Morris Lukowich scored over 40 goals four times in his big league career. This is Part 1 of our two part series with WHA and NHL All Star Morris Lukowich, who scored over 300 major league goals by combining great skating, hard shooting and a willingness to absorb punishment in front of the net. After a brilliant junior career with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Morris was drafted by the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins in 1976, but opted to play with Gordie Howe and the WHA Houston Aeros. He immediately made a...
Jul 21, 2019•53 min•Ep. 43
Rick Middleton, Ed Giacomin and Johnny Bower are just a few of the NHL greats who played for the AHL Providence Reds In Episode 41 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast, we discuss, the rich tradition of professional hockey in Rhode Island as we prepare for the 19th annual Rhode Island Reds Reunion on August 4, 2019 More than two dozen former Providence Reds and other hockey luminaries are expected to attend the event at Goddard State Park in Warwick, RI. Ticket Info is on the show notes and also men...
Jul 15, 2019•37 min•Ep. 42
The Hartford Whalers are back! A celebration of the Hartford Whalers 3rd annual reunion coming up on July 12th and 13th 2019 as hosted by the Hartford Yard Goats baseball team. The key event for hockey fans will be the on-field BBQ on the afternoon of the 13th — this is a great way to meet the Whalers and hear some unforgettable hockey stories while enjoying great food and one of America’s great minor league ballparks. Today’s shows features conversations with Yard Goats Asst. GM Dean Zappalorti...
Jul 10, 2019•29 min•Ep. 41
Dennis “Super Sobby” Sobchuk was a dynamic junior hockey star, who went on to achieve success in the World Hockey Association. Sobby is still a hockey legend in Regina Saskatchewan, where he starred with the junior Pats in the early 1970s. He played 200 games from 1971 to 1974, registering 191 goals and 225 assists. On a team that included the likes of Clark Gillies and Gregg Joly, he was named the most valuable player of the 1974 Memorial Cup. He later had his number #14 retired and in 2018 he ...
Jun 27, 2019•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 40
With the St. Louis Blues winning the Stanley Cup, what better time to talk with Blues legend Wayne Babych — the first 50-goal scorer in franchise history. A great shooter, who who could mix it up with anyone, Wayne was drafted third overall by the Blues in 1978. As a rookie in 1978-79, he scored 27 goals in 69 games playing RW on the Blues “Kid Line” with Bernie Federko and Brian Sutter as he finished third in the rookie of the year voting behind. After scoring 26 goals in just 59 games in the n...
Jun 16, 2019•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 39
John Van Boxmeer was a first round draft pick (14th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens in 1972 and went on to an outstanding 10-year NHL career as a high-scoring defenseman with the Habs, Colorado Rockies, Buffalo Sabres and Quebec Nordiques. John was part of Montreal’s 1975-76 Stanley Cup powerhouse team, playing behind Hall of Fame defensemen Larry Robinson, Guy Lapointe and Serge Savard. In search of consistent playing time, he was dealt to the Colorado Rockies in 1976 and established himself...
Jun 07, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 38
WHA legend Larry Lund, the Rebel League’s 12th all-time leading scorer, is our guest on episode 36 of the PHA Podcast. Before becoming an original Houston Aero at he age of 32, Lund played 12 outstanding seasons in the minors, mostly in the Western Hockey League with Seattle and Phoenix. With Gordie Howe and the Aeros, Lund centered the “Go Go Line” with Andre Hinse and Frank Hughes, as the Aeros won the Avco Cup in 1974 and 1975. His best season was 1974–75 when he led the Aeros in points with ...
May 25, 2019•53 min•Ep. 37
“The 'Ol Two-Niner” Phil Bourque is our guest on episode 35 of the PHA Podcast. Phil played 18 pro seasons and is best known as a key member of the 1991 and 1992 Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. The grit, hustle and toughness of foot soldiers like Bourque, Troy Loney and Bob Errey were a crucial elements to success for the star-studded Pens. Phil recalls his passion for becoming an NHL player and the many obstacles he faced en route to making to the top. He takes us behind the scenes wi...
May 17, 2019•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 36
Winnipeg-based author and journalist Geoff Kirbyson is our guest on episode 34 of the PHA Podcast and we’ll take an in-depth look at the 1978-79 Winnipeg Jets Avco Cup Championship team. After the interview with Geoff we’ve included some great insight on that team by Jets center Terry Ruskowski, who was our guest episode 16. Geoff Kirbyson is a life-long Jets fans, who wrote a fabulous book about the WHA’s greatest line - The Hotline - Anders Hedberg, Ulf Nilsson and Bobby Hull. When Ulf and And...
May 04, 2019•41 min•Ep. 35
1992 US Olympian and 10-year pro Tim Sweeney is our guest on episode 33 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast. A Hall of Fame 4-year player at Boston College, Tim played along side numerous future NHLers such as Craig Janney, Brian Leetch and Doug Brown. Tim was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 1985 and began his pro career in 1989-90 with Salt Lake of the IHL, where he led the team in scoring and was voted as the top US rookie in the league. While with the parent Flames in 1992, Tim was chosen to pl...
