Peach State Puck

What really happens behind the scenes before a professional hockey game? In Episode 15 of Peach State Puck, Matteen Rad sits down with Athens Rock Lobsters Equipment Manager Micah Swift-Taylor for a look at one of hockey's most demanding and overlooked jobs. Micah shares his unlikely journey from learning to skate in Hawaii and playing goalie in Ohio to becoming a professional equipment manager, along with what it takes to keep the Rock Lobsters ready for game night. From sharpening skates and repairing equipment to managing player preferences, last-minute signings and road-trip emergencies, Micah reveals just how much work goes into getting a team on the ice.The conversation dives into the details fans rarely see, including why hockey players are so particular about their skate blades, how different ice conditions can change equipment decisions, and the pressure of making sure nothing gets forgotten when the team hits the road. Micah also discusses the challenges of working in Southern hockey, his dream of eventually reaching the NHL, and the extraordinary hours required on game day. For a 7:05 puck drop, his work can begin at 6 a.m. and continue until 2 or 3 the following morning. It's an inside look at the unsung work that keeps Athens Rock Lobsters hockey running.00:00 - Welcome to Peach State Puck01:18 - A Big Change for Rock Lobsters Broadcasts08:56 - Meet Micah Swift-Taylor11:12 - From Goalie to Equipment Manager17:00 - How Micah Joined the Rock Lobsters23:12 - Mistakes, Emergencies and Life on the Road26:18 - The Science of Sharpening Skates43:42 - Southern Hockey and Chasing the NHL Dream

A new era of Macon Mayhem hockey is beginning to take shape. In Episode 14 of Peach State Puck, Matteen Rad sits down with Graham Tuck, SPHL Broadcaster of the Year and voice of the Macon Mayhem, to preview the 2026-27 season. They break down a dramatically retooled roster, the heavier identity head coach Dave Pszenyczny is building, key returning players like Khaden Henry and Michael Herrera, and a goaltending group that could become one of Macon's strengths as the Mayhem look to build on their first playoff appearance in five years.But the changes in Macon extend far beyond the ice. Tuck discusses construction of the new Macon arena, how modern technology could transform the Mayhem fan experience, and what the organization must build before moving into its future home. The conversation also dives into the arrival of the Athens Rock Lobsters as Macon's new in-state SPHL rival, the passionate hockey community that already exists in Middle Georgia, and Macon's unique place in the rapidly growing Georgia hockey landscape. With a new roster, a new rivalry and a new arena on the horizon, the Mayhem may be entering one of the most important chapters in the franchise's history.00:00 - Welcome to Peach State Puck03:02 - A New Era for Macon Mayhem Hockey08:43 - Building the 2026-27 Mayhem16:00 - Key Players and Newcomers to Watch23:01 - Macon’s Goaltending Future24:37 - Inside Macon’s New Arena31:22 - A New Rivalry with Athens36:02 - Macon’s Place in Georgia Hockey

Georgia hockey has a much deeper history than most people realize. In Episode 13 of Peach State Puck, Matteen Rad sits down with Georgia Hockey Museum founder and historian Jay Jarvis to trace the sport from Georgia's first professional hockey game in Macon in 1968 through the Atlanta Flames, Atlanta Knights, Atlanta Thrashers and today's thriving hockey communities across the state. Jarvis shares stories and artifacts from decades of Georgia hockey, including the remarkable collection he has spent years preserving and his memories of watching hockey inside Atlanta's legendary Omni. The conversation eventually turns from history to one of Georgia hockey's biggest questions: Could the NHL succeed in Atlanta this time? Jarvis explains why the Flames and Thrashers disappeared under very different circumstances, what today's Georgia hockey landscape looks like, and why he believes the market has changed. He also reveals that more than 85 percent of his Georgia hockey collection is now connected to Vernon Krause's The Gathering at South Forsyth project, with hopes that it could someday become a public hockey museum inside a new NHL arena.From forgotten teams and championship memories to Atlanta's pursuit of another NHL franchise, this episode explores what Georgia's hockey past can teach us about its future.00:00 - Welcome to Peach State Puck03:03 - Georgia Hockey News07:04 - Meet Georgia Hockey Historian Jay Jarvis12:36 - Preserving Georgia Hockey History22:17 - Georgia Hockey’s Forgotten Beginnings31:17 - The Flames, Knights and Thrashers43:31 - Could the NHL Return to Atlanta?52:12 - The Growth and Future of Georgia Hockey

