We're joined by NHL trivia expert Liam Maguire - a hockey historian, a published author, radio host, TV personality and probably the biggest Habs' fan in the world Russ relives some Stanley cup Playoff memories. But Liam probably knows as much about Russ's hockey career as he does. Liam talks about Montreal Canadiens history and why they're regarded as an iconic franchise. An interesting story about Larry Robinson when he was just starting out. He also discusses the time he met Russ for the firs...
Jun 16, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 106
The boys offer up some thoughts on the Montreal Canadiens surprising playoff run so far. Russ spills the goods on Patrick Roy's pre-game good luck charm. The time Bob Gainey lost it on his goalie, Jon Casey The best 3 athletes Russ ever saw The time Russ pulled a fast one on teammate Mark Tinordi who tended to be tight with a buck Russ had a great night with the LA Rams...including his neighbour Andrew Whitworth along with Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp. Talking about the workout regimen of Ru...
Jun 09, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 105
A quick review of the Wendel Clark episode The fellas react after the Leafs' Game 7 loss to Montreal. Why did the Habs win? Who does Russ cheer for when his two former teams face each other? Who does all the talking during intermissions at playoff time and what do they say? The boys talk about tennis star Naomi Osaka who refused to talk to the media this week at The French Open. After round one, she gets fined and then withdraws. Russ talks about his bad experience with the Montreal media, some ...
Jun 02, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 104
We're joined today by former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Wendel Clark! Wendel and Russ reminisce about their days playing together in Toronto. Wendel talks about his childhood in Saskatchewan and why hockey won out over farming! A hilarious story about Bill Derlago Dave Lumley was always tight with a buck Memories of their head coaches Dan Maloney and John Brophy Russ always appreciated having such a talented linemate who was always the best bodyguard What made Gary Leeman one of the best athlet...
May 26, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Russ' daughter is named to the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are upon us! The boys talk about some of the action so far. Russ, who played for both Toronto and Montreal, thinks the Leafs will win, but also reminds us that anything can happen in the playoffs, especially when you have Carey Price. Why is Toronto in a 54 year Stanley Cup drought? Russ shares some of his playoff memories. The time an NHL owner put $100,000 dollars on a table in his team's dressing room...
May 19, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 102
It's our 100th episode!! Russ talks about the Gretzky interview and how the Great One told some stories he's never told before The boys answer some emails and Jim gives a shoutout to every listener ever Russ talks about the sports autographs business The boys get into the Capitals-Rangers mess, sparked by the suspendable Tom Wilson, along with the unprecedented Rangers' press release and the firing of top Ranger executives John Davidson and Jeff Gorton. Do NHL teams need to restore the enforcer ...
May 12, 2021•56 min•Season 1Ep. 101
Our special guest is Wayne Gretzky! Wayne has zero issues with anyone who wants to wear #99. He talks about how his parents completely wasted their money buying him braces Wayne shares many heartfelt and funny stories about his father, who passed away in March. He talks about why he would sneak home unannounced when he went to visit his parents He updates us on what his family is up to Wayne discusses how close he was to actually playing for Winnipeg instead of Edmonton And he vividly remembers ...
May 05, 2021•51 min•Season 1Ep. 100
This week the guys talk about social media abuse is rampant and how one sport is taking serious action against it. Russ recalls how it felt getting booed by his home crowd in Montreal Then scoring a Game 7 overtime winner vs Hartford! Dealing with a fluke shoulder injury that changed everything in Montreal Jason Spezza led a player initiative to get Leaf players to pool their money to help out lesser paid AHL players in their organization. Russ remembers an amazing act of giving from an unlikely...
Apr 28, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 99
The boys talk about the retirement of quarterback Alex Smith and his inspirational comeback from a shattered leg and multiple surgeries. Jim talks about his father's battle with Huntington's Disease. What it meant to Russ to be an NHL player. What Gordie Howe didn't like about the game. They discuss Columbus head coach John Tortorella making Max Domi a healthy scratch. Russ discusses other coaches, the coaching styles that most helped him and the styles that bothered him. The boys also discuss t...
Apr 21, 2021•53 min•Season 1Ep. 98
Today we get into our pet peeves, the things that really drive us crazy. Russ's favourite neighbour moves away...he was a Great One We talk about another great edition of The Masters, and how cool and humble Hideki Matsuyama is. Wait, how many hole in ones has Jack Nicklaus had? Our producer, Steve Warne (also a long time sports talk radio host), helps us break down the NHL trade deadline. Taylor Hall is traded to Boston. Why did he sign a one year deal with Buffalo in the first place? Toronto b...
