Saucy Rockets Saucy Rockets

We interviewed Jazmine Miley - pro hockey player and coach and founder of the Hockey Players of Color Movement ("HPOC") - right before she went to Finland to join her hockey team. She explains how she got her start in hockey at age 13(!), but despite her late start (by traditional standards) in the game became an elite defender, played collegiately, and currently plays professionally in Finland. She also described her experiences as a Black woman in hockey and how and why she founded HPOC - a much needed resource for players of color - and what it offers. We also discussed her vision for the organization and her future in hockey and what can be done to make hockey more inclusive. 

We closed with a few words from Sydney Kinder, a mentor with HPOC, who played hockey collegiately, and is the force behind the petition to retire Willie O'Ree's number.

We're a little late posting this one, so much has transpired since we recorded it.  The NHL is back and so are we...after a long break. Hear about 1/2 of our grand return to the ice. Other topics include what's happening on the women's hockey front, including the NWHL and PWHPA landscape, the overlooked truth that women's hockey came back before the NHL -- looking at you EWSHL, and what's happening in sports media.  

On the NHL front, we discuss the sexual harassment lawsuit against the Tampa Bay Lightning that seems to have fallen off the radar. And then the NHL's resumption of play: our feelings about the bubble and how we're feeling about the Caps and Pens -- on the day of Sidney Crosby's 33rd birthday.  We also discuss how the NHL has been addressing systemic racism (not very well) and add some players to the shit list.

Also, this is the first episode we've transcribed!

We recorded this last Friday. Honestly, we don't care if anyone listens nor do we expect anyone to listen. We're putting it out here because it exists. It covers some women's hockey and discusses the NHL's return to play. 

We also devote a significant amount of time to discussing hockey culture, racism in hockey, and the murder of George Floyd. The landscape has shifted a lot since players and teams have been making statements. This was recorded before most of those came out. 

We interviewed 2-time Olympic gold medalist, 1-time Olympic silver medalist, and 2-time comeback boss Meaghan Mikkelson!!  She talked about her beginnings in hockey, that intimidating style of play, her path to the Canadian National Women's Hockey Team, and the grueling road to the Olympics.  Hint:  we don't know the half of what it takes to train to make that Olympic team.  She also told us what it was like to play for gold during that comeback at the Sochi Olympics (which still breaks our hearts) and what it was like to compete at the Olympics.  We continued the discussion with her experiences starting a family as an elite athlete, how she balanced pregnancy and motherhood with her hockey career, and what it was like to come back in top form twice.  Finally, Meaghan told us what her hockey goals for the future are.  We hope she's busy in Beijing say...about 2 years from now.   
  

Well...The hockey world has ground to a halt, but we still had PLENTY to talk about:  our own hockey shenanigans, including Mary's grand return to the ice.  There's all the things that happened when hockey still existed: Caps and Pens trade deadline moves, the Isobel Cup playoffs, PWHPA action, and a lookback now that women's hockey has pretty much concluded for the season ... except that one game.  We also discuss the fallout from that virus and the US Soccer lawsuit.  And, Leah reveals who her fave hockey player is. Hint, it's not a man.

We memorialize our first birthday . . . and other things and look back at our first year of existence. We also discuss Mary's return to the ice. In women's hockey, we revisit the Buffalo Believes Classic & that thing (or four) that happened in the third period, THE WHALE'S FIRST WIN, Denna Day & the NWHL's mid-season signings. We also discuss that podcast that's a part of that sports media company, and the PWHPA's Toronto showcase, and the need for more inclusion in pro women's hockey.  In NHL news, it was all about that goalie goal, drama with Torts, and as always, the Caps and Pens.