Did The Panarin Trade Save The Kings Season w/ Bayne Pettinger

Summary

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Empty Netters Podcast Summary

Episode: Did The Panarin Trade Save The Kings Season w/ Bayne Pettinger
Date: February 5, 2026
Host: Dan Powers, Evan Watkins (Almost Friday Media)
Guest: Bain Pettinger (NHL Agent, founder of Apollo Athletes, LGBTQ+ advocate)
Special Segments: Breaking news on the Artemi Panarin trade, deep dive interview with Bain Pettinger, Team Canada/USA Olympic roster talks, and more.

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Main Theme

This episode focuses on breaking down the blockbuster Artemi Panarin-to-the-Kings trade and its ripple effects on the NHL. The hosts also deliver their usual blend of banter, beer-league humility, and sharp hockey analysis, followed by an in-depth interview with agent and advocate Bain Pettinger. The show then pivots to Olympic rosters, storied player legacies, and meaningful discussions on inclusion and representation in hockey.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking News: Artemi Panarin Traded to the LA Kings

(Timestamp: 02:41 – 15:26)

• Trade Details:
  • Panarin moves from NY Rangers to LA Kings; Rangers retain 50% salary.
  • Panarin signs a 2-year, $11M AAV extension.
  • Rangers receive prospect Liam Greentree (24th overall, 2024), a conditional 2026 3rd round pick (upgrades to 2nd if LA advances), and a 2028 conditional 4th.
• Immediate Reactions:
  • Hosts are surprised by the modest return given the rumors (e.g., Will Smith from San Jose, Ryan Leonard from the Capitals).
  • “Rangers fans are expecting them to get this... but you were only ever going to get this.” — Evan Watkins [04:33]
  • Context: Panarin had full control—would only waive for LA.
• Trade Impact for Each Team:
  • Kings:
    • Fill Kopitar’s role, power play boost for one of the weakest PP units.
    • Enter full “win-now” mode: “They just got better. A lot better.” — Dan Powers [06:19]
  • Rangers:
    • Greentree is a high-IQ prospect, compared to DeBrincat in junior numbers.
    • The return was the best available, given Panarin’s leverage.
  • NHL Landscape:
    • Competitive West, Kings needed to keep pace with Vegas, Edmonton, etc.
    • Trade blocks rivals from upgrading: “None of their competitors acquired Panarin… might as well be you.” — Evan Watkins [12:03]
• Notable Moment:
  • Hosts react in real-time to rumors, acknowledge the frustration from Rangers fans, but insist on the logic behind the assets.

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2. Team Chemistry, Coaching Systems, and the LA Kings’ Playoff Push

(Timestamp: 15:26 – 15:47; 14:58 – 15:26 references)

• System Fit Concerns:
  • Debate if Panarin will thrive under coach Jim Hiller’s defense-first style.
  • Hosts hope the system “will adjust” to maximize 'Breadman's' elite playmaking.
  • “If I’m Artemi Panarin… I’m not looking at Jim Hiller.” — Dan Powers [14:58]
• Kings in Context:
  • Sitting just outside the playoff picture, but poised to surge.
  • Expected immediate on-ice chemistry with new teammates.

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3. Connor McDavid’s Players’ Tribune Article: “Robot or Hockey God?”

(Timestamp: 15:32 – 25:44)

• Article Highlights:
  • McDavid expresses deep national pride and devotion to winning—both for Edmonton and Team Canada.
  • “This man cut his bachelor party short because he was so pissed. If that’s not the most hockey guy thing ever…” — Dan Powers [18:42]
  • Signals he will never leave Edmonton: “He will die in Edmonton. For good or for bad.” — Evan Watkins [21:54]
• Emotional Impact:
  • The article rallies Canadian pride, even swaying devoted USA fans in the moment.
  • “If you weren’t already a McDavid fan…you are now.” — Dan Powers [25:58]
• Olympic Implications:
  • McDavid, Crosby, and the current generation are now laser-focused on international competition after years of missing out due to NHL/Olympic conflicts.

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4. Team Canada and USA Olympic Roster Analysis & Debates

(Timestamp: 25:58 – 38:19)

• Sam Bennett Replaces Anthony Cirelli (injury):
  • John Cooper (Canada’s coach) “desperate” to get Bennett on team.
  • “He might be one of the top five big game players in the NHL.” — Dan Powers [30:35]
  • Embarrassment of riches: “Canada suffers a brutal injury, and then the team gets better.” [29:32]
• Roster-Building Philosophies:
  • Critical discussion on USA’s outdated ‘Miracle on Ice’ grit-first bias.
  • “Now the skill can match up, and yet we’re still not building the roster.” — Dan Powers [32:55]
  • Ryder Cup-style hypothetical: Who would make teams strictly by points? (US leaves off several top scorers.)
• Chemistry and International Preparation:
  • Nostalgia for ‘Miracle’ year, where Team USA played a full season together.
  • “No wonder they won.” — Dan Powers [40:45]
• Olympic Arena Anecdotes:
  • Milan venue quirks, security, and fan excitement, reminiscent of grassroots travel hockey.

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5. Pittsburgh Penguins: Analysis & Playoff Prognosis

(Timestamp: 41:50 – 50:22)

• Recent Hot Streak:
  • 11-2-2 in January, climbing Metro standings.
  • “This Pittsburgh team is good. They’re making playoffs. It’s locked. Book it.” — Dan Powers [48:54]
• Key Contributors:
  • Sid Crosby, Geno Malkin still leading.
  • Depth scoring from Justin Brazeau, Manta, Rust.
  • Goalie Stuart Skinner thriving since trade.
• Caution:
  • Cited past failures from disrupting chemistry with splashy moves.
  • Playoff matchups (Islanders, Carolina) discussed; Metro called “really bad” overall.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “You are the Sidney Crosby Penguins…in playoffs you are more.” — Evan Watkins [48:43]

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6. Interview: Bain Pettinger (NHL Agent, Advocate)

(Timestamp: 52:10 – 116:35)

• Career Overview:
  • From Hockey Canada intern to Team Canada Manager, Olympic gold, now founder of Apollo Athletes.
  • Focus on multi-sport athletes, mental fitness, and long-term growth.
  • “Hockey is a contact sport on and off the ice.” — Bain Pettinger [53:57]
• Role as Agent:
  • Puts out fires, supports clients through adversity.
  • Boutique approach: small client list, tailored advice, holistic development.
  • 60-70% of agent’s role is “sports psych”: “Never too high, never too low.” [71:26]
• Coming Out Journey & LGBTQ+ Advocacy:
  • Candid stories about coming out to friends and NHLers, the anxiety and relief.
  • “You think the worst will happen…now that I've been out five years, I laugh.” [79:44]
  • Co-founded Alphabet Sports Collective to support queer people in hockey.
  • Emphasizes positivity, community, visibility over fixating on negativity and online trolls.
  • “The day I came out was the best day of my life.” — Bain Pettinger [90:44]
• Heated Rivalry (TV Show) Commentary:
  • Praises its realistic depiction of the closeted athlete experience.
  • “If I would have seen that when I was in the closet, I'd be like: ‘Okay, people are cool with this.’” [97:51]
  • Calls for hockey to keep building on momentum for inclusivity.

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7. Olympic/International Hockey: The Big Picture

(Timestamp: 104:05 – 115:25)

• Olympic Culture:
  • Inside stories: Olympic village, spirit of national teams, cross-sport camaraderie.
  • Emphasizes how best-on-best events push hockey to its highest level.
  • “John Cooper said after Four Nations: coming back to the NHL felt like a lesser league.” — [113:51]
• Broadcast Reach:
  • Olympics generate unrivaled global exposure—vital for growing the game.
  • Hopes for Russian re-entry but acknowledges current geopolitical realities.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "This is a win for the Kings...they just got better this year. Come on." — Dan Powers [10:47]
• “If Panarin said, ‘I’m only going to one team, you are fucked.’” — Evan Watkins [10:05]
• “That Players’ Tribune article was essentially the sports almanac from ‘Back to the Future.’" — Dan Powers [25:05]
• “You never get this in the NHL…he just gets to come hang out, meet the boys, meet the city, everything’s good, hit the ground running.” — Evan Watkins [13:24]
• “Never too high, never too low…that’s 60-70% of my job as an agent.” — Bain Pettinger [71:26]
• “The big, bad hockey world isn’t that bad. Some of the greats in the game…are more than allies.” — Bain Pettinger [89:44]
• “If you weren’t already a Connor McDavid fan…if you’re not now, I don’t care what you have to say!” — Dan Powers [25:58]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:41 — Breaking Panarin trade discussion begins
• 06:56 — Deep-dive on prospect Liam Greentree
• 09:00 — Salary retention, extension, and why Rangers didn’t get more
• 10:47 — “Win-now” analysis on Kings, LA’s playoff math
• 15:26 — McDavid’s Players Tribune & Canadian national pride
• 25:58 — Canada/USA Olympic roster impacts, Sam Bennett talk
• 32:13 — How Olympic roster construction philosophies differ (US vs Canada)
• 41:50 — Penguins segment: playoff positioning, team chemistry
• 52:10 — Bain Pettinger interview: hockey career, agenting, inclusion, advocacy
• 104:05 — Olympic inside stories & hockey culture
• 116:35 — Where to find Bain Pettinger’s initiatives

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Tone

The show brims with irreverent hockey fan energy—honest, enthusiastic, informed, and self-deprecating. The hosts mix sharp, researched analysis with in-the-room style banter and beer-league humor. Bain Pettinger’s interview provides deeply personal, inspiring perspective, mixing serious moments with wisecracks and a practical “just be yourself” ethos.

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For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode provides an on-the-fly reaction to one of the NHL’s biggest trades, a rundown of its implications for the season, and a peek into the unique pressures of player, fan, and management perspectives. The Bain Pettinger interview delves into the state of player development, agency life, mental health, and LGBTQ+ visibility in sports, all with candor and warmth. The episode wraps up with Olympic anticipation and the hosts’ signature betting banter.

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Links & Resources

• Bain Pettinger / Apollo Athletes: @BainP, Apollo Athletes, Alphabet Sports Collective
• Empty Netters on YouTube, Spotify, Apple
• Almost Friday Media

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Related Episodes

• Jack Eichel Interview: “Why Vegas is Built For Cups” (Ep. 62)
• Olympic Preview & Roster Deep Dive (Jan 2026)

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Stay Connected

• Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes, Olympic coverage, and more interviews:
  [YouTube] | [Spotify] | [Apple Podcasts]
• Questions, feedback, or hot takes? — DM or tag @emptynetterspod

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Until next time: Skate hard!

Transcript

[Dan Powers]

Welcome to the Empty Netters podcast.

[Evan Watkins]

Can you believe what this has become?

[Bain Pettinger]

There's a full 48 hours where I felt like I was, like, literally Superman.

[Dan Powers]

Jumbo loves playing Fortnite, so he gets on the sticks. Did TR show you the sauna cycle, or was that all you?

[Bain Pettinger]

No, I invented that.

[Evan Watkins]

Almost a year now that I haven't.

[Bain Pettinger]

Taken a body check. That's kind of nice. Finished tonight with some chicken fingers and a few Guinnesses. Ran into you guys. And that's where this pod came to life.

[Dan Powers]

Ice is ready. And we are back with another episode of the Empty Netters podcast, brought to you by BetMGM. I'm your host, Dan Powers. Over here on the sticks, he's happy because the penguins are on a heater. Evan Watkins.

[Sean]

Hi. Way to. Way to out me as a homer for the pen.

[Dan Powers]

People need to know.

[Sean]

They need to know.

[Dan Powers]

People need to know. And over here to my left, he's happy because his knees stopped making that weird clicking noise every time he gets out of bed. Did they?

[Evan Watkins]

As always, I've actually found a new morning routine. Okay.

[Dan Powers]

It's five minutes. Do it every morning. It's a lot of twisting, a lot of.

[Evan Watkins]

A lot of bending, and I don't.

[Dan Powers]

Know if it works. Is that actually true? Are you actually doing that?

[Evan Watkins]

I swear to God. Sandra thinks it's the dumbest thing she's.

[Dan Powers]

Ever seen in her life. So you're, like. You're actually waking up every morning and doing stretches.

[Evan Watkins]

I've been doing. I wouldn't call them stretches. I'd call them jumping.

[Dan Powers]

You're jumping?

[Evan Watkins]

Yep.

[Sean]

It's good for your lymph nodes.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, boom, boom, boom, boom.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, boom, boom, boom, boom.

[Sean]

You know about this?

[Dan Powers]

What?

[Sean]

Yeah, lymph nodes.

[Dan Powers]

Like, move them around, like, get up and jump.

[Evan Watkins]

Or like.

[Sean]

Well, like, if you, like, go hard down on your heels, it, like, gives your lymph nodes a little drainage.

[Dan Powers]

Interesting. Yeah. I feel like I been. I've been seeing a lot of stuff about gua shas recently with the lymph nodes. Lymphatic fluid. And people are like, don't buy a gua sha. Use your fingers. They're natural gua sha. And you just, like, do stuff like this. I'm like, drink, but, no, but Gua Shaws are better. And it looks. You changed.

[Evan Watkins]

So listen, what the hell happened? We.

[Dan Powers]

I bet you're thinking Chris looks different than the intro of the episode. What's going on? You'd be right. Do you look different, too?

[Evan Watkins]

Oh, yeah, yeah. There we go.

[Dan Powers]

There we Go.

[Sean]

How do you do now, bro?

[Dan Powers]

Yep. So we recorded.

[Evan Watkins]

We were minding our business. We're making thumbnails, we're working our buns off.

[Dan Powers]

And then some breaking news.

[Evan Watkins]

And then who tweeted it?

[Dan Powers]

Shefty Schefter. Holy Schefter.

[Evan Watkins]

Like, what the fuck?

[Dan Powers]

Unbelievable. We got Schefter up in the biz now. This is crazy. So we literally.

[Evan Watkins]

I literally ran from there to here. I'm acquiring this information as we speak.

[Dan Powers]

So we're doing. We're doing it just a quick insert of breaking news because we couldn't have this episode come out without talking about the biggest news of Wednesday. Artemi Panarin, traded from the New York Rangers to the LA Kings. Here are the full details for you.

[Evan Watkins]

Okay?

[Dan Powers]

An Aaron to the kings, 50% retained.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, we knew that though. We said that in that episode had to happen.

[Dan Powers]

He signs a two year extension, 11 mil AAV. So like just kind of essentially just replaces the Kopi. So, I mean, like, it's way more than Copi, but. Yeah, right. But either way, the Rangers get prospect Liam Green Tree, who is selected, I believe, 24th overall in the 2024 draft. A conditional 2026 third round pick. That becomes a second if LA wins one playoff series this year. And a conditional 2028 fourth round pick. Huge, huge trade. And not the return Rangers fans expected. Well, there was.

[Evan Watkins]

There was the. Who tweeted out those rumors, Elliot, about the Sharks and the. And the.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, I. I saw that on Shout Out Hockey News, but. Or maybe it was Puck Empire, I don't know. But. But yeah, rumors were Rangers hit up the Sharks and they were like, hey, you want Panarin? Give us Will Smith. And the Sharks were like, lol.

[Evan Watkins]

No.

[Dan Powers]

Then they went to the Caps and they were like, give us Ryan Leonard. And the Caps were like, lol.

[Evan Watkins]

No. So when you see that as a Rangers fan and you think even though you got hung up on. When you see the names you were asking for, to see what you got. Now I understand why you're rattled. I mean, we already got. We've been getting a ton of texts. We got a text from Schwickey that was like, who are big Rangers fans being like, make this make sense to me, dude. How is this. Okay, I'm here to tell you, this was pretty much. This was worse than I thought. But closer to what I thought than Rangers fans are thinking, like, we're here, right? Eyes expecting them to get this. Rangers fans are expecting them to get this. And I'm telling you you were only ever going to get this.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

So you came in a little under for sure. But I'm sure we're not getting some fucking young megastar back for your. For a dude who was leaving for free. Period. Was leaving for free.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

So he, he.

[Dan Powers]

Listen, it's, it always sucks when this happens. We know what's ironic is this happened in favor of the Rangers with Patrick Kane years ago. Like Kaner was like, I am, I am leaving, I am not signing here. I'm on the, on the way out and I only want to go to the Rangers. So the Rangers fleeced the Hawks. Like it, it, it is what it is. Now this has kind of happened in return. Uh, Panarin has 57 points in 52 games, 19 goals. This is a, this is a good get for the Kings. Artemi Panarin is obviously a phenomenal, phenomenal phenomenal player. He is also 34 years old.

[Evan Watkins]

Not that old, but old.

[Dan Powers]

I mean, that's pretty old, dude.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Like you have what, four years left? Not everyone's Ovechkin, not everyone's Malkin, not everyone's Crosby, but he's got the two year extension.

[Evan Watkins]

Those are two good years.

[Dan Powers]

In my mind, I would say it's.

[Evan Watkins]

Not like, oh, wow, he. Now he's dead. I'm like, you're gonna get.

[Dan Powers]

I would say two good years, but I would say he's trending down.

[Evan Watkins]

Sure.

[Dan Powers]

Like, sure. He went 90. He had his. In 82 games, his 20, 23 all star year, 92 points, 29 goals. Then for the first time in his career, the next year in 20, 23, 24, 120 points in 82 games. Then last year, 89 in 80. Now this year, 57 and 52, he's like, he's playing at like the 85, 90 point pace and I think he.

[Evan Watkins]

Can give you two more 90s even with your trending down. I'm like, I think he gives you two more.

[Dan Powers]

So here's the question.

[Evan Watkins]

Maybe not on the Kings.

[Dan Powers]

Can he do that in Jim Hiller system?

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

So again, I like this trade for la. They, they just got better. A lot better. This is a right shot power play specialist. The 29th ranked power play in the NHL for the LA Kings. That is about to go up. Like this guy's immediately on your top line. He's immediately on your power play. He's probably playing with Kuzmenko. Like there's a world where Kuzmenko gets way better because of this. This guy's going to make other an insane playmaker. He's a great, great player. However, I feel like a big gripe with Kings fans has been they just trade all of their prospects and like Liam Greentree is a good prospect. Like let's get into that for a second.

[Evan Watkins]

Yes, please.

[Dan Powers]

Liam Green tree two years ago. First first round pick last season lit the OHL on fire with the Windsor Spitfires. 49 goals, 70 assists, 119 points. He is a big bodied, he's like six two, six three, 200 pound winger. He's got no. 2 front teeth. He's like, he's a fucking bruiser already with an NHL body already. He's got a really. Every report about him says he's got great high hockey iq. He's a, he's a, he sees the ice, he's got great vision. And this is. That's Alex DeBrincat shit, dude.

[Evan Watkins]

Yes.

[Dan Powers]

Like you're scoring damn near 50 goals this year. He's got 23 goals, 22 assists, 45 points in 34 games. Little bit slower pace than last year but like he's a player. He's a fucking player.

