The Face-Off Spot with Adam Larson

This week we welcome on the show Kenny Carroll, we discuss being born into a hockey family. Coming from a small Canadian town. Transitioning from junior to pro and the roll minor league hockey players serving the local communities they live in. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

This week we welcome to the show from the Starcenter in Plano, Senior General Manager, Dan Morris. Adam and Dan discuss how Dan got his introduction into hockey, local coaching. and much more. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

This week we welcome to the show Andy Healey from SuperDeker. We talk about Andy's history with hockey and all about one of the coolest training aids around the SuperDeker. This weeks show is sponsored by Rubes Brews --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

This week we welcome to the pod Jeffery Fink, from the sensational Whatahockey Podcast. The boys discuss Finks's history growing up with hockey and the Dallas Stars, his show the Whatahockey Podcast, and running a podcast, plus much more. Show Notes: The Whatahockey Podcast Sponsor: Rubes Brews, check them out on instagram and facebook @rubesbrews --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

We've live this week for the Dallas Warriors / Fort Worth Patriots Game from Mansfield TX. We interview players from both the Warriors and Patriots teams, as well as have conversations about both non-profit groups during the game. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

This week we welcome Josh Steenburg we discuss his hockey beginnings, and much more. This week we're sponsored by Rubes Brews, check them out on instagram and facebook @rubesbrews --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

This week we welcome to the pod bodybuilder, hockey player, and all-around great guy Santi Aragon --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

This week, Adam and Rubes head to Manhattan Project Beer Company and welcome Karl Sanford to the podcast. Karl runs Manhattan Project with his wife, Misty, and friend, Jeremy Brodt. The guys begin the episode by running through the company’s origin story. About 10 years ago, Karl and Misty began loving the idea of having a brewery when visiting other ones. They then wanted a custom beer for their wedding, for which they turned to Jeremy to create a unique home brew. As they all became more into home brewing, the trio began entering and winning medals at home brewing contests, resulting in the creation of a business plan to get the company underway. The guys continue the episode by discussing the ins and outs and struggles and successes of Manhattan Project. They look at how constraints can lead to creativity and the importance of letting people reach their objectives in their own way. Karl also mentions that it is imperative to understand why people do what they do at all levels in order to create a successful team. They conclude the episode by discussing the impact that the pandemic had on the company, the process of making beer on a larger scale and getting a new building, and the future of Manhattan Project. Manhattan Project Beer Company This week’s episode is sponsored by Rubes Brews, check them out on Instagram, Facebook @rubesbrews. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

This week, we welcome former NHLer Al Secord to the podcast. Al fills the pod in on his entire hockey journey, beginning with skating at his grade school and being cut from his first travel team all the way through becoming a first-round draft pick and an NHL all-star.  He discusses going to rookie and training camps and venturing from Boston to Chicago to Toronto to Philadelphia and back to Chicago throughout his tenure in the league. Al also goes over what it was like to suffer an injury in the NHL and how he was able to transition from an NHL player to a pilot for American Airlines after retiring. Adam and Al reminisce on what it was like to grow up as the son of a rink manager, and how the extra ice time that they were able to obtain through this was crucial to their development as hockey players. The guys dive into what it is like to receive guidance from parents and coaches over the course of a hockey career and how a passion for the game as well as determination and a good work ethic are a must to be successful. Adam and Al take a look at the COVID-19 situation and discuss the importance of connection and community within hockey and in general. The episode is concluded by taking a look at the hockey careers of Al’s two sons and what Al is currently doing in the Metroplex hockey community. This week’s episode is sponsored by Rubes Brews, check them out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @rubesbrews. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

This week, we welcome Dale Vogel of the Fort Worth Patriots and Ryan Young of the Dallas Warriors to the podcast. Adam, Dale, and Ryan preview the matchup between the two teams taking place at StarCenter Mansfield on July 31st at 6 pm. The teams are asking for donations to help support Homeless Veterans Services of Dallas. The guys segway into Dale’s hockey origin story, where he explains his start as a bantam in Pittsburgh and connects with Adam as to what it’s like to be a playmaking forward. Dale and Adam also discuss playing against your friends as you get older and playing against NHL alumni teams. Dale finishes up his story by explaining how he joined the Marines following his high school and junior hockey career and tells the story of how he found himself on the Fort Worth Patriots. Next, Ryan describes his beginnings in hockey by explaining how he found out baseball wasn’t his sport, eventually finding himself playing roller hockey. Adam and Ryan also take a look at the impact just playing outdoor hockey can have on one’s desire to pursue the game. The guys then discuss what it’s like to be on both ends of winning and losing seasons and the transition from roller to ice hockey. Ryan concludes his story by explaining how he joined the Army and later ended up on the Dallas Warriors. This week’s episode is sponsored by Rubes Brews, check them out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @rubesbrews. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

We've made it to 50 episodes! This week we sit down and look back at the last year and our first 50 episodes. We talk about former guests and events from the past year that guided our show. There have been a ton of folks that have helped get us here and we just wanted to take an entire show to say thanks. This week's episode is sponsored by Rubes Brews. Check them out on Instagram and Facebook @rubesbrews --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