Apr 28, 2019•50 min•Ep. 34
Rick Smith was one of hockey’s steadiest defenseman in the 1970s and he’s our guest on episode 32 of the PHA Podcast. Rick is a well-spoken and humorous guy and you’ll enjoy his reflections on his fascinating 13-year big league journey. Rick tells at least 25 great stories, including: joining Bobby Orr and Boston Bruins on their quest for the Stanley Cup, the shocking trade to the California Golden Seals, his amazing stay with the wild Minnesota Fighting Saints of the WHA and his return to Bosto...
Apr 13, 2019•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 33
Randy Manery, the Flames Franchise first-ever All Star is our guest on Episode 31 off the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast. A steady defenseman, who could carry the puck, Randy played 592 NHL games with the Atlanta Flames, Detroit Red Wings and LA Kings. He was named as the Flames’ representative in the 1973 NHL All Star Game in New York and later was twice voted to be the top defenseman on the LA Kings. In this interview Randy recalls the early days of hockey in the deep South, colorful personalities ...
Mar 29, 2019•53 min•Ep. 32
Episode 30 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast Features “Mighty” Mike Rogers, the speedy and skilled centerman, who was one of the most productive centers in hockey during the 1970s and 80s. Mike was the WHA rookie of the Year in 1975 with the Edmonton Oilers, but was soon traded to the New England Whalers, where solidified himself as consistent 70-80 point scorer. But, when the Whalers joined the NHL in 1979-80, Rogers really took off scoring 105 points and recording a plus 28 plus/minus rating. T...
Mar 10, 2019•53 min•Ep. 31
Episode 29 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast Features Don Luce, a Buffalo Sabres Hall of Famer, who was one of the NHL’s premier two-way players in the 1970s. Luce teamed with wingers Craig Ramsay and Danny Gare to form one of hockey’s most potent lines. In all, Luce played 894 career NHL games, scoring 225 goals and 329 assists for 554 points. His best statistical season was the 1974–75 season with the Buffalo Sabres, when he set career highs in goals (33), points (76), shorthanded goals (8), an...
Feb 28, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 30
Episode 28 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast features Bernie Nicholls, one of hockey all-time great goal scorers, who scored 521 regular season and playoff goals with several NHL teams in an impressive 18-year career. Bernie offers great memories of his NHL days, playing with Marcel Dionne and Wayne Gretzky and the exciting 1980's scene in LA’s Fabulous Forum. He also talks candidly about his fight to assist NHL Alumni, who have suffered post career health issue related to head injuries. Drafted ...
Jan 27, 2019•51 min•Ep. 29
Episode 27 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast features goaltender Phil Myre, who played over 400 NHL games in 14 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens, Atlanta Flames, St. Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers, Colorado Rockies and Buffalo Sabres. Phil was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round, fifth overall, in 1966. He played parts of three seasons with the Habs before being chosen by the Atlanta Flames in the 1972 expansion draft. Phil and Dan Bouchard were an outstanding 1-2 tandem in...
Jan 18, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 28
Episode 26 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast features Peter Taglianetti, a 10-year NHL pro with the Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota North Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning and, of course, the Pittsburgh Penguins, with which he won two 2 Stanley Cups. Peter also enjoyed a standout four-year career at Providence College and is a member of the PC Hall of Fame. A tough, old-school defenseman, Peter was an important figure on those powerhouse Penguins teams providing a hard-hitting aggressive style that was a perfe...
Jan 05, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 27
Episode 25 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast features Paul Gardner, a consistent 30-goal scorer with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Colorado Rockies in the 1970’s and 80’s. Paul comes from a legendary hockey family, which includes his father Cal, an all star centerman with the Bruins, Leafs, Blackhawks and Rangers and brother Dave, a first round pick and NHL pro. With the Penguins, Paul twice led the NHL in power play goals. Blessed with a great touch around the net, his car...
Dec 29, 2018•45 min•Ep. 26
Episode 24 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast features one of hockey’s all-time best LW’s — Brian Propp, who played 15 NHL seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota North Stars, Boston Bruins and the Hartford Whalers. After a unbelievable junior career with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WCHL, Brian was drafted by the Flyers in the first round, 14th overall in the 1979 NHL Entry draft. He’d go on to score 1,004 points over 1,016 NHL games and ranks second in Flyers history in goals (369, beh...
Dec 22, 2018•50 min•Ep. 25
Episode 23 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast features Mike Antonovich, the talented Minnesota Hockey legend and a seven-year WHA star with the Minnesota Fighting Saints and New England Whalers. After three standout seasons at the University of Minnesota, Mike became an original Fighting Saint in 1972. His Pro Career blossomed in 1975 when he played LW on a line with veterans Dave Keon and John McKenzie with the Fighting Saints. He was well on this way to a 40 Goal season until the team folded in ...
