32 Thoughts: The Podcast

Zachary Binney, PhD is an epidemiologist and Assistant Professor of Quantitative Theory and Methods at Oxford College of Emory University. He joins Jeff and Elliotte to discuss what the NHL should look for when setting up bubbles, areas of concern, saliva test versus swab tests, when fans will return to sporting events and if leagues should change rules for safety measures. 

Andy Sutton played 13 NHL seasons and is now the president of Wholesale Sports Inc., the parent company of inline hockey brand Alkali, Verbero Hockey and the North American distributor of Tackla. He lives on three acres of land in California with vegetable beds and an array of animals, including alpacas, goats and others. He talks about transitioning out of hockey, equipment improvements, why Minnesota tried to turn him into a forward, memorable experiences with coaches and his famous “Are you an expert?” post-game scrum.  

31 Thoughts: The Podcast is presented by GMC Sierra trucks, complete with the World’s-First Six-function Multi-Pro Tailgate. GMC — we are professional grade. www.gmccanada.ca.

Music Outro: Curtis Fuller Quintet – Love Your Spell Is Everywhere

Listen to all our Season 3 music on Spotify.

This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman. 

Audio Credits: CBC, NBCSN, Sportsnet, WGRZ and WKBW.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Less than a month after ownership publicly supported Jason Botterill, the Sabres GM is out. So are his assistants, the AHL coaches and more than half the club’s scouting staff. Jeff and Elliotte discuss what happened, why so many changes and where the team goes from here.

31 Thoughts: The Podcast is presented by GMC Sierra trucks, complete with the World’s-First Six-function Multi-Pro Tailgate. GMC — we are professional grade. www.gmccanada.ca.

Music Outro: The Jokers – Sabre Dance

Listen to all our Season 3 music on Spotify.

This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman.

Audio Credits: Buffalo Sabres.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Jeff and Elliotte kick things off with word association, take some #Ask31 questions and finish it off with a surprise. Then, they are joined by two guests. 

Cincinnati Cyclones assistant coach Jason Payne talks about his lengthy hockey journey, his thoughts on what can be done to see more diversity behind the bench, racism he experienced during his career and then shares a few stories from his time playing in the North American Hockey League.

Lou Nanne is a legend in Minnesota, where he played college hockey and spent his entire NHL career with the Minnesota North Stars as a player, coach and GM. He joins the podcast from Minneapolis to discuss the current social climate in the city and how he hopes to help the community. He also talks about the art of negotiating, some of his best deals (on and off the ice), and the story of how he led the push to get Herb Brooks his job coaching the U.S. Olympic team. 

31 Thoughts: The Podcast is presented by GMC Sierra trucks, complete with the World’s-First Six-function Multi-Pro Tailgate. GMC — we are professional grade. www.gmccanada.ca.

Music Outro: Hitch Hikers and The Mighty Pope – Mr. Fortune

Listen to all our Season 3 music on Spotify.

This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman.

Audio Credits: Sportsnet.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

The future Hall-of-Famer joins Jeff and Elliotte to discuss protests in the U.S. following the death of George Floyd, the types of conversations he and his wife are having with their kids, his experiences with injustice growing up, and his thoughts on NHL players using their voices to call out systemic racism.

They also talk about his WHL days with the dynastic Kamloops Blazers playing with Shane Doan and Darcy Tucker, lessons learned from coaches he’s incorporated into his own coaching style, teaching sportsmanship, learning to box when he was a teen, if he still hears Sidney Crosby screaming “Iggy” in 2010 and more. 

Then Senators forward Connor Brown talks about the league taking a strong stance against racism and Anthony Duclair reaching out to teammates to thank them for speaking up. He also discusses his trade to Ottawa, playing in Erie for Robbie Ftorek and alongside Connor McDavid.

This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman.

31 Thoughts: The Podcast is presented by GMC Sierra trucks, complete with the World’s-First Six-function Multi-Pro Tailgate. GMC — we are professional grade. www.gmccanada.ca.

Audio Credits: ABC, CBC, MLB Network and Sportsnet.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

“This moment has to lead to action,” says Kim Davis, the NHL’s executive vice president for social impact, growth initiatives and legislative affairs. She joins Jeff and Elliotte for a wide-ranging discussion that couldn’t be more timely.

They discuss player activism and the role of social media, what it means to leverage your privilege as an ally, how the league can be more culturally and socially diverse, and more.

This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman.

31 Thoughts: The Podcast is presented by GMC Sierra trucks, complete with the World’s-First Six-function Multi-Pro Tailgate. GMC — we are professional grade. www.gmccanada.ca.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Word association kicks things off (there’s a theme) before Jeff and Elliotte address the backlash against Carolina’s Jordan Martinook and Tampa’s Alex Killorn, whose teams voted against the 24-team return-to-play format. Then they dive into some #Ask31 questions and are joined by three guests.

Sherali Najak is a long-time Hockey Night in Canada producer and Kyle Bukauskas is an HNIC rink-side reporter. They discuss what broadcasts could look like when the NHL returns. Everything from music to intermission interviews, how games will be called, production protocols, if officials and players will wear mics, and more. Plus, what they’ve heard from players during the pause about how they consume the game.

