Episode 18: NHL, Cawlidge Hawkey, PWHL Roundup

From the reigning National Championship winning Quinnipiac Bobcats, the set up man on the iconic overtime goal, Sam Lipkin joins Drop the Mitts for Episode 34. Sam talks about the goal and what he saw on the play along with Jacob Quillan's iconic celly hitting the Selanne with the stick toss in the stands. Sam talks about playing for legendary Head Coach Rand Pecknold and what he has meant to Quinnipiac as well as the chemistry he has with teammates Collin Graf and Jacob Quillan. With some of the most passionate fans in College Hockey Sam describes what its like playing in front of the Quinnipiac faithful. He also talks about his time with the Chicago Steel and the honor he had being able to wear the "C" as well as playing with guys like Owen Power, Adam Fantilli and Matt Coronato to name just a few. 

Later in the episode Chris talks about the first big trade to happen in the NHL where Chris Tanev was sent to the Dallas Stars. Was this an overpay? Chris also disects the new PWHL Playoff and Draft format which seemed to be a hit. Chris talks about the hot start Dallas Stars rookie Logan Stankoven is off. On a sad note Chris talks about the passing of Kenneth Mitchell who played the iconic role of Ralph Cox in Miracle who passed away Saturday after a long battle with ALS. Please consider donating to the ALS Association to help combat this horrible disease. 

As always if you enjoyed Drop the Mitts Hockey content please don't hesitate to leave a 5 star review and follow Chris Davis @chrisjdavis11 on all social media platforms as well as the podcast account @DropMittsHockey on all social media platforms. 

Our first ever tendy on Drop the Mitts! Two-time WJC Gold Medalist, Tampa Bay Lightning prospect and current Erie Otters Goalie Ben Gaudreau joins the show! Ben talks about the trade that sent him from the Sarnia Sting to the Erie Otters at the end of 2023 and now having an incredible season and in the running for OHL MVP. Ben discusses the special seasons Malcolm Spence and Matthew Schaefer are having. In addition to the Junior talk, Ben and Chris talk about the difference between College Hockey and Major Canadian Junior Hockey and the benefits and downfalls to each. Coming off an incredible Development Camp in Tampa Bay for the Lightning this summer Ben talks about meeting legends like Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman and facing Nikita Kucherov in drills. 
As always if you enjoyed Drop the Mitts Hockey content please don't hesitate to leave a 5 star review and follow Chris Davis @chrisjdavis11 on all social media platforms as well as the podcast account @DropMittsHockey on all social media platforms. 

BEANPOT PREVIEW
Two players who will be playing in today's Beanpot Finals joined the pod to talk about the upcoming Beanpot Finals. From the Northeastern Huskies Defensemen Jackson Dorrington (0:28) and from the Boston University Terriers Aiden Celebrini (20:00) Both guys gave their perspective on what the Beanpot means for themselves, their teammates and their respective Universities. In two playing each other this season they have gone to OT twice and both games ended 4-3 with them splitting the series. 
Chris also dives into his breakdown of today's upcoming game as well as news, notes as well as few suspensions that have happened in the last week. Congratulations to the 2024 U-17 USNTDP team taking home the Championship beating Czechia 5-4 in OT with Minnesota Gophers commit LJ Mooney ending it. 
As always if you enjoyed Drop the Mitts Hockey content please don't hesitate to leave a 5 star review and follow Chris Davis @chrisjdavis11 on all social media platforms as well as the podcast account @DropMittsHockey on all social media platforms. 

HUGE TRADE BREAKS MID EPISODE

Mid recording Elias Lindholm was traded from the Calgary Flames to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2024 First round pick, a Conditional 2024 Fourth Round Pick, Andrei Kuzmenko, Hunter Brzustewicz, Joni Jurmo. Huge trade to kick off the All Star Weekend. The Columbus Blue Jackets get some brutal new as they are going to miss former Michigan Wolverines star Adam Fantilli for 8 weeks with a Lacerated Calf. Patrick Laine will also miss time as he has entered the Player Assistance Program. Chris dives in to the huge news as 5 players were told by London Police to face charges of Sexual Assault. 

Northeastern Huskies stud Alternate Captain Gunnar Fontaine joins the pod to talk about the HUGE win over #3 Boston University on Tuesday night as well as the upcoming Beanpot as they take on the Harvard Crimson at 5:00 at the Garden. 

As always if you enjoyed Drop the Mitts Hockey content please don't hesitate to leave a 5 star review and follow Chris Davis @chrisjdavis11 on all social media platforms as well as the podcast account @DropMittsHockey on all social media platforms. 

MAYHEM ON BRUINS TWITTER. The rumor boys over at Spittin Chiclets reporting that former Bruins Captain Patrice Bergeron has been skating a lot. Could Bergy make a return to help the Bruins for a Cup run? The San Jose Sharks announce that they will be retiring Joe Thornton's #19 in the 2024-2025 season. The Vegas Golden Knights will be without Jack Eichel who is week to week who had lower body surgery. Exciting news as we are releasing a spin off of Drop the Mitts Hockey with PWHL Zone that will provide exclusive PWHL news, notes, scores and highlights. 

