Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 579: Vincent Damphousse & John Feitelberg

Date: August 26, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette (Biz), Rear Admiral, Mike Grinnell
Guests: Vincent Damphousse (former NHLer), John Feitelberg (Barstool Sports)

Episode Overview

This episode is a classic long-form Chiclets hangout packed with hockey nostalgia, lively banter, and deep dives into career highlights, punctuated by irreverent takes on everything from card shows to the new Barstool sitcom, "Le Mascots." Main themes include a rich, candid interview with 1993 Stanley Cup champion and former Canadiens captain Vincent Damphousse—covering his climb from Montreal backyard rinks to hockey immortality—and an energetic chat with John Feitelberg about Barstool’s first scripted series. The crew delivers fresh takes on current NHL news, the shifting landscape of pro golf, sports docuseries wish-lists, and more, all filtered through their signature unfiltered lens.

High-Level Breakdown

1. Labor Day, End of Summer & Hockey Coming Soon

• [02:00 - 03:35] Crew reflects on the symbolic end of summer—Labor Day in both Canada and the US—linking it to hockey anticipation.
  • Quote: “Sitting out here talking to you guys just kind of reminds me that hockey season's coming soon.” – Ryan Whitney (03:08)

2. Summer Stories & Hobbies

• [03:35 - 06:41] Whitney and Biz discuss recent tennis and pickleball attempts, followed by tales from an autograph “card show” in Florida.
  • Chatter on rare hockey cards, superfan hologram ideas, and meeting Caesar, a beloved hockey superfan.
  • Quote: “The superfan hologram, bitch.” – Ryan Whitney (05:44)
  • Caesar's legendary trip to the Stanley Cup parade and his “21 miles” on his motorized wheelchair (06:00).

3. Cup Parties & Airline Rage

• [07:43 - 11:46] Talk turns to Sam Reinhardt's Stanley Cup party—“espresso martini shots out of the top of the cup” (10:22)—and the woes/anecdotes around Air Canada strikes.
  • Quote: “You’re watching a legit legend of the game … be crippled announcing, like, come on down to the Hall of Fame. Get a picture with me. … I won those couple cups.” – Biz (09:17)
  • Laughs about airline pilot Leafs superfan delusions (12:01).

4. Golf Deep Dive: FedEx Cup, Ryder Cup, and Tommy Fleetwood

• [13:21 - 28:45] The crew delivers a detailed breakdown of the PGA’s FedEx Cup, Tommy Fleetwood’s long-awaited win, and U.S./European Ryder Cup camaraderie.
  • Quote: “He keeps having all these heartbreaks and he keeps just being positive about it after. ... Gracious in victory, gracious in defeat.” – Whitney (18:10)
  • Discussions on golf’s slow players, especially Patrick Cantlay (19:41-21:16).

5. Sandbagger News & Mascot Madness

• [29:08 - 34:29] Announcing two upcoming “Sandbagger” episodes.
• Colorful debate over ECHL mascots, new team ownerships, and the “Doyle the Gargoyle” character for Orlando’s new hockey franchise.

6. Vincent Damphousse Interview (starts 37:32)

Early Life and Hockey Origins

• [37:32 - 54:56]
  • Growing up in Montreal, backyard rinks, first skates.
  • Observed brother’s older teammates, playing with/against Mario Lemieux at 15 in the QMJHL.
  • Quote: “He was the last of 21 kids. … He’d put his boots on … and he would pass us the puck, but he would have this great ice in the backyard.” – Damphousse (46:49)

Learning from Legends

• [63:00 - 65:26]
  • Early NHL with Borje Salming as mentor in Toronto; learned the value of refining his backhand.
  • Quote: “Borje Salming taught me how to use my backhand.” – Damphousse (63:07)

Career Trajectory & Trades

• [73:08 - 80:00]
  • Shock of being traded from Toronto to Edmonton, then to Montreal; learning about “real” Cup cultures and locker-room leadership.

