Shaun Newman Podcast - #101 - Braden Holtby

Episode Date: August 3, 2020

From inside the bubble I sitdown to talk with Braden about the upcoming NHL playoffs and life from inside the bubble.   We talk about his early career, winning the Stanley Cup &  playing for the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL.   Let me know what you think     Text me! 587-217-8500

Hi, this is Brayden Holby, and welcome to the Sean Newman podcast. Hey, folks, welcome to the podcast. Let's get to today's sponsors. First off, HSI Group, they're the local oil field burners and combustion experts that can help make sure you have a compliance system working for you. The team also offers security surveillance and automation products for residential, commercial livestock, and agricultural applications. We use technology to give you peace of mind so you can focus on the things that truly matter.

3902, 52nd Street, or give Brody or Kim a call at 306, 825-6310. Foremost, they offer smooth-walled grain bins, hopper bottoms, and fuel tanks. They're in stock and manufactured locally. They want to ensure you know that they are constructed of the highest quality and engineered for a long life. They deliver free within 300 kilometers of Lloydminster. You can buy them at their co-op locations, Lloydminster, Lashburn, and Neilberg. For more information, you can check them out on their website, foremost.c.com. Golden Ticket Sports have partnered with Next Level Hockey Consulting to bring you the best of the best

hockey coaching clinic August 24th to 27th and it's all online. This clinic will feature top coaches from all over the world. They've already confirmed speakers such as these, Dustin Donathan from Mansfield Hockey, Hockey Life Coach. Venla Hovi, former Winnipeg Jets player development, now head coach of Okinawagon Hockey Academy's U-17s, and they got a ton more. To register or to find out more, go to their website, goldenticket sports.com. How about Lindsay Olin and the team down at Can Do Auto and Lou?

Family owned and operated since 1984, 36 years. That's looking for an oil change? No appointment necessary. Quick Loop Bay, where you don't even need to leave your vehicle. They're fully licensed for Alberta and SAS safety inspections. They have a special going on currently until the end of August, where an AC recharge is only $95. Give them the call at AC if you qualify.

That's 780875-735 or stop in at 6,1.663rd Ave. How about Lauren and Gunner over Art and Soul? She says, I'm a passionate and hardworking woman who loves her family. She says, I'm positive to the point I probably make people sick, but it's a skill I've learned in life. She's always asking why someone is framing an item because never in the history of her career has anyone brought something in that they didn't really care about. Well, she did, surprise, surprise. I got a frame. for my 100th episode. First off, shout it to my brother for doing it,

but seriously, what Lauren and Gunner did over at Art and Soul, I mean, was unreal. Just the project, obviously, means a ton to me encapsulating the 100 episodes, and she played her small part in it, but I can't wait to hang it up on the wall. They did an incredible, incredible job, and just a huge shout out to Art and Soul.

she can do the same for you. Stop in Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or give her a call 780808, 6313. It's more than just a frame. It's a story. Gardner Management is a Lloydminster-based company specializing in all types of rental properties to help meet your needs.

Of course, he is the landlord of the Sean Newman podcast. And whether you're looking for a small office like me or a 6,000 square foot commercial space, give way Gartner a call 78080808 5025. SMP billboard, have you seen it? right across from the UFA. A huge shout out to Read and Write and the talented work of Deanne Lwanler.

They did an amazing, amazing job. If you're heading into any of these businesses, make sure to let them know you heard about them on the podcast. It helps me, it helps them. If you're interested in advertising on the show, visit shawannumannupodcast.com in the top right corner, hit the contact button and send me your information, maybe a little blurb just about yourself,

and we've got lots of different options, and I want to find something that can work for the both of us. Let's get on to the T-Barr 1, Tale of the Tape. He's originally from Marshall, Saskatchewan. He was drafted in the 2008 NHL entry draft, 93rd overall by the Washington Capitals. Over his 10-year career with the Capitals, he has won a Vezna in 2016,

a William M. Jennings Trophy in 2017. He tied a league record for most wins in a single season at 48, as shared with Martin Broder, high company there. He is a five-time All-Star and hoisted the season. Stanley Cup in 2018. Of course, I'm talking about Braden Holby. So buckle up. Here we go. Welcome to the Sean Newman podcast tonight. I'm joined by Braden Holtby. So first off, thanks for hopping on. Thank you for having me. Yeah, well, you are in the line of local players and current, you're the last in the line. I've been slowly picking them off. So,

you know, I'm getting you now right before playoff starts, which is interesting. I thought I'd have you, you know, after all this is done. But it's cool to have you here. And from a local standpoint, it's cool to get you on because, you know, you're a very recognizable face. Yeah. I mean, it's a, you know, exciting. I think it's a pretty unique thing to be in the bubble and do your experience. Let's talk about the bubble because while you're giving me an inside look at it, what has it been like so far and how long you've been in it thus far? That's been actually. really good. We got here on the 26th. So it's coming up on a week here in a couple days. No, it's been good. I think for how quickly they had to set everything up. It's pretty well done.

Safe as possible, I think. And a great hotel and weather's been nice to, which is nice. We've got BMO Field beside us so we can play on the grass and play some games and stuff. It's been awesome. not to mention time away from the kids we were just joking about that before we started but how I'm sure it's mixed feelings because one you don't want to leave them and you don't know how long you're going for but at the same time being a father as well getting a little bit of free time away from them must be a rather nice as well it's been weird because that was the longest stretch I've ever been at home you know consistently and we were at home nowhere else you stuck stuck together So they're probably more excited to get rid of me for a little bit.

Their way around. But, yeah, it definitely didn't feel like going back on the road as normal just because we've spent so much time together. But no, I think they're excited. They're on their way to go back home and see grandparents and everything at some point. So I think it worked out good that way. Going into the bubble, the only thing I can even remotely relate it to, and maybe you can just poke holes in this theory. But is it like going to like a Bantam tournament where you're just in a hotel with a group

of your buddies and, I mean, no parents along, but kind of the same idea? It kind of is because you see the other teams, obviously, which is a little different, you know, you know, you're both from different things. But while you're playing, you know, it's the, we're all kind of in the same situation here and you're running to run into each other here and there. And there's really nothing else to do. you go to the rink and back, and that's how it is. So it's unique, but I think it's going to be a fun experience.

How have you guys been passing the time at the hotel, or have you guys been busy with film and everything else trying to prep? The first couple of days was just kind of figuring out the schedule more than anything because it's pretty dialed in when you're testing, when you're, you know, bus times to the rink is pretty, you know, usually there's leeway. You can take a cab or something. You want to be early or whatever, but it's pretty. strict, especially the first few days.

But other than that, you know, we've played a couple games and just got back from a wiffle ball game. A bunch of us were playing and, you know, threw the ball around a little bit before. And it's kind of nice. Like I said, the weather's been good. So we've been outside and just kind of enjoying moving around other than our backyard, which has been the place of refuge for the last four months. How excited were you guys to get back in in the locker room?

I mean, it's not your locker room, but were you as excited as the fans outside as soon as the hockey games came back on where you guys kind of, you know, like a little bit of a jump in your step, so to speak, when you walked in the dressing room for the first time? Yeah, it was different. Obviously, it always is when you come back from summer, but obviously with this, just kind of with the different protocols and everything, trying to figure it out. But I think once we started the phase three back in our training camp back in Washington, it was exciting. to get back and doing something. I mean, the usual summer year, fill it up with either time back home or different trips or different projects or anything.

And the last few months have just been sitting in your house and just finding time or finding ways to pass the time. So once we had something to actually do and accomplish, it was kind of exciting. What were you doing with the kids and the wife in the shutdown? were you reading a lot, I assume, or were you figuring out some new games for the kids? Or how were you all staying while keeping each other busy and sane? Yeah, I mean, we definitely read a lot.

