On International Podcast Day, I thought I'd take us back to the first-ever episode of the Founding 4 Podcast. As you will hear, this show was originally part of The Ice Garden and I worked with co-host Mike Murphy ( @DigDeepBSB ). This was originally published on November 7, 2017. Check out the original logo made by Mike. Here are the original show notes: The Ice Garden is excited to finally present the first episode of the Founding 4 Podcast! In our first episode, we cover the first week of NWH...
Sep 30, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Host Erica L. Ayala sat down with former board member Liz Knox and current board member Sarah Nurse to discuss the timing of the statement, Liz stepping down from the board, if Sarah feels this is a hollow "diversity hire", and much more. Read the full statement here: https://pwhpa.com/our-statement-on-diversity-and-inclusiveness-in-hockey/ Read Emily Kaplan's story on the PWHPA announcement here: https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/29794679/women-hockey-players-association-adds-sarah-nurse-boar...
Sep 05, 2020•43 min
The final installment of #TheOriginalEight series features Riveters captain Madison Packer. The Wisconsin alumna discusses her decision to re-sign for her sixth NWHL season, her love of writing and guacamole, and what the next five years might look like for her. Here are a few links to referenced in the episode: The Packer's First Dance Read Madison's writing at Hockey Wilderness The Kyle Pavone Foundation Follow Madison Packer on Twitter: @madison_packer_ Follow The Founding 4 Podcast on Twitte...
Apr 25, 2020•37 min
We are busting out the Founding 4 Pod archives. Originally posted November 30, 2017, this is an exclusive interview with (now former) HC Lugano defender Blake Bolden. These days, Bolden is working with the Los Angeles Kings as a scout and skating with the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA). Bolden played two seasons with the Boston Blades of the CWHL, and two seasons with the Boston Pride of the NWHL. She won back-to-back professional titles in Boston. First she won the Clar...
Apr 20, 2020•31 min
Connecticut Whale defender Jordan Brickner is the featured guest for the seventh installment of The Original Eight series. Brickner moved to Connecticut from Chicago for what she thought would be one season in the National Women's Hockey League. Today, she is one of eight players to suit up for all five seasons of the league. Unfortunately, Brickner suffered an injury in December that cut her fifth season short. However, we spoke to her earlier this month and she seems to be in good spirits abou...
Apr 16, 2020•30 min
The sixth episode of The Original Eight Series. This series features one-on-one interview with the eight players who've been with the NWHL since the inaugural season. Kaleigh Fratkin began her NWHL journey in Connecticut. At the time, the Vancouver-native turned Boston-area standout decided to get a fresh perspective. Along with her college teammate Anya Battaglino, she signed with the Connecticut Whale. After a rocky season, Fratkin was once again ready for a change of scenery. Enter Riveters h...
Apr 08, 2020•40 min
We're still waiting to drop the puck for the 2020 Isobel Cup Final, but that hasn't stopped teams from re-signing players for season six. Host Erica L. Ayala recaps the most recent signings and other NWHL news (Note: Beauts forward Taylor Accursi re-signed after this episode was recorded). Erica is later joined by Connecticut Whale general manager Bray Ketchum Peel. Bray's first day on the job was the day the #ForTheGame movement began. She navigated those early challenges and put together a tea...
Apr 02, 2020•43 min•Season 3Ep. 17
The Original Eight Series features one-on-one interview with the eight players who've played in the NWHL since the inaugural season. This episode features Connecticut Whale defender and alternate captain Elena Orlando. Elena Orlando started her NWHL career in Brooklyn with the New York Riveters, but is no stranger to the Nutmeg State. Orlando played hockey and rugby at Quinnipiac University. She played one season in Sweden before joining the Riveters for the 2015-16 season. In addition to being ...
Apr 01, 2020•17 min
Here is the fourth episode of The Original Eight Series. This series will feature one-on-one interview with the eight players who've been with the NWHL since the inaugural season. Jillian Dempsey hoisted the inaugural Isobel Cup as a member of the 2015-16 Boston Pride. Prior to her five season in the NWHL, Dempsey played for the Boston Blades and the Harvard women's hockey team. Dempsey discusses being able to work and play close to her hometown, her laser sharp hockey memory (unlike Kiira Dosda...
Mar 25, 2020•39 min
Greetings! Here is the third episode of The Original Eight Series featuring two-time Isobel Cup champion & Buffalo Beauts captain. We discuss what it takes to win an Isobel Cup, why Buie considers Buffalo her new home, and if she'd consider joining the Founding 4 Pod after finishing her most recent off-ice adventure. As always, thank you for your support! This Patreon platform is growing and I'm excited for what the future holds! Next up in this series in Jillian Dempsey of the Boston Pride....
Mar 18, 2020•22 min
Erica starts the show reading the announcement about the postponed NWHL Final and the cancellation of the 2020 IIHF Women's World Championship. You will hear from Hockey Canada officials and media members (11:55) from a conference call held Saturday, March 7th. Coronavirus continues to be a health concern worldwide and has impacted women's hockey. Fans also get a recap of the Isobel Cup Finals and a great interview (39:42) with Boston Pride defender Mallory Souliotis. *** The Founding 4 Podcast ...
