#16: Bringing the BOOM BOOM in hockey and life

You will love our guest on this week's episode, whether you are hockey fan or know nothing about the sport. After I talk briefly about fighting the good fight of faith, Coach Jerome "Boom Boom" Bechard discusses his hockey career (including a stint with Wayne Gretzky), the role of fighting and spiritual faith in the sport, and how this former pro hockey player defines true success. We start our Run The Race podcast chat (4:20) with how he got some famous nicknames as a no teeth, long-haired, aggressive hockey player. He also talks about (6:25) his regimen now for fitness and faith, including a defining moment that started with a puck to the face and ended with a bad wreck in an ice storm. (11:15) Bechard's hockey journey started in Saskatchewan, Canada. He left home at age 15, was drafted by the Hartford Whalers. He talks about playing in Lake Placid (site of the Miracle on Ice) and being in LA Kings training camp with the legendary Wayne Gretzky. Boom Boom says success is not just about money but helping others. You know you love a good hockey fight (16:30) but why and how does that fighting happen? Bechard explains it in-depth. (21:09) The hockey coach, husband and father also talks about if spiritual faith is part of hockey culture, including changes made thanks to the team pastor for the former Columbus Cottonmouths. (24:09) He's now the coach of the Columbus (GA) Riverdragons hockey team. Boom Boom chats with me about the rough start this first season, setting a FPHL attendance record over the weekend, and their current hot streak while playing "Boom Boom" style hockey. We also discuss the athleticism of hockey players. We close with some family talk! (29:19) My "pint-sized" 2nd cousin, Tim Santopoalo from Illinois, is on the Riverdragons team. And Bechard talks about his two daughters, one a UGA alum and the other playing soccer at Auburn University. War Eagle! And go Riverdragons, who clinched a playoff spot! We close the episode (35:59) with the final segments include "Food for Thought" on boxing to help Parkinson's patients and a controversy over Bible verses on Army dog tags. Thanks for listening! Make sure to subscribe to this podcast. And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRacePodcast. Also, write a quick review about it. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.