Beginner's Puck - A podcast for hockey fans new and old

It’s a special Beginner’s Puck/Hockey Feels crossover Carcast! Once again Deb and Erika are joined by Steven and Rachel from Hockey Feels as we road trip through Western Canada to see the both the Battle of Alberta (Edmonton Oilers v. Calgary Flames) in Calgary and Vegas Golden Knights return to Rogers Place In Edmonton. It was a white knuckled drive but we talk about #oldhockey, our favorite arenas and all things NHL. I mean, if four hockey podcasters are stuck in a car for 3+ hours what did you think was going to happen?

Want to join in the conversation about your fave rinks? Drop us a tweet @beginnerspuck or an email at [email protected]!

Alberta Canada Carcast

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish with Steven Schapansky and Rachel Donner.

…otherwise known as “The first week of hockey, baby!” Deb and Erika talk about the good (So. Many. Goals.), the bad (why you have to hurt us like that Edmonton?) and the ugly (NHLPA/NHLShyam Das - you are ON NOTICE. You too, Matheson). Sure, there have been some bumps in the road but it’s early days, kids. Who knows what next week will bring?

In this episode’s “What the Puck?” we’re back on our goalie game - this time breaking down the evolution of goalie equipment.

And finally, in a fuzzy, orange, terrifyingly ridiculous hockey tidbit, Deb wants to love Gritty with her whole heart. Sadly, due to some off-ice issues she has to deduct a few character points, dropping him firmly into the “problematic fave” league for the time being. We believe in your development, Gritty. We’re pulling for you!

Have a question, comment, huzzah? Drop us a tweet or email us at [email protected]!

Goalie equipment and NHL's sexual assault policy

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

Goalie Equipment

Evolution of Goalie Equipment

It’s Gritty’s World…

The Timeline

We did it, fam. We survived the endless off-season and hockey is baaaaack! Deb and Erika talk about our new career as Freelance Hockey Facilitators, The Drama in Toronto, the up/down sides of International Games and a Deb’s new Fantasy Hockey obsession.

In a special ‘How the Puck’ we discuss how teams go from Training Camp to a 23-man Roster. And yes, we explain What the Puck is an ATO/PTO, how waivers are used and who gets sent to minor league and who gets sent back to Juniors. We even debate the merits of the 9 game “try-out”.

And, finally, while Erika may be less than thrilled with international games, she delights in the International crowd in a lovely little Hockey Tidbit.

Have a question, comment or suggestion? Hit us up on Twitter or email us at [email protected]

How teams narrow down their rosters

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

The dog days are (nearly) over and hockey is (almost) back. Deb and Erika catch up on what’s gone down in the Post-Tavares summer trade season (Not Much*), what RFA’s without contracts are making us clutch our pearls, who’s going to be this year’s Tavares and, of course, the Nate Schmidt controversy. We also gripe about Toronto being so darn wholesome and talk about our hopes and fears for the 2018-2019 season because “predictions” are a fools game and honestly, were we not all schooled in the dangers of expectations by last year’s Vegas Golden Knights?

In this episode’s “What the Puck” we answer a listeners question and dig into buyouts - what they are, how they’re used and how the #*!&#^ the Caps pulled off that Orpik deal.

And finally, it’s training camp season which means, Rookie Games! Deb waxes poetic on the good hockey boys and their gosh-darn-go-get-em spirit.

Have a hockey question, comment or observation? Do YOU know how players are selected for the NHL media weekend? Drop us an email or tweet and let us know!

Twitter: @BeginnersPuck

*Disclaimer: Montreal pulled off their late-night Max Pacioretty trade a few hours after we we recorded this episode. THANKS MARC.

Summer is over, let's do that hockey

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

Buyouts, via CapFriendly, because they are the bomb

Ready for another Hockey round-up? Deb and Erika relive the Washington Capital’s unbridled joy at winning the Stanley Cup. (And endless celebrations. Seriously, have they sobered up yet?) We walk you through highlights (and lowlights) of the NHL awards, the draft, the Hall of Fame nominations as well as recap the #TavaresWatch2018 and settle you in for #KarlssonWatch. And yes, we have a good old rant about the human trash fire known as Slava Voynov. (We’re watching you Flyers/Oilers.)

In this eps “What The Puck” we dive into the origins of “Cup Day” and the shenanigans that led to the creation of “The Keep of the Cup” position. Let’s just say that Phil Pritchard owes a debt to the Patrick Roy, a pool, and the Montreal Canadiens.

Finally, Erika brings us a delightful Hockey Tidbit as she explains those teeny tiny goal nets seen on many a Canadian pond.

Have a question, comment or favorite Cup Day shenanigan? Drop us a tweet or email and let us know!

Stanley Cup wrap up

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

Washington Capitals Celebrate the Cup

What the Puck?

So, how did Cup Day start? Watch and learn

Hockey Tidbit

Erika talks about hacking hockey nets and the reason for those adorable mini nets

We’re down to what could be the final hockey game of the 2017-2018 season. Will Ovechkin finally get to lift the cup or die on the bench from emotion? Will Vegas stage a comeback and continue to shock every critic everywhere? Deb and Erika discuss it all. We might have a very plausible and accurate theory for fighting in hockey (totally true!) and touch on the NHL Combine and upcoming Draft.