[Evan Watkins]

And I want to say too that even though Greentree isn't this like top 10 prospect that everyone's juicing over, he's the King's top ranked prospect. Like if you. And, and, and don't also forget, Panarin was going to get to decide where I wanted to go and he could really limit the Rangers on if, if he said behind closed doors, I will literally only go there then, then you are screwed. And the best you can get is the best prospect they have. I'm not saying that's exactly what happened, but I'm saying if Panarin provided a limited amount of landing spots, the best you can do is their best prospect. Which Liam is in la so that's, you know, you get what you get so going.

[Dan Powers]

I want to say to the Rangers fans out there, number one, this is good as in yourself.

[Evan Watkins]

Agree.

[Dan Powers]

We knew we were always going to sell Panarin. We came into this day, it was a sweepstakes day for Panarin because they were like he's being moved before the roster freeze. So we always knew this was going to happen. Liam Greentree is a great player. The idea of Liam Greentree playing on the wing wing of Gabe Perot in the future is. Should be very, very exciting to Rangers fans. I would fired up about that. A lot of people are going, I can't believe this return. This is a fleecing. How did they not get a First or at least a conditional first. I think this is what you talked about like that. I don't know that that was ever in the cards. At the end of the day, this is a 34 year old player on an expiring contract.

[Evan Watkins]

He's a great player.

[Dan Powers]

Absolutely. But let's call it what it is. I am personally shocked that there is 50% salary retention and there was an extension. I thought this was a, like maybe he'll extend at the end of the year. And because Panarin, it's. Frank Saravelli said this was, this was the only team that really Panarin's camp was talking about. Panarin likes big cities. Think about it. He was in Chicago, then obviously pit stop in Columbus, but then chooses the New York Rangers. Now he's choosing Los Angeles. It makes sense. Like he wants to be in a big city. But given that and given that the extension was in place, I am a little bit like, yikes.

[Evan Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

How do we not get a little bit more.

[Evan Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

But if LA somehow wins a. Sounded so mean. If they win a first round series and you get a second round pick, you know it's not going to be the best second round pick. But if you get a second round pick and you get Liam Green tree, at the end of the day you're like, that's pretty good.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, it's okay.

[Dan Powers]

Expiring player who, who, who had your nuts.

[Evan Watkins]

That's it.

[Dan Powers]

He was like, he was like, I'm not resigning here and I'm only going to la.

[Evan Watkins]

Right? Exactly. That's what I was about to say. That's what it sounds like. If he went, I'm going to one team, you are fucked. And you know, you could say as a Rangers fan, like, come on, dude, we, we did right by you. Do us a solid and give us a five team list so at least we can start a bidding war. If that didn't happen, then sucks to suck. But this is the situation. And he, as you said, had your nuts. So he wants to play in la.

[Dan Powers]

It's done. Frank saying here too. Other teams were. They'd been preparing to offer neighborhood of 4 years, 11.75 mil. So like this is. And here's the thing, man, lot of shit talk on Ken Holland by a lot of people with so far what he's done or what he's not done with the Kings. This is a, this is a good trade.

[Evan Watkins]

Yes.

[Dan Powers]

This is a win for the Kings.

[Evan Watkins]

They just got better this year. Like, come on.

[Dan Powers]

They just got better. They didn't give up too much. Again, Liam is a great player, but like that conditional third and a future. Like, who gives a fuck? Who gives a fuck about those? Ultimately, Liam Green Tree was not making the Kings better this year. And the Kings are in win now mode. Like, it's copies last year. You're trying to get back in. Are they in a. They currently have a playoff spot. They're.

[Sean]

They're just barely.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, they're just barely.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

So. Yeah, yeah. Out by one point. And you've got a game in hand on Seattle.

[Evan Watkins]

Makes it fucking. You want to win tonight right now?

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, it's like, yeah, yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

And people are going to make moves. The Vegas, Vegas. Gary got Rasmus. Like, things are going to happen.

[Dan Powers]

Like, think about this. The Kings have played 54 games. They have 60 points, so 55 points just ahead of them in the wild card. Seattle with 61. So if you win your next game, you're. You're in playoffs. If you win your next two games, you are ahead of Utah. Anaheim has 56 games, so two more games. They only have 63 points, so you would be ahead of them. You'd be third. And here's the crazy one. Edmonton has 64 points and Vegas has 64 points. Edmonton has 57 games.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

So give, kid, give the Kings three games. If they win those, they're at 66. They're ahead of Edmonton.

[Evan Watkins]

Yep. So my two biggest final takeaways for this are one, the Kings have acquired Panarin, but also known of that none of their competitors acquired Panarin, if you know what I mean. Like, he was such a hot commodity. He was obviously getting moved. Not maybe getting moved, obviously getting moved. So Panarin is going to go to some playoff team. Correct. It might as well be you. So that's. This was a big move for two reasons, both bolstering yourself and hurting everyone else you're competing against. Yeah, because. Because, you know, it was Colorado, it was Dallas. Like there were places where you're like, Jesus Christ, they about to add bread, man. So you do. That's awesome. Second and it's, you know, I'm sure other teams were calling him for this exact reason, too. This getting done pre Olympic break is so awesome because you were going to come back. If it hadn't got done for any teams, you'd come back. It's such a mad scramble to the deadline. Everyone's trying to get back in the flow of it. Then you trade for him. He's got to come over, try to find a place to live. Try to meet everybody. All this in the, you know, in an absolute whirlwind. He is Russian. He is not going to the Olympics. I'm sure maybe he's got a little trip planned, but he can come here and chill for time.

[Sean]

Go to in n out.

[Evan Watkins]

Go try in and out, baby. Go do some in and out, get settled. I swear, that's actually so important for this moment. Oh, come here. You were good. Rest up, find a place to live. Everything's awesome.

[Dan Powers]

And then you're essentially taking a vacation.

[Evan Watkins]

Dude, you hit the ground running.

[Dan Powers]

Come to the South Bay, baby.

[Evan Watkins]

I'm sure all the boys that aren't at Olympics will be hitting him up. Anyone who's back in town will be like, dude, let's hang. Let's have beers, whatever that is. You never get this in the NHL like, you never get. Because even if you don't, even if you trade before the deadline, the season's fucking going. So you're just. You're thrown in the mixer whenever it happens. This is free money, dude, that you just get to come hang out, meet the boys, meet the city, Everything's good, and then you hit the ground running.

[Dan Powers]

That's so true. Like, he can come here. Basically going from the tundra of New York right now to Hermosa Beach.

[Evan Watkins]

They'll probably bring you some block.

[Dan Powers]

They'll probably start looking at houses right away. Maybe he just takes Kopi's house. Dude, Sophie's leaving.

[Evan Watkins]

I would be sick.

[Dan Powers]

Be the greatest transfer of all time.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah. Yeah, that would be so sick.

[Dan Powers]

Fucking $30 million.

[Evan Watkins]

Leave it furnished.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, I love this for Panarin. You know, it'll be. And you know what? I know a lot of Kings fans are like, dude, we need young players. We need. But like, like I've said, you've got young players. Like, you've got talent. And frankly, this is a pretty cool feeling. Like you've got Kopi, this amazing two way player, great, amazing playmaker who's leaving. And that was like a gutting, like, fuck, Jesus, we're losing our captain. But now you get this insane playmaker leader guy who, you know, has worn letter. So I think there's. There's going to be a. An element too for this team. It's like, fuck, yeah, we got him for two more years. That's pretty sick. So we'll see. I think the big question is, does he. What does Jim Hiller do with this guy? This is a. This is. If I'm our Temi Panarin and you look around the league at coaches who are great for your style of play. I'm not looking at Jim Hiller.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

So you wonder if Jim Hiller and his defense first, you know, like really boring, frankly. Style of play is going to look at an Artani Panarin and what he can do to the power play, what he can do to just 5v5 hockey. And if he goes, great, this is a piece we needed. Now we can adjust a little bit.

[Evan Watkins]

You would hope that you kind of have to because I think those. You probably had hard conversations with Holland going, dude, if I'm going to make a move like this, then you will act accordingly.

[Dan Powers]

Correct?

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah. So fucking a huge, huge pickup.

[Dan Powers]

Huge pickup. Now let's get back.

[Evan Watkins]

Let's back to our regularly scheduled pod. And we got a pretty sweet episode today too.

[Dan Powers]

Lots of nice, fun hot ice to talk about. The professors are back. We got Bane Pettinger on the pod to talk about his amazing story and also get hyped for Olympics. Unbelievable stuff. Let's jump right in. Hot ice topics. I can't. I can't go another day on this pod without talking about Connor McDavid's Player Tribune article.

[Evan Watkins]

That is correct. That the Players Tribune is a great.

[Dan Powers]

Who. Who started the Players Tribune?

[Evan Watkins]

I don't know, but LeBron maybe.

[Dan Powers]

Fuck, I hope not. It was, wasn't it?

[Sean]

I don't know. I vaguely remember that Jeter.

[Evan Watkins]

But then I was like that founded by Derek Jeter.

[Sean]

Oh, it was Jeter.

[Dan Powers]

Okay. That checks out.

[Evan Watkins]

I swear it's.

[Dan Powers]

So the Players Tribune would be something that LeBron would say he. He came up with with Jeter, but he let LeBron would be like this. Oh, yeah. I remember when.

[Sean]

When.

[Dan Powers]

I remember when DJ was talking about that and we said it would be a great idea and I wanted him to have it. I wanted him to be the first one to launch that. That's sound. That's something LeBron would.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah. Anytime I see a Player Tribune article drop, I get fired up because it's always. It's always awesome. It's always awesome. Every. Every time.

[Dan Powers]

Does not miss the Players Tribune is Christopher Nolan.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

The hit rate is 100%.

[Evan Watkins]

So then I saw a McDavid one and I was like, whoa, yeah, I cannot wait to read that. Then I went to read it and I kind of assumed it was going to be how proud I am to be Canadian and how excited I am to go to the Olympics. A lot of stuff which is in there, but it was so much cooler than that. I can't even wrap my Brain around the emotions I'm feeling. I literally feel like I have just received my first boner and I'm going like, what is. What is this? What is happening? That's how I currently feel about Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.

[Dan Powers]

It was. And Canada.

[Evan Watkins]

And Canada.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, I, I, I've long said this. I. When Connor McDavid came into the NHL, I bought his rookie year All Star T shirt. Yeah. And I've loved him ever since. But I, you know, being enamored with Florida over the last couple of years and loving the stuff that we get to do with that team, there's definitely a part of me that was like, this is so fun. I love seeing the Cats win Florida hockey. This, that, the other. But this fucking article was so brutal for me because, a. It was. As someone who loves drama, we always talk about that on the show. We love drama. It is now clear that he will never leave Edmonton ever in a million years. And I'm not saying that's a bad thing. I'm saying that given that we like drama, no drama will come. It also means that we are all rooting for them now.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Like, there's no. We've always said, like, yeah, I want to see Conor and Leon and all those guys win a cup of. But now it's like, I need. I need it.

[Evan Watkins]

They have to.

[Dan Powers]

This man cut his bachelor party short because he was so pissed. That is like, that. If that's not the most. You're the biggest fucking hockey guy I've ever seen in my life. I don't know what is. So we're now all rooting for them. But then also the way I read that and then was like, I am so fired up as a Canadian, as a Canadian national. That's. That's how it made me feel reading what he said about, like, putting on the Canada jersey and wanting to win for Canada, wanting to win for Edmonton. I was like, I am Canadian right now. And I'm like, me. Like, if I'm a member of Team USA and I read that Players Tribune, I'm like, oh, my.

[Evan Watkins]

I don't want to spoil the Bane interview because he talks about this, but it is crazy to think that because these guys haven't been going to international tournaments, Connor McDavid hasn't won something in so long. Yeah. You know, other than a billion individual trophies. But it was a really cool insight where he's like, I haven't won.

[Dan Powers]

I didn't think about that.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah. And I was like, oh, true. Truly, I didn't think about the best player and being like, I don't ever get to win.

[Dan Powers]

Like, oh, that was nuts. Like, he was like, what was it like? The last time he won was. Was a world junior.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, let's see. I'll find it.

[Dan Powers]

But yeah, he was like, I have not won anything in forever. And so he was like, pulling on that sweater and winning at four nations just made me be like, oh, yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

And how sick was it when he was like, he called out, like, Dewey. He's like, I'm looking across the room and just like, dewey and Marshy are just.

[Dan Powers]

Sid.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, Sid. Just chilling. And then also I gotta text him, shout out, what a fucking name drop. Mac got in this. Where he's like, I'm thrilled to be here. Like the very end, dude, he's like pulling on that sweater. Being in a room with the different generations of great players, Sid and Nate and Celebrity and all those guys, I.

[Dan Powers]

Was like, Mac, well, fucking hell, yeah. Max got fucking 80 points.

[Evan Watkins]

Like, holy shit, dude. That was fucking chills. Yeah, that was awesome. Yeah, the. Everything you said about Canada, agree. I was like, jesus Christ. And dude, I. And I know you are too. I am. Nothing will make me happier on Earth than Team USA winning gold against this Canadian team. But holy shit, have I never been more scared in my life, truly, of this Canadian team.

[Dan Powers]

Like, I don't know how you this hard. I don't know how you beat this team and this collection of human beings. And just, dude, if I were on Team Canada and I read that Players Tribune article, I would be. I would be so fucking rock hard. I'd be walking around as if I accidentally OD'd on a bottle of Viagra. And being like. Someone would go, what's going on down there? And I'd go like this. I'm playing on a team with Connor McDavid in these Olympics. That's what's going on. That's what's going on.

[Evan Watkins]

So I also want to say about the oiler stuff, I have two things, two more things I want to talk about. I'll start with the oiler stuff. I. You're right. I am now like, oh, okay. He is. He will die in Edmonton.

[Dan Powers]

He'll never leave.

[Evan Watkins]

For good or for bad. And I'm actually kind of even confused about the deal he just signed, considering what I know now to be true about him. I'm like, dude, why didn't you just take an eight year burger and be like, whatever. I'm never. I'm never leaving.

[Dan Powers]

I Yeah, I don't know. I don't know either. I think it was just maybe to. To give another year of better cap situation.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, flex, maybe two years. He signs for 9.7.

[Dan Powers]

But this, this guy, man, is. He also just stuffed everyone in a locker. The. If that makes me a robot, then I'm a robot. That was the next thing I was talking about. Yeah, I. He. It's. It's felt like this dude has just been wanting to win a Stanley cup for the last 10 years, and he's just been dealing with it left, right and center with the media, with the questions, with this, that. And he's just been seeing people go, oh, yeah, he doesn't like talking to us. This guy's a robot. He's. He's. He's boring. He's got mental issues, and he must just be going home to his lovely wife and being like, what the fuck is wrong with everybody? I'm just trying to win here. I just love hockey. And then he got the taste, dude, someone gave him a nice little taste of that black tar heroin. That is winning. Yeah. And he was like, oh, baby, they lose in the cop. Obviously. But that probably only made it better because he was like, yeah, I won. I got that taste again. But then I also got the, the sting of losing. And I'm like, I liked the taste more. So they're coming in. I mean, if I'm. I'm. I'm shitting my britches. If I'm Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota right now, Vegas right now.

[Evan Watkins]

He had that one line where he goes, this room knows what it takes to elevate in playoffs. I'm like, the entire Central is now dead. The entire Central has now been put to rest.

[Dan Powers]

Correct.

[Evan Watkins]

Because the Pacific stinks and they are easily, easily making the Western Conference finals. And then I thought, oh, man, it's gonna be a tough series against the AVS or Dallas.

[Dan Powers]

What?

[Evan Watkins]

They don't give a flying fuck about the AVs or Dallas or Minnesota.

[Dan Powers]

Everyone keeps forgetting a little man named Zach Hyman is back. He's healthy again. 38, 36 points, 22 goals. Like, that dude was not playing in that final. People forget that very conveniently. So I'm.

[Evan Watkins]

Florida's not even going to make playoffs. There's no Florida standing in your way.

[Dan Powers]

Dude, that is very possible. Now, like, there it is. It is shaky knees time in Florida.

[Evan Watkins]

So the, the, the. I just. It was actually funny because Connor goes, he kind of stuffed you in a locker, being like, I hear all the robot talk you. But then he Was also like this. Also, I am a robot because all I care about is winning hockey games. And I was like, you know what? You're right. We. You. We shouldn't call you a robot, but actually we should, because you are. But there's nothing wrong with that. Put it robot inclusivity.

[Dan Powers]

Put it this way, man. I am like you are. Buy your ticket. Buy your ticket to Edmonton right now, because I am telling you.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, whatever the future is. Whatever the future. On the fucking Oilers cup right now. Hammer it. Go hammer that.

[Dan Powers]

I want to smash right now. A parlay of Canada winning gold and the Edmonton Oilers winning Stanley cup, dude. Because that. That Players Tribune article was essentially the sports almanac from Back to the Future. That's what it was.

[Evan Watkins]

McDavid. McDavid. Connsmythe Oilers cup and Canada Gold.

[Dan Powers]

Let's go. Let's go. McDavid Hart, Canada Gold. McDavid. Conn Smythe Oilers Cup.

[Evan Watkins]

Put that in your pipe and fucking smoke it, dude. Then we're all living on a beach.

[Dan Powers]

Smoke it and get higher, dude. Then we all.

[Evan Watkins]

We all go to the Bahamas with Conor after that. Correct.

[Dan Powers]

And then go rest. Hey, this is your cup celebration and your bachelor party.

[Sean]

Yeah, you can't bring a robot to the beach. He'll rust.

[Evan Watkins]

That's why he had to leave.

[Sean]

Yeah, yeah. He's like Tin Man.

[Dan Powers]

Stop it, guys. You're doing what you're doing. You're making the mistake.

[Evan Watkins]

No, no. This is Dan. This. He's finally being him. His true self here.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, it's the 2026, man. It's the year of Conor. I've never seen anything more clearly. And that article, if you're not. If you weren't Already a Connor McDavid fan, if you're not now. I mean, I don't care. I don't even. I don't care what you have to say because this is like, I'm just rooting hard. We're talking about him winning gold in Canada. Let's talk about Team Canada. Anthony Sorelli is out, banged up, not going to be playing immediately. Sam Bennett goes in.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

We heard. You'll hear from Boehner. Cooper was, like, desperate to get Sam Bennett. And that pumps me up because there were those awesome quotes. I know I mentioned this later, but, like, those awesome quotes after Four nations talking about Sam Bennett and Cooper was like. When I called Sam Bennett and told him, like, he might not play that much, Bennett was like, I don't give a fuck. I'll do whatever. That's a guy you Want in the foxhole for sure.

[Evan Watkins]

Oh, my God, dude. I think again, we won't spoil this part of the Bane interview because that was cool. But I'm. What? I'm fascinated by the dude. I would kill to have a doc release. That's the decision the war room, when they made the decisions for the Olympic rosters. Just because I'm like, there's so much speculation of, oh, this, of course the Blues GM takes a blue, you know, and we're all just guessing, but I'm like, what happened? What was the actual conversation and you know, teaser. But this was a really cool mini inside look at what goes on. I can't believe, cannot believe if John Cooper was pushing this hard for Bennett, that he didn't make the team. Well, I'm just. What?

