Never Far from Home

Jack Engdahl comes on the pod merely a week after meeting me. We share some experiences about Dawg Bowl 12, and what a top notch organization Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation is. From there we hop into his story more in depth. It includes overcoming tough years at multiple levels of hockey, and persevering to become a college hockey player. Enjoy his many tales, from the tough times, to the success's...

Sam Schacter talks about growing up in the rink world. We delve into his family life, and the uniqueness of his siblings age range. He grew up playing from his first years, and has kept involved in the game in many capacities. His love of the sport and the rink has evolved, and we have a good talk about the future he hopes to navigate while knocking down barriers to entry. Enjoy a great chat!   th...

Jade Bettine joined the show, and regaled us with the tales of an Arizona girl who turned into a hockey player in college. She talks about finding the community, some of the tougher times she faced within it, and how she eventually overcame the obstacles to start Hard Pass. It is a fantastic tale of a creating a safe space for everybody who would like to utilize it. thegardensicehouse.com beautyun...

Dylan Sanders came onto the podcast, and had some fantastic tales from his time in Nashville, growing up in a time where the nucleus was small in the community. He speaks to the impact the Predators had when they came into the league, and the difference it has made. His hockey led him to Denver, and eventually, through Hawaii and LA detours, he has landed in Northwest Colorado. Enjoy his many stor...

Alton Simones found the game of hockey on the tennis courts and streets of Aurora as a young child. He recalls the "Sandlot" vibes with his friends, as they would meet up for a pick up game of roller hockey. Upon moving, he came to love the game on ice as well, and has taken few seasons off over the years. Enjoy his hockey tales, as well as the exploration of life. This man is well-rounded, and sh...

Charlie Marchese Jr was introduced to hockey, and the community of the rink, at an early age. He started out playing D and goalie, accepted his role as goalie for a few years, and competitively ended his career on the blueline, again. We get into many things, from hockey, to his current pursuits, medically. Enjoy the many tales from this young man with a bright future.   thegardensicehouse.com bea...

John Schiavo was born to be a hockey player. From his youth days, and getting introduced to the game through his dad, to the present, where the game consumes his days in the best way. He loves every aspect of it, including the times that were difficult. Each helped shape him into who he has become. Enjoy the many tales of one of the ultimate rink rats.   thegardensicehouse.com beautyunis.com www.b...

Lee Zerfass joined the show, and shared some wonderful stories, from growing up in Chicago, to moving to Florida. Lee has found himself in plenty of situations that worked out with the timing, and has been an incredible ambassador to the game. He had a few years playing, and has since taken on numerous roles for different organizations, all in the name of the love of the game. Enjoy!   thegardensi...

Lee Zerfass joined the show, and shared some wonderful stories, from growing up in Chicago, to moving to Florida. Lee has found himself in plenty of situations that worked out with the timing, and has been an incredible ambassador to the game. He had a few years playing, and has since taken on numerous roles for different organizations, all in the name of the love of the game. Enjoy!   thegardensi...

Lindsey Ellis joined the show, and told fantastic stories from the desert! From a "late start" to winning a national championship, and from playing to starting a girls team at ASU. Lindsey has some wonderful tales, centered around growing the game herself, and watching it expand in Arizona. Enjoy!   thegardensicehouse.com beautyunis.com

Lee Cox shares stories from childhood, near Baltimore. She grew up on horses, and is the last of three kids. At her house, there was a pond that froze each year, and her family learned to skate on it. She recalls stories from her times there, to Middlebury, to CU, and finally to Steamboat. Enjoy the many tales from yet another person who got sucked in to the Yampa Valley Curse.   bissellbrothers.c...

Travis Gainsley joins me after quite some time trying to convince him to be on. He was a huge piece to getting NFFH off the ground, and I was happy to listen to some of his crazy tales. From some pond hockey, to the beach, to a little mountain town, Travis shares his countless stories, at least a few of them. Enjoy this man's adventure filled life.   bissellbrothers.com thegardensicehouse.com beau...

