I was, shout out to Evan Bates. I was going to say, who is it? Yeah. He just won Worlds for the third time, I think in a row. And I always joke with him that if I had kept at it, then I'd also be an Olympian. And he's like, oh, Jack, that's just simply not true. You're not. not an athlete. You never had it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You too could have been the next Blades of

Glory if you had just kept up. That's true. Like that is devastating. Yeah. That would have been really awesome. Do you ever look at Evan and you're like, fuck, that could have been me. No. Because he's like six, four and a god. You know what I mean? Yeah. Oh yeah. I mean, you guys have been around that your entire lives. But like there's those guys, right, that just, I mean, they're just built different. Yeah. And like he, every single sport. Like he would pick up a basketball and just be clobiles. on us, you know. Just like windmill dunking on people? 100%.

Yeah. What the fuck. I mean, dude, you see it in the pros all time where it's like guys, patching my homes is like, well, I could have been in MLB short stuff if I felt like it. Yeah.

Oh, cool. Brady gets drafted by the expos too. And you're just like, fuck off, man. Totally doing here. So insane. I actually think we took a few figure skating skating, like camps, you know.

But it was like, it was figure skating coaches, but they were like, they knew we needed it for hockey. You know what I mean? It wasn't trying to be a figure skater. They were like, We're trying to get your hips open better and get on your edges.

And I actually thought that was sick. I was like, man, I should have done this earlier. It's tricky, though, when you're younger, younger, that you don't want to. Like, when you're a little kid and your parents are like, do this figure skating camp. You're like, no. But when you're better and older, you're like, I can see through the trees here of why this is good. Definitely. Makes sense.

Yeah. Okay, so I was going to ask, why no Michigan? We will not be discussing. We will never bring up Michigan again. Fuck that program, and we're moving on. Yeah, so off to New York. But I would say because before so, when did you realize that you wanted to act? Yeah, that's where I was headed.

Because that's always the fun question. It's like you grow up in a family who's clearly into sports. Yep. You're doing things like the figure skating class and all that. At what age were you like, you know what? I like theater. I like the arts. I want to do this because I know you've done some stage work.

You were in midsummer night's dream and things like that. What else? Research, nice. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it was sort of a Hail Mary, to be honest. I was an all right student. But I didn't have a clear vision of like what I wanted to do post high school.

And Ann Arbor is a, I think, a competitive place to grow up. It's like a very high achieving environment, hence the Olympians. Yeah. U.S. debt program. He's like any of the Olympics. So give me the fuck out of here, man. And, you know, my older siblings are both like very impressive. And one was already in law school and the other was on a medical track.

And so I think my parents for me were just kind of like, oh, God, what is he going to do? Yeah. And tragically, which ties into the film we're talking about today, I lost a friend to suicide my junior year of high school. And I'd like been in choir and always had some like music in my life. But I wasn't a really big theater person. And this friend of mine was. And I had a grief counselor that they brought in who. very smartly could see that I was not dealing with his passing well.

And he was going to do the fall musical that year. Yeah. And she suggested that maybe I should do it as a way to sort of like work through my grief. And so I auditioned and got like a very small part in the show. And afterwards, a student that was going to University of Michigan for musical theater, which for those that don't know, is the best program in the country. They accept nine guys every year,

which is why I didn't get in. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, this actually makes more sense. Yeah, yeah. But Mike Misolam, who was a student at the time, he saw me in the show and came up to me afterwards. I was like, have you considered pursuing this further? And it had not crossed my mind.

Yeah, yeah. And he very graciously offered to coach me and a friend for free after school for collegiate acting auditions. And I think my parents went along with it because they were expecting I wouldn't get in. Yeah. And I sort of didn't. I didn't even get into NYU until they like pulled an audible where I think someone dropped out. And so at the end of the summer, I'd already like put a housing deposit on at a different school, which would have just shit.

No way. Where? Vanderbilt. Wow. Okay. Yeah. And I got a call at the end of the summer. And it was like a spot opened up.

Do you want to go? and a buddy of mine was going to that program from Michigan. So I was like, yeah, let's do it. I'll send. Dude, good for you. That's a massive last minute pivot. The crazy bookend of that story is Mike, who coached me through all those auditions. Years later, like we fell out of touch, all that.

Years later, I come to L.A. I know I'm skipping ahead, but I book How to Get With Murder, which was like my big break. Yeah. I'm you know we shoot the pilot the first episode in Philly but then we get picked up and we're shooting in L.A. And I pull onto the lot for my first day of work as, you know, a series regular on this big show. It's really exciting. And there's this guy stenciling my name onto my parking spot and it turns around. And it's my.

Oh my God. Shut the fuck I. And I jump out of the car and I'm like, what the hell is going on? And he's like, yo, this is a bit beneath my pay grade. I'm actually the lot manager here, but when I heard that you were coming to shoot your show, I wanted to be the one to welcome you to the lot. That is the most like, awesome.

Unbelievable Hollywood story. Awesome. But so we're friends, good friends to this day. Yeah. Was that, I would have got so emotional. Oh, yeah, I was sobbing. Yeah, for sure. Like, that's such a full circle moment.

It's insane. Wow. Man, do you, if you don't mind me asking your friend who tragically passed, what was his name? I'd rather not say it. Okay, yeah. Yeah. When you do your work, every role that you have, is he kind of always in the back of your mind, knowing that it's like really sort of the steps you took to deal with that grief and kind of move forward? Yeah. It led you down this path. It almost must feel like he's with you in like every role you take. Yeah, absolutely. I mean, I think too that when Shattered Ice, this film came to me, it was, yeah, it felt cosmic in some way. Yeah. Because, you know, the film, that's the whole thing is it's dealing with a community that is, is trying to deal with the fallout from a young man dying by suicide. And I saw so much of my own struggle in the characters on the page that I knew it was something I really needed to do, not just wanted to do.