Mar 12, 2020•49 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Greetings Patrons! Here is the second episode of The Original Eight Series. This series will feature one-on-one interview with the eight players who've been with the NWHL since the inaugural season. The second episode features Whale defender Shannon Doyle. Doyle is a founding member of the Connecticut Whale franchise of the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL). Doyle has made Connecticut her home, much to the delight of #ThePod fans. As always, thank you for your support! This Patreon platform ...
Mar 11, 2020•15 min
The standings are set! The NWHL Playoffs begin tonight. The Beauts host the Whale for the play-in game, and the winner ships up to Boston for the semifinals. We also have season award winners, Erica reveals her ballot. *** The Founding 4 Podcast is an independent women's ice hockey podcast hosted by Erica L. Ayala. The podcast lives on Transistor.fm and is part of the Sports Talk with Erica L. Ayala podcast network. Please like, share, subscribe, comment, and rate our show. That is how we get mo...
Mar 06, 2020•23 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Greetings Patrons! Delighted to bring you the first episode of The Original Eight Series. This series will feature one-on-one interview with the eight players who've been with the NWHL since the inaugural season. Our first episode will feature Riveters defender Kiira Dosdall-Arena. Dosdall-Arena is a founding member of the Riveters of the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL). We had a chat in December about her fondest memories of her career with the Riveters. She also looks ahead to the next f...
Mar 04, 2020•23 min
Blake Bolden is one of the women prominently featured in the Black Hockey History mobile museum making its way to NHL markets in the 2019-20 season. She won a Clarkson Cup with the Boston Blades of the CWHL and the inaugural Isobel Cup with the Boston Pride (NWHL). Today, she is making history as part of the PWHPA and as a AHL scout in the Los Angeles Kings organization. On this episode, Blake breaks down what she does as a scout, offers her impressions of the Black Hockey History truck, and off...
Feb 27, 2020•16 min•Season 3Ep. 14
The 2020 NWHL All-Star Weekend took place at Warrior Ice Arena in Boston, MA February 8-9. Erica has your recap and exclusive interviews on the latest episode of the Founding 4 Podcast. At the Sunday morning skate, Brooke Stacey chats about her pregnancy announcement and members of the Connecticut Whale chirp each other (and Erica). Anya Packer chirps ... everybody at the Sunday afternoon All-Star Game and Madison Packer plays defense?! *** The Founding 4 Podcast is an independent women's ice ho...
Feb 13, 2020•26 min•Season 3Ep. 13
Lots went down in the last weekend before the All-Star Break! Host Erica L. Ayala takes you through the eight round shootout in New Jersey, the Thunstrom show in Minnesota, the NWHL's reactions to Cassie Campbell-Pascall's comments at the NHL All-Star Game. Stick around at the end of the show (39:10) for an exclusive interview with Michelle "Shelly" Picard, the new NWHL Deputy Director/Director of Player Development. *** The Founding 4 Podcast is an independent women's ice hockey podcast hosted ...
Jan 30, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 12
We're back to break down the last few weeks of NWHL action, discuss Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the #TakeTheLeadBoston initiative, and review the NWHL All-Star rosters. Are you #TeamPacker or #TeamDempsey? Thoughts on the uniforms? Tweet us your thoughts using #Founding4Pod on Twitter. Around the 25 minute mark, Erica is joined by Briana Mastel. The rookie defender for the Boston Pride discusses the 19-0 season, #TakeTheLeadBoston, her work empowering youth, and what makes this Boston team g...
Jan 23, 2020•55 min•Season 3Ep. 11
The Minnesota Whitecaps have been a family affair since inception. Jack Brodt created the women's ice hockey team to keep his daughter Winny Brodt on the ice as a post-graduate with USA Hockey dreams. Jack White designed the original Whitecaps logo, one his daughter Brooke would wear for years alongside Winny. Sixteen years later, Scott Richards is the latest dad to add to the history of the Whitecaps. With Jack White's blessing, Scott Richards created Cappy, a puck head in a helmet and dressed ...
Jan 22, 2020•16 min
Last weekend, Jordan Juron rejoined the NWHL on a PTO. The former Beauts forward joined the #ForTheGame movement in the spring and played in their New Hampshire showcase, making her the first player to come to the NWHL from the PWHPA. What does this mean for women’s pro hockey? Erica offers analysis from her interview with Jordan and PWHPA goalie Katie Fitzgerald . The NWHL All-Star fan picks have been selected, congrats to Lexi Bender, Rebecca “Moose” Morse , and Audra Richards . We recap the 1...
Jan 09, 2020•57 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Hey everyone! Here is the raw interview of my interview with Doxie McCoy. She is one of the first goalies for the Boston College Women’s Ice Hockey team. She was a Communications Major who also wrote for the school paper. We chat about why she chose BC, transitioning from field hockey to ice hockey, and being an African-American college student in Boston in the 1970s. Here is the Power Play article referenced in the interview. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★...
