The Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast

Eddie was one of the NHL's all-time great defensive forwards My guest on episode 72 is Eddie Westfall and 18-year NHL veteran and one of the most respected players of his generation. A four-time NHL All Star and Masterton Trophy winner, Westfall is regarded as one of the greatest defensive forwards the game has ever seen. Eddie spent the 1960s with the Boston Bruins and was known as “The Shadow” for his prowess in shutting down the games most prolific forwards such as Bobby Hull and Gordie Howe. As the Bruins began building a championship team in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Eddie teamed with Derek Sanderson to form the NHL’s premier penalty killing unit as the Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 1970 and 1972. Eddie became the first captain of the expansion NY Islanders in 1972 and remained with the franchise throughout the decade, providing leadership and mentorship to a group of young players, who would eventually form a hockey dynasty. He was particularly stellar in the Isles unlikely 1975 playoff run, which saw them come within one game of the Stanley Cup finals. Post career, Eddie became a highly entertaining color man for Islanders TV broadcasts as he was often paired with Jiggs McDonald. Eddie would eventually be inducted into the NY Islanders Hall of Fame. Host: Mark Willand ITunes/Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher Twitter Facebook Instagram Google Play Mark Willand Pro Hockey Alumni WHA Hockey Boston Bruins Alumni You Tube

A tribute to departed legends Episode 70 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast is a tribute to three NHL and WHA players who passed away recently: Tom “Hawkeye” Webster, Pat “Whitey” Stapleton and John “Tank Hughes. We begin with a look back at the remarkable career of Tom Webster. Tom was my favorite Whaler in the early days of the franchise. In fact, in my very first trip to Whalers Gift Store in 1975, I purchased a Whalers #8 replica sweater. Tom was the Whalers first star, scoring 52 goals to lead the Whalers to the WHA championship in 1973. Although Tom had been a 30-goal scorer with the Detroit Red Wings, he was a high-risk signing with New England due to severe back injuries that limited him to just 12 NHL games with the California Golden Seals in 1971-72. As noted, Tom was beset by back injuries throughout his WHA career but he scored 220 goals in 352 games and added 28 more in 43 playoff games … based on 80 games, Tom averaged over 50 goals per season in the WHA. Tom went on to enjoy a remarkable coaching career, winning championships in the CHL with Tulsa, the AHL with Adirondack and the OHL with Windsor. He later became a scout with the Calgary Flames and ended his hockey career as one of the most respected men in the game. Pat Stapleton played eight seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, and was named Second Team All-Star three times (1966, 1971, and 1972). His highest scoring season was 1969, where his 50 assists set a new NHL record for assists in a season by a defenceman (broken the next year by Bobby Orr).Stapleton was a member of the Team Canada team at the Summit Series in 1972. During the tournament he was a +6 and was often paired with his Black Hawks teammate Bill White. In 1973, Stapleton jumped from the NHL and signed a five-year deal with the Chicago Cougars of the World Hockey Association where he became player-coach. He was a WHA first-team all-star in 1974 and won the Dennis A. Murphy Trophy as the league's top defenceman in the 1973–74 season. That year the Cougars stunned the hockey world by reaching the WHA finals before ultimately losing to the Houston Aeros. Stapleton again represented Canada in the 1974 Summit Series against the national team from the Soviet Union, this time as team captain. He was again player-coach of the Cougars in 1974–75, and the team struggled on the ice and financially. In December 1974, he and teammates Dave Dryden and Ralph Backstrom bought the troubled franchise. The Cougars folded after the 1974–75 season and Stapleton was claimed by the Indianapolis Racers, where he played for two seasons and was named a second-team all-star in 1976. When the Racers refused to honour his contract in 1977, Stapleton was transferred to the Cincinnati Stingers, where he played one season before retiring in 1978. The next year he had the distinction of being Wayne Gretzky’s first pro coach with the Indianapolis Racers where he coached both Gretzky and Mark Messier before the team folded in December 1978.Similar to JC Tremblay, had Pat not jumped to the WHA he may be in the Hockey Hall of Fame today. Nonetheless, Pat certainly has the respect for all who knew him. He was a player who truly appreciated the history of the game and his place in its legacy. Hard-Hitting PEI native John Hughes was a member of the powerful Toronto Marlboros teams of the early 70s and went on to an excellent -- and well-traveled -- WHA career with Phoenix, Cincinnati, Houston, Indianapolis and Edmonton. John was chosen to the WHA’s mid-season all star team in 1977 and 1979. Injuries took their toll on John in his brief NHL stay and he concluded his career, coincidentally, with Tom Webster’s Springfield Indians in 1981-82. Andre Lacroix, a teammate of John’s in Houston and Jerry Rollins, who played with John in Indianapolis recall the rock solid D-man they call “Tank”

