In the 19th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by maybe the only guy who has become more famous after being a first round pick of the Montreal Canadiens…Terry Ryan. From a dominant minor hockey player, to a powerhouse junior player not afraid of anybody, he rose the ranks no matter what coast of Canada he was on, only to have this career stall and lose momentum in pro quickly. After hitting rock bottom outside a Newfoundland bar, he has climbed the ranks of film, and now stars as Ted Hitchcock on the hit TV show "Shoresy." He goes deep in our pod, vulnerably sharing his rock bottom, and the incredibly tragic circumstances that played out. I am so proud of this guy!

#terryryan #hockeyfights #shoresy #thefightplanpodcast #nhl

In the 18th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by non other than most of the baddest men to ever do the job…Brian McGrattan. Born in the Hammer, Hamilton, ON, he was a dominant player growing up, who then had to adapt his game after injury and fully embrace the physical side of the game he already loved. This man went from getting beat up and learning the rope from fellow legend Dennis Bonvie in the jungle (AHL), to becoming THE MONSTER of all monsters in the jungle, setting a penalty minute record during the 2004-2005 lockout with 551 pims with over 40 fights. Taking out his boyhood idol Tie Domie solidified him in the NHL. All this sets up the profound contrast to the life he lived now, that he so powerfully, and vulnerably shares with us. WHAT. A. POD!

In the 17th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by my former junior teammate, and Victor Hedman's D partner, Jake Dotchin. The podcast opens with the most hilarious moment that kicks off a heartfelt conversation between two guys who met when they were 17 & 18. Dotch was hilarious, hardworking, and knew when to be mean on the ice. From his massive open ice hits, booming slapshot, willingness to fight anybody, and team first attitude, he forged a career that took him to the top of one of the most dominant franchises or our era in Tampa bay. He dealt with his fair share of adversity, and now is giving what he learned back to kids coaching AAA in his hometown of Cambridge.

In the 16th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by Montreal Canadiens legend Dale Weise. I always knew Weiser and I had a lot in common, and I was not wrong! We both identify as super fans of the game who made it the NHL. Weiser had much more success being a guy who was so effective, especially in the playoffs. His emotional play and skating was so frustrating to opponents, namely Milan Lucic, because of his relentless forecheck, physicality, and ability to contribute offensively. He could do a little bit of everything, and his inner belief is on display during our whole, electric conversation. I call this guy a brother now, and feel so honored to have had him on the podcast!

In the 15th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by one of the toughest pound for pound players to ever drop the gloves, Ryan VandenBussche. This guy learned how to be a team player in the tobacco fields of Norfolk County, Ontario, and he learned how to take a beating from his older brother too. That upbringing forged a man who could go into "zombie mode" where the lights were on, nobody was home, and he kept on fighting, routinely giving up 5 inches and 50 pounds. This lead to devastating consequences, not only for his opponents health, but also for his own, and even off the ice trouble. He has somehow come out the other side in one piece, and is a proud father, husband, business owner, and contributor in his community.

In the 14th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by the man, the myth, and the legend, Scotty Sabourin. I played against, with, and fought Sabs at different points of my career, and we had the most diverse kind of run ins. He is a journeyman pro fighter that can play, and an amazing teammate, and that's why he has become such a valuable vet in the AHL, and an impactful player in the NHL. With a frame very similar to mine, he is always giving up tons of weight and strength to the guys he fights, but more than holds his own. Off the ice though, what has allowed him to last this long, and be close to making the NHL full time, is his very grounded mindset.

In the 13th episode of the The Fight Plan, we got a legit boogey man…Samuel Morin. This guy is so big, long and strong, he barely ever got punched in the face on the ice or off. From hard working roots, watching his parents build a very successful catering business from scratch, he channeled all his focus into hockey. He knew he was going to play in the NHL, because he would not allow another outcome. Blessed with rare athleticism in his 6'7" frame, his intensity and focus took over, propelling him on a meteoric rise to the NHL, annihilating everyone in his way! Then the path got real hard…

In the 12th episode of the Fight Plan, we are joined by journey man AHLer Ryan Schnell. A guy I fought in my first season, while Schneller played his last. If you just take a glance of this guy's elite prospects, he was ALWAYS willing to do the job. It did not matter what jungle monster was lined up against him, he more than held his own. From humble Illinois beginnings, in a non-hockey family, Schneller forged his own path with his man child of a body, and fought his way through an unconventional path to pro hockey. The peace he has found since stepping away from the game at 26 when the mental grind became too much, is so beautiful. He is the embodiment of JUST SHOW UP.

In the 11th episode of Fight Plan, we got a guy as tough and blue collar as it gets…Triston Grant. Hailing from the small Manitoba town of Neepewa, he began his fight, and realized he was pretty damn good at it. Sticking up to bullies off the ice, being a man child with hockey skills on it, he ascended the ranks taking on all comers. The first guest to reach out to me to come on, Granter opens up and is very vulnerable about his struggles and his triumphs, leading to being the amazing girl dad he is today, working for himself in the trades.

In the 10th episode of Fight Plan, our guest is a man that is truly alchemizing his own suffering into his offering…Daniel Carcillo. The nickname "Car Bomb" was earned. He took a pound of flesh from every opponent on his way to the NHL. But, that explosion to the top damaged him just as equally. Now, his nickname is more along the lines of "Love Bomb" and this conversation proves it. His peaceful, stoic, presence and deep vulnerability, are on full display as he holds nothing back.