And then, I mean, watched different shows ran out of those pretty quick. And the kids were, you know, trying to find different ways to build Lego and drawing or painting. You can only build so much Lego. Yeah. It's the one good thing came out of it though is the kids actually get along after this. You know, they had to come to terms that they're the only two that they could hang out with. So they had to get along, which was kind of nice. They're friends now.

Our children, well, we got three, four and under. And by the end, well, even now, there's days where they're best of friends. And then there's days where they are the absolute worst of friends. So, and there's nowhere for them to go. It's, it's, it's, it's, you figure it out. Yeah. Yeah, just, just deal with it. What was one of the shows you were, uh, what was your first go-to pick up on Netflix then?

What, what were you like, ah, well, we got some time. We might as well finish this off. Yeah, I mean, it's, uh, it's gonna go way back now. I think we watched that, uh, Hollywood on Netflix. It was, it was really good, a little short mini-series. Other than that, I mean, we're, we're, we're, scraping the bottom of the barrel at the end. There was a couple nights where we watched the movie and we just looked each other like that was a complete waste of time. Did you watch the last dance?

Yeah, I did. I watched that. It was really interesting. I think it was really well done. I didn't know much about that. I grew up during that, you know, the jazz and the bowls, but I didn't know any of the story. I've heard stories of MJ through different people or whatever, but you don't really know for sure. And it's, I think it was really well done.

A lot of those shows will paint people in a perfect picture, and I think they did a good job of showing how people really are. Yeah, it was surprising how candid everybody was. Yeah, it was from all sides. Yeah. I don't know how they managed to hold onto that footage for so long. And not release it. Yeah.

I know. Right? Like, I'm born in 86, so a little, a few years before you. So I remember a little bit about it, but like, just seeing the stuff go on with Rodman and just leaving and going to Vegas and stuff. I'm like, can you imagine that now? Like, that would never fly. Yeah. It's different, especially their league to our league is completely, completely different how things are runs.

So it was very interesting to see how that dynamic works. Going back to the bubble, is there anything, you know, when you strolled in, you're like, huh, I didn't see that coming. Or maybe the rink, like, how was it the first game? You guys played Carolina? Like, from a fan watching, I wasn't sure how it was going to look. It looks like you're playing in a video game. That's pretty much what they've constructed the rink to look like.

when you're on the bench, like, is it just, no, this is interesting? Or is it a pretty cool atmosphere considering? Yeah, it's strange because, I mean, when I was, I played the first two periods. So when I was playing, I honestly didn't know the difference of there or a regular game. I don't, I don't really listen to crowd noise anyways. Really? Yeah, I didn't notice a difference at all. But then when I sat out at the last period, it really, you know, it's eerie a little bit.

And that's what the guys are saying, too, that when they were on the ice, it didn't feel any different. But when they got back on the bench, especially if there was a power player penalty killer, sometime where you're not playing for a while, it was hard to get back into it that way. But I think, I mean, on the ice, I don't think we hear as much noise as people think we do. I think a lot of the noise is canceled out by the glass and where we are. So it didn't seem much different for me. even with uh well i mean you guys start monday and uh what are they calling those games braden are they just round robin seating around i don't know i don't know what they're calling it

but with those games going on and everything starting saturday when when playoffs are kicking off uh i assume you had to hear the crowd when you're skating out home game game one fans are going nuts do you hear that or you're in the zone right from the gate? That was a little different. I mean, the start of the game obviously is strange because there's no one there. It's a, you know, but once the play starts, I mean, a little bit more fortunate as a goalie that you're kind of engaged in the game the entire time. But in between whistles, there's really, you know, it will be strange as the playoffs go

on with big games where there is a constant loud noise. But as far as a regular season game between whistles, there really isn't. much noise to begin with, especially in markets that understand hockey. I think a lot of the middle markets where it's more of a party, it gets a little louder. But if you go to especially Canadian City or Chicago or New York, even to Washington's a bit like that, is one of the games on guys that people are watching, not cheering. So it doesn't seem that much different in that way. How about I've been trying to listen for it.

And I think I hear it, but I'm not 100% sure. Is it just on the broadcast they're pumping in a little crowd noise too? Or do when you guys score goals or anything? So when we score, the horn goes off and they play like your wind song or whatever or your goal song. But the crowd noise you hear on the feed isn't in the building. It's just on the field. Do they have your horn as well? I don't know.

I honestly couldn't tell you what our goal's horn challenge. or what the song is after and I have no idea. Well, let's, let's, you know, I was very interested when I, when I knew you were going to be coming on. I was like, oh, got to ask some questions about the bubble because I'm like, who knows if you're going to get another opportunity to sit down with five or ten guys sitting in the bubble. But the reason I sit across from guys, I really like to hear about their journey and how they get from point A point being you coming from a farm, you know, just beside Marshall, Saskatchewan. I thought maybe we could go back to when you're younger.

Were you always wanted to be a goalie? Was goaltending in your blood right from the get-go? Or did you start out as like high-flying winger and somehow you fell in love with the pads? No, I always wanted to be goalie. I think a lot of that has to do with my dad being a goalie. I wanted to be like him. and I played both.

I played everywhere for years until I was 12, 12 maybe, 11 or 12. I love both, but I mean, we, I played in Lashburn, so we had a pretty small area to draw from for players to begin with. So we were never strong. We were never good or anything like that. And I just, as a goal, you feel like you can hear in the action. You know, I got tons of shots and everything, and that's kind of, I found that was the way that I could maybe try and contribute the most.

So that's where I really started to like it. But, I mean, I was growing up, I think my dad will say it too. I mean, I was not a very good goalie. I was much better as a forwarder defenseman. But I just like goaltending. I like the mental aspect of it. As time went on, I don't know if that was a good idea or not. but when I was young it was sure a lot of fun.

I don't know. You got some pretty high awards for being a goal tender. Well, my brother Dustin, who was on the coaching staff the first year you came to Lloyd under the Bannum AAA Corlac Heat, told me years and years and years ago that you were going to be in the NHL. And we kind of chuckled about it and I kind of wrote it up to Dustin just being like sure dust, right? And then when you were slowly making your ranks up with Hershey into Washington, you know, in the Washington farm system, the brothers, I got three older brothers, we were talking about you.

And they're like, you know, Oilers should really trade for him before he becomes a household name. And we kind of chuckled about that. And then, I mean, now you look at it and you're like, yeah, that would have been pretty smart, right? So I think all the work you've done is pretty impressive to say the least. I don't think anyone would argue that. I mean, I've been pretty fortunate along the way.

Got a nice break to be able to get into the league and played on some good teams, which is always good for a goaltender. But, yeah, it's been a fun ride so far. How about the Midwest Red Wings? Did you ever play for Midwest? I feel like you did in there somewhere. Yeah, I played for two years in there, one Pew a year and one Bantam year. and the year I played Bantam, I think the team folded the year the next year because we were so bad.

We won one game. And I remember we won that one game and it was like we won the Stanley Cup. We were so excited. But yeah, that's when I moved to Lloyd and played with the heat after that. How was the transition from small town, Saskatchewan? not that Lloyd's by any stretch of the imagination, a giant center, but it would have been a big adjustment, because I'm assuming you would have to switch schools and everything like that.

