Never Far from Home

Cori Ferenczy grew up in hockey. She settles the score with her sister Laura (See Ep. 25) about who made who quit after mini-mites. She goes on to tell some fantastic stories of her days in youth hockey, through playing in Steamboat, and finally finding her twin in Alaska. Enjoy.

Ashley Paulson began playing when she was just five. she continued playing through college, and eventually worked her way in to coaching. She joined me to talk about the stories along the way, and how she likes leading a prep team in Maine.

Laura Bilski started skating when she was five years old. She loved the game right away, and found herself involved with it since those early days. She talks about her childhood, her high school years, and hockey-after-school. What an absolute pleasure it was, listening to Klarq.

Peter McNab was born in to the hockey world. His father was coaching at the time, and right away, Peter realized this was a game that had captured his heart. He talks to me about his time as a child moving from Canada to San Diego, and how his hockey path looked from a non-traditional market. Enjoy his many stories. I did.

This is the inevitable episode. My Friend Mike Cochran (See Ep. 1) wanted to turn the tables on me and interview me. I have played, coached, reffed, announced, and worked at the rink since I was six. Enjoy a few of my stories.

Conor McGahey grew up playing and reffing hockey, but quickly found his niche was outside the glass, announcing. He began announcing games for the Summit Tigers High School hockey team at Stephen C. West Arena, and now works for KSE, doing play-by-play for the Avalanche, amongst other duties. Enjoy his stories.

Ryan Cagnoni was born in to the game of hockey. His dad was a big catalyst to introduce him to the game, but he found his own passion within it soon after. He travelled around the country playing the game he loved. Enjoy his stories from youth hockey in Santa Fe through his time with numerous junior teams around the country. 

Abby Kurtz-Phelan grew up in both the hockey and soccer worlds. She has a rich history of success in both, and eventually played both sports in college. Her hockey stories range from her early years playing on boys teams, to playing with just girls through high school, and winning three national championships in college. Enjoy.

Jon Winkelblech has spent his whole life involved in the game of hockey. He played, and began reffing the first year he could don the zebra sweater. While splitting his time was difficult, it allowed him opportunities to continue in the game he loved that may not have otherwise presented themselves. He is still involved in the game. Enjoy his stories.

Walshy grew up in a hockey house. From a young age he was at the rink watching his dad ref, and eventually he found himself playing goalie. He still tends net today, and his passion has not dwindled for the game that has given him so many family members.

Brent "Benny" Tollar has been involved with hockey since he was born into it in Minnesota. He convinced his parents to finally let him play when he was a squirt, and his passion for the game drove him to play through college. He began coaching after, and has been involved in numerous capacities inside the game since. He has great stories to tell. Enjoy.

Zac has been in the hockey community since he was born in Calgary, though he began playing when his family moved to Brighton, CO. He continued to play through college, before coaching became his connection to the game. Enjoy his stories.

Ryan Dingle was born in to the hockey community. He had a robust career that included a National Championship with DU, and many years of pro hockey in both North America and Europe. He speaks on some of the tales in this edition of Never Far from Home.

Yancey started playing hockey at nine, and also delved into lacrosse and football. He grew up in Alabama, but has landed in Colorado, and continued to pursue his passion, coaching young men, and teaching them lessons they will take with them into life. Enjoy the stories from The Viking.

Mason Bates got started a lot later than many hockey players nowadays, but he has since participated in the sport for over 15 years. He has travelled the world pursuing his passion, and has great stories of his times within the game at a competitive level, and up in to the beer leagues.

Danny got in to hockey when he was seven years old. He has skated most years since, in one capacity or another. His love of the game brought him to the brink of college, then home again. Enjoy one of the younger guests to be on NFFH, and his great stories.

Zach Murphy has been a part of the hockey community going on 20 years. He has skated out, played goalie, coached, and been a scorekeeper. However he is needed, he figures out a way to help, all the while staying close to the game he has come to love in adulthood.

Kyle Pastor started playing hockey as soon as he got his first pair of shoes. He has been in the game for over 30 years, and shares some of his great memories with NFFH. Enjoy.

Nic Has been involved with hockey from the outset. His older brother (16 years his senior) was the first one to get involved, and his family had tight roots to skating as it was. It was a natural fit for him to play, and he has been skating and playing the game we love for over 30 years.

Joe Novak was born in to hockey. His father played the game, and imparted his passion to Joe at a young age. Now, with over 60 years playing, reffing, coaching, and managing the sport, he shares his history, and some of his best memories.

Blair Mcnamara has been involved with hockey in one capacity or another for 47 years as of this episode. He sits down with me to discuss some of his story, and to recall a few memories that would have otherwise been left alone.

Gabe Gauthier is the current Director of Foothills Hockey. He has spent 32 years in the game as of the publication of this episode, even appearing in a few NHL preseason games. He explores some memories from his younger days, and gets in to some details about his current roll and his outlook for hockey. Gabe was our first guest to cry on the show. 

Shawn Killian is the Founder & President of Planet Hockey. He has been at this for over 20 years, and continues to spark the interest of youth all across the nation with his summer camps. Steve Strunk is the Vice President of Planet Hockey, and Shawn's right hand man. Between the two of them, there is enough hockey knowledge and passion to spark change inside of a community. This was extra special...

Nick Carelli is the Adult Sports Coordinator in Steamboat, and one of the best players in the small community. He has 20+ years in hockey as of this episode, and continues to impart his knowledge to the next generation of players. He is passionate, and his love for the game is unmatched.

Connor Glynn is an Ice Hockey Official trying to make his way to the highest level of hockey, the NHL. He has been playing and reffing for 18 years as of this episode. His father, Scott Glynn, is a Golf Pro who has been playing and reffing for 22 years as of this recording. Both must have a knack for getting yelled at...