Never Far from Home Ep. 261 - The Minnesota Vagabond

The Oak Creek Kodiaks came on a very special episode. Coaches Chris Hagen (Episode 65), and Kyle Pastor (Episode 10) approached me about the idea of highlighting their team. They expressed how this squad had captured all the good the game of hockey has to offer, and wanted to share some of their experiences. It was a novelty, for Never Far from Home, but we endeavored to highlight the kids and their experiences the best we could. Enjoy the quick dives into the 10U Oak Creek Kodiak team members, and the reflection on the season by the coaching staff! https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/

Graysen Cameron joined the show from Canada, and we wasted no time in jumping right to his timeline within the game. He was born into it, with a brother who was 10 years his elder who loved to play, but Graysen soon found his own passion for the game. We talk family dynamics, and how much his parents and siblings mean to the young man. We touch on his developing years, and some challenges that helped shape him. And we dive into his story within the tragedy of the Humboldt Broncos, and how he managed to come out of the incident as a better version of himself. We end up chatting about his next steps he has taken, and where his life has led him. Enjoy! https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/

Lowen Epstein came on the show to talk about his odd connection to the rink. We delve deep into his rich love of sport, and the many ways he has connected to different games. Lowen played sports as a youth, graduated to broadcaster, and has always been a fan of a wide array of sporting worlds. Enjoy some tales wrapped in victories and celebrations, as well as some tribulations that led to growth. We also do touch on his new show starting soon on a local radio channel in the Yampa Valley! https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/

Sara McClanahan joined the podcast, and we talk about her time growing up in Minnesota, falling in love with the game at different times, and the reasons that led her to find such a passion for hockey. She speaks to finding her own path within the game, and how she handled it over the many different years, in different roles. We go through her whole competitive youth hockey days, through college, and into her first tastes of coaching, within hockey and soccer. Enjoy the many tales! https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/

On Never Far from Home today: Kelli Standekar! Kelli came on to the podcast, and shared about a wonderful timeline. Her stories span her youth where she found herself involved in numerous sports and activities, to her teenage years when she finally found the rink. We dive into some competition, and round it all out talking about her coaching arc as well. Enjoy the many tales she shares! https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/

Gabe Levin shares tales from his early days in southern California, falling in love with the game, to his time with DU. In between, there are some marvelous lessons he learned, from patience, to self-belief, to not listening to the doubters. Gabe shares some stories along the way, and talks about a parental duo that simply let him play the game he loved, with no extra pressure to succeed. Enjoy his tales! https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/

Jackie Wilson came on the podcast and shared stories from her playing days through her present situation, as an official. We explore her time within the game in different capacities, and how that has translated to life as well. She expresses her sentiments on staying within the moment, while continuing to chase goals and dreams. I hope you enjoy her many shared tales!    https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/

Gib Mitchell came on the podcast and shared some wonderful tales. From growing up in New York, playing youth in numerous rinks, and eventually settling on secondary school in St. Lawrence. We hear tales of travel to Europe for a semester abroad, he shares about his time as a D1 athlete (a funny tale about playing for the women’s team), and we finally come to how it was he found himself in Steamboat Springs. Enjoy the many fantastic tales!    https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/

Adam Albert Joined the show after a few months of hearing all about it at work. He shares some funny tales from his years playing hockey, touching on many aspects of the game that will stay with him the rest of his life. We also get into a story on a very serious injury he had, and how he managed to bounce back from it. Enjoy the tales of an up and coming fireman, and a young man with a rich hockey history. https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/

Dave Leonardi came on the show and shared some incredible stories. You may know him by a different name: The Sign Man. He has been a season ticket member of the Philadelphia Flyers since 1972-73, and has become an icon of sorts, within the game. That stems even to the Great One himself, who Dave shares a great story on. His biggest fan has been his mother, who would share with everyone who would listen that “My son is The Sign Man”. Enjoy some wonderful tales! https://www.beautyunis.com/ https://www.thegardensicehouse.com/