Father & Son Face-off

The 2025–26 NHL hockey season has reached its thrilling conclusion! The guys open the episode with a special look at the story behind the son’s own jersey number selections, before diving into the Stanley Cup Final where the Carolina Hurricanes secured a dominant 4–2 series victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. They break down what made Carolina so unstoppable and reflect on the legacy of head coach Rod Brind'Amour, who cemented his place in history by winning the Cup with the same franchise as both a player and a coach. The guys celebrate the winner of the official "Father & Son Face-off" bracket challenge, "87's Bracket", and look forward to having them join the podcast for an upcoming guest spot. They also settle their own family bracket rivalry with a high-stakes, on-air rock-paper-scissors tiebreaker. Beyond the NHL, they catch up on the AHL playoffs, reminiscing about their own experience at a playoff game eight years ago. They touch on the nail-biting NBA Finals, recalling their memories of watching the Spurs win it all in 2014. Finally, they discuss the bittersweet side of the PWHL expansion draft, specifically addressing captain Hilary Knight’s move from the Seattle Torrent to Detroit.(Recorded 6/15/26)

The guys are back from their extended vacation just in time for the business end of the hockey calendar! They dive right back into the NHL playoffs, recapping both Conference Finals, and make their predictions for the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup Final. The team also checks in on their bracket challenges, confirming a family deadlock and promising to reveal the official "Father & Son Face-off" league winner as soon as the Cup is lifted. The discussion moves to the Memorial Cup, where the guys reflect on the Everett Silvertips’ hard-fought run, including the bittersweet final loss to the Kitchener Rangers. Despite the finish, there is plenty to celebrate as Everett star forward Julius Miettinen takes home the well-deserved WHL MVP honors. Finally, they pivot to the international stage to discuss the shocking upset at the IIHF World Championships, where Norway pulled off a stunning victory over Canada. The hunt for the Stanley Cup is hitting its peak—stay tuned!(Recorded 6/2/26)

The hockey world is buzzing with championship energy! The guys recap a heart-stopping Game 7 finish as the Montreal Canadiens knocked out the Buffalo Sabres, and they break down the high-stakes Conference Finals: Montreal vs. the Carolina Hurricanes in the East, and a massive showdown between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche in the West. They share their predictions for who will punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final. In women’s hockey, history was made! The guys talk about the PWHL Finals and they were excited to hear (the day after this recording) that the Montreal Victoire defeated the Ottawa Charge and captured their first-ever Walter Cup title. The guys also discuss the exciting news of the newest PWHL expansion team coming to San Jose. Closer to home, the celebration continues as the Everett Silvertips are crowned WHL champions! The son shares his (slightly salty) take on attending the only game the Tips lost during the finals, but they both celebrate the team’s tenacious run. Finally, they look ahead to the prestigious Memorial Cup in Kelowna, B.C., where the top major junior teams will battle for the ultimate prize. The duo will be taking off a week, but look forward to getting back to discuss the next round of playoff excitement.(Recorded 05/19/26)

The playoff intensity is off the charts across every tier of the sport! This week, the guys dive into second-round action of the NHL playoffs and are impressed with the Colorado Avalanche who look absolutely unstoppable right now. They also throw it back to the first round to chat about the mind-boggling Montreal win over Tampa Bay with only nine shots on goal. Next, they pivot to the PWHL, where the finals are officially locked in! The Minnesota Frost’s dreams of a three-peat are dashed as Montreal and Ottawa advance to battle for the Walter Cup. Plus, they look ahead to the league's bright future with the announcement of three massive expansion teams heading to Detroit, Las Vegas, and Hamilton. Finally, the show goes on the road! The duo shares a quick (and loud) live recording straight from Game 1 of the WHL Championship, where they cheered on the Everett Silvertips against the Prince Albert Raiders. The son highlights the thrill of watching 16-year-old phenom Landon DuPont live in action, and even though the Tips dropped the first game, the guys celebrate a massive post-recording spoiler: Everett bouncing back to win four straight and capture the WHL crown!(Recorded 5/13/26)

