Working in Hockey

Nick Bowins is joined by Ian Beckenstein, video coach for the Vancouver Canucks and Founder of Pro Hockey Video Coaches, to share his path into one of hockey's most unique and technical roles, offering valuable insights for aspiring hockey operations professionals and fans alike. Ian Beckenstein's hockey career started as an equipment manager for a local U18 AAA team at 18, before he landed a role as a referee video coach with the IIHF at the World Juniors, leading to nearly five years at SportLogic, a hockey ops assistant role with the AHL's Laval Rocket, a video coach job standing up the brand-new Abbotsford Canucks, and now his current role with the Vancouver Canucks. Along the way he has also built Pro Hockey Video Coaches (https://x.com/video_coaches) and the Behind the Keyboard newsletter (https://behindthekeyboard.substack.com/), two phenomenal resources that have become go-to tools for aspiring video coaches around the game. We talk about what a video coach actually does on both practice and game days, the technology and platforms shaping the role, what it takes to set up a coach's office on the road, and what separates candidates in a field with fewer than 100 jobs across the NHL and AHL combined. If you're trying to break into video coaching, hockey operations, or analytics, this conversation is packed with real, valuable insight. 🏒 In this episode: - A day in the life of an NHL video coach, from practice days to game day - The platforms and technology every aspiring video coach should learn - Ian's unique path through the IIHF, SportLogic, the AHL, and now the NHL - Building Pro Hockey Video Coaches and the Behind the Keyboard newsletter - What separates candidates trying to break into a field with limited jobs 👉 Subscribe to Working in Hockey for more conversations with the people building careers in the game. #Hockey #NHL #WorkinginHockey #SportsCareers #IanBeckenstein #VancouverCanucks #HockeyOperations #VideoCoaching

Nick Bowins is joined by Cam Moon, play-by-play voice of the Edmonton Oilers, to share his path into broadcasting, offering valuable insights for aspiring broadcasters and hockey professionals alike. Cam Moon's broadcasting career started with a Radio Shack cassette recorder in the stands, calling a junior game from the crowd just to build a demo tape after a play-by-play job in Nanaimo came open with no experience to speak of. That tape landed him the gig, which ultimately led to 22 years as the voice of the WHL's Red Deer Rebels, all while freelancing colour and play-by-play for Sportsnet and Shaw on the side, before eventually landing his dream job calling games for the Edmonton Oilers, the team he grew up loving. We talk about learning play-by-play completely on the fly, the differences between calling a game on radio versus television, how relationships built through junior hockey opened doors over and over again, and what it's like broadcasting a generational talent like Connor McDavid night after night. If you're trying to break into broadcasting, play-by-play, or sports media, this conversation is packed with real, valuable insight. 🏒 In this episode: - How a homemade cassette tape from the stands landed his first play-by-play job - 22 years building a career and a community as the voice of the Red Deer Rebels - The differences between calling a game on radio versus television - Landing his dream job with the Edmonton Oilers and what that transition was like - His candid take on watching Connor McDavid, and his best advice for breaking into broadcasting 👉 Subscribe to Working in Hockey for more conversations with the people building careers in the game. #Hockey #NHL #WorkinginHockey #SportsCareers #CamMoon #EdmontonOilers #Broadcasting #SportsMedia

Nick Bowins is joined by Ryan Crelin, Commissioner of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), to share his journey from a reluctant college internship to running one of pro hockey's fastest-growing development leagues, offering valuable insights for aspiring hockey business professionals and fans alike. Ryan Crelin's career started with an ECHL internship he almost didn't take out of Seton Hall University, twenty years ago. From there he worked his way through ticket sales, corporate partnerships, and hockey operations before eventually becoming Commissioner, overseeing everything from the league's business strategy to its ongoing expansion toward 32 teams. We talk about the rising talent level across the ECHL, how the league's affiliations with the NHL and AHL have grown, what actually goes into bringing a new market or franchise, and the mindset that took him from an entry-level internship to the top job in the league. If you're trying to break into league operations, hockey business, or sports management, this conversation is packed with real, valuable insight. 🏒 In this episode: - The rising level of talent across the ECHL and its growing NHL/AHL affiliations - What actually goes into an expansion process, market by market - A day in the life of running a professional hockey league - How embracing new technology and streaming is growing the fanbase - His best advice for standing out early in a hockey business career 👉 Subscribe to @workinginhockey for more conversations with the people building careers in the game. #Hockey #ECHL #WorkinginHockey #SportsCareers #RyanCrelin #HockeyBusiness #SportsManagement #HockeyOperations