Yeah, it was different for sure. I wasn't a very outgoing kid to begin with. I was pretty shy and kept myself, and I moved to Lloyd, and obviously the first little bit was different. I hadn't even made the heat yet or any of that was kind of up in the air, and then I met some of my best friends, you know, still my best friends in the world that first year in school. And got Brody Foster, I'm sure you know,

he took me under his wing and showed me the ropes. And I've never been the same since. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but we've stuck through it through and through. He was telling me growing up, you had quite the temper is what I've been, or he was recounting to me. Yeah, yeah, I was something I had to deal with.

It wasn't until I turned professional where I really kind of got under control, but I was way, way too competitive about everything, you know. Eventually my dad made sure that I was buying my own sticks because I was breaking too many over the crossbar. And I was, yeah, I mean, hockey, sports, baseball was my entire life. That's what I put everything into. And if someone went wrong, I just couldn't figure out a way out to deal with it. Which is ironic now because aside from hockey, I'm really not competitive and much, anything anymore.

I've kind of turned the corner, finally fought those demons. But yeah, I don't think it was much fun to be a teammate of in those younger years. I think I probably wasn't a good influence in a lot of those ways. How did you get it under control then, Brain? Well, I met my goalie coach sports psychologist, and right before I played junior in Saskatoon was John Stevenson, kind of just the understanding of sports psych world, took some time for me.

I grew up my favorite player with Patrick Waugh, and I just thought, you know, intensity, intensity, that's the mental toughness of everything. And he taught me that that's not true. That's not the way for sustained success. You know, you might have a great game, but the next game, you don't know. You're playing with the fire.

So trying to figure out those, and my first goalie coach in Washington, and, you know, the one thing he said when my first few practices or whatever, he'd say, I'm trying too hard to be perfect, you know, and I'm creating bad habits. Like, if goal goes in, but you're doing the right thing, you know, it doesn't matter. And that was like, you know, I had no idea how to process that at first because I was like, no, the goal can't go in. Like, I can't let those, you know, every shot is not allowed in that, you know.

And to realize that that was actually hurting me instead of helping me, it was, uh, that helped a lot to learn that that message. Do you remember the first time you sat down with John Stevenson? You know, that is, I was saying to before, we're, I'm in Banff with my wife and she's from Minnesota. She's not a avid hockey fan by any stretch of the imagination. So I was explaining who you are and why in the middle of our anniversary trip I'm going to sit down and talk to you.

And I was explaining John Stevenson and kind of what I know about them and the water trick and some different things about tools in the toolbox and things like that. And I'm preaching to the choir here because obviously you know a heck of a lot more than I do. But I feel like that must have been hard for a guy who was extremely competitive to hear things like you need to be calm yeah it was uh i'm sure johnny tells it better because he has some pretty good stories of me when i was young you know yelling at him he's a little more candid than i would be with with the stories um yeah i i took some time to to especially with the first like breathing exercises we did i thought he was wacko and i was like this isn't this doesn't work you know

this is for the birds and then um So what was the moment then that, you know, you're going like, this is absolutely, like, insane. What am I doing here? But when did it click? That's a good question, actually. So he would have, he became our goalie coach in Saskatoon with the Blades. And probably would have been, you know, I had started to kind of buy into some of this stuff, feel the first couple years I played I got drafted and then my last year junior I had signed or

was in the middle of contract talks to sign my first pro deal in the middle of the season and then we're playing the oil kings that day so it just happened that we're in emington where john was and and I remember I was just a mess because I was like this is everything I've worked for like this is my complete goal was sign a pro contract like I couldn't put it together and I was nervous and I and figure out about the game. And that's where he kind of talked me through. He was like, just brought me down. Like he said, what made you, what brought you at this point?

And, you know, through some breathing exercises. And after that, I was calm. And I think we won, you know, 2-1 or something like that. And after that was like, this stuff works, you know. I might have to figure this out in order to be consistent. And that's probably when I first started real, really buying in. It didn't happen overnight. that I got good at it. It took a while after that, but that was kind of the first time I was like,

okay, there's something behind this that works. I know I'm sure you get asked this probably all the time, but the water trick behind the net when you squirt it up, as soon as I mentioned you were coming on, that's come up an awful lot. Could you explain to the listeners what you're doing there with the water bottle squirting the water? Yeah, I actually started. I started this when I was in, I think I was in Hershey or South Carolina where there wasn't cameras and people, so I'd never thought it would be something where people see it a lot. You know, and then you're in the NHL and they notice every little bit you do. But no, I'd had trouble sometimes when my focus or my mental stay wasn't perfect. You know, your vision kind of gets shaky.

I was having trouble figuring out how to get that and John kind of went through a lot of a few folks on something small, you know, far away or something and you just zone in on that. It'll bring your vision back to kind of a point zero, that kind of thing. And I just coupled that with, you know, if I get sport on or after a save or anything,

I want to do the same thing after to kind of bring me back to that same mental state no matter what. And that just kind of started. I kind of put the two together and squirt water up. I kind of did that already just as the old, it's a kind of a habit hockey players have is so you don't get tricked or tricked with the, undo the top of the water bottle trick.

You know, you squirt it before to make sure you're not gonna dump the whole thing on your face. So that's, I've always just done that. And then I realized I could zone in on a little drop of water and kind of help the vision out too. and that's just kind of a refocusing tactic with some mental ideas or visual ideas behind it as well. I bet, you know, every goaltender probably has the same thought. But you said when you get to the NHL, they watch everything you do.

And every goalie has like something very specific to them, you know, and yours is the water bottle trick behind the net. It just, it's become very, you know, right beside what you do, your name and then there's the picture of you squirt in the water. I could think of a lot worse things to be known for. Yeah. It was that also before the game I'll go on the bench and do visual exercises with my eyes and stuff and I always went on the bench before then because there's no one in the building. I was like, I don't want anyone to see me doing this weird stuff, you know? Like that's the reason I went out there to start with. I was like, and my teammates see me doing this or something. I don't need that ribbing every day.

And then sure enough, there's cameras out there too. So you're not safe anywhere. I was chuckling with one of my brothers there a couple three days ago when I said, I think I got Brain and Hopi coming on there. Oh, that's really cool. And I just sat down with Kelly Rudy there about a week and a half ago. And I was laughing at Kelly because Kelly taught, didn't start playing hockey until he was 12.

And his parents made him sit out his first. year so he could teach himself out of skate. And then from there, he, you know, he just kind of progresses, right? And he talks his entire career about like watching what every other goal he does because he doesn't have, you know, I say, a psychologist and a goalie coach and all these things. He's kind of just like flying by the seat of his pants. And then, and still really good at it, right? And then we go, we fast forward ahead to you and you're talking about vision training or training your eyes to help focus and so many things. Do you ever sit back and look at what it takes now to be a goal tenor and just be like, man, this is like compared to what they were 30 years ago,

it is just light years difference. Yeah, it's interesting. I count myself as very fortunate in the fact that I kind of got the best of both of that because I grew up in a small town. I didn't have, like you see some kids now and they're, you know, 10, 9 years old and they have all these different coaches and all this structure and playing all year round and it's like it just blows my mind that that you know that and then they don't make it obviously because they're worn out and it's uh um growing up there's always like baseball and hockey were my two things i'd never played hockey in the summer and i didn't have specialized coaches you know my dad and i had freedom you know freedom to fool around in a game or practice or on the pond or you know outdoor rink and it was

that aspect, I think, helped my skating, help my just love for the game that way. It wasn't a business until I turned in probably junior and stuff. And then that's when I got that training that not a lot of people have. I don't a lot of people have. So it's kind of a fine line. You got to get that training at some point, but you also have to find a love for the game that's not just play hockey because you're Canadian and you're good at it. I think it's a, you got to find that happy medium in there somewhere.