Yeah, I love that. Yeah, I love that. That's awesome. So Tish, you get there. How was that experience? Everything you hoped and dreamed, or was it chaos? Yeah, it was chaos, man. I mean, it was so fish out of water.

Like, growing up, you know, in Ann Arbor, it's like a Big Ten school. It's like a very proper American collegiate experience. And then you get dropped in New York, and there's effectively no campus. Right. So true, dude. People don't realize that. Yeah. Yeah, there's like no sports. There's no Greek life. I think being in Tish, the art school is helpful because you're at least like put into these little clusters of people that you're seeing every day.

Yeah, you've got a community, right? Yeah, totally. Yeah. I loved it, but it's, I think it's very sink or swim. Like I think some people just, it's, it's not for them. Sure. Understandably, you know. But I think it's like definitely what I needed to, uh, jump in the, deep end of like, oh, if I'm going to be an actor or an artist of some kind, then I need like full immersion into a city like New York. Yeah. Had you been to New York at all in your life before that? I'd like gone and seen some Broadway shows with my family, but not really. Yeah.

So certainly not as like a young adult. No. You're just in the mixer in the city, you know? Yeah. And you can imagine. It's like college is the first time you're really like for a lot of us spreading your wings, right, and have that freedom, but you're in Manhattan. Yeah.

And there's no one looking out for it. It's kind of crazy, to be honest. So, you know, a Midwest kid and you moved to New York City, did you have an adjustment period? Or were you, because it sounds like you love New York now. Oh, yeah. And were you just immediately like, I fucking love this place. Oh, yeah. I loved it.

Yeah. Yeah. I think it was hard to adjust to the, like, money. Yeah. You know, because that, you know, actually, it's funny, as you were telling this story, in my mind, I was thinking, God, I couldn't imagine moving to New York City at like 19. I feel like I would be eating like food truck every single night. I mean, it was, yeah, it was really eye-opening to be at a school.

And, you know, I come from a privileged background. But to then go to New York and see like, oh, there are people with infinite money. Yeah. And their kids are my classmates. And I can't keep up with their spending habits. So, you know, like, you want to go to the Hampton? and you're like, yeah, yeah, exactly. Are you going to smuggle me?

Yeah, true. Yeah, yeah, exactly. So I had to find all of the, you know, the grungy kids that I could roll with. Yeah, dude, Dan knows this story, but one of the first times I spent time in New York, I was with some buddies, but they were gone. And I needed, I was in Tribeca, and I needed to get to Penn Station. So my boys are like, dude, walk to canal and take the one train uptown and you'll be fine. And I'm like, okay. And I got to walk to canal, but there's the uptown and downtown is like a different entrance.

So I went down the downtown one Somehow realize that I was like this isn't right Go up across the street find the uptown I'm like I'm the man get on canal And they said the first stop will be 14th or something like that So I'll know you on the right way But they actually forgot there's one other stop before 14th So I take it one stop it's not 14th

And I'm starting to freak because I'm like I'm going the wrong fucking way So I'm about to get off But then the next stop is 14th so I'm like Oh I'm golden dude But when we hit that I'm on the one right And dude it's packed subway Like as a fucking million people, I'm just sitting there.

I'm like, we're good. I actually don't know this story. I'm like, we're golden. We come into 14th, and as we stop, the doors open and the express train arrives to at the same time. And literally, and I'm not using that word hyperbolicly, every single person in my car sprinted off, off my train across the platform and into the express train. And now I'm just sitting alone on this train. And I'm like, is this about to blow up or something? So I just get off because I'm like, what the fuck?

but then I don't want to get on that train because I don't even know where the fuck that goes even though it's going exactly where I need to go so that one takes off and then the one takes off and I'm just sitting on platform alone and I was like what the shit is going on I tell the boys they're like dude it was fine that was the express you're golden but dude

welcome to New York pal if you're when you're a newbie it's crazy like I mean I'm 36 so like when I got to New York like phones were so shitty yeah yeah oh dude you didn't have like Google Matt and awesome phone yeah it's an awesome one So it was, I think I'm really grateful that I was in New York at that time where, yeah, we were less, you know, plugged in. But if you, like, didn't know where you were going.

It's crazy. There were a couple times where I, like, would end up, you know, at Coney Island. Yeah. This is not right. Like, I'm going to get a dog. Christ. Yeah, that's hilarious, dude. Okay, so as I want to get, because you have an amazing entrance to L.A. story, but I kind of want to just half step there.

was that like the plan? Because there's work in New York if you wanted. But were you like, I got to get to L.A. I want to say. What was kind of like the dream as Tish, as you were moving through Tish? How was that dream shaping for you? Yeah. I mean, I was really fixated on stage.

I think as many people that are going through acting school are. Yeah. That's how you're trained, right? And that was, yeah, that was the dream. Still is the dream. Hell yeah. Really? Oh, yeah.

Like, you prefer to just rock it on the stage. Oh, dude. If Broadway called tomorrow, I'd be out of here. That's sick. That is so fantastic. Yeah. Notoriously, we have a ton of Broadway Big Weeks who listen to this show. Really interesting cross-section for this.

But yeah, man, I started auditioning and got close on a lot of things. but I really started to get lucky doing just grinding through like the indie film space in New York. Oh, okay. Which at the time was like, you know, just starting to blossom. And it was great. Like I worked with a lot of incredible filmmakers and met some of my like lifelong friends and shooting like, you know, overnight illegally without permits. Yes. We've been there.

