Episode 10: James Sanford

After almost six months away from our microphones, the Rode Trips crew is back with a bang in episode 11 as we catch up with former Cape Breton Eagles star and now Ottawa Senators prospect Egor Sokolov! Egor talks about leaving home at 13, moving to Canada at 17, the impact of his billet family and former Eagles teammate and future Senators teammate Drake Batherson, the importance of patience and hard work, his experience at the World Junior Championships, what it was like to finally hear his name called at the NHL Draft, and more!

In episode 10 our guest is James Sanford! James is the all-time scoring leader amongst Moncton Wildcats defensemen and went on to have a 10-year professional hockey career. James shares his journey with us, including the highs and lows, and talks about how he is focused now on helping the next generation of young hockey players as head coach of the Cape Breton Cougars Major Bantam hockey team.

In episode 9 our guest is Cole Harbour’s first Stanley Cup Champion, Joe DiPenta! Joe’s story is captivating, to say the least, and one that our community has always been so proud of, despite the spotlight shifting to Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon shortly after Joe reached the ultimate pinnacle in the sport of hockey, Joe was the first one to reach that peak from the town that is now so well known across the hockey world! Joe talks about his path from minor hockey to playing NCAA hockey for Boston University, returning to the Halifax Mooseheads to play in the Memorial Cup, his journey through the AHL to the NHL, and what life has been like after retiring from professional hockey.

In episode 8 our guest is Paul Mason, a friend and long-time minor hockey and baseball coach in Cole Harbour. Paul talks about how he got into coaching many years ago, some of his best memories from those years, his many years making kids smile as Santa Clause on Christmas Eve, a prank he pulled on Sidney Crosby’s mother at a restaurant in Prince Edward Island, and more!

In episode 7 we catch up with Dr. Daryl Dillman! Daryl tells us about his days playing hockey in Cole Harbour, a serious car accident at the age of 17, finishing medical school at the age of 23, competing on the Canada's Smartest Person game show, and now Orthopedic Surgeon & Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago!

In episode 6, we chat with Cole Harbour native Mike Chiasson. Mike talks about his playing days from minor hockey through to University hockey with the Acadia Axemen. We also hear about an unfortunate run-in with Alexander Radulov, a close-call EBUG situation where he almost had to fill in for Marc-Andre Fleury, his close friendship with Sidney Crosby, and much more!

In part 2 of our chat with Shawn O'Brien, he tells us about a time when he impersonated a member of the Bowness family, what he looks for in a player when scouting, having an agent at a young age, and more!!

Episode 4 features part 1 of our chat with Shawn O'Brien, who shares his views on being a hockey parent to four children, off-season training, early specialization, the current state of minor hockey, and more! 

In episode 3, we chat with former Halifax Mooseheads star Bryce Swan. Bryce talks about his days in the QMJHL, getting drafted into the NHL, turning down an NHL contract, injuries, and his latest passion project.

In episode 2, we continue our discussion with Nathan Welton. He talks about what it was like playing for Patrick Roy with the Quebec Remparts, winning the QMJHL President's Cup with the Moncton Wildcats, another close call at a National Championship in the Memorial Cup, and what it was like playing with Sidney Crosby throughout his minor hockey years.