We leave the ice and head to the baseball diamond and catch up with, Associate Head Coach of Baseball at Columbia University, Dan Tischler. 

Dan breaks out his early days of playing baseball with his older brother and the fun he had playing with him. 

His game took hold at Horace Mann School in the Bronx and played with Pedro Alvarez who was drafted in the second round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Dan tells of how he had to be proactive when it came to getting college coaches to notice him. He laughs and tells the story of how he had to send out VHS tapes of him pitching to schools. He decided on attending Franklin and Marshall. I asked him why that was a good fit for him for college and he said he connected with the coach. 

We talk about the adjustments he had to make as a college player and what the "step up" was like from high school baseball to college baseball. 

We continue with Rob Cowie here on "Inside the Game" brought to you by flexxCOACH. 

In this segment we discuss the college recruitment process he went through with his daughter. Helping her make the right choice when it comes to picking a school. It is a great segment for parents to listen to about the steps involved.

We continue with the "Cowboy", Rob Cowie here on "Inside the Game" brought to you by flexxCOACH. 

Rob tells of his time in Europe for eight seasons. He talks about the differences between the NHL and playing in Europe. He said you have to think the game more in Europe because the rink is larger and the skill level is different. He really enjoyed his time over seas and how it gave him different perspective of the game. 

We transition to when Rob became a scout for the New York Islanders and his learning curve. Rob then discusses working for Brian Burke and the Toronto Maple Leafs. He said he got a masters degree in hockey with the Maple Leafs. 

We breakdown what a scout looks for in player and how you have to study the game. One thing he stresses is the human aspect of scouting. Very important part of the game. 

We end with Rob talking about what a typical year is like for team and scouts.

We continue with Rob Cowie in the segment two of four here on "Inside the Game", brought to you by flexxCOACH.

Rob discusses graduating from school and signing with the Winnipeg Jets and his first training camp. "Cowboy" says that you learn fast that it is a business. That this is how guys make a living and it is tough. He looked around the room and you see guys like Phil Housley in the room. You have to learn how to be a professional hockey player. 

Rob got sent to Moncton in the AHL and played two years and then wound up in Springfield and had a breakout season. Was named to the AHL All-Star team and yet did not get called up to the parent club the Hartford Whalers. Joel Quennville was his coach in Springfield and he learned a lot from on defense. 

1994-95 he winds up in Phoenix playing for the Los Angeles Kings minor league team. The lockout happened that fall of 1994 and the coaches and management from the Kings came to Phoenix. He met Barry Melrose and he was impressed with Rob's play as a defenseman.

Rob's story about getting called up to the Kings with Sean O"Donnell getting injured. Was a very special moment in his hockey career. 

He tells about playing with Wayne Gretzky and how Gretzky set him up for his first goal in the NHL. 

Enjoy this segment great story about his NHL career.

We catch up with my classmate from Northeastern University, Rob Cowie, here on "Inside the Game" brought to you by flexxCOACH and flexxCOACH VR.

Rob takes us back to his days of playing sports in Toronto, Canada. He was six years old and it all started for him on an outside rink with him and friends. One thing that he stressed was he played other sports and it was all about having fun. 

When he turned 16 years of age things started to click for him. He said he was a late bloomer in hockey but he never really cared because he was just having fun. 

Rob was at St. Mike's School in Toronto, a very good school for academics and hockey. Rick Tocchet and Tony Tanti were notables who went to school there. Rob started to draw interest from colleges in the United States. He felt along with his parents that would be the best path for him. 

He chose Northeastern University in Boston. Felt that the school was the best fit for him from hockey standpoint and academically.  Rob also, felt the team gave him the best chance to play as a freshman. His defensive partner was Will Averill. Will's family had a history with Northeastern and it helped for Rob's transition to Northeastern. 

Rob discusses his time at Northeastern and what it did for him in his life and why he stayed for the four years of school and being the captain his senior season.

We end with Darren Pang and he tells the story of letting the John MacLean goal in when the New Jersey Devils needed to win to get into the playoffs. All Devils fans remember April 3rd, 1988 in the history of the team and how it changed the fortunes of the team that spring. Enjoy the story of "goal" which changed the course of history for the Devils. 

We continue with Darren and his NHL journey. He discusses the struggles he faced in trying to get to the NHL as goalie. At one point he even called Bob Pulford who was the head coach of the Blackhawks at home to ask him about coming up from the minors. Darren felt he needed to take action for himself to get to the NHL and the Blackhawks. 

He also talks about the pressure of being a goalie in the NHL and how tough it is mentally. 

As he played in the NHL he said that game days were tough for him and it was not fun to be around him on a game day for his wife, family, and friends. 

He breaks down how as a goalie you need to stay focused and sharp all the time while in the net. Also, being a back up goalie and how you have to stay positive and work hard for the team to be successful, 

We transition to him discussing becoming a broadcaster and how it was not easy but he made the move and did the things he needed to do to be successful. 

We continue with Darren Pang in episode two on his climb to the NHL and struggle to become a goalie in the league. 

Darren was playing in the minors in Milwaukee and got the call to the Blackhawks. He said it was an amazing to get the call up. Great story of the call up and facing the Montreal Canadians and being in the Old Chicago Stadium. He describes walking up the stairs to the playing surface in the building. 

It is a quick great segment about making it to the NHL. 

Enjoy Darren Pang. 

We catch up with Darren Pang former NHL goalie and now broadcaster for the St. Louis Blues. 

We start off with his early days in Ottawa and Nepean Raiders hockey club. Darren played goal in hockey right from the start. Loved the position and could stop the puck with ease. He learned to win with the Raiders and played with guys who would go to the NHL, Steve Yzerman and Dan Quinn were two of the stars on his teams growing up. 

Darren was thinking of going to college but decided to go the Junior "A" route after being drafted by the Belleville Bulls in the OHL. Had a very tough first year and felt he lost his confidence. He went home to Ottawa and worked hard over the summer to gain back his game and headed back to Belleville. Over that summer Wayne Gretzky had bought the team and was practicing with them in training camp. Darren regained more of his confidence in that training camp. As the season moved forward luck would enter his world and he was traded home to Ottawa and the 67's. He felt it was the best thing for his young career. Legendary coach Brian Kilrea was his coach and built up his confidence as a player and changed his game. 

Darren ended up winning the Memorial Cup  that year in Junior hockey and it changed his fortunes in the game of hockey. 

We end with Tom Chorske in segment five here on "Inside the Game" brought to you by flexxCOACH. 

In this segment we discuss with Tom his involvement with the St. Cloud Norseman junior hockey team in the NAHL. Cory Millen who played in the NHL is the GM and Head Coach of the team and Tom handles more of the operations side of the team. He breaks down the culture they have created for hockey players at this level and how they develop players. 

We also touch on what parents and players should look for in a hockey program. You have to find the right situation in order to have success. 

Tom talks about what to look for in a college sports program and the things that could happen to you. 

He also discusses his children and how he guided them in sports and the college process. His daughter will be attending Harvard to play hockey.