Penguins Podcasts: A Great Day for Hockey Talk

The 1st episode of the 2023-2024 season with Penguins General Manager/President of Hockey Operation Kyle Dubas and Josh Getzoff.

In 1987, Rick Tocchet made it all the way to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers. His team came up short against the Edmonton Oilers. When he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in February of 1992, he would bring a valuable combination of experience and hunger to a Penguins team that needed his unique brand of toughness and skill. In this edition of A Great Day for Hockey Talk, Tocchet reflects on that magical run to a second consecutive Stanley Cup Finals with his new team. Highlights include : -Tocchet’s memories of joining a new team and replacing Mark Recchi, a popular player he would later befriend. -His special role as Mario Lemieux’s right winger and the adjustments he had to make in his game to accommodate the Penguins captain. -His approach to providing protection for Lemieux and his other teammates. -Some humorous stories from the days of the NHL players strike that interrupted the teams drive to the playoffs. -Lessons he learned as a player that he still applies today as an NHL coach. -The thrill and satisfaction he still feels to this day from winning the 1992 Stanley Cup against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Bonino! Bonino! Bonino! When Nick Bonino scored the game winning goal in overtime to clinch the second round series against the Washington Capitals on the way to the 2016 Stanley Cup Championship, not one, but two Penguins cult figures were born.­ From a studio in Canada, the voice of Hockey Night in Canada in Punjabi, Harnarayan Singh, called the goal in his native language in such colorful fashion, that replays of the call went viral on social media. Radio and tv stations in Pittsburgh played it over and over again while the Penguins completed their run for the Cup.­ In this edition of A Great Day For Hockey Talk, Paul Steigerwald visits with Singh from his home in Calgary, to relive his memories of that magical phenomenon.­ Make sure follow Harnarayan on Twitter @IceSinghHNIC, Instagram @icesinghhnic, and Facebook @IceSingh Highlights include:­­ -Singh’s childhood dreams of becoming a nationally known hockey announcer in Canada­. -The story of how he blurted out Bonino’s name several times when he scored that series clinching goal­. -His recollection of how word got to him of the enthusiastic reaction he was getting from Pens fans­. -The invite from the Penguins to visit Pittsburgh. -The unforgettable experience of meeting the Penguins players and participating in the Stanley Cup Parade­.

Do you believe in miracles? February 22nd, 2020 marks the 40th anniversary of the “Miracle On Ice”, when the US Olympic Hockey Team delivered what Sports Illustrated declared the “Greatest Moment of the 20th Century” by upsetting the heavily favored Soviets with a thrilling 4-3 victory on the way to a gold medal. The Penguins have good reason to celebrate this anniversary with pride, having a deeper and longer connection to the Miracle On Ice team than any other NHL Franchise. In this edition of GDFHT, Paul Steigerwald sits down with three men who played significant roles on the team, Craig Patrick, Mike Eruzione, and Mark Johnson. He also talks with the man who provided color analysis on the ABC telecast throughout the teams incredible run, Ken Dryden. Highlights include: *Former Penguins General Manager Craig Patrick’s account of his time as the team’s assistant coach and his relationship with relationship with legendary coach Herb Brooks. * Team USA Captain Mike Eruzione’s reflections on the teams pre-Olympics preparation that included more than 60 exhibition games and his description of what Patrick meant to the team. * Team USA MVP (and former Penguin) Mark Johnson describing his impressions of Soviet hockey and the effect Herb Brooks’ famous pre-game speeches had on the team. * ABC Broadcaster and former Montreal Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden’s unique psychological narrative of the improbable upset.

In the latest edition of GDFHT Paul Steigerwald presents a narrative account of how the Penguins have forged an identity of resilience dating all the way back to the early nineties. He reached out to players past and present and sought the perspective of a veteran hockey journalist to tell the story. Highlights include : -A conversation with Pens assistant coach Mark Recchi and his linemates John Cullen and Kevin Stevens, the famous “option line“ formed by coach Badger Bob Johnson in 1990.91. -An interview with former USA Today hockey writer Kevin Allen -Comments from Jared MCCann and Zach Aston-Reese on how the 2019.20 Penguins are displaying and reinforcing the tradition of gaining strength by overcoming adversity. -Sidney Crosby’s reaction to how the team performed for 28 games in his absence.

Bob Berry was Mario Lemieux‘s very first coach in the National Hockey League. He was hired on June 4, 1984, just five days before Mario was drafted first overall in Montreal. He made his mark as a player in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings as a two-time All-Star in the early '70s. He coached the Kings for three years before being hired to coach the team he grew up following, the Montréal Canadiens, in 1981. After a 3- year stint with the Canadiens, Berry was hired to coach the Penguins by GM Eddie Johnston. In this episode of GDFHT, he talks about his time behind the Penguins bench from 1984 to 1987. Other highlights include: -his reflections on growing up in Montreal as a fan of the Canadiens -Reference to his time as a professional wide receiver in CFL -Life in LA as a player and coach -His relationship with former Pens assistant coach Jimmy Roberts -His coaching style and what is was like to be with the Penguins as compared to working for the Canadiens. -His current life in Palm Desert California -His love of Pittsburgh