[Dan Powers]

Just goes to show how hard the roster is.

[Evan Watkins]

Yep. I am thrilled that he's on the team. I'm devastated for Shirelli. Sucks. All these injuries suck. Even the beginning of the year, we were saying the Barkov shit. Every time one someone goes down, you're like, fuck, yeah. What about Olympics? This is damn near as close as it could have possibly happened. So it stings even worse.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

Because I'm sure Sorelli's like, everything's booked. His family's coming, you know, and then you're like, actually, I'm not going. Nightmare. So that sucks for him. Big time thrilled for Bennett. He's thrilled. He couldn't be happier to be there for me if. As if I needed anything else to be afraid of after that Players Tribune article. As an American hockey fan, I think this team makes the team scarier, personally. And that's not a knock on throw at all. I'm just like Sam Bennett in these moments. I'm like, anytime you can get one of the most big game players in the league away from me in big moments, that's a win. And now here comes Sam Bennett, who scored in the gold medal game at four nation.

[Dan Powers]

You know what my favorite thing about Sam Bennett is this season? We said right off we were like, sam Bennett has to be on this team. And that's not.

[Evan Watkins]

Osh said that, remember? Yeah, we were talking early. He was like, no way does Sam Bennett not make this team.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, it's not a knock on anyone. It's just a matter of like, he be on this team. Sam Bennett, everyone talked. Everyone was going nuts about his slow start. He. He's on pace for a career year.

[Evan Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

He has 42 points in 55 games, 19 goals, 23. Like, he's just Playing so well.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, maybe, maybe he'd been playing a shitload of hockey over three the last three years and just eased into the season.

[Dan Powers]

So I, I, it is, like, so fucking unfair. And USA would have this too, but it is so unfair that you lose a guy for Team Canada and go, oh, we'll take Sam Bennett. You're like, what?

[Evan Watkins]

What are you fucking. He wasn't here yet. Yeah. It's just crazy.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

It's. I got a text from, from a buddy that was like, canada suffers a brutal injury and then the team gets better.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

And again, that's kind of what I mean. I'm not saying that because I think ant is amazing. I think, I think it's the best. Like, oh, you just lost a credibly perfect piece of this team. You put in an incredibly perfect piece of this team, and that's just. You're like, Jesus fucking Christ.

[Evan Watkins]

Can't so get out of here. Yeah, that, that was, that. That is a embarrassment of riches.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah. Listen, I'll say this, though, to your question before we move on, you ask, does USA feel more scared? I think there is an element of the IHF difference that, you know. So I don't think Benny in the Olympics is going to be able to maybe be as much of a pest. He's not going to be donkey punching goalies or, you know, fighting anybody, but, but I think he can still just be a thorn in your side. And this is what we always say, and this is why you got to put him on your team. We talked to him when he came on the pod this past summer. He might be, he might be one of the top, top five big game players in the NHL.

[Evan Watkins]

That's what's about to say.

[Dan Powers]

It's like, this guy just elevates every single playoffs. Every single. That's why he wins consmyth. So I think, I think from that standpoint, not just usa, any team going up against them, you're like, fuck. I hate that this dude's here because he just knows how to play in the big game.

[Evan Watkins]

Dude. Yeah. The narrative is like, oh, he's gonna punch people. But I'm like, actually, what he's gonna do is score in four nations gold medal. He's gonna score a billion goals in the final and win Conn Smythe.

[Dan Powers]

He's gonna level somebody.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

He's then gonna pick up the puck, go down the ice and dipsy do sesh that moment. That's, that's, that's what he's gonna do.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, that's Epic.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

So sorry, Ant. Get well soon.

[Dan Powers]

Yep.

[Evan Watkins]

Win yourself a cup. Yep. Be all right. Bennett. Let's go. See you in a lot.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

I brought this up to you the other day, and I just want. I just looked it up just because I was curious.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah. This was interesting.

[Evan Watkins]

I was like, the. I forget where. Where did I say that? On one of the pods.

[Dan Powers]

You might have said, it's a banner.

[Evan Watkins]

Okay. Yeah. But I was like, I wish. I almost wish. The Olympic roster selection was based on points. Like, literally, like the U at the right. This is what I said. That's what I was saying. The Ryder cup in golf goes. Six of the picks are just the top point scores in golf. Like, who's playing well this year? So even if you're a megastar, if you're having a bad year, you're like, you didn't make the Ryder cup team. Sorry. It's literally a point system. And I was like, it would be cool to see what the rosters would be like if they're just taking. Because. Because five of the top ten American scorers are not on the team. Right.

[Sean]

Is it. I heard it was like that the roster building was more about, like, toughness, maybe for the Americans. And everybody's kind of going like, why are we not going for skill and score? You know, scoring.

[Dan Powers]

It's with. The discussion that we keep having is miracle. The miracle team poisoned USA Hockey's brains permanently. And it's the. It's the reason. It's the last time the US Won a gold in the Olympics in hockey, in men's hockey. And it is because that was a time where the skill could not match up to other teams. They could not match up to. The Soviets, could not match up to Canada. So it was. We got to beat them with toughness and with endurance and skating and this and that. But now the skill can match up, and yet we're still not building the roster. Yeah.

[Sean]

You're prioritizing that underdog storyline.

[Dan Powers]

Yes. It's like, we gotta beat em with toughness. And I'm like. Or check this out. They win gold every year with skill. We have skill now. What if we try to use that? It's very interesting that we still don't do it.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah. So I just. I didn't do D because, like, it's kind of unfair to do, like, points for defensemen. Because I'm like, some guys you are adding because you're like, you're a great defenseman, but the 14, four.

[Dan Powers]

You are prejudiced against D. You are a Fucking prick.

[Evan Watkins]

Fuck.

[Sean]

D That's D. Erasure, man.

[Dan Powers]

Just like, here we go again. No one talking about D. Thank you.

[Evan Watkins]

I actually think we should have brought 22 forwards.

[Dan Powers]

I bet you do. And just fucking no goalies. Yeah. Scumbag. 80 to 40 score. This guy doesn't care about D at all.

[Evan Watkins]

Top 14 scorers on top 14 Canadian scorers in the league as of yesterday.

[Dan Powers]

McDavid on the team. Nate on the team. Mack on the team. Scheifele not on the team. Suzuki on the team. Sid on the team. Wyatt not on the team. Marner on the team. Stone on the team. TK not on the team. Reinert on the team. Bedard not on the team. Hagel on the team. O'Reilly not on the team.

[Evan Watkins]

Geeky missed by one point. It's like, damn, that's crazy.

[Dan Powers]

That Geeky isn't. I mean, he's scoring so many goals.

[Evan Watkins]

I know.

[Dan Powers]

He's on his fucking Auston Matthews shit.

[Evan Watkins]

So that. Looking at that team, Dan, you're not like, this is terrible, you know? Like, I think you'd go, fuck. Like, we're missing Marshy. You know, Bennett ended up getting at it. But you're missing Bennett. You're missing a Tom Wilson. You're missing a Bohr event. But I'm like, I'm not. I don't think anyone has any problem taking this team to Italy.

[Dan Powers]

I'm so.

[Sean]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

I mean, that team is fantastic. That's why we said they could. They could. They could ice two teams. I can't believe how impressed I am with Ryan O'Reilly.

[Evan Watkins]

Same.

[Dan Powers]

I know Riley is.

[Evan Watkins]

Triple check that. Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

It was like, Ryan O'Reilly has 53 points in 55 games. I think 20 goals, literally. This is a guy who was in the lot.

[Evan Watkins]

This.

[Dan Powers]

This is a guy who was in the locker room earlier this year being like, I suck. We suck. Everything's falling apart. And he's just having a great fucking year.

[Evan Watkins]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

He might get dealt at the deadline and. And get Nashville a fucking hefty piece back. That'd be cool.

[Evan Watkins]

That'd be really cool.

[Dan Powers]

You're telling me, based on points alone with. With. How many forwards did we just do?

[Evan Watkins]

14. The top 14 Canadian scores.

[Dan Powers]

14 Canadian scorers in the league. He's in there.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah. It's like, che it.

[Dan Powers]

So, yeah, you're missing Bennett, Horvat, Marshy, Tom Wilson.

[Evan Watkins]

And Marshy slowed.

[Dan Powers]

And.

[Evan Watkins]

And you'll see this more on the American side, but injuries is a factor. Like, I almost would argue if I were to actually push this to the. To the boards. It would be point per game.

[Dan Powers]

Point per game.

[Evan Watkins]

Instead of.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, because Marshy has 50 points in 45 games.

[Evan Watkins]

Exactly. So I'm like, oh, you would have. You should be in there because you're over. Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

So, like, Brad Marchand, you fucking beauty. 25 goals, 25 assists.

[Evan Watkins]

Amazing.

[Dan Powers]

55 burgers, 55 fries, 55 shakes.

[Sean]

God, I love that show.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, wait, what do we need to make a reference to every episode again? Oh, yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

Come on.

[Sean]

Oh, Draft day.

[Evan Watkins]

Draft day. Yeah, yeah. Okay, just.

[Sean]

I'm gonna do split screens.

[Evan Watkins]

Just keep. Brad.

[Dan Powers]

Guys, just keep that under your hand.

[Evan Watkins]

Dude, when? It was when. I wish John Cooper. I bet John Cooper had a slip of paper that said Sam Bennett no matter what.

[Dan Powers]

Cool. Does that count? We did it.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yeah. Yep.

[Sean]

He ate it. He made a little prayer.

[Evan Watkins]

USA Forwards Jack Eichel.

[Dan Powers]

On the team.

[Evan Watkins]

Robo.

[Dan Powers]

Off the team.

[Evan Watkins]

Kyle Connor.

[Dan Powers]

On the team.

[Evan Watkins]

Jake Gensel.

[Dan Powers]

On the team.

[Evan Watkins]

Matt Boldy.

[Dan Powers]

On the team.

[Evan Watkins]

Paige Thompson.

[Dan Powers]

On the team.

[Evan Watkins]

Cole Caufield.

[Dan Powers]

Off the team.

[Evan Watkins]

Debrinkat.

[Dan Powers]

Off the team.

[Evan Watkins]

Keller.

[Dan Powers]

On the team.

[Evan Watkins]

Schmaltzy.

[Dan Powers]

Off the team.

[Evan Watkins]

Larkin.

[Dan Powers]

On the team.

[Evan Watkins]

The bath man.

[Dan Powers]

Off the team.

[Evan Watkins]

Cutter.

[Dan Powers]

Off the team.

[Evan Watkins]

And then tied for the 14 with the same amount of points. Matthews, Brock, Tuck, Zegras.

[Dan Powers]

On the team. Off the team. Off the team. Off the team.

[Evan Watkins]

Brock made it.

[Dan Powers]

No.

[Evan Watkins]

Oh, sorry.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, sorry.

[Evan Watkins]

Matt. Made it. Made it. Missed. Missed.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

Missing. Depending on which way you go on 14.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, Brady injury, Jack Hughes injury. And then J.T. vinnie. That's it.

[Dan Powers]

But you said J.T. vinnie, Brock.

[Evan Watkins]

Well, because I was like, it depends on who you put on. Like, if I say you made it, then Brock is missing.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

If I say Brock made it, Matthews is missing.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, I got.

[Evan Watkins]

Got you.

[Dan Powers]

Gotcha.

[Evan Watkins]

Got you. It depends on who get. That's 14 spot. But, yeah, so this one would be a little crazier if they were like this. Matthew could. Chuck Brady, Tkachuk, Jack Hughes and Auston Matthews aren't on the team. And I'd be like, well, I don't like this system anymore.

[Sean]

Well, you need those grinders. You gotta have.

[Bain Pettinger]

You gotta have role players.

[Evan Watkins]

It is an interesting exercise to be like, why? This isn't a lifetime achievement award. This is like, who is firing right now? Like, who are we bringing to Italy right now? Because they're playing great. And I'm like, there's a ton of guys on this list who. I'm like, they're playing better than our Megastars. And I'm like, can you elevate your game? Yes, probably. But I just think there's something to like, oh, could we have not used Morgan Geeky's 40 fucking goals?

[Dan Powers]

I. Yeah, it's probably the. The US is just so confusing.

[Evan Watkins]

I know.

[Sean]

Can I ask a question?

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Sean]

Do we have faith in Mike Sullivan here?

[Evan Watkins]

That's tough talk coming from you, too. So.

[Dan Powers]

That is tough talk.

[Sean]

Well, I'm only saying that because the Rangers have not been great. And I just don't know going into that, if you're a player looking at what he's been doing, and I'm. I have nothing against him, and I think he's a great coach, but, like, it is a streaky game, not just for players, but for coaches as well. You know, there's an aura around that.

[Dan Powers]

I mean, we talk all the time about. Yeah, it's funny that you're like, Mike Sullivan, You're. The Rangers are in dead last place. Let's get you behind the bench here. And then Also, it's like, J.T. miller has destroyed two franchises in 12 months, and they're like, put him on the team. And I'm like, dude, okay. And I. You know, whatever. But that is. That's a tough look. Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

So, yeah, it is funny that the Canucks are last in the west and the Rangers are last in the East. It's.

[Dan Powers]

I'm not saying. I'm. I'm not saying any. I'm just saying the facts. He was on both those.

[Sean]

Hey, they're saving it up for the Olympics. Don't worry. That's why they're not for sure.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

I think we need to. US Hockey. Listen. USA all the way.

[Evan Watkins]

Usa. But this will be interesting.

[Dan Powers]

Dan, if things in these games don't go well, I think maybe it's time to reassess what we do.

[Evan Watkins]

This is. If this is a USA Canada final and USA loses a tight one, nothing will happen. But if the USA crashes out in the quarterfinals here or something, I think there will be a hard location.

[Dan Powers]

I also think. What do you guys think about this? I think hockey, international hockey should be treated like soccer. In that we have international breaks. Relax. In that we have international breaks where the international teams play like, just like, friendly matches and they should have specific coaches. I bet there's probably not the financing for that. That's why they don't do it. But I think it's dumb that. Or not dumb. But I think it's interesting how, like, Mike Sullivan is the coach and. And John Cooper is the coach, and they're also the coach of NHL clubs. And I'm like, the. There should be a USA Hockey coach. That'd be cool.

[Evan Watkins]

That would be sick. And also, with the amount of fucking dues I play, you pay USA Hockey to play beer league. There's. There's certainly a budget.

[Dan Powers]

I'm paying your show.

[Evan Watkins]

Jesus Christ. So there's certainly a budget. That would be sick. And Dan, it would just be.

[Dan Powers]

So if, like, in soccer, there's, like, we're doing an international break and then guys get hurt playing for their.

[Evan Watkins]

That would be tough. But it's. It was crazy in the Miracle Doc, to hear that they. Those guys played 60 games.

[Dan Powers]

That was the game. Have you watched zero?

[Sean]

Yeah, I watched. I kind of watched it while I was working. But, yes, I watched most of it.

[Dan Powers]

I couldn't fucking believe that 60 games.

[Evan Watkins]

Before the Olympics started.

[Dan Powers]

I'm like, played a full NHL season.

[Evan Watkins]

This group of guys played an NHL season together.

[Dan Powers]

No wonder they won.

[Sean]

They coalesced. Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

Fucking Christ. Dude, these guys don't play together.

[Dan Powers]

No.

[Evan Watkins]

Like, they show up and they go. Go play Latvia.

[Sean]

Yeah. Because it's a chemistry, right? You got to find that chemistry. There's not a lot of time.

[Dan Powers]

It's unbelievable.

[Evan Watkins]

Crazy.

[Sean]

Especially when you're in Italy. Isn't the rink up there messed up?

[Dan Powers]

It's tiny.

[Sean]

It's small, right? They're supposed to be bigger, right?

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, four feet.

[Dan Powers]

So I think I saw. What the hell? Maybe I. Did I dream this? No, I didn't. I didn't dream it. I saw a video of, like, a Zamboni going around the rink.

[Evan Watkins]

It looks great.

[Dan Powers]

They got a Jumbotron.

[Evan Watkins]

He hit it. He hit the wall. Kept hitting the wall.

[Dan Powers]

No, it looked great.

[Sean]

I'm telling you guys, you got to be careful up there.

[Evan Watkins]

Yes.

[Sean]

They built it really quick, so don't.

[Dan Powers]

Lean on railings, like I said.

[Evan Watkins]

Bleeds, too.

[Sean]

Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

You're gonna Bluth model.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, we're gonna be up there. You stand up too fast to celebrate a goal, all of a sudden, you're gonna feel everything shaking.

[Sean]

I need you wearing a harness like Sting coming down from the rafters, WCW style. Okay.

[Dan Powers]

Could you imagine if the ring collapsed that. I don't even want to say that.

[Sean]

No, let's not put that in the air.

[Dan Powers]

We're not going to say it. Okay. Let's talk about the Penguins before we move on.

[Evan Watkins]

Yes.

[Dan Powers]

This team, especially with Ev here, deserves a quick highlight before we get into all Olympics, all the time.

[Sean]

Can I put my homer hat on, please?

[Evan Watkins]

Put your homer hat on the captain, please.

[Dan Powers]

That is a sick hat.

[Sean]

Thank you. Yeah, sometimes people see it. At first, they're like, where'd you serve? And I'm like, oh, wait, look at this.

[Dan Powers]

The igloo.

[Sean]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Sean]

Console Energy Center. Or now I guess it's PPG pink.

[Evan Watkins]

That's fucking awesome.

[Sean]

Anyway.

[Evan Watkins]

Okay, so the Penguins.

[Dan Powers]

I don't. I don't have a clue what's happening.

[Evan Watkins]

Because, dude, they cannot, could not in the past keep the puck out of the nets last year. That's been the real downfall. And plus 20 gold. If for their team, 8th in the league this year, then that's a sturdy number. That's fantastic. They've got great splits. 13, 8 and 7 at home. 15, 7 and 5 on the road.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

And keep in mind, they are comfortably right now in a. Not comfortably, but they are, you know, in a playoff spot, in a lock. Playoff spot, while going 1 and 7 in OT shootouts this year, which is insane.

[Sean]

Horrible.

[Dan Powers]

So many points.

[Sean]

So they have Crosby, Malkin, Letang is, when he's healthy, usually good at the shootout. And somehow they. They biff it every time.

[Dan Powers]

Always.

[Evan Watkins]

So they started hot, and we had a blast. I was like, oh, wow. Because, dude, I don't need to say this again, but I was banging the drum of like, trade said, trade said, trade said, this sucks. They started hot and I went, oh, wow, I want him to stay if you're going to make playoffs and be fun.

[Dan Powers]

And then they dipped pretty bad.

[Evan Watkins]

And then they dipped so bad that I was like, this is exactly everyone's worst fear. Oh, we just missed playoffs again. But we were too close to trade, Sid and whatever. And I was like, God damn. Yeah, God damn you, Pittsburgh. And now 11. Two. Two in January.

