Spittin' Chiclets Episode 599: Featuring Andrew Ladd, Mason West & The Wonton Don

Date: November 24, 2025
Hosts: Ryan Whitney, Paul Bissonnette (Biz Nasty), Rear Admiral, Mike Grinnell
Special Guests: Andrew Ladd, Mason West, The Wonton Don

Episode Overview

Episode 599 is a tour de force of classic Spittin’ Chiclets energy, blending NHL analysis, irreverent humor, compelling guest interviews, and deep dives into youth and pop culture. The boys kick off Thanksgiving week catching up on personal stories, hockey gossip, golf hijinks, and the viral saga of multi-sport sensation Mason West. They highlight Andrew Ladd’s inspiring career and off-ice work in mental health, then dig into “Peaking” with The Wonton Don. The episode is packed with memorable moments and candid hockey talk, rounded out by one of the show’s funniest pop culture tangents ever.

Table of Contents

1. Thanksgiving Banter and Personal Catchups
2. Movie Talk: "Heat" vs. "There Will Be Blood"
3. Sandbagger Golf Recap & Drunken Scrambles
4. Hockey Talk – From Chiclets U to the NHL
5. Spotlight: Mason West – The Multi-Sport Freak
6. Pop Culture Corner: Jack Hughes & Tate McRae
7. Feature Interview - Andrew Ladd
8. Special Appearance – Mason West Interview
9. The Wonton Don & Biz: "Peaking" and Hiking Hijinks
10. Hockey Headlines: Senators, Oilers, Wild & More
11. Signatures and the 'Seeker' Controversy
12. Memorable Quotes

Thanksgiving Banter and Personal Catchups

• The hosts are buzzing about Thanksgiving (00:43), with Whitney excited for his brothers coming home and the crew ready to dive into one of their favorite weeks of the year.
• Early tech hijinks as Biz, Whit, Keith, and the crew talk about chilling out, movie-watching, and get prepped for the episode.

Quote:

"Coming up on 600 and this is one of my favorite weeks of the year, guys. Thanksgiving. What an incredible time to be around friends and family. My brothers are coming home. I'm all fired up."
— Ryan Whitney (00:43)

Movie Talk: "Heat" vs. "There Will Be Blood"

Segment: 02:10–05:59

• Biz finally watched “Heat” after being harangued by Whit and RA for years, triggering a passionate debate.
• Comparing Pacino and DeNiro to Daniel Day-Lewis and DiCaprio.
• Argue what makes a great “movie duel,” with hockey-style analogies to hat-trick duels in the conference finals.

Quote:

"I've never got a text from you so quickly back. ...It was like Ryder hitting his first drive, you know, Squanto punching his first neighbor in the face."
— Biz Nasty (03:02)

Sandbagger Golf Recap & Drunken Scrambles

Segment: 06:41–13:22; 43:00–44:00

• Recap of the latest Sandbagger, drinking Pink Whitney, and the craziness of three-on-three scrambles.
• Defend scrambles over traditional two-on-two, with stories of near-blacking out but still drilling birdies.
• Acknowledges concerns about mixing heavy drinking and golf, and why some restrictions from “the top” have been enforced.

Quote:

"Three on three scrambles. I love doing those with you guys. ...It's just more enjoyable for us. So once again, take a hike. It's still a lot of fun, but the drinking—it gets... I mean, that episode, there was 10 shots. ...You're smothered."
— Ryan Whitney (07:43)

Hockey Talk – From Chiclets U to the NHL

Segment: 15:13–16:33

• Shout-out to Chiclets U and a segment on University of Maine, celebrating the passion and special atmosphere for college hockey.
• Reference to college sports memories, tough bad beats for “Mer,” and the crazy dedication of Minnesota youth hockey.

Spotlight: Mason West – The Multi-Sport Freak

Segment: 16:33–25:13, Featured Interview: 91:10–105:46

• Mason West, Chicago Blackhawks’ 1st round pick, made a viral splash by returning to high school for his senior football season—choosing camaraderie, hometown pride, and “unfinished business” over hockey's usual tunnel vision.
• Stats: 6’7” quarterback, state champion in hockey, then wins the football state title—‘Cake Eater’ legend from Edina, MN.
• Discussion on youth sports specialization (or lack thereof), Minnesota’s unique culture, and “why multi-sport athletes become better overall.”
• Deep dive on his final season, insane comeback games, loyalty, and maturity beyond his years.