Uffe Bodin is the editor-in-chief of Hockeysverige. He talks all things Swedish hockey: history, player hierarchy, why the Sedins are more popular in Vancouver than at home, and what the national team means to the nation. He also discusses some of the stories he’s been covering during the pandemic and Sweden’s unique approach to combatting COVID-19.

31 Thoughts: The Podcast is presented by GMC Sierra trucks, complete with the World’s-First Six-function Multi-Pro Tailgate. GMC — we are professional grade. www.gmccanada.ca.

Music Outro: Billy & The King Bees – Bango

Listen to all our Season 3 music on Spotify.

This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman.

Audio Credits: CBC, CBS, NHL newsy, Network and Sportsnet.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

On a news-heavy episode, Gary Bettman outlines plans for the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Draft Lottery, but things remain in flux. Jeff and Elliotte discuss.

How does the U.S.-Canada border impact things? Will there be exhibition games? What about expanded rosters and timelines for more information from the league? Who wins the Art Ross Trophy? All of that and more.

31 Thoughts: The Podcast is presented by GMC Sierra trucks, complete with the World’s-First Six-function Multi-Pro Tailgate. GMC — we are professional grade. www.gmccanada.ca.

This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman.

Audio Credits: CBC, CPAC and Sportsnet.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Jeff and Elliotte discuss Matt Duchene’s comments about a return to play, potential playoff formats, possible hub cities, the draft, the lawsuit against the CHL, and play a little word association. Then they are joined by two guests.

Nate Thompson talks about staying mentally strong and surrounding himself with people who support him, playing in Canada versus a non-traditional U.S. market, the meaning of toughness, his time in Seattle with the Thunderbirds, and his thoughts on handshakes, scrums and kissing the Cup. 

Then Shane Doan joins the show to talk about his career, being drafted, almost playing with Jarome Iginla, fighting to keep the Coyotes in Arizona and the growth of the game in the U.S., meeting Auston Matthews for the first time, how he is as a hockey parent and what’s next in his professional journey.

31 Thoughts: The Podcast is presented by GMC Sierra trucks, complete with the World’s-First Six-function Multi-Pro Tailgate. GMC — we are professional grade. www.gmccanada.ca.

Music Outro: Marcos Valle – Summer Samba

Listen to all our Season 3 music on Spotify.

This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman.

Audio Credits: CBC, Fox Sports Ohio, NBC Sports and Sportsnet 590 The FAN.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Jeff and Elliotte kick things off discussing something of a newsy week.

Leagues are planning their return or beginning to trickle back, but where is the NHL in all of this? Free agency will happen at some point, and Canucks director of amateur scouting Judd Brackett might be the most sought-after name on the market. Paul McFarland is leaving the Maple Leafs, which means there’s an opening on the bench for an assistant coach. And ECHL players are finally getting paid thanks to some strong support.

As well, UFC 249 went off over the weekend, what does it mean for the type of experience fans should expect when hockey returns?

Then they are joined by three guests. Bernie Nicholls once scored 70 goals for the L.A. Kings, he talks about finding his scoring touch in junior, playing with Marcel Dionne, where he was when Wayne Gretzky got traded to Los Angeles and why he took his hockey stick everywhere he went.

Former Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson takes over as president and CEO of the AHL in July. He discusses the messaging the league is sending its owners, if a more regionalized schedule is on the horizon, Dave Andrews’ legacy, digital initiatives and playing junior with Bernie Nicholls.

Lastly, Lightning play-by-play man Rick Peckham talks about his broadcast journey, his plans for retirement, being around Gordie Howe, covering John Tortorella and what Dave Andreychuk means to the community in Tampa Bay.

31 Thoughts: The Podcast is presented by GMC Sierra trucks, complete with the World’s-First Six-function Multi-Pro Tailgate. GMC — we are professional grade. www.gmccanada.ca.

Outro Music: The Budos Band – T.I.B.W.F.

This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman.

Audio Credits: Fox Sports SUN, NBC, Sportsnet and The FAN 590.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate. 

Jeff and Elliotte kick things off with the return of Word Association, discuss the latest on plans to get back on the ice and the draft, and Jaroslav Halak’s one-year extension with the Bruins. Then are joined by three guests.

Brenden Dillon talks about the evolution of his career, playing alongside superstars like Joe Thornton and Alex Ovechkin and his involvement with the Hockey Education Reaching Out Society (HEROS).

Speaking of heroes, Yusuf Ahmed of Conquer COVID-19 talks about how he got involved with the organization, why it’s so important and his love for hockey.

And two-time Stanley Cup champ Mike Vernon joins the pod to reminisce about the Battle of Alberta, Patrick Roy’s last game, goalie fights and how the game has changed since he played.

31 Thoughts: The Podcast is presented by GMC Sierra trucks, complete with the World’s-First Six-function Multi-Pro Tailgate. GMC — we are professional grade. www.gmccanada.ca.

Music Outro: Shorty Long – Night Fo’ Last

Listen to all our Season 3 music on Spotify.

This episode is produced and sound designed by Amil Delic, and hosted by Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman.

Audio Credits: 630 CHED, CBC, NBC Sports, Pro-Am Sports Systems, Prime Sports Northwest, Sportsnet, WKBD

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.