Yeah, it was the best. and then I started to audition more for television and you know back in the day they would if they liked you they would fly you to LA to what they call testing for a TV show and so I did that a couple years and my manager at the time smartly was like you just got you got to be boots on the ground

this is right after you graduated it's a couple years out okay yeah yeah for like two years I think. And I was going through a pretty bad breakup with a girl. So I was like, this is a good time. Yeah, yeah, I got to get out of here. I'm going to get out of here.

I'm going to put 3,000 miles. Yeah, that's good. Yeah. Because New York's big, but man, it can feel small sometimes and you're running into the same fucking people. I mean, going through this breakup, it was insane because we lived like, I don't know, 20 blocks from each other, but we would run into each other every day. Yeah.

Well, you start, I mean, how long does you guys date? I feel like when you date for a little bit, you start liking the same places. You gravitate towards the same places. It's a nightmare. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

So that was, it was both a career and personal decision. Yes. Yes. Yeah. And so, yeah, I drove cross country with my younger brother and just came out here. Amazing. Like, didn't even have a place to live. I was just, like, crashing on couches.

Bro, we did the same thing. It's crazy. Like literally hucked it from Maine. No job. No nothing. I was like, dude, one of our classic stories of that journey is like we, it was so dumb. We drove from Maine. and we didn't take our time.

It was partially with, you know, we found a place sight unseen, so we were like, we just got to get there. Yeah. So we just drove and just crashed. Like, we drove to New York, crashed tonight,

drove to Ohio crash tonight, Minnesota crashed tonight, Utah crashed tonight, then got here. Yep. We got here after like six straight days, so tired, picked up our keys from a buddy

who got it from the property management company. We get to the apartment. It's midnight. It's after midnight. And I was just so tired, scared. And I was like, what, like Jesus Christ,

where are we? we get into this place and I had spent weeks on the phone with LADWP to make sure that everything was set up. We key in the door. I hit the light switch, no power. I literally collapsed to the ground and started crying. Because I was just like, we're not supposed to be here. Yeah, sure. It was awful, dude.

Oh, my God. We would go during the days, because it took a while to, like, get the fucking power on. During the day, we'd, like, go to a Starbucks and, like, have power and internet, charge our laptops. And then come home eventually and just watch the office on Dan's laptop till it died. And then we'd go to sleep. Sure. It was like nothing else to do. You can't even turn the lights on.

You might as well go to back. I get it. My buddies, they had, I was in Zion National Park with my younger brother and we'd just done like the big Angels Landing hike. Yeah. We were supposed to like camp for two more days. And then my buddy hit me up and was like,

we have extra tickets to I think it was Old Jay, maybe a concert. Yeah. You know here? And I was like, okay, we're driving to LA. We went in, we went and saw the concert. And I was like, we don't have anywhere to stay. And so we ended up crashing with that.

them, you know, it's supposed to be a week and it ended up to, you know, two months. Yeah, for sure, dude. But they were all working at McKinsey. Yeah, they're fine. Buy me groceries. Yeah, what the fun. I was drinking all their whiskey and all their food. Amazing.

So please tell everyone that, please tell everyone why you are the bane of every other actor on Earth's existence. Yeah, I mean, I got lucky quick out in L.A. I mean, I eventually got an apartment in my own. I'm actually still at my boys' place. Yeah, actually still. It's now, you know, guest house, which is sick. No, I got, you know, a crummy apartment on the two. I remember when my dad came to visit, he, like, went out on the balcony and it's just, like, freeway noise.

And he's like, it's nice. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. He's coming from me. He's coming from him. He's like, thanks to Ann Arbor. Yeah.

This is lovely. Yeah, exactly. Like, not. I've got my lawyer and doctor siblings. Yeah, yeah. I'm living under a bridge. Yeah, pretty much. Um, I actually got mugged.

Come on. The first Halloween, which was the Midwestern in me, where I was at a party in Silver Lake and my apartment, my first apartment, I guess, was like Echo Park-ish. And I was like, I'm just going to walk home. Like, you just go over these hills and then, like, I crossed the freeway and there's like an, you know, an overpass. And I remember my friend who was a local was like, you shouldn't do that. Yeah. Don't do that. Yeah.

And I was like, dressed. as a pirate, you know? And I was like, it's fine. It's two miles. Three miles. You're asking for it. The guy thinks you have a treasure. I mean, you're fucked.

Yep. Yep. And I was walking under the overpass and this guy came up and he pulled a gun on me. Fuck, dude. Oh, so it was. No words, no nothing, just gun. Yeah. And I just was like, yep.

And threw him my phone in my wallet. Yeah. Holding up my plastic sword. It's not real. Dude, you've got a plastic gun. You're like, dude, I'm reaching it. I'm putting this down. Not reaching for anything?

