The Hockey Guys

In this high-energy episode of The Hockey Guys, the crew dives deep into the shifting landscape of college and junior hockey. From the surprising goal-scoring outbursts in the NCHC to the high-stakes preparation for the World Junior Championships, we cover it all. We sit down with dual-sport phenom Mason West to discuss his decision to choose the rink over the gridiron and his recent draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. Later, Team USA Head Coach Bob Motzko joins us to talk about the "pressure is a privilege" mindset heading into the international stage. Finally, we catch up with Brooks Cullen on his transition from a state-champion Moorhead Spud to a Fargo Force standout, reflecting on what it was like growing up in NHL locker rooms. Key Moments The Augustana Scoring Explosion The guys break down Augustana’s stunning seven-goal performance against Omaha, debating whether a shift from defensive coaching to a more offensive mindset has finally "taken the reins off" the team. Mason West: Choosing the Ice Edina superstar Mason West opens up about his journey as a multi-sport athlete. He explains why he’s sticking with hockey despite being a state-champion quarterback and shares insights into his "best ever" interview with the Chicago Blackhawks at the NHL Combine. The Business of Hockey: Advisors and NIL The crew has a candid conversation about the changing environment for young players, discussing the necessity of family advisors and the emergence of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals in high school and college sports. Bob Motzko’s World Junior Outlook Team USA Head Coach Bob Motzko discusses the incredible depth of American hockey talent and the high expectations for the upcoming 50th anniversary of the World Junior Tournament. He highlights the impact of retired NHL players coaching the next generation and why "plowhorse" defensemen are just as vital as flashy scorers. The "Late Bloomer" Mentality with Brooks Cullen Brooks Cullen shares a refreshing perspective on being a late bloomer in a family of hockey standouts. He offers advice to high school players on the importance of patience, hard work in the shooting room, and focusing on one's own unique path. Life in the Penguins’ Locker Room Brooks reminisces about his childhood in Pittsburgh, where he and his brothers did their schoolwork at the rink and hopped on the ice immediately after Sidney Crosby and the Penguins finished practice.

This episode of "The Hockey Guys" podcast, hosted by Jeff Bredahl (the wise one), Crazy Eddie, legend Dave Mornville, and Doc Phil Johnson, covers the latest in college hockey, coaching insights, and historical legends. The hosts open by discussing the cold weather and a recap of sparse game action, highlighting North Dakota's 4-1 victory over Omaha and the momentum they are building before the break. They celebrate UND goaltender Jan Spooner's nine-game winning streak and UMD Coach Scott Sandlin's 1,000th game coached. A major segment features an interview with University of Wisconsin head hockey coach Mike Hastings, who discusses the challenges and positives of the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and transfer portal systems. Coach Hastings emphasizes that the portal forces coaches to have "meaningful, caring conversations" with athletes but laments the loss of long-term team building. The hosts also pay tribute to North Dakota's Ben Strinden, a prime example of commitment who developed from an under-the-radar freshman to a top player by sticking with the program. Historical records are discussed, including the eight goals scored by a single player in a college game and Tony Hercus's 116 points in a single season. The show closes with a reflection on the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" Olympic team, the coaching philosophy of Herb Brooks, and a tribute to the late Ken Dryden. Key Moments North Dakota's Momentum: UND secured a 4-1 victory over Omaha, with goaltender Jan Spooner tying for fourth in the school's record books with nine consecutive wins. Coach Mike Hastings Interview: The Wisconsin head coach discusses the impact of the transfer portal, noting that the negative side is the inability to build a team with long-term foresight. The positive side is that it forces coaches to be more honest and invest deeply in personal relationships with their athletes. He also suggests that contracts could help bring roster certainty for both coaches and players. The Ben Strinden Story: The hosts laud North Dakota's Ben Strinden for his loyalty and commitment to the program, which allowed him to develop into a high-caliber player. His story is contrasted with the "dot-com mentality" of using the transfer portal immediately when things get tough. College Hockey Scoring Records: The show highlights two seemingly unbreakable records: the eight goals scored by a single player in a college game (done twice, by Bob Wheeler Brown in 1952 and Bob Sullivan in 1948) and the 116 points…

This episode of "The Hockey Guys" opens with a lively discussion about college hockey action, highlighting the #1 ranked Michigan Wolverines' dominant 3-0 shutout victory over Michigan State at Munn Arena, their first in 26 years. The hosts marvel at Michigan's tight, man-on-man defense and pressure. They also celebrate the North Dakota Fighting Hawks' 4-3 road victory over St. Cloud , noting the goals were scored by four different lines. A key segment features a debate on the difference between Olympic-sized and NHL-sized ice sheets. Dr. Phil Johnson doesn't see a huge difference other than slight power play and behind-the-net adjustments , while Coach Dean Wilson notes the need for European players to "tighten up" the defensive zone due to the stretched-out space. Another host adds that bigger ice gives players a "half second" more time to make a play. The show replays an "important and consequential" interview with Walt Kyle, family advisor at Newport Sports Management. Kyle, a former NHL assistant and Northern Michigan head coach, discusses the Transfer Portal, which was intended to help players who weren't succeeding but is now being leveraged by bigger programs to "steal" successful players from smaller schools. Kyle and the hosts agree that successful programs must build their culture through recruiting and developing freshmen, only supplementing the lineup with portal players. The discussion also touches on the surprising rule change allowing former minor pro players from leagues like the ECHL to play college hockey. The hosts later speak with Travis Rybczynski, Head Coach at Bottineau Junior College. He shares his skepticism about family advisors, feeling they are often unnecessary for non-elite players, though he makes an exception for Walt Kyle's company, which only gets paid if a player signs an NHL contract. Coach Rybczynski also shares his philosophy on building team culture, stressing the importance of player-led leadership. The episode concludes with a shout-out to the young Minnesota Gophers team, who had a split series with Ohio State. The hosts express confidence in Coach Bob Motzko's plan to develop this young team, predicting they will be a national championship roster in two years if the players stay. They highlight the success of "hot teams" like Michigan, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, which are "four deep" and getting goal scoring from all four lines.

