The Fight Plan with Kurtis Gabriel

In the 19th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by maybe the only guy who has become more famous after being a first round pick of the Montreal Canadiens…Terry Ryan. From a dominant minor hockey player, to a powerhouse junior player not afraid of anybody, he rose the ranks no matter what coast of Canada he was on, only to have this career stall and lose momentum in pro quickly. After hitting...

In the 18th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by non other than most of the baddest men to ever do the job…Brian McGrattan. Born in the Hammer, Hamilton, ON, he was a dominant player growing up, who then had to adapt his game after injury and fully embrace the physical side of the game he already loved. This man went from getting beat up and learning the rope from fellow legend Dennis Bonvi...

In the 17th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by my former junior teammate, and Victor Hedman's D partner, Jake Dotchin. The podcast opens with the most hilarious moment that kicks off a heartfelt conversation between two guys who met when they were 17 & 18. Dotch was hilarious, hardworking, and knew when to be mean on the ice. From his massive open ice hits, booming slapshot, willingness t...

In the 16th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by Montreal Canadiens legend Dale Weise. I always knew Weiser and I had a lot in common, and I was not wrong! We both identify as super fans of the game who made it the NHL. Weiser had much more success being a guy who was so effective, especially in the playoffs. His emotional play and skating was so frustrating to opponents, namely Milan Lucic...

In the 15th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by one of the toughest pound for pound players to ever drop the gloves, Ryan VandenBussche. This guy learned how to be a team player in the tobacco fields of Norfolk County, Ontario, and he learned how to take a beating from his older brother too. That upbringing forged a man who could go into "zombie mode" where the lights were on, nobody was h...

In the 14th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by the man, the myth, and the legend, Scotty Sabourin. I played against, with, and fought Sabs at different points of my career, and we had the most diverse kind of run ins. He is a journeyman pro fighter that can play, and an amazing teammate, and that's why he has become such a valuable vet in the AHL, and an impactful player in the NHL. With...

In the 13th episode of the The Fight Plan, we got a legit boogey man…Samuel Morin. This guy is so big, long and strong, he barely ever got punched in the face on the ice or off. From hard working roots, watching his parents build a very successful catering business from scratch, he channeled all his focus into hockey. He knew he was going to play in the NHL, because he would not allow another outc...

In the 12th episode of the Fight Plan, we are joined by journey man AHLer Ryan Schnell. A guy I fought in my first season, while Schneller played his last. If you just take a glance of this guy's elite prospects, he was ALWAYS willing to do the job. It did not matter what jungle monster was lined up against him, he more than held his own. From humble Illinois beginnings, in a non-hockey family, Sc...

In the 11th episode of Fight Plan, we got a guy as tough and blue collar as it gets…Triston Grant. Hailing from the small Manitoba town of Neepewa, he began his fight, and realized he was pretty damn good at it. Sticking up to bullies off the ice, being a man child with hockey skills on it, he ascended the ranks taking on all comers. The first guest to reach out to me to come on, Granter opens up...

In the 10th episode of Fight Plan, our guest is a man that is truly alchemizing his own suffering into his offering…Daniel Carcillo. The nickname "Car Bomb" was earned. He took a pound of flesh from every opponent on his way to the NHL. But, that explosion to the top damaged him just as equally. Now, his nickname is more along the lines of "Love Bomb" and this conversation proves it. His peaceful,...

In the 9th episode of Fight Plan, our guest is a true renaissance man…Aaron Volpatti. Former undrafted NHL tough guy, 40% burn survivor, author, speaker, cognitive performance coach, injury coach, husband, father, and musician. This conversation was every bit as good as I thought it would be, with our multitude of shared interests, but also unique differences. I promise you will leave this convers...

In the 8th episode of Fight Plan, our guest is none other than the co-host of "After The Bell" —somebody like you, Ben Meyers. We have an absolute blast for 2 hours diving into his origin story, and what harrowing challenges he went through to emerge from the cocoon of life, the powerful embodiment of a man that he is…& he is just getting started! A powerful yet nurturing presence, this guy…in onl...

In the 7th episode of Fight Plan, I'm joined by my good friend Brady Leavold who I am sure many of you already know. I have been on his Puck Support Podcast twice, and now we get to turn the table around and dive into him more. We go back to his childhood love of the game, but then get into where he is now after getting re-established in life. What are his new challenges? What breakthroughs is he...

In the 6th episode of Fight Plan, I'm joined by Jeff Viel of the Anaheim Ducks. Vieler is an absolute junk yard dog, and one of the few fighters who truly LOVES to fight. He might be the most calm & easy going, yet hard working, psycho killer I have ever met…I would have loved to go to war with him every night bash brothers style! I believe has finally earned his place in the show as a full time N...

In the 5th episode of Fight Plan, I'm joined by Garrett Mitchell who was the best team captain I have ever had. Why? Because he always showed up, & did not let fear ever deter him. Never afraid to fight the toughest on the ice, or stand up and advocate for himself & his team mates off of it, Mitchy takes us through his very unique journey from Regina, Saskatchewan, through the minors, to puckdrop...

In the 4th episode of Fight Plan, I'm joined by hockey fight legend Darren Kramer, a guy I locked horns with twice. Krames details his humble beginnings & violent journey fighting his way up the hockey ranks. He holds nothing back talking about how he sees his therapist as his coach, & detailing his toughest fight yet with his health in retirement. Proud to call this first class human a brother, w...

In the 3rd episode of Fight Plan, I'm joined by former NHL player Cody Bass for our most vulnerable conversation yet. Basser opens up about his childhood in his challenging family dynamic, & how he naturally took to fighting after being a skilled player all the way up. We nerd out on fighting techniques & opponents, & he holds nothing back talking about his challenges after retiring. I gained a ne...

In the second episode of Fight Plan, I'm joined by former NHL player Anthony Peluso for a powerful conversation. We dive into Loose's childhood, his path to becoming a feared fighter, the simple mindset behind his toughness, and how he now helps save lives as a firefighter while supporting others through struggle. You'll be struck by the quiet confidence he carries. Topics include adversity, authe...

In this first episode of The Fight Plan, I am joined by former NHL player Chris Thorburn for some great laughs and deep conversation. Together, the two of us dive into Thorbs journey to be an NHL fighter, the mindset and preparation it took to get there and stay there, ultimately leading to the vulnerability that changed everything for him in retirement.  This episode dives into the mindset of an...