Yeah. But it was, yeah, it was a really fun, like the first couple months. Because I'd been out here shooting a film, but other than that, I hadn't really spent much time in L.A. Yeah. And then when I got here, I got lucky quick where I, you know, booked like a guest star on something. And then I booked six, seven episodes on this, what was then called ABC Family, is now called Freeform. And then that first pilot season rolls around. And I, you know, booked how to get away with murder, which, you know,

went on to be a massive hit. So, you know, all my friends were out here like grinding for years. And they're like, oh, Jack comes and in six months. Sick. Yeah. Super sick. Yeah. Okay. Well, let's get into that. How, what was that like, dude? Because, I mean, even, even though your grind was short, you're well aware of what this industry is like, how hard that stuff is. Yeah. So that moment. And you see all the people, right? It's like, you know, we know that grind. You get here and you're like, there's a thousand an actress here. You go to auditions. There's 50 people who look just like you. Yeah. What was that call like? Yeah. It was an interesting audition process because I,

shout out to Max Fowler, a really good friend of mine who we met on a film like years. We did this Nick Cage film together years prior to me booking how to go with murder. And he is British. And so he asked to crash on my floor. Yeah. For pilot season. And that's like, you know, I think speaks to the like the community of actors. It's just you're in competition, but you're also not in a weird way. Yeah. You're like, you know, if someone in the family books it, then like, hell yeah. And so he came out and crashed on my floor for probably like a month.

And you're constantly like comparing what auditions you're getting, right? Especially if you're the same age and same type and all that. And he got this script for. a show called How to Gay With Murder and started auditioning for eventually what would be my role. Oh, wow. And he, I remember was like, I think you should read this. I think you would be, you'd be, you'd dig it. And it was like, you know, during pilot season back in the day, you would, you would read like four or five pilot scripts in a day.

Yeah. You know, because they were, you know, they were just making so much. And I remember sitting down to read Howie With Murder and I was like, oh, this is, this is something different. And so I sort of like begged casting to to read me. And there were a bunch, you know, there were a bunch of different roles in the pilot. And they were trying to figure out like which role they wanted me to audition for. And eventually I auditioned for Connor, who at the time was called Patrick something. Patrick Donahue was his name.

Okay. Yeah, yeah. But yeah. And Max was like in callbacks for that role. He booked something. So he didn't lose a friendship there. No, no, yeah. But yeah, you audition and it's, it's such just, it's a weird process where like you, you know, go in front of casting and then they bring you into test.

And then you're, you know, you're in the waiting room and they like drop this like 200 page contract down that you have to sign before you do the final audition. And yeah, it's really nerve-wracking. I'd be curious, like, one day I really want to see that final audition tape because I'm sure that I was just like... Oh, wow, dude. I can't believe you never seen it. Yeah, we got to track that down. That's cool. Yeah.

But yeah, I audition for it and then, you know, you wait and like, I think like a week went by. And I was up for this other show at the same time that luckily didn't cast me because that show did not get picked up. And would that have been come first? Like, you might have just taken that? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. If they had cast me, I think I would have had to go.

100%. Yeah. I'd go do that show. But yeah, got the call. I remember I was like, yeah, where were you? I was in the Silver Lake, like the meadows, like the park around the reservoir. And I was laying in the grass when I got the call. And I remember, you know, my agent, you always know it's good news because it's a conference call.

Dude, yes. So the assistants like, oh, we have so and so, so and so and so and so. I was like, oh, yeah, and already, like, panicking. And they tell me I book it, and I remember dropping my cell phone, and I just started doing cartwheels. And there were, like, people, like, having kicking stuff around. And they were like, what, what? And I was like, I booked a pilot.

Let's fucking God. God, that's awesome. Yeah, I love that. Did you know the call, like, did you know a decision was coming that day? Or were you literally just in the park? No, just because, yeah. You're just waiting. That's the greatest part.

Fuck, dude, that's unbelievable. Yeah. And then, you know, it was really exciting because, like, we, they cast most of like the supporting ensemble the law students and everyone else before like we we went in Philly when they when they walked in you know we were in rehearsal and they walked into the room and they're like Viola Davis is going to be Annalise and we were just like what the fuck it's so insane dude that's insane shit melting yeah yeah for real oh my god um can you can you tell the meeting Denzel story

Oh, dude, that was so nerve-wracking. Yeah. You can imagine that, like, having Viola Davis be your lead, there were a lot of people that come visit. Yeah. And the two craziest ones, I think, were Kobe. Oh, shit, dude. Yeah, tell them both.

My boys are still, I was trying, I mean, it's, you know, like, he came in to talk to V, to Viola. And so I wasn't trying to, like, get a picture with him. Yeah, right. Like, to this day, it's, like, one of them. my biggest. Oh my God. Like I was just, you know, next to him. Yeah, yeah. Could I just ask for a photo? He would have done it. 100%. Um, but yeah, there was some create, Denzel came in, um, because he was, you know, pitching Viola to do fences. Yeah.

Which I had seen them do on Broadway. Wow. Fuck. Yeah. School. Um, but it's, you know, it's Denzel. Um, the goat. And he came in on a day where we had a table read. So, you know, for those who don't know, like, you're shooting and then at lunch, you might read the next episode that you're going to film so that the writers can hear it out loud and get notes and whatever and Denzel comes to meet the she didn't tell us that he was coming which is psychotic yeah but I get it like she didn't want to stall panic he comes to the table read which I thought was that's crazy crazy yeah that is crazy and I always sat next you know you have a sign seating and I sat next to Viola and so he sat across from us right and so I'm just like

sitting at this table with my script like shaking yeah yeah truly Denzel Washington but I gotta tell you that was the most electric table read we had in six oh everyone's turning it on oh after once the writer's role that was a really good episode this script is perfect yeah exactly

fuck that is awesome but yeah he just sat there the whole time like this and you like nod every now and then yeah that was my line yeah like you just deliver a line you see a subtle nod from Denzel and you're like oh my man my man Did you get a picture with him? No.

You can't ask him for a photo. It's, it is so funny. The amount of times that you, you know, because you're, you're a part of this world, right? Like, you're part of this industry. You don't want to ask for pictures, but then they pass you by. You're like, why? Didn't I do that? I wanted that picture.

