My Dad Used to Play Hockey

Johnny Gaudreau wanted the Flyers. It was a case of unrequited love. The Blue Jackets decided that they were ready for a relationship, acquiring the best free agent available this off season.A tale of two cities and two General Managers.  What the hell happened?Also, did Calgary have a fine offseason despite the loss of two stars?Is speed really the only way to win in this league?Strummer has been a hockey man all his life, culminating in his turn as Director of Pro Scouting for the Columbus Blue Jackets.Joining Bob and me is Jody Shelley, former Blue Jacket and Flyer, and current Columbus NHL analyst.It's the Reload, how bad teams get good and good teams get better.

"You lost to your enemy and you hated your enemy but in the end you respected them."WIP host. He was integral in building the second 24 hour sports talk station in the country.   He created a long form program that really inspired me to do this whole messy fun podcast.Tell Us Your Story.Glen Macnow. He saw the Flyers win their second (and yes last) Cup against the Buffalo Sabres.  As a Sabres fan.  But he moved on to Philly and like Al and Jayson and Angelo and Sam, he is as much a part of Philly Sports history as any player.Get to to know him. This is his story.I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk.My dad used to play hockey.

"I think the frustration is 'Where's the Plan?""I will say that a lot of new players come in and open their eyes to an empty arena and ask...what happened?'Flyers fans are angry at the team. But who doesn't love Al?Al Morganti is a Hockey Hall of Famer. I may jokes about it but it's well deserved.He has a perspective all  his own.  He is part of Flyers History.This is The Reload. How bad teams get good and good teams get better.Bob Strumm, my co-host, know more about hockey than anyone earth. Al is up there too.Follow him @nufced. 

"I don't think Hexy did as bad a job as people like to portray.""That decision probably cost me $30 Million."How bad teams get good. How good teams get better. It's not just a rebuild. It's a reload.Happy Draft Day.Strummer has been a hockey man all his life, culminating in his turn as Director of Pro Scouting for the Columbus Blue Jackets.Zak knows little.Joining us this draft day is Doug MacLean, former NHL GM, President and Head Coach.

"He showed that's how it's done. If you want to be good you have to work, work, work.Ask anybody on the Bullies team who was their most vicious opponent and one name will come up over and over and over.Taz. (Like the devil)Terry O'Reilly. #24 for the Boston Bruins.  A legendary franchise retired his number. He moved away from hockey because of family. But he's always part of the hockey family.  Fans hate him way more than anyone he played against. You might not believe it buddies, but they're all friends now. Well, not all of them.Terry.  Bruins legend.Get to know him. I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk.My dad used to play hockey.

Keenan's Kids, as they are now affectionately called, almost brought Philly not one but two Stanley Cups.Almost. So close. But you know.....the Oilers.The head of that team was controversial (to understate his reputation) Mike Keenan.Iron Mike.He is known as fierce, vindictive, and sometimes petty.  But he gets results. And most of his players love him.  Most of them.He got his Cup. With the Rangers. Dammit.Separate the myth from the truth of Coach Mike Keenan.Get to know him.I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk. My dad used to play hockey.

The greatest goal scorer in Flyers history.Dave Poulin recently said he should be in the Hall of Fame.I agree.He rarely does these.Tim Kerr.Get to know him.I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk.My dad used to play hockey.

"I truly believe we are all blessed with gifts and my gift is a caregiver."That's really all you need to know about Jim McCrossin.Flyers fans. We need your help.Jimmy McCrossin and Sal Raffa have dedicated the better part of two decades as athletic trainers of the National Hockey League's Philadelphia Flyers. Both men have been diagnosed with incurable blood diseases and are suing Comcast Spectacor among others for negligence and liability.While that case is in litigation, Jimmy and Sal are receiving medical treatment for their illnesses. Unfortunately, some of these treatments are not covered by either's medical insurance. We want to give back to these men and their families in a time of need after all they've done for Philadephia hockey and the community.Please visit www.gofundme.com/jimmyandsalHaddon Planning Group Since 1981, we've taken an x-ray of your financial life to ensure you can live comfortably & retire Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

#StandWithUkraine"And that night the world changed.""For two weeks  I couldn't eat and couldn't sleep."There are 57 Ukrainians on The Stanley Cup. Including my dad, Orest Kindrachuk, who joins me on this episode.Our guest is Volodymyr Mula. Director of Uke: The Untold Story of Hockey Legends.Resident of Kyiv. As brave as you would imagine.Get to the know him.I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk. My dad used to play hockey.We're Ukrainian.