Nobody had a more lethal wrist shot than Tom Fergus. Episode 68 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast features Tom Fergus, who played 726 NHL games with the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks in the 1980s and early 90s.. Fergus was known for his sensational wrist shot, which helped him record back-to-back 30-goal seasons with Boston and Toronto en route to a total of 235 goals for his career. Tom is entertaining and insightful as he recalls his longshot road to the NHL draft, his junior coach -- Mike Keenan, the much-publicized contract battle and eventual trade from Boston, and he provides great anecdotes about John Brophy, Pat Quinn, Terry O’Reilly, Wendel Clark, Borje Salming and many other great names from that unforgettable era. Today, Tom is very active with the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni, raising money for various charities throughout Ontario and beyond. Speaking of charities, just a reminder that we have joined NHL Alumni Tom Laidlaw, Frank Simonetti and Ken Hodge, Jr. in support of the Warrior for Life Fund and the Navy Seal Foundation. Through the game of hockey, the Warrior for Life Fund supports our soldiers by providing programs and infrastructure that help military families cope with the unique challenges of combat, extended deployments, disabilities and the long lasting effects of war. Please visit warriorforlifefund.org for more information. Remember you can follow us anywhere online @prohockeyalumni -- and as always, we appreciate your outstanding ratings and reviews on ITunes and Apple Podcasts Host: Mark Willand ITunes/Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher Twitter Facebook Instagram Google Play Mark Willand Pro Hockey Alumni WHA Hockey Boston Bruins Alumni You Tube

As we learned in our recent interview with Steve Baker, an exciting three-on-three professional hockey league is set to debut in North America in 2021 Dubbed 3ICE, the league was founded by today’s guest EJ Johnston, the son of former NHL goaltender Eddie Johnston and Craig Patrick, the former GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins. EJ Johnston serves as CEO of 3Ice and Patrick is its commissioner. Inspired by the NHL’s exciting three v three overtime format, the upstart league will emphasize a fast paced style of play and fewer rules than traditional pro hockey. Each game will consist of two eight-minute periods with no stoppages. 3Ice, of course, will attempt to lure all hockey fans — especially younger viewers — with a streamlined game format. Let’s learn more about 3ICE and what it was like growing up as the son of a "Big Bad Bruin." … Here’s my interview with EJ Johnston.

In an era that was as much about violence and mayhem as scoring and finesse, Allan Globensky's battered fists were more valuable than his hockey stick. Episode 64 of the Pro Hockey Alumni podcast features Allan Globensky, a feared enforcer with the WHA Quebec Nordiques in the 1970s. In the early 70s, Globensky was a member of the incomparable Montreal Junior Canadiens, where her served as a popular and self-described goon on a Memorial Cup-winning squad that included Hall of Famer Gilbert Perreault and perennial NHL all-star Richard Martin. Allan was Selected by Minnesota North Stars in the 1971 NHL Draft, and eventually signed with the Nordiques in the fledgling World Hockey Association. Incidentally, Allan’s first coach in Quebec was the legendary Maurice “Rocket” Richard and Allan shares some fascinating insights into this revered hockey legend. With the Nordiques and their minor league affiliate in Lewiston, Maine, Globensky, was a reluctant gladiator who experienced the seamier side of hockey, a world of mayhem, bloodshed and insanity that made the iconic movie “Slapshot” tame by comparison. We’ll talk about the wild brawls and the toe-to-toe matches with some of the 70s toughest players like Dave Hutchinson, Paul Stewart, Steve Durbano and many more. Back then, Globensky fought because that’s what he was told to do, and it was the role the team wanted him to play. Allan is still battling, but now he’s fighting to maintain his quality of life and to encourage former teammates to seek help if they are concerned about their mental and physical health. Allan’s new book “A Little Knock Won’t Hurt Ya!” Is, easily, one of the best hockey books I’ve read and I highly recommend it. I call this fast-paced book "Slapshot with a Soul.” In this well-written memoir, Allen is brutally honest and refreshingly candid about the ups and downs of his life as a hockey enforcer and the dark days he experienced thereafter. And’ I’ll give you a spoiler — this story has a happy ending. The link to ordering Allan’s book is in the show notes. So … What happened to Allan Globensky, the former cult hero, after the cheers of bloodthirsty fans faded away? This is his story, and it’s one that is both compelling and cautionary. Order "A Little Knock Won't Hurt Ya" Host: Mark Willand ITunes/Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher Twitter Facebook Instagram Google Play Mark Willand Pro Hockey Alumni WHA Hockey Boston Bruins Alumni You Tube