Well, if you make it to where you're at, you got to love it because you just don't get to show up anymore. You know, like you're back in the, and nothing against the guys back in the 60s. But they didn't train, you know, pretty much all summer and walk into practice. And the first couple weeks, you kind of go through the motions and then, you know, you kind of figure it out as you go. It's a little different now. So you've got to make sure that you enjoy it. you're doing and i think that stretches to all of life right like i mean that's not just a hockey player that's the car salesman all the way up to the the the hockey superstar yeah you got you

you gotta find that piece somehow that you enjoy what you do but you know you'd still work you still you know grind your way through it but you in the end it's it's worth it and i think that's uh i wouldn't have that view if i if i didn't have the the childhood i did i think around the game which i with the outdoor rinks and the ponds and just fooling around, you know, having fun. I think that's where I felt in love the game anyways. Well, you mentioned playing for the Blades and your father was a goaltender for the Blades as well. I know what it meant to me, and this is on a very small level, but now that I was moved back to where I grew up in Helmont and got to play senior there,

I got to pull on my dad's jersey number. And that meant a lot. And in Blades in Saskatoon, you got to wear number one like your father. Was that a pretty cool moment for you? Yeah, it was. It was because when I, you growing up before I got drafted there, like that was, you know, my dream was to, you know, playing the NHL, win a Stanley Cup and played for the Sastume Blades. Like that was just one, two, three.

It was, and, yeah, when I remember watching the draft and we were, I think I was with Fawzzi at the time in Bishop Lloyd Middle School. I think the teachers were nice enough to let us watch it during school. You know, rounds and rounds go by. And then finally it popped up in Saskatoon. I was just blown away. That worked out. And luckily enough, I was able to make the team.

And it was cool. I mean, that was what I grow. I'd go to Jersey Day at school with my dad's jersey, you know, Blades jersey on. And so it was, you know, something that, you know, I cherish more and more as time goes on is that time with the blades because it's a pretty special place for our family and, you know, myself was pretty fortunate that way. Have you, have you two been able to go back to like an alumni event for Saskatoon? Oh, we haven't, yes.

No, I mean, a lot of that, it's so tough during. when you're still playing because your seasons are they're the exact same time so it's uh i haven't other than you know a couple teammates that i've um ran into playing against and uh saw our old trainer a few times in last few years he was actually luckily he came out to our stanley cup party which was uh very special to have him there uh he meant a lot you know to me earlier too but Other than that, I haven't seen any of those guys. Looking forward to the time comes where you can get back together. That way, I think that would be a fun.

Actually, one of the guys is Linesing in the NHL now, too. One of my ex-teammates, so got to see him this year. But other than that, it's maybe fun to get an alumni thing together at some point. Well, I bring it up because it's, I mean, there's definitely NHL guys where their father or their brother or what have you played. Not always for the same team, though. And I think it'd be, it's got to be unique to go back. You know, the Blades have an alumni event.

And you and your father both fit in there like a dirty shirt, right? Both playing for them, that'd be something that not everybody gets to experience. Yeah, and especially if you got a lot of old teammates, especially his team, you know, there's some pretty big legends that he played with too. you know, I think he still keeps in touch. He does a way better job of keeping in touch with those guys than I do, which I think comes with that generation. I think it's more, you know, pick up a phone and call someone.

I think we don't do that as much. You probably should. But, yeah, with, like, Wendell and those guys that he played with, he still keeps in touch with them. It's pretty cool. What was maybe one of the lessons your dad taught you? You know, having a father who played in the dub, was there something he passed along to you at a young age that helped?

Obviously, there's a lot, a lot of little lessons here and there. You know, one of the biggest things that helped me when I was young was somebody, you know, him in general, as he said, he's very calm. But you see a lot of hockey parents, they're very uptight and hard. And I, you know, can't think, you know, him enough that he was never like that. He never, he got mad at me once. I can still remember. I can see the picture of the day.

I was playing forward or D or something, and he was calling for a change and I ignored him. I stayed on the ice. And I did not go over well. That was, he was not happy about that. But, like, if I had a bad game or something went wrong, like, he could have cared less as long as I was trying hard. And the one thing you told me when I was young, he's like, everyone has bad games,

just don't have two in a row. And that kind of stuck with me, especially when I was early in my career when you're a kid, especially junior, or going through the minors, you know, you put so much emphasis on every game. It feels like the end of the world if you have a bad game.

And to just have that, you know, it happens, make sure tomorrow, you get up and you do everything to have a good game. I think that was a pretty good thing. to learn at a young age. I should probably also bring up your mother. Without your mother, I don't know if I ever would have got you on here. Good old moms.

I go into hiding, so she gets mad at me sometimes. She was funny. I just, you know, we come from the same town or the same area. And so I just, I'm like, you know, I bet if I talk to Brayden's mom, I can get this done, right? I would talk to a bunch of people before that, man, I tell you what, moms get, they make shit happen. Yeah, I hide out a lot, so she's usually the one that'll get mad at me for being too. Actually be in touch with the world sometimes, I guess.

I think I made Holpe-B blush talking about his mom, folks. How about the NHL draft? You know, you mentioned the Batham draft watching it in school and kind of seeing that when you get selected and that mean a lot. Did you go to the NHL draft or did you watch it from afar? Yeah, we went. It was actually one of the best and worst experiences at the same time, I think, because it was really exciting for me because my grandparents came with me. obviously my parents, my sister, and a couple good family friends, TJ and Georgina Altman, that I basically called them family.

So it was so exciting to have everyone there. We were in Ottawa. We'd never been there. And my agent took us for a great dinner before, which, you know, I was a farm kid and stuff. And it was a pretty good experience that way. but rankings and everything like that, I was supposed to go a lot higher than I eventually did. So that was a little stressful.

I think on everyone else too. I honestly didn't really put too much emphasis on where I was going. I still found it amazing that I get picked at all. I was pretty shocked at that, but I know you could tell it's time went on, people get more tense and everything. So when I finally got called,

I wasn't expecting Washington at all because they just drafted. two young goalies in the first rounds, you know, before that. But overall, it was a pretty fun experience just to have everyone there and see that hard work kind of pay off, especially having my grandparents there was pretty cool. Why number 70? This is usually the second question after the water bottle. I showed up my first development cap in Washington, and that was,

hanging in my stall. They gave you number 70? Yeah, they gave you number 70. Right from the start, I looked at it. I was like, all right, guy, I got some work to do. That's where they, that's the high hopes they had for me, I guess. I'll give this guy number 70. So I stuck with it during camps, and then I got called up kind of out of nowhere,

played a few games. And then I saw someone with a 70 jersey, they know, it won't be 70 jersey. I was like, well, can't change it now. We're sticking with this. I can't make that guy go, you know, buy a New Jersey. What jersey would you have taken if you could, if they would have been like, listen, Brandon, you can take any jersey you want.

What number do you want? I had no idea at that time. I know I didn't want one. It was just kind of, it was just boring to me. It was awesome to have it with the blades. But growing up, Patrick Wall was my guy with 33. But as I got older, I didn't like him as much, you know, as I started to actually understand to, you know, the game a little bit more. Flurry was a big guy of mine, so 29, but I was like, well, that's a division arrival.

