A Boston Bruins legend — Rick "Nifty" Middleton — a guy who’s number 16 hangs in the Boston Garden's rafters joined the boys for an amazing rap session. He tells stories from his playing days with the Bruins and talks about winning a Gold Medal as the coach of the 2002 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team at the Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Nifty got his nickname because of his silky mitts and goal scoring touch. This is episode not to be missed.Big thanks to Damon Financial LLC for backing the pod — if you want no-BS, straight-shooting financial advice from people who actually care, hit up Damon Financial. For over 24 years, they’ve been helping families and business owners grow and protect their wealth with clear, trusted strategies. From retirement planning and investments to tax-efficient solutions, they deliver advice focused on your goals.📞 Call 508-321-2101 to book your meeting with Damon Financial today.👉 Learn more about Damon Financialhttps://www.damonfinancial.com/🎧 Listen to the Full Episode:Audio: https://chirpingzebras.com/episodes/📢 Connect with Us:Website: https://chirpingzebras.com/Show Social Media: The TikTok:   / chirping.zebras  The IG:   / chirpingzebras  The Facebook:   / chirpingzebras  💬 Join the Conversation:We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback and join the discussion in the comments below or reach out to us on social media!⭐ Subscribe & Rate:If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to Chirping Zebras and leaving a rating/review. Your support helps us keep delivering insightful content from the referees' perspective!

The boys sit down with a real beauty — former pro hockey player and coach Graham Townshend — a guy who’s been through the grind, lived the dream, and is still shaping the next generation of players. Absolute legend of a chat, full of stories, laughs, and some serious perspective. You’ll want to hear this one.Big thanks to Damon Financial LLC for backing the pod — if you want no-BS, straight-shooting financial advice from people who actually care, hit up Damon Financial. For over 24 years, they’ve been helping families and business owners grow and protect their wealth with clear, trusted strategies. From retirement planning and investments to tax-efficient solutions, they deliver advice focused on your goals.📞 Call 508-321-2101 to book your meeting with Damon Financial today.👉 Learn more about Damon Financialhttps://www.damonfinancial.com/🎧 Listen to the Full Episode:Audio: https://chirpingzebras.com/episodes/📢 Connect with Us:Website: https://chirpingzebras.com/Show Social Media: The TikTok:   / chirping.zebras  The IG:   / chirpingzebras  The Facebook:   / chirpingzebras  💬 Join the Conversation:We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback and join the discussion in the comments below or reach out to us on social media!⭐ Subscribe & Rate:If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to Chirping Zebras and leaving a rating/review. Your support helps us keep delivering insightful content from the referees' perspective!

Alright ya absolute beauties, strap in ‘cause we’re goin’ deep into Pats history here. We’re talkin’ the whole ride — from the days when nobody gave a shit about ‘em, to flipping dynasties on their heads. Ownership chaos, coaching moves, and games that had ya screamin’ at the TV like a donkey.We chirp about Tom Brady’s glow-up from underdog to GOAT, Gronk vs. Russ Francis, and all the boys who made Foxboro electric. Ya wanna hear about Deflategate, Spygate, the Pats vs. the league, and the fanbase that’s nuttier than a bag of trail mix? It’s all in here. Even the dark stuff — Darryl Stingley’s tragic story, the toll the game takes, and how the league’s changed since.We even toss in the ol’ bar-stool debate: greatest Pats teams of all time. Spoiler — there’s chirps, there’s bad takes, and there’s a pile of laughs. Wrap it all up with where the Patriots are headin’ next and how refs are screwin’ or savin’ the game.If ya love the Pats, hate the Pats, or just love hearin’ the boys chop it up — you’re in the right place.👉 Smash the like.👉 Subscribe ya pigeons.👉 Drop your GOAT Patriots moment in the comments and we’ll chirp ya back.🎧 Listen to the Full Episode:Audio: https://chirpingzebras.com/episodes/📢 Connect with Us:Website: https://chirpingzebras.com/Show Social Media: The TikTok:   / chirping.zebras  The IG:   / chirpingzebras  The Facebook:   / chirpingzebras  💬 Join the Conversation:We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback and join the discussion in the comments below or reach out to us on social media!⭐ Subscribe & Rate:If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to Chirping Zebras and leaving a rating/review. Your support helps us keep delivering insightful content from the referees' perspective!

The boys are buzzing this week, looking back on some absolute weapons we’ve had on the pod, mixing in a couple health curveballs, and talking shop about getting out in the community.Refs in youth hockey? Buddy, it’s a minefield. The chirps, the parents, the kids — it’s all there. We’re breaking down the grind, the good, the bad, and the beauty of it. Plus, the boys are fired up for the new season, talking training camps, staying sharp, and the little things that keep officials dialed in.We don’t shy away either — age discrimination in reffing, the politics, the grind of keeping the stripes on as the game evolves… it’s all on the table. Sprinkle in some personal war stories, a couple youth sports hot takes, and a look at how college puck is growing like crazy.This one’s got laughs, stories, and some hard truths — just like the game itself.