This week we welcome Jonathan Voyles to the podcast. Jonathan is a coach and hockey podcaster himself, serving as host of The Chirp Hockey Podcast and creator of the Chirp Hockey brand. He and Adam discuss how his skating career began through figure skating, not transitioning to hockey until the bantam level. Jonathan gives a glimpse into what life on the ice is like in West Texas, as he lives in Odessa and used to be a manager of Music City Mall Ice. The guys then discuss the importance of skating fundamentals and the large impact that your skating ability can have on your overall skill level, both touching on experiences they’ve had while coaching private lessons. Jonathan also describes how he got to know and work with New York Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov when he did offseason workouts in Odessa. The guys continue the episode by giving their thoughts on the NHL playoffs and look at the trials and tribulations of being a fan of an NHL team. Adam and Jonathan then discuss the recent Guns N’ Hoses men’s league tournament that took place in the Metroplex, diving into how the tournament is an excellent display of how tight-knit the hockey community is. The guys conclude the episode by sharing what it’s like to host and operate a podcast, and Jonathan describes the creation and growth of his brand. This week’s episode is sponsored by Rubes Brews, check them out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @rubesbrews.` --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

This week, we welcome Justin Kuzski to the podcast. Justin is a former Texas Tech hockey player who began skating at two years old and will soon be coaching in the Brahmas organization. Adam begins the episode by recapping the Rubes Brews vs. Lone Star Warriors game from last week. Justin and Adam then discuss getting onto the ice as a child and learning to skate, the difference between being a coach and a parent, and the toughness of hockey moms. The guys later move on to the importance of off-ice hockey and training, specifically talking about their family-owned roller rinks they had as kids and the impact roller hockey can have on your on-ice performance   Justin and Adam continue the episode by analyzing the growth of youth hockey in Texas and the significance of homing in the fundamentals of the game as a youth hockey player. Justin then dives into what it was like to play hockey at Texas Tech, the process of choosing club college hockey over juniors, and finding hockey in a career full of traveling. The guys conclude the episode by discussing what it’s like to be on both ends of catching a puck to the face, remembering some legendary hockey quotes, and comparing old time hockey to the new style of the game.   This week’s episode is sponsored by Rubes Brews, check them out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @rubesbrews. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

This week we welcome Boris Vincze to the podcast. Boris is currently a coach at multiple StarCenters but began his hockey career in what is now Slovakia. Boris tells Adam what it was like getting into hockey in Europe, beginning with his aunt taking him to public skate to playing throughout school. Boris even discusses how he first wanted to play soccer before learning how to skate. Boris and Adam later take a deep dive into what it’s like being a hockey coach. They discuss their coaching philosophies, how to connect and help develop younger players, and the importance of tailoring your coaching style to specific age groups. Boris recaps his experience of heading to Rochester, NY, to achieve his level 5 USA Hockey coaching certification. The guys further the conversation by discussing egos and humbleness in hockey, being competitive even as a coach, remaining true to yourself in the hockey world, and living a sustainable lifestyle inside the rink. This week’s episode is sponsored by Rubes Brews, check them out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @rubesbrews. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

This week, we welcome Griffin Franko to the podcast. Adam, Rubes, and Griffin begin the episode by looking at the brand-new Face-Off Hop Double IPA from Rubes Brews. The guys then look at Griffin’s hockey career, beginning with his transition from wrestling to hockey in elementary school to his ACHA career at the University of Pittsburgh. Griffin also discusses the high talent level of youth hockey in Philadelphia and the northeast, playing against NHLers and their family members, and the life-long friendships that his youth hockey career has given him. Adam, Rubes, and Griffin also look at the current state of the NHL playoffs and talk about their predictions for the rest of the season.   The guys then move on to Griffin’s golf and caddying career, and what it’s like to caddy for famous athletes. They also discuss their living situations, looking at what it’s like to move to Texas from another state and how many people live their entire lives in the Lone Star State. The guys conclude the episode by recognizing the importance of the coach-player relationship and how crucial it is for youth hockey players to have a coach that wants the best for them.   This week’s episode is sponsored by Rubes Brews, check them out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @rubesbrews. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

This week, we welcome the legendary Cal Mees to the podcast. Adam, Rubes, and Cal dive into Cal’s 55-year hockey career, starting with his introduction to hockey to how he now plays in at least 300 men’s league games every year. Cal discusses with the guys how he is able to keep playing by continuing to love the game and keeping a positive attitude towards the sport. The guys look at how Cal began his hockey career in Texas in Duncanville, his creation of his own hockey apparel company, and how he was able to recover from a recent accident to get back to playing the game. Adam, Rubes, and Cal also touch on issues with drop-in hockey, the glory of pond hockey, and how important it is to maintain a respectful and positive relationship with teammates.   The trio continues the episode by discussing Cal’s attempts at setting new world records in the world of hockey. Cal was able to set the world record for most consecutive ice hockey games played by an individual when he played in 29 consecutive games at the Parks Mall in Arlington. This took place during a 24-hour hockey tournament. In another 24-hour span, Cal was able to play a game at every position on the ice, including goalie, as well as participate as a referee, coach, and scorekeeper.   This week’s episode is sponsored by Rubes Brews, check them out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @rubesbrews. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