It's so true. Yeah, 100%. Oh, God. We did that celebrity hockey game at Crypto for Fires. Yeah, sick. And Steve Krell was on my team. Yeah. And we were, like, in the locker,

and hanging out, shooting the shit, drinking beers. And when he got up to leave, I was like, Steve, I need a picture. And he was like, yeah, of course. And I was like, oh, thank God, I asked. Yeah, it's so worth. You got it. So many of those misses.

Okay, I promise we're going to get to Shattered Ice next, but tell everybody what you have upcoming. Like, what else? What is this in the pipeline for you? Yeah. Shattered Ice, I'm hoping, a wide release. I have a couple other films. I just shot this psychological thriller

called The Block. Just finished that up with shooting in Asbury Park and Philly. That was really exciting. That was like my first time as number one on the call. Yeah, sick.

Congrats. It's awesome. Thank you. And like a really intense, you know, I'd never done horror at that scale. And so it was just like 30 days of me like in prosthetics covered in blood.

Yeah. Is it weird? Like just, oh, yeah. But I'm not actually a fan of horror. Like I'm just... At all? I'm too much of a scary.

I mean, I watch them, but I have a really hard time. So part of the draw for me in doing the project was to like see how the sausage gets made. Yeah. Good on you. And I think it helped.

Yeah, definitely. I'm like, oh, this is so silly when you see it, you know, in person and you're experiencing it. Do you appreciate horror a little bit more now? Oh, absolutely. I mean, especially just knowing how, you know, it's like you shoot a blood.

bug gag and then you have to reset everything you know to shoot it it takes so much time um but you know i think it and the fans are just like the horror fans are so amazing they are oh they oh man so we shot at we shot at a i play like a horror novelist in the film and we shot at an actual horror convention in jersey where you know my i'm playing this author so i have a booth set up and and we just put out a call to anyone at the convention if they wanted to be extras in the film and it was like 200. Wow, sick.

Yeah, yeah. And that really warmed my heart. So it was a really good experience. Man, we always talk about, you know, you know how it goes. It's like today's day and age is so hard to get an original film made. And studios just don't fund anything anymore

unless it's IP, unless it's a sequel and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And I feel like every year we see like the darling of the year that was a $7 million project that makes, you know, 220 million. Yeah. It's always a horror movie.

Yeah. It's long legs. It's smile. And it's just like the horror fans will fucking come out for in droves. It's so cool. Yeah. It's super cool. Yeah.

I'm really excited for that one to come together. And then I have another film called Forge, which is about young siblings who are dabbling in the art forgery world in Miami. Cool. that premiered at South by Southwest, so I'm hoping that gets, that'll definitely get a release. It's such an incredible film. Hell, yeah.

I'm like blink if, blink and you'll miss me, but I get to play like a, you know, like a New York finance, bro, which was fun because I got to hit up all those McKinsey guys. 100%. About it to say,

what's your research? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Amazing. Yeah, so that was sick. And then, um, I'm doing a, a show for Audible right now that I don't,

think I can talk about, but it's going to be very excited. I like that a lot. I like that a lot already. Okay. So as mentioned, Shattered ice. Shattered ice. You play coach Dave Dunn. I do. Tell everyone about the, give everyone a quick synopsis of the story. Yeah, please. Yeah. Shattered Ice. It's a hockey film, but it follows a community that is reeling from the tragic passing of one of the star players who dies by suicide. Takes place in a, you know, small. town in Massachusetts. And yeah, it really just gets into, you know, it picks up a year after his death and it just follows this team and the community at large in how they work through that event and grief

and heal. But it's, yeah, it's a beautiful film. I feel really lucky to be a part of it. but it uh yeah it also made me think a lot about i know i'm going off on a tangent no no no this is what we want me it made me think a lot about um how rare it is to see male friendship especially in like the world of athletics shown with emotional depth um and thinking a lot about like locker rooms and having been you know a bad athlete but an athlete in high school and how how I took those spaces for granted.

And how like you don't realize until you're out of them that, oh, I'm never going to have that experience again. Like I'm never going to be in the locker room with the boys in that way again. And how, you know, you experience your first big win together and learn how to deal with loss and how to sit in silence and, you know, work through big, complex, hard things with just like a group of guys and how formative that is, you know, and how that makes you into the man that you become. And so I was really drawn to the film because I think it tackles that, it explores that, given a very big, you know, um, issue. Yeah.

Man, I love that observation. Absolutely. People say a lot about male friendship in general and how it falters as you get older. Yeah. And that's such a huge factor, I think, is because that's the way we come up. Yep. Um, so the film, uh, centers around the Danny's best friend will, right? And, um, that's an exciting role that some could think they were up for and they get offered.

That's what I wanted to get into. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Because I love, I love how you mentioned the, you know, the content. Yeah. Just is, you said, I love that quote. You said it was something you had to do, not wanted to do. Yeah. But talk about the roles that you were looking at.

You're like, I'd be great. Yeah, yeah. So I get the call from my agent. They're like, we got you a film. It's shooting, you know, in January of next year. Did you shoot back in mass? Oh, yeah. Yeah, okay.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, we shot all through Needham and Dedham. Amazing. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It was nice, too, because my brother and his family's in Dedham, so it was nice to be around. Our dad grew up in Needham, so we were back there a lot. Yeah. Yeah, but I got the call, and they're like, it shoots in mass, and I was like, perfect.

I think it's a hockey movie, but it's got a lot of horror. it deals with this really important issue around, you know, conversation around mental health. And I was like, oh, a hockey movie. Am I playing like the captain or, you know? And my agent sort of like sighed. And he's like, dude, you're 34. You're playing the alcoholic coach, obviously. Obviously.

