Can You Keep a Secret?

Bret Hedican is a Stanley Cup champion, Olympian, accomplished television analyst, and he played over 1,000 games in the National Hockey League. But the real reason you need to listen to Hedi’s visit to the pod is he’s a passionate guy and a bucket of inspiration whose stories will make you want to run through a wall because you’re so pumped up. Hear tales from Bret’s career, lessons and mantras he learned along the way, and a sneak peek at his new business reinventing the backpack with hedigear.com. 

Jeff Christman was a legend we lost too soon. The guys catch up with the folks behind the annual Pickleball Vs. Cancer fundraiser created in his honor. Learn about the event which raises money each year to fight pancreatic cancer and hear about the man who inspired the event. Jeff Christman was a hockey guy, an inventor, and considered soccer to be an “activity” not a sport. What’s not to like? If you wish to be a part of the event in the future or donate email james@pickleballvscancer.com  

The guys welcome University of Minnesota Men’s Hockey Head Coach Bob Motzko to the podcast. Topics range from growing up in Austin, Minnesota to Twitter sensation @FakeBobMotzko. Coach Motzko shares how coaching legend Herb Brooks helped him get his start, his excitement for the smaller ice sheet at Mariucci, the heartbreak of coming up one game short in Tampa, and if Spam might be the Gophers official pregame meal as they try to work their way back to a third consecutive Frozen Four at home in Saint Paul next Spring.  

If your last name is Jordan, and your parents name you Michael—you better be good at something! Michael E. Jordan is good at a lot of things: he’s an entrepreneur, designer, and the CEO of UNRL. As Nike is to Portland and Under Armour is to Baltimore—UNRL is about to be to the Twin Cities. Michael shares how he turned $300 and an idea into one of the fastest growing and most exciting clothing brands in the country. 

Executive Director for the Hendrickson Foundation, Danny Hendrickson, stops by the pod to tell some “Larry the Legend” stories about his father, and to share what it’s like to be “the other brother” growing up alongside his Mr. Hockey and NHL-bound brother, Darby. The guys discuss the fundraising backbone behind the annual All Hockey Hair Team and tell some State Tourney stories live from the Let’s Play Hockey Expo in downtown Saint Paul.   

The Executive Director at Minnesota Hockey, Glen Andresen, swings by the pod to talk all things girl’s hockey. Andresen makes his case that a strong association can be built almost anywhere in Minnesota with the right leadership and commitment. He also shares some vintage Minnesota Wild stories, and provides a state of the union for the girls game in the State of Hockey.  

The queen of girl’s hockey in Minnesota, Winny Brodt-Brown, stops by the pod on Hockey Day Minnesota in White Bear Lake. Winny shares details of her new Celly Hard podcast soon to debut on the Pulltab Sports network. Topics include should your daughter play with the boys, the present state of beer league hockey for women, and if girl’s JV hockey should be eliminated altogether.   

If you’re looking for a little inspiration, look no further than Episode 14 of the Can You Keep a Secret? podcast, as Tom and John visit with a true “fire breather,” Casey O’Brien. Casey is a five-time cancer survivor who is currently fighting the disease for a sixth time. Despite numerous surgeries and setbacks, Casey still managed to get on the field and play football at the University of Minnesota. Casey opens up about his unique relationship with Coach P.J. Fleck, the Cretin-Derham Hall mafia that runs Saint Paul, and the charity work he’s doing to support M...

In Episode 13 of the Can You Keep a Secret? podcast, Tom and John are paid a visit by certified NHLPA Agent Tom Lynn. As the former assistant General Manager of the Minnesota Wild and current principal at Veritas, Lynn opens up about his role helping build the Wild business and brand, and how the landscape has changed today. The guys also share stories from a recent "gluten unfriendly" trip to Pittsburgh, and the many merits of cheese balls. 

In Episode 12 of the Can You Keep a Secret? podcast, Tom and John have a free-flowing discussion with Winnipeg Jets blueliner, Nate Schmidt. “The Great 88” discusses being undrafted, a rare fight in Da Beauty League, the folk hero that is Dustin Byfuglien, how to properly identify every brand of chewing tobacco using only smell, and how country music star Big Wet show up at his wedding.