It's been a while buddies.I'm excited about this one.  Because I am a fan of later in life success. Hemingway. Grandma Moses. Fey.Knuble.This Flyers great scored 221 goals after the age of 30. The quintessential don't give up story.He also suffered the worst injury in a Flyers Alumni game ever (still not that bad).He was one of my favorites. A complete game.Get to know him.I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk. My dad used to play hockey.

June 30th 1992.  Eric Lindros becomes a Flyer.  Admit it you were excited.  But we gave away a lot.  Hello Lindros. Goodbye Forsberg. And Hextall and Simon and Ricci.Was it worth it? My guest is Russ Farwell. The GM for the Flyers from 1990-1994."If you could have traded for Gretzky at 19 or 20...what's the price?" “Chuck Fletcher has it a lot easier than I did. Ed Snider doesn't phone him every couple of hours.”It was a dark era for the Flyers. Eric brought light. Russ brought light.I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk.My dad used to play hockey.

“It has to be better than last year's”My mom, Lynn Kindrachuk, said this yesterday on the eve of her 70th birthday. November 12th, 2020 wasn't the best. She was turning 69 while quarantining in my great aunt Joanne's basement after crossing the Canadian border to see her sister.Joanne will be with her today. Her sister will not. She passed on.There is a mountain near my parents house in California. There is a monument at the top of it. My aunt Marj, who often visited, called it the plus sign.But I like calling it what it is. A cross. Because it is holy and sacred. And every night, before bed, my mom likes to look at it and say a silent prayer.Last year my mom had to do two of the hardest things any of us ever have to do. Say goodbye to her sister.And then say goodbye to her sister in front of a large group of people, all grieving, but coming together because Marj liked parties.My mom spoke. She told a story. It was based on true events. I wrote it, but it's hers. It's theirs. Here it is.MARJ AND LYNN AND THE HALF TON NATIVEUp, Up, Up, way past where the rest of the world figure people go, there is a forestIt's home to foxes, raccoons, moose, elk, and for a few months out of the year, Saskatchewan humansTwo sisters, people, went for a walk in these woods one afternoon.Not a walk, a hike, because while it was a walk, it was a walk in the woods and that's different. So, a hike.Suddenly, out of nowhere (even though it happened all the time in these woods) a bear showed up.The bear appeared threatening. Bears are! They trick us as cubs and we think they're adorable but then they grow up and are all claws and teeth and reportedly amazing tree climbing abilities.The sisters grasped hands. Stoic, proud, ready for a battle.Then they thought about it for a moment and sensibly fled to the nearest body of water and were rescued.The bear had chased, but they had escaped!But, as someone who did not witness this but heard the story, I know there is an alternate version.I know this.Had they not fled,Had that not been the best option.Had the only option been to fight.They would have grappled with that goddam bear and beat him into early hibernation.That's what I know.Individually, they couldn't do that.Individually, there's a lot of things people can't do.But some people, when they're lucky and deserve luck and just....deserve.They get a  best friend, a sister, a fellow bear hunterTo stand alongside withAnd tell a 500 pound animal"You'll have to fight both of us"While this podcast is essentially a tribute to my dad, This episode is for mom.I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk.My dad used to play hockey.

"We can't watch you on Saturday nights in Cincinnati!""I own a few homes across Canada and Philadelphia paid for most of them.""In the 70's there was a reason you engaged in these activities."3.971 career penalty minutes. All time leader. But all of them were for a purpose. He was fearless, loyal, and a thorn in everyone's side. Unless you played with him.As he always says "Team. Team. Team."But to hell with the opponent, whether it be management or the skaters lined up against you.One of the Bullies' toughest foes. A phenomenally funny guy and the embodiment of old school hockey.Tiger Williams. You'll never watch or hear from another like Tiger.Get to know him.I'm you host Zak Kindrachuk.My dad used to play hockey.