UGA Hockey is entering a new era. In Episode 12 of Peach State Puck, Matteen Rad sits down with UGA Ice Dawgs head coach John Camp to discuss the growth of hockey at the University of Georgia, the move to Akins Ford Arena, recruiting higher-level talent, and what lies ahead for the 2026-27 season.Camp also shares the unlikely story of how he became a UGA hockey coach, the growth of Georgia hockey, the history and culture behind the Ice Dawgs, and his ultimate dream of someday seeing UGA become a Power Five NCAA hockey program.From portable ice and the Classic Center ballroom to a major arena in downtown Athens, just how big can UGA Hockey become?00:00 - Welcome to Peach State Puck04:04 - NHL to Atlanta Update05:43 - Meet UGA Head Coach John Camp10:16 - The Growth of Hockey in Georgia15:13 - Building More Than Hockey Players20:56 - UGA Hockey’s History and Community26:27 - A New Era at Akins Ford Arena35:27 - The Future of UGA Hockey

The landscape of the FPHL is changing, and the Columbus River Dragons believe their opportunity has arrived.In Episode 11 of Peach State Puck, host Matteen Rad sits down with Columbus River Dragons captain and number 11 Kirk Underwood for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, Southern hockey, the changing face of the FPHL, and a Columbus team entering the 2026-27 season with one unmistakable objective: win a championship. Before heading to Columbus, Matteen breaks down a potentially significant development in the effort to bring NHL hockey back to Atlanta. The group behind The Gathering in Forsyth County says it has secured financing for an NHL team and submitted its final approval packet, while the first phase of construction began September 1. No NHL franchise has been awarded, but Matteen examines why the latest development could represent another important step in Atlanta’s pursuit of the league. Then it’s time for Captain Kirk. Underwood opens up about what wearing the “C” means to him and why leadership has always been about relationships rather than a letter on his jersey. He discusses his bond with longtime Columbus hockey figure Jerome “Boom Boom” Bechard, his desire to eventually pursue coaching, and the unusual reality of being both a player and the River Dragons’ Director of Sales. For Underwood, Columbus has become much more than another stop in his hockey career. The conversation also explores why hockey continues to thrive in a place many outsiders would never consider a traditional hockey market. Underwood recalls arriving in Columbus without initially realizing he was headed to Georgia and being stunned by a fan base that already knew his name before he stepped onto the ice. He credits the foundation established by generations of Columbus hockey, particularly the Cottonmouths, with creating the community and family atmosphere the River Dragons inherited and continue to build today. But the biggest story is what comes next. The FPHL is entering a dramatically different era, with expansion reaching California, established contenders changing, and familiar rivals leaving the league. Underwood discusses the opportunities and uncertainties created by that new landscape, the importance of maintaining Columbus’ veteran core, and the teams he believes could stand between the River Dragons and the Commissioner’s Cup.Then he makes the expectations unmistakable. Columbus is not rebuilding. It is not preparing for some future window. After four consecutive seasons ending in Game 3 of the second round, Underwood knows how painful playoff hockey can be and how quickly another opportunity can disappear.For the River Dragons, it’s championship or bust. That mentality makes their October 23 home opener especially compelling. Waiting inside the Dragons Den will be the three-time defending Commissioner’s Cup champion Binghamton Black Bears, a team responsible for two of the most lopsided losses Underwood remembers experiencing in Columbus. He doesn’t hide from the history. He wants another shot at them, and this time, he says, it’s personal. Episode 11 is ultimately about a veteran captain, an experienced core and a franchise that knows opportunities like this don’t last forever. Some of Columbus’ longtime players may be approaching the final chapters of their careers, and Underwood isn’t interested in wasting what’s left.00:00 - Welcome to Peach State Puck03:57 - Major NHL to Atlanta Update05:54 - Meet Captain Kirk Underwood09:40 - Leadership and Columbus Hockey16:30 - Why Hockey Works in Columbus20:16 - The FPHL’s Changing Landscape26:14 - Championship or Bust34:27 - Binghamton: This One Is Personal

