The Breakout Sessions

Mike is a product of the Kirkwood Youth Hockey Association, which his grandfather, Bill McKenna, helped establish. Mike played in the NAHL with the Springfield Junior Blues, college with the Saint Lawrence Saints, then went on a 14 year professional odyssey with 22 teams! You'll learn about Mike's dedication, tenacity and determination to make the NHL, which he did! Very inspirational story!

Join us as Greg tells us about his rise from Burnaby, BC to the best league in the world! He tells great stories about guys he played with and against, how he landed with his family in Stillwater, MN and how became a coach. His stories are hilarious. You'll love this episode! 

Born in the Soo and coached by his father, Mike Zuke made the NHL by learning to play a full 200 foot game. Tech coach John MacInnes stressed these lessons that carried Mike through a long WHA and NHL career. You'll love his stories and sense of humor!

Darby chronicles his story growing up in Richfield in a hockey family. His goal was to play high school hockey, but he went way past that playing Division 1 hockey and playing in the NHL. Darby takes us through what he does in his current role as an assistant coach with the Minnesota Wild!

TY joins us for the second time. This time as a bona fide NHL player! Ty made his NHL debut this season and scored his first NHL goal! Listen in as he tells us what it took for him to go from the AHL to the NHL.

Michigan Tech Husky assistant coaches all grew up in different areas, but are together at MTU. Learn how they fell in love with the game and how they ended up together as MTU Husky assistant coaches.

Shane grew up and played his minor hockey in Fernie, BC, a town of roughly 7.000 people, He rose through the ranks with skill and tenacity, resulting in him playing 488 NHL games and amassing 2301 penalty minutes. Always ready to stand up for a teammate, Shane was loved by his teammates and coaches. He currently serves as the Director of Amateur Scouting for the NHL's Florida Panthers.

Natalie Darwitz hails from Eagan, MN where she racked up an astounding 468 points at Eagan High School! She was a member of the US National Women's Team at age 15 and starred for the Golden Gophers, winning National Championships in '04 and '05. She has won countless medals and awards throughout her hockey career and currently is the General Manager of the PWHL team in Minnesota. She has a very inspirational story to...

Danny Hendrickson takes us through what the motivation was for his father, Larry, was to establish the Hendrickson Foundation and why he and his family have kept it going. Danny brings Minnesota Warrior coach, Derek Kottke and Minnesota Wild Blind Hockey team manger, Nick Hadfield to talk about the positive influence the foundation has had on them and their players. The foundation's motto is "Hockey Changes Lives". Y...

The Chippewa Falls High School Hockey Captains joined us just prior to leaving to compete in the 2024 Wisconsin State High School Division 1 Hockey Tournament.

Coach Ratz takes us through growing up in Rochester, MN and how he fell in love with the game. He has been coaching for the past few years and has been successful wherever he has gone. Listen in as he lets us in on some of his coaching secrets!

The captains of the Houghton Gremlins and Hancock Bulldogs High School hockey teams join us prior to their annual "Wing Ding" battle. These 2 high school programs have been going at it since around 1904. Both schools were represented by some tremendous young men!

Houghton Gremlin Captains:
Mike Maillette - Senior, forward
Connor Raffaelli - Senior, defense
Bryant Lee - Senior, goalie

Hancock ...

Blais has had an awesome journey from Menomonie, Wisconsin to Victory Honda AAA in Michigan, USHL stops at Tri-City, Omaha and Lincoln and finally at Michigan Tech. Listen in as he takes us through his journey to keep playing at a high level and what his plans are after his hockey career is over.

Paul takes us through his story of growing up on the East Side of St. Paul, MN, his time with the Harding Knights, St. Paul Vulcans, Golden Gophers into professional hockey as a player, coach and front office executive with the Philadelphia Flyers!

Vinni joins us from his grandfather, Lou Nanne's, Tavern23! Vinni comes from an extremely gifted athletic family - his father, Tino, is a former professional soccer goalie who was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame! Just because Vinni comes from a gifted family, don't think he has been handed anything. Listen in as he talks about the path he has taken to become an NHL hockey player! 

Brenden takes us through his youth hockey years in Eau Claire, WI, through his times in juniors with the NAHL's Janesville Jets, USHL's Sioux Fall Stampede - where he won a Clark Cup - and Sioux City Musketeers to his arrival at Minnesota State - Mankato. Brenden talks about his hockey journey to this point and where he'd he like to see himself in the future!

Anthony was adopted into an athletic, but non-hockey playing family. Listen as he takes us through his rise through the ranks of the powerhouse Edina Youth Hockey program and, ultimately, to a state high school hockey championship. Anthony tells us where he is in his life now as well as some of the challenges he faced growing up as a black hockey player.

Bob "Bobby" Clarke arrived in Philadelphia following his junior career with the Flin Flon Bombers and never looked back; winning 2 Stanley Cups and multiple NHL awards.  His success as a player and GM are tremendous accomplishments. Great episode!

Joe takes us through his rise through the youth ranks in Northeast Minneapolis, through his college days with the Gophers and on to the NHL, where his career was cut short by a serious eye injury.  Joe continues to give back to the game by coaching youth teams, teaching skills at JD Hockey, runs the AAA program - "Dusty Tuuks" - and coaches the Minneapolis High School co-op team.