Nick Bowins is joined by Pascal Daoust, General Manager of the PWHL's New York Sirens, to share his path through hockey and his vision for building a winning program from the ground up, offering valuable insights for aspiring hockey operations professionals and fans alike.Pascal Daoust's path to becoming a PWHL front office executive started on the ice at 18 months old, running through decades as a hockey camp owner, a power skating coach for NHL prospects, an on-ice official, a U Sports head coach at the University of Montréal, and an eight-year run as GM of a QMJHL team before an unexpected call led him to the newly forming PWHL and the expansion New York Sirens. We talk about navigating this year's expansion draft, what it actually takes to build a program rather than just a roster, why he values communication and culture as much as talent when evaluating coaches and players, and the advice he'd give anyone trying to find their own winding path into hockey operations. If you're trying to break into scouting, team management, or the growing world of women's hockey, this conversation is packed with real, valuable insight.🏒 In this episode:- Navigating the expansion draft and rebuilding a roster on the fly- Why he's building a "program," not just a team, in New York- What he looks for in a coach beyond just hockey knowledge- His unique path from hockey camps to PWHL general manager- His advice for young professionals trying to break into hockey operations👉 Subscribe to Working in Hockey for more conversations with the people building careers in the game. #Hockey #PWHL #WorkinginHockey #SportsCareers #PascalDaoust #NewYorkSirens #WomensHockey #HockeyOperations

Nick Bowins is joined by Jackie Redmond, reporter and broadcaster for both the NHL on TNT and the WWE, to share her amazing journey through sports media, offering valuable insights for aspiring reporters and media professionals alike.Jackie Redmond's path started with Gillette Drafted, a Canadian broadcaster competition show, before cutting highlights on the desk, hosting NHL Now at NHL Network for seven years, and eventually landing her current role reporting for the NHL on TNT, all while also building a broadcasting career with WWE. We talk about what an NHL on TNT game day actually looks like behind the scenes, how she built trust and relationships with players and coaches over years of showing up prepared, what wrestling has taught her about chasing an emotional "pop" moment in an interview, and her best advice for staying authentic in a crowded media landscape. If you're trying to break into broadcasting, reporting, or sports media, this conversation is packed with real, valuable insight.🏒 In this episode:- A behind-the-scenes look at a full NHL on TNT game day- How she built trust with players, coaches, and GMs over years of preparation- What years working with WWE taught her about chasing a great interview moment- The value of saying yes to every opportunity when you're starting out- Her best advice on authenticity, feedback, and building a broadcasting career👉 Subscribe to Working in Hockey for more conversations with the people building careers in the game. #Hockey #NHL #WorkinginHockey #SportsCareers #JackieRedmond #NHLonTNT #Broadcasting #SportsMedia

Nick Bowins is joined by Toby Petersen, head coach of the AHL's Texas Stars, to share his path from 900+ combined NHL and AHL games as a player to building a coaching career from the ground up, offering valuable insights for aspiring coaches and hockey professionals alike. Toby Petersen made the leap from playing to coaching immediately after retiring in 2014, taking advice to get into the game while his contacts were still fresh and sending resumes out old-school to land his first job with the Columbus organization. From there he coached in Rochester under Chris Taylor, spent time as a skills coach for the Colorado Avalanche working alongside stars like Nathan MacKinnon, and is now back with the Texas Stars, an organization he once played for, as head coach. We talk about the mental shift from playing to coaching, the value of building daily relationships with players, the small details even NHL stars are still refining, and what actually separates successful coaches in today's game. If you're trying to break into coaching, player development, or hockey operations, this conversation is packed with real, valuable insight. 🏒 In this episode: - Making the leap from playing straight into coaching, and why timing matters - Lessons learned from Jared Bednar and building trust with players - Inside his time as a skills coach with the Colorado Avalanche - The small, unglamorous skills even NHL stars are constantly working on - What separates successful coaches, and his best advice for breaking into the game 👉 Subscribe to Working in Hockey for more conversations with the people building careers in the game. #Hockey #AHL #WorkinginHockey #SportsCareers #TobyPetersen #TexasStars #HockeyOperations #Coaching

