Hosted by longtime NHL and NWHL PR executive and New York Times Hockey writer Chris Botta, the Hockey Press Pass Podcast shines a light on the hockey media like never before. Each week, Chris speaks with leading broadcasters, writers and executives around the NHL and all areas of hockey. We will learn about how they got here, their process, their triumphs and challenges. And every so often at the end of the show, Chris shares some of his experiences as Communications VP of the New York Islan ...
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For the Season One finale of Hockey Press Pass, we were proud to be joined by John Buccigross for this discussion on the NHL's return to ESPN, his approach to play-by-play, the work of colleagues John Tortorella, A.J. Mleczko Griswold, Kevin Weekes and Ryan Callahan, the next steps for women's hockey, his approach to nutrition, and so much more. On…
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Ex-NHL Referee Tim Peel on Accountability, the Dangers of the Job, State of Officiating, What to Expect in the Playoffs, and Potential for Historic Hires Next Season
36:31
Should referees be made available to answer questions from reporters after controversial calls? How have the refs enforced the new standard for crosschecking? What should fans expect from the refs in the upcoming playoffs? Will the success of female officials in the AHL this season result in history being made in the NHL in 2022-23? Former NHL ref …
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Your Questions, Part 2: On Garth Snow, Women's Hockey, the Gluckstern-Milstein Era and Budget Cuts, Favorite Players, and More
57:53
This episode is the finale of a two-parter in which Chris answers some of the questions you've sent during the season about his time in the media and as a PR executive with the Islanders and in the National Women's Hockey League. Host: Chris Botta Executive Producer: Dani Rylan Kearney Guest Producer/co-host: Lou Pellegrino Producer: Pat Boyle Pres…
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Your Questions, Part I: On the Coliseum, 2002 Maple Leafs Series, Spano, Chris King, Milbury, Favorite Teams, and a Missing Chest Protector
54:46
This episode is the first of a two-parter in which Chris answers some of the questions you've sent during the season about his time as the Islanders' VP of Communications. Host: Chris Botta Executive Producer: Dani Rylan Kearney Guest Producer/co-host: Lou Pellegrino Producer: Pat Boyle Presented by: HelloFresh, InStat Hockey, Main Street Board Gam…
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Kevin Kurz of The Athletic: From PR to the NHL Beat; Chris Shares a Personal Story About Al Arbour
50:12
Kevin Kurz, who took over the Islanders' beat for The Athletic in the middle of this season, made the atypical jump a decade ago from the PR staff of the Flyers to covering the NHL. Kurz is a skilled, dedicated and diligent reporter with a distinctive voice in his articles and Twitter posts. Over 35 minutes, we get to learn more about his career, p…
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Islanders Forecheck 16: Brian Compton on Lamoriello's Next Moves, Plus Your Questions About Trotz's Future, Fisherman Jersey and More
49:21
On the day the NYI announce long-term injuries for Cal Clutterbuck and Scott Mayfield, Brian Compton of NHL Dot Com joins the show to help us interpret Lou Lamoriello's direct comments about the need for "hockey trades" in the offseason. In addition, Chris gets to a series of your questions about Barry Trotz, the fisherman jersey and aspects of his…
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Islanders Forecheck 15: NY Acquire No Assets, Bring Back Clutterbuck and Parise, Look to Offseason
26:04
As the Closing Bell rang on the NHL Trade Deadline on Monday, Chris and Lou discussed the Islanders' lack of deals, the contract extensions for bottom-six veterans Cal Clutterbuck and Zach Parise, and why attention turns to Jakub Chychrun, Filip Forsberg, other unknowns, and hopes for the offseason. But as a PR colleague of Chris always says, "Hope…
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Islanders Forecheck 14: Martin Biron Guest Stars on A Very Special Pre-NHL Trade Deadline Show
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With the NHL Trade Deadline near, Chris Botta and guest producer/co-host Lou Pellegrino got together Saturday morning to try and deliver the kind of pre-deadline show you’d expect from Hockey Press Pass/Islanders Forecheck. The show opens with former NHL goaltender and current Sabres analyst Martin Biron providing his viewpoints on goalies availabl…
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Brendan Burke of the NHL on TNT & the New York Islanders on MSG Networks
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Thanks to the generosity and class of Brendan Burke, this episode has it all: an inside look at his preparation for his next game; the crucial and challenging years in the minors while wondering if he’d ever get the call to the NHL; the job interviews and process leading up to a contract offer to do Islanders play-by-play; the dynamic in the booth …
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Islanders Forecheck 13: Michael Grabner Takes Us Inside the NHL Trade Deadline, Tense Breakup Day Meetings, and His Calder Trophy-Nominated Rookie Season