This episode of The Hockey Guys is a gold mine for hockey parents, coaches, and fans alike — packed with stories, laughter, and insider wisdom. Hosts Jeff, Dean Wilson, and Dave Morinville recap Thanksgiving weekend hockey and talk player development with two of the sport’s most respected voices: Walt Kyle from Newport Sports Management and Air Force Head Coach Frank Serratore. From slippery Fargo roads to stories of borrowed wardrobes and big wins, the show captures hockey’s heart — family, culture, and grit.

This weekend’s episode of The Hockey Guys is a fast-paced, laughter-filled, and insight-packed conversation about the world of college hockey. Jeff, Eddie, Wils, and Doc Phil dive deep into the latest Big Ten and NCHC matchups, discuss standout performances across the leagues, and talk with special guests who embody the spirit of the sport — including Brendan Riley (Head Coach, Long Island University) and Tim Sandy, proud father of UND goaltender Zach Sandy. From game breakdowns to life lessons, it’s classic Hockey Guys: heart, humor, and hometown pride.

It’s a full bench on The Hockey Guys as Jeff, Crazy Eddie, Doc Johnson, Coach Wils, saddle up for another Saturday breakdown of everything shaking college hockey. From surprising Friday-night scores across the nation to Big Ten dominance, parity-driven chaos, and evolving recruiting challenges, the boys dive deep with humor, sharp insights, and plenty of cowboy-themed chirps. This week features two major guests — St. Thomas assistant coach Carl Gehring and St. Cloud State head coach Brett Larson — both offering high-level perspectives on roster building, NIL realities, the open portal, and the rising pressure placed on young players. Hosts also react to UND’s performance, Arizona State’s mid-game momentum, and the psychology behind intermission adjustments.

This week on The Hockey Guys, Coach Dean, Jeff, and Dr. Phil bring the energy and insight to another jam-packed episode celebrating the heart of college hockey. From national powerhouse matchups to local legends in the making, the crew covers everything happening on and off the ice — with plenty of humor, banter, and heartfelt shoutouts along the way. The gang kicks things off with a nationwide scoreboard rundown and deep dives into the parity shaping this year’s NCAA season. Then, they spotlight North Dakota’s emerging defensive gem Sam Lurilla and discuss the jump from high school to college-level intensity. Later, special guest Coach Kirk Ohlum joins the show fresh off a shootout win with his Concordia Cobbers, sharing what makes his program thrive on culture, character, and hometown talent. The show wraps with a laugh-out-loud story about Moorhead Spuds football players turning into emergency pizza chefs — a perfect metaphor for teamwork and grit.

The Hockey Guys are back with a loaded episode featuring head coaches Scott Sandelin (Minnesota Duluth) and Garrett LeBoyne (Augustana University). From NIL shake-ups and the transfer portal madness to the grit of underdog programs, this week’s show dives deep into what’s reshaping college hockey. Expect laughs, wisdom, and a few “Ham’s moments” along the way — because it wouldn’t be The Hockey Guys without a toast or two.

📝 Show Description: The Hockey Guys kick off their Saturday morning with cold brews, hot takes, and a big upset in the college hockey world. From North Dakota’s stunning loss to Clarkson, to the rise of underdog programs and the chaos of the transfer portal, the boys dig into the culture, coaching, and competition shaping this season. Featuring guest interview with Clarkson University Head Coach J.F. Houle, this episode blends locker-room laughs with real insight into what makes teams tick — and what makes them crack.

The boys are back — beers cracked, mics hot, and the Ralph Ingstad Arena still ringing after UND’s victory over the Gophers. In this electric episode of The Hockey Guys, the crew breaks down the Sioux–Gopher rivalry with equal parts banter, nostalgia, and hockey IQ. Coach Dane Jackson (🕐 ~9:12 AM) joins to dissect UND’s dominant play and share his locker-room insights — from mental toughness to power-play tweaks and the art of staying calm in the chaos. Later, legendary broadcaster Wally Shaver (🕐 ~9:35 AM) takes listeners through his four-decade career, recounting stories from the Herkus Circus to lessons from his father, North Stars announcer Al Shaver. The episode wraps with talk of emerging NCAA talent, CCHA shake-ups, women’s hockey dynasties, and a toast to the listeners who make Saturday mornings great.