He might be hockey's most interesting man. Episode 62 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast features Robin Burns — one of the most entertaining and impactful people to ever play in the NHL. As a left wing for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Kansas City Scouts in the 1970s, Burns was know as a fun guy, a natural comedian and the life of the party. But Robin was also a visionary, who would eventually pioneer one of the most important hockey equipment innovations: the visor. After rising to president of Micron skate company, Robin founded a long shot startup called ITECH in the basement of his Montreal home. ITECH would grow into one of the three biggest hockey companies in the world. This was just one of many successful business endeavors for Robin, who, in his spare time, would also become an agent for several NHL coaches, including his cousin Pat Burns. We’ll follow Robin’s incredible journey from his youth in Montreal and the Montreal Junior Canadiens, to the American Southwest, Hershey, Pittsburgh and Kansas City and right through his inspirational rise to the top of the hockey business mountain. Despite his entrepreneurial success, Robin remains a humble self-effacing guy and one of the best storytellers in hockey. Inspiration for the Robin Burns episode courtesy of upcoming show guest Troy Treasure, author of "Icing on the Plains" ... "The rough ride of the NHL Kansas City Scouts." Host: Mark Willand ITunes/Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher Twitter Facebook Instagram Google Play Mark Willand Pro Hockey Alumni WHA Hockey Boston Bruins Alumni You Tube

Only 20 men in NHL history have scored 60 or more goals in a single season. A sometimes forgotten member of this select club is an undersized, take-no-prisoners centre named Dennis Maruk. And it’s only fitting that Dennis is our guest on episode 60 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast. As a junior in the OHA, Maruk was the one of the greatest players in London Knights history, but his 5-8 height scared off NHL teams until the second round of the 1975 Draft, where he was chosen by the woebegone California Seals. After a standout rookie season in Oakland, Maruk and his mates moved to Cleveland, where he continued to star while the franchise floundered. After just two seasons in Ohio, the Cleveland Barons were merged with the Minnesota North Stars in 1978, but Maruk was dispatched to Washington after 2 just games. It was in DC where Maruk would emerge as one of the NHL’s premier centers, scoring 50 goals in 1980-81 and following that with the incredible 60-goal, 76-assist campaign in 1981-82. Maruk led the improving Caps in scoring in 1982-83, but was traded back to Minnesota and slotted as the team’s 3rd line center. Amidst reduced playing time, Maruk adjusted to his new role would become one the Stars top post-season performers in the notorious “Chuck Norris” Division in the 1980s. As chronicled in his riveting 2017 autobiography with author Ken Reid, Maruk’s post playing days took him from hockey superstar to behind the wheel of a service ship in the Gulf of Mexico, to carrying bags as a bellhop at an Aspen hotel, to setting up furniture for Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, to working as a farmhand for musician John Oates. And ultimately Maruk’s life path took him to a life-and-death decision at edge of the Grand Canyon. Dennis is a great interview and you’ll love his recollections of a fascinating career and life. Among the teammates, coaches and opponents we discuss are: Gilles Meloche, Bob "Hound" Kelly, Ryan Walter, Jean Pronovost, Kent Nilsson, Herb Brooks, Charlie Simmer, Bryan Murray and more. After our talk with Dennis, stick around for "PHA Overtime" with this week's news and notes from our Facebook pages featuring the Hartford Whalers, Boston Bruins, World Hockey Association and Pro Hockey Alumni as well as a postscript to the Maruk interview. Host: Mark Willand ITunes/Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher Twitter Facebook Instagram Google Play Mark Willand Pro Hockey Alumni WHA Hockey Boston Bruins Alumni You Tube