Obviously, dude. Look at yourself. Jesus Christ. Oh, shit. Tough. Yeah. Tough beat. So, yeah, that was a real defining moment in my career where I was like, right, I'm no longer playing the young stud.

Not a kid. Not a kid anymore. So funny. One of my favorite part, because I thought the film got so much right about Massachusetts high school hockey, what it's like living around Massachusetts and everything like that. And one of my favorite parts is we know guys in the league that are from Boston, but they play for other teams.

So like they grew up Bruins fans, but they're like, whatever, dude. Now I root for the Oilers or something like that. But I love that in your character, they said something about like, you've had a shot with the penguins and wash out, but you still get a bees hat on? And I was like, that's, that guy's from fucking Boston. And the shot didn't work out. So, fuck that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So just like Michigan School of Acting, dude. Fucked. So, so good, dude. I loved that. So the, I was going to ask how you found the project, but, but sounds like the agency brought it to you. Yeah, yeah. That was, that one kind of came in. I mean, the cast

nurture, she's been a long supporter of mine. And so she, she really brought it to me. And, and And yeah, and then once I saw like this, this unbelievable amount of young talent that they were bringing into the film, it was a no-brainer. Yeah. And Alex, who directed it, like I had seen some of his other, like he does a lot of sports films. Yeah, exactly. And they all have a lot of heart. And this was obviously going to be a taller order given the subject matter, but I was really confident after speaking to him that he would knock it out of the park. Yeah, it's amazing.

Your personal connection, which I didn't know about, to the subject matter. to the subject matter, I'm sure made an attractive role just because it is heavy, right? Yeah, yeah, definitely. And I think, too, like talking about male friendship, like the other thing I have thought a lot about, especially in Hollywood, is like the lack of male mentorship, where it is sort of doggy dog and like you, and sink or swim. And I see women in Hollywood do it a lot better where like they show up for each other, but like I don't see it as often with men.

And so once I came to terms of the fact that I was playing the coach and not the, not the captain, I got really excited at this like opportunity to like be on a set and play the coach for like the next generation of Hollywood talent. Very cool. And like hopefully lead by example. Yeah. Which proved difficult once I got hurt on the film.

Yeah. Okay, yeah, hold on. Let's dig into that. Yeah. So before we started recording, we hear that catastrophic injury happens on set. Catastrophic. Yeah. So, I mean, I obviously, like, I know how to skate. Yeah. Just want to put that out there. Listen, I can skate. I can skate. I'm from Michigan.

You heard the pond hockey stories, okay? The pond hockey story, also we didn't even get into it, but best job I ever had was the standard hotel in New York. Yeah, great spice. Yeah, fuck, too. We used to have an ice rink. Yeah, fuck, too. We used to go there with dots. Yeah. And I taught ice skating.

and drove the Zamboni. Oh. Best, literally, to this day, best job. Yeah, I mean, that's incredible. I believe it. Getting to drive the Zand is unreal. Oh, yeah. And just like people coming out of the beer garden drunk and like wanting an ice skating

lesson. And I'm like, I got you. I got you. But yeah, so I've skated on and off, you know, my entire life. And so I was on, you know, the boys, like, they're one thing that people should know about the film is like, they're all hockey players. It's all practical. We've seen it.

Obviously, it is so, the shots are. Amazing. Yeah, I mean, Chris Nelson, who is the hockey coordinator for the film. I mean, he did miracle. Everything. He's a good buddy. He's been on the show. He's coordinated every hockey project in Hollywood.

Yeah. And he's a legend. And so, like, he made sure that everyone that was stepping foot on that set was the real deal. Yeah. And so they very nicely invited me to their hockey practices. So, you know, I'm gone. I'm skating with them on our days off. But, I mean, you guys know, they're all maniacs.

Like, they would go and skate, like, after a 12-hour day of show. you know and shout out to like the massachusetts hockey community like they would literally just throw up on their instagram stories like yo we need some like ice time and someone would be like come to our rink yeah it's the best it's the best um yeah so i was doing all of this much more impressive arduous you know stuff like these hockey practices and then on my first day off i think four days into filming i go to the gym and i was like stretching after my workout and this is cope but I'm blaming it on this is the first and last time

I will ever gain weight for a role. Yeah. Because they're like, oh, you're playing this guy. He like had a shot at the show but blew it and he's been pills and drinking and blah,

blah, he's, you know, he's at the bottom of the barrel. And so I was like, I'm gonna put on 20 pounds. Yeah. You know,

I'm gonna, I'm gonna, I'm gonna, I'm gonna go out for Christmas. Yeah, do double, a lot of ice cream, a lot of burritos.

Yeah. And so I was probably walking like 20, 25 pounds over my normal walking weight. and I'm at the gym and these like older folks are playing pickleball and their fourth their fourth had to leave for I don't know like a hip replacement or something probably and they call me over and they're like oh you want to play and I was like ah and like not to brag but like I was like a pretty good pickleball yeah like I started playing in northern Michigan yeah yeah big up there before it got popular yeah and so like you know I was not bad

and this guy calls me over he's like you see that guy over he over he's like you see that guy over Yeah, that's, that's Jimmy. Like, he's a real son of a bitch. Like, we gotta beat him. Yeah. And I'm like, all right. So, like, I'm your ringer. Yeah, all right.

Yeah. And Jimmy was good. And we were playing, and it was real neck and neck. And the last point of the last game was tied. And he, he hits this drop shot. And I was like, all right, well, I got a win for my homie. And so I, like, sprint to the net. And as I'm decelerating, I pop my Achilles.