Can't exactly do that. So I had no idea. I was kind of just fortunate. I thought 70 looked kind of cool. I was like, well, they did it for me. We'll just stick with it. thank that equipment manager or whoever picked it because I was thinking in my head I'm like man 70's a ballsy number to pick because I mean you know that's not flying under the radar

whatsoever no but now 70's like maybe one of the most kick-ass goaling numbers like it's it's pretty like it's an awesome number and I would have never you know 15 years ago if you would have said 70 for a goal you would have been like yeah right weird I mean because they they would go, they would give the goalies that they had hopes for. They gave them normal numbers in wash. And then all of us other goalies that we just went up by tens. So there was like a 50, a 60, a 70, and 80 and 90 in training camp. And I was 70, so I was like, all right. That fueling a little bit? Yeah. I mean, it was, I mean, it definitely made, made sure that I knew I wasn't going to get anything for granted. That's for sure.

sure, but I didn't put too much in it. It's more of a funny story than anything. There's just no rhyme or reason in number 70 other than the fact that it was there the first day I got to wash. Yeah, now it's, you know, an iconic jersey number. I think there's only been seven guys. I don't know why I know that stat. That's kind of where I know. I think there's only been seven guys to wear number 70. Like it's a very small number. It's not a jersey that's associated with anybody but you know. yeah i know it's kind of strange i don't know it's still weird seeing kids or someone i know like carter heart wore it with with everett um and because you know he grew up watching me which makes me feel old you're not old point but also like it's weird because you know if you see

someone with 70 you're like there's good chance that it's you know because me and it's it's it's really, you know, embarrassing and humbling at the same time. It's pretty, you know, cool. That's still a shock when guys are wearing number 70, doesn't? Yeah, it does. Yeah, you make the, you know, question their choice in heroes, I guess. Well, you, good thing then you weren't around Lloyd when you guys are on your Stanley Cup run. the amount of Washington capitals, Braden Holpey, year Roman, the city was impressive. Yeah, that was, as it should be.

That was fun. That was, I never expected to be such a, you know, you just see, I'm not, I don't have a ton of social media or anything, but you still see the, you know, pictures my parents would send me or anyone would just, you know, different parties or whatever, and everyone would kind of bought in. And that was like, our team was our people followed us. And it was so cool, but it meant so much to everyone. Just to add a little bit of joy to everyone.

It was pretty fun. I see on your one arm, you got a tattoo of the Stanley Cup. Do you guys get that after you won? Yeah, we went for tattoos a few days after. Not a great state of mind when we went. But it was fun. It was a lot of fun. I mean, I probably should have picked a different location or something after.

I'm like, okay, that's kind of out there for everyone to see. But at the time, it was, it was just like, I just, you know, you always see guys with tattoos. We always said I would get one if we ever won. And we went to a nationals game, baseball game. And then we were going to like patio after and we were just like, yep, let's go get tattoos. So he texted the guy that has done the rest of mine. And he's like, yeah, come on over. And there's 10 of us or something.

And we ordered pizza in there. And some of the photos that were taken are just amazing of some of the guys getting tattoos and just hammered out of their minds and just on cloud nine. And, you know, it was fun. One of those experiences that they'll stick with me, you know, forever. Yeah, one of those surreal moments where you can. almost step outside your body and watch. Yeah, it was like we owned everything in that city.

It was just like nothing mattered. It was like this is the best everything's going to get. We're just going to, you know, have fun and do whatever. And it was everyone was happy. Everywhere we went, people were, you know, excited. And it was, you know, it definitely, it's definitely worth it. All the work we went into it. Well, you being in the bubble and about to start playoffs,

I really didn't want to talk too much about winning because I'm like, I know he's trying to get ready and rolling for what's about to come. But how much fun was it swimming in the pond? In the fountain. It was fun. It was, I remember it was hot out. DC gets so hot in the summer.

And Osh was, we looked at each other and we're like, just wish we could go swimming right now. We just looked at the fountain. We're like, Let's go in. So we ran in there and then guys followed and also the next thing, you know, OV's in there and people are taking pictures and that was, I don't know how to say it was a, that was the closest water we could get. We weren't going to jump in the Potomac River because we'd come out with a disease of some sort. That was actually, the fountain is definitely

cleaner than the Potomac. So we took the lesser the two evils. How was, uh, how was partying with Mr. Ovechkin? and OSHA for that matter. But I think everybody, Ovechkin's smile, still hasn't faded. Yeah, yeah, you could see there's a definite weight, you know, taking off his shoulders. And, yeah, we actually, we didn't see much of him, to be honest.

He has his kind of following there that he enjoyed it with for the most part. You know, we saw him a little bit, but Osh was fun. All the guys, it was just a, it was a lot of, a lot of days of just, you know, the relief for the guys that have been there for so long, I think was more than anything in the, you know, young guys that were there for their first year or some. It was just a mixture of a lot of fun emotions and a lot of days of having fun and then being tired and then have fun again and then realizing how tired you are and doing it all over again. How was hoisting the night of you guys have just,

won. Was it feather light? Yeah, I mean, it was strange because everything happened so quick, I guess you won. It was a hard game right down to the end. And then, you know, you get to lift it and skate around a bit. And I got it a bit. Obviously, Obie did his lap with it, but I got it and I was just like, this is exciting, but I don't want, like, anyone else to miss out. I want to give it the next guy. So it was fun. I mean, I was in between, I think it was,

I think Beagle gave it to John Carlson and John gave it to me, which the three of us had been together through the minors, right from day one all the way up like it was. And so that was really cool. that kind of lineup, do that. And then you take the picture and then it was just chaos on the ice. There's media everywhere. You get to see your family,

but you're getting pulled left and right for different interviews here and there. And it was just a complete chaos. We were on the ice and Obie had it to start. And then he just took it to the locker room before anyone else had it. So we were panicking where the cup was. We were all other families out there.

We're like, where is that the cup? As we had to go get it, Tom Wilson actually is a funny story because he ran back in the locker room to go get it through the cement, because he obviously don't care at that point. So he went to skate the next summer and forgot that he was on the cement running down. He had no edges at all. He couldn't skate the first time we went to skate those. But no, it was fun. And then the party in the locker room after is unbelievable. It was just so fun, but it all happened so fast.

It was kind of a blur. How about bringing it? Every NHeller who wins the cup, gets the day with the cup to take it where he wants, most of them take it back home. And, you know, I could be wrong on this. So somebody will probably correct me if I'm wrong on this. But for this area, I believe you're the first and only guy to bring it back here. What did it mean, or not what did it mean?

What was maybe one of your favorite parts of that day of bringing it back to this community or what sticks out or maybe the whole thing sticks out? It was definitely, I got very fortunate. You usually only have it for one day, but with the travel schedule, I was able to get it the night before our day as well. And just that day and a half was, it was so perfect. different ways because the first night we just had some people over at our house at our place at sandy and a bunch of my friends from all over north america came and and we just sat around the campfire

played music and with the cup in the background some of the photos we got were um you know it's awesome it's just so so cool so we had that first night that was very intimate um and then the next day we took to Lashburn. That was kind of the one thing that I knew from the start. That was where I was going to take it because Lashburn is where I grew up playing. That's where I, all my roots are for playing hockey is in that town. And I kind of mixed emotions because I kind of wish the old drink was still there. You know, that's what I remember.

You see this big fancy arena now and I'm like, this was not, like, where's the mold in the showers? like, come on. It's a little, but it was just awesome to see that it was unfortunate that we had to turn some people down for pictures and autographs just because there wasn't enough time. I never expected to turn out to be what it was, you know. But just seeing kids and old friends, old teammates that I hadn't seen since we played together probably.