This week, we welcome former Arizona State hockey player turned police officer Eddie McGovern to the podcast. Eddie, Adam, and Rubes discuss Eddie’s hockey roots in Arizona, starting with getting into hockey back at three years old. The guys look into the perfect age to start hockey, the significance of learning to skate prior to playing organized hockey as a kid, and the importance of maintaining a love for the game. Eddie discusses being a multisport athlete while playing youth hockey, touching on how crucial it is to make sure youth hockey players are able to stay in shape during the offseason. The guys then dive into the Arizona hockey market, and Eddie discusses how he has seen the game grow in his home state over the years.   Eddie later discusses how he wound up at Arizona State University and what the transition from ACHA to NCAA hockey was like. Looking beyond their previous hockey endeavors, the guys explore the importance of having a college degree or a fall-back plan in case hockey doesn’t become a full-time career. The guys conclude the episode by explaining how they continue to keep in touch with hockey buddies from the past, and Rubes gives an insight to the parenting side of hockey.   This week’s episode is sponsored by Rubes Brews, check them out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @rubesbrews. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

This week, we welcome men’s league goaltender David Speer to the podcast. David and Adam discuss David’s journeyman hockey career, beginning in Colorado Springs followed by a stint at Cushing Academy to men’s league in the DFW area. The guys look at multiple aspects of the hockey world, including David playing on three men’s league teams, the importance of goaltenders in the world of adult hockey, and how adult hockey is as much about the camaraderie of the team as it is about winning the championship. Looking back at their time spent playing the game, Adam and David discuss their experiences playing in youth hockey tournaments around the country, the high skill levels of prep schools in northern states, and the evolution of the goaltending position over time. The guys later examine the balance between playing hockey too much and not playing hockey at all, as they remember when they each took a hiatus from hockey years ago before getting back into the game. David and Adam draw the episode to a close by looking at the Tom Wilson incident and situation and the role of the enforcer on hockey teams in today’s game. This week’s episode is sponsored by Rubes Brews, check them out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @rubesbrews. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

The guys are back for another episode of the Face-Off Spot Podcast Rundown! This week, Owen and Adam discuss: -Ryan Miller has decided to retire after 18 NHL seasons, racking up 391 wins in 795 games with a 2.64 goals-against average and .914 save percentage. Owen and Adam look at his incredible career and what Miller meant to both the NHL and USA Hockey. -Cole Caufield, 15th overall pick in the 2019 NHL draft, made his debut and scored his first NHL goal for the Montreal Canadiens this week. The guys look at Caufield’s incredible skill level and how they feel Caufield will fare in the NHL. The Seattle Kraken completed the NHL’s $650 million expansion fee on Friday to officially become the league’s 32nd franchise. Owen and Adam discuss the Kraken fanbase and if the team will be able to recreate the success that Vegas had in its first season.  The NHL signed a new broadcast rights deal with Turner Sports, resulting in NHL games now being on Turner Network channels such as TNT and TBS. The guys talk about the end of the NHL on NBC and the impact that having Stanley Cup Final games on cable channels will have on fans. -The Islanders are the most recent team to clinch a spot in this season’s playoffs. Owen and Adam discuss the season the Isles are having and include their predictions for who will win each division in the playoffs. This episode is sponsored by Rubes Brews - check them out on instagram and facebook at @rubesbrews --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message

Introducing a new segment of the podcast: The Face-Off Spot Rundown. In this weekly episodic, Owen Roche will be joined by Adam Larson and other guests to discuss some of the biggest topics from around the hockey world over the past week. This week, Owen and Adam recap: -Spencer Knight, 13th overall draft pick of the Florida Panthers in 2019 and Team USA goaltender at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, earned his first NHL win in his first career start over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Owen and Adam look at Florida’s goaltending depth and the future of the position for the team. -Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens entered the NHL’s concussion protocol after an injury suffered earlier in the week which will result in him missing at least a week of playing time. The guys discuss Price’s career and how this injury could impact Montreal’s playoff chances. -Patrick Marleau played in his 1,768th career game this week, passing Gordie Howe for the most career NHL games played. Owen and Adam discuss Marleau’s longevity and the true significance of this record. -The OHL has cancelled its season as COVID cases continue to increase in Ontario . The guys discuss how this could impact the OHL’s players and NHL teams in the upcoming draft. -The Colorado Avalanche were recently forced to postpone three games due to positive COVID tests among the squad. Owen and Adam look at how the NHL has handled COVID protocols so far this season and what the situation may look like come playoff time. -The Sabres and Devils became the first two teams to be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention this season. Owen discusses what the current 10-year playoff drought has been like for a Sabres fan and what the Sabres’ future may hold. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/faceoffspot/message