The first round is in the books, and the playoff intensity is just getting started! This week, the guys recap a wild opening round (spoiler alert: the Montreal vs. Tampa Bay Game 7 finish saw the Canadiens punch their ticket to the second round). It’s a bittersweet update as the son’s Dallas Stars are officially out, while the father’s Buffalo Sabres keep the dream alive heading into a Round 2 clash with Montreal. They also check the wreckage of their family bracket challenge, revealing whose picks are busted and who still has a chance at family glory. A shout-out to “87’s Bracket” who is currently sitting at the top of the official podcast league leaderboard! The duo then pivots to the PWHL, where the quest for the Walter Cup begins with Minnesota vs. Montreal and Boston vs. Ottawa. Finally, they celebrate some local legends as the Everett Silvertips head to the WHL Championship to battle for the Ed Chynoweth Cup.(Recorded 5/2/26)

The post-season is finally here! This week, the guys dive into the NHL Playoff bracket, breaking down the first-round matchups and locking in their official picks. They also share their excitement for the podcast’s Bracket Challenge and the chance to host a lucky listener as a guest star. The conversation shifts to the PWHL, where the playoff field is now officially set and the race for the Walter Cup is heating up. Closer to home, the son shares the big news from a stressful tryout season: he’s officially returning to his team as a veteran second-year player, with plenty of familiar teammates joining him for another run! Finally, they recount a "small world" encounter at a local ice cream shop with a player tied to the Jaden Schwartz family, proving once again that the hockey community is a very tight-knit circle.(Recorded 4/21/26)

The post-season is calling! This week, the guys break down the NHL playoff race, with the son rooting for the Dallas Stars to go all the way while lamenting the Seattle Kraken officially falling out of the hunt. They tackle the massive rumors surrounding an Alex Ovechkin retirement and give a huge stick tap to Cole Caufield for his incredible 50-goal season. They quickly recap the son’s first foray into NHL fantasy league where he had an interesting management approach and season. The conversation gets real with an update on youth hockey tryouts, as the son shares his perspective on dealing with disappointment and staying focused for the next opportunity on the schedule. Finally, they look ahead to a well-deserved spring break and the son’s birthday celebration at the Seattle Mariners game!(Recorded 4/9/26)

The hardware is coming home! The guys celebrate a massive State Championship sweep this past weekend, with the son’s team going 5-0 to claim the title. They break down the heart-pounding semi-final and final games, including a highlight-reel defensive play where the son, without his stick, fended off two opponents to keep possession. Beyond the ice, the duo discusses the importance of character, specifically the son’s sportsmanlike gesture toward a former teammate, a moment worthy of the NHL’s Lady Byng Trophy. They also catch up on the NHL playoff race as the first teams clinch their spots and look ahead to the Seattle Kraken heading overseas to Finland for the Global Series. Finally, they look forward to the upcoming tryout season and may likely take a short break while the son gets dialed in for the tryouts!(Recorded 3/23/26)

This episode is a "short shift" as the son locks in for his youth team’s upcoming State Championship tournament. After a few high-energy scrimmages, the team is pumped and ready to chase the title. The guys celebrate Team USA Sled Hockey’s dominant gold medal win in Milan, completing a historic "three-gold sweep" for USA Hockey. In the NHL, they break down the latest injury reports, welcoming Sidney Crosby back to the ice while keeping fingers crossed for Leon Draisaitl’s playoff return. Finally, they pivot to the diamond to recap Venezuela’s thrilling 3-2 upset over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic final. The duo wishes a huge "good luck" to every youth hockey team hitting the ice for their end-of-season championships!(Recorded 3/18/26)