How does a professional hockey team in coastal Georgia sell out every single home game it plays?In Episode 10 of Peach State Puck, host Matteen Rad heads south to uncover the formula behind one of the most remarkable success stories in Georgia hockey. Savannah Ghost Pirates Broadcasting and Media Relations Manager Isaac Basinger joins the show to explain how a young ECHL franchise has built a passionate fan base, packed Enmarket Arena night after night, and transformed Savannah into a legitimate hockey community.After opening with the latest developments surrounding Atlanta’s pursuit of an NHL franchise, including progress on the proposed North Point Mall redevelopment in Alpharetta, Matteen turns his attention to a Georgia city that may already provide a blueprint for building a successful hockey market. Isaac shares his journey from his hometown Wheeling Nailers to becoming the voice of the Ghost Pirates and explains what immediately stood out when he arrived in Savannah, including something almost unimaginable in many minor league markets: packed stands regardless of the team’s record. The conversation dives into the Ghost Pirates’ connection with Savannah and why the organization has succeeded in making hockey feel like part of the city’s identity. From community appearances and military outreach to youth hockey and opportunities for fans to interact directly with players, Isaac explains how the organization has built relationships that extend far beyond what happens on the ice. That investment is about to grow even larger with the opening of the Ice Cove in Port Wentworth, bringing two year-round ice sheets, expanded youth and adult hockey opportunities, tournaments, public skating, and a permanent practice home for the Ghost Pirates. Then comes the number that defines Savannah’s success. After Matteen points to a 95 percent sellout rate, Isaac makes an incredible correction. With adjustments to Enmarket Arena’s capacity accounted for, the Savannah Ghost Pirates have sold out 100 percent of their home games across all four seasons of the franchise’s existence. Together, they explore why fans continue filling the building, how game presentation turns each night into an event, and why the experience has remained popular even before the team’s first trip to the ECHL playoffs. Isaac also discusses the Ghost Pirates’ relationship with the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, head coach Jared Staal’s vision for a fast and aggressive team, Savannah’s rising expectations following its first playoff appearance, and what an NHL franchise returning to Atlanta could mean for hockey throughout Georgia.Ultimately, Episode 10 asks a question that reaches far beyond Savannah: What does it actually take to create a hockey market? The Ghost Pirates’ answer appears to be bigger than wins and losses. Build an identity that belongs to the city. Invest in the community. Give people opportunities to experience and play the sport. Create a game night worth coming back to. Then turn casual spectators into hockey fans.Savannah has done exactly that, and the results speak for themselves.00:00 - Welcome to Peach State Puck02:02 - Atlanta’s NHL Pursuit05:06 - Meet Isaac Basinger08:00 - Building Hockey in Savannah12:46 - The Ice Cove Changes Everything15:38 - How Savannah Sells Out Every Game19:30 - Building a Winning Hockey Team25:39 - What an NHL Team Could Mean for Georgia