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After Pat and Chris ponder the impact of the Islanders’ recent impressive wins over Columbus and St. Louis, Michael Grabner joins the show to add his perspective from a very unique NHL playing career. Michael shares what it’s like “in the room” in the days leading up to the trade deadline, how it feels to be traded (at the deadline and, by the Isla…
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TSN’s Jamie McLennan on the NHL Trade Deadline, Rollercoaster Playing Career, and Triumphing after the Fight of His Life at Age 25
57:42
Overcoming a dangerous bout with Meningitis in Intensive Care to return to the NHL with the Blues, play great, and win the Masterton Trophy. Being the second player named Jamie from his junior team to hear his name called at the NHL Draft (oops). Playing for Al Arbour and getting the nod to go into games after Ron Hextall got Game Misconducts. Tran…
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Islanders Forecheck 12: Jamie Rivers with Tarasenko Talk, Blues-Isles Preview, and His Tale of an NYI Game after a Long Night of Coach-Endorsed Drinking
46:06
After Pat and Chris break down the latest Islanders loss and Lou Lamoriello’s comments about roster decisions before the trade deadline, ex-NYI dman and current Blues analyst Jamie Rivers joins the show. Jamie previews Saturday’s tilt at UBS against St. Louis, talks about Vladimir Tarasenko and Pavel Buchnevich, and shares memories of his time with…
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Sportsnet’s Kristina Rutherford on the NHL, Maple Leafs, Art of Profile Writing, and Future of Women’s Pro Hockey
40:38
As we enter a crucial time for the sport coming off the Olympics and powerhouse viewership numbers for the gold medal game between Canada and the U.S., it was time to speak with Kristina Rutherford, the gifted features writer for Sportsnet. In addition to the usual Hockey Press Pass inquiries of our guest about the NHL, her career, process and advi…
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Michael Russo of The Athletic on the Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers, the Islanders’ Dynasty and 25 Years of Relentless Reporting
39:29
In Chris’s opinion, no one has covered the NHL team beat better over the last quarter-century than Michael Russo. In this interview you’ll get an idea of why Mike is so good, as his love for the game and journalism comes through. Mike covers everything, from the impact the Islanders made on him while growing up on Long Island, to his approach to se…
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Islanders Forecheck 11: The Value of Certain Available Islanders at the NHL Trade Deadline May Surprise You
45:03
After an impressive victory by the Islanders over Boston, Pat Boyle and Chris Botta decide it’s all perfectly okay to be on two tracks: Barry Trotz and his players will stay focused on trying to win the next game and the one after that, and Lou Lamoriello and his hockey ops department will monitor the trade market. On the latter, Chris shares what …
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Before ESPN got the NHL back, Emily Kaplan wrote nonstop for ESPN.com. Now you can find Emily everywhere on ESPN platforms – on game telecasts, on “The Point,” co-hosting the podcast “In The Crease,” not to mention her frequent appearances on “Around the Horn.” Get to know a lot more about this brilliant and relentless journalist in this wide-rangi…
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Jiggs McDonald, the Voice of the Islanders Dynasty, on More than 50 Years of NHL Play-by-Play
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Jiggs McDonald has called some of the most memorable moments in NHL history, from his time with the Islanders, Panthers and the early days of the Atlanta Flames and Los Angeles Kings. In this conversation with Chris, the Hockey Hall of Fame broadcaster shares stories about working with Bill Torrey, Al Arbour, and his boothmate, Ed Westfall. He also…
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Islanders Forecheck 10: Rob Schremp Can Relate to Oliver Wahlstrom, Trevor Zegras and Divided Opinions on the Coaching of High-Skilled Players
48:45
With Trevor Zegras dazzling at NHL All-Star Weekend with his trick shots, and as the development of Oliver Wahlstrom under Barry Trotz continues to be a hot topic around Islanders Country, Rob Schremp was the perfect person to speak with this week. As a former first-round pick, leading scorer in the OHL, and a magician with the puck whom one teamma…
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Islanders Forecheck 9: Let’s Talk with Bruno Gervais about Noah Dobson, the Trade Deadline and His Time with the Islanders
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Former Islanders defenseman and current RDS analyst Bruno Gervais joins Chris to share his view on the current plight of the NYI, his admiration for Noah Dobson, and his concern about the potential for hasty trades. Bruno also provides a lot of insight into his time with the unstructured Islanders, some of his notable teammates, and the legacy of C…