Quote:

"This kid, man—congrats to him, congrats to Edina. What a story ...in a day and age where kids are not, they're not playing other sports and it's ridiculous. ...I've been very clear—there is nobody that does it like Minnesota."
— Ryan Whitney (18:33)

Mini-Interview Highlights:

• Mason’s commitment to hockey at Michigan State, what it was like to tell NHL teams he was still playing football, and his family’s basketball background.
• Insights on “locker room control,” leadership, and pushing through adversity with longtime friends.
• Advice to young athletes: “Just have fun, play with your buddies, don’t rush to specialize.”

Pop Culture Corner: Jack Hughes & Tate McRae

Segment: 25:13–31:42

• Explosive discussion: Jack Hughes dating mega-pop singer Tate McRae; debate if this is the “Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce moment” for the NHL.
• Laughs about the public impact of a hockey/pop-star power couple; comparisons, jokes, and “Canadian mole” Olympic conspiracy theories.

Quote:

"This could be the biggest thing to happen to the league since McDavid came in... We're talking about today's version of Britney Spears. ...She's not doing it yet, but she's. She is it, buddy."
— Biz Nasty (26:26)

Feature Interview - Andrew Ladd

Segment: 31:43–88:14

Career Reflections:

• Ladd shares insight on life post-NHL: living in Kelowna, connecting with fellow retired players (Weber, Tutu, Wade Redden, etc.), men's league intensity, coaching his kids, and avoiding narrow sports specialization.
• Story of bouncing back from a rookie-year meniscus injury, quietly carving a big role in Carolina's 2006 Cup (playing with Ray Whitney, Rod Brind’Amour), and memories of the Blackhawks' first Cup run.

Leadership & Culture:

• On butting heads in the room, learning from Rod as captain, and the magic of Quenneville-era Chicago:
  • Q’s decisive “no touch passes in the D-zone” and “always a slap shot from the point” rules (71:56-73:16).
  • Team chemistry born of “saying whatever to each other, fighting, but everyone loving each other the next day.”

Post-Career Purpose:

• Founding the 16/16 Project, a free, proactive mental wellness initiative for youth hockey players age 10–12. Focus on building the “Buffalo Mindset”—facing challenges head-on rather than running from them. (83:27–88:14)

Memorable Quote:

"The best part is it's completely free. ...Thousands of kids, thousands of coaches, thousands of parents. ...We teach them—when a storm hits, don't run. Move towards it."
— Andrew Ladd (83:35, 84:00)

Special Appearance – Mason West Interview

Segment: 91:10–105:46

• Mason describes his journey, choosing football loyalty over prospect hype, and handling the pressure of everyone (including NHL teams) questioning his commitment.
• Emphasizes the fun and fulfillment of playing for/with lifelong friends.
• Displays rare humility and coachability for a first-round pick, praised as an inspiration for parents and kids resisting early specialization.
• Committed to Michigan State for hockey (“my true passion”), but loves the value of every sport he plays.

Quote:

"No one really knows it all. You have to take in all the information you can."
— Mason West (100:57)

The Wonton Don & Biz: "Peaking" and Hiking Hijinks

Segment: 136:59–167:13

• Wonton Don and Biz discuss filming “Peaking”—a hiking, fishing, and buddy-adventure series full of wild food, trippy moments, and Canadian nature.
• Donnie recounts behind-the-scenes moments: nearly running out of water, Biz’s enormous truck and food orders, tripping on shrooms in the backcountry, and dangerously eating ocean cabbage.
• Teases future locations: Kilimanjaro, Italy for the Olympics, Jackson/Wyoming, and the crazy “Hippo Mode” swim.
• Roasts Biz’s lack of historical knowledge, from Lewis & Clark to Genghis Khan; the group howls with laughter.

Quote:

"He just immediately took a giant bite [of ocean cabbage], which cannot be good for you."
— The Wonton Don (148:10)

Hockey Headlines: Senators, Oilers, Wild & More

Segment: 125:30–135:18; 115:00–124:53; 134:18–136:51

• Ottawa Senators’ recent surge, Daniel Alfredsson’s influence on Stützle’s tape job, and how small changes have noticeable impact.
• Wild’s wild turnaround after a rough start; shout-out to Zuccarello’s veteran leadership and how goalie Jesper Wallstedt has “changed their future.”
• Oilers’ missed opportunity in drafting Wallstedt, and the pain of goalies making or breaking teams (“Hockey should just be called ‘Goalie’.”)
• Avalanche dominating the league—McKinnon and Makar “on a record setting pace.”

