NHL Fans From Afar

What’s in a number? We look at the NHL players who’ve switched their numbers this season and why, including Sergei Bobrovsky’s deal with new teammate Frank Vatrano over Florida Panther’s number 72.

Philadelphia Flyer’s mascot Gritty made an appearance in The Simpsons, we peruse Arizona Coyotes’ unusual choice of locker room anthems, our listener Jeff sent a postcard from ‘that’ game against Boston Bruins in Toronto over the weekend, and we discuss what to make of Las Vegas Golden Knights’ Valentin Zykov’s 20 game suspension for violating the NHL’s drug policy.

Plus a bit of old fashioned NHL trivia! Full geek out status for this NHL Fans From Afar with Clare Freeman, James Reeve and Ross Shaw-Mellor.

The story of when Vancouver Canucks' Elias Pettersson met Alien Pope, why hot dogs could be the answer to giving a losing streak the heave-ho and who's hot/who's not when it comes to NHL goalies of 2019/20...

Paul Lawson, long-standing Carolina Hurricanes fan and Rob McGregor of One Puck Short/InGoal Magazine join Clare Freeman for another episode of the NHL Fans From Afar podcast.

There's a look across the week's news, a rant about whether the All-Star weekend is just for kids and a discussion on what could the NHL do better to love  us fans outside North America and raise the sport's profile.

Produced by ASFB Productions. Got a fan story of your own? Email us [email protected]

Photo credit: churchofpettersson.com 

Packed with goalie mask tit-bits (past and present) that will blow your mind... Such as, did you know the Hannibal Lecter mask was actually designed by an NHL custom goalie artist?

Under new management - nearly a quarter of teams have a new boss behind the bench, but who are the 7 men and what's their history (chequered and success) with former NHL clubs?

What's the point of captaincy? And do you need one anyway? As Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares gets the big C sown onto his (and his tiny baby's) jersey, will we see other teams currently C-less, such as the Canucks, follow suit in coming months?

Plus, we go west... A deeper look into the Pacific and Central Divisions as Andy Giddings, our Vancouver Canucks fan and Matt Day, our Dallas Stars fan join us in the third episode of NHL Fans From Afar this season.

Presented by Clare Freeman. Produced by ASFB Productions. Want to be a guest on our show? Want to join our slack group? Email us! [email protected] 

Photo Credit: Gerry Cheevers iconic goalie mask (TONY TIOLO/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED) And yes we know, he's a Boston Bruins type. Sorry.

Love or hate the St Louis Blues Stanley Cup Rings, are pre-season games worth bothering with, and what connects Neil Young and Green Day with the San Jose Sharks?

NHL Fans From Afar’s ‘resident Finnish adviser’/Sharks fan Paul Brown guests with Adam Hoy - who’s staying loyal to Detroit Red Wings, despite their lacklustre hopes for the 2019/2020 NHL season.

There’s news on contracts with Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor and Mike Rantanen.

Plus, what was on a Finnish floor ball team’s offer sheet for Colorado Avalanche’s Miko Rantanen? Let’s just say it included socks, massage vouchers and a ‘man with a quite cute daddy belly’…

Presented by Clare Freeman with Adam Hoy and Paul Brown. Produced by ASFB Productions.

Photo Credit: Jostens Professional Sports Division

The podcast made by and for NHL fans living outside of North America returns for a second season. Clare Freeman and Jolon Kemp Walker catch up with fellow Toronto Maple Leafs fan James Reeve, plus we hear from Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Las Vegas Golden Nights and Winnipeg Jets fans.

Leave us a voicemail via our anchor.fm/nhlfansfromafar page, email us [email protected]to join our Slack group with fellow fans from across the world, and connect with us on Twitter.com/nhlfansfromafar

Produced by ASFB Productions.

The cup has been lifted, the awards have been awarded and the drafts have been drafted. The 2018/19 season is officially over so it felt right that we heard from as many contributors to NHL Fans From Afar as possible.... over to you!

Produced by ASFB Productions

Presented by Clare Freeman & Jolon Kemp Walker

Fact: St Louis Blues are tied with Toronto Maple Leafs for the longest cup drought in the league. But if they beat Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup finals over the next few weeks, they’ll end that pain and pick up their first silverware in the club’s history…

But is it even possible? Statistically 61 out of 79 teams since 1939 who win game one in the final series go on to win the cup. So with the first win in the can for the Bruins is the writing already on the wall?

Jordan Binnington vs Tuukka Rask 2018/19 statswise is pretty much neck and neck.

Bruins have 6 cups already to their name, and are bookies favourites - can the Blues really continue their season upset by making a comeback from bottom of the league to cup winners with an interim coach and a rookie goalie within a few months?

The last time St Louis Blues were in the Stanley Cup final was in 1970. And guess who beat them? Bobby Orr and the Boston Bruins… Even worse, it was in a four game sweep. Ouch. (Photograph credit: Ray Lussier/AP)

Plus, there’s a message from Tom, our Edmonton Oilers fan with a reference to his team’s new coach - Dave Tippett

And Jolon finally details his first hostel dorm experience, upon returning from Slovakia and the IIHF World Championships!

Presented by Clare Freeman and Jolon Kemp Walker. Produced by ASFB Productions. 

Four months ago, Carolina Hurricanes were just two points out of last place in the entire NHL. Now, they're in the Eastern Conference Final playing Boston Bruins. This ‘bunch of jerks’ have had 9 seasons without even making the playoffs and their last champion win 2005/2006. Can they do it?

Die hard Caniac Paul Lawson lives in Scotland, but has followed his team since a chance Sega Mega Drive game purchase in the 90s. He’s been to watch them, played with some of the Stanley Cup alumni and even calls some of their past players friends. In his candid chat with host Clare Freeman, Paul explains what a difference hockey has truly made to him and his family’s life.

Sports writer Paul Brown spends his working hours following football both in the UK and in Europe. But in the early hours he’s glued to the screen necking coffees watching his beloved San Jose Sharks. With a host of rising stars, a few hungry veterans and a goalie who’s snapped back into action - is it now or never for the Sharks? Plus Paul name drops a few of his favourite Finnish players right now - notably Kaapo Kakko with his hat trick in the World Championships. (pictured, credit: Petr David Josek AP)

And Mark Rackham aka Mark UK Leaf takes a few minutes out of his AHL Playoff coverage to discuss what next for Toronto Maple Leafs, the Stanley Cup playoffs so far and Team GB’s rise to the IIHF World Championships out in Slovakia. Read more of Mark’s writing here: ukhockeyfan.wordpress.com and mapleleafshotstove.com/toronto-marlies/ 

Presented by Clare Freeman, featuring Paul Lawson, Paul Brown, Mark Rackham. Produced by ASFB Productions. Email us for an invite to our slack group: [email protected] or tweet us @nhlfansfromafar