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In an episode dedicated to the memory of beloved Hockey Hall of Fame forward Clark Gillies, Justin Bourne joins Hockey Press Pass to talk about making the transition from Division I and AHL/ECHL player to analyst. Along the way, he recalls his participation in an Islanders training camp, discusses his views on the Maple Leafs, NYI, and John Tavares…
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Islanders Forecheck 8: Adrian Aucoin on Barry Trotz’s Islanders, the NYI revival in 2001, and what made Clark Gillies a legend
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After Chris and Pat discuss the state of the Islanders, Adrian Aucoin joins the show and shares stories of his time with the early-2000s teams that revitalized the franchise – including ones about starting 11-1-1-1, his funniest teammates, the frat house shared by a quartet of his teammates near him in Garden City, and a contract extension with Mik…
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Sara Civian of The Athletic on the NHL, Carolina Hurricanes, Penn State, Twitter and Her Fast-Rising Career as a Journalist
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With every article she writes, every tweet she posts, every broadcast appearance she makes, Sara Civian displays a distinctive style, immense talent, and unmatched work ethic. It’s no surprise she’s become a star in hockey media in quick fashion. Over this 30-minute conversation, Sara shares her career story and advice, and discusses Twitter etique…
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Former Islanders goaltender and current TVA analyst Eric Fichaud joins the show and gives his perspective on the current squad and their goalies after their home-and-home series with the Flyers. Eric also shares memories of his time with the Isles, including the fisherman jersey, visiting John Spano’s house, some of his teammates, and living on Lon…
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Billy Jaffe of NESN and NHL Network on the Thrashers, Islanders, Bruins and Every Step of an Amazing Career
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From his work on the Thrashers, Islanders and Bruins to his appearances on NHL Network, Billy Jaffe has become one of the most popular commentators in the NHL. His knowledge, work ethic and rare ability to be clear, precise and passionate in his analysis are matched by few in the business. In this episode, Billy and Chris have a loose and fun talk …
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Islanders Forecheck 6: Jiggs Shares His Views on Brendan Burke; Isles Get W They Needed, While Pelech Makes All-Star
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Pat Boyle and Chris share their reactions to the Islanders' victory over the Devils, give credit where it's due, and talk about what's next in the NYI's long, (unrealistic?) road to return to contention for a playoff spot. The guys also answer your questions about Adam Pelech, Billy Jaffe, and UBS Arena, and share a clip from an upcoming Hockey Pre…
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“I Own All of It” – Aaron Ward on His Gambling Addiction, the Cost to His NHL Career and Life, and Recovery
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In a raw interview, former NHL defenseman Aaron Ward shares the complete details of the depths of his gambling addiction and how it led to his arrest after a domestic incident (later expunged) and enrollment in the NHL/NHLPA Behavioral Health Program. You’ve likely never heard anything like this before from a hockey player about gambling — includin…
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As NHL teams begin making trade proposals to the Coyotes, Chris checked in with several scouts, coaches and analysts to ask 1) Should the Islanders consider trading a first-round pick, a current player, and two prospects for Jakob Chychrun? 2) What would the defender’s ceiling be on Barry Trotz’s Islanders? Chris shares what he heard, and later on,…
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ESPN’s Arda Öcal Takes Us Behind the Scenes at “Sportscenter” and “In the Crease,” Shares His Experiences in the OHL and WWE, and Pride in Being the Son of Immigrant Muslim parents from Turkey
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When ESPN got the NHL back, Arda Öcal was one of the hockey advocates at the network (along with Linda Cohn, John Buccigross and others) yearning to step up as a lead voice. After all, going back to his years calling games in Canadian juniors, he has been preparing for this moment. In this episode, Arda takes us behind the curtain at ESPN’s “Sports…
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Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek on a Blessed and ‘Completely Accidental’ Career as One of Hockey’s Leading Voices
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Over his ten years at Sportsnet, Jeff Marek has emerged as one of the most popular and respected broadcasters in the game. For his work on Hockey Night in Canada, “The Jeff Marek Show,” “32 Thoughts” and other programs, Marek says he tries to “outwork everybody” in order to be at his best. We thank Jeff for these 45 minutes on the state of the NHL,…
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Bob McKenzie: The NHL’s Ultimate Insider on the Draft, Twitter, Booze, Career Choices, and State of the League