The NHL trade deadline has come and gone, and the guys are grading the biggest moves—including John Carlson heading to the Ducks, Conor Garland to Columbus, and Nick Foligno’s emotional reunion with his brother in Minnesota. Over in Milan, the excitement is just as high as Declan Farmer shatters Paralympic scoring records, leading Team USA Sled Hockey into the semifinals. Closer to home, the son’s youth team is celebrating a first-place league finish and shifting into high gear with scrimmages and practices for the upcoming State Championship. Finally, the duo trades their skates for cleats as they discuss the high-energy World Baseball Classic and the son’s upcoming first day of Little League!(Recorded 3/9/26)

Episode 14 starts with a huge "welcome to the bench" for some new listeners—the son’s very own teammates! The guys recap a close season finale for the youth team, where they faced a tough goalie but still managed to come out ahead to finish on a high note. The energy stays high as they discuss the Seattle Torrent’s record-breaking sellout and the homecoming for the Olympic medalists returning to PWHL ice. The duo also looks ahead to the Paralympics, specifically cheering on legendary sled hockey goaltender Jen Lee, whom they remember watching practice years ago in San Antonio! They also give a massive shout-out to the accessibility features at their local rink that make sled hockey possible there. Finally, they touch on the son's latest fantasy hockey game in progress, a so-far quiet NHL trade deadline approaching, and the importance of Hockey Week Across America and "Try Hockey For Free" day.(Recorded 3/4/26)

It’s a golden episode! The guys recap the heart-stopping USA Olympic double-gold sweep, with both the men’s and women’s teams defeating Canada in dramatic 2-1 overtime thrillers. They celebrate the heroics of the goalies and Seattle Torrent captain Hilary Knight, whose clutch game-tying goal forced the son to cheer (very quietly!) while behind enemy lines in Canada. Back home, the son shares the excitement of a 5:00 AM wake-up call for the men’s final followed by his own league-clinching victory later that day. The duo also reflects on a tough tournament in Canada, discussing hard lessons about avoiding retaliatory penalties in the face of derogatory taunts. Speaking of lessons learned, they were disappointed in the U.S. men’s team’s behavior and hope the incident emphasizes the importance of championing women in sports and showing respect at every level.(Recorded 2/22/26)

The Winter Games are officially underway, and Episode 12 is packed with Olympic fever, championship celebrations, and league-leading updates! The guys dive into the kickoff of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games, sharing their impressions of everything from curling and ski jumping to the biathlon. On the ice, they break down the USA Women’s historic dominance and look ahead to the men’s puck drop—though the son laments the struggle of catching those live games across the time zones! The celebration continues off the ice as they celebrate the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX victory. Back on local ice, the son’s youth team is sitting pretty at the top of the league with only three losses all season and four more games to go. To wrap up, they preview their final travel tournament in British Columbia and announce a short break for some much-needed ski days.(Recorded 2/9/26)

The duo is back in the booth after a quick flu-induced hiatus, and they have plenty to report from their marathon trip to Irvine, California! They recap a packed weekend of youth hockey, Hollywood sights, and whirlwind day at Disneyland. The guys also share their live impressions of the North American Roller Hockey Championship (NARCh), their first time seeing the game on wheels. The son’s team also got to experience watching the Ducks and Kings battle it out in person at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Next, the father and son break down the memorable Stadium Series clash between Tampa Bay and Boston and the latest blockbuster NHL trade. Finally, they send some hometown love to the Seattle Seahawks as they head to the Super Bowl!(Recorded 2/4/26)

The guys take a quick detour to the gridiron to recap their New Year’s trip to the Alamo Bowl before diving headfirst back into the rink. They break down recent NHL milestones from legends like Crosby and Ovechkin, while checking in on the league's newest rising star, Celebrini. The duo celebrates Sweden’s 2026 World Junior gold medal victory before getting into the "dirty areas" of youth hockey, including a Brad Marchand-level cheap shot from the son! They also preview an upcoming travel tournament to Irvine, California, debut a self-proclaimed “hilarious” chirp of the week, and start a search for the perfect podcast catchphrase. Have an idea? Let them know in the comments!(Recorded 1/11/26)