Nick Bowins is joined by Dave Fischer, Senior Director of Communications for USA Hockey, to share his career building the sport's national storytelling machine, offering valuable insights for aspiring hockey professionals and fans alike. Dave Fischer's path started as a volunteer helper for the sports information director at Minnesota Duluth, leading to 17 years as head sports information director and eventually assistant athletic director at Michigan Tech, and now 23 years and counting as a communications leader for USA Hockey; a run that's included launching the American Development Model in 2009 and helping steward Team USA through a historic year that saw the men's, women's, and para teams all win Olympic gold. We talk about what his role actually involves day to day, how youth hockey development and safety shape everything USA Hockey does, the explosive growth of the sport nationwide, and where he sees the next wave of hockey jobs emerging. If you're trying to break into hockey communications, marketing, or governing-body work, this conversation is packed with real, valuable insight. 🏒 In this episode: - Life inside USA Hockey after a historic Olympic gold medal sweep - What a day in the life of a communications director actually looks like - Building the American Development Model and growing the game nationwide - Where he sees the next wave of jobs in hockey coming from - His best advice on networking, curiosity, and building a long career 👉 Subscribe to Working in Hockey for more conversations with the people building careers in the game. #Hockey #USAHockey #WorkinginHockey #SportsCareers #DaveFischer #Olympics #HockeyOperations #SportsMedia

Nick Bowins is joined by Steve Mears, play-by-play broadcaster for the Columbus Blue Jackets, to share his journey from a small-market minor league booth to nearly two decades calling NHL games, offering valuable insights for aspiring broadcasters and hockey professionals alike. Steve Mears knew he wanted to be a broadcaster by age 10, building his foundation at Bowling Green State University before taking his first job with the Shreveport Mud Bugs of the CHL, then working his way up through the New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL Network, and MLB Network before landing his current role with the Columbus Blue Jackets. We talk about the willingness to relocate and grind through minor league jobs, how networking and small-world connections shaped his path, what it takes to prepare for an NHL broadcast, and the resilience it takes to bounce back from layoffs and setbacks in a constantly evolving industry. If you're trying to break into sports broadcasting, play-by-play, or media, this conversation is packed with real, valuable insight. 🏒 In this episode: - Building a broadcasting foundation at Bowling Green and breaking in with minor league hockey - The importance of relocating, networking, and connecting the dots to land jobs - His path through the Islanders, Penguins, NHL Network, and now Columbus - What real game-day preparation looks like for an NHL broadcaster - His best advice on resilience for young professionals trying to break into broadcasting 👉 Subscribe to Working in Hockey for more conversations with the people building careers in the game. #Hockey #NHL #WorkinginHockey #SportsCareers #SteveMears #ColumbusBlueJackets #Broadcasting #SportsMedia

Nick Bowins is joined by Alyn McCauley, Assistant General Manager of the Philadelphia Flyers, to share his path from NHL player to two-time Stanley Cup-winning scout and now a front office executive, offering valuable insights for aspiring hockey professionals and fans alike.Alyn McCauley didn't plan on staying in hockey after his playing career ended, until a call to help coach at Queen's University led to a scouting opportunity with the LA Kings under Ron Hextall and Dean Lombardi. From there he scouted for two Stanley Cup championship rosters, moved with Hextall to the Philadelphia Flyers, and has since worked his way up to Assistant General Manager, where he now oversees roster construction and player development for both the Flyers and their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. We talk about what it actually takes to learn scouting from scratch, the collaborative process behind building a championship roster, how the sport's mentors shaped his path, and the balance between developing prospects and winning games at the AHL level. If you're trying to break into scouting, hockey operations, or front office management, this conversation is packed with real, valuable insight.🏒 In this episode:- Going from a "figure it out as you go" scout to helping build two Stanley Cup rosters- The collaborative process behind identifying and pursuing playoff difference-makers- How scouting has changed with video access and analytics- Balancing player development with winning at the AHL level- His best advice for young professionals trying to break into hockey operations👉 Subscribe to Working in Hockey for more conversations with the people building careers in the game. #Hockey #NHL #WorkinginHockey #SportsCareers #AlynMcCauley #PhiladelphiaFlyers #HockeyOperations #Scouting