[Dan Powers]

And they're nasty. And it's. You know what's crazy that's happening is like, they. Let's. Let's. Let me pull up the Penguins stats here because this team is. They're doing things that I find very reminiscent of teams of the past. But it's like Sid is leading with 59 points, Gino 43 and 40. And like, you've got Mantha with 20 goals. Rust with 19. He's about to have 20. And then there's guys like fucking Justin Brazo.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yep.

[Dan Powers]

Few cooler stories in the league than Justin Brazo. He gets his first looks in Boston when He was like 25, 26. He's a stick on the golf course. Unbelievable. But now it's like, here he is, dude. He's got 27 points in 41 games. Like this is a guy. Wow, I've done that twice today. This is a guy who's going to have 20 goals in the NHL this season. That's fucking amazing. But that's what Sid does. And I'm not even saying they play together that much, but it's just being around him, it's the aura. All of a sudden Brazzo is like, I'm a 20 goal guy in the NHL. Yeah, that'll get you on a fucking roster. And he's young, so it's like he's just going to get better. But it's like this, I don't get it, this team and I say I don't get it in a good way, a fun way. Sid's got 27 goals. Manta 20, Russ 19, Brazzo 15, Gino 13, Dewar 13. Like they might have six 20 goal scorers this year.

[Evan Watkins]

And that's like that Boston team that won the cup, they had five or six 20 goal scores. Those things kind of matter in playoffs compared to maybe the Boston team in 2023 when it's like, or maybe it was whatever one of these years recently where it's like David Postnak has 150 fucking points and is your best player by a mile and scores every goal. And then you get in playoffs and it's like, hey, shut him down a little bit. And then the team really struggles. It's when you can spread that scoring around that it's, it's awesome.

[Sean]

I just hope that because Kyle Dubas has done a pretty good job of making some good trades with fixing the goaltending and Chinikov coming in, having that, you know, Russian thing going on with Malkin.

[Bain Pettinger]

Oh yeah, they're conspiring.

[Sean]

He's playing well with them.

[Evan Watkins]

I know.

[Sean]

I think he, Malkin, for him, he's like, like a Mad Max Fury Road blood bag. It's like he's getting more energy from his Russian buddy. You know, hook him up, hook him up. But, but I, I, but my fear is because it was like, what are we going to do? Are we going to build for the future?

[Evan Watkins]

Correct.

[Sean]

How do you do that? When Sid Malk and Latang all want to do the, the extended farewell tour, which is like, how many seasons is that going to go? Because you really can't rebuild until they're out.

[Evan Watkins]

Yep, correct.

[Sean]

But then they're looking at the season going well. We're better than we thought we'd be. I just hope he doesn't make some try to do some big ass trade at the deadline. Because it's like if it's not broke.

[Evan Watkins]

Don'T be a buyer. You mean like you don't want to bring in someone.

[Sean]

I think if they want to do like one solid defenseman right handed maybe. Because Latang gets injured a lot and he's out and who knows? I mean we have the Olympic break, but he might still be out. Carlson's really streaky. He could be great or terrible.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Sean]

So I like get one good solid right handed defenseman. Don't go for some like, remember when.

[Dan Powers]

Well, those don't exist in the NFL.

[Sean]

Well, it's true.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yeah.

[Sean]

They're. I remember in 2013 when they went and got a Ginla crankshaft Morrow and we got to the Eastern Conference finals and we scored two goals, got our asses handed to us in four games by the Bruins. And I was like leading up to that, we looked really great. And then they fucked with the chemistry.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Sean]

To try and be like, we're going to win now. And it's like if you would just maybe let it play out.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Sean]

So.

[Evan Watkins]

Okay. Interesting. So just. You want. You don't want a big move here year.

[Sean]

I think they're gonna. They're gonna succeed or fail on their own merits that they've built. I think that they've got a big game tomorrow against the Sabers, which is gonna be hard.

[Evan Watkins]

We want that one.

[Sean]

The LA game last night against the Islanders. They like could have won. It was an ot. Like I. The Islanders are the bane of the Penguins existence. They're just in their heads.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah. But like guys are kind of sitting pretty sick. Well, we'll know Skinner, man. Skinner won four straight to end January. He had a couple of monster performances in there too. I think it was against Calgary at a.947 save percentage and against Van and a 32 and a 938 save percentage with 32 or 30 saves on 32 shots. Like fucking. We said it a million times. All Stu needed was a change of scenery and he just looks like he's happy in pit.

[Evan Watkins]

Dude. And also man, like they right now. And obviously they've been hot. But the Islanders are a point back with having played two extra games.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, the Penguins are. The Penguins are in playoffs.

[Bain Pettinger]

Like.

[Sean]

Like. But I here's. I don't want them to play the Islanders first round.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, that would.

[Sean]

We will. I'd rather play Carolina.

[Dan Powers]

They're probably.

[Sean]

I know. And that's. That's.

[Evan Watkins]

But it doesn't. But you would take that playoffs.

[Sean]

Of course I'd take the play. I'm just saying.

[Evan Watkins]

I'm saying Islanders in play. I know the Islanders have made playoffs. Like, there's a core of that team that is used to it. But I'm just telling you, the. You. You are the Sidney Crosby Penguins. Like, in playoffs, you are more.

[Sean]

I just. You've been burned so many times.

[Dan Powers]

This. I like the. The Penguins are a lock for playoffs and that's unbelievable. Yes, they are.

[Sean]

Well, no, the Metro is really bad.

[Dan Powers]

I am declaring it right now. Like, the Penguins are a lock for playoffs.

[Evan Watkins]

Fucking tease me, dude.

[Dan Powers]

No, they're a lock for playoffs and I'll. And I'll tell you why. Yeah, they are. They are in second in the Metro and I mean, unless Washington figures out what. Whatever the hell is going on with them, I don't even think there's anyone threatening them. The Rangers are dead. The Devils are dead. The Flyers are dead. Columbus has been surging and that's fun. They've won six in a row. They're nine and one in the last ten. Insane. But they're still. They're five or so points back. My big thing with PIT is they're. They have a plus 20 goal diff. Like they are. They are good. This Pittsburgh team is good. They're making playoffs. It's locked. Book it.

[Evan Watkins]

Buy your tickets, dude. Actually, you might be right because it's just. I'm seeing it.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

I'm seeing it now, dude. Jeremy the Penguin.

[Dan Powers]

Good luck. Have fun. Don't die. Came back from the future. You saw it. You saw it. The Penguins are in play.

[Evan Watkins]

Penguins are going to the cup. And Stu Skinner is going to beat McDavid. No.

[Sean]

We'Ll be lucky if we get past Tampa.

[Evan Watkins]

Stu skinner will cost McDavid three straight. Three straight.

[Dan Powers]

I think as a hockey fan, that would break.

[Evan Watkins]

Dude, if McDonald. I genuinely mean that. Stu Skinner wins Con Smythe and pitches like three shutouts in a seven.

[Dan Powers]

Watching. Watching Conor lose again to Sid, his hero.

[Evan Watkins]

And Stu Skinner.

[Dan Powers]

And to Stu Skinner, his friend. That would break me. I don't think I could handle that.

[Evan Watkins]

I just realized.

[Sean]

Tragic.

[Dan Powers]

Yep, that would be tragic.

[Evan Watkins]

Holy shit.

[Dan Powers]

All right, on that note, Pittsburgh is a wagon. They're making playoffs. Congratulations. Let's take an ad break and then let's hop into our awesome chat with Bain Pettinger. Folks, I know this is a hockey show, but today we're talking about football. Because the big game is right around the corner. It is super bowl week. My boy Drake May. I love Drake May. He's in the Super Bowl. We got Sam Darnold bringing the Seahawks to the dance again. It's unbelievable. And BETMGM has you covered on super bowl day. No question about it. They've got the Big Game Boost Pack going on right now. It gives you three ways to boost your payout on a winning bet for the game. So you're going to log into your BetMGM account to receive your boost pack. Then you're going to place any bet on the Big Game and apply one of the tokens. If your boost bet hits, you'll score a bigger payout. It's very simple. Log into that BetMGM account, get those tokens, make your bet, and see what you can win. From opening kickoff to the final snap, the Big Game Boost Pack is your ticket to unforgettable moments during the greatest game of all. And if you haven't joined BETMGM yet, you're going to use bonus code netters N E T T E R S and you'll Enjoy up to 1500 dollars of new player offers on your first wager bet. MGM is where it's at. Make it legendary. Let's go. Coming to us live from Toronto right Now, a Victoria, B.C. native. This guy has gold medals pouring out of his ears with world juniors, World championships, Olympics. He's going to rub it in our face this whole chat. I know it. He's now a certified NHL agent, a certified beauty. Bain Pettinger, thank you so much for coming on the Empty Netters podcast.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yeah, thank you for having me. Long time listener. So I'm really looking forward to this chat and a lot of topics to cover here.

[Dan Powers]

A lot of topics to cover. We're so pumped to have you. So we got to just jump right into it. We want to first dive into your hockey background because you've done so much in the game of hockey that we're going to get into all of these amazing things that you're working on right now. But tell the people, when did this all start for you? Were you playing at a young age? Were you coming from a hockey family? What really got you into it right off the jump?

[Bain Pettinger]

Yeah, I grew up in a hockey family on the west coast of Canada there in Victoria, bc, You know, and really Hawk, my brother, played in the NHL. He's a 1980 born. You know, he played 400 some odd games with Washington, Tampa and Vancouver. I was the little brother, always running around. You know, I played up to Junior B and then realized I'm better served off the I with my skill set on the ice. So made the transition, played a bit for Rugby Canada, actually. And then. And then started working at 19 at Hockey Canada as an internship in Calgary. I was going to school and luckily got one of their internships and ended up being 12 years at hockey Canada. Moved from a finance intern to manager of hockey operations when I left. So that's traveling the world with Team Canada. So from, you know, World championships, world juniors, under 18s, World cup of Hockey in 2016, there was, you know, got to work with, with all the national teams and some of the guys that come along with it. You know, the McDavid's, the Reinhardts, the SIDS, those guys that really, you know, we went through kind of the program there together. And some legendary stories from. From traveling the world with Team Canada.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, we can only imagine. I do first need to know, how did you swindle your way out of the finance department? Because we both know that that is not where you wanted to be.

[Bain Pettinger]

No, I took any job to get my foot in the door. Like I say to all young people that reach out to me, it's about networking. You know, my dad says I it best. Hockey is a contact sport on and off the ice. You know, I think it's important to have that, that Rolodex and build that. So all of a sudden I'm playing Thursday hockey with, you know, Scott Salmon, Bob Nicholson, Brad Pascal, all these guys that are in the hockey ops department. And that leads to a stop by their office for a coffee. That leads to, hey, I saw an opening in national teams and you know, to go with the internal candidate over someone externally. You know, everyone's dream is to work at Hockey Canada and I had to grind it out for a bit there and move my way up the corporate ladder. But yeah, I definitely didn't have the finance background, but it got me in the door.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, dude, well, when you're not a numbers guy, it's hard to hide in the finance. You know what I mean? Like some other jobs you can.

[Bain Pettinger]

It was, it was the filing, the. Yeah, yeah, the Alphabet where they started to audit me and I said, okay, maybe I'm better served on the. On the hockey side.

[Evan Watkins]

Trust me, this is a win. Win for both parties. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But. But Bayer, I want to go back though, for a second because with all due respect to the Cougars and your run with those boys in Junior B, I want to hear a little bit about the rugby dude, because that's sick. You were, you were the real deal as a rugby guy. What was that like?

[Bain Pettinger]

Like, yeah, so I, growing up in Victoria, where It's kind of the Rugby Canada headquarters. You know, there's no snow and if there is, it lasts for a day so you can play year round there. So when I showed up to high school at grade nine as my size of six foot four, I was kind of all in told that I was going to play rugby. You know, it wasn't really an option. I went to a powerhouse, Oak Bay High rugby School and they saw the hockey, you know, they saw the rugby and I ended up playing, you know, in Dubai actually for a world championship with which is like the equivalent of like a world juniors for hockey.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

You know, lived in Wales for a bit, you know, played some provincial basketball too. So I'm a big believer even with my athletes today, like multi sport, you know, play hand eye, you can work on that, you can work on fitness, you can work on everything with playing and play as long as you can. You know, I think today we get these 12 year olds that are only hockey players, like let's, let's get them. Let's, let's play some golf, let's play some lacrosse. Let's play as long as you can because you know, I love rugby and it's, it's such a cool game and I'm still a big fan of Rugby Canada and how they're doing things. So it's super cool to be an alumni from there as well as well as Hockey Canada.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, I love it man, because there's, and I'm so with you about the multi sport thing because it's everything but hockey has become so specialized now that we have friends that have kids that are entering that you know, 12 year old age and it's like my God, if you're not being shipped off to the development program by then, you're a failure.

[Bain Pettinger]

And I'm like, it's crazy the microscope, the microscope that they're under. You know, I advise my players take, take a month or two off after the season. Even AAA players like let the gear hurt when you get back on the ice, have that, build that back up so that because if you turn it into a 12 month sport or a year round sport, there's burnout and, and the pressures and the rankings and the, trying to keep up with the Joneses because one guy's doing power skating three days a week, everyone feels they have to do it. And it's, it's a bit, you know, I think a problem in our game that you know, we, we need to work on and I think as advisors we have a big role in that?

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, no doubt about it. What was it for you that it clicked in your head when you knew you wanted to stay in hockey? Because it's. It's not always easy. And I think you've actually spoken about this. It's like. Like a lot of guys who play forever and they think hockey is the only thing they can do, they then have that moment where they're not sure what type of area they could get into or even if they want to. But for you, it sounds like you always knew this was a world you knew you could serve really, really well, and you wanted to stay in it. When was that moment for you?

[Bain Pettinger]

I think in university. You know, I'm sitting there in finance courses and accounting and guys are talking about going off to internships at big banks and this and that, and I'm. I'm like, I don't want to do that. I don't want to hate my job. I want to love my job. I want to. I want it to not feel like a job. Right. I want to go to the rink and have that camaraderie. And I, obviously, I didn't have the skill on the ice, but I could still be around the trainers and the hot stoves and the buses and just that camaraderie of, you know, being building with something and building and having that team mentality. I always grew up. I grew up with, you know, three siblings, so it was always that team mentality growing up. And I think that's what, you know, carried me into sport. And luckily enough, had a pretty good run at Hockey Canada over my. My 12 years there, you know, with some. With some gold medals and some. Some memories.

[Evan Watkins]

Oh, my God. Yeah, go ahead. Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Well, I was going to say that's. So that's a perfect transition as you get into to Hockey Canada. You're starting to work with the team, you're getting great relationships with all the guys. That's amazing. And then just immediate success. What was. Was the first tournament for you World Championships, or was it world, you junior?

[Bain Pettinger]

It was under 18s, because I started as a coordinator. Yeah, it was the test event in Sochi, Russia. So it was the year before. And so we go. And unlike this Milan Olympics, they had it all set in Russia. So they run the under 18, the spring one there.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

So we had a double underage by the name of Connor McDavid come up. He was, you know, he showed up. I always tell him he had his Justin Bieber haircut over the. Over the forehead, you know, and he had Played his year in Erie, but he was still kind of like, okay, you know, who is this kid? And I think he had had three or four games with Hattrick over there. He was on a r. On a line with Sam Reinhardt. So These guys are 16, like, and you're already seeing the chemistry. Yeah, I think we rolled through that tournament, won a gold, and then obviously back the next year for the Olympics. But that was my first one, was the test event for the Olympics. And to see that venue then a year before and then afterwards at the actual Olympic show was. Was pretty crazy to see how the they. They pull it together. It was. All there was, was a rink in the middle of a dirt field for under 18. Like, literally, like, the security station was. You, like, drive through. And me and Rhino always joked that they had these security dogs. We're like, those aren't even trained security dogs. They're just.

[Evan Watkins]

That's this guy's pet, dude.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yeah, yeah. Like, we'd go up and pet them. We're like, there's got a cat.

[Evan Watkins]

Dude, that's a cat. That's insane. Oh, Jesus.

[Bain Pettinger]

Sniffing they're looking for treats.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

That's how you got in. You got a couple snacks. Come a couple Scooby snacks in your pocket.

[Dan Powers]

You're used to. You're used to some Russian guard shaking you down for money. Now you got Russian dogs shaking you down for bones. And it's like, back at that.

[Bain Pettinger]

And then you go back a year later and the whole village is built and the security and the infrastructure and the Olympic park, and you're like, whoa, you know?

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

Crazy how. How it goes.

[Evan Watkins]

And baner was that. Had you traveled a lot in your life, even, like, was that nuts being like, holy, I'm going to Russia for U18 team can hockey can Canada. Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

I did a backpack trip with my brother. My brother's two years older than me. When we were like, 18 and 21 summer, we went and, like, did the classic, like, Prague beer halls and, you know, all of that. London, England. Find the cheapest pub you can find and all that, but never at that level, because hockey Canada, you know, they do such a good job of. Of taking care of the players and their families, even at the under 18 level. Like, the travel, the hotels, everything. But yeah, like, there's. There was pinch me moments whether it was going to pyeongchang Korea four times, right, for that.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

You're downtown Seoul, Korea, and you're like, how am I getting paid to be here with team camp?

[Evan Watkins]

How Did I get here? Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

You know, like, you can't draw that. Like Europe's one thing because it's a hockey country, but it was really, when you go to Asia where you're like, you know, it's the whole time zone goes back and you know, you're not in, you know, traditional hockey rinks and you know, you're out there, you know, the Zamboni barely works and you're like, what is, how are we, how is the national team here? But you know, it's, it's cool. But at the same time, there's times definitely where, you know, you've been. I've been all over now to, to Russia, to Finland, Sweden, Czech, you name it, pretty much all the Denmark, all the hockey countries over there. And, and, but the pride that when you walk in with Team Canada too, you know, it's like, yes, we always, we always said it's like, you know, and I'm not trying to, you know, put it on here because I know you boys are American, but it's like the New Zealand All Blacks, like when Team Canada walks in, when, when Team Canada walks into a rink in Denmark, whether you're a staff member like myself or Connor McDavid, people are like, they see the logo and they're like, yeah, whoa. Y right. It's like it would be like us seeing the New Zealand All Blacks. And we always said that with, with Hockey Canada, like, let's carry ourselves like that. Let's, let's have that because we have that reputation and pride.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, no doubt about it. And I was just going to say, Chris, it's actually funny. You know, we talk about all the time at, yes, we're American, but at four nations, that first game, especially with all the, the lunacy going on with Trump and the 51st state comments and when that, that arena in Montreal started singing collectively the, the Canadian anthem, we.

[Bain Pettinger]

I was there in Montreal. I was.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, so, so were we. And I was like, I felt Canadian in that moment. I was like the, the amount of just pure good hearted pride in this country and in this game is so palpable right now, it's unbelievable.

[Bain Pettinger]

And you guys have been to probably as many games as I have, if not more. Like I have never seen a rink packed an hour before.