Apr 14, 2021•58 min•Season 1Ep. 97
The boys discuss the Vancouver Canucks COVID outbreak this week and a few of their own thoughts on vaccines. The Texas Rangers home opener is allowed a full house for their home opener. Connor McDavid gets the maximum NHL fine for an elbowing penalty against Montreal. Wait, the maximum is only $5000??!! What's it like for players to live through the NHL trade deadline, whether they're on the block or not? Jim asks Russ to share some memories about his NHL draft day, going 7th overall to the Leaf...
Apr 07, 2021•55 min•Season 1Ep. 96
Russ has a theory on why Jimmy cannot sell his house in the hottest market ever. Jim talks about his days as a realtor and, during one showing, an embarrassing, painful episode After the Aaron Ekblad injury, Russ remembers some bad injuries he's witnessed, along with some of his own Has Russ ever witnessed a coach telling a player to go out and hurt an opponent? Which skill players in Russ's era were hardest to contain? Chris Chelios's story about constantly getting burned by Mario Lemieux Jim's...
Mar 31, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 95
Russ talks about a fundraiser for his friend... We discuss Thomas Hickey's incredible battle though adversity to play his first game for the Islanders in almost two years. How do you stay motivated on a hockey team that's already way out of the playoff race? They address Erik Karlsson's recent comments that he doesn't want to go through in San Jose what he went through in Ottawa. Russ's friend "MC" joins us to talk about a wild, and we mean WILD golf story with Russ at Pebble Beach that had a $2...
Mar 24, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 94
Our special guest is Russ' former Leaf teammate, Gary Leeman. This week, the guys talk about: The time Pete Mahovlich stepped in to save Jimmy from a beating. What Gary is up to these days and where he's living Jimmy's memory of hanging with Gary in Truro Nova Scotia. Gary and Russ talk about staying involved with charity through NHL and Leafs alumni events The boys talk about their times together at Notre Dame And the decision to leave home to play prep school at Notre Dame Riding shotgun with ...
Mar 17, 2021•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 93
An emotional show this week as the boys discuss their friend, Walter Gretzky —Canada's Hockey Dad—who passed away last week at the age of 82. They discuss: Russ meeting Walter at the 1991 Canada Cup when he and Wayne played together for Team Canada. Walter had great sympathy at that tournament for 18 year old Eric Lindros. Going for walks and telling stories with Walter and his friend Charlie Henry. They discuss Wayne's amazing, emotional eulogy. How Walter was always inquisitive and genuinely w...
Mar 10, 2021•58 min•Season 1Ep. 92
This week the boys relive some great stories and the Edmonton Oilers' dynasty of the 1980's. The time Jim moved in with Kevin. Memories of hitting golf balls off Jim's car Jim takes a week to list off Kevin accomplishments Kevin remembers his final year of playing, signing a 3 year deal with the Oilers, one year to play, two year to coach Kevin doesn't miss dealing with agents Some great memories about the Winter Olympic Hockey Tournament 2002 when Canada broke its 50 year gold medal drought. Ho...
Mar 03, 2021•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 91
Russ and Jim are joined this week by TSN Hockey host and author, James Duthie. The boys talk about Duthie's latest book Beauties: Hockey's Greatest Untold Stories. They zoom in on some fantastic stories about Luc Robitaille, Marc Bergevin, Gordie Howe, Darcy Tucker, Pat Quinn, Brian Kilrea and others. They discuss how TSN is pulling off hockey with all the safety challenges. Will the NHL be able to get all 56 games in this year? The night James dropped his lapel microphone on air and the hilario...
Feb 24, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 90
Today, Jim quizzes Russ about the info his Wikipedia page What was Russ like as a kid? Russ talks about days on the school yard and life playing prep school hockey in Notre Dame in Saskatchewan He remembers his late father's promise Russ also talks about leaving home at 14. Was he homesick? He talked about his Hounds teammates Wendel Clark, Gary Leeman, Gord Kluzak and other ND players who made the NHL Russ tells a great story of when he realized he had at a chance to get to the show The unusual...
Feb 17, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 89
Jim crushes our producer Steve in NFL betting Russ lost on KC but he's happy for Tom Brady Russ shares Paris' perspective on what's it's like to be married to an NHL player? And what things are like after retirement? The Super Bowl streaker We're got some stories on how to talk your way into great sports tickets Stories of Russ facing off against his brother Geoff Why you can't chirp guys as much anymore Advice for young players before they enter the NHL Russ has a great story his brother tells ...
Feb 10, 2021•51 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Our good friend Marty McSorley joins us with some fantastic hockey stories this week: The former Edmonton Oiler, LA King, Boston Bruin, Pittsburgh Penguin, New York Ranger, and San Jose Shark talks about the time he fought his future teammate, Mark Messier and, after their majors, rushed out to wait for him outside the penalty box. Marty says when he was in a bad mood, he would warn opposing wingers - like Russ - that they probably shouldn't come flying up his side of the ice. The Oilers were a ...