Nick Bowins is joined by Jason Demers to share his transition from a 700-plus game NHL career to life as an NHL Network analyst and media personality, offering valuable insights for aspiring broadcasters and hockey professionals alike. Jason Demers spent parts of over a decade in the NHL, primarily with the San Jose Sharks, before transitioning into broadcasting after his retirement; a message from a producer at NBC nudged him to apply to NHL Network, and three years later he's built a growing career as an analyst while also branching into his own YouTube content. We talk about the leap from playing to broadcasting, the mentors who taught him how to actually interview players, how he balances honest analysis with respect for the guys still in the league, and the advice he'd give any player looking to make the same jump. If you're trying to break into sports media, broadcasting, or content creation, this conversation is packed with real, valuable insight. 🏒 In this episode: - How an abrupt end to his playing career led him into broadcasting - The mentors who taught him how to interview players the right way - Balancing honest analysis with respect for the players in the league - Building his own brand and content outside of NHL Network - His best advice for players and students trying to break into broadcasting 👉 Subscribe to Working in Hockey for more conversations with the people building careers in the game. #Hockey #NHL #WorkinginHockey #SportsCareers #JasonDemers #NHLNetwork #Broadcasting #SportsMedia

Nick Bowins is joined by Scott Howson, President of the American Hockey League (AHL), to share his path through the hockey business and his perspective on where the game is heading, offering valuable insights for aspiring hockey professionals and fans alike. Scott Howson's hockey career has taken him from pro player to lawyer to one of the most experienced executives in the game; getting his start as an AHL general manager with the Edmonton Oilers organization in Cape Breton and Hamilton, moving up to the Oilers' NHL front office for a run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, becoming General Manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and now leading the American Hockey League as its President since 2020. We talk about steering the league through the pandemic, the explosive growth in talent and business on the AHL side, how hockey operations departments have transformed since the salary cap era, where the next wave of front-office roles is headed, and the advice he'd give anyone trying to break into the game. If you're trying to break into hockey operations, league management, or the business side of the sport, this conversation is packed with real, valuable insight. 🏒 In this episode: - Steering the AHL through the pandemic and building the league back stronger - How the relationship between the NHL, AHL, and ECHL actually works - The explosion of hockey operations departments and the rise of analytics - An unlikely path: from pro hockey, to law school, to NHL general manager - Scott's best advice for young professionals trying to break into the hockey industry 👉 Subscribe to Working in Hockey for more conversations with the people building careers in the game of hockey. #Hockey #AHL #WorkinginHockey #SportsCareers #ScottHowson #HockeyOperations #NHL #HockeyBusiness

Nick Bowins is joined by Bruce Boudreau to share his remarkable journey from player to one of the winningest coaches in modern NHL history, offering valuable insights for aspiring coaches and hockey professionals alike. Bruce Boudreau spent 15 years climbing every rung of the minor-pro coaching ladder before getting his first NHL shot at age 52, and then going on to post a .626 points percentage across 1,087 games with the Capitals, Ducks, Wild, and Canucks - one of the best regular-season records of any coach in the modern era, and a Jack Adams Award-winner to match. We talk about his journey from a long, grinding playing career to the coaching evolution he's lived through across four different organizations, how he built relationships and adapted his approach at every stop, and the lessons he's learned even when the job ended in ways that had little to do with wins and losses. We talk about which players were "a coaches dream" for him, and what it was like coaching Alex Ovechkin in his prime years. If you're trying to break into coaching, team management, or hockey operations, this conversation is packed with real, valuable insight. 🏒 In this episode: - Bruce's path from a modest NHL playing career to becoming a prolific AHL scorer - The 15-years of coaching through the minors before his first NHL job - How coaching philosophy and player relationships evolved across four NHL stops - What adaptability really looks like when building trust with a locker room - Lessons learned from the ups and downs of a coaching career 👉 Subscribe to Working in Hockey for more conversations with the people building careers in the game. #Hockey #NHL #WorkinginHockey #SportsCareers #BruceBoudreau #NHLCoaching #HockeyOperations #Coaching

Nick Bowins is joined by Chris Lamoriello to share his extensive experience in hockey scouting, player development, and team management, offering valuable insights for aspiring hockey professionals and fans alike.Chris Lamoriello has spent nearly three decades building a career in NHL front offices; starting as a scout with the New Jersey Devils in 1996, running the AHL's Albany Devils for 14 years, and now serving as Assistant General Manager of the New York Islanders, where he's held roles from Director of Player Personnel to GM of the Bridgeport Islanders. We talk about what it actually takes to break into scouting, how player evaluation has changed over his career, and what he's learned managing rosters at both the NHL and AHL level. If you're trying to break into hockey operations, scouting, or management, this conversation is packed with real, valuable insight.🏒 In this episode:- How Chris got his start in scouting and what the job actually looks like day to day- The difference between scouting, AHL management, and NHL front office work- What he looks for when evaluating young talent and building a roster - Advice for young professionals trying to break into hockey operations👉 Subscribe to Working in Hockey for more conversations with the people building careers in the game.#Hockey #NHL #WorkinginHockey #SportsCareers #ChrisLamoriello #NewYorkIslanders #HockeyOperations #Scouting