[Dan Powers]

Oh my God, dude. Warm ups. Warm ups Were, were, were to the.

[Bain Pettinger]

I was standing there and I was like, I've been to Olympic finals before the Bell center like that or a hockey rink like that.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, agree.

[Bain Pettinger]

And then obviously the three fights and you're like, okay, this, Grab me a beer. This is gonna be a good game.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, for real. And, and it's like, Chris, jump into what, what you were about to say. But I, I, I do think that this Players Tribune article that McDavid just came out with, it's like, I, I, I've, I've never been more scared. This, the, you are so right. The, the, the, the aura of Hockey Canada is real. And, and you're, you're feeling it. We're, you know, we're a week away here. It's just coming alive with these guys. It's, it's exciting and like, the gals already being there. Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

When he said, oh, his last win was in Moscow, I was like, I remember that one. Yeah, yeah, yeah, right? Like, but that's crazy for a guy that competitive that he hasn't won in eight years. Like, and you, you don't think about it, but that don't drive.

[Dan Powers]

Drives.

[Bain Pettinger]

That's what drives those guys. Him and Sid and Nate is like. And that's the biggest thing that I took away from working with those athletes day in, day out, is, like, their preparation. Yeah, right. Like, for us, we're like, oh, we're in Prague. We're having fun. They're like, no, we have a chance to join, like, Sid, join the Triple Gold Club. We're going to win this thing for sure. Like, like. And, like, as soon as I think we added him late in 2015, we were in Prague and we had a pretty good team already. And then as soon as Sid called, they got, I think they got knocked out in the second round. And he called, he's like, I want to come over. Usually we call guys, yeah. He's like, yeah, I want to come over. I'm chasing the Triple Gold Club. And then the boys, like, on the bus heard it, and it was like, Burnsy and Muzz. And they're like, sid's coming over. Like, oh, boy, we better tighten it up now, you know?

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Put the booze away. Put the booze so real, you know.

[Bain Pettinger]

He has that power of. And I could just see it, you know. Even when Conor got asked about who should be the captain, he's like, oh, you think you've earned it. And Connor, like, laughs it off. He's like, yeah, not a chance. While Sid is still on this planet, that I will captain Canada if he is on the team.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. God, I love that. Well, Bayer, this. So what I was about to ask was going into when you, when it becomes the Olympics in 2014. And you're going there. Obviously it's all crazy and huge and security and everything, but is there pressure? Because, yes, you are Team Canada and everyone and you're coming off the gold medal is. What was it like going into that Olympics as Team Canada being like, we have to win. We have to win gold.

[Bain Pettinger]

It's every tournament you go into. Look at the World Juniors and people say it, gold or bust. The expectation within, in our media, this side of the border, our players, our program at Hockey Canada is win or else. From the outside world, everyone thinks it's. It's catastrophic. You know, I look at this year, even after World Juniors, people ask like, is there a development program in Canada? I'm like, seven players were in the National Hockey League. Yeah. Like, not loaned. That's a first unit power play that. Like, I don't think it's a development problem. I think it's a one off minor hockey tournament that you have a bad goal or you call that a best of seven. Series. Series. World Juniors. I think Canada wins all the time.

[Evan Watkins]

Me too. Yep.

[Bain Pettinger]

Right. But a one off, a bad bounce, a missed call, a puck over glass, and you don't get Sam Dickinson back or you don't get a player that makes a difference. Hey, the hockey world's catching up. Right? But in Canada, it's very much win or bust. And, and, and I like that. But that's every event they go to because we have set that expectation. And I think it's a good thing to have. We're not, we're not comfortable with, you know, oh, it's a bronze. Good showing. It's like, no. And I think that's the attitude for the Olympic team. That's the attitude for every. I think every time Hockey Canada players and staff put on the jersey. That's the expectation.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah. It is unfair that we don't give Canada grace, that people are catching up. And that's not a knock on Canada. It's credit to the rest of the world, you know? But Canada gets no slack on that. It's like, you're still gonna win. I'm like, everyone's pretty good now. And they're like, nope, you have to win.

[Bain Pettinger]

The Czechs play as hard as ever. The Swedes are skilled as ever. The Americans are top to bottom, all rock stars. Like, there is no easy. Latvia is going to give you everything they got. That's the thing. Like, everyone that plays Team Canada is playing with house money.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

And it's the best punch if you win.

[Bain Pettinger]

Like, I remember when we were at World cup of Hockey. I was with the Team Canada. So the older guys, not North America. And our guys did not want to play Team North America because they had everything to lose. They were the vets. They were like, these young bucks are coming and if we beat them, oh, well, we should, We've all, we're all, you know, 500 plus games in the league and veterans. But if, if we don't, oh, well, what's the matter with hockey in Canada? The new waves coming, you know, and it's, it's a lose, lose. They were like, well, you know, we can't, we can't do anything here.

[Dan Powers]

It's so real. We were actually just laughing this weekend. We were looking at the, the top six goal scorers in the league right now. Three of them are American. None of those three are on Team America. And you're like, what is going on here? Us? I want to jump back to Olympics later because we have so much fun stuff to talk about. But, you know, continuing on your journ, Hockey Canada, Canada, you get into the agenting world and now it's like, what has it been, seven years or so now? That.

[Bain Pettinger]

Seven years.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, yeah. So you, you, you've been an NHLPA certified agent working with some of the top players in the league. How fun has that experience been for you in that transition, going away from Hockey Canada and all of the allure that comes with it. As we just talked about now getting into the more personal side, working with players like this.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yeah, see, and I dealt with a lot of agents in my Hockey Canada the time. Right. So I always had agents reaching out to me. I was running the team. So tickets, hotels, hey, can I get access to my player? So I knew all the agents and kind of what they did and you know, everyone thinks it's the Jerry Maguire red wine dinners. It's a lot of sports psychology. It's a lot of. No, I don't know any player that calls their agent when things are going well. Yeah, right.

[Dan Powers]

And that's true.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yeah, that's me included. Right. You put out fires for a living, right? Everyone, whether it's ice time, whether it's an injury, whether it's a trade, whether it's, it's moving locations, free agency, contract, whatever, Your phone rings and for half a second you go, oh, what, what? What am I putting out here? Right? And I love it. But, you know, so I went to, I originally got recruited by caa, so Pat Brisson and JP Barry worked with them for five years. Both class acts. You Know nothing but the best. JP represented my brother Matt, so it was a natural fit.

[Dan Powers]

Nice.

[Bain Pettinger]

I was always the, always the younger brother. I remember my brother's wedding. Jp, when are you hiring me? When are you hiring me? You know, and he just said, keep going with Hockey Canada, get your feet wet network, you know, get, get. You know, another Olympic cycle or another world juniors. So yeah, worked with them for five years here in Toronto and then decided to open up my own shop. You know, I was in the right spot. I loved my time at caa. You know, I think there's pros and cons to big agencies. I think there's, you know, pros and cons to smaller boutique agencies. Like I opened up with Apollo. You know, we're really focused on the client and having a small client list and only having a couple in a draft class, you know, But I also love working for myself. I love, I love being able to take on who we want, you know, work with them, see them grow. You know, we're almost in the fall, will be three years with Apollo, so our big draft will be next year in 27. You know, we could have three to four NHL first rounders that I recruited when, when we were, you know, three, four years ago. So to see that, to see that growth and have it where you control the brand, you control, you know, your marketing. I'm still doing it's entrepreneur life. I'm still running all the Instagram accounts, looking for songs and you know, like, like it's very much a startup. But I love growing with the clients and I think it's awesome to be able to kind of, you know, our tagline is modern athlete management because, you know, I can, as my age, I can relate to the parents, I can relate to the players, right? I can, I can. You know, I have my, my GM contacts through Hockey Canada. You know, my time at CAA can still lean on Pat and JP as, you know, with their stature in the game. But I think it's, I think it's the perfect blend of, of, you know, running my own shop, which is always a, you know, run. I think being your own boss is always everyone's dream. And I love what I do and you know, like I said, it's. Everyone thinks it's the glitzy, you know, red wine dinners and draft parties. It's a lot of, you know, sports psych. Frankly, I would say 60, 70% of my job is telling players, never too high, never too low. Right. You win a gold medal or you get healthy scratch as a 16 year old. It's all about long term thinking, you know, staying in the moment, trusting the process, all the things you think are cliche. But these athletes have all this stuff coming at them now that, you know, I really think, you know, what I've gone through in my life personally too, that I can relate to being in distress and being anxious about stuff and really having that. Remove yourself from the moment, give it 24 hours and let's think long picture. And really helping our athletes like that by being available, not having too big of a client list that you don't, you can't track your guys and your players and know exactly what's going on with them. Because I think that's important is, is actually know how they're playing. Are their minutes down, are they not playing on the special teams, are they struggling, have they gone 10 games without a point? Right. Or are they on a heater? And yeah, you know, they think that they're, they're all of a sudden a first round lock and you got to bring them back down to earth a bit, you know, and that's.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

And that's part of it is never too high, never too low. Right. And I, and I, I know that sounds cliche, but I think it's important because in, through careers, as we know, every athlete's had a major injury, every athlete's lost in a final, every athlete has had setbacks, but also had success. You know, and I think, I think you showed it in, in Connor's article there. Right, right. Like that, that Players Tribune, he's so hungry to win. He's been to the finals twice and lost. And that must just eat at him. And so, you know, his injury, you know, he had like, I don't know if you guys watched that documentary, but when he didn't do the surgery and rehabbed his knee solo, like, you know, everyone, you know, Sid missed almost a year and a half with concussions. Like people, people only remember the highlights. They don't remember the lowlights that got them there. And I think that's important to relate to today's athlete.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, I think it's Bear. It's such a cool comment because as rewarding as I'm sure it is and going to be when it's like, oh man, these guys that I recruited when we were tiny are now we're gonna have all these first round picks. Like, that's so awesome. From the Jerry Maguire po movie where you're like, we did it, you know, But I'm so with you, dude. That the, the massive perks now where you guys are at are. Are being so tuned in and clocked in to your clients. Because I think that goes such a long way for them. Where it doesn't feel like, oh, I'm just a number here, right? It's like, hey, dude, I'm aware of what's going on. I'm aware about you, the person. Like, I know who you are, the person even more than the hockey player. Right.

[Bain Pettinger]

And I manage each client differently. Some, you know, need a kick in the ass, some need a hug. And you only know that by knowing your clients through and through. You know, some parents are involved, some never played the game. Right. Each file is so different. It's not just stock. Here's player A in his draft year. It's.

[Evan Watkins]

Here's the playbook.

[Bain Pettinger]

You know, what situation are they in? What kind of team are they on? What. How's their. How is their Hockey Canada experience? How is their. How are they tracking? What do they need to work on? One needs to work on foot speed in the summer. The other needs to gain upper body strength. So they're not just on the same programs, right? You have to, to. You have to tweak them each individually and because they are individuals and they're not just a hockey player that says, go, go do squats in the summer. No, we need to work on if someone needs track work or someone needs, you know, a goalie needs flexibility. Those are things that you have to kind of. I, I call almost an agent as like a, like a general contractor. You know, I'm not an expert in anything, but you need a power skater, you need a trainer in the summer, you need a bower deal, you need a contract. I can kind of be that point of contact for everything. So the players and parents can come to us and then we can find, source it out so they're not googling power skating coaches in Vancouver. I have four that we've used. Right? Yeah. And then they interview them and, and, and, and hey, you, you pick who you want to go with. But I see it as almost like a general contractor role, if that makes sense. And instead of building houses, we're building hockey players career.

[Dan Powers]

Definitely.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

And well, Bayner, it's like, you know, I love everything you just said is so, so fascinating and interesting. And we talk all the time about how the, the agent, athlete, agent, talent relationship is one of the more fascinating things in the world because it's like you kind of both need each other. You're almost both courting each other at the beginning and I'm curious for you and starting Apollo and what you guys are doing. The more personal approach, I think is so important in this space. What is it that you look for in some of these young athletes? You know, if there's a young hockey player who's looking for representation and is, is attracted you guys and what you're building and what you're doing, what are some of the things that you would want them to know that that's, you know, a great thing for a young player to do that's going to make people want to work with them?

[Bain Pettinger]

I think. You know, and I've never seen a hockey school for it is hockey IQ right when we're scouting.

[Evan Watkins]

Yep.

[Bain Pettinger]

You know, I've seen, I've seen power skating, I've seen shooting coaches, I've seen, you know, weight gym programs. I've never seen an IQ school. So it's one of those where, you know, we're recruiting so young now in the agency world that you go to games and kids haven't even gone through puberty. But if they're out there and they see that backdoor pass or they're attempting to, you know, throw, you know, they're back checking, like compete. Right. They're not just out there, you know, going all tilt in the, in the offensive zone and no, no, no care about back checking. You know, those are, those are things that we look for. You know, the amount of tips that I get of. You should see this 13 year old, he's got a mustache. I'm like, I'm hoping for a good 25 year old to sign an initial contract. Right. I'm not, I'm not looking at, you know, the standings in the GTHL and saying, let's go get the top 10 kids because they're sick at 13. I want, I like to find that diamond in the rough. The kid that wasn't, you know, at the Brick tournament per se. That, that, that is a late bloomer that has the character that can think it, that the parents are on board for listening because that's a big thing too. You know, as much as they interview me with different agencies, I interview them as well. Because, you know, you, you don't want to go down a road where, where you're just barking up a tree. And they don't think that they need an agent, you know, and they don't think that my opinion matters. And not that it, not that I'm the be all end all. At the end of the day, I'm an advisor. I'm not a decider. And I always say that. Right. If we're in between schools, whether it's a scholarship or a major junior route or whatever, I provide my advice based on experience. But I'm not a family decider. Right. I don't necessarily know their financials. You know, can you go to an Ivy League because they don't give full rides. So you know, it's going to cost you some, some dollars and US dollars for Canadians. Right. Which isn't always easy. So. Or you go with the full ride at Quinnipiac, you know, so it's, it's certain things that you try to provide all that you can based on your experience, but at the end of the day, the family's going to decide what they do.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, yeah. So true.

[Evan Watkins]

Are you asked? You don't have to name any names, but if a guy calls and is like, hey, I'm not, I want more ice time or whatever the complaint is, do they expect you to know? Okay, here are some teams I think you could get ice time at. Like how, how much knowledge across the leagues you do.

[Bain Pettinger]

You.

[Evan Watkins]

Are you expected to know on for those questions?

[Bain Pettinger]

I think it's oper, like not at the drop of a hat. I always say, give me 24, 48 hours.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, right.

[Bain Pettinger]

You know, like I can do some homework now with instat and stuff online. You can see, you know, if I'm looking at say a 16 year old in the OHL, I can look at what the other 16 year olds are playing, average ice time, you know, power play time, all of that. So I know based on facts, if I call a GM and you know, need to bring it to them, then I do have the numbers to back it up.

[Evan Watkins]

Up. Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

You know, a lot of the time the player, you know, hasn't done things the right way. And I mean that in that, hey, like they're not being truthful in, in that maybe they didn't back check or maybe they weren't great here. You know, they, they never, it's like the gambler. They tell you what they won, they never tell you what they lost.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah. It's so true.

[Bain Pettinger]

You know, I'll go back and watch their games and say, hey, I didn't think you were great here. Or, you know, do you agree that, you know, hey, I got benched. Okay, well I, I thought you missed two back checks there. Like, you know, I can call the coach, but I think we got to save our bullets here, you know, because you don't want to be, you don't Want to be the boy that cried wolf all the time too. You know, and I, you know, there's a bit of, I think in our youth hockey, a bit of, you know, let's change it up and let's just, let's, let's quit and move on to the next thing. I'm a big thing of like, let's stick with a team and build and battle through adversity. Because what do you think is going to happen when you're a freshman in college? What do you think is going to happen when you're a rookie trying to make the National Hockey League? You're not going to be a top six forward right away. Yeah. You're just not. There's 750 jobs in the NHL and 650 of them are on oneway contracts.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

So.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

Are you one of the top 100 out of the world, not in the NHL? Because that's, that's what it comes down to.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah. That's crazy to think it's so true.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

So amidst all of this amazing stuff like Hockey Canada, like what you're doing with Apollo, another amazing part of your story was your coming out journey. And there was that incredible article in the Athletic with Pierre lebrun that was so wonderful. But if you're comfortable, I'd love to, to hear you talk about you. You said that you had been out to your family and some very close friends before you did your, your public statement with that great article. Would you be able to tell us a little bit about when, when you came out to them, to your family and your close friends and, and what that moment was like and what urged you to find the strength to do that?

[Bain Pettinger]

Yeah, I kind of knew when I was younger, you know, I was a bit, you know, different. Not, you know, not different, but just not the norm. Right. I'm always an outgoing, personable guy. You know, I think we, we've hung out at all star games before and like, you know, I'm a bubbly, personable guy and I was just, I was so fearful to lose what I had built at Hockey Canada.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

That, that hockey was going to push me out. That you know, everyone's fear before they come out is that the world's going to turn on you, that you're going to all of a sudden, you know, you're going to tell a Conor McDavid and he's going to say, well, we're not friends.

[Dan Powers]

Friends.

[Bain Pettinger]

Right. Like you think the worst when you're about to come out and it's Just human nature, right? And. And I look back and I laugh now. Now that I've been out five years, like, I'm like, what was I thinking?

[Evan Watkins]

Right?

[Bain Pettinger]

That was. That was when I did it publicly. I was probably five years before that to my family. Right. But I was always tired of walking in a room wondering, who knew, you know, oh, did my mom tell my aunt? And then you get the awkward question, oh, you seeing anyone? And you're like, do they know that?

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

Like, do they know that I'm out? Do they, you know, like, and. And what's that wink for? And like, what? You know, like, just awkwardness where you're like, you just live in this world of anxiety. And I just said finally, you know, I ran it by, you know, I think I mentioned in the article there, you know, Tyson is, you know, was a big confidant when he was playing for the Leafs here, you know, Morgan, Riley, you know, obviously my family.

[Evan Watkins]

Can you tell that Ty story? Yeah, it's great.

[Bain Pettinger]

With what.

[Evan Watkins]

It's like you guys are just drinking wine, right? Like, it's him and Emma, I think. And. Yeah, you.

[Dan Powers]

You.

[Evan Watkins]

I don't want to spoil the story, but you just said. You just blurted it out because you guys were talking about, like, sexuality. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

Emma's sister's gay and she's out. And we were just talking about hockey and some like, you know, having as we do with the berries, usually there's a couple bottles of red involved. And you know, he was just like. And I knew. Tice kind of knew, right? And like, he was still. He was dealing with the whole bab stuff and living in Toronto and first time traded and he was kind of. His world was kind of upside down, T too. And I just said, you know what? I'm gay. And he's like, what? And he's like, that's awesome.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

And I was like. I said, well. And we always joke about it. I said, well, let's get another nice bottle of wine out. You know, every time I see him now, we go to the cellar and I'm like, yeah, well, I got. Hey, Tyce, I got something to tell you, you know?