Old family friends. neighbors it was awesome and then we took it back to Sandy I took it to my sister's vet clinic which is pretty cool at the farm for a bit which was a mixed emotions I lost my grandpa earlier you know that it was probably a month before so that was that was tough to see it but it also was pretty pretty special to have it there at that time. I think he brought a lot of happier emotions to that time. And I think it couldn't have been any more special of a time to share with everyone that helped me get to where I eventually ended up. With the group you guys have currently and the

success you guys, you know, for a lot of years now in the Washington capitals have been, I'd argue top five team in the NHL. Some will put you higher. Some will put you a little less, but very good. Very, very good. When you look at what is ahead of you right now and the opportunity, are you guys just salivating? Like, okay, we got another crack here and see where this goes.

I mean, everybody, are you excited about the possibility of how this is all playing out now? Yeah, we definitely have, you know, it's good. shot as anyone and I think a tournament like this I don't know if you know obviously we've never been a part of it before but I think we had a good training camp everyone's excited to be back and it's it's bizarre at the same time it's it's fun because you know we're gonna get into fun games right from the start it's and we know we have as good a shot as anyone to win and he ride it out and just you know have have some fun and do everything you can to win and see where you end up. I think it's a pretty

unique opportunity for us and for every team here. I think everyone's in the same boat, but it's going to create a lot of good hockey and in a unique situation. It'll be fun. Well, there's a lot of people who've found a way to hook up a 50-inch flat screen outside by the lake or wherever else. because I mean for the first time once again talking my wife about this because she's not a giant hockey fan I'm like you know there's going to be hockey like 10 a.m. every day for like three weeks like this is going to be bloody epic I mean how do you how do you go to work I'm going to have to find a way to like figure a way so you can just have the games always streaming because never in the history has there going to be this good of hockey for this long and so as fans I think we're all

I didn't think I'd ever want to watch hockey in August. I've got to be very, very honest. I think I'd talk about that like two months ago. Like, ah, just postpone the season. Let's start again. But now that it's here, and it's a very good possibility with everything they got going on, man, it's exciting. Do you think, you know, as a former Stanley Cup champ,

is there an asterisk beside it if you win it this way? With the way it's set up? I think inevitably there's going to be, things tied to that. I think the fact that we're doing a full playoff set up, though, it's still going to be hard. It's going to be, you're going to earn it, you know. But it's kind of just like the lockout year when we played half the season. You say like you won in a lockout year, you know, kind of that kind of thing. You still won, though. Your name's still on the trophy.

It's still going to be hard. But it's going to be different. And no matter what, you can't change it, it's going to be different than every, almost every other year that someone's won. But it's going to be just as hard. So I don't think you can take anything away from the team that wins it. But things are just the way it is. It's going to be a unique year. And people will realize that and you just got to come to terms with it. Well, we've been going for, I want to say, I'd want to say,

didn't start the timer, but I want to say around 45-ish minutes. Do I still got you for a few more? Yeah, I'm in a bubble, man. Bubble life. Yeah. Well, you're, do you remember your, I think your first game in the NHL was a call-up? I think you get called up and then I actually think, correct me if we're wrong, I think Noyverth gets hurt and you go in in the third. And is that kind of to bang on? Am I in the ballpark there? Yeah, he got pulled against Boston and I went in for, you know, 15 minutes or something. So for the 15 minutes was that, I always ask players if, you know, an exhibition game is their actual first game or if like the actual first regular season game is their first game. And guys always are like, oh no, it's a first regular season game where you're

dressed. Okay, fair enough. So for a goalie, does getting put in like that count, is your first game or is it your first start that you look back on and like, nah, it was my first start or no, going in for 15 minutes, was still going in. Yeah, I mean, that counts as your first game. I'd say it still does, but obviously your first start means more. I remember more about that. When I got put in, it was awful. What do you mean?

Nerves? Yeah, like I told this story before, but I'd been up for a month or something. something just with injuries and I hadn't played. Like I had every game and we were up three nothing going in the third and I had this awful bursa on my ankle. I don't know if you've seen when bursas get inflamed. They get, you know, huge. So it would like just a swelling that would hang over my skate.

It was gross. Like my roommate and her, she named it. Yeah, it was awful. What was his name? It was Sean John was his name. He's not there anymore. but yeah um so it when i'd sit out it would just ache and it would kill so we're up three nothing one and the third so i ended my skate and just did it real loose and then they scored three goals in like

three minutes they put me in so i played for until the next tv time out with my skate on them it was like hanging off i was so nervous my knees were shaking i couldn't skate because my skate wasn't on it wasn't tied up. So TV timeout comes out and taking my pad off and doing my skate up. Was everybody like, hopefully you want to pull it together here? Yeah, I get it. Luckily, I think I had three shots and a couple were dumpins. The guy's probably like, okay, we can't let this guy do it work. Finally get a crack at your dream and you got one skate undone. That's like every kid's nightmare. It was like the nightmare where you can't get your gear on.

Yeah. You just struggle. There's no way you can get on the ice. That was it. How about your first real start? You play the Philadelphia Flyers. Yeah, it was a lot better. I did my skates up.

That's a good start. No, I think it was a day or two after. So the next game, I got to start there. My dad and Kevin Eager, who is my dad's best friend I call him, he's been my uncle, you know, they flew in for the game, which was perfect. You know, that's one of the things you feel bad for a lot of kids, they get told so late that they can't have their family there or anything. But luckily my dad and Kev found quickest flight to get there and we're there to watch it. So that was good, and we won, which was even better. But yeah, those moments you never forget.

Who was, what sticks out about your first game? Your first start, not your first game, your first start. I mean, having your skates untied and your first start, that's something. But your actual first, or your first game, sorry, your first start, is there something that sticks out, a player, a play, the atmosphere, all of it? Yeah, I mean, obviously he was playing against Hartsey. when he was in Philly. So that was

cool because I'd known him a little bit but not a ton. He was still kind of the big shot that, you know, as kids looked up to. So he came over and said, congrats, like, that was pretty cool.

I think I can remember, like, one save on a two-on-one or something, and that's about it. The rest is, I can't remember any of it. What do you? you listen to, I think I had read somewhere that you say goal tenders are weird because, or there's probably one of the reasons, goal tenders are weird, is because instead of that at the start

of a game, most guys, well, a player tries to get amped up. And I've heard you talk where you're trying to calm yourself down. And you listen to things like Sinatra and stuff like that. Is that, is that true? Yeah, when I go to the rink, it's usually, it was Sinatra for a long time, but it's always something along that, something more relaxing. Yeah, it's different, and that's, you can't be amped up. Every game as a goalie, it just doesn't go well. Because you don't know if you're going to go 15 shots without, or minutes without a shot, or you're going to get peppered right from, you know, you've got to find that.

even, even keel. So it's, it's different. All that, you know, music, the guys are playing for the game, like you got to not let that get you too excited to, uh, that's where the mental part of goaltending is just so much different. It's kind of, it's not unlike a starting pitcher in baseball. Um, obviously they, you don't have the rest of the team getting all amped up too, but it's the same kind of more mental state quarterback and football. Um, You're not going out to crush guys. You've got to be focused on, you know, the tactical side, the mental side, not as much as the physical, physicality of it where you need to be amped up.

So I think those three positions in different sports all have the same mentality in a lot of ways. So you're off by yourself at the start of before the game starts listening to a little Frank. What are you listening to now? what was it at the end that I was putting on you know it kind of ebbs and flows if it's like a lull in the season where the games are really hard to get up for I'll put on some jack white you know white stripes that that's pretty good but sometimes I'll put jack Johnson on sometimes it'll be Jason Isbell something more along the lines of something I enjoy that music changes your mood so much.