Feb 03, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 87
The boys review Kirk McLean's great visit to the show last week Russ is getting ready for his physical for Life Insurance - measuring out his next White Claw Parenting, trying to keep kids clear of trouble and Jim's memories of "the strap" Russ and Jim share facts and memories of former Toronto Maple Leafs' captain George Armstrong who passed away this week Russ is loving the NHL North, the all-Canadian division Blockbuster trade Patrik Laine for Pierre-Luc Dubois John Tortorella? Russ feels lik...
Jan 27, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 86
Former NHL goalie Kirk McLean - Russ' old Canucks' teammate - fills in for Russ as guest co-host today…. He talks about some of the differences in the game today versus his era. Kirk talks about the advancement in goaltending techniques: While today's butterfly technique is superior, he is concerned about injuries. The boys talk about how beautiful the facilities are at Rogers Place in Edmonton The guys get into the Tiger Woods Documentary on HBO. Kirk discusses the Courtnall family, their chari...
Jan 21, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 85
In this episode, some great stories from St Louis Blues analyst Darren Pang. Both Panger and Russ played junior hockey for Brian Kilrea and they swap some great stories about him. The guy's get into Panger's Chicago days, discussing Denis Savard and Doug Wilson, his contentious relationship with Mike Keenan and Panger's very unusual pre-game ritual. Russ gives some love to Neal Broten as a guy who should be in the Hall of Fame. Hear what Darren has to say when Russ declares what a great GM Pange...
Jan 13, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 84
With the World Juniors wrapping up, this week the boys discuss the Canada-Russia hockey rivalry. You won't believe what happened when Russ and the Montreal Canadiens when they travelled to Russia for an exhibition game. Things got a little out of hand and what Brian Skrudland did to the Russian coach is absolutely wild! Russ isn't a big fan of Mike Milbury and he tells us why. The guys get into Russ' biggest NHL regret; a funny story about Pat Burns and a planned bag skate; Do players have more ...
Jan 06, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 83
This week we discuss Canada's beat down of lesser hockey countries so far at the World Juniors. We look back at the amusing comments by the Swiss head coach a few years ago, knowing his squad had no shot when they faced Canada. We get into the emotional post-game speech this week by Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt, who's worried about his teammates not seeing a tough season through with full effort. Russ talks about his golf round with Billy Bush. As the year draws to a close, we look at th...
Dec 30, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 82
Russ remembers some of his old coaches: the best, the worst, the one with the best motivational speech he ever heard and the one Russ believes put more players into the NHL than any other amateur coach. Jimmy tells a hilarious story about getting burned by former Hockey Night in Canada host Brian McFarlane. The boys talk about Russ' son Lawton who got his first professional goal on the weekend. Russ recalls his first goal and whether he keeps any NHL mementos. They get into the recent memorabili...
Dec 22, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 81
In this week's episode, the boys discuss reports that the NHL plans to go with a 56 game schedule and an all-Canadian division. They get into life as a hockey parent, with an update on Russ' son as he breaks into pro hockey. The guys have some positive thoughts about Paul Coffey, who became the first defenceman to get 1000 assists, 25 years ago this week. They have some fun drinking stories and (look out, White Claw), Russ has a new go-to drink. The time Jim had Mario Lemieux over to his house w...
Dec 16, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 80
Russ talks about another former Montreal Canadiens forward - enforcer Chris Nilan and his battles. The guys discuss the many negative temptations that are offered to pro athletes. The story of former Oiler Esa Tikkanen and his love of vodka. What's the toughest part about being a pro athlete? Wayne Gretzky's rookie card may be worth $1 million. The boys swap cool stories about former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Russ recalls the night Team Canada head coach Brian Kilrea gave him the c...
Dec 09, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 79
Today we're joined by media consultant and longtime broadcast executive Mark Maheu. We discuss the evolution of the sports media landscape and where advertisers are spending their money. We get into the NHL's very lucrative TV deal with Rogers and whether the deal has been worth it so far. Russ tell a great story about radio legends Howard Stern and Rick Dees. They guys get into the story of Sarah Fuller who became the first woman to play in a Power Five conference football game. They also discu...
Dec 03, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 78
The boys remember the fun (and the cold) at the first NHL Heritage Classic. Russ was playing on Montreal's alumni team and Jim was doing his standard Oiler gravy training. Not all NHL players love the soap operas, but Wayne Gretzky always did. Russ gives Jimmy the gears for getting dumped and his new obsession with online blackjack. A cool story - with a Leafs' connection - about how Russ got started in real estate. With people stuck at home during the pandemic, people are renewing old hobbies. ...
Nov 25, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 77