Scott Graham joins the show. We were able to dive into his timeline, exploring his youth hockey days in Westminster, CO, all the way to his Italian year in the Alps. Scott tells of the many connections the rink has brought him, and we touch on his other love, guiding. Be it on the rink, or on the water, his passion abounds for the things he does. Enjoy the many tales...   bissellbrothers.com thega...

Ben Sheridan joins the podcast after being a big fan for a long time. Ben comes on to share his stories of hockey, though sparse. While there may not be a huge tie to the game we love, in terms of playing, Ben has been a huge supporter of Never Far from Home, and we get to have a little fun. Enjoy!   bissellbrothers.com thegardensicehouse.com beautyunis.com

Dennis Borland tells his story of falling in love with the game as a fan, and when that developed into trying it for the first time. As the day came for him to suit up, he fell in love with being a goalie, and has played that position since. We talk about his unorthodox timeline, and get into an accident that left him without part of his leg. He opens up about how hockey has helped him battle thro...

Ken Bonham shares stories from his childhood, growing up in the greater Detroit area. He talks about his family, his passion for the game that developed at a young age, and then having the game taken from him for a few years. Upon his return, he also found officiating, and what a ride that has taken him on. We also touch on his company that he helped start, and what he is doing now in retirement f...

Craig Fitzpatrick began as a hockey fan at a later age. He was introduced to the sport in college. For years, he was a an avid participant in watching, then he tried to skate for the first time when he was 37. Craig not only began his skating career later than most, but he did so with some visual hindrance. Enjoy the story of a man who overcame fear, and has continued to participate in the game he...

Steve Swenson has become more involved in the hockey world as the years have passed. Living in a small mountain town, he talks about watching the evolution of the game, and even the rink, in his local spot. Steve has also birthed an idea to start seeing some coed hockey, and we dive into that somewhat as well, and what his goals are with it. Enjoy another fantastic tale from a supporter of the gam...

Chadd Cassidy joins the podcast again to complete the timeline. We had left off just before his move back to Lake Placid (Episode 205). Enjoy the coverage and stories that come from the coach, as we explore his more recent conquests, including time at Northwood, and where he has moved onto lately. Just as with the first discussion with Chadd, we have an excellent time going back and forth, and we...

Brian Harvey got his start in hockey when he was just a young kid. Growing up in the Boston area, he fell in love with the Bruins, and remembers fondly the time of Bobby Orr, and the whole squad in the 70's and 80's. He played hockey and soccer, and talks about some of the similarities and differences in the cultures, and we touch on how he ended up in Steamboat. It wouldn't be an episode without...

Chadd Cassidy gets on the podcast, and we are able to talk about his origins, being a literal stones throw away from where the Miracle on Ice happened, through his youth career, and into his coaching days. He shares many tales along the way, and we are hoping to have a part 2 to this interview, as we have not told all the stories, even on the timeline. Before that drops, listen here, and enjoy a m...

Butch Martin had some great stories, from growing up in Lake Placid, to his hockey days, his reffing, and his working situation, which included being the GM of the rink during the 1980 Miracle on Ice. Enjoy his many tales he shares from all his years. We also go into his coaching days. Butch has been, and still is, a fixture in the hockey community, and it was a pleasure to hear from him.   bissel...

Steve "Reno" Reed joined the podcast, and it was an absolutely great experience. He talks about his history with the game, including a move to Northwood School in the early seventies where he coached hockey and taught math his first year. We get into stories surrounding Northwood, the coaches and players who have come through, and of course, we touch on the 1980 Olympics. Enjoy.   bissellbrothers....

Sooner Dawson tells stories about his time growing up playing hockey in Vermont. His family was another hockey family, and when he came along, it only made sense to get him involved in the game. Sooner was lucky enough to get taken all around the globe chasing hockey, from the East Coast, to the Rockies, to India. Yes, India. Enjoy his many tales.   bissellbrothers.com https://www.thegardensicehou...

Terri Potter is an absolute champion. She is a friend of a friend who let me crash in the guest bedroom for an evening, and in the midst of that, I had to check the box of live interview in New Hampshire. She obliged, and we go through her stories that include at LEAST one good one from a hockey game. Enjoy a little detour from the usual Never Far from Home guest, as I find human stories.    bisse...