Never Far from Home

Mike Cochran and I go back and forth in what is the second edition of the "State of Hockey Address". There is the storytelling, mostly from the trip, and from the guests I have had on. And there is some hockey talk on the back half as well, as we chat about the expansion draft and the first couple days of free agency. Enjoy what is a brief step away from the interview process, and is a great chanc...

Ruby Goldner came on, and the conversation was a little bit looser than the normal timeline talk. We definitely got into some of that, but also, the discussion led to opinions on some of the darker sides of figure skating and hockey. Alas, our little world is not perfect. Enjoy what was an intellectually stimulating conversation, riddled with the ever-present chase for stories.   www.beautyunis.co...

Lindsey Migliore got involved with the community of the rink through her wife, and now plays as much hockey as she can. We were able to talk about her introduction to the game, and how and why she has since fallen in love with the sport. We also talk a lot about what she does for work, as a doctor. She is involved in the E-sports world, and is trying to bring light to others in her field about vid...

Andrew Rudolph did not have much involvement in the game of hockey until he came into his latest job. We talk about his upbringing, and what has led him to the sports scene in a more professional sense. Enjoy his many tales, and just being able to hear the stories that paved the way to a career!   www.beautyunis.com bissellbrothers.com fischerhockey.net

Deron Barton grew up in the game of hockey, and does not remember a time when it was not a passion of his. We talk about some of his favorite youth memories, some of the players he was able to look up to, and how his career progressed. He ended up getting into coaching pretty quickly after his playing career wrapped up, and we speak about that transition. Some of the stories Deron shares will have...

Pete Bissell grew up playing a variation of pond and ice hockey. He fell in love with the game and played for a few years through his childhood. Different reasons pulled him away from the game for a number of years, but as is so often the case, it pulled him back in. He tells tales about his time away from the sport, and how it was able to get him back involved. From the time he started up again,...

Terrence Wallin grew up in hockey. He does not remember a time that he wasn't playing. We are able to dive into his career, from his youth days, through his time at UMass - Lowell, and eventually we touch on his climb from the SPHL all the way to the AHL. Terrence has faced adversity at almost every level, but has pushed through. Enjoy his tales of triumph, and how some sage advice from a baseball...

Casey Sprogis got his start young in the hockey world. He fell in love with the game right away, and knew he wanted to stay involved in some capacity as he grew up. Mission Accomplished. We sit down and tell stories from his youth days, through his one year of juniors, and then his move to Maine. Casey is it, he IS the Beauty Unis guy I get to talk about on each show, and finally, we get to highli...

Matt Voity picked up hockey a little later than most, but fell in love with the game right away. He realized quickly that he wanted to take the game as far as it would let him, and he pursued dreams of playing pro. While those did not come to fruition, he has been able to make a living staying within the game in different coaching roles. He shares stories from his hockey beginnings, all the way th...

Matt Voity picked up hockey a little later than most, but fell in love with the game right away. He realized quickly that he wanted to take the game as far as it would let him, and he pursued dreams of playing pro. While those did not come to fruition, he has been able to make a living staying within the game in different coaching roles. He shares stories from his hockey beginnings, all the way th...

Michael Keeley grew up in a sporty house, but didn't truly get the hockey bug for a bit. As he was deciding where to go for college, and what he wanted to pursue, he found announcing. Shortly after, he saw an opportunity in both baseball and hockey. His journey became more focused on hockey when he called games in college, and we chat about his career path. It includes stints in Junior hockey, fol...

Suzanne Driscoll has had an incredible journey. She began as a figure skater, with a mom who heavily influenced that decision. Finally, she came into hockey, which was much more her speed. She played all the way through college, and shares stories along the journey. She has once more found a place in the community, though more niche. She now participates in Ice Cross, and goes into some tales abou...

Wayne Messmer grew up in the sports scene, but had a number of building blocks that led him on a different path than most of my guests. Wayne is a singer. He has performed the anthem for numerous pro teams across the Chicago landscape. We talked about his path that led him to a number of great moments. He also chats about some of the adversity he had to face at different times in his life. I hope...