Who doesn't like Mark Recchi?A member of both the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame and the NHL Hall of Fame (it somehow took four years of eligibility). Stanley Cup Champion (five rings).The oldest player to score a goal in the Finals.He retired as a champion.Played for the Bruins, Flyers, Penguins and Canadiens and somehow is hated by none of these fan bases.He's a coach for the Devils now. Still love him.Every team he played for was lucky to have him.Get to know him.I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk.My dad used to play hockey.

"It's incredible what alcohol does to you, it makes you believe things that aren't true, but what it does to your life in general is just make you a piece of shit.""Someone calls an alcoholic a degenerate for drinking in the morning, it's not that we wanted to drink in the morning, it's that we didn't have a choice.""Dude, if you really wanted me to drink, and I did, you wouldn't have a clue what to do with me."Fans wanted Chris to fight more.Truth is he has been battling addiction for well over a decade.No defenseman has played more NHL games in a Flyers uniform.His on ice achievements speak for themselves but its his off ice victories that should be celebrated.This episode's a little different.  I hope it helps someone out there.I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk.My dad used to play hockey.

"Freddie, this is the dumbest and most asinine thing I have ever seen.""If you will come back and play next year for us, I will do my best to make hockey fun for you and your teammates.""Did it ever occur to you we would grow old together in Nashville, Tennessee?"Terry Crisp almost quit hockey and became a high school teacher. Instead he became a two time Stanley Cup winner as a player and managed another ring as head coach of the Flames.He most certainly made the right decision.He had a lot of bumps along the way. Imagine going from being a Bully to immediate coaching the Bullies.He's now the de facto face of the Nashville Predators.  A broadcasting legend and a member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.But like all his teammates, always a Flyer.Get to know him.I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk.My dad used to play hockey.

"We're in the business of winning, and when you don't win you should be upset and you should be pissed off.""My addiction manifested itself after my sexual abuse happened.""I share something that is one of the deepest darkest secrets in the world.""Your dad was a tough son of a bitch."The best player not in the Hall of Fame.We know why.  And it's not right.He's 16 years sober. Helping others get there.Stanley Cup Champion.  Over 1,000 points. Survivor.Thanks, Theo.I'm your host Zak KindrachukMy dad used to play hockey.

"I was mistreated. I was betrayed. I feel like I was taken advantage of so they could make themselves look like a part of a woke moment.""Probably the single most awful thing I did is I took the shoe and threw it on the ice so he had to go home with one shoe off and one shoe on.""I really don't give a shit."That last quote really sums up Mike Milbury.  For 46 years he was an integral part of NHL History.A lot of people love him. A lot more hate him. He's ok with that.But think you know him? His supposedly bad deals?You probably don't. So get to know him.General Manager. Coach. Player. Broadcaster. Fired. What's next?I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk.My dad used to play hockey.Haddon Planning Group Since 1981, we've taken an x-ray of your financial life to ensure you can live comfortably & retire Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

"I don't think I miss the regular season that much, but I do miss the playoffs.""Pain is never going to stop you. Your body is going to tell you when to stop.""Once you're a Flyer, you're always a Flyer."Did anyone  shine in big moments more than Danny? One of the greatest postseason performers in NHL history.A future (in my mind) NHL General Manager.Danny Briere.Get to know him.I'm your host Zak Kindrachuk.My dad used to play hockey.Haddon Planning Group Since 1981, we've taken an x-ray of your financial life to ensure you can live comfortably & retire Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Only overshadowed by the LCB line is the second greatest trio in Flyers history. The Legion of Boom. The center and both wingers over 6 feet tall and over 220 pounds. Imagine facing that. John LeClair was one of the greatest goal scorers I ever had the pleasure to watch. This guy should get a lot more HOF buzz.  One of the best Americans ever to play the game.Career stats:SUMMARYCareerGP967G406A413PTS819+/-204