Episode 523 Nigel Hope

-Getting ready to play your first NHL game and wishing every player could have that feeling-The mental grind of pro hockey and going up and down from the show for a decade-Remembering hockey is fun and being on a TEAM again to close out your career with the Cardiff Devils and lifting trophies-Playing with the legend Alex Ovechkin and being welcomed in by a legend that just loves the game-The small hockey world and being the best teammate you can be in hockey and the real world

-26 years after being Elmira Sugar Kings, were still friends, that’s hockey-Moving to Elmira as a young buck and trying to take the Roadhouse door home -The ups and downs of life and being comfortable in your skin-The Elmira Maple Syrup festival and the locals do it different

-Starting your own hockey academy and doing it to help the kids love the game the way you do-Winning together in Bietigheim, Germany and the friendships that last a lifetime-Learning from the good and bad coaches you had and taking what is useful-Erotic photo shoots, peeing in skates and the different lives we lived playing in Germany-Playing on teams that became family and playing on teams that were the opposite

-Making your Manchester Storm debut at 17 years old in front of over 11,500 fans-Knowing your role and the player you want to be and where you want to go-Learning from the old man and wearing 44 when you can-The Manchester Storm are going for it in the new barn and you aren't supposed to "throw" chocolate anymore-Creating the Storm academy years ago and seeing the puppies make their debuts years later is rewarding

-The Manchester Storm are about to break the UK attendance record and everyone needs to bring their chocolate-Players engaging with the fans and kids and the impact it can make for a lifetime-Finner, Ginner, Critch and the fellas that have helped the Storm make it back to the big time-Starting a chocolate throwing tradition in Manchester, England and hockey is supposed to be fun but only when you win-Remembering the players that were the best and wearing number 41 for a Storm legend

-Becoming Team Germany's women's coach and feeling the passion-The growing women's game and mucking it up harder than the fellas-Growing as a coach and learning from everyone around-Coaching and teaching hockey players all over the world

-Winning the Challenge Cup in 2015 with the Cardiff Devils and the friendships that were made for life-Curing cancer by day, seeing the results, shredding lakes and ripping up mountains-Bownsy's testimonial and getting to see the boys again and getting your hockey fix-The small hockey world and the special people we know through the game-Bringing back the first podcast guest 518 episodes later to catch up and winning together was fun

-Raising money to support the hospital that saved your life and hoping people will buy raffle tickets-Finding your passion of hockey and becoming a player instead of a fan and starting your own TEAM-The Cardiff Canucks have built a hockey franchise and family, this is your match night announcer-Creating the Caerdydd Ducks and being named captain before the inaugural season-The Cardiff Devils our champions again with the core from a decade ago and you can't over celebrate a championship

-Running a muck with the Guelph Gryphons and making it to the OMHA's-Getting coached by a former NHLer and Stanley Cup Champion in U11-Going on the ice with your uncle and Ryan O'Reilly-Forming a dominant ringette team with your little brother back in the day-The small hockey world over the generations

-Getting hand picked for the Toronto Bulldogs and running a muck of the Brick Invitational-Learning how to join a new team and making friends for life-Becoming a social media sensation at 10 years old, scoring goals and having fun-Playing up an age and having your way with the older fellas in AAA with the Grey Bruce Highlanders-Having a great trunk to the family tree and watching good people do cool things is fun