Spittin' Chiclets Episode 590: Featuring Shane Doan, Jon Cooper & Rear Admiral (RA)

Release Date: October 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Spittin' Chiclets features in-depth interviews with NHL legend Shane Doan and Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper, as well as the much-anticipated return of Rear Admiral (RA) to the regular lineup. The hosts—Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette (Biz), Rear Admiral, and producer Mike Grinnell—ride through classic laughter and locker-room banter, offering candid takes on hockey’s latest, with stories spanning family, career transitions, old-time league memories, player development, and the changing landscape of the NHL and beyond.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Show Updates and Pink Whitney Hype (01:11–07:40)

• The hosts riff on Pink Whitney’s cross-continental popularity, with tales of RV road trips and Canadian liquor border struggles.
• The show moves to a twice-weekly schedule; “RA’s World” is introduced as a new back-half Friday segment centered on the one and only Rear Admiral.

2. Baseball Crossover and Toronto’s Sports Vibe (07:40–09:07)

• The group recaps a memorable Game 7 between the Jays and Mariners, highlighting Toronto’s emergence as a baseball city and how sports passions cycle.

3. Surprise Guest: Shane Doan Interview (09:07–47:44)

Doan on Family, Trades, and Developing NHL Talent

• The Doan Family Transition:
  • Josh Doan’s journey after a shocking trade from Utah to Buffalo, how he adapted, and parental pride.
    • "It was a big shock... but he loves the guys and he's ecstatic.” —Shane Doan (10:22–11:13)
  • Discusses the emotions as a parent versus as a player, and focusing on making your own story.
    • "It's not even close. It's more nerve-wracking watching my kid play." —Shane Doan (13:04)
• Late Bloomers and Player Development:
  • Josh wasn't a dominant youth player—he developed physically and hockey-IQ-wise “the hard way.” This serves as encouragement for parents of non-standout young players.
    • "Who cares if your kid's not the best player at twelve? It's a marathon." —Shane Doan (19:39)
  • Explains the NCAA and USHL’s value in hockey's developmental path compared to CHL years.
• Modern Hockey Decisions:
  • Doan shares support for the evolving landscape of hockey development, highlighting the latitude players now have compared to the “one-path” system in his day.
    • "Now, boys can make decisions without mortgaging their future at 15." —Shane Doan (25:17)
• League Trends & Player Mentions:
  • Doan highlights Detroit as an impressively young team early this year.
  • Inside look at the Kamloops Blazers (Doan is a part-owner—lineup includes stars like Iginla, Recchi, and Sidor) and how some players blossom unexpectedly.
• Front Office vs. Playing:
  • Greater emotional swings and “helplessness” as a manager versus the control as a player.
    • “I have yet to make a mistake from 150 feet up in the air.” —Shane Doan (33:16)
  • Contrasts playing in a Canadian market (Toronto) with Phoenix, noting huge external pressure and coverage as a Leaf.
• Jersey Sponsorship (Player Ads) Debate:
  • The group proposes player-specific sponsors on jerseys to counteract high Canadian taxes; Doan argues for caution, reminding listeners of unintended consequences in league changes.
    • "Once you do this, you're just opening another box..." —Shane Doan (37:40)
• Mentoring and Parental Approach:
  • Doan emphasizes supportive, realistic, and at times sarcastic feedback to his son, never harsh, focusing on self-awareness and joy in the game.
• Player/Team Fashion Segment (44:17+):
  • The group laughs over outrageous, stylish, and sometimes questionable new-era NHLer outfits, comparing stories from “old days” and modern arrivals.

4. Goalie Commentary in the Media (47:47–51:52)

• Goalies Calling Out Teams:
  • Discussion of recent incidents with goalies (Wolf, Stolarz) publicly calling out their teams for lack of offense—a rarity in hockey culture.
    • "I can't produce offense." —Dustin Wolf (50:07)
  • The panel weighs the appropriateness, player frustrations, and changes in typical hockey media dynamics.

5. Rising Stars: Mathew Schaefer and the Young Islanders (53:10–54:51)

• Schaefer draws comparisons to Drew Doughty and early Niedermayer, possibly even Olympic potential.
  • "He's the best player on the Islanders right now... the joy, dude." —Ryan Whitney (53:11)
• Impact on Islanders' fan culture and how a single player’s energy can rejuvenate a franchise.

6. Red Wings, Devils, & Standout NHL Trends (55:09–65:54)

• Biz defends his nuanced analysis of Detroit’s Emmett Finney after fan flak, providing a detailed breakdown of a smart off-puck sequence (57:34–59:41).
• Devils’ Surge & “Deranged Devils Fan” Pasha:
  • Pasha details NJ’s special teams dominance (PK, PP), Jack Hughes’ ascent, and team depth beyond the stars.
    • "They’ve now killed off 21 straight penalties... they are still number one in that." —Pasha (62:35)
  • Banter about whether Jack Hughes is already a top-5 player; Pasha says he’s ahead of Crosby “today.”
• Hockey Twitter and Fanbase Ribbing:
  • Ongoing sidebar-wise jabs about social media takes and fan culture.