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, right, right.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

It's like that. That's. That's your confession room. Like, when you go down to the wine cellar, he's like, okay, what now?

[Bain Pettinger]

You know, every conversation you have, like that, you know, like, I remember telling Connor up at his cottage in Muskoka Boca, every conversation you're wait. You're. You're waiting for a reaction Right. And you think that it's going to be world ending, and then the more that you break down and you're like, oh, this isn't. This isn't as bad as I thought. The big, bad hockey world isn't that bad. Yeah, right. They're actually. They actually still think I'm a great guy.

[Evan Watkins]

And.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yeah, you build up so much fear in your head and anxiety of, you know, over drinking and overthinking and, you know, and just thinking that, you know, you have to be a certain way to fit into our game.

[Dan Powers]

Game.

[Bain Pettinger]

And. And I think we've come a real long way from that, you know, but it's. It was definitely a time in my life where I was, like, scared as hell for sure that I, I, I, you know, I was like, I'm gonna have to quit hockey, and I'm gonna have to. I built up this great resume and great friendships and, you know, all these gold medals and stuff, but I feel like I'm living a lie. And, And. And so finally, you know, sat down with Pierre over a couple more bottles of red, and we did the article, and it changed my life. You know, I broke out and I broke out in hives. The night before, I called Pierre. I called Pierre at midnight and said, hey, you got to pull the article. I have had, like, a mental breakdown. And he said, baner, It's. It's done. It's sent in, and it's going live in a couple hours. Like, I can't. I don't know if he could, but I think Pierre. I thank Pierre for that. I had a full, like, broke out in hives and had a bit of a melter, and. And then I remember waking up at 5am and it was ting, ting, ting. It hit Twitter and the phone went nuts, and I was like, oh, my God. There is a lot of people that care about you and care and are empathetic and are, like, you know, just genuine people I hadn't heard from in years. Right. And not that I needed it, but it was when you. When you fear that your world's going to flip upside down, it was such a. Such a reassurance that I was doing the right thing. There was wasn't. You know, there was a couple trolls online, but, hey, whatever. They're not in. They're not in my contact book. I don't need them, you know, And, And.

[Dan Powers]

And.

[Bain Pettinger]

And I still get trolls for stuff that I speak out on on Pride jerseys and on Pride tape and certain things. And. But, hey, I'm not going to Let the haters. Because from that we've, we've started Alphabet Sports Collective. From that, you know, I do a lot of advocacy work from that. I'm comfortable speaking on it. Right. I would, I would freeze up before if you ever asked me me. If you would have told me five years ago that I'd be on talking about me coming out of the closet, I would have thought you guys were batshit crazy.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yeah, right. But I would have said there's no, I said there's no way I'll do that. I'll have a secret boyfriend and I'll, I'll. No, I can't deal with this my whole life.

[Dan Powers]

Yep.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yeah, it's, it's crippling and now like to come out the other side and, and, you know, be an advocate and, and have that, that, you know, not mentorship. But now, now youth come to me, me right now through our not for profit Alphabet, like people come reach out to us and hey, I'm going through this and you can reassure them that, you know, don't read the headlines that the NHL is big and bad. You know, read, read that. Morgan Riley marches in the Pride parade every year and he's a huge advocate and supporter. Yeah, right. You know, and, and those don't often in our media get public. Right. If you, yeah, if, if you were, if you were just a fan and you read the NHL headlines, you wouldn't know that it was only four players that decided to not wear a pride jersey and hundreds were for it. Right? It's. It's the, it's the negative. It's, It's. Let's not let the naysayers have that. Right? Let's, let's focus on the good that we're doing and the progress that we're making and not, oh, my God, three, three Russian players or whoever said, hey, I don't want all the power to them, but that's, that shouldn't be what the headline reads. And, and, and I went on the Merrick show and a few and just said, hey, let's try to turn this upside down a bit of, of the narrative that hockey is a homophobic sport. Because I've heard from some of the best in the game that it's not.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, I, I think that's so well said, Baner. And it's like, it's, you know, something you and I have talked a lot about over the last week or so. It's like, I think what, what you're doing and I want to get into Alphabet sport collective because there's so much amazing stuff that you guys are doing. But it's like there is. You know, there's the negativity echo. Echo chamber and the way that people feed into it, and they. They almost want to fuel the fire of any hate or negativity that exists. But there's so much great positivity and growth and kindness and love that's going on, and the. The movement to push all of that forward is just so important. And I think that that's what I am so impressed with, with Alphabet Sports Collective, because I think there are a lot of great ways that you're different than a lot of. Or other organizations like that, where it's like the. The focusing on the good and. And uplifting and breathing life into the good as opposed to the. The. The negatives is just so. So empowering.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yeah. And you know what? I started Alphabet. Well, we started Alphabet Sports Collective because I didn't know where to turn. Five years ago, I typed in gay hockey players online. We didn't have these shows. We didn't have heated rivalry. We didn't have, you know what it is? It was still kind of taboo. And I said, well, why. Why isn't there. You know, there's people out there. Why isn't. Why isn't there a common space for this? Why? Yeah, why do I have to go to a pride night to feel like I belong? Right. Why can't this just be my everyday life?

[Dan Powers]

Yep.

[Bain Pettinger]

Right. And. And. And I think, you know, I don't think it's a coincidence that when I came out, you know, a month later, Luke Prokop's agent, who I know, Jerry Johansson, text me and said, hey, Luke, saw your story. Can you have a chat with him? Right. He did an article with Pierre Lebrun, came out the first NHL. Like, that's why representation and speaking your truth, I think matters. And I think, you know, if you're brave enough to do it and get out there and be a face for it, I think that's huge. Huge. Because, you know, I. I also. It's part of my story, but it's not my whole story. Right. I want to be an NHL agent. Do I happen to have a male partner? Yeah. But, like, that's not my defining role. That's not. That's not what I want to be known for. I want to be. But let's normalize that. Let's have those conversations so that we're not, oh, it's negative and it's taboo and the NHL and this and that. Let's. Let's have a space where. And with Alphabet, we really bring in the community. We're not external. And let's go, you know, do pride nights and all this. We're more. Get members of the queer community that don't think they belong in the game. Involved in the game.

[Dan Powers]

Yes.

[Bain Pettinger]

You know, if you like hockey and you're queer, come join us. If. If you don't like hockey because it pushed you away because you're queer, come back. If you've never heard of hockey in your career, come on in.

[Dan Powers]

It's a space for you. Yeah, exactly right.

[Bain Pettinger]

It's a safe space where we host watch parties, we host membership, we have meetups, we have mobilization. You know, I'm trying to personally right now get on the Hockey Canada board to have that representation, that queer voice that. That, you know, so when we do make policies or we do make certain adjustments, we have that voice at the table, you know, and that goes for not just players. That's. That's media members, that's fans, that's, you know, you want to be a player, you want to be a referee. You know, our board is made up of such a diver at Alphabet, such diverse group. You know, we have trans referees, we have, you know, non binary people. We have members of the community, we have straight members, we have this voice that, you know, hey, come on in. It's a safe space. Join us and we'll get you feeling good. Because there's no reason to hide that. And we're living proof of it that you can be, you know, successful and be gay in the game, and it's. And it's awesome. And why not spread that positivity and that, you know, really, because in the days where you're leading up to it, you're in such a dark spot to have people either that are about to come out and speak their truth or are already out. It's such a turning point for them. And to have that network, something that I never had, Right. I never had. I never had an Alphabet sports collective to go and say, I can talk to an NHL agent that has done this and had the biggest names in the. In the hockey world support them.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, that's one of the coolest parts, I think Boehner is like, you've spoken of Brendan Burke before and how he was somewhat of a pioneer for you. And I think passing that forward is the greatest thing that Alphabet does. Right? It's exactly that. Where you go, this is your. You can see it. I forget you had an awesome quote that was like sometimes if you just can't see yourself in a situation, it's impossible to dream. And, and what you've created is exactly that. Everyone in this community can see themselves in whatever role they want to have in hockey. And God, that must be so rewarding.

[Bain Pettinger]

And, and meet them where they're at, right? There's a lot of people that hate the game right now. They think that it's, they're not welcome and that, you know, the, the, you know, people ban pride nights and people do this and you read the headlines. I would think it's horrible to too. But let's have a conversation because I think I've said it a couple times. The big bad hockey world isn't that big and bad when it comes to this stuff. You know, some of the greats in the game, although they may not be out there on Twitter, they are more than advocates, allies, whatever you want to call it. And you know, with, with my network there are, you know, if they need some support, there's there a phone call or a text or something away for, you know, people that are, whether it's self harming or feeling, they don't belong really that's what it is, is bringing people together and, and make them feel good because that's, that the day I came out was the best day of my life and I got to continue my career. I, I don't think it's a coincidence that after I came out, I started my own company and started my own not for profit, to lift some weight off my back of worrying about myself and what people think of me. Almost like, fuck it, you like me or you don't. And I, I, I take that on in, in my agency role. I take that on in Alphabet of. Hey, if you've got an issue with it, that, that's on you. That's not on me. I've, I've done that for 33 years of my life. That, that's, that, that's a you problem, not a me. And I, I'm sure I've lost clients because of it. I'm sure I've not got recruits. But I, I, I wear my heart on my sleeve, man.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

You know, but I wear my heart on my sleeve for my clients and, and they know that. And that's why we keep the small client base. And, and I think it's important to be yourself, especially as an agent because there's, you're pulled in a million different directions.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, no, it's so true. And listen, you, you mentioned it, it's we're talking about the fun and the positivity and the welcoming vibe. Obviously this, the past month heated rivalry did that with such a fun thing. So I really want to know, and I want everyone to hear your take and your, your perspective on, you know, when this show was coming out. It's obviously connected to the hockey world, something that you're connected to as an out person and former player and someone in the world. What were your expectations, your hesitations when you heard of this show and then how did it impact you in relation to your lived experience? That must have been so crazy for you, watching the show and being able to relate to so much. You know, you and I talked about, about the, the scenes when they're in. In Russia for the Olympics. You were like, I was there. I was in Sochi. I was, you know, like, it's illegal.

[Bain Pettinger]

Illegal to be gay and you get arrested for it.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

I'm sitting there battling if I should come out or not.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

You know, you know, I, I thought, you know, originally it was going to be a bit hokey, per se. You know, I was like, oh, here we go. Right. But the more I got into it, the more I had people and I didn't, like, I wasn't streaming it. The first night it came came out, I was like, you know, but I had random people that I didn't even knew know what hockey was, come up to me and be like, what do you think of this show? You know, what do you think of these story lines? And as they got going, right, I thought there were some unbelievable story lines of having to hide it. That I've, I've done that.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, right.

[Bain Pettinger]

I, I've hidden relationships because you. The biggest fear is being outed, right. That someone uses your. Weaponizes your sexuality against you. That's your biggest fear, right. When you're in the closet. But yeah, as it went on, you know, the storylines, the writing, everything about it, you know, I thought was. And the way they did two separate stories, you know, with, with the two separate characters, like.

[Sean]

Yep.

[Bain Pettinger]

You know, kudos to you guys for, for amplifying it, you know, and, and not, you know, making a mockery of it. I think it's important that people see that those are real life examples. Right. Those are things that you don't often see. See. Yeah. Is it a fictional show? 100 right. Is it getting people talking? 100 right. People that, you know, didn't love the game before that now are coming into it. But, you know, those conversations like they had with he had with his mom at the cabin.

[Dan Powers]

I've had that. Oh, man.

[Bain Pettinger]

Right. Like, it was at my heartstrings. I've had that. The biggest fear, when his dad found him kissing on the deck there. Like, that is someone's biggest fear. When he was having that melter, I was. Was like, oh, my God, I can't believe what he is going through. And, yeah, you know, like, the fact that it was, you know, Canadian, you know, partly funded, I'm proud of that. Like, on crave, Like, I think it's. I think it's awesome, honestly. I think it's getting people talking about the game and inclusivity, and I think that's only good, right? I think that only breaks down barriers. I think that only humanizes things. You know, I have all my young clients. Oh, did you watch that new episode last night? Like, when. Whenever would they be talking about a gay hockey show? Right. But it's kind of normalizing it, and it's kind of like breaking down those barriers that, yes, these. These things actually happen. And I've lived those. Right. Obviously, I'm not an Olympic athlete like that, but I've lived that hiding it. I've lived the going around the corner so no one sees you, you know. You know, all those little things that really hit home for me, you know, was personal and. And it's. And it's special. And I think what it's doing for the game is. Was awesome. Honestly, I think it's. I think anytime you can have inclusivity and. And Hollywood and all of this stuff involved and in the right way, you know, it didn't feel cheesy. It didn't feel. Here's the. Here's the token. You know, it was. It was the emotions behind it, the long summers away, the having to hide it. But then they brought some comedy, you know.

[Sean]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

And the dad's like, oh, from before the draft?

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

You know, like, please text.

[Evan Watkins]

Please text before you come back to the cot.

[Bain Pettinger]

You see people let their guard down in humor. And, you know, my dad's the same way now, you know, like, with my partner. And, like, like, I'll show up and he'll be like, hey, boys. Never thought I'd say that. You know, like, just, you know, like, normalizing it and having that perspective and just again, like, you see something out there that, you know, if I would have seen that when I was in the closet, I'd be like, oh, okay. People are cool with this. You know, everyone's. It's the hot buzz every time I go on Twitter now. It's about it. That was. Was. That wasn't. Five years ago when I was about to come out, I was like, oh, boy. You know, like now it's almost, you know, But I hope that we take that and do something with it. Right. I see the NHL doing, you know, pride nights or cottage nights. I hope that organizations like that take this and let's, let's. Let's get Alphabet involved. Let's do something. Let's make actual change.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

As opposed to. Yeah, it's fun to say, hey, we're doing a cottage night when Boston and Montreal play each other. You know, I've seen those.

[Evan Watkins]

But.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

How are we. How are we actually going to drive change and get rid of the homophobia in the game that does exist? You know, go read any online. Any online thing when, when an NHL team does a pride night, it's actually sickening.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

Right. And. And by no means is it religious. By no means is it. But we're here and we exist and we're successful and we're going to keep being here. And.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

And by no means, by our sexuality are we going to turn away from the game that we love and create a of lot living in.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, no. You know, I loved what you just said about, you know, because there's. We had such a blast covering this show and what you just said about doing it in the right way, I think that is something that. That deserves more attention. And it's, you know, a big thing that. That we kind of did is like, the, the authenticity of the story is so important because, you know, you know, so. So many times in media, there. There can be a story that's included in a show, in a movie movie, and it's not real, it's not authentic, it doesn't honor the character. And what I think oftentimes more harm than good is. Is done with that. And, you know, we had. We went into the show and we were like, yeah, let's watch this show. But you do wonder, like you said, like, is it going to be hokey? Is it just going to be super sexy and provocative? And the way that those storylines just, like, the quality was just out of control as it went on. And like, they pulled us in and you're invested because it felt so real and authent. And that, I think, is why it stole so many hearts. I think that's why we. One of the many reasons why we just loved it. And we keep saying it's like the love fest that it created and the way it got. People like. Like you mentioned, we got it, too. Friends who were texting us as we were talking about the show and reviewing it, we're like, what is this show? Should I watch it? And we were just like, yeah, absolutely. And it.

[Bain Pettinger]

Everywhere I go, people ask me about it.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, same.

[Bain Pettinger]

I was like, just, come on here. Like, let's settle down.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, settle down. I was. I wasn't the captain and best player of a team, but, no, it's like, you know, I can't tell you too, how much it filled. It filled our hearts when we got buddies in the NHL who texted us and they were like, hey, should I watch this show? And, you know, it was literally just like a curiosity of, is it a good show? And we were like, yeah, watch it. And it's like texting the guys.

[Bain Pettinger]

You can tell they did their homework, too, because, like, even this. The situation where his mom's talking about the sponsorship deals, right? And he's all dismissive. And I've been there. I've been like, you know, something happened the night before, or you get a bad text or you get threatened to be outed, which I've. I've had happen when I was in the closet. Right?

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

You go into this snappy, and I remember my mom saying, what's wrong? Right? Like, those are, you know, with. With Ilia being in Russia and it being illegal and him having kind of the fake girlfriend and saying, well, I could just marry her. Like, those are thoughts that, you know, you can tell that they did their homework on it of what it's like to be a closeted athlete. And that's what I really appreciated about it was. It wasn't just, hey, let's go. Like, you know, like, I thought the hockey was good, but the storyline of the battles and the struggle of what it's like to be a closeted athlete at a high level was. Was, I thought, unbelievable.

[Evan Watkins]

And, you know, yeah, something really cool was the. In the. If you take. And I'm not dismissing the Kip character, but I'm just saying that the three NHL guys you're with, I thought it was awesome that you didn't get. They all have to talk to their parents, right? Like, you go, shane has to do it with his parents. Ilya has the fake girlfriend. And Go goes through a lot of it with that. Scott goes through a lot of it with his partner who he's, like, hiding, right? Like, each. I thought it was so cool because Vayner, you go, oh, I had that conversation with my mom. That felt really relatable to me. But I know that we have had people message us going, oh, I had the conversation with my fake girlfriend and you know, that part was relatable to me. I thought it was so cool how they hit so many buckets of what that experience is and let people watching it who went through whatever various ones it was feel connected to in that way. I thought that was genius.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yeah, well, yeah, because not every story is. Is fairy book ending. You know, I'm very lucky in my story that my parents, my family, my friends were all accepting, embracing whatever you want to say, say. I've heard horror stories of kids coming out of the closet and getting kicked out of their house. Right. A coach kicking them off a team. Right. So that's, that's why the anxiety exists. You know, I think I'm one of the lucky ones with how my family and how, you know, my life has gone since. But I'm sure there's, there's out there and I've heard stories of people that it's not as, as smooth. Right. I think, you know, you guys are obviously in Cali. I grew up on the west coast. Pretty liberal fun, you know, families that get it and accepting. There's, there's some people, people that aren't and, and it's get out of the house. And I've heard those stories and it's sad, but that's why representation and having a safe space to go to like Alphabet or even tuning into the show and getting rid of, you know, the distractions in the world, I think is, is, is important.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah. And so one, one thing I love to ask in this topic, and I'm super curious of your perspective on it is, you know, we, we clearly have seen, seen when something so great like this happens and, and we see the growth and we feel the growth and the happiness and the joy in these moments. There are still people who try to tear it down and there's, there's negativity that can leak in. So what are ways that, you know, we all as, as friends, as allies, like you said, whatever you want to call it, can just keep helping and ways to just keep raising awareness and keep making sure these things improve and gets to that place where, where it's like, yeah, this is a, this is a non issue, this is a welcome space. The door is open for everyone.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yeah. I think it's amplifying, it's using the platform that you have. You know, again, kudos to you guys for, for, for doing that and, and having you Know, the, the live stream shows and the reactions and everything. Like it's focusing on the positive. You know, I think in today's world, we can get so bogged down, like I said, with the pride jerseys, like four players said no out of 750. That's less than, that's less than 0.1% is that, that's not even near a minority. So, no, the NHL isn't that bad. You know, it's like, you know, there's, there's players that love this show. You know, they may, again, that are big supporters that may not, you know, but they, they text me, hey, was that what it was like for you? So it's just keeping it positive and not, not the, the naysayers of, oh, well, this is just, you know, whatever. And this is, you know, it's just check, you know, doing this. And I think it's important that we keep that momentum going, that we normalize it, that it is people's lives, stories, whether it's myself or other people out there, you know, and it's not a woe is me. It's just that people are struggling. And I think to bring a light to it and just because we work in sports doesn't make it any different. Right. I think it actually makes it harder. We live in a hyper masculine kind of, you know, suck it up, don't, you know, team first mentality. It's tough to be an individual and, but we all battle something. We all, you know, have something that we don't like about ourselves. But I think I try to live it in. My life too, is like, focus on the positive. Focus on, on what this show has brought. Focus on the stories of people coming out after seeing it. Focus on, you know, that stuff, the positivity, not, not the, not the online trolls that don't even show their face. And I think it's just, we're giving that too much oxygen. And I think, you know, I just think it's, it's, it's an awesome thing for the game to get people talking about it and, and you know, I really hope that the NHL, NHL and teams for that matter, take this and, and, and use it in a positive space. You've now brought in a whole new wave of, of fans. I think I saw something like There was a 400% uptake on StubHub for a game, for like a pride game. And I'm like, okay, let's. Now the business side of me as an agent says let's, let's bring those people in and let's have them stay. Right. Let's have them be fans, and let's have them buy jerseys because that's. Guess what? That leads to expansion. That leads to the cap going up. That leads to more money in the system, which leads to bigger paychecks for me. So let's get go.