Jan 08, 2020•31 min
Jordan Juron was one of 200+ players to tweet #ForTheGame back in May. Last weekend, she signed a professional tryout (PTO) with the Boston Pride. I spoke to Jordan about her decision to join the NWHL boycott, how a trip to WholeFoods with BU teammate Kaleigh Fratkin led to her PTO offer, and her take on the state of women’s hockey. The Founding 4 Podcast is an independent, NWHL-centric women's ice hockey podcast hosted by Erica L. Ayala. The podcast lives on Transistor.fm and is part of the Spo...
Jan 06, 2020•23 min
Mariah Fujimagari, Madison Packer, and Ashley “Stretch” Johnston talk about the Buffalo Believes Classic. Brooke Wolejko chats about taking Boston to a shootout. Sports Talk with ELA is sponsored by our Patreon community . For the cost of a NYC slice of pizza a month, you help bring more coverage to women in and around sports. You can also make a one-time donation via PayPal. The Founding 4 Podcast is an independent, NWHL-centric women's ice hockey podcast hosted by Erica L. Ayala. The podcast l...
Jan 03, 2020•23 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Happy Holidays everyone! As we approach the New Year, I wanted to recap the last two weeks, including a quick preview of the Outdoor Game in Buffalo, Boston's first trip to Connecticut, and some really cool NWHL news. Kendall Cornine (38:28) and Allie Thunstrom (43:00) join the podcast to recap their most recent team performances, outdoor games, and Allie discusses her love for Dunkin'. Sports Talk with ELA is sponsor by our Patreon community . For the cost of a NYC slice of pizza a month, you h...
Dec 27, 2019•56 min•Season 3Ep. 8
After being swept by Canada in Pennsylvania last month, USA Hockey head coach Bob Corkum and his team went back to the drawing board. Preliminary results were a 4-1 victory over Hockey Canada in the opening game of the 2910-20 # RivalrySeries. What made the difference? Focus, heart, and fresh blood by way of college players. Hear from Kendall Coyne-Scofield after the Pittsburgh sweep, Megan Bozek ahead of the Rivalry Series, and Bob Corkum on recruiting from the NWHL in the future. The Founding ...
Dec 17, 2019•23 min
The Boston Pride won again. The Connecticut Whale come up short, again. Can #ThePack be defeated? What trades should #ThePod make? Should sponsor logos be on NWHL replica jerseys? All this an an interview with Riveters head coach Ivo Mocek on this episode of the Founding 4 Podcast Sports Talk with ELA is sponsor by our Patreon community . For the cost of a NYC slice of pizza a month, you help bring more coverage to women in and around sports. You can also make a one-time donation via PayPal. The...
Dec 14, 2019•23 min•Season 3Ep. 7
The Boston Pride are a perfect 10-0 at the end of November! Hear how they got there and which member of #ThePack is the NWHL Veda Player of the Month. On this podcast, we also catch up with Jane Morrisette (Connecticut Whale), Richelle Skarbowski (Buffalo Beauts), and Brooke Baker (Metropolitan Riveters). Sports Talk with ELA is sponsor by our Patreon community . For the cost of a NYC slice of pizza a month, you help bring more coverage to women in and around sports. You can also make a one-time...
Dec 05, 2019•41 min•Season 3Ep. 6
What a week in the NWHL! We got two hat tricks, the first shutout of the season, and one solid comeback win! Erica breaks down last week, previews Week 7, and answers a few listener questions. Also on this episode, Taylor Accursi (Buffalo Beauts) chats goal celebrations and Sam Walther (Metropolitan Riveters) discusses staying sharp after a long break. Finally, bless all of you who got the HAIM reference in the title. Stories mentioned on the show: Lovisa Selander will suit up for Sweden Emma Vl...
Nov 29, 2019•23 min•Season 3Ep. 5
The NWHL returns after an International break. Hear from Week 5 NWHL Veda Player of the Week Kelsey Neumann, Connecticut Whale netminder Sonja Shelley, and my unfiltered thoughts about who and what is needed to usher women's hockey to the next level. Link to The Hockey News article Link to Sportsnet article Sports Talk with ELA is sponsor by our Patreon community . For the cost of a NYC slice of pizza a month, you help bring more coverage to women in and around sports. Join the Patreon Posse TOD...
Nov 21, 2019•48 min•Season 3Ep. 4
A bonus episode featuring 2018 Isobel Cup Champion, Katie Fitzgerald. Fitzy discusses her first PWHPA Showcase in Chicago, her take on the NHL's interest and involvement in women's hockey, and much more! Music: "So Long Analog" by Noir Et Blanc Vie Sports Talk with ELA is sponsor by our Patreon community . For the cost of a NYC slice of pizza a month, you help bring more coverage to women in and around sports. Join the Patreon Posse TODAY! The Founding 4 Podcast is an independent, NWHL-centric w...
Nov 19, 2019•41 min