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On the day when Bob McKenzie arrived in Calgary to cover Team Canada’s camp for World Juniors AND launched his Bobby Margarita beverage brand, he still graciously found time for Hockey Press Pass. In this episode, Bob looks back on his Hall of Fame career as the game’s top newsbreaker and shares a personal and impassioned view on where he’d like to…
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Islanders Forecheck 4: The Islanders Win a Game! Plus: Forecheck Flashback from 2011 – Chris’s Interview with the Late, Great Bill Torrey
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A decade ago, Chris recorded an interview with legendary Islanders GM Bill Torrey and the tape was recently unearthed. Since so many fans have asked us about the ’90s teams, we hope you enjoy the beloved late Mr. Torrey’s views on the Turgeon and Thomas trades, drafting of Kasparaitis and Palffy, and other topics. Later on, Pat Boyle and Chris disc…
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Rising Star Mollie Walker on the Rangers, Islanders, the NHL, and Her Team on the Hockey Beat at the New York Post
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In record time, Mollie Walker has gone from covering UMASS hockey for the college paper to the NHL beat for the New York Post. In this conversation, you’ll see why we believe Walker will continue to quickly rise up the ranks of sports journalism. With extraordinary energy and positivity, she shares her views on the Rangers, Islanders, the NHL, and …
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Islanders Forecheck 3: Tim Leiweke Talks UBS Arena, Chris and Pat Debate Hopes for This Season
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In the latest edition of “Islanders Forecheck,” Pat goes off on the potential of this Islanders season being a disaster. But is it too early to be alarmist? Later on, Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke tells us about his company's collaboration with the Islanders on UBS Arena, and Chris shares his experiences being inside the venue when the doors opene…
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Brian Compton and Chris Reunite, Shake Their Heads and Rejoice over the Islanders Finally Having a New Arena
34:43
As the Islanders jubilantly open their new arena, a reunion with our friend Brian Compton was necessary for Press Pass. We hope you’ll enjoy the show as Chris and Brian express their disbelief that the NYI finally have their own new barn in UBS Arena and — despite the shaky opening to this season — also have a good team.…
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Actor Kevin Connolly on the Night He Drafted Brock Nelson, Telling John Spano’s Story for ESPN, and the Highs and Lows of a Die-hard Islanders Fan
42:46
You may know Kevin Connolly from “Entourage” and several Hollywood hits, but he’s a Long Islander through and through. Passionate about his Islanders and the NHL, the actor and director joins us for a lively discussion about the game, the opening of UBS Arena, how he got to announce a selection on stage at the NHL Draft, and adventures in interview…
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Greg Wyshynski on Life at the NHL on ESPN, Birth of Puck Daddy, the Future of Gary Bettman and Other Hockey Headlines
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Like a typical day’s worth of posts on the legendary Puck Daddy blog he produced at Yahoo, this conversation with Greg Wyshynski of ESPN has it all: strong opinions on the NHL, lots of information, and a few laughs along the way. We hope you enjoy it. Highlights include… · Greg names his three favorite people in New Jersey Devils history · Forecast…
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In this eight-minute commentary, Chris Botta details some of the callous and unfortunate moments in Gary Bettman’s press conference on the Kyle Beach tragedy, says the job description as Commissioner in these times requires someone more compassionate than the current leader, and expresses his belief that Bettman knows the clock has begun to tick on…
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From Team PR to Sportsnet to The Athletic, Ian Mendes Has Seen It All Around the Ottawa Senators
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Ian Mendes and Chris Botta share something rare in common, having worked both in the PR departments of NHL teams and in the media. In this refreshingly open conversation, Ian tells us about his early start in PR with the Ottawa Senators and what it’s been like to cover the highs and lows of the franchise. Ian’s enthusiasm and positive spirit reverb…
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Islanders Forecheck 2: From “How are things in Shawshank?” in 1999 to Much Better Bays in 2021
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A Hockey Press Pass bonus series, “Islanders Forecheck” takes the long view of the 2021-22 season of the New York Islanders – one that many experts have predicted will end with a Stanley Cup. Chris Botta opens the show with some perspective on the wild shenanigans of ownership in 1999 and then Chris and Pat Boyle discuss... - The All-Time Islanders…
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Kenny Albert Knows You Miss Your Local NHL Announcers When He’s Calling Playoff Games, Because He is One. He Honors This by Bringing His Unbiased Best.