This episode brings the energy (and loudness!) of the arena directly to your ears! Recorded primarily on December 23rd, the guys, along with Mom (aka the Producer), took in their very first PWHL game as the Seattle Torrent faced off against the Montreal Victoire. You’ll hear live play-by-play and reactions from their seats as they witness a hard fought 2-1 win for the home team. To wrap up the year, they share their thoughts on the Winter Classic and look ahead to all the big goals and highlight-reel moments coming in the new year.(Recorded 12/23/25)

In this festive holiday episode, the guys share last-minute hockey gift ideas, highlighting the popularity of mystery mini sticks. This leads to (yet another) tangent about the crazy world of knee hockey and an update on the son's most recent game. Moving to the NHL, they break down highlight-reel goals from Celebrini and McDavid. The conversation then shifts to the crease, focusing on the recent swap of Skinner and Jarry and the unique artistry of custom goalie masks especially when a traded netminder ends up wearing his old team’s colors. Finally, the duo wraps up the year with their warmest holiday wishes and a Happy New Year to all their listeners.(Recorded 12/17/25)

After a slight delay (thanks to theatre and band!), the guys are back to catch up on all things hockey. They break down the son's recent games and his struggles in fantasy hockey. The spotlight then turns to equipment as they discuss the son's broken stick and dive into what players should look for in a new hockey stick's flex and curve. On the international stage, they analyze the controversial situation surrounding the Milan Winter Olympics rink construction and its impact on the NHL's participation. Finally, they unpack the details of the league's recent blockbuster trade that sent shockwaves across the NHL!(Recorded 12/12/25)

Join the Father and Son for a special holiday episode! Part of the show was recorded live from the arena at the exciting Seattle Kraken vs. Dallas Stars game on Thanksgiving Eve. They share their unique rinkside experience where father and son are rooting for opposing teams. They also discuss the record-breaking turnout at the Seattle Torrent's home opener. Plus, the son gives the full recap of his Thanksgiving weekend tournament. They wrap things up with a brief look at the latest bizarre off-ice injuries impacting NHL players, proving you don't always need to be on the ice to land in the ER!(Recorded 11/26/25 & 12/3/25)

The Father-Son duo returns for Episode 5, kicking things off with a PWHL follow-up and the excitement surrounding the Seattle Torrent’s upcoming home opener! The discussion shifts to the son’s latest youth hockey weekend, including a (somewhat confusing) breakdown of how hockey lines work. They also chat about wild NHL stories involving players who recently lost their cool and their teeth (aka chiclets). Finally, to help new fans keep up, they introduce a segment dedicated to defining hockey terms. (Recorded 11/18/25)

Episode 4 is here! The guys dive into the exciting news surrounding the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) expansion teams in the Pacific Northwest. They recap the son's last weekend games, which turned out to be quite physical. Plus, they run through some NHL highlights. And they do a fun quiz of "Hockey This or That", inspired by the Seattle Junior Hockey Association!(Recorded 11/9/25)

The Father-Son duo returns for a post-Halloween check-in. They wrap up the World Series outcome, recount their spooky season festivities, and recap a college hockey game they attended. On the ice, they update listeners on the latest wins, and losses, for both the fantasy team and the youth squad. The discussion then shifts to the NHL's top goal scorers this season. Finally, they encourage all interested kids to look for a "Try Hockey For Free" event in their area - it's the perfect entry point to the greatest game on Earth.(Recorded 11/3/25)

The guys are back to cover the latest in hockey! The son gives the lowdown on his fantasy league team and shares an update on his youth hockey season, including thoughts on the new video reviews. Plus they talk about the emotional return of Brad Marchand to Boston and even squeeze in a little chat about the World Series.(Recorded 10/25/25)

It's the inaugural episode of the father and son hockey face-off. Join them as they introduce themselves, share their very different hockey backgrounds and immediately get into it with what's happening heading into the new NHL season.(Recorded 10/15/25)

Welcome to the Father & Son Face-off podcast. New episodes coming soon!