Spits & Suds Podcast

From playing college hockey to being a ref in college hockey, the ECHL and other leagues to becoming a stand up comedian and now actor. What a ride it's been for the host of the Chirping Zebras podcast Mark Riley. Hear about how he got into officiating.

The Dallas Stars signed former New Jersey Devils forward Nathan Bastian to a one year deal. Host Gavin Spittle talks about what he likes with Bastian and what he brings to the Stars. 

Amazing stories and some great NHL history featuring author Kirk McKnight and his new book The Voices of Hockey, Broadcasters reflect on the Fastest Game on Earth. From Bob Costas being rescued from a near hockey riot to brothers getting in two fights and their mother getting involved, to a mascot almost suffocating in their debut, these are all captured in Kirk's new book as told by some of the legendary voices of hockey. 

Our Stars/NHL insider Sean Shapiro joins host Gavin Spittle. With the new ESPN/NFL Redzone deal, Sean and Gavin talk about a possible NHL Red Zone and what it would mean to the NHL. Sean recaps his conversation with Stars Head Coach Glen Gulutzan. Sean goes into depth regarding the greater role of Assistant Coaches Alain Nasreddine and Neil Graham. In anticipation of Bleacher Report's Mount Rushmore of players for the last 25 years, Gavin and Sean give their four choices and then flip the script with a Mount Rushmore of Dallas Stars that had high hopes but fell short. 

Robert Tiffin of StarsThoughts.com jumps on Spits and Suds with Gavin Spittle. The Stars Prospect Tournament is coming up and the Stars have some really interesting players that Robert and Gavin think you should keep an eye out for. Should Wyatt Johnston be the number one center and is that a demotion to Roope Hintz? Are there enough 20 goal scorers on this team to provide depth scoring? Plus Robert brings us a deep dive on special teams and how effective this Dallas Stars team can be on the Power Play and Penalty Kill. 

Entering his 19th year in the Italian Hockey League, 5 time Italian Cup Champion Florian Wieser joins Gavin Spittle for his perspective on his favorite North American team, the Dallas Stars. A great story of how he became a Stars fan in Italy and his favorite player. Forian talks about the coaching change from a players perspective, the move of a Stars Center to Wing and what's involved. The guys discuss how good Mikko Rantanen really is, positionless hockey, the art of trash talking and being an agitator as well as life in European hockey.  It's a fascinating deep dive from a players perspective with Florian Wieser on Spits and Suds. 

Kenny Jacoby, an investigative reporter for USA Today joins host Gavin Spittle to talk about his latest piece, "How the Dallas Stars Monopolized Texas Youth Hockey".

Max McKiernan joins host Gavin Spittle to talk about his youth career in Dallas and his journey to the University of New Mexico. The Dallas Stars got Max into hockey. He talks about his Stars influences that got him hooked. Having Allyson Simpson now in the PWHL playing defense for him with Hockey Club of Dallas. The life of a college club hockey player and his thoughts on this years Stars team. 

It's a simulcast edition of Spits and Suds as host Gavin Spittle is joined by Locked On Stars podcast host Joey Erickson. The guys team up to discuss their top X Factors heading into this season. The guys explain this is not about whether Oettinger has a career year or Rantanen gets his 100 points. These are more game changers that we haven't seen which could be huge factors this upcoming season. 

Spits and Suds Stars and NHL Insider Sean Shapiro joins Gavin Spittle for his weekly visit. The guys talk about the Stars Hall of Fame announcement of Joe Nieuwendyk and Ralph Strangis and how special the Dallas Stars Hall of Fame has become for the inductees. The Stars will soon release their alternate sweater and Sean and Gavin throw out some ideas. A big signing in the Central Division which leads Sean and Gavin to give their early predictions of who will finish in the top 3. The guys bring you the latest statements from the NHL and NHLPA on the verdict from the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial and Seth Jones brings the Stanley Cup back to DFW.  It's July but still a jam packed edition of Spits and Suds.