A Great Day for Hockey Talk is a Pittsburgh Penguins podcast hosted by Paul Steigerwald with a new episode featuring a special guest debuting bi-weekly during the season.
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.
23 Apr 2020
Episode 17: Harnarayan Singh
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
22 Feb 2020
Episode 16: The Miracle on Ice
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.
21 Jan 2020
Episode 15: The Resiliency of the Penguins
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.
14 Dec 2019
Episode 14: Bob Berry
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.
26 Nov 2019
Episode 13: John Buccigross
On this episode of A Great Day for Hockey talk Paul Steigerwald is joined by John Buccigross, the voice of college hockey on ESPN. He is funny, passionate, knowledgeable, opinionated , an excellent writer and an engaging public speaker. John grew up following the Penguins, listening to games and watching the local sports teams and sportscasters. At a young age, “Bucci “ told his friends he would someday be on ESPN , and he made it. John Buccigross is one of the finest hockey play by play announcers in the world and hoping to call many NHL games in the years to come. In the meantime, he will continue to excel as the voice of college hockey on ESPN.
6 Nov 2019
Episode 12: Darius Kasparaitis
We figured Darius Kasparaitis would be an entertaining guest but little did we know! The funny and engaging former Penguins defenseman practically reached folk hero status during his six seasons in the black and gold uniform.
25 Oct 2019
Episode 11: Mike "Doc" Emrick
What makes a Hall Of Fame Broadcaster? First and foremost, passion. Years of dedication and excellence. And a special voice quality that separates him from all the rest. In this episode of A Great Day for Hockey Talk, Paul Steigerwald sits down with Mike “Doc” Emrick, the voice of hockey in America.
9 Oct 2019
Episode 10: Sergei Gonchar
Sergei Gonchar, the soft spoken Penguins assistant coach continues to make a significant impact on the organization. His professional relationship and friendship with fellow countryman Evgeni Malkin is still going strong. In this podcast, the former defenseman talks about the days when Geno lived in Gonchar’s home.
9 Apr 2019
Episode 9: The Glue Guys with Phil Bourque, Bob Errey, and Troy Loney
Bob Errey, Phil Bourque, and Troy Loney are legendary Penguins role players. They are Penguins through and through. They embody the entire history of the Penguins, having played in some of the darkest eras, and emerging as key contributors to the brightest moments in franchise history.
Listen to this organic conversation between the three of them and get a glimpse of what they experienced on the way to the top of the mountain in 1991. They were indispensable pieces in a championship puzzle.
20 Mar 2019
Episode 8: Memories, Milestones, and a Miracle with Mark Johnson
Mark Johnson is an American Sports Legend. His last name is synonymous with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ten years before his father, Badger Bob Johnson, became coach of the Penguins, Mark joined the Penguins as a player. He came to Pittsburgh with a shiny gold medal after turning in an MVP performance for United States “Miracle On Ice“ Olympic Team at Lake Placid.
15 Feb 2019
Episode 7: Bench Boss, Broadcasting, and a Brave Battle with Eddie Olczyk
Eddie Olczyk joins Paul Steigerwald on this week's edition of A Great Day for Hockey Talk.
26 Dec 2018
Episode 6: Remembering the remarkable '09 Stanley Cup Run with Rob Scuderi and Hal Gill
Hal "Skillsy" Gill, and Rob "The Piece" Scuderi, or bits and pieces as they referred to themselves, were a vital defensive tandem for the 2009 Stanley Cup Champions.
Each of them talks about what it was like to be on the ice in those final dramatic seconds of Game 7 when the Penguins won the Stanley Cup on June 12th, 2009.
Other highlights include:
-Hal’s humorous recollection of his interactions with Sidney Crosby
-Rob’s big save in game six of the Stanley Cup final
-Hal talks about how Dan Bylsma gave him a chance to make an impact after Michel Therrien has made him healthy scratch
-Both players talk about the thrill of winning and celebrating with fans of Pittsburgh
-Hal talks about how his days as a high school quarterback shaped him as a confident leader on the ice
-Rob reflects on his early days in Wilkes-Barre shaped him into the durable workhorse that he became at the NHL level
-Hal and Rob discuss how they earned their respective nicknames
-Hal recalls the Stanley Cup celebration in Mario’s swimming pool
19 Nov 2018
Episode 5: Penguins' Past and Present with Pierre McGuire
Pierre McGuire joins Paul Steigerwald on this week's edition of A Great Day for Hockey Talk. Pierre reveals how he met Scotty Bowman how he was hired by the Penguins in 1990. He also discusses what it was like to work for the triumvirate of Craig Patrick , Bob Johnson and Bowman, and he details his role as a Penguins scout and how he transitioned into coaching in 1991-92.
2 Nov 2018
Episode 4: Cups, Call-ups, and Coaches with Colby Armstrong and Max Talbot
Colby Armstrong and Max Talbot join Paul Steigerwald on this week's edition of A Great Day for Hockey Talk. The guys talk about what it was like playing under former Penguins coach Michel Therrien, explain what it was like for Colby's first call-up to the NHL, and memories from playing in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Max also talks about being the 2009 Stanley Cup Hero and what it's like living in Russia.
18 Oct 2018
Episode 3: Looking Back with Lemieux's Linemates
It’s been 30 years since Mario Lemieux scored a career-high 199 points in 1988-1989, the most remarkable statistical season in Penguins history. So it’s only appropriate that this week’s version of the “It’s A Great Day For Hockey Talk” podcast checks in with both of Mario’s linemates from that season – left wing Bob Errey, currently a Penguins TV analyst with AT&T SportsNet, and right wing Rob Brown, a radio analyst for the Edmonton Oilers.
Host Paul Steigerwald also chats briefly with Hall of Fame defenseman Paul Coffey, another dynamic force from the 1988-89 team. All three players had a unique-ice level view as Mario tore through the NHL with 85 goals and 114 assists in 76 games, leading the Penguins to the playoffs for the first time in seven years.
“Just an amazing year, looking back,” Errey said. “Mario was unbelievable, virtually unstoppable.”
Brown ranked second on the team in scoring with 49 goals and 66 assists for 115 points in 68 games. Errey, who was expected to be the line’s defensive presence. still checked in with 25 goals and 32 assists for 58 points in 76 games while posting a plus-40 rating (second only to Mario’s plus-41). One of the most remarkable statistical footnotes is that Errey had 25 goals without playing on the power play.
6 Oct 2018
Episode 2: Hockey Strategy and Stories with Scotty Bowman
Hockey legend Scotty Bowman joins Paul Steigerwald on the second episode of A Great Day for Hockey Talk. Scotty and Steigy talk about a variety of topics, including some of Scotty's favorite stories from when he was a NHL general manager, the growth of hockey in Pittsburgh, and watching NHL greats like Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby play when they were still teenagers.
28 Sept 2018
Episode 1: Summer and Sports Stars with Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby joins Paul Steigerwald on the inaugural episode of A Great Day for Hockey Talk. Sid discusses how the game has evolved over the years, his summer travels around the world, and how he stays on top of his game.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
73 ratings
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