Goaltender Steve Baker had some great moments for the early 80s New York Rangers. Episode 58 of the Pro Hockey Alumni features goaltender Steve Baker, who played with the New York Rangers between 1979 and 1983. Baker was a standout at Union College coached by legendary Ned Harkness. He was drafted by the Rangers with the 44th pick overall in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft. He began his NHL career losing only one of his first ten games in 1979–80. He later gained great acclaim in the 1981 playoffs, when the upstart Rangers upset the LA Kings and the St. Louis Blues to advance to the Stanley Cup semifinals with Steve as their starting goalie. Steve was selected to represent the USA in he 1981 Canada Cup, where he served as Tony Esposito's backup. Steve offers some great insights on playing with Tony O. Steve played for five Hall of Fame coaches during his career — Harkness, Fred Shero, Herb Brooks, Craig Patrick and Bob Johnson — and he talks about the impact each had on his career an his life. He also has fun memories of Gordie and Colleen Howe from the New England Whalers 1978 Training Camp. Injuries curtailed Steve’s NHL career but he quickly embarked on a successful career as a media executive. Today, Steve is the Chief Hockey officer of 3Ice Hockey. 3ICE IS A NEW AND TOTALLY INDEPENDENT 3-ON-3 PROFESSIONAL ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE IN NORTH AMERICA. BASED ON THE 3-ON-3, FULL-SIZED RINK, OVERTIME FORMAT, 3ICE IS UNIQUELY DESIGN TO GIVE FANS THE SPEED, SKILL AND EXCITEMENT THEY LOVE 100% OF THE TIME. https://3ice.com/ Host: Mark Willand ITunes/Apple Podcasts SoundCloud Stitcher Twitter Facebook Instagram Google Play Mark Willand Pro Hockey Alumni WHA Hockey Boston Bruins Alumni You Tube

Remembering 22-year NHL and five time All Star Dean Prentice Welcome to episode 56 of the pro hockey alumni podcast — a special edition of the show in which we’ll look back at the life and career of 22-year NHL veteran Dean Prentice, who passed away on Nov. 3rd, 2019. Between 1952-53 and 1973-74, Dean Prentice played in 1,378 regular season National Hockey League games with the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota North Stars. Over that time, he scored 391 and assisted on 469 for 860 points. Dean scored 20 or more goals with all five teams he played for and appeared in five NHL All Star games. He was a second team NHL All Star in 1959-60 after scoring a career-high 32 goals with the Rangers. While with the North Stars, Dean was one of the first NHL players to publicly commit his life to Christianity and he and his wife, June, continued to be ambassadors for Christianity long after Dean’s playing career ended. In addition, I’ll review the recent weekend Alumni series between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers — a home-and-home battle that featured six Hockey Hall of Famers. I was there for all of it, and I thought you might want to hear some of the behind-the-scenes insights from a great weekend of classic hockey. Among the legends who appeared for these charity games were HOFers Brian Leetch, Brad Park, Ray Bourque, Glenn Anderson, Jean Ratelle and Joey Mullen. Special thanks to Lou Nanne, Hockey Ministries International and the Warrior for Life Fund for their contributions to this episode. Host: Mark Willand ITunes/Apple Podcasts SoundCloud Stitcher Twitter Facebook Instagram Google Play Mark Willand Pro Hockey Alumni WHA Hockey Boston Bruins Alumni You Tube

The inside scoop on the 1960s Toronto Maple Leafs and the California Seals from one hockey's most colorful characters. Episode 54 of the PHA podcast features part one of our two-part discussion with Gary"Suitcase" Smith, one of the NHL’s premier goaltenders — and most fascinating characters — of the 1960s and 1970s. In the episode, Gary gives us amazing and humorous insights into his first two big league stops in Oakland and Toronto as well as his junior career with the Toronto Marlboros. Also know as “Axe” for his stick-wielding ways, Gary was the co-winner of the Vezina Trophy in 1971–72 with Chicago , an NHL All Star in 1975 with Vancouver and a AVCO Cup champion with the Winnipeg Jets in 1979. In addition to his on-ice accomplishments, Gary is remembered as a fun-loving and colorful netminder, who was popular with teammates and fans alike. If you love classic hockey, you’ll love this discussion with Gary Smith. He holds nothing back and reveals sensational never-before-told stories from hockey’s classic era. You'll enjoy his recollections of many hockey legends including Harry Howell, Carl Vadnais, Don Cherry, Punch Imlach and many more. ITunes/Apple Podcasts SoundCloud Stitcher Twitter Facebook Instagram Google Play Mark Willand Pro Hockey Alumni WHA Hockey Boston Bruins Alumni You Tube