Ben Mariano has played hockey since he was a small boy. He fell in love with the game in many different ways over the years, and we talk about his journey from that young kid, through his junior career, and into his college days. Ben shares some wonderful stories about the different times of his career, and we get into what it is he does now. I lay down the challenge for him to get back into the g...

Justin del Rosario found hockey later on in life, starting to play in his forties. That didn't deter him from quickly leading a few skates, including No Such Hockey, and Gay Hockey in DC. We talk about his brief, but strong love affair with the game, and what aspects stand out to him the most within the community. Enjoy his tales, as we delve into some stories as well!   www.beautyunis.com stand-c...

Johnny Krupinsky has had a heavy involvement in the Danbury hockey scene for years. We talk about his favorite teams he has had the pleasure of watching, coaching, and being a fan of. Johnny talks about the Danbury Arena's extra man advantage, and we go into some stories over the years. This was an explosive interview with a high energy guy. Enjoy.   beautyunis.com stand-creative.com

Kelly Potter has been skating since she was a teenager, and fell in love with the community of the rink. She realized that she wanted to continue being involved, even when the roles changed, and she shifted from competitor to coach seamlessly. She has been coaching since the transition, and with over a decade of experience, she was a great choice to take over the figure skating and learn to skate...

Matyas Kasek grew up in the Czech Republic playing a different style of game. We talked about the differences in coaching style, and how he had to adapt his game when he came to play in the US and Canada. He shares stories from every stop along the way, and we highlight his opportunity that he came into at the Danbury Arena, where he now is the hockey director. Enjoy!   www.beautyunis.com stand-cr...

Nick Garofalo grew up playing hockey. He fell in love with the game at a young age, and knew he wanted to stay involved in some capacity even when he grew to be an adult. Thankfully, the Danbury Arena provided just that opportunity. Nick started working there, and has climbed the ladder, eventually finding himself with the opportunity to take on the GM role in the arena. We chat about the progress...

Amber Moore grew up on the west coast playing hockey, and has loved the sport since an early age. Her life brought her around the country to play, and she eventually landed on the eastern seaboard, and ended up in some spectacular moments within the sport. We explore many of her tales, from childhood, to grown-up childhood. Enjoy the stories she shares, and the energy with which she shares them!  ...

Zack Fisch was a sporty guy growing up, but found himself loving the game of hockey from a young age. He talks about how he moved through the youth ranks, and then his decision to stay involved with the game after his playing was over. That decision drove many others, and we navigate his career path, and how he has managed to stay in the game he so loves. Enjoy his many tales!   www.beautyunis.com...

Herm Sorcher grew up going to hockey games, and loved most aspects of it. When he was in college, he worked for the Hartford Whalers, and was able to attend a good amount of games over three years. He took some time away from hockey and worked in baseball for 17 years, and has since returned to the best game there is. In his new capacity, he has seen a different side of hockey. Enjoy his tales!  ...

Tim Rinck grew up playing the game from a young age. He fell in love with so many aspects of the sport, and the community that came with it. Hockey stayed with him through some college time, and has been a piece of his journey throughout all his travels. We met in Steamboat while he was living there, and now, we were able to sit down and share some of his favorite moments from the game. Enjoy!   w...

Johnny Kyte joined the podcast. We had a great chat about his hockey life, hockey family, and some wonderful stories were shared. Johnny was a bouncer, spending some of his youth in the States, and other times up in Canada. He talks about balancing that with the hockey, and we get into some stories from his college days. Also we speak on the Canadian Deaf National Team. I hope you enjoy this one a...

Troy Mick grew up in Vernon, BC. We go through his stories, from his earliest at two getting pushed around the rink, to his current status as a coach in Philadelphia. In the middle, there is a draft experience to the Penguins, some injuries, a quick transition to coaching after retirement from playing, and we look at it all. Troy shares some wonderful stories about his hockey experiences, and it w...