There is much excitement in the house for free agency and the scrum that will erupt on July 1 as the Class of 2019 starts working on getting those trucks of money (literal trucks). Who will stay, who will go? We can’t wait!

Finally, in a new “Say What, Now?” Erika quizzes Deb on hockey slang what she has heard with her own ears and in this episode’s “Hockey Tidbit” Deb touches on the career of the Hockey’s beloved Mike “Doc” Emrick.

Got a question, concern, opinion? Hit us up on Twitter or drop us an email. We can get through this together!

Twitter: @BeginnersPuck

Stanley Cup

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

NHL Combine

Hockey Tidbit

Mike “Doc” Emrick - The Voice of The Stanley Cup Finals

Your intrepid hosts are back from the war* with a HUGE supersized episodes where we catch up on All The Hockey. Deb and Erika dig into the “OMG are we still surprised?” Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup run along with the “OMG did Ovi marry the Prince of Wales Cup?” Washington Capitals FINALLY punching their ticket to the big show. The playoffs, the fan bases, the hype - we got it all.

And there’s even more hockey! We got your World Cup, your Memorial Cup, your Calder Cup. All The Cups!

There’s good hockey, such as the announcement of a new ECHL team, the Newfoundland Growlers, with an adorable pupper logo (13/10. Would hockey) and the not so good hockey with USA Hockey’s problematic announcement of John Vanbiesbrouck as Assistant executive director of hockey operations.

In a lighter vein, we look at the Beginner’s Puck Team’s Bracket Challenge. (Spoiler: Deb and Erika are pretty terrible at Bracket Challenges.)

This episode we’re leaving “What the Puck” up to Snoop Dogg but Erika has a delightful “Hockey Tidbit” where she expresses her joy over the NHL’s Stanley Cup teaser commercials.

Have a hockey question you’d like to see us address? Drop us a tweet or email and we’ll drop some hockey knowledge on you. And if you like what we’re doing, leave us a review on iTunes and help other hockey fans find us!

Twitter: @BeginnersPuck

*The war of REAL LIFE OBLIGATIONS

Stanley Cup preview

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

No links for Stanley Cup news. Seriously, do we have to do everything? Google is your friend!

What the Puck?

Check out Snoop Dogg aka “Dogg Cherry” as he explains to you the ins and outs of this beautiful sport.

Hockey Tidbit

Erika really loves Stanley Cup Commercials. Like this one… And ESPECIALLY this one…

Regular season hockey may be just about over but we’re just getting started! Join Deb and Erika in this packed episode as they discuss some sad, real-life hockey, the exciting race for the finish line, bad journalism and good goalies. Have we ever mentioned how much we love goalies?

As contractually obligated by the Hockey Podcasters Association, we also reflect on the retirement of the Sedins and make our pitch for the controversial Hart Trophy Award.

Speaking of goalies (and when are we not?), in a new “What the Puck” segment we look at why goalies leave the crease (so distressing!) and how delayed penalties factor into a goaltender’s game play.

And in a heartwarming Hockey Tidbit, Deb shares the great story of the All-girl hockey team from Harlem.

Got a hockey question, observation or any idea why the Buffalo Sabres were selling Redwing gear in the team shop? Drop us a tweet or email and let us know!

Twitter: @BeginnersPuck

Delayed penalites, pulling goalies

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

For shame Georges Laraque. For shame.

NHL Bracket Challenge. So - should we create a Beginner’s Puck league?

All-girl hockey team in Harlem - yes, hockey IS for everyone!

Is it in the water? Is it in the air? Has hockey gone completely off the rails now that Trade Deadllne-Madness is behind us?

Deb and Erika dive into the insanity of late-season ticket prices, surprise standings (oh hello Colorado Avalanche), superclose playoff races, KHL shenanigans and rickrolling. I kid you not.

In a new “What the Puck?” they explain just WHY everyone was so crazy leading up the Trade Deadline and how only a fraction of that mania was due to making a play-off run. Let’s be real here, spreadsheets are the real sport in hockey.

And in a fun Hockey Tidbit, Erika waxes poetic about pre-game in-arena shows. There good shows, Brent.

Want to join us in the head shaking? Send us an email or hit us up on Twitter. Hockey is crazy, yo.

Twitter: @BeginnersPuck

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish.

KHL Shenanigans

On February 21 The Vegas Golden Knights made HISTORY when they broke the point record for an expansion team and the record for the most games won at home in their first season. Unfortunately we, along with our friends from The Hockey Feels Podcast, attended the dismal game on February 19 where the only thing they broke was our hearts.

But all was not lost! There was a fantastic road trip with ghost towns, Del Taco and giant thermomoters. So join Deb and Erika (and Steven and Rachel) as we talk about the sad sad game, the fantastic atmosphere at T-Mobile, punch-throwing Ducks’ fans, the Mrazek trade and the ugly racial incident in Chicago.

AND, in a bonus #OldHockey, Steven and Rachel talk about the mystique of the gone, but certainly not forgetter, Hartford Whalers.

Want to talk about Vegas? Del Taco? Or have a #OldHockey question? Drop us a tweet or email and join the conversation!

Twitter: @BeginnersPuck

Vegas Golden Knights

Hosts Erika Ensign and Deborah Stanish with Steven Schapansky and Rachel Donner.