Terry Ruskowski and Morris Lukowich Remember Teammate and Friend Larry Hale Episode 52 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast is a tribute to former Philadelphia Flyers and Houston Aeros defenseman Larry “Stoney” Hale, who passed away of natural causes in his native British Columbia on Sept. 27, 2019 at the age of 77. Hale was born October 9, 1941 in Summerland, British Columbia. After a long stint with the Seattle Totems of the old Western Hockey League, he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1968. Hale played 196 regular season games for the Flyers between the 1968-69 and 1971-72 seasons. He later played six seasons in the WHA with Gordie Howe and Houston Aeros, where was a solid force on the blueline helping the Aeros to a pair of AVCO Cup Championships in 1974 and 1975. In this episode we’ll hear from two of Larry’s Aeros teammates — Terry Ruskowski and Morris Lukowich — who have fond memories of Larry as a player and teammate. RIP Larry “Stoney” Hale.

With Bobby Hull, Gordie Howe and Gerry Cheevers, Team Canada 1974 was a team Canadians and WHA fans could be proud of. Welcome to Episode 50 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast. This is a Topic Episode featuring many of our previous guests. First, we’’ll celebrate the 45th anniversary of “The Forgotten Summit” — the 8-game 1974 Summit Series battle between the best of Team Canada (i.e. Team WHA) and the Soviet Union. Rick Smith played defense for Team Canada ’74 and he provides unique insights into this overlooked super series that featured the likes of Bobby Hull, Gordie Howe, Vladislav Tretiak, Valerie Kharlamov and many of hockey’s all time greatest legends. The Soviets won the series 4-1-3, but this was a team that Canadiens and WHA fans could be proud of. Next, NHL training camp is well underway, so we’ll talk to several of our former guests — Rick Middleton, Blake Dunlop, Wayne Babych, Morris Lukowich, Rick Smith and Phil Bourque — about their first NHL training camp experience. Finally we’ll conclude with a look at a major NHL Alumni event we’ll be involved with: the NY Rangers Alumni vs. Boston Bruins Alumni doubleheader on October 26 and 27, 2019. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the show on ITunes, Spotify, You Tube or wherever you listen to the show. Your input has a big impact on making the show more visible to hockey fans around the world. Also, feel free to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ProHockeyAlumni. Home base for the show is our website: ProHockey alumni.org. ITunes/Apple Podcasts SoundCloud Stitcher Twitter Facebook Instagram Google Play Mark Willand Pro Hockey Alumni WHA Hockey Boston Bruins Alumni You Tube

Jim "Seaweed" Pettie was a colorful and rambunctious goalie for the Boston Bruins In episode 48, we remember the life and career of the fun-loving Boston Bruins Goaltender Jim Seaweed Pettie, who passed away on August 31, 2019 at the age of 65. A 9th round draft pick by the Bruins in 1973, Seaweed played in 118 games with the IHL Dayton Gems between the 1973-74 and 1975-76 seasons. During the 1975-76 season, Pettie went 12-3 in the post season to lead the Gems to the Turner Cup championship. As a goalie, Seaweed was rambunctious and combative as illustrated in that 75-76 campaign, when he amassed 145 minutes in penalties — the fifth-highest total on the team. Teammate Steve Langdon recently said: “I would say he was probably the toughest goalie to ever play the game.” The Bruins promoted Pettie in 1976-77 season, placing him with the AHL Rochester Americans, where he would play 43 games while posting an excellent record of 26-15-1. During that year he also played one NHL game with the Bruins — a victory over Bobby Orr and the Chicago Blackhawks. At the start of 1977 training camp, Pettie was roomed with author George Plimpton, who was doing research for his upcoming book, "Open Net." Because of that, Pettie was often referenced in the book. After another stint in Rochester, Pettie was up with the Bruins for most of the 1978-79 season, going 8-6-2 in 19 games as the back-up to Gilles Gilbert and Gerry Cheevers. This would be Seaweed’s final tour in the NHL. In retirement he remained in the Rochester area and was active with the Amerks Alumni. Bruins legend and Alumni President Rick Middleton joins us today to recall Seaweed Pettie and his unlikely role in, what was almost, one of the Bruins all-time most historic goals. ITunes/Apple Podcasts SoundCloud Stitcher Twitter Facebook Instagram Google Play Mark Willand Pro Hockey Alumni WHA Hockey Boston Bruins Alumni You Tube