In this episode of Your Dark Companion, Mike Rhyner sits down with Ralph Strangis—legendary broadcaster, Hall of Famer, and the voice who taught Texas what icing was (and no, not the kind on a cake). From shepherding the Minnesota North Stars into their Dallas rebirth to cementing himself as a fixture in hockey history, Ralph’s journey is equal parts grit, wit, and pure love for the game.

The two old friends swap stories about chaotic press boxes, unconventional bosses, and the unique insanity of professional sports relocations. Ralph opens up about the pride (and surprise) of being inducted into the Dallas Stars Hall of Fame, what he’s up to now with his Ralph Cast and Substack, and why he’ll never willingly put on a tie.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to build a hockey culture in a football town—or just want to hear a master storyteller at work—this is your backstage pass to the broadcast booth.

0:03 – Weather, Small Talk & Setting the Stage: Mike and Ralph ease in with sports and meteorology banter.

4:26 – Pool Chillers, Cool Decks & Cool Guests: How the episode almost didn’t happen.

5:53 – Hall of Fame Feels: The big induction, the big speech, and even bigger emotions.

13:30 – Dry Heat vs. Humidity: A broadcaster’s meteorological take.

14:51 – The Big Weekend Ahead: Ralph’s pre-event jitters and excitement.

23:40 – Ties Are for Other People: Why Ralph has declared war on formal wear.

26:22 – Broadcast Booth Memories: Building the Dallas Stars legacy, one call at a time.

31:37 – Change, Healing & CBD: A candid turn in the conversation.

38:58 – From North to South: The messy, monumental move from Minnesota to Dallas.

42:26 – Norm Green Stories: Ice cubes in urinals and other unforgettable details.

48:51 – How Texas Got Its Voice: Ralph’s road to the mic.

52:24 – Behind the Broadcast Curtain: Budget woes and creative workarounds.

54:18 – After the Move: The aftermath of relocation—on and off the ice.

58:23 – Life After the Booth: Podcasting, creativity, and what keeps Ralph inspired.

1:04:11 – Looking Back, Moving Forward: Hockey’s journey in Dallas and what’s next.

1:07:56 – Draft Night Chaos: A very different kind of play-by-play.

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