Something is changing in Atlanta hockey. In Episode 9 of Peach State Puck, host Matteen Rad dives inside the Atlanta Gladiators’ major announcement and what it reveals about the organization’s attempt to reconnect with its history, its fans, and the hockey identity that helped define the franchise.At the center of the episode is the Gladiators’ return to maroon, a move that represents much more than a uniform change. Matteen explores the history behind the team’s colors, the fan response that helped influence the decision, and why embracing the past could play an important role in building the Gladiators’ future. The conversation also examines the organization’s upcoming Hockey Heritage Weekend and its efforts to celebrate the larger history of professional hockey in Atlanta. Through a conversation with Guy Chiarenza, the Gladiators’ broadcasting and communications director, listeners get an inside perspective on the thinking behind the announcement, the importance of listening to supporters, and the challenge of creating an identity that feels both fresh and familiar. The episode looks beyond logos and jerseys to explore how a professional sports organization builds a meaningful connection with the community it represents.That conversation becomes even more significant as metro Atlanta finds itself at the center of renewed NHL speculation. With efforts underway to bring the league back to Georgia, Matteen examines what another NHL franchise could mean for the Gladiators, whether the two could coexist, and how increased attention on hockey could potentially strengthen the sport at every level across the region.00:00 - Welcome Back to Peach State Puck03:58 - Around Georgia Hockey08:37 - The Gladiators’ Big Announcement13:20 - Back to Maroon18:48 - Rebuilding the Gladiators Identity25:31 - Listening to the Fans31:42 - Celebrating Atlanta Hockey History38:17 - Hockey Heritage Weekend44:36 - Growing Hockey in Atlanta50:52 - What Would the NHL Mean?56:41 - The Future of the Gladiators

A new era of Athens hockey is about to begin. In Episode 8 of Peach State Puck, host Matteen Rad sits down with new Athens Rock Lobsters head coach Scott Burt for his first extended public conversation since taking over the team ahead of its inaugural season in the SPHL.After the latest news from around Georgia hockey, including developments surrounding Atlanta’s pursuit of an NHL franchise, new signings across the state, and the latest additions to the Rock Lobsters roster, Matteen and Burt look ahead to what Athens fans can expect when the puck drops on October 16. Burt explains the hard-working identity he intends to establish, his approach to recruiting and developing young players, the importance of creating an NHL-style professional environment, and why he believes Athens already has the foundation necessary to build a championship-caliber organization.Burt also reflects on a career shaped by winning. As a player, he became the first in ECHL history to capture three Kelly Cup championships, learning firsthand what separates championship locker rooms from everyone else. Now, he hopes to bring those lessons to Athens as he pursues the next major goal of his hockey career, winning a championship as a head coach.Then the conversation takes a deeply personal turn.Burt shares the remarkable story of his battle with brain cancer, beginning with the subtle warning signs that something was wrong and the devastating discovery of a brain tumor in December 2024. He recounts suffering a seizure, undergoing emergency brain surgery, waking up in intensive care, beginning treatment at the Mayo Clinic, and astonishingly returning to the rink only days after surgery. Through it all, his family, players, organization, and the hockey community rallied around him as he fought his way back behind the bench.That experience gave new meaning to the philosophy Burt carries with him every day: “It’s a good day for a good day.” He explains how surviving cancer changed his outlook on family, hockey, leadership, and the importance of appreciating every opportunity to wake up and pursue the life you love.Part season preview, part championship conversation, and part story of extraordinary resilience, this episode introduces Athens fans to far more than their new head coach. It introduces the person behind the bench and the experiences that shaped the culture he now hopes to build in the Classic City. For Scott Burt, the next chapter is about developing players, building a family, winning hockey games, and ultimately bringing a championship home to Crustacean Nation. 00:00 - Welcome Back to Peach State Puck04:11 - Around Georgia Hockey08:18 - Meet Scott Burt10:35 - Building a New Rock Lobsters Identity17:14 - Creating a Championship Culture22:26 - Building the 2026-27 Roster24:17 - Lessons From a Championship Career27:55 - Developing Players and Building Family32:34 - Scott Burt’s Battle With Brain Cancer55:12 - Family, Survival and a New Perspective58:14 - A Good Day for a Good Day01:00:02 - A Message to Crustacean Nation

