The Next Shift Hockey Podcast

In this episode we were joined by yet another legend of the game – 1989 Stanley Cup Champion and 2002 Olympic Gold medalist with Team Canada, Theo Fleury. Fleury a 7 time All- Star played in over 1000 NHL games and amassed over 1000 points between 1989 and 2003 with the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks.

Theo talks about his upbringing and how hockey became an escape at an early age, the new purpose he found after writing his book “Playing with Fire” and the ways he has helped himself and others heal from traumatic experiences. We also have some great conversation on Theo’s playing career and end the show with questions from our listeners. Thanks for coming on the show Theo!!

We have an all-time episode for you this week with veteran SportsCenter anchor, ESPN broadcasting legend and one of the great ambassadors of the game, none other than John Buccigross.

In this interview, we chatted with Bucci about how his romantic relationship with the game of hockey began, grinding his way to land his dream job as an anchor on SportsCenter, ESPN winning the TV rights to air the NHL and the future of the sport and lastly we have some fun chatting fitness and chicken parm! Thanks for coming on the show Bucci!!

This week we are joined by the first Jacksonville, Florida native to play in the National Hockey League, former USHL and College Hockey star with the Indiana Ice and Cornell Big Red, Brian Ferlin.

In this interview we chatted with Brian about his unlikely path from Florida to the NHL with the Boston Bruins and how his family and the adversity he faced as a young player helped him reach his goals, his experience and the defining moments of his playing career while in the USHL, NCAA, and the NHL and lastly how injuries led to taking his "next shift" head on + much more! Thanks for coming on the show Brian!!

This week we are thrilled to be joined by RIT Hockey legend, former St. Lawrence assistant coach, current associate head coach and reigning NCAA national champion with UMASS Amherst, Jared DeMichiel. 

In this interview, we chatted with Coach DeMike about his personal playing story and transition to coaching, learning from loss and fighting through the hard times, the art of recruiting, the power of culture and finally we talk about his experience of winning an NCAA national championship.

We wound back the clock this week and brought (back) on the first ever guest of the Next Shift Hockey Podcast in Chris Gragnano – Owner of Total Hockey Development. Chris has been a skills instructor in the CT area for over 10 years and trains players at the youth, prep school, junior, college, professional, and NHL level. Chris is also the assistant coach at the Gunnery School as well as the head coach for various teams with Mid-Fairfield Youth Hockey.

In this one, we chatted with Coach Grags about his personal playing story and how the adversity he faced prepared him for life after hockey, his path to becoming a hockey and skills coach and what he has learned from different teams and players over the years + we talk about the different ways to handle being cut from a team and lastly we end it with some questions from the crowd! Thanks for coming on the show Grags!

This week we are honored to be joined by St. Lawrence Skating Saints coaching legend Joe Marsh. Coach Marsh spent 26 years behind the St. Lawrence University bench and forged one of the most successful coaching careers in U.S. college history. Not only was he successful with wins and championships, but he was also one of the most revered and admired coaches of his generation. He coached twelve of the fourteen 20+ win seasons in St. Lawrence history, produced ECAC championship teams in 1988, 1989, 1992, 2000 and 2001, and took teams to eight ECAC tournament championship game appearances.

In this interview we chatted with coach about his all-time favorite “Marsh Meltdown", how he fell in love with the game and the influence his brother John had on his hockey path, how a feeling of unfinished business as a player fueled his transition and success as a coach + we talk all things St. Lawrence Hockey past, present and future. Thank you for coming on the show Coach Marsh. Thank you to the St. Lawrence Hockey Alumni, Friends of St. Lawrence Hockey and the people of Canton, NY. It’s a great day to be a Saint!!

This week we are pleased to bring on the Butler brothers from Marlboro MA. Many of our listeners are probably familiar with Bobby - the middle brother - who starred at UNH, played in over 800 pro games and capped off his career competing in the Olympics for team USA. 

It was great to hear the experiences from three brothers of differing skill levels and paths in the game and how they now are in the same spot - navigating life after hockey and drawing on the lessons learned and what made them successful as players. Thanks for coming on the show fellas!

With year one of the Next Shift Hockey Podcast in the books, this week your co-hosts Sean Coffey and George Hughes couldn't help but share some of their thoughts on their favorite moments and messages from the incredible guests over the past year and 52 episodes. We truly believe the stories, life lessons, and wisdom they have shared with us and our great community are invaluable. We cannot thank our guests, friends, family, and supporters enough...you are the reason we keep moving forward and we are looking forward to the next year with you! We hope you enjoy this one!

We had a fun one this week with former New England Prep grinder and spark plug for the Berkshire Bears - current Barstool Chicago media personality and host of Red Line Radio, Barstool Chief.

In this interview, we chatted what it took for Chief to win the first ever Pink Whitney Cup Championship, his path as a hockey player from the Chicago AAA circuit to New England Prep School Hockey, how his interest and love for the game of hockey and writing led to his dream job with Barstool + we go behind the scenes of Barstool Sports and talk about mega personalities Dave Portnoy and Big Cat and lastly we chat some Chicago Blackhawks and Chief’s testy relationship with Stan Bowman. Thanks for coming on the show Chief!!

This week we had a fun conversation with former NHL'er Steve Dubinsky. Steve was a walk on at Clarkson University, 11th Rd NHL draft pick and was able to carve out a decade plus long career as a pro.

Steve is now involved in a number of different business ventures in the game and has a great perspective on the state of the sport at the minor hockey levels throughout North America. Thanks for coming on Steve!