7. Boston Bruins and Brad Marchand’s Return (67:00–72:35)

• Emotional recap of Marchand’s homecoming with the Panthers; how the tribute had the feel of a number retirement night—live reflections from RA in the stands (127:35–129:08).
  • "That's probably a top-10, if not a top-5, moment I've had in that building." —RA (127:35)
• Discusses Bruins’ struggles post-trade and the complicated afterglow of beloved players moving on.

Notable Quotes

• "Who cares if your kid’s not the best player at twelve? It’s a marathon." —Shane Doan (19:39)
• “It's not even close. It's more nerve-wracking watching my kid play.” —Shane Doan (13:04)
• "Once you do this, you're just opening another box. The legs on every decision... it has such ramifications.” —Shane Doan (37:40)
• "I have yet to make a mistake from about 150 feet up in the air.” —Shane Doan (33:16)
• "The joy. The passion for a kid who’s lost his mom and then, like, you know how much he appreciates this." —Ryan Whitney on Mathew Schaefer (53:13)
• "That's probably a top-10, if not a top-5, moment I've had in that building in Bruins history." —RA on Marchand’s tribute (127:35)
• "A hockey fan's a hockey fan and it doesn't matter the gender who you are. You want everybody to be in this together." —Jon Cooper (88:50)

Special Interview Highlights

A. Jon Cooper: Tampa Bay Lightning & Team Canada Coach (82:32–115:50)

• Shares reflections on the Olympic orientation camp, including the value of connecting men’s and women’s national teams and para athletes. (84:26–87:33)
• Praises the passion, humor, and intelligence of the women’s national team and the mutual respect between players.
• Peels back the curtain on Team Canada selection and staff, mentioning regular touchpoints and the importance of seeing and understanding the new generation.
  • "Four Nations was a huge step forward for us... now you have a taste." —Jon Cooper (91:46)
• Shares a comical story about Wayne Gretzky derailing a coaching meeting with 2.5 hours of stories. (107:02–108:19)
• Commentary on the logic for his contract’s “quiet” extension and how the Lightning are the “no drama club.” (111:16)
• Mutual love for the Spittin’ Chiclets pod, his affection for RA’s pop-culture recommendations, and the deep-running hockey connections at Boston’s Knights of Columbus (101:05–104:37).

‘RA’s World’: Rear Admiral’s Triumphant Return (117:58–END)

• Personal update: Open, candid acknowledgment of his absence, mental health journey, gratitude to fans, Dave Portnoy, and Chicklets team; heartwarming shoutout to Coach Jon Cooper for his support.
  • "Happens in life, sometimes you fall and skin your knee, sometimes you fall in a ditch and can't get up for six months...But I love you guys." —RA (118:38)
• Life and Hockey Chat:
  • Describes concert experiences (Oasis in Chicago), Caribbean relaxation, and memorable sports moments in Boston.
  • Offers NHL picks (predicts Leafs beating Jets for the Cup; Anthony Stolarz for Conn Smythe).
  • Quick-hit takes on current goaltending trends, Montreal’s energy, and the campaign by Jack Hughes and brother for youth literacy in New Jersey (165:12).
  • Honors recently lost hockey legends (Ken Dryden, Eddie Jackman, Bernie Parent).
• Fashion File: Continues the debate, reviewing the best and worst of NHL fashion with classic RA wit: “I’m waiting for someone to show up in sweatpants and a wife beater—my money’s on Seth Jarvis.” (155:40)
• Room Tour: Classic Rear Admiral; reveals personal memorabilia, artifacts (NHL goggles, Rolls Royce hood ornament, “Ladies Room” sign), and memorable life snapshots (159:57–164:49).
• Gamble Corner: NFL and NHL picks, plus a poetic fan analogy for baseball’s playoff tension: "Hockey is Jason—a relentless action. Baseball is Hitchcock—stress, then all hell breaks loose." (169:01)
• Final Notes: Emotional shoutout to his father and excitement to be back in the mix.

Important Timestamps

• Pink Whitney Hype/Lifestyle Banter: 01:11–07:40
• Blue Jays Baseball/City Energy: 07:40–09:07
• Shane Doan Interview: 09:07–47:44
• Goaltending Criticism in Media: 47:47–51:52
• Rise of Mathew Schaefer: 53:10–54:51
• Red Wings/Devils/League Trends: 55:09–65:54
• Marchand’s Tribute & Bruins: 67:00–72:35, with RA reflection at 127:35+
• Jon Cooper Interview: 82:32–115:50
• RA’s World Begins: 117:58
• Fashion/Life Tour/Final Bits: 153:47–END

Tone & Takeaways

The signature voice of Spittin’ Chiclets—irreverent, loyal, sharp, and honest—runs through this episode, with deep hockey insights and plenty of offbeat culture. Shane Doan’s wisdom on late-blooming and staying humble, Jon Cooper’s stories of coaching and hockey community, and Rear Admiral’s heartfelt return encompass why Chiclets bonds so strongly with listeners. This is a can’t-miss episode for fans of pro hockey, hockey parenting, NHL fashion, and genuine sports camaraderie.