The Rink Live

Jordy Christian's family includes some of the biggest names in USA Hockey. Christian talks about growing up in a hockey family, his playing days at St. Cloud State, trying his hand at pro hockey and giving back to the game by volunteering for youth hockey associations in Grand Forks and Fargo with The Rink Live's Mick Hatten and Jess Myers. Christian is currently volunteering for the Fargo Angels and helping get an arena built. Learn more about the Fargo Angels at www.fargoangelshockey.org.

Pat Ferschweiler has been around Western Michigan's hockey program for three stints. He was a forward for the Broncos from 1990-93 and then served two stints as an assistant coach (2010-14 and 2019-21). He was named to replace Andy Murray as the team's head coach on Aug. 3. Between his two stints as an assistant for WMU, he spent one season as an assistant coach for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL (2014-15) and four seasons as an assistant for the NHL's Detroit Red Wings. He grew up in Rochester, Minn., and played high school hockey for Rochester John Marshall and junior hockey for the USHL's Rochester Mustangs. He discusses his career The Rink Live's Mick Hatten and Jess Myers.

David McNab recently retired after working for the Anaheim Ducks organization since 1993. His history of working in the NHL goes back to 1978 when he started out as a scout for the Washington Capitals after graduating from the University of Wisconsin, where he was a backup goalie. He worked for his father, Max, a former NHL player, and his brother, Peter, played in the NHL from 1973-87. McNab talks about his family, his experiences in the game, the expansion draft, the NHL Draft and more with The Rink Live's Mick Hatten and Jess Myers.

Ben Barr grew up in Duluth and playing youth hockey players that would end up at Duluth East. He ended up following his dad's footsteps and attended Shattuck-St. Mary's Prep School. He then went on to play college hockey for RPI. Since finishing college, he has been an assistant coach at RPI (2004-08), Union (2008-11), Providence (2011-14), Western Michigan (2014-16) and Massachusetts (2016-21). He helped the Minutemen win their first NCAA Division I men's title and then was named the Black Bears coach in May. He discusses his career and life with The Rink Live's Mick Hatten and Matt Wellens.

Ben Hankinson has been on the hockey scene in the state for decades. He played for Edina High School before playing for the University of Minnesota (1987-91) and then in the NHL and in the minor leagues and as a player agent since he retired from playing. Hankinson is one of the founders of Da Beauty League, which begins play on Wednesday, July 14. It is a summer league played for charity with players from pro and college hockey and games are played at Braemar Arena in Edina. A fun conversation about his career on and off the ice with The Rink Live's Jess Myers and Mick Hatten.

Bill Robertson was contemplating what his next career move would be when he was contacted by United States Hockey League commissioner Tom Garrity. Garrity was looking to move on and reached out to Robertson to see if he was interested in replacing him. After an extensive interview process, Robertson was named the Tier I junior league's 10th commissioner on June 11. He begins his new position in July and discusses his career working in pro and college sports with The Rink Live's Mick Hatten and Jess Myers.

Last week, Brett Larson signed a contract extension to be St. Cloud State's men's hockey head coach that runs through the 2027-28 season. His original five-year contract to become the program's third coach in the NCAA Division I era was signed in 2018. Larson talks about his contract extension, shares memories of Tom Kurvers and JT Brown, gives an injury update on Easton Brodzinskim talks about the schedule for the coming season and more with The Rink Live's Mick Hatten and Jess Myers.

Joel Johnson was introduced as the new head women's hockey coach at the University of St. Thomas on June 10. Johnson discusses his new position, recruiting, being the interim head coach of the USA women's national team, playing three sports (soccer, baseball and hockey) at Bethel University, convincing his daughter that working for the Tommies is a good idea and more with The Rink Live's Mick Hatten and Jess Myers.

Mike Randolph resigned this week after his second stint as Duluth East High School's boys hockey coach. He leaves the program after leading it to 18 state tournament appearances, two state titles, six second-place finishes, four third-place finishes and three consolation titles. He coached the Greyhounds from 1988-2003, and again from 2004-2021. He discusses coaching at St. Scholastica, Minnesota Duluth, Duluth Denfeld and Duluth Cathedral, being one of the last cuts on the 1976 USA Olympic Team and more with The Rink Live's Mick Hatten and Jess Myers.

Jeff Nygaard was recently named the executive director for the Fargo Youth Hockey Association. It is a new position where he will oversee an association with 1,200 players and 20 board members. Nygaard talks about some of the challenges with his new post, but also about playing junior college hockey in Fergus Falls, helping establish some junior hockey leagues on the East Coast, being an on-ice official and much more.