My Dad Used to Play Hockey

Johnny Gaudreau wanted the Flyers. It was a case of unrequited love. 

The Blue Jackets decided that they were ready for a relationship, acquiring the best free agent available this off season.

A tale of two cities and two General Managers.  

What the hell happened?

Also, did Calgary have a fine offseason despite the loss of two stars?

Is speed really the only way to win in this league?

Strummer has been a hockey man all his life, culminating in his turn as Director of Pro Scouting for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Joining Bob and me is Jody Shelley, former Blue Jacket and Flyer, and current Columbus NHL analyst.

It's the Reload, how bad teams get good and good teams get better.

"You lost to your enemy and you hated your enemy but in the end you respected them."

WIP host. He was integral in building the second 24 hour sports talk station in the country.   

He created a long form program that really inspired me to do this whole messy fun podcast.

Tell Us Your Story.

Glen Macnow. He saw the Flyers win their second (and yes last) Cup against the Buffalo Sabres.  As a Sabres fan.  

But he moved on to Philly and like Al and Jayson and Angelo and Sam, he is as much a part of Philly Sports history as any player.

Get to to know him. This is his story.

I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk.

My dad used to play hockey.

"I think the frustration is 'Where's the Plan?"

"I will say that a lot of new players come in and open their eyes to an empty arena and ask...what happened?'

Flyers fans are angry at the team. But who doesn't love Al?

Al Morganti is a Hockey Hall of Famer. I may jokes about it but it's well deserved.

He has a perspective all  his own.  He is part of Flyers History.

This is The Reload. How bad teams get good and good teams get better.

Bob Strumm, my co-host, know more about hockey than anyone earth. 

Al is up there too.

Follow him @nufced. 

"I don't think Hexy did as bad a job as people like to portray."

"That decision probably cost me $30 Million."

How bad teams get good. How good teams get better. It's not just a rebuild. It's a reload.

Happy Draft Day.

Strummer has been a hockey man all his life, culminating in his turn as Director of Pro Scouting for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Zak knows little.

Joining us this draft day is Doug MacLean, former NHL GM, President and Head Coach.

"He walked 100 miles with a 100 pound bag of flour to start a new life."

Our ancestors have similar stories.

Always nice to have a fellow Ukrainian on. 

Flyer Alumni member Jeff Chyrchrun was not only a great player but an outspoken advocate of Ukraine and it's courageous struggle against Russian invasion.

His son is pretty good at the game too.

Jeff is both a great hockey story and a great Uke story. He is featured prominently here:

https://www.amazon.com/UKE-Untold-Story-Hockey-Legends/dp/B093TBRMQ7

Get to know him.

I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk.

My dad used to play hockey.

"He showed that's how it's done. If you want to be good you have to work, work, work.

Ask anybody on the Bullies team who was their most vicious opponent and one name will come up over and over and over.

Taz. (Like the devil)

Terry O'Reilly. #24 for the Boston Bruins.  

A legendary franchise retired his number. He moved away from hockey because of family. But he's always part of the hockey family.  

Fans hate him way more than anyone he played against. You might not believe it buddies, but they're all friends now. Well, not all of them.

Terry.  Bruins legend.

Get to know him. 

I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk.

My dad used to play hockey.

Keenan's Kids, as they are now affectionately called, almost brought Philly not one but two Stanley Cups.

Almost. So close. But you know.....the Oilers.

The head of that team was controversial (to understate his reputation) Mike Keenan.

Iron Mike.

He is known as fierce, vindictive, and sometimes petty.  But he gets results. And most of his players love him.  Most of them.

He got his Cup. 

With the Rangers. Dammit.

Separate the myth from the truth of Coach Mike Keenan.

Get to know him.

I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk. My dad used to play hockey.

"I truly believe we are all blessed with gifts and my gift is a caregiver."

That's really all you need to know about Jim McCrossin.

Flyers fans. We need your help.

Jimmy McCrossin and Sal Raffa have dedicated the better part of two decades as athletic trainers of the National Hockey League's Philadelphia Flyers. Both men have been diagnosed with incurable blood diseases and are suing Comcast Spectacor among others for negligence and liability.

While that case is in litigation, Jimmy and Sal are receiving medical treatment for their illnesses. Unfortunately, some of these treatments are not covered by either's medical insurance. We want to give back to these men and their families in a time of need after all they've done for Philadephia hockey and the community.

Please visit www.gofundme.com/jimmyandsal

#StandWithUkraine

"And that night the world changed."

"For two weeks  I couldn't eat and couldn't sleep."

There are 57 Ukrainians on The Stanley Cup. Including my dad, Orest Kindrachuk, who joins me on this episode.

Our guest is Volodymyr Mula. Director of Uke: The Untold Story of Hockey Legends.

Resident of Kyiv. 

As brave as you would imagine.

Get to the know him.

I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk. My dad used to play hockey.

We're Ukrainian.