Nick Bowins is joined by John Shannon to share his remarkable career in sports media, offering valuable insights for aspiring broadcasters and hockey professionals alike.John Shannon is a Canadian sports media icon who has spent decades shaping how hockey is broadcast; starting out as a production runner, working his way up to Executive Producer of Hockey Night in Canada, launching Leafs TV for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, running production for the NHL, and eventually transitioning to broadcasting himself on Sportsnet and hosting his own podcasts. We talk about what it takes to climb the ladder in sports media production, how the hockey broadcasting landscape has evolved, and the lessons he's picked up at every stop along the way. If you're trying to break into sports media, production, or broadcasting, this conversation is packed with real, valuable insight.🏒 In this episode:- How John got his start as a production runner and worked his way up the ladder- Building and launching Leafs TV for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment- What it's like running production for the NHL- The transition from behind the camera to becoming a broadcaster and podcast host- Career advice for young professionals trying to break into sports media👉 Subscribe to Working in Hockey for more conversations with the people building careers in the game. #Hockey #NHL #WorkinginHockey #SportsCareers #JohnShannon #HockeyNightInCanada #SportsMedia #Broadcasting

Matt Marchese joins Nick Bowins on the Working in Hockey Show to share his journey through sports media at Sportsnet! From being a producer for sports media icons like Bob McCown and Jeff Marek, to hosting the FAN Hockey Show on Sportsnet with long-time NHL GM Mike Futa, Matt has built an awesome media career that we can all learn something from!From Wayne Gretzky and Bobby Orr stories, to tangible advice and knowing when to bet on yourself, there's something for everyone in this conversation with Matt.#workinginhockey #sportsnet #nhl

Tim Quinn, the Social Media & Colour Commentary Manager for the OHL's Erie Otters, joins host Nick Bowins on this week's edition of the Working in Hockey Show to discuss Tim's role, his beginnings in sports media, and valuable lessons he's learned along the way.Aside from his efforts on the Otters social media pages, Tim along with Trevor Kubeja recently took home the OHL's Award for the Best Broadcast Presentation as well! Tim's story and perspective are very valuable for anyone looking to break into the hockey industry, and I hope you get as much out of this quick convo as I did!

Josef Sorensen joins Nick Bowins on this week's episode of the Working in Hockey Podcast to discuss the media strategy of Hockey Trend and Crosscheck Hockey, designing hats for Retro Hockey, how to grow on social media in 2026, and lots more!From editing YouTube videos in school, to now running a hockey content empire full-time, Josef has seen it all. Lots of tangible, real-world, advice through this conversation, from someone I'm glad to a call a friend in this industry! Be sure to check out all of Josef's social pages, and snag a hat online at https://retrohockey.com/

Danielle Bain, TSN's Winnipeg Bureau Reporter, joins Nick Bowins on this week's episode of the Working in Hockey podcast to discuss her journey through sports! From Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment to the Paris Summer Olympics to the Milan Winter Olympics to covering the Jets and Blue Bombers for TSN, Danielle's career is an exciting one! Some great advice and insight into life in sports, how to present yourself on camera, and settling into new cities and roles; you're not going to want to miss this conversation!

Host Nick Bowins is joined by Lee Elias, a man of many talents and various jobs within our game of hockey! The Head Coach of the Puerto Rico Women's National Hockey Team, the Founder of Hockey Wraparound, the host of Our Kids Play Hockey, a renowned author of both children's hockey books and several books on performance and team-building, not to mention someone who worked for the NHL league office in New York, amongst several other hockey coaching and motivational speaking roles!Lee is a phenomenal business-mind, and an all-around great person. He was very generous with his time and advice, through both trials and tribulations, and shares a ton of knowledge throughout our conversation. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast, and check out Lee's, for plenty of great hockey insight.

In this episode of the Working in Hockey podcast, host Nick Bowins interviews Ryan Bucciarelli, the Team Lead of Premium & Suite Sales for the NHL's St. Louis Blues. Ryan shares some amazing insights into his role, the impact of the Blues' Stanley Cup win on ticket sales, and the importance of building genuine relationships with the fans. He discusses the evolution of sales strategies in the sports industry, the transferable skills gained from various sports roles, and helps address common misconceptions about sales positions in sports. Ryan shares endless valuable advice for aspiring professionals looking to break into the sports industry, and overall, was an awesome guy to have a conversation with!