My Hockey Hero

About My Hockey Hero

Stories of hockey's diverse heroes, from early trailblazers to rising new talent. Their own stories in their own words, featuring players from all levels of the professional game. Together, we will bring the cards to life to understand the personality and the drive that allowed them to break down barriers.Hosted by Dean Barnes.

Publisher

Dean Barnes / Podstarter

Category

education · sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Feb 2023

Latest episode

19 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

51 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Jun 2026

   Mike McKegney: Hockey Dreams and Hard Truths from a Trailblazer

   Born in Halifax and adopted into a white family in Sarnia, Ontario, Mike McKegney grew up on a backyard rink that helped shape three high-level players: Mike, his older brother Ian (who reached the NHL with Chicago), and his younger brother Tony (who starred in the NHL with Buffalo, St. Louis, and Quebec). In this candid conversation, Mike reflects on his adoption journey, growing up as a Black player in 1960s–70s Canadian hockey, and becoming the first Black player ever signed by the Montreal Canadiens. He shares stories from Sarnia minor hockey, the Kitchener Rangers, pro stops in Nova Scotia, the NAHL, San Francisco, and Switzerland, and what it was like to skate alongside legends in Montreal’s system. Mike also opens up about his experience with hockey's drinking culture in the 1970s, his own struggle with addiction, and how it derailed his NHL ambitions, and the 26 years of sobriety that transform his life. With honesty and humility, he looks back on what might have been, what he’s learned, and why he’s ultimately grateful, for his family, his career, and his life now in Belize.

2. 

   27 May 2026

   Hayden Paupanekis: From Norway House to the Memorial Cup

   On this episode of My Hockey Hero, we celebrate the journey of Hayden Paupanekis, a six-foot-five center from the Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba and draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens (2025 NHL Draft, 4th round, 69th overall). Hayden reflects on learning to skate at five in Winnipeg’s minor hockey system, the support of his family and community, and the pride he takes in being a role model for Indigenous youth. He shares what it was like to be drafted into the WHL by the Spokane Chiefs, the challenges of moving away from home, the impact of his billet family, and adjusting to the business side of junior hockey. Hayden also talks about his offseason training, his experience at the NHL combine in Buffalo, the feedback from Montreal, and his transition to the Kelowna Rockets as they chase the Memorial Cup. We wrap up with rapid-fire questions on his role models, pregame rituals, and advice for young players about hard work and having a growth mindset. blackhockeycards.com (https://www.blackhockeycards.com/)

3. 

   12 May 2026

   Alex Huang: Trilingual Offensive Defenceman

   In this episode of My Hockey Hero, host Dean Barnes sits down with Alex Huang, star defenceman for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the QMJHL and 2025 draft pick of the Nashville Predators. Alex shares his journey as the son of Chinese immigrants growing up in a diverse Montreal suburb, his early love for hockey (starting on orange juice caps), and how the pandemic became a turning point in his development. He reflects on being an offensive defenceman, a trilingual student-athlete with Harvard on the horizon, and a role model for Asian and other racialized kids in hockey. Alex also talks about his team’s Memorial Cup aspirations, the demands of major junior hockey, and offers powerful advice to young players about self-belief, hard work, and carving their own path to the next level.  blackhockeycards.com (https://www.blackhockeycards.com/)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

243

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

74

Social presence

0

YouTube

72

Engagement

0

Contact My Hockey Hero

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.