And if you can find that music that puts you in that calm, peaceful place, that's usually what I try and find. I should mention, I need to thank you because I was doing some research on you and I watched a bunch of different interviews and listened to a few. And you mentioned at one point, and I highly know you listen to this guy before games, Tyler Childers is a guy that you listen to. And I was like, I've never heard of him. Well, so then I went on this YouTube rabbit hole where I listened to a bunch of his stuff,

which it was really good. And then it led me back to Colter Wall, but it led me down this like rabbit hole of like, well, Tyler Childers, if nobody's heard him, I suggest White House Road, his stuff. And I'm sure you got a bunch of songs that you like. But I started listening to interviews to you and it quickly turned to listening. the music and the Tyler Chilers came up and then a bunch more guys you talked about that was the one that I wrote down because I was like

never heard of him before and he's got an fantastic voice and I go back to what you just said that music can change your emotion, the energy like so quick and he's got a really cool sound to him. Yeah he's he's awesome he's even but even my wife she's been anti-country music for quite some time as I have been the bro country or whatever it is I cannot stand and I got into those guys

and it was the Sturzel Simpson kind of got me more into it once I heard him and I heard Tyler Childers and I was blown away and I was playing a few songs and even Brandy said I really like this guy and I was like wait a minute he's country and like that's when you that's what I knew he was he was good but no there's there's such a good uh flow of influx of these new like i guess he there's no real term for it it's a law country old country or whatever but um they call it americana a lot but these guys that you know from the kentucky area mainly that god they're good they're songwriting their voices they sound old school they sound like they're from a throwback.

Yeah, the more, you know, a lot of the roots in country music is storytelling. And that's what they're, you know, it's not about parties and, and, you know, dirt roads, you know, the cliche country stuff. It's about, you know, hardship and, you know, ranching and all that stuff, you know, it's just, I enjoy it more. I enjoy a story behind a song. The story behind a song is, is, uh, Well, there's starting to be more of it.

But there's a lot of, I'm trying to think of her name, Katie Perry. There's a lot of that. I'm not going to sit here and say that I won't get, you know, dance to a Katie Perry song. I probably would. I got no problem against most music, but it doesn't move you the same way as some of the new stuff that's coming out. I think a Colter Wall, he's got two or three ones, man, that are just like his voice. And the way he sings is just like, holy crap, that's something. And even just the way he plays guitar, it's not perfect, you know.

And I love that. You know, you hear the vibrate of the string that, you know, most producers will get rid of. And it's still in there. And it sounds raw. It sounds real. It's not a drum machine or a, you know, dubbed over beat. It's, you know, someone actually making music. That's, you know, I feel like that's what music is for.

well that's what uh when you say you know it sounds raw and real and it's what i love about podcasting uh sit across from a guy like yourself or you know the people that have come before you uh lots of times whether you're on the the world stage right stanley cup you get like a little snippet of something and and that's what you know brain holpey becomes known for and if you get to listen to somebody actually talk and and ask them some questions and have it in a long format where you're not cutting and pasting and sniffing out a bunch of stuff and you know i i've been told you know i've had people tell me before you know you should just like listen to it and like give me the best 15 minutes i'm like well that's kind of not the point the point is is that you you listen to it and you get to the answer yourself

and whether you like or hate it or whatever it's you know and i'm decent at it don't want to sit here and say I'm amazing at it, but, you know, I listen to a guy like Joe Rogan talk, and whether you love or hate Joe is beyond, not the point. The point is he is fantastic what he does, and he has some of the best guests on the planet go on there. And they, like, he just freaking talk to, ah, what's his name? Rapper or singer, shouldn't call him rapper, singer, because I don't think he's rapper, but he talked to him for four hours. I'm like, oh, my God, what are they talking about for four hours? Like, what are you wrong? I could talk to somebody for four hours, but, that is that is something but you listen to some of his best conversations where he has like

Neil degrass Tyson the the about talking about space or I mean Mike Tyson when he had him on and they talk like up until that point you have a thought in your head about Mike Tyson everybody seen him bite in the ear right from our era we didn't grow up watching him where he was one punching guys we all remember Holyfield getting his ear bite then you listen to him talking like gee that just that was impressive and I get it from most people right they have have an idea of Brayden Holpey they're going to listen to this and it's going to steer them one way or the other right and for lots of people if they followed you real closely they already know who you are but most they don't have the time in the day or there isn't an outlet to see it so something like this is

real and raw and lets you hear the full story so it's cool that music is maybe taking a turn back to that yeah it does and i like podcasts are awesome too because we answer the same questions over and over every day, hockey questions. You give the same answers, same answers, and be able to talk about something more than a cliche is fun. It's actually, you know, makes, you know, what we call our media or whatever. So these are the ones that are actually fun and not the media availability after a game or something where you just dread it.

let's talk about something other than hockey is nice how much are the boys loving then the fact that media can't come racing into the dressing room there has to be some running jokes right now of like this is quiet because i mean nobody can come in the dressing room it's got to be amazing the media in this is we've all said it should be this way we can't even when you do it like it's a Zoom media or availability and there's one guy that hosts it and says who's asking the question there and there like a lot of the times most of the

stupid questions we get are because you know reporters are panicking and they're trying to get their piece in and you know and you end up just saying noise and now it's like structured and thought out questions before that they know they get one you know and it It's been so smooth and I think there's more content to it. And not just a lot of cliche answers. I think it's actually been really good. I actually, I would 100% agree with you. You know, when I was listening to you guys,

I actually stopped doing it. I always look for podcasts on guys or even kind of like short documentary series kind of style videos on a guy like yourself because there's so much a content out there if you type in you know brayden holpey or ex-n-h-l or an interview you can pretty much see every pre-post game interview you've ever had and after about the third one you're like well there's no point in watching that anymore but the one you had after uh your your tune-up game here you're exactly right with content the questions i was like ooh that that was actually a pretty good question like that was, heck, that'd be something I'd want.

And they're not the same. And they're not the same. Yeah. Which is, it's nice. I mean, it's quicker. And I just feel there's more to it. I think a lot of the scrums and they're fighting for position and all that. And then it's just, yeah, it's not a very good way to do it.

I think when it's structured, it's better for both sides. How about dressing rooms? Are you guys, you know, being on the west, we hear all about the oilers and the rink and everything. Do you guys get to dress in the Leafs dressing room then at some point? At some point, well, yeah. It's, um, there's four different dressing rooms. They're using the Raptors as one, two right now.

The Raptors. Yeah. The Raptors, uh, the visiting NHL and then they're using like the media area. They've switched into a locker room, which is still pretty nice. Yeah. I know. That's cool. So what did you guys get to dress in the first one, not the Raptors of the Leafs then?

No, we were in the media one, which is still fine. Everyone's a little confused. Is that like our practice rink set up as all the other teams are in like the normal part of the rink. And then the Leafs got their own locker room, which is not going over very well with everyone here. A bit of a home ice advantage. They're all comfortable and cozy in there. and we, everyone else doesn't. Well, you just got to oust them in the, you know.

Yeah. They get ousted in the first round and then don't much matter. Yeah, I think everyone's, everyone's a Columbus fan here for the first few days. Do you guys get to go to any of the games? Are they, are you allowed to go? Yeah, you're allowed to go and watch if you want, which, I mean, if it's a big game, it might actually be kind of fun. I haven't watched a hockey game in years.

So maybe I'll do that. Maybe it'll be my new fun thing to do. Hmm. Well, I mean, that's, it could go both ways. I guess I'm just sitting here going, would you rather be in the building where there's no atmosphere, right? It's just kind of like a pond hockey game. Or would you rather be sitting at home flicking on the, or sorry, in the bubble at the,

at the hotel flicking on the you know and picking up and go yeah okay there it is right to be in the building for a game seven when literally it's not really like there's going to be a million people in there and there's going to be an atmosphere and it's going to be the same thing right at least at least in the the tv you get the the color commentating or the play by play yeah and actually they're where we're staying here is right beside bemo field or the soccer same and where Argos play and they've been putting games on the big screen there and playing the audio through the sound system. So it's pretty sweet, you know, be outside watching. Oh, so you can literally go sit in the stadium and watch the game.

