Good People in Hockey

In this episode of Good People in Hockey, host Tatiana Rafter and co-host Mike sit down with Mary Lobson, Founder and CEO of REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors)—the organization behind the Respect Hockey Culture Center, an independent and anonymous reporting platform created in partnership with the AHL, ECHL, CHL, USHL, and PWHL. Mary shares how REES is transforming how hockey—and other ind...

What does opening night feel like when you're not on the ice—but behind the lens? In this episode of Good People in Hockey, host Tatiana Rafter sits down with Washington Capitals team photographer John McCreary to explore what it means to document the soul of the game. From shooting the high-stakes intensity of NHL debuts to capturing the raw, early days of the NWHL, John shares the journey of bui...

In episode 5 of Good People in Hockey, Tatiana Rafter and co-host Mike sit down with Courtney Mahoney, President of Operations for the Chicago Wolves, one of the AHL’s most successful and community-driven organizations. With over 30 seasons under her belt, Courtney shares what’s kept her with the Wolves for more than three decades—and how the team has consistently blended on-ice excellence with of...

In this episode of Good People in Hockey, host Tatiana Rafter sits down with Rachel Flanagan, assistant coach with PWHL Toronto and one of the most respected leaders in Canadian women’s hockey. From guiding U SPORTS athletes at the University of Guelph to shaping the culture of a brand-new professional team, Rachel brings insight, heart, and a legacy of purpose-driven coaching. She opens up about...

In this special double-feature episode of Good People in Hockey, host Tatiana Rafter welcomes two influential voices who are shaping the future of the sport both on and off the ice.   First, Kevin Henry, Executive Director of Hockey Players in Business (HPIB), joins to discuss the power of community within the hockey world. He shares how HPIB is activating alumni and professionals to give back, hi...

In episode two, we dive into one of the most talked-about stories in Manitoba hockey this year: the removal of the Ste. Anne Aces from the SEMHL ahead of the 2025 season. Joining us are Kevin Lansard and Guy St. Vincent, two key figures in the Aces organization, who both bring heartfelt honesty and powerful insight into what happened behind the scenes. We explore: The impact of the Aces’ removal f...

Welcome to Episode 1 of Good People in Hockey — hosted by former pro player and coach Tatiana Rafter. In this premiere, ESPN’s Arda Ocal joins to help introduce Tatiana as the host — and in true “good people” fashion, she flips the mic to share Arda’s journey, too. You’ll hear about:     •    Tatiana’s bold move to play in the women’s KHL in Russia      •    Arda’s unlikely path from local Canadia...