What does it take to build a hockey player? More importantly, what does it take to build a lifelong hockey fan? In Episode 7 of Peach State Puck, host Matteen Rad explores one of the biggest challenges facing hockey in Georgia and across the United States. How do you keep young players engaged, excited, and connected to the sport for years to come?After opening with the latest news from around Georgia hockey, including updates from the Atlanta Gladiators, Savannah Ghost Pirates, Athens Rock Lobsters, Macon Mayhem, and Columbus River Dragons, Matteen sits down with Hockey Barn founder and longtime coach Kyle Kinzie for an in-depth conversation about the future of player development. Drawing from more than two decades of coaching experience, Kyle explains why traditional development models often fail to retain players, why creating a positive environment matters as much as teaching skills, and how his vision for The Hockey Barn is designed to help players not only learn the game, but truly fall in love with it.Throughout the conversation, Kyle shares the personal journey that shaped his coaching philosophy, from growing up in Buffalo and Ohio to having his playing career unexpectedly cut short by a life threatening medical condition. He discusses how that experience redirected his passion toward coaching, leadership, and ultimately building a completely new model for hockey development centered around three core ideas: train, compete, and belong. Together, Matteen and Kyle examine the unique opportunities and challenges facing hockey in Georgia, including youth participation, player retention, access to ice time, community building, and the possibility of an NHL franchise returning to metro Atlanta.Whether you are a parent, coach, player, hockey fan, or simply interested in how sports communities are built from the ground up, this episode offers a fascinating look at the future of hockey in the Peach State and the people working to ensure its continued growth for generations to come.00:00 - Welcome Back to Peach State Puck04:02 - Around Georgia Hockey09:55 - Meet Kyle Kinzie17:14 - From Player to Coach24:00 - Why Georgia Hockey Needs The Hockey Barn31:42 - Building a Better Hockey Environment40:08 - Inside The Hockey Barn49:26 - Growing Hockey Across Georgia57:18 - Closing Thoughts

Every hockey game begins long before the opening faceoff. Before the lights come on, before the cameras roll, and before a single goal is scored, hours of preparation have already taken place behind the scenes. In this episode of Peach State Puck, host Matteen Rad takes listeners inside the world of minor league hockey broadcasting and reveals what it truly takes to bring a live game to fans from start to finish.After covering the latest news from around Georgia hockey, including offseason player movement, league rule changes, the Athens Rock Lobsters, Savannah Ghost Pirates, and the future Ice Cove development, Matteen shifts the focus to his own preparation as the voice of the Athens Rock Lobsters. He explains how researching every player, building spotting charts, studying game film, tracking transactions, and preparing storylines all become essential parts of telling the story of a hockey game long before the puck ever drops. Listeners also get an inside look at the technology behind a modern broadcast, from score bugs and Stream Decks to live graphics, production workflows, and the unexpected technical challenges that can derail a game at any moment.The episode also serves as a heartfelt tribute to the people who transformed the Rock Lobsters broadcast into one of the most polished productions in minor league hockey. Matteen shares how producer Stephen Turner helped build the visual identity of the broadcast from the ground up, while Steven Selph streamlined the technical side of the production to create an experience that rivaled broadcasts at much higher levels of the sport. Their passion and creativity became the foundation of a production that grew alongside one of hockey’s newest franchises.Along the way, Matteen reflects on some of the most memorable moments of his broadcasting career, including unforgettable playoff calls, lessons learned behind the microphone, and the emotional impact of remembering former Rock Lobsters forward Orca Wiesblatt. The episode concludes with a rapid-fire listener Q&A covering broadcasting influences, television versus radio, favorite arenas, difficult broadcast positions, pregame routines, and whether a hometown broadcaster should openly cheer for the home team.Whether you’re a hockey fan, a sports broadcaster, or simply someone fascinated by the work that happens behind the scenes, this episode offers a rare and personal look at the preparation, teamwork, and passion required to make every hockey broadcast come to life.00:00 - Welcome Back to Peach State Puck01:42 - Around Georgia Hockey08:24 - How a Hockey Broadcast Begins12:15 - Building the Perfect Spotting Board15:20 - From Research to Live Broadcast17:43 - The Team Behind the Broadcast24:05 - When Live TV Goes Wrong30:00 - The Moments That Matter Most32:53 - The Future of the Broadcast35:04 - Broadcaster Quick Fire Q&A