Chris is joined by the leading scorer in Division 1 Men's College Hockey Massimo Rizzo of the University of Denver. Rizzo talks about what its like playing for Head Coach David Carle as well as the tradition of University of Denver hockey. 

As always if you enjoyed Drop the Mitts Hockey content please don't hesitate to leave a 5 star review and follow Chris Davis @chrisjdavis11 on all social media platforms as well as the podcast account @DropMittsHockey on all social media platforms. 

MAYHEM IN THE NHL. Chris is joined by a legend in the game of hockey, longtime NHL analyst and two-time Stanley Cup Champion Pierre McGuire. Chris and Pierre sit down to discuss the latest on the blockbuster trade that sent current Boston College Forward Cutter Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for former 6th overall pick Jamie Drysdale and 2025 2nd round pick. Who is going to be the odd man out in Toronto after William Nylander signed his 8 year, 92 million dollar extension. Chris and Pierre talk about the World Junior tournament, who stood out the most and 2024 draft eligibles who also stood out in the tournament. We get to hear the origin story of Pierre McGuire and how his career took off. 

As always if you enjoyed Drop the Mitts Hockey content please don't hesitate to leave a 5 star review and follow Chris Davis @chrisjdavis11 on all social media platforms as well as the podcast account @DropMittsHockey on all social media platforms. 

WORLD JUNIOR GOLD MEDAL GAME: TEAM USA vs TEAM SWEDEN

Chris gives a preview to the Gold Medal Game, players to watch and score predictions. Founder of Everything College Hockey James Murray joins the pod to gives his prediction of the game and his predictions on Player of the Tournament. James also talks about what it's going to mean to have the 2026 World Junior Tournament in his home state of Minnesota. James talks about content Everything College Hockey has coming up with projected number 1 pick in this upcoming NHL Draft Boston University's Macklin Celebrini. James also talks about how electric Cornell hockey is and their fan base is in their latest vlog. He gives his predictions on who will win the Men's College Hockey Natty in addition to his prediction on the Hobey Baker winner. You can follow Everything College Hockey's content @TeamECH on Twitter and @everythingcollegehockey on Instagram.

As always if you enjoyed Drop the Mitts Hockey content please don't hesitate to leave a 5 star review and follow Chris Davis @chrisjdavis11 on all social media platforms as well as the podcast account @DropMittsHockey on all social media platforms. 

The PWHL season is underway! The first PWHL game on American soil PWHL Boston opens up their season at Tsongas Arena against PWHL Minnesota. Chris dives into players to watch in this game which include newly names Captain Hilary Knight and 3rd overall pick Alina Muller. For PWHL Minnesota the first overall selection Taylor Heise and Captain Kendall Coyne Schofield take the ice in Lowell. Chris breaks down 3 prospects in this upcoming draft including Defenseman Czechia Defenseman Adam Jiricek, Tri-City Storm Forward Trevor Connelly and Denver Defenseman Zeev Buium. 

Merrimack Forward Matt Copponi joins the show to discuss the season thus far as well his draft process and ultimately getting selected by the Edmonton Oilers. 

As always if you enjoyed Drop the Mitts Hockey content please don't hesitate to leave a 5 star review and follow Chris Davis @chrisjdavis11 on all social media platforms as well as the podcast account @DropMittsHockey on all social media platforms. 

Chris is solo-dolo for Episode 26 and talking all things World Juniors. Tons of games have been played so far in the World Juniors and we have seen tons of highlight reel goals and saves. Projected 1st overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and Boston University star Macklin Celebrini notches 5 points (1 G, 4 A) for Team Canada in a blowout 10-0 win over Latvia. Czechia unfortunately loses top Defenseman Adam Jiricek to a brutal knee injury and will be out for the tournament. Jiri Kulich and Eduard Sale light it up against Czechia over Norway with each getting a hat trick. Germany upsets Team Finland and Chris also gives his first Mock Draft of the 2024 NHL Draft picks 1-9 if the season were to end today. 

UMass Amherst Captain and Nashville Predators prospect Ryan Ufko joins the pod to talk about his journey to UMass, his experience playing in last year's World Juniors as well as his NHL Draft experience and getting selected in the 4th round at pick 115 to the Nashville Predators. 

As always if you enjoyed Drop the Mitts Hockey content please don't hesitate to leave a 5 star review and follow Chris Davis @chrisjdavis11 as well as the podcast account @DropMittsHockey

WORLD JUNIORS IS ALMOST HERE! Chris is joined by Brett Howard of the OnlyBruins Podcast to talk about the current state of the Boston Bruins as well as breaking down his native Canada's World Junior Roster. Will newly added center Matthew Poitras join projected number 1 pick Macklin Celebrini on a line? Chris breaks down the newly annouced USA Captains Rutger McGroarty wearing the "C" joined by Lane Hutson, Cutter Gauthier, Ryan Chesley and Gavin Brindley wearing the "A" The boys also talk about how 2024 draft eligible Center Konsta Helenius is due to have a HUGE tournament for Team Finland. 

As always if you enjoyed our content please don't hesitate to leave a 5 star review and follow Chris @chrisjdavis and Brett @bretthoward_ as well as the podcast account @DropMittsHockey