[Dan Powers]

Yep. Damn right.

[Bain Pettinger]

Damn. Right, right. I think more outdoor, more fun. Like, let's, God, let's not limit it. Let's, let's, let's keep this thing going and the momentum that it's created, and I think we'd be foolish not to. For it to be a blimp on the radar.

[Evan Watkins]

I completely agree, man.

[Dan Powers]

Completely agree.

[Bain Pettinger]

You've got this whole new fan base ready to come in and, and say, oh, maybe it's not as bad as we think. And let's, let's cap, like, not capitalize, but let's, let's use that momentum and keep this, keep this thing going.

[Dan Powers]

Agree, Agree. So perfect transition again. You're a legend at this. You should, this guy should be a professional podcaster in terms of growing the game, keeping things humming. Got to talk about Olympics with you. As a guy who's been there, you, you've. I don't need you to shove the Sochi ring in my face again, but I'm going to ask you to do it. There it is. There it is.

[Bain Pettinger]

There we go.

[Evan Watkins]

Let me get a good look at it, too.

[Dan Powers]

It's unbelievable. Look at that.

[Evan Watkins]

Awesome. Damn, that is really cool.

[Bain Pettinger]

That's Hockey Canada logo on the side. I don't know if you guys know it.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, I know it. Baner. Okay, so you've got so much experience here with, with Hockey Canada, with Olympics, with gold medals, it's ridiculous. What, what is this like for, for the players, for the fans, for people attached like, I, I, we're getting so hyped up for all of our new fans who have come in, who, you know, existing fans, fans. So many have not. They can't remember the last time we really dove in and enjoyed Olympics and hockey with best on best NHL players. We've got the P Dub Gals going in here. They're already there, like, you know, seeing, seeing Aaron Ambrose there, like, getting ready for these games.

[Bain Pettinger]

They start on, like, Thursday here.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. They're like, by the time this comes out, like, they're, they're starting. So it's like the, the, the vibes are already humming. But as someone who's been there, what should people be looking forward to? And like, what are you looking forward to what storylines? What's firing you up about all this?

[Bain Pettinger]

See, it's funny, when you're in the Olympic bubble, you, you kind of, you're so much more focused on Team Canada itself. And in that, I mean, the curlers, the figures, like I remember being in, in 2018 and you know, Tessa Virtues across the meal hall there and she's competing for gold in a couple hours and everyone's like, hey, good luck, you know, and then all the players are in the lounge and they know that the, like, hockey is the very last event. Yeah, like I remember in Sochi we won and the boys literally had to like go right to the closing ceremonies because it's the very last event. But you've got snowboarders, curlers, biathlon, all in the village and they could be done in the first three days. And then they're just tearing it up in there and you're getting ready for a gold medal game. Right? So, you know, a world championship's one thing, a World cup, you know, it's all hockey, but there you really feel the Olympic spirit, whether whatever country you're with, you're like, oh, geez, there's that person and you know, they're, they're walking through the meal hall with their gold medal and then you turn on the TV and they just had, you know, it was a snowboarder that just won his, you know, he's some 18 year old kid from Japan. And you're like, yeah, what is going on here? Right? So it's, it's that you're almost in a bubble though. And Team Canada does a really good job of that of, of, you know, obviously players have their phones and stuff, but they set it up so good with like player lounges and never is a player really sitting in his room doom scrolling being like, oh, we got the US Tomorrow. Like you're, you have to come together as such a quick team because one game, you know, I think they open against the Czechs, like one game and it you, you could be a bad quarterfinal matchup.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, right, right.

[Bain Pettinger]

I think they have like three practices before they go, you know, like before they actually play, which may not even be in the main rink. So it is like hit the ground running, but really, really not protecting, but creating a bubble around the players.

[Evan Watkins]

Right.

[Bain Pettinger]

And I think they said the same at four nations. Like they, they try to just create this atmosphere because the noise around it and obviously, you know, like, you'll see the Olympics, like half of the, like the, they won't show it on the Camera. But wherever the cameras are, half of the lower bowl is booked out for world media. Yeah, like, that's how, that's how hard. That's how hard tickets are to get. Like, if you could ever get someone in there. If you look back at the cameras, the whole lower bowl is all desks and desks and people writing for like, outlets that have the media rights and all of that. It's not, it's not going to be that Boston Four nations feel. Where it's fights, obviously there's rules, but it's more, you know, you're going to see bad penalties, you're going to see times where, you know, like a World Juniors, where you see a bad call or you see, you know, a goal that should have gone in or a Binnington massive save and ot, you know, and like that, that split to second. It's not a best of seven. It's. It's one game game, best on best. But there's no chance that I'm betting against a motivated Connor, Sid, Nate. And nothing against, nothing against you American boys.

[Dan Powers]

But like, no, I know I've worked.

[Bain Pettinger]

With some of those guys and like, a pissed off, motivated Connor is a dangerous thing.

[Dan Powers]

I told you, man, that the Players Tribune article, I read it and I a. I got so emotional on his behalf. The story about his bachelor party, like being bummed out on his bachelor party. I was like, man, I just want to give this guy a hug. But then I also finish it and I was like, like, they are winning so easily. It's ridiculous.

[Bain Pettinger]

Well, and you know, Coop too, You know, Coop's going to bring them together. Coop is one of the all time, you know, best coaches. I think he's the longest tenured. But yeah, you know, he was a lock to be the Olympic coach. You know, the way he brings guys together both on and off the ice is second to none. You know, and then you get talk, you get, you know, some of those coaches that are in there. Pete, Pete, Deborah or, you know, Misha, you get these guys that I've worked with that, you know, you know, you know, Sid's going to have the boys dialed in, right? You know, he's. He's obviously a Hall of Famer all day long, but this, this puts him in the all time. If he can get this done right? And I think that motivation, the, the drive that they have, the, you know, and obviously I worked hockey 12 years. I'm. I'm ride or die hockey. Yeah, yeah, I'll be, I'll be ready to go and believe Me, I've lost in shootouts to. To usa. They're a hell of a team. And not just saying that. The Swedes are stacked.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

The checks, like, this isn't for nations. This is, you know, I hope one day Russia can get back in there because I think they're very talented as well. Well, yeah, obviously world politics is beyond. Beyond us, but I think, you know, if they could ever get back in there, they've got, you know, look at their three starting goalies. Like, look at. Look at you as these goalies. You're like, b.

[Dan Powers]

It's crazy, man. Like, it is like, it's. It's wild. Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

Level for four nations Baner. Because I was going to ask you this too. That was such a cool moment for all of us. Right. Because we hadn't seen best on best in so long. It had been years, and it felt like surely you had the same experience we did where I was getting texts from my, you know, basketball friend. Friends who are like, dude, this is crazy. Like, everyone was watching hockey for the first time in a long time. Do you anticipate that exact thing again or. Or did we. Did we get spoiled of four nations and now everyone's like, okay, I get this. I see what you guys are doing. Or do you think it's going to be even bigger? The.

[Bain Pettinger]

The players will be very motivated because it is the Olympics and they've waited for it. Best on like, nothing against four nations or World cup of Hockey. But those are NHL, NHLPA run events.

[Evan Watkins]

Yep. Right.

[Bain Pettinger]

This is the ioc. This is an Olympic gold medal. This is. This is, you know, you think of Athens, you think of, like, Salt Lake City. You think of, you know, Nagano when Gretz didn't shoot. Like, you know, I was on the World cup team and I couldn't, like, you know, I couldn't replay every game. But I remember Salt Lake when Mario let it go through his legs to Paul Korea. Yeah, I remember. I remember the Golden Goal in Vancouver where Sid Yell. Ziggy. Yeah, right. I can't remember. I can't remember stuff like that from four nations. But it's just. It's on another level to say I think we were spoiled from a viewership standpoint. You know, you get those fights. You're in the Bell center, you're in TD Garden. It's prime time, 8pm you know, I just look like there's a game at 10am that Team Canada's playing Eastern. So that's like 7:15 for you guys. I don't think you'll be screaming at your TV Muckin Pines. Yeah, right.

[Dan Powers]

Baner. You'd be surprised, pal.

[Evan Watkins]

I'm.

[Dan Powers]

I'm at Kingshead Pub in Santa Monica at 6am watching Chelsea games, drinking Guinness. So, you know what?

[Bain Pettinger]

I. I'm a Guinness guy too, but you know what I mean. Like, you know, I think the time zone, the rules, but the players will definitely be on a next level. I think, you know, anytime you throw an Olympic gold medal on the line, and I'm just so happy that it's back. I've been to, Obviously, Sochi in 2014 when it was best on best and nothing against non NHL players, but it definitely didn't have the same feel in 2018.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah. Yeah. I don't think. I don't think there's anything wrong with. With saying it is what it is.

[Bain Pettinger]

We had great players, we got a bronze, but it's nowhere near what a Connor McDavid and a Sidney Crosby on the same power play is. Yeah, and that's just. That's just straight up. That's just straight up facts. Remember that first, on the other side, you've got Kachak Matthews and Quinn Hughes. You're like, oh, boy, this is going to be. Just stay out of the box.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, yeah. Seriously.

[Dan Powers]

So true. I was about to say you met at four nations. Remember that first Canada, Sweden. The first peeper that Canada got through.

[Bain Pettinger]

It kind of blind there.

[Dan Powers]

Just passed Sid like. No, look. Backhand pass across the crease, goal. And everyone was like, yikes.

[Evan Watkins]

Nate. I was like, are you me?

[Bain Pettinger]

And then just, if you want, throw it to Makara up top.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, if.

[Dan Powers]

If you want.

[Bain Pettinger]

If you want, just get him a give and go. Give him a touch. Give him a Tyson Berry assist.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, but what, you know, aside from just all the excitement and everything we're all looking forward to, what do you think that the Olympics is gonna do and can do for the game both. Both the men's and the women's game of just like new eyeballs. I. You know what I thought was interesting? Baner is like, TJ Oshi's a really good friend. We've talked to him a lot. And he's obviously so vocal about how the Olympics made his career. You know, it's like he wasn't a household name. And he then has the shootout moment and then, you know, he gets a great deal with Washington when he gets dealt over there and then he wins a Stanley Cup. I think we're beyond the point now where, especially with US and Canada, maybe you're not Seeing guys on this team that you're like, never heard of that. That guy, you know, it's like everyone's so good that you're like, not only do you know who, who's on the team, you're losing your mind about the guys who aren't selected on the team. So, you know, what, what do you see as what these games can do for our game as a whole?

[Bain Pettinger]

I think anytime you get the best players competing against each other, it's great. I'm all for, you know, yeah. Club teams, but there's 32 of them. Let's, let's get it right. It's diluted. Right. And I don't mean diluted. Every player belongs in the National Hockey League league. But if you can stack up, you know, what Team Canada has in their top six, you know, to, just to watch it, to see that speed. You know, I think John Cooper said it after his four nations, like when he went after that final, he went back to the NHL and it felt like it was a lesser league. Right. Just because of the, the speed that, that they play with and the, the drive and the emotion and you know, whether it's on the, on the female side, they battle. They go head to head. You know, they're club teams too now with the pwa.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

They're teammates one day and, you know, I'm sure Connor and Leon are flying over beside each other, but if Canada plays Germany, they're friends off.

[Sean]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

Same with Canada. Usa. And that's, that's what I think is the best about it, you know, is that anytime you can showcase the Games best and, and I think the Olympics is shown in like something like 200 countries, like have media rights.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

So whether it's France, whether it's whatever they all know, Canada, usa, Sweden and checks, you know, whichever it is. But the more eyes you can get on the game, the more you can grow. Right. The more, the more exposure, the more revenue, the more showing that our game's awesome. And, and, and I think it's the hardest game in the world. Not only do you have to fly around full contact, but you have to do it on thin ice blades.

[Dan Powers]

Yep.

[Bain Pettinger]

Right.

[Evan Watkins]

Crazy thing ever did. Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

Basketball, football, baseball, you can just run. That's a pretty natural thing. From the age up, the first thing you have to do in hockey is learn how to skate.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Bain Pettinger]

And then you have to do it at high speed and then have running. Someone running at you into a hard wall with a frozen puck. Like when you actually break it down, like for non hockey people. It's actually clinically insane what, what these players do.

[Dan Powers]

No, it's, it's mental. I always say. It's like when we talk about the athleticism needed in this sport, it's just unmatched. Like you're doing everything in any other sport on, on skates with 50 pounds of equipment and a stick your hand. It's ridiculous.

[Bain Pettinger]

And full contact.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, yeah, let's not, let's not forget that part. Yeah, well, listen, Baner, I mean I'm as fired up as I could possibly be for the Olympics now, so thank you very much for that. Can't wait to have my heart ripped out.

[Bain Pettinger]

But don't jinx it. We're gonna, we'll get on after if there's a good battle or maybe before the finals.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, there you go. I love that you, I can't thank you enough for, for your time. This was such a great chat. You are, you're, I hope you know, know how much good you're doing for the world with every facet of what you're working on. So to come on here and share it with us means the world. Before we cut you loose, tell everyone where they can find Alphabet Sports Sports Collective, where they can find Apollo, how they can get involved, how they can help, all of that stuff.

[Bain Pettinger]

Yeah, we're online. AlphaBetsports Collective.com, you know, through my socials. Bane P, Happy even anyone that's struggling, you know, I, I'm, I'm a resource. You know, whether you're, you're listening and you say, hey, I don't to want to, you know, I don't feel safe or whatever or you just want to chat, you know, I, I'm, I, I deal with people all day long. Clients, non clients, you know, so, you know, with Apollo, same thing at Apollo Athletes. We're building the base and, and hopefully in the next couple of years you're going to see some first rounders and, and some guys, some guys in the National League that I'm, I'm proud to have brought up and along and, and same with Alphabet. We're going to continue to grow and, and bring people in and meet them where they're at and you know, not, not push people away and get on online, Twitter wars and all that. I think meet people where they're at and bring them in and educate and humanize and let's keep this thing going.

[Dan Powers]

Yes, sir. I absolutely love it. Well, thank you again, brother. We'll get you back on soon.

[Bain Pettinger]

Cheers guys. Thanks so much.

[Dan Powers]

When it Comes to nicotine, there is only one option and it is Lucy. Because Lucy is delivering you.

[Bain Pettinger]

Always.

[Dan Powers]

100% tobacco free, scientifically crafted, unbelievably delicious nicotine service. It's fantastic. You got the pouches, you've got the break. It's unbelievable. They are the official pouch partner of Almost Friday and Empty Netters. It's absolutely delicious and they're giving you long lasting flavor for a seriously satisfying pouch experience. I've said it a million times, the Lucy pouch, just simply the engineering of it is the best in the game. Let's not even talk about all of the different ways they're hooking you up. When it comes to milligrams 4, 8, 12, whatever level you want, they've got you covered. The flavors, the mint, the wintergreen, the mango, the espresso. Espresso. So much variety. Variety is the spice of life. And whatever you need, you need a little boost of energy. Boom. Pop in a pouch. It's going to make you feel laser focused, dialed. If you need to get that focus in, it's helping you out there. But also if you want to just chill, relax, get a nice little buzz going while you're winding down for the day, Lucy has you covered there as well. All of these things make it the best in the game, there's no question. So Lucy, Lucy is going to be that only pouch that delivers the long lasting, on demand flavor. And you can find a store at Luci Co stores or get it shipped with 20% off your first order. If you go to Lucy Co netters and you're going to use code netters as well at checkout. Lucy products are only for adults of legal age and every customer is age verified. This is a product that contains nicotine. And nicotine is an addictive chemical who.

[Evan Watkins]

Is fired up to go back to the movies.

[Dan Powers]

It's literally my favorite thing to do.

[Evan Watkins]

Same this year, February 13th. I am fired up because from the completely unhinged and deranged mind of Gore Verbinski comes this year's must see film. Good luck, have fun, Don't Die. Where a man from the future arrives at a Los Angeles diner. Chaos ensues as he recruits a group of unlikely heroes on a one night trip quest to save humanity once and for all. What happens along the way will keep you guessing until the mind blowing end. Starring Sam Rockwell. Critics are calling it absolute chaotic perfection.

[Dan Powers]

I can't think of a better endorsement than that sentence. It's unbelievable. Gore Verbinski bringing you Pirates of the Caribbean, the Ring, Rango One of the greatest animated films of all time.

[Evan Watkins]

Dude, don't be thirsty. Don't be thirsty when you're watching Rango, but be ready to have a good time because it's incredible.

[Dan Powers]

It's unbelievable.

[Bain Pettinger]

Nicole.

[Dan Powers]

Sam is a genius. Let's go to the other Sam. Sam Rockwell, one of the greatest actors working. You know him from so many things. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Jojo Rabbit Moon. He's an absolute all star. So much of this cast, you got people from White Lotus, Ted Lasso, Atlanta, whatever you like, it's all in there. It's fantastic. This is a can't miss movie experience.

[Evan Watkins]

And they've let us take some sneak peeks. And it is so funny because literally, it's like, dude, it's literally like turn Terminator, you know, but. But instead of like Jacked Arnold. Coming up. Come with me if you want to live the. It's Sam. It's Sam Rockwell in, like a. A strainer helmet.

[Dan Powers]

He's absolutely.

[Evan Watkins]

It was just. Just perfect. The vibe. The vibe is so good. It's going to be so funny, so action packed, you do not want to miss it. I am dying at the trailer and all the stuff we'll be able to see. And this is one of those in theater experience experiences, no question about it.

