The Hockey Guys

This episode of "The Hockey Guys" features the hosts and guests breaking down the latest action and major issues in college and junior hockey, including a major upset and the ongoing impact of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) money on player commitment. Key Moments   UND Upsets St. Thomas: The University of North Dakota (UND) secured a 6-2 victory over the St. Thomas Tommies. Despite the final score, the Tommies gave UND some trouble in the first period. The hosts credit UND's veteran players (second and third-year athletes) for stepping up, highlighting the "time to develop" needed for first-year players. NCHC Scoreboard Surprises: Early in the season, the NCHC has shown unexpected results: Minnesota tied Boston College 2-2. Alaska beat Quinnipiac, a result that caught the hosts' eye. Arizona State beat Notre Dame. Miami beat RPI 5-3, and Army beat Northeastern 2-1. Coaching Challenges with NIL Money: Former junior hockey General Manager Bliss Littler discusses the difficulty college coaches now face in navigating the NIL landscape. He mentions that high-end draft picks who receive large signing bonuses are technically not being paid by the NHL team during the college season, which can create mental and financial challenges for coaches trying to maintain team harmony. Mental Toll of One-and-Done Players: Littler refers to a clip about a Penn State player who announced he would be a "one-year college player" before jumping to the NHL, creating a challenge for coaches: The Transfer Mindset: He notes the challenge is that players view college as a "stepping stone" and may only take the minimum college credits required. Mental Load: Coaches must navigate which players are genuinely committed versus those who are "one-and-done." New NCHC Rule Change: Director of Officiating Mike Schmidt explains a new rule change focusing on tightening up the face-off standard to prevent centers from turning their foot or twisting their body to gain an advantage. The new rule requires a distinct pause after the stick is down, with the attacking center having to put their stick down last.

The Hockey Guys return to the airwaves to drop the puck on the 2025–26 college hockey season — with classic banter, sharp analysis, and plenty of Ham’s beer in hand. From NIL millionaires to Gopher comebacks and the UND locker room’s new leadership core, this episode has all the early-season buzz. Coach Dane Jackson joins live to share his vision for North Dakota Hockey’s future — grit, skill, and heart. Whether you’re a lifelong UND diehard or a Gophers loyalist, this episode hits the sweet spot between old-school hockey talk and modern college dynamics. Grab your favorite cold one, sit back, and enjoy a lively hour of puck passion, locker room laughs, and insider insight. ⏱️ Episode Highlights: 0:03 – 0:45 → Opening Faceoff: The Hockey Guys are back! Morning chaos, inside jokes, and “Crazy Eddie” returns to the booth. 0:46 – 7:28 → The NIL Era Arrives: The crew breaks down Penn State’s Gavin McKenna and the money game in college hockey — “Is he really worth three-quarters of a million?” 7:29 – 11:18 → Recruiting Rivalries: Can the Gophers keep Minnesota talent, or will St. Thomas steal the spotlight? 11:18 – 16:44 → Call-Ins & Camaraderie: Listeners phone in from Deer Camp and the car radio — with laughs, weather reports, and a little hockey mixed in. 16:44 – 25:38 → Coach Dane Jackson Joins: UND’s new head coach dives into leadership, player chemistry, and the legendary Ironman workouts. 25:38 – 29:39 → Culture of Champions: Coach Jackson lays out UND’s “grit meets skill” blueprint — compete, create, and attack the inside ice. 33:12 – 37:04 → Analysis & Banter: The crew breaks down UND’s identity, character vs. talent, and the eternal “grinders vs. playmakers” debate. 37:05 – 39:55 → Weekend Rundown: Scores and surprises from Alaska to Wisconsin — and which teams to watch as early favorites. 39:56 – 40:09 → Final Whistle: Shoutouts to sponsors, local youth hockey, and a big “cheers” to the new season.

The final 2025 season episode of Hockey Guys is an energetic, heartfelt, and occasionally hilarious wrap-up featuring Jeff Bredahl, Crazy Eddie Christian, and Doc Phil Johnson (kind of... he's got a rough phone connection and may or may not be calling from a cruise ship bar 😄). The crew digs deep into what it really takes to win a college hockey national championship, using Western Michigan’s gritty, “thick and heavy” team as the season’s blueprint for success. Along the way, they: Roast their buddy Dean Wilson live from a beach resort 🍹 Reflect on NIL and the transfer portal’s role in team building Welcome Coach Eric Lang, newly named head coach of RPI, who shares recruiting insights and the challenge of building a winning team from scratch Chat with legendary Air Force coach Frank Serratore on how the game is evolving in a “transactional era” of college hockey And of course, there’s love for the game, cold Ham’s beer, and Red Pepper sandwiches 🌯. 📝 Key Takeaways: Winning in college hockey isn’t about glitz—it’s about grit, leadership, and building “thick and heavy” teams that grind every shift. Coaches now have to be part-GM, part-therapist, and full-time recruiters in the NIL era. Programs with committed administrations (like RPI and Western) have a real shot—even against the “money teams.” “Man management” and navigating family/advisory influences are the new off-ice challenges. There's nothing quite like wrapping a season with good laughs and hockey brotherhood. ✨ Listener Favorites: Dean Wilson’s beach call (complete with background bar noise) 🍸 Discussion on whether college hockey needs 5 coaches on a bench 🤔 Coach Lang’s recruiting hustle + Coach Serratore’s spicy NIL takes 💰

Today's guest is Pat Ferschweiler! The Hockey Guys can be heard each Saturday morning starting at 9:00 a.m. on AM 970 and 93.1 FM WDAY Radio, and AM 1090 and FM 92.7 The Flag in Tioga!

Today's guests are Mike Schmidt, Pat Micheletti, and Pat Ferschweiler! The Hockey Guys can be heard each Saturday morning starting at 9:00 a.m. on AM 970 and 93.1 FM WDAY Radio, and AM 1090 and FM 92.7 The Flag in Tioga!

Today's guest is Heather Weems! The Hockey Guys can be heard each Saturday morning starting at 9:00 a.m. on AM 970 and 93.1 FM WDAY Radio, and AM 1090 and FM 92.7 The Flag in Tioga!

Today's guest is Jonas Bsorck! The Hockey Guys can be heard each Saturday morning starting at 9:00 a.m. on AM 970 and 93.1 FM WDAY Radio, and AM 1090 and FM 92.7 The Flag in Tioga!

Today's guests are Spuds Coach John Ammerman, Dave Starman, and Mike Schmidt! The Hockey Guys can be heard each Saturday morning starting at 9:00 a.m. on AM 970 and 93.1 FM WDAY Radio, and AM 1090 and FM 92.7 The Flag in Tioga!

Today's guest is Mark Hendrickson! The Hockey Guys can be heard each Saturday morning starting at 9:00 a.m. on AM 970 and 93.1 FM WDAY Radio, and AM 1090 and FM 92.7 The Flag in Tioga!

Today's guest is coach Brett Larson! The Hockey Guys can be heard each Saturday morning starting at 9:00 a.m. on AM 970 and 93.1 FM WDAY Radio, and AM 1090 and FM 92.7 The Flag in Tioga!