Which, like, dude, the right. Yeah. I mean, watching that the Alberton. Guys. Halliburton, oh my God. We've got Jason Tatum, Halliburton, now you. Honestly, I turned to my boys. We were watching the NBA finals, and I turned to my boys and I was like,

see, can happen to anyone. Yeah, it happened to any. Best athletes on Earth. Yeah, it's literally elite athletes. This happens to elite athletes. But you popping that while playing pickleball with a bunch of old people is just. Imagine you lost, you lose that point. Yeah, we lost.

Yeah, that's gay. What's crazy is? This guy, Jimmy, he, like, I'm. clearly, you know, like my Achilles, just torn. Yeah. And people are, like, coming over to help and everything. This guy comes over. He peacocking.

Ice in his veins, dude. He comes over and taps my paddle that's just like on the floor. On the ground. And he's a good game kid. And he just walks away. And I was like, whoa. Jimmy, dude. Arch nemesis.

Yeah, yeah. That's serious. That's villain. This is villain era right now. That is your origin story. Yeah, man. But so I'm in the, I'm in the ambulance. The paramedics come, and they're named Bobby and Bobby.

Of course. Like, I was like, this is the most Massachusetts thing. He's like, oh, yeah, we're Bobby and this is Bobby. We've heard it all before, you know. I was, like, thought I was having a fever dream. But I was, like, texting my dad who's an orthopedic surgeon and my brother who's, like, was an EMT and he was down the street. And I was like, I think I bought my Achilles.

And sure enough, I did. I'm texting Jake who, who produced and wrote the movie. And everyone's panicking, obviously. Of course. You know, it's an indie film. Like, they don't have the budget for me to be this hurt. And I go to the ER, it's not great. And Alex, our director, our fearless director, to his credit, apparently he was on set

shooting and got the news and, like, thought about it for a second and went, okay, we'll figure it out. Love that. That's what you need from a director. Absolutely killer. Yeah, it's what you need from a director. But, yeah, luckily I had, we got, like, hit by a snowstorm, so that gave us, like, a little bit of room in the schedule and they gave me three days off we called in a bunch of favors and I was like getting operated on 48 hours later. Fuck dude. Um, got the surgery and then the rest of the film

I shot on a knee scooter. No way, dude. That's what I was going to ask. They frame out, they frame out my legs in every shot, which is good. You know, good thing I'm the coach because I'm buying the wards. Yeah, right, right, right. God, imagine if I was the captain, dude. Oh, I mean, I would get on fire. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Um, that was. It was a, it was, I think, like, a really good bonding experience, actually. Yeah, for sure. Like, you know, because the, you know, films are weird. It's like summer camp, right?

We're like, you have like four or five, six weeks and your fast friends and then, like, you might not see each other ever again, right? And especially with a film like this where it's a team and we're dealing with, you know, really important issue. You know, the boys were like already on day one, like calling me coach and all that. And then they like, the occasion. They're like, coach is hurt. Like, we gotta take care of coach. I was about say you got picked up by the boys, dude. Oh, I mean, like, Charlie, who's the lead of the film,

like, you know, he brings me like a Lego set to, like, keep me occupied in my hotel room. Like, they're dropping off, like, baked goods and flowers. And they're, like, wheeling me from, you know, from the hotel into the car to go to, like, Waffle House. Like, they all showed up in a way that was, like, really, made me emotional. Like, it was really heartwarming. And I was like, I was supposed to mentor these kids on set and now they're mentoring me. Yeah, yeah. That's emotional. But that is the best and you said it.

It's, it's, um, the, we talk about it all the time on the show. It's the hockey community is so amazing how they rally around. And it's even things like you said with Massachusetts and all these places, all the rinks. And then Bauer showing up and, you know, giving you guys all this gear. It is, it is funny how when there is a call to action of, hey, someone needs help in the hockey community, it's almost like this unspoken, thing where everyone's like yeah it's yeah where do I need to be yeah yeah I mean the number of like play like just like beer league guys showing up to like be actors on the rank or in the you know stands like

for the crowd it was like and this community I mean they suffered like incredible loss like years and years ago when Jake was in high school and and sort of live through events similar to this film story and seeing how in a community where everyone was affected in some way and how they showed up and gave us film locations and brought food and showed up as extras, it was, it was really beautiful. Yeah. And, I mean, to your point, it's why I'm really excited for the broader hockey community to see this film because hockey, the hockey community does show the fuck up.

Definitely. I was just in, I was just in Toronto. Oh, yeah. And seeing my old lady, and it was when they were playing the, the Leafs were playing the Panthers. And I went to this, like, punk bar and was just watching one of the games and just trying, to keep a low profile because like the only American in a punk bar in Toronto. And they realized that I was American and then every time the Leafs scored, they would send me a shot. And I was like, dude, hockey fans are the best.

God, what a story. That's awesome. Shout out Toronto and the Leafs fans. Yeah, that's amazing. Okay, give us your, what's your favorite part of the movie? At Medcan, we know that life's greatest moments are built on a foundation of good health. From the big milestones to the quiet wins. 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. I mean, it was really cool to see Chris and his guys shoot the hockey sequences. I mean, it was, it couldn't have been done without true players because it is such, the shots are so athletic, like the plays that they're doing.

