The Cam & Strick Podcast

Geoff Courtnall was one of the most well-known names in hockey during the 19990's. His speed, physical play, and scoring ability made him one of the best all-around forwards in the game. No one could piss you off or get under your skin quite like Geoff Courtnall. He also has overcome some serious obstacles including the death of his father when he was 15 years old and having to retire as a player because of repeated concussions. He also quit drinking back in 2010 thanks to a caring friend by the name of Cam Neely. Courtnall, the older brother of Russ Counrtnall, is also one of the best people you'll meet. Always a fan favorite and a popular player in the dressing room, Courtnall definitely left his mark in the NHL. His life after hockey hasn't been too bad either. From opening up a hospital for mental illness to several other business ventures, Courtnall is a bright businessman who has achieved great financial success since hanging up his skates. He also dated Sarah McLachlan which at one time created headlines throughout North America. From blowing up Jeremy Roenick to running Los Angeles Kings goalie Jamie Storr we get everything with Geoff Courtnall on this edition of the Cam and Strick Podcast

Ever gone deep into the mind of one of the most successful NHL General Managers currently working in the NHL? Here's your chance. A resume filled with International success with Hockey Canada in addition to winning Stanley Cups, Doug Armstrong has a clear idea of what he wants out of his team and he isn't afraid to ruffle a few feathers along the way. From negotiating contracts to dealing with legendary Head Coaches, Armstrong has experienced it all. He also grew up with a Hall of Fame linesman as a father in Sarnia, Ontario. So how long does he want to do this? He tells us in this tell-all interview. From the Alex Pietrangelo negotiations, taking the Captaincy away from Hall of Famer Mike Modano, to surrounding himself with some of the most accomplished players in the modern era, get to know the real Doug Armstrong on this edition of the Cam and Strick Podcast. 

Who's the nicest player in NHL history? Ok yes, Colton Parayko is likely the answer. What about the second? Craig Conroy is certainly in the mix. Plus he has an eye for talent, scored a goal in game seven of the Stanley Cup Final, and played in over 1,000 career NHL games. Conroy, now the assistant GM of the Calgary Flames is closing in on one day managing his own team, whoever gets him will be lucky. As a player, Conroy was regarded as one of the top two-way centers in the game at one point. He was a good player in St. Louis on some really good teams before taking his game to another level playing alongside the class of 2020 Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla for the Flames. Conroy could score and shut you down all at once and he did it with regularity. He also played with some unreal players including throughout his career. Find me a former teammate who has something bad to say about the Potsdam, New York Native. Don't bother because you won't. He was a star player, following in his Father and Uncle's footsteps, at Clarkson University before turning pro. He got in a fight with Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy in his first-ever training camp practice, played for Mike Keenan twice, and countless other superstar players. A Hobey Baker runner up in college, a Selke and Lady Byng finalist in the NHL, Craig Conroy has one story after another and he joins us on this edition of the Cam and Strick Podcast. 

Pat Maroon joined us live for an exclusive sit-down with the two-time Stanley Cup Champion. A career that's had plenty of ups and downs and full of perseverance has led to the NHL veteran becoming one of the more accomplished power forwards in the game today. Known as the Big Rig, Maroon has earned his way towards playing in over 500 career NHL games. Recently married, life is good for Maroon who provides an honest review of himself and his career in this beautiful conversation. You think you know Pat Maroon, but do you? 

When the NHL Director of Player Safety speaks, you listen. Because he hardly speaks. In a rarely given interview, Parros provides a little transparency into the process that creates some of the most talked-about situations every season: player discipline. Is there a harder or more scrutinized job in all of hockey? Seriously, how would you do if you were in Parros's shoes? Be honest with yourself. This guy has his balls on the line every time he has to make a decision, and he does a helluva job at it. Seriously, of all the individuals who have held this position, the Princeton University grad may be the best person to ever do it. How long he remains in the position we shall see. It's a thankless job that requires full attention 24/7. This guy watches more hockey than anyone in the world, and we're not sure that's such a good thing. Parros is widely known for three things...fighting as a player, graduating from an Ivy League school, and his beautiful mustache. We dive deep into all three. He also won a Stanley Cup in 2007 with Anaheim and had a really strong playing career. Look for Parros run his own NHL Club one day.  An exclusive interview with George Parros on this edition of the Cam and Strick Podcast. 

Scott Mellanby played over 1,400 games in his NHL career, so he might have one or two stories to share. If you don't know much about Mellanby and how competitive he was as a player, google him. He fought tough guys, scored goals, and was one of the best leaders of his generation. His post-playing career has been just as impressive. From scouting to coaching to working in management, Mellanby has put his playing experience to good use. He's now the Assistant General Manager of the Montreal Canadians and hoping to get a shot at running his own team. Mellanby opens up about the disappointment of not winning a Stanley Cup as a player and how that may have impacted his inability to land a GM job. Mellanby did play in two Stanley Cup finals during his career including in 1996 where he famously killed a rat in the Panthers dressing room which started a full-on rat hysteria in south Florida. He talks about his experience growing up with his father Ralph who was the long-time Executive Producer of Hockey Night in Canada and is responsible for hiring the legendary Don Cherry. We go deep with Scott Mellanby on this edition of the Cam and Strick Podcast. 

Michael Haley, one of the last true tough guys remaining in the NHL today. Sure there are guys like Milan Lucic, Tom Wilson, and of course Ryan Reaves still out there but even Haley goes about his business a little differently. An Oshawa native, Haley has fought his way towards carving out a nice NHL career. He's bounced around a bit but those who have played with Haley have nothing but respect for this guy. He also opens up about some personal issues he's overcome away from the game. He stepped away from the Florida Panthers a few seasons ago to get the help he needed. At the end of the day, Haley is exactly who we hoped he'd be. A cool-ass dude with a story of how he went from playing in the ECHL to making a name for himself in the NHL. Michael Haley on this edition of the Cam and Strick Podcast. 

Is there a tougher player in the history of the NHL? Depending on who you ask but those who know will tell you, Joey Kocur threw the hardest right hand ever, period. To say he hurt people is an understatement. He did exactly that and then some. A true intimidator, a throwback enforcer, Kocur will forever be known as a shit-kicker and a winner. A three-time Stanley Cup winner. Kocur was on the historic 1994 New York Rangers team that won the Cup, but he made his mark and is best known as a Detroit Red Wing and the other half of the "Bruise Brothers" with fellow hockey legend Bob Probert. In fact, Kocur argues that Probert belongs in the Hall of Fame. A native of Kelvington, Saskatchewan Kocur along with Wendell Clark and Barry Melrose are a few of the legends to call Kelvington home. A conversation to remember, he doesn't do many interviews but he did us, Joey Kocur, straight from his cabin in the middle of the forest, on this edition of the Cam and Strick Podcast. 

Is Milan Lucic the toughest player in the NHL today? Don't worry, we ask him for his opinion. At one point, Lucic was considered one of the top all-around power forwards in the game. He entered the league taking on all comers, and now 958 games later he hasn't changed. His offensive production may have tho, and he explains why that may have happened. He grew up as an NHL player in the Boston Bruins organization where he was a core player on their 2011 Stanley Cup-winning team. Now he's a role player who can still impact the game in a variety of ways. He's also a great person who gives great interviews. Milan Lucic on this edition of the Cam and Strick Podcast.