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The NHL on TNT’s Kenny Albert is a broadcasting rarity, calling play-by-play in the NHL, NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball. In a 30-minute interview, Kenny tells us about his start as a substitute Islanders announcer and making $18,000 a year with the AHL’s Baltimore Skipjacks, how he prepares for each broadcast, and how he embraces the challenges…
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Kelly Hrudey on Goaltending, Gretzky, Grating Trade Rumors, Joining the Islanders Dynasty, the Easter Epic, Broadcasting, and His Family’s Important Mission
53:07
In a hockey career spanning four decades, Kelly Hrudey has been a star goaltender for the Islanders and Kings and a highly-respected analyst on television. From beginning to end of this conversation, Hrudey wears his heart on his sleeve as he shares thoughts on his broadcasting career, his journey as a young goalie at the end of the Islanders dynas…
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Islanders Forecheck: The “Oh, No…People Are Picking Them to Win the Stanley Cup…This is Weird” Episode
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A Hockey Press Pass bonus series, “Islanders Forecheck” will take the long view of the 2021-22 season of the New York Islanders – one that many experts have predicted will end with a Stanley Cup. In this first edition, Chris Botta and Pat Boyle... - Address the breaking news from TSN's Darren Dreger that Ryan Pulock has signed an 8-year contract ex…
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The Athletic’s Hailey Salvian on Journalism, Social Media, and Life on the NHL Beat; Chris with a Tale of Fake Islanders Owner John Spano
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In our first discussion with a reporter on the daily beat of an NHL team, the skilled and tenacious Hailey Salvian of The Athletic provides important details about her coverage of the Ottawa Senators and now on the Calgary Flames. This is a brutally honest conversation about reporting on the NHL, developing a network of allies and sources, and lear…
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Frank Seravalli on Reporting NHL Scoops, Unveiling the Kraken Expansion Draft (and Getting Heat for it), and What to Expect at the Trade Deadline
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In an honest and direct conversation about breaking news in the NHL, Frank Seravalli revisits his scoops around the Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft and reveals how one executive made a persuasive case about where he may have crossed the line. Seravalli’s candor about journalism, competition, career choices, sourcing and style is a rare look inside t…
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Craig Button of TSN & NHL Network: When an ex-GM Becomes a Commentator on Other GMs’ Drafts, Trades and Free Agent Signings; Chris on Zdeno Chara’s Return
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Craig Button is passionate about the game. In a revealing discussion, the former Calgary Flames GM and Stanley Cup-winner with Dallas takes us inside team preparation for the NHL trade deadline and the scouting process. Among other topics, Button shares his views on what makes Lou Lamoriello successful, and why strong ownership is crucial for succe…
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Howie Rose Talks Islanders, Rangers, Mets, the Craft of Hockey and Baseball Play-by-Play, and His Future in the Booth
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Howie Rose was a kid from New York who lived the dream of becoming the play-by-play announcer for the Islanders on TV and Mets and Rangers on the radio. In this episode, Howie shares a lot of inside information about his process and experiences calling games in MLB and the NHL, and exclusively talks about his future in the broadcast booth. In the s…
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Ray Ferraro of ESPN & TSN on NHL broadcasting, disputes, fan feedback, the rulebook and a magical time with the New York Islanders.
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On the premiere episode of Hockey Press Pass, Ray Ferraro of ESPN and TSN discusses his start on TV (while still playing in the NHL), approach to analyzing games, views on the state of the league, “feedback” from players and executives – including a hallway confrontation with a chippy player – and much more. Later on, Ray and Chris talk about his m…
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Hosted by longtime NHL and NWHL PR executive and New York Times Hockey writer Chris Botta, the Hockey Press Pass Podcast shines a light on the hockey media like never before. Each week, Chris speaks with leading broadcasters, writers and executives around the NHL and all areas of hockey. We will learn about how they got here, their process, their t…
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continue reading