And to know, like to be there, we're shooting overnight because it's the only time the rank is available. Dude, you guys didn't have a lot of ice time. Jake was telling us about that. That's actually massive credit to what you guys pulled off. Yeah, we were shooting overnight. So the boys are tired. Oh, exhausted. They're working all day.

and then they have to effectively do like a 12-hour hockey practice. But no one complained once. I mean, it was, I think, a testament to, like, who they are as, you know, former players and now, like, actors. It's also why I think athletes make such good actors. Yeah. Because, like, they've been through it. You know what I mean? Yeah, the grind in the hours are not weird, you know?

It's not unexpected. And you're so right, man. It's watching it. You talked about Nellie. He did miracle, obviously. this reminded me of the shots in Miracle. Because as a hockey fan, what's interesting is we're always starved

for more hockey content, more movies, more TV shows. And then it feels like every other thing that comes out, the hockey community is like, this sucks. It's not true to hockey in the slightest and it drives us nuts. And I think Miracle is so well received

because you watch it as a hockey player, you watch it as a non-hockey player, and the hockey moments, you're like, this is fucking incredible. It looks like I'm watching an NHL game. Yeah. You didn't half-assed the sequences in this movie.

And that was so apparent. And it's also such a relief. Yeah, yeah. Yes, good. It's a real hockey. One of my biggest worries about when I, and why I was, like, joining the boys for all of their ice time is that I was worried that, like, even being a competent skater, that you would see the difference,

you would see the difference between me and the boys. Yeah. Unbelievable. But then that problem went away because I ruptured my Achilles. Dude, good so I'm just, side of all that. Side line on my stick on the ice. You know. Yeah.

And Chris was like, yeah, this is what coaches do anyway. Yeah. You know, you just get you. You're fine. You're fine.

Um, so you guys been on an incredible festival run already. Yeah. Director's Choice Award at the Sedona Festival. Um, at the Berkshire Festival, you guys win the narrative, the audience award for narrative feature.

Yep. Tell everyone about the festival you guys have out here coming up. Yeah. So we're West Coast premiere, dances with films, um, which is super exciting. Um,

I had a short there years ago. It's like, it's such a good festival. And like the L.A. community. and broader West Coast community really shows up. And it's people that like love, love film. And I'm really excited for Jake too

because like the original shattered ice idea, which I'm sure you guys know, was sort of like a, you know, an episodic Friday Night Lights type hockey series. And L.A. didn't get it because they don't get at the time. You know, they didn't understand hockey. But like to your point, I feel like we're seeing more like hockey representation

and like Shorzie and otherwise, right? So I'm excited for him to like come out with this like celebratory like he made the film. Yeah. Against all odds. Like it is insane. Such a battle. I know. You know?

And the way that he did and that it's good. Like it's just all like it's so crazy. And so I'm really excited for him to come out and like we got a bunch of the boys coming out. So it's going to be a, it's going to be a chippy weekend. It's going to be a great weekend. Dude. That's awesome. No doubt about it.

Yeah. Sunday. The Chinese theater at 430. Yeah. Amazing. We got the draft here too. Yeah, the draft. A big hockey weekend in L.A.

We should get some beers. Oh, 100%. I promise you we will. I promise you that. I promise you that. Is there, you know, in addition to all that, where like where can people, you know, find stuff about this film? Where can they find, you know, trailers, things like that, you do in promo and all that stuff?

Yeah, we have a shattered ice Instagram page. Danceswithfilms.com is going to have all of the screening info. and then follow, you know, me, Charlie, Pat Shea. Like, also shout out to Pat Shea for putting out full ride. Yeah. If you guys caught it out. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's so funny.

Yeah. Can watch that on YouTube. Free plug, Pat, you're welcome. Pat, you have to pay me for that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But, yeah, all the boys, like, like, again, I think speaks to the hockey in them. It's like, and it feels like a real team where they have, like, thrown themselves behind promoting this film in a way that, like, you don't remember.

really, in my experience, I haven't, I haven't seen that with too many press tours, so to speak. But, like, we have boys flying from the Philippines, from New York, from the East Coast. Like, it's, it's, people are coming out, so I'm really excited to tie one off with the boys, you know? Amazing. Going to be an awesome weekend. That will be happening. Shattered ice. Check it out everywhere online. And a massive thank you to the incredibly talented, incredibly good looking.

Jack Valley. Jack, thank you so much for popping on. Are you kidding? This is the best. I'm now knowing that you're in L.A. Yeah, it happened more often. Yeah, let's do it. Love to see it.

Amazing. God, I love Jack. Dude, what a guy. We had a session. And it's frustrating that it took this long for me to know that Jack was in L.A. Dude, he could have been hanging with them all the whole time. I'm like, fuck. Well, good news is I'm homeless and I'll be in New York, so I'll hang with Jack.

Shattered Ice premiere. You're listening to this on Thursday, Shattered Ice premiering this weekend. It's already been in two festivals won multiple awards. A really, really powerful, really, really cool hockey movie. Any hockey fan you will. We'll love this, especially at New England boys. You'll feel that. It hits home.

It's home hard. Yeah. So congrats to Jack and Jake and Alex and Charlie and everybody involved in that project. Amazing. Awesome stuff, bro. Awesome stuff. That's going to do it for this episode. It was a long one, but got a lot of stuff going on, a lot of stuff that you need to be dialed in on.

So let's enjoy the draft. Let's enjoy the weekend. And until we see you next time, it'll probably be free agency. Oh, yeah. Oh, we're going to do a live show. Yes, we are. Will the next episode be out already? I think so, because Monday is the 30th.

But the Tuesday is the first. A new episode will drop and will be live. Oh, yeah, like that morning and then we'll probably be live that day. So, yeah, tune in for the new app, the live day. It's going to be awesome. Until then, skate hard.