[Dan Powers]

In a day where we are starved for original fun, authentic content. No remakes, no sequels, no superhero stuff. This is the movie to see. Friday the 13th. February 13th. This movie is coming out. You've got to check it out. Do not miss it. Rated R. Under 17. Not admitted without a parent. Tickets are on sale now. It's gonna sell out, so get one today. Our deepest gratitudes to Sabane for joining the podcast. That was fantastic.

[Evan Watkins]

Delightful. Delightful. Sit down. Delightful. We should have had tea. We should have made him some tea.

[Dan Powers]

That would have been fantastic. Professor, you are looking rather ragged today.

[Evan Watkins]

Well, Daniel, I must admit, I. For a piece of content last night, I sprinkled powder, gold Bond powder into my hair. You did? To appear older. As if I need any help in that category. And then I forgot about that act and went to go to sleep last night. And I did think to myself, there's a lot of powder in my.

[Dan Powers]

Now your pillowcase.

[Evan Watkins]

Yes, yes. And so then I give it to the old rinse. I did a rinse, but not, you know, a shower. It was more of a rinse. And. But then it was. It was. It was caked in there in a way I had not anticipated. And I'm still recovering, to be honest with you. Still Recovering.

[Dan Powers]

You have a PhD, you're not a scientist.

[Evan Watkins]

Correct. And listen, the content is king. And the video will sing. The video will sing. So it's worth it. It was worth every. Worth every tangle.

[Dan Powers]

I. I anticipated that your ragged looks might come from the fact that our mega parlay last week was utterly terrible.

[Evan Watkins]

Well, I would say this.

[Dan Powers]

The.

[Evan Watkins]

When we read the. The matchups, I read them in order of the puck drop. And so sometimes when I'm checking the scores in real time, the next. On that Saturday, I. I'm going in chronological order. And you can only win. You can only get them all right. If you get the first. Right.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

So sometimes you lose immediately. And I tuned into the mega parlay on Saturday, and it began as such. Gentlemen. Kings, yes. Aves, yes. Pens, yes.

[Dan Powers]

On a rope.

[Evan Watkins]

And I thought to myself, we are living on a beach.

[Dan Powers]

We might do it. We might finally do it.

[Evan Watkins]

We quite literally will move to a beach. But.

[Dan Powers]

But then.

[Evan Watkins]

Cats, no. Sharks, no. Canes, no. Sabres, no. Devils, no. Isles, no.

[Dan Powers]

One of the worst runs in the history of the professors. That was absolutely shambolic. As they say.

[Evan Watkins]

Miraculously. Miraculously. Jackets, yes. Canucks, no. And Feeny will answer for his crimes. Someday Professor Feeny will answer for his crime.

[Dan Powers]

Terrible. Terrible.

[Evan Watkins]

Look for professors Mammoth, no. Wild, yes. Nights, no. 5 and 9.

[Dan Powers]

The worst we've ever done.

[Evan Watkins]

The worst we have ever done.

[Dan Powers]

But we could always do worse.

[Evan Watkins]

Always do even worse. Watch me.

[Dan Powers]

Speaking of. Watch me. The life on the line. The worst we've ever done. Knights, no. Sabers, no. Pens, yes. Sharks, no. I went 02. I apologize.

[Evan Watkins]

As you should get your act together, sir.

[Dan Powers]

Both games were so close. It was not. It shouldn't have gone that way.

[Evan Watkins]

I could not believe the Sharks lost either. It depends. Depends? You bet on the Pens, how good happens. Everything else is a fucking disaster.

[Dan Powers]

How, however, the Friday fade pulled us.

[Evan Watkins]

Out of the trenches, surely as it always does.

[Dan Powers]

Yet again, the Blue Jackets with a Charlie Coyle hat trick fade delivered. We continue on the heater fade fade.

[Evan Watkins]

Should be studied, remember by other scientists.

[Dan Powers]

The Saturday Selly. We had Matlin Celebrini to score against the pathetic and woeful flames. We are pathetic and woeful. The Sharks loose.

[Evan Watkins]

Turns out we.

[Dan Powers]

However, again the Sunday hat trick parlay. We had the Canes Moneyline under six and a half and a Seth Jarvis point. The Canes won 32 in overtime. Kanes Moneyline the under and Seth Jarvis with an assist on the OT winner by Ajo. What a moment.

[Evan Watkins]

That is a delicious bet for the people who are doubting me.

[Dan Powers]

One single play, all three. Three became real.

[Evan Watkins]

It's incredible. And I will say the hat trick parlay is a lovely payout.

[Dan Powers]

I love it. Absolutely.

[Evan Watkins]

I enjoy enjoy the winnings.

[Dan Powers]

We are giving you brilliant, brilliant things.

[Evan Watkins]

We did get greedy. We did slightly. And tried to entertain you even more on a Sunday with the stadium series Patrick parlay bonus bet Tampa Moneyline Kucherov point under 6 point. Well, Tampa did win and Cooch went off 4 points including an incredible 1T game tire brilliant. However, there were 10 goals scored.

[Dan Powers]

So that was under.

[Evan Watkins]

It was obliterated.

[Dan Powers]

I did, however, in that game make a bet of Tampa Moneyline and the over right before pump drop.

[Evan Watkins]

Well, thank you for telling everyone, including.

[Dan Powers]

I told the entire Nor Kane team. We were that. But you were there.

[Evan Watkins]

You were there. You were there. So listen. Fade hits the celly, misses the hat trick parlay hits the stadium series parlay misses. You've come out on top. Come out on top yet again.

[Dan Powers]

Absolutely.

[Evan Watkins]

Come out on top yet again.

[Dan Powers]

So here we are. We are. This is a Thursday that you're listening to this and we have the Olympic break coming up. Thursday the 5th is the last day of games, which means there's no Friday fade.

[Evan Watkins]

We don't have a fade Saturday, Sally.

[Dan Powers]

We don't have a Sunday.

[Evan Watkins]

Hatrick. Parliament.

[Bain Pettinger]

Got it.

[Evan Watkins]

Yes.

[Dan Powers]

So we are simply going to adjust. We will do life on the line. We will do mega parlay for this Thursday's slate. Walk us through. Professor.

[Evan Watkins]

Professor Watkins.

[Dan Powers]

No, no, no. I thought we are going to go because of the similarities to a Dr. Watson, we'll be doing a Dr. Watkins.

[Evan Watkins]

Dr. Watkins, you will be participating in this. You simply say who you think will show shall win. When I call on you, do I.

[Sean]

Have to have a British accent too?

[Evan Watkins]

No, you do not.

[Dan Powers]

But I would say if you'd like to.

[Evan Watkins]

Yes.

[Bain Pettinger]

All right, I'll do it.

[Dan Powers]

Yes. That's a pretty. I guess I'll date.

[Evan Watkins]

Daniel.

[Dan Powers]

Daniel Ripper. Over here.

[Evan Watkins]

Daniel, Would you like to begin? Oh, yeah. We'll start with you. Daniel. Daniel. Pens at sabers.

[Dan Powers]

I will take the pens.

[Bain Pettinger]

Christ.

[Evan Watkins]

Christopher Isles at devils. I'll go Isles. Doctor. Dr. Watson. Canes at rags.

[Sean]

I've gotta go canes.

[Evan Watkins]

Yes, yes.

[Dan Powers]

It's very smart.

[Evan Watkins]

Daniel sends at flyers. Oof.

[Dan Powers]

This is brutal. I'll take the flyers.

[Evan Watkins]

Finally, a home team. Daniel. Finally. Thank you, Christopher. Preds at cat. Give me the caps. Give me Logan. He will be playing, yes. We don't know. I suppose. Give me the caps.

[Dan Powers]

I would imagine.

[Evan Watkins]

Tune Up? I'm not sure, but I don't know. This is the tricky part. Dr. Watson, cats at bolts.

[Sean]

Oh, we got bolts, don't we?

[Evan Watkins]

Yes. Yes, Watson. Yes. And Daniel, Kings at Knights.

[Dan Powers]

I think I'm gonna take the Kings. Yes.

[Evan Watkins]

The Knights did burn you last night. This is a good adjustment by you, Daniel. The mega parlay, live on a beach. Thursday edition. Pens, aisles, canes, Flyers, caps, bolts, kings. Lovely, lovely work.

[Dan Powers]

I think the slate's very nice. I think it could do well for us.

[Evan Watkins]

Lovely work.

[Dan Powers]

Now, the question becomes, if your life was on the line and we have four games to pick, which four will we go with? How would you like to do this? Because I did. I dropped the ball last time we.

[Evan Watkins]

Alternated, and I went second last week.

[Dan Powers]

Is that right?

[Evan Watkins]

I don't know. To be quite honest. I do not know.

[Dan Powers]

Well, I think.

[Evan Watkins]

But whatever we did was horrible.

[Dan Powers]

We ride the warmer hand, not the hot hand, because you don't have that. But alternate. Why don't you go first and we'll see how we do?

[Evan Watkins]

Alternate Leg one. Leg one of the Life on the Line parlay in Nashville. They need to stay calm. But Ovi's in his office and he'll be shooting. It may be raining clap bombs, but at least they're not the ones from Putin.

[Bain Pettinger]

No.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, hell. Well, Cav's money line, not his most ridiculous, which is good. All right. My first couch scores two points a night. Kachuk still isn't quite right. The battle of Florida may have officially swung. Cats are in a serious drought, and time is starting to run out. The fat lady has maybe already sung. Tampa is so back. Florida must get back on track, but Panthers fans are starting to fear. Cats may have nine lives, but hide your kids, hide your wives, because bolts are pounding everyone out here.

[Evan Watkins]

Tampa, money, love, excellence. Excellent. Excellent work, Professor. Excellent work. Excellent work. Right, Right. Oh, cheerio, cheerio. Next. The next leg. The next leg. The Islanders let Schaefer run free with no tether, and he's put the league on notice. While the Hughes brothers have played even worse together than the brothers on the white lot.

[Bain Pettinger]

I don't know.

[Sean]

Those two brothers had chemistry.

[Evan Watkins]

Frankly, they might have done better.

[Dan Powers]

If I'm being honest, they might have performed better. They at least got results.

[Evan Watkins]

You know, they could finish.

[Dan Powers]

You know.

[Sean]

They might not remember it.

[Dan Powers]

All right, our last leg of the Life on the Line parlay. Two Cinderellas. It feels like Coachella because both fan bases are rolling on Molly. Sabres and pens are both fun again. Buffalo folks are starting to feel jolly with players minds on Milan, their focus may be gone. Tasian Ras have their minds on Milane but Sid is no child. His mind will be dialed. Sabres lose because they got lazy pen's money line.

[Evan Watkins]

Excellent. Life on the line. Caps, aisles, bolts, pens. Enjoy your winnings into the break. Treat yourself for something spectacular because we will be in Italy and you deserve something nice too. Yes, you do.

[Sean]

Your Milanese.

[Evan Watkins]

Yes. Yes. Okay, let's no ad we go watch this. We will disappear in 3, 2, 1.

[Dan Powers]

Thank you so much to the professors for those delicious picks. Hopefully they did better than last week.

[Evan Watkins]

That would be great.

[Dan Powers]

Make sure to get those in right now because it's Thursday. You know we got the Olympic break coming up. We're going to close this episode out with a fun game. This one is called Trivia Factorial. So I've got a player in mind. I've got questions for Chris. The first one is worth 10 points. The next is 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1. If he guesses wrong, he's out. He loses.

[Evan Watkins]

I get zero.

[Dan Powers]

So we can go on down the line. Are you ready, sir?

[Evan Watkins]

Yes, I am. I suck at this game. It's my least. It's.

[Dan Powers]

You just have no courage. You have no courage to guess.

[Evan Watkins]

But I also just don't know.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, neither do I. Question number one. Worth 10 points. Despite having plans to join UMass Amherst, this American player decided to go to the OA where he spent three full seasons before jumping to the NHL.

[Evan Watkins]

That's a great. That's a great 10 pointer. Because I could have gotten that if I had happened to have known it.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

Almost went to UMass, did three OHL seasons and then went to the NHL. That's what you've said.

[Dan Powers]

Yep.

[Evan Watkins]

Okay.

[Dan Powers]

And he's an American player.

[Evan Watkins]

And he's an American player. American player. Ohl.

[Dan Powers]

Frankly, I gave him a lot. Yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

That's why I was a great ten pointer. That's a great ten pointer. I do not know. Move on. Okay.

[Dan Powers]

Question number two. Worth eight points with the Erie Otters. He set a franchise record with over 50 goals and 100 points in his rookie season, winning CHL Rookie of the Year. In his three seasons with Erie, he became the Otters all time goals and point scorer of any OHL player born in the US. He won CHL Player of the Year and is one of two players to score 50 goals and 100 points in all three years of their OHL career.

[Bain Pettinger]

Wow. Wow.

[Sean]

Wow. All right.

[Dan Powers]

Really? Wow. He's really good.

[Evan Watkins]

That is sick.

[Dan Powers]

Oh yeah.

[Evan Watkins]

That is sickness. Okay. So he. And you haven't given me any time period yet. So I don't know on age, but I have to believe this is. I have to believe this skill translated to the NHL. So I'm just thinking of like an all time American scorer. Someone who's pumping in goals, past or present.

[Dan Powers]

I'm going to give you a hint. Okay. This guy's very current.

[Evan Watkins]

Okay, so he's current guy.

[Dan Powers]

This isn't some like old school guy.

[Evan Watkins]

He's an American guy who is scoring a ton of goals in the league. Probably. Certainly he's doing all right. And he did it. He lit up the ohl. Lit it the fuck up.

[Dan Powers]

Yes.

[Evan Watkins]

Damn, damn, damn, damn.

[Dan Powers]

We're going to move on.

[Evan Watkins]

Go to six, Go to six.

[Dan Powers]

I think you could get it on this one.

[Evan Watkins]

Okay.

[Dan Powers]

Question number three. Worth six points. In his rookie year with the Chicago Blackhawks, he became the second youngest player in franchise history to score a hat trick. Four days younger than Jeremy Roenick. He then became the youngest Hawks rookie to score two hat tricks. And then the first Hawks rookie ever to score three hat tricks. And the first US born rookie to do so since Tony Granado in 1989. His 28 goals and 52 points earned him Blackhawks player of the year.

[Evan Watkins]

Wow. Okay. I'm going to guess whoa, bum, bum, bum. But I don't know if this is. This is right. But it just. If it's. I'll die on this. I'll happily die on this.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah, okay.

[Evan Watkins]

Because I'm like, what? Yeah, okay. I'm hoping you went very topical to reward a great American. Is it Patrick Kane?

[Dan Powers]

No, it is not. Fuck. Damn. That's.

[Evan Watkins]

How is he not the best scoring Blackhawk ever?

[Dan Powers]

In question number four for four points. Despite great talent in the Blackhawks tear down of 2022, they traded this player to the Senators for the seventh overall pick, 39th overall pick and a 2024 third round pick. He played a full season with the Sens but then refused to sign as an rfa. He was then dealt to Detroit for Dominic Kubelik, Donovan Sobrango and a conditional 2024 first round. Or a conditional 2024 first and a 2024 fourth. Cat.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah, I.

[Dan Powers]

Question number five. Worth two points. Even though he's a top five in the NHL in goals. This exceptional US talent was not selected for the 2026 Olympic roster. And for one, a spin on his last name. This player's nickname is Cat.

[Evan Watkins]

I actually was weirdly thinking Cat, but I couldn't remember where he played and Then I was like, it must be Kaner must have set all those records of like. I feel like he was pumping in goals. Yeah.

[Dan Powers]

Maybe not hat tricks though.

[Evan Watkins]

Maybe not tricks.

[Dan Powers]

It was just tricks.

[Evan Watkins]

Where did he play?

[Dan Powers]

Who? Kaner?

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah. I actually don't know because I couldn't remember. That's why I was like, I don't know.

[Dan Powers]

Or did he play just in high school?

[Evan Watkins]

Bum, bum, bum, bum.

[Dan Powers]

Must have been.

[Evan Watkins]

Yeah. Dev program. No, no. Ohl London Knights leading them in squad.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, shit. He was in London. That's right. That's right.

[Evan Watkins]

So I'm like, fuck, he was in the OHL too. That was. Was that being trickier than Cat was a goal scorer? I think that's the first zero ever. But I'm. I'm happy that I. That I guessed.

[Dan Powers]

Yeah. When you said topical, I was like, this is also topical. We've been talking about catalog.

[Evan Watkins]

I was. Because that actually if Kane hadn't just become the all time leading American scorer, I think I might have been like. I was like, oh, he's definitely doing Kane. I know why he picked that.

[Dan Powers]

Well, we got our first goose egg from cp.

[Evan Watkins]

Comet's going to be so pissed. People knew Cat early Huff stuff.

[Dan Powers]

All right folks, that is it for us today. At the end of podcast, go on Spotify, Apple, leave us some five star reviews. Show us some love because we love you guys. Can't thank you enough for all of your support. Always check us out on all of the things. We've got Olympic merch coming out. We've got a live show.

[Evan Watkins]

Yes, sir.

[Dan Powers]

On Saturday. If you're in the LA area, come.

[Evan Watkins]

To the Westside Comedy Club.

[Dan Powers]

We will be there doing a meet and greet before having some drinks with you all. We're going to do a fun little episode. Rip it up. It's going to be blast.

[Sean]

So yes, Sean's Sean will be there too.

[Dan Powers]

Sean will be there. Sean. If we got any Sean fans, Sean is going to be there as part of the show. So if you're in the LA area, you need some fun plans on Saturday. Come to the show. We still got a few tickets left on sale. It's going to be a blast again, five star reviews. Subscribe on the YouTube if you want to see more of us. We had a ton of Olympic content coming up. Jack o', Callaghan, US gold medal legend coming on the show. We'll be in Milan next week. Lot of fun stuff coming up, lot of interviews, a lot of guests, a lot of great stuff. So we'll see you then. Can't wait to see you in Italy. Can't wait to see you on Saturday if you're coming to the show. And until all of that, skate hard.

[Bain Pettinger]

Close your eyes, exhale, feel your body.

[Dan Powers]

Relax, and let go of whatever you're carrying today. Well, I'm letting go of the worry that I wouldn't get my new contacts in time for this class.

[Evan Watkins]

I got them delivered free from 1-800-contacts. Oh my gosh, they're so fast.

[Dan Powers]

And breathe. Oh, sorry.

[Evan Watkins]

I almost couldn't breathe when I saw the discount they gave me on my first order.

[Dan Powers]

Oh, sorry. Namaste.

[Evan Watkins]

Visit 1-800-contacts.com today to save on your first order. 1-800-contacts New Year, new me. Cute. But how about New Year new money? With Experian, you can actually take control of your finances. Check your FICO score, find ways to save and get matched with credit card offers giving you time to power through.

[Bain Pettinger]

Those New Year's goals.

[Evan Watkins]

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[Dan Powers]

Experian.