The fellas had Fran Doyle on Chirping Zebras this week — absolute wagon of a guest if you’re into the stripes side of sports. Fran’s a lacrosse ref who’s seen it all: youth parents losing their minds, box lacrosse turning into a warzone, and the politics that come with officiating. They chop it up about how lacrosse culture stacks up against hockey, what refs actually get paid (spoiler: not much), and the insurance/academy grind that’s changing youth sports. Tons of unreal insight but also a ton of laughs, with Fran telling stories about navigating the circus that is being a ref. Beauty episode.

This week the boys are buzzin’—we got former NHL’er Mark Mowers hoppin’ on the mic. The guy laced ‘em up for the Bruins, Red Wings, Preds, and Ducks, and now he’s scouting talent for the Minnesota Wild.We get into it all:-The trip out to Bozeman, Montana (yes, there’s stories, yes, they’re hilarious)-NHL tales from back in the day—locker room stuff you won’t find on Google-What it’s really like bein’ a scout in today’s league-And a bunch of chirps, laughs, and absolute beauty stories along the wayIf you love hockey talk with some laughs, this one’s right in your wheelhouse. Smash that like button, toss us a comment, and subscribe so you don’t miss a shift.

The boys sit down with retired Navy SEAL Jon Echols — absolute weapon of a guy. He takes us through Hell Week, wild stories from deployment, and how he found a new team through hockey and Warrior for Life. From near-death calls to locker room laughs, this one’s got it all — military grit, NHL chirps, and what it really means to find purpose after service.Smash that subscribe, drop a comment, and let’s give a stick tap to Eccles for jumping on Chirping Zebras.🎧 Listen to the Full Episode:Audio: https://chirpingzebras.com/episodes/📢 Connect with Us:Website: https://chirpingzebras.com/Show Social Media: The TikTok:   / chirping.zebras  The IG:   / chirpingzebras  The Facebook:   / chirpingzebras  💬 Join the Conversation:We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback and join the discussion in the comments below or reach out to us on social media!⭐ Subscribe & Rate:If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to Chirping Zebras and leaving a rating/review. Your support helps us keep delivering insightful content from the referees' perspective!

The boys took the show on the road for a live episode of Chirping Zebras right inside Gillette Stadium — and who better to join us than New England Patriots legend Matt Light.We cracked some cold ones and chopped it up about life after football, the dynasty years, wild locker room stories, and what it’s like to play for Belichick and Brady during the Pats’ golden era. Matt doesn’t hold back — and neither do we.If you’re a Pats fan, or just love hearing uncensored stories from guys who lived it, this is one you don’t wanna miss. Big laughs, big stories, and a hell of a backdrop at Gillette.🎙️ Subscribe for more episodes with players, comedians, and characters from all over the sports world.👊 Smash that like button, drop a comment, and let us know who you wanna see on next.#ChirpingZebras #NewEnglandPatriots #MattLight #GilletteStadium #NFL #Podcast

The boys sit down with two former Boston Bruins, Ken Hodge and Kenny Hodge (they are not Sr and Jr they have different middle names). This is our first father/son combination and it was awesome. Ken talking about playing with Bobby Orr and what it was like back in the 70's. Kenny discussing having a legend for a dad and the current state of hockey and the NHL. Whether you're old or young you will enjoy this one. Sit back and enjoy.🎧 Listen to the Full Episode:Audio: https://chirpingzebras.com/episodes/📢 Connect with Us:Website: https://chirpingzebras.com/Show Social Media: The TikTok:   / chirping.zebras  The IG:   / chirpingzebras  The Facebook:   / chirpingzebras  💬 Join the Conversation:We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback and join the discussion in the comments below or reach out to us on social media!⭐ Subscribe & Rate:If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to Chirping Zebras and leaving a rating/review. Your support helps us keep delivering insightful content from the referees' perspective!

The boys sit down with legendary MLB umpire Tim Tschida for an absolute beauty of a chat. We’re talkin’ war stories from behind the plate, dealing with Boston sports fans who could chirp the paint off the Green Monster, and what it’s like calling games for legends — including Nolan Ryan’s no-hitter. Tim gets into how the game’s changed with replay, how hockey and baseball officiating stack up, and the wild ride to making The Show as an ump.From old-school bench-clearing brawls to the new tech creeping into every call, Tim’s seen it all. He even shares thoughts on women breaking into the umpiring ranks and why showing up ready to go every single game is the only way to survive. Pull up a stool, crack a cold one, and enjoy a couple hours with one of the best to ever do it.📲 FOLLOW THE ZEBRAS:Instagram → [@ChirpingZebrasPod]TikTok → [@ChirpingZebras]Twitter/X → [@ChirpZebras]Facebook → [Chirping Zebras Podcast]Website → [https://chirpingzebras.com]📬 BOOKING / SPONSORS / FAN CHIRPS:[email protected](We’ll read the good ones. The bad ones? We frame 'em in the men’s room.)💥 SPONSORS WHO KEEP US OUTTA THE SIN BIN:🧠 AOA Studios🚨 Referees Crease#ChirpingZebras #SpittinChiclets #AndyBrickley #Bruins #GolfContent #BostonHockey #LockerRoomTalk #MassholeMadness