Yeah. Pretty cool, actually. Be outside and watch. Yeah, no kidding. Well, I can hold you here probably all night. And I know you got all the time and you're in the bubble, but I just, I want you to rest up and make sure you're ready to go for Monday. I, I, I, anniversary.

That too, that too. You're not supposed to bring that up. You don't want to dig your hole any deeper, you know. Well, let's go into the final segment. It's the crude master final five, five quick questions for you, Braden, and then I'll let myself go. But huge shout out to Heath and Tracy McDonald. They've been sponsors of the podcast, huge supporters of the podcast since the very beginning.

So it's just five quick questions and away we go. So in your career so far, who has the most deceptive shot? Not the hardest shot, but the guy who walks down and can change the, you know, direction of it awfully quick and it may be hard to figure out. That's a good question, though. Kuturov is tough. Kutrov is he's so

it doesn't look like he should be able to shoot it as well as he does and he very he's uh we obviously play against them more the guys out West are tough to say because we only see them once or twice a year you know but he's for me he's

tough if you could do this and sit across from one person who would you want to pick the brain up who would you want to sit down across from oh man that's a few i could i could think of um living or dead don't matter me yeah um um maybe hunter s thompson uh is uh author yeah he would be you'd be fun jim morrison

Any idea what you might ask them? I'm curious now. Oh, man, I don't know. I'd have to do some serious homework on that. Definitely have to have a few drinks with them to, you know. Loosen it up. You know? But no, I mean, Hunter is Thompson, he'd been around so many cool things.

Like, the hell's angels, they were starting, like, ask him what to be a part of that. The presidential election, a lot of that. the Nixon stuff he dealt with. I think that would have been, and even just his ranch out in Colorado, I mean, the people, you know,

famous actors, you got Jack Nicholson playing tricks on you and you're, you know, I mean, the stories on that guy would be phenomenal. Johnny Depp hanging out there all the time. I don't know.

Just so interesting. During COVID, uh, to me it looked like, you guys read a lot. Lots of books. I was wondering, is there a book that you've read

that sticks out as being very influential on you? And then maybe a book you're reading currently. During the COVID where we're shut down or whatever, I read my wife's favorite book, which is a little life. That was very good. I thought that was

What's it about? It's about a few different friends in New York that have different stories. You know, it's a little sad and depressing at times, but it's very, very well written. And I watched, or I read Indian Horse. If you've heard of it, he's a Canadian author. I actually did a movie of it too.

I wouldn't recommend the movie, but the book was very, very good. There's actually about a kid that ended up in a residential school, and then ended up playing for the Leafs for a little bit too, but then went through addiction issues and, you know, with his past the residential schools. And actually bought, I actually grabbed the one second here. his name is uh i don't want to say i'm going to know i'm going to say this wrong but richard wogamuwagamisi wogamese put it up to the screen let's see this is i'm going to read this one next um he was the author

of indian horse too's that was interesting um what i'm actually i actually just uh was out at frenchman butte which you would know where that is uh and picked up uh the story of big bear Oh, cool. I'd listen to kind of your media veil back. I can't remember how many days ago that was, if that was two months ago or if that was only a month ago or whatever, where you talked about everything going on in the States. And then we took the kids out to Frenchman Butte, and I was looking around and we got the wife's taught out at Little Pine, which is south of Peyton.

And we discussed the residential schools like that and stuff like that. And talking with Raul McLean, and I'm rambling now, but in talking with Rae McLean on the last episode, we got talking about him and Don Cherry and their rift and doing your research and understanding and what's going on right now. And I listen to you and I went, and I just need to learn a little bit more about Native affairs and what's happened and everything else.

So when I was out at Frenchman Butte, long story short, ended up picking up the Big Bear book because I thought that happened pretty much next door to where I grew up and I don't even know the story. So it probably is smart of me to do some learning on that. Yeah, that sounds interesting. I'm reading one right now that's called the Inconvenient Indian. And it's a lot about the Native American affairs in Canada and an American. It's super mind blowing in and interesting at the same time.

But it's a lot of stuff we don't know that's out there, especially with Big Bear too. I've tried to find a lot of stuff on him as tough to find. So I might have to steal the name of that off you. I can definitely send it to you. Yeah. I can talk about books for hours, though. So that'll really bore your readers.

or your listeners to death. I don't know. You know, every once in a while, a guest will say exactly as I mute myself. I was saying, every once in a while,

guests will say the words you just said, right? We could talk about this, but we'll bore everybody. And what I've learned is, is if I'm interested by it, and you're interested by it, chances are the people listening are very interested by it.

So I would never, I would caution you never to worry about what you just said. If it's passionate about something you're engaged in, I think there's people that listen about it. So as far as books go, you know, talking with Mr. McLean, I learned very quickly, I'm like, man, that guy does a ton of reading. And I think I do a ton of research. He does, it's unbelievable how much his mind remembers or captures or what have you, right?

So, but in talking with him and listening to you, I'm trying to do better, I guess, and trying to read a bit more. So that's cool that you're reading a bunch of different books. I definitely look into that. I'll suggest the one to the wife. Heck, maybe I'll even read it because if it's your wife's favorite and it's, you think it's that good. I think it's probably something a guy should probably pick up that.

Yeah, that was really good. And then Brandy's reading one of my favorite books right now, too, so it's. Which is what? Um, Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. It's a old book. She, she wrote, uh, um, Atlas Shrugged, which is a kind of a, oh yeah, yeah. Classic there. That takes you some time though.

That's a, that's a commitment. It's a little life. A little life is a big book too. But, um, yeah, it's definitely something that my wife and I share. Love for reading. A love for reading. Yeah. Yeah.

On a long road trip. Now imagine you guys are in the bubble, but you have, actually, if you were in the bubble for the next two months, you're going to win the Stanley Cup, but you had to have a roommate. Who would you take as your roommate? On my team? Yeah. Probably Tom Wilson. Tom's your guy. Yeah. We was a pretty good conversation. We sit together on the plane, and we've been together for a long time. We get along well. finally the last one because i assume uh with you coming on there will be a lot of young goaltenders that have their ears to the to the the audio here is there any piece of advice

you can give uh young goaltenders listening that's that's tough one because it's you don't want to be too uh too cliche in the answer i guess but um i i mean i say it simply sometimes is you make sure you're enjoying it find ways to have fun work hard no matter what but um something that i struggled with when i was young uh i took it too seriously and i didn't have fun all the time and i think and when i figured out how to enjoy the game in a fun way i started having success so don't take yourself so seriously just go out fun it's probably good advice for a lot life. Well, I appreciate you hopping on. I wish you the best of luck. I know we're all going to be tuning in to you on Monday for what I'm sure is going to be three good games, but, you know,

with it being a tournament format, I think we're all excited for when the first round's over and you guys are seated and it's actual playoff hockey or at least what I think of as playoff hockey. But wish you the best of luck. I hope you guys get to bring another cup back. to Lloyd Minster, it'd be cool to, you know, see you guys do well again. Thank you very much. Thanks for having me. It's fun. Hey folks, thanks again for joining us today.

If you just stumble on the show and like what you hear, please click subscribe. Remember, every Monday and Wednesday, a new guest will be sitting down to share their story. The Sean Newman podcast is available for free on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever else you find your podcast fix.

Until next time.