Spittin' Chiclets Episode 518: Featuring Tyler Ennis + Mark McMorris and Gary Roberts

Update: 2024-08-13

Digest

This podcast delves into a wide range of topics related to hockey, featuring insightful discussions and interviews with former NHL players and a renowned strength and conditioning coach. The episode begins with a lighthearted conversation about Pink Whitney, a popular vodka brand among hockey fans, and Alana's completion of chemo treatments. The hosts then discuss Ryan's back pain and his training regimen, followed by a debate about break dancing at the Olympics and Ray Gunn's controversial performance. The conversation shifts to Steph Curry's legacy and the rising salaries in the NBA, leading to a discussion about Matt Kutcher's controversial move at the PGA Tour. The hosts then interview Tyler Ennis, a former NHL player, and Mark McMorris, a professional snowboarder, exploring their backgrounds and experiences. The conversation continues with a discussion about the Edmonton Oilers' playoff chances and the speaker's ball hockey background, highlighting its influence on his hockey skills. The speaker emphasizes the importance of family and ball hockey, describing his father's legendary ball hockey skills and how they likely contributed to his own hand-eye coordination and conditioning. The speaker also discusses the physical toll of ball hockey and the importance of conditioning, sharing his experience of stopping playing ball hockey at 17 due to the intensity and potential for injury. He reflects on how ball hockey helped him develop strong hand-eye coordination and conditioning. The speaker then reflects on the most interesting teammate he played with, highlighting Tim Connolly's leadership and old-school grit. He describes Connolly's resilience in battling through injuries and his unwavering commitment to the team. The conversation shifts to Mark McMorris's recovery from a serious injury and his potential return to hockey. The speaker also shares news about Evander Kane's potential surgery and the Oilers' locker room reaction to Connor McDavid winning the Hart Trophy. The speaker expresses his opinion on Austin Matthews being named captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, contrasting it with the Oilers' recent playoff disappointment. He argues that the Oilers' heartbreak after losing in the playoffs is a more significant story than the Leafs' captaincy change. The speaker discusses the circumstances surrounding Tavares's decision to relinquish the captaincy to Austin Matthews. He speculates on the process, suggesting that it was a collaborative decision involving Tavares, the coaching staff, and the front office. He also discusses Matthews's potential to become the greatest Maple Leaf of all time. The conversation returns to Evander Kane's injury, with the speaker addressing rumors about his health and the potential for surgery. He emphasizes the importance of recovery and the need for players to prioritize their health. The speaker reflects on the Oilers' emotional state after losing in the playoffs, drawing parallels to Wayne Gretzky's experience with the Islanders. He emphasizes the importance of mental toughness and the need for players to learn from their experiences. The conversation transitions to an interview with Gary Roberts, a legendary NHL player and renowned strength and conditioning coach. Roberts discusses his training philosophy and the evolution of hockey, emphasizing the importance of individualization and recovery. Roberts delves into the science of training, highlighting the importance of individualization and the need to manage training volume to prevent burnout and injury. He emphasizes the importance of recovery and the need for players to prioritize their health. Roberts discusses the importance of strength and conditioning, emphasizing the need for players to be strong enough to play the game but not so strong that it hinders their mobility. He shares his experience with players like Stammer, who had incredible strength but struggled with mobility. Roberts shares his personal experience with a mindset shift after a career-ending injury and how it led him to prioritize his health and fitness. He also discusses the importance of mental health and how he has helped players who have struggled with mental health issues. The conversation shifts to the Seattle Kraken's slow start to the season, with Roberts expressing his opinion on their performance and the importance of conditioning. He believes that the Kraken's conditioning is a key factor in their success. Roberts discusses the evolution of pregame routines in the NHL, noting that teams are now less likely to practice or pregame skate. He emphasizes the importance of individualization and allowing players to choose their own pregame routines. Roberts discusses the importance of hockey IQ and video analysis in his training program. He explains how he uses video to assess players' skills and identify areas for improvement. He also emphasizes the importance of players being committed to their training and having the right mindset. Roberts reflects on the importance of work ethic and genetics in the success of players like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby. He acknowledges that genetics play a role but emphasizes the importance of hard work and dedication. Roberts discusses the singular focus of elite athletes, drawing parallels to Derek Jeter's experience with baseball. He emphasizes that elite athletes often prioritize their sport above all else, even family and personal life. Roberts discusses the importance of starting training early, emphasizing that weight training should begin after puberty. He shares his own experience with his 14-year-old son, who lifts weights four days a week. Roberts discusses the importance of early development and exposure to high-level training. He describes his program for young players, which includes eight-week programs and exposure to elite athletes. Roberts discusses the challenges of raising kids who play hockey, particularly the difficulty of balancing his own experiences with his children's development. He acknowledges that his children may perceive him as being overly strict but emphasizes the importance of his guidance. Roberts shares his personal journey to health and fitness, describing how he became obsessed with it after a career-ending injury. He credits Lauren Goldenberg, a chiropractor, and Charles Pollocken, a strength coach, for helping him transform his life. Roberts emphasizes the importance of listening to experts and being grateful for the experiences and people he has met throughout his life. He expresses his love for the game of hockey and his desire to continue being involved in it. Roberts recounts a humorous incident at a Toronto alumni game where he got into a scuffle with Tie Domi. He describes the event and the aftermath, highlighting the importance of moving on from past conflicts. Roberts discusses his commitment to practicing what he preaches, emphasizing his healthy lifestyle and his avoidance of unhealthy habits. He acknowledges that he enjoys occasional indulgences but prioritizes his health and fitness. Roberts discusses the advancements in recovery and nutrition, highlighting the importance of cold tubs and hydrotherapy. He emphasizes the importance of individualization and finding what works best for each player. The speaker discusses the importance of recovery and nutrition in athlete programs, emphasizing their evolving role. He highlights the shift from solely focusing on weight training to incorporating diverse recovery methods like cold tubs, red light therapy, and animal flow. The conversation shifts to the topic of weed and its potential role in recovery. The speaker expresses his personal stance on the matter, stating he's not a weed user and prefers to focus on proven recovery methods. The speaker emphasizes the importance of fun and balance in athlete programs. He acknowledges the need for athletes to enjoy themselves but stresses the importance of moderation to avoid negative impacts on performance. The speaker discusses the value of having a personality-driven individual in an athlete program. He believes that a fun-loving, engaging person can help create a positive and less stressful environment for athletes. The speaker expresses his respect for former teammate Barubi, who is looking to return to coaching. He acknowledges Barubi's passion for the game and believes he will find another coaching opportunity. The speaker expresses gratitude to Rob for the interview and reflects on his time as a teammate. He acknowledges the importance of camaraderie and the lasting impact of shared experiences. The conversation shifts to the Frozen Four hockey tournament and the speaker's experience missing the semifinal game due to a mini golf tournament. He then shares a surprising revelation about Fish being a former competitive breakdancer. The speaker discusses Ray Gun's breakdancing performance at the Olympics, expressing his initial confusion and subsequent understanding of the artistic and expressive nature of the sport. He compares it to skateboarding and other alternative sports that have gained mainstream recognition. The speaker and Fish engage in a humorous discussion about Fish's breakdancing abilities, with the speaker questioning whether Fish could have defeated Ray Gun in a competition. They reminisce about Fish's breakdancing days and his former breakdancing name, \"Guppy.\" The conversation concludes with a lighthearted suggestion to add breakdancing to the Chicklets Cup, a hockey tournament. The speaker offers to train Fish for the challenge, highlighting the potential benefits of breakdancing for flexibility.

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