Quote:

“You don’t need to—you could call hockey ‘goalie.’ That’s pretty much how you figure out this sport.”
— Jack Parker (as quoted by Ryan Whitney, 125:37)

Signatures and the 'Seeker' Controversy

Segment: 105:52–115:05

• Debate on “seekers”—autograph hounds who pester players at hotels, airports, and team busses.
• Defense of Connor Bedard for refusing to sign for professional seekers, contrasting that with his kindness to “real fans.”
• Hosts share wild stories of being hounded for signatures and why players get so protective.

Quote:

“Seekers can take an absolute hike and they sell everything… this is not some kid—I'm putting money in your pocket. All you're doing is signing this. Get away from me."
— Ryan Whitney (106:45)

Notable Quotes, Memorable Moments, and Timestamps

Best Quotes & Segments

• Movie Duel Analogy (03:02):
  "It's like Ryder hitting his first drive, you know, Squanto punching his first neighbor in the face." — Biz Nasty

• On Three-on-Three Scrambles (07:43):
  "You're smothered. ...Pink Whitney in a four-hour span. ...That's not good." — Ryan Whitney

• Mason West's Journey (18:33):
  "What a story about being loyal. ...Congrats to him, congrats to Edina. What a story." — Ryan Whitney

• Jack Hughes & Tate McRae, NHL Pop Culture (26:26):
  "We're talking about today's version of Britney Spears." — Biz Nasty

• Mental Health Advocacy (84:00):
  "We teach them... when a storm hits, don't run. Move towards it." — Andrew Ladd

• The World According to Biz (152:02):
  "I just thought that the moon just stayed in its spot and was a good boy." — Biz Nasty

• On Seekers (106:45):
  "Seekers can take an absolute hike and they sell everything... this is not kids ... I'm putting money in your pocket. Get away from me." — Ryan Whitney

• On Team Culture and Q's Rules (71:56–73:16):
  "His non-negotiables are funny. ...You can't one-touch it in the D zone." — Andrew Ladd

Laughter & Pop-Culture Moments

• Biz’s theory that Tate McRae is a "mole" for Team Canada, prepping to sabotage USA by dating Jack Hughes (29:46–30:41).
• The Wonton Don exposing Biz’s lack of historical knowledge on Lewis & Clark and Genghis Khan (137:01–138:28; 152:32–153:13).
• Donnie’s story about getting stranded on an Italian mountain with his wife and sliding down in the dark (156:11–157:28).
• The legendary Bufflin “blow dart at a party” story (78:02–79:21).

Key Timestamps for Major Segments

• 0:43 – Thanksgiving, introductions, episode kickoff
• 2:10–5:59 – Heat vs. There Will Be Blood debate
• 6:41–13:22 – Sandbagger recap, drinking, golf scrambles
• 16:33–25:13 – Mason West segment “multi-sport freak”
• 25:13–31:42 – Jack Hughes & Tate McRae, NHL pop culture
• 31:43–88:14 – Andrew Ladd in-depth feature interview
• 91:10–105:46 – Mason West lives interview
• 105:52–115:05 – Autograph seekers controversy
• 115:00–124:53 – Avalanche, Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild analysis
• 125:30–133:18 – Ottawa Sens and tape job story
• 136:59–167:13 – The Wonton Don & Biz: “Peaking,” hiking, history lessons

Original Tone

This episode is energetic, raunchy, self-aware, frequently hilarious, and heartfelt, blending deep hockey analysis with classic Spittin’ Chiclets off-the-rails riffing. The hosts keep it honest—never afraid to roast each other or their guests, but deeply respectful of their interviewees’ journeys. Celebrate the highs, lampoon the lows, and encourage staying “grateful for what you have... it’s Thanksgiving week. Just enjoy. Enjoy what you have." (Ryan Whitney, 09:23)

Episode Takeaway

A quintessential episode: gripping for hockey nerds, wildly entertaining for casuals, and impossibly hilarious whether you care about the NHL or not—a microcosm of why Spittin’ Chiclets is an institution.

Listen to the full show for more stories, laughter, and insights from the Chiclets crew.