1993 Cup Run & Montreal Pressure

• [80:17 - 99:10]
  • Insane OT win streak, Demers’ coaching genius, and the infamous McSorley illegal stick call.
  • Quote: "The pressure … will separate the guys that make it and the guys that don’t. … It’s how you handle that pressure.” – Damphousse (80:17)

Vinny’s Take on Leadership & the Modern NHL

• [103:52 - 105:35]
  • Captaincy transition, advice to Nick Suzuki, how to lead as a “quiet captain.”
  • Quote: "You don't have to change because you're the captain. Just keep doing what you're doing and you're doing fine.” – Damphousse (105:15)

Wrapping Up Legacy

• [120:54 - 125:39]
  • Player empowerment, role of the PA, evolution of contract structures.
  • Regrets not playing with Ovechkin, reveals details of his retirement decision.

Notable Quotes

• “I was with Lyle Odeline quite a bit… I don't remember much of the two weeks after we won.” – Damphousse (96:46)
• “When you win, you stay on the ice, you chant back at them. It is. It's really exciting. I loved it.” – Guest host on German hockey (102:21)

7. Barstool’s ‘Le Mascots’ with John Feitelberg

• [129:58 - 161:58]

Genesis & Filming

• Written over 18 months; genuine team camaraderie during filming; initial fears about public reception.
• Quote: “It’s the most I’ve ever felt on a team since I was on a team.” – Feitelberg (133:36)

Plot Structure

• Darkly comic, “Always Sunny in Philadelphia meets Entourage,” focused on out-of-work mascots hustling in NYC.
• Favorite moments: “Cookie Monster” suit scenes, improv, random street run-ins, and unscripted mayhem with real New Yorkers (140:25).

Production Insights

• Shot with a shoestring $20K budget, intentionally kept independent (no streaming network).
• Quote: “If there isn't a tripod, you're good [to film].” – Feitelberg (139:17)

Season 2 & Future Plans

• Optimistic about “a season two of Mascots,” team remains committed to Barstool’s new creative lane (167:18).

Notable Moments & Highlights (with Timestamps)

• Superfan Caesar’s Cup Parade Tales: 06:00
• Sam Reinhardt’s wild cup party and booze-infused Hall of Fame promo: 08:47
• Endless jokes at Air Canada’s expense, Biz’s Leafs pilot riff: 12:01
• Golf deep-dive—FedEx Cup, Ryder Cup traditions: 13:21-28:45
• Doyle the Gargoyle mascot running joke: 29:49-31:12
• Vincent Damphousse delves into Montreal’s lasting Cup legacy: 82:07, 97:38, 99:10
• Behind-the-scenes of Barstool's Le Mascots and Feitelberg’s transformation: 130:19-153:44
• Deep cut: Being punched by a homeless man in a Cookie Monster suit as an organic NYC moment: 170:47

Memorable Quotes

• “He keeps having all these heartbreaks and he keeps just being positive about it after. ... Gracious in victory, gracious in defeat.” – Ryan Whitney, about Tommy Fleetwood, (18:10)
• “You’re watching a legit legend of the game … be crippled announcing, like, come on down to the Hall of Fame.” – Biz, Sam Reinhardt segment (09:17)
• “It’s the most I’ve ever felt on a team since I was on a team.” – Feitelberg, on making ‘Le Mascots’ (133:36)
• “When you win, you stay on the ice, you chant back at them. It is. It's really exciting.” – Guest, European hockey experience (102:21)

Hockey & Sports Hot Takes

• Team USA Hockey’s controversial training camp invites and future star Lane Hudson being snubbed discussed (185:21)
• Stanley Cup parity: Awaiting the next Canadian Cup, Canadiens franchises' unique pressure, and Montreal's alumni brotherhood.
• Barstool sports comedy: Emergence of skit-based, indie “sitcoms” as new media frontier for sports personalities.
• Documentary wish-lists: Hosts want NHL versions of The Last Dance on 80s Oilers, Red Wings, ‘93 Canadiens and the wild 90s Cowboys (183:28-184:24).

Final Thoughts

• Spittin’ Chiclets continues to blend deep hockey history, bold opinions, and behind-the-scenes industry insights with pop culture heat.
• This episode is a celebration of NHL culture, athlete afterlives, the business of sports, and Barstool’s continuing expansion outside the rink—and into sitcoms and pop culture.

For fans of hockey history, off-ice storytelling, and Barstool’s unique comedic voice, this jam-packed episode delivers both laughs and high-level insight.