Dec 16, 2018•46 min•Ep. 24
Episode 22 of the Pro Hockey Alumni podcast features the personable Jordy Douglas, a WHA and NHL pro, who scored 33 goals with the Hartford Whalers in 1979-80. After a great junior career with the Flin Flon Bombers, Jordy elected to sign with the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association in 1978. With the Whalers, he teamed with hockey legends like Johnny McKenzie, Davey Keon and Gordie Howe as he learned the ropes of playing big league hockey. Jordy scored a goal in his first WHA game...
Dec 08, 2018•49 min•Ep. 23
Episode 21 of the Pro Hockey Alumni podcast features Mike Corrigan, a 11-year NHL veteran with the LA Kings, Vancouver Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins. Mike was both an original LA King and Vancouver Canuck but it was in his second go-round with the Kings where he made his mark in the NHL. A tough, versatile and gritty forward, Mike’s scored 37 goals with the Kings in 1972-73, playing on a line with Juha Widing and Bob Berry. He was key part of the 1974-75 Kings squad that garnered 105 points du...
Dec 01, 2018•44 min•Ep. 22
Today’s Guest on the PHA Podcast is Matt DiBiase, the author of the book — “the Art of the Dealers, the NHL Greatest General Managers” "The Art of the Dealers" is based several interviews with NHL players and general managers (active and retired) like Lou Lamoriello, Cliff Fletcher, Ray Shero, Doug Wilson, Jim Rutherford, and David Poile, who shared their insights and philosophies about what it takes to manage, build, and maintain great hockey teams. In this interview we discuss great managerial...
Nov 25, 2018•59 min•Ep. 21
WHA and NHL Tough Guy, Hall of Fame Referee, Cancer Survivor, Paul “Stewcat” Stewart may be the most interesting man in hockey, but he made his mark well beyond the sport -- inspiring people from all walks of life to find, in themselves, the will and the courage to achieve and survive even the most dire of circumstances. Incredibly, Paul climbed to the top of the NHL ladder twice — as a player and referee. In Episode 19 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast, we focus on Paul’s playing career -- an in...
Nov 19, 2018•55 min•Ep. 20
Episode 18 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast is a Tribute to US Hockey legend Keith “Huffer” Christensen, who died on November 5th, 2018 at the age 74. After a legendary high school career in International Falls, MN, Huffer became a standout player at The University of Minnesota Duluth in the 1960s, putting that program on the hockey map. He captained the silver medal winning 1972 US Olympic hockey team and concluded his playing career in the World Hockey Association with Minnesota Fighting Saint...
Nov 09, 2018•18 min•Ep. 19
What an honor to talk with this week’s guest — my good friend and Boston Bruins legend Rick “Nifty” Middleton. A first round draft pick of the NY Rangers in 1973, Nifty scored 448 career goals and 988 career points in 14 sensational NHL seasons with the Rangers and Bruins. He topped 40 goals and 90 points for five consecutive seasons in the 1980s and played in three NHL All Star Games and Two Canada Cups. While his stick handling and offensive flair were legendary, he also was also a great two-w...
Nov 03, 2018•1 hr•Ep. 18
Terry "Roscoe" Ruskowski played for the Chicago Black Hawks, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Minnesota North Stars in the National Hockey League (NHL), and for the Houston Aeros and Winnipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association (WHA). Ruskowski's leadership on the ice was recognized with his tenure as captain of the Aeros, Blackhawks, Kings, and Penguins, the only player in major professional history to captain four clubs. Ruskowski won two Avco Cup Championships in the WHA (1975 and...
Oct 25, 2018•42 min•Ep. 17
Drafted in the third round, 32nd overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, Joe Noris played 55 regular season games in the National Hockey League with the Penguins, St. Louis Blues, and Buffalo Sabres in 1971–74. During his NHL stint, he mostly played as a defenseman although he was a natural center. Joe made his way to the World Hockey Association with the San Diego Mariners and the Birmingham Bulls, skating in 198 WHA games, scoring 72 goals and adding 116 assists from...
Oct 12, 2018•49 min•Ep. 16
14-Year NHL veteran Joe Juneau enjoyed an incredible collegiate hockey career at RPI all while earning a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Joey went on to win a siver medal for Canada in the 1992 Olympics and became an instant sensation in Boston with a terrific post-Olympics debut in 1992 followed by a 102-point rookie season in 1992-93. Despite his success in Boston, Joey was traded to the Washington Capitals at the trade deadline in 1994 in exchange for Al Iafrate. Joey would proceed to hav...
Sep 21, 2018•29 min•Ep. 15
Episode 13 of the Pro Hockey Alumni Podcast is a tribute to NHL and WHA veteran forward Alvin Brian “Ab”Ab McDonald, who passed away on September 4, 2018 at the age of 82. Ab played 762 regular-season and 84 NHL playoff games followed by two seasons in the World Hockey Association, where he was the Winnipeg Jets' first captain. The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native won the Stanley Cup with the Montreal Canadiens in 1958 and 1959 and then again with Chicago in 1961. He scored the Stanley Cup-winning goa...
Sep 09, 2018•22 min•Ep. 14
