Corey Hirsch

On Episode 27 of Crunch Chronicles Lukas Favale is joined by Corey Hirsch. Hirsch played for the Crunch during the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons while the team was affiliated with the Vancouver Canucks. Hirsch was a workhorse in the 1997-98 season, playing in 60 games for the Crunch, which stands as the second-most by a Crunch goaltender in a single season. He finished that season with a 30-22-6 record with a 3.19 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. Among AHL goaltenders, Hirsch ranked second in wins (30), minutes played (3,512) and saves (1,724). He also posted one shutout as he helped the Crunch earn a berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Medicine Hat, Alberta native returned for five games in Syracuse the following season, but spent the majority of that campaign in the NHL with Vancouver. Hirsch totaled 108 NHL games during his career with Vancouver, the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals and Dallas Stars. He also saw AHL action with the Binghamton Rangers, Albany River Rats, Portland Pirates, Philadelphia Phantoms and Utah Grizzlies, in addition to his time with the Crunch.   He also won a Silver Medal at the 1994 Olympics with Team Canada. Following his career, Hirsch opened up about his struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder while he was a prospect beginning his NHL journey. He is now a public advocate for mental health and hosts Blindsided, a podcast about sports, mental health and life. On the show, Hirsch discusses his time in Syracuse and the important conversation surrounding mental health.