The Fight Plan is a raw, real, and unfiltered podcast hosted by former AHL/NHL fighter Kurtis Gabriel. Kurtis and his guests explore fights on the ice and in sports—and how they relate to the battles we all face: mental and physical health, relationships, life circumstances, and world events. Guests are met where they are on their journey, and we can each find ourselves in their stories. After every conversation, Kurtis is joined by his dear friend Ben Meyers, a mental health coach with a decade of experience, for "After The Bell" to unpack what came up.
In the 19th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by maybe the only guy who has become more famous after being a first round pick of the Montreal Canadiens…Terry Ryan. From a dominant minor hockey player, to a powerhouse junior player not afraid of anybody, he rose the ranks no matter what coast of Canada he was on, only to have this career stall and lose momentum in pro quickly. After hitting rock bottom outside a Newfoundland bar, he has climbed the ranks of film, and now stars as Ted Hitchcock on the hit TV show "Shoresy." He goes deep in our pod, vulnerably sharing his rock bottom, and the incredibly tragic circumstances that played out. I am so proud of this guy!
#terryryan #hockeyfights #shoresy #thefightplanpodcast #nhl
8 Sept 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #18 with Brian McGrattan
In the 18th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by non other than most of the baddest men to ever do the job…Brian McGrattan. Born in the Hammer, Hamilton, ON, he was a dominant player growing up, who then had to adapt his game after injury and fully embrace the physical side of the game he already loved. This man went from getting beat up and learning the rope from fellow legend Dennis Bonvie in the jungle (AHL), to becoming THE MONSTER of all monsters in the jungle, setting a penalty minute record during the 2004-2005 lockout with 551 pims with over 40 fights. Taking out his boyhood idol Tie Domie solidified him in the NHL. All this sets up the profound contrast to the life he lived now, that he so powerfully, and vulnerably shares with us. WHAT. A. POD!
1 Sept 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #17 with Jake Dotchin
In the 17th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by my former junior teammate, and Victor Hedman's D partner, Jake Dotchin. The podcast opens with the most hilarious moment that kicks off a heartfelt conversation between two guys who met when they were 17 & 18. Dotch was hilarious, hardworking, and knew when to be mean on the ice. From his massive open ice hits, booming slapshot, willingness to fight anybody, and team first attitude, he forged a career that took him to the top of one of the most dominant franchises or our era in Tampa bay. He dealt with his fair share of adversity, and now is giving what he learned back to kids coaching AAA in his hometown of Cambridge.
18 Aug 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #16 with Dale Weise
In the 16th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by Montreal Canadiens legend Dale Weise. I always knew Weiser and I had a lot in common, and I was not wrong! We both identify as super fans of the game who made it the NHL. Weiser had much more success being a guy who was so effective, especially in the playoffs. His emotional play and skating was so frustrating to opponents, namely Milan Lucic, because of his relentless forecheck, physicality, and ability to contribute offensively. He could do a little bit of everything, and his inner belief is on display during our whole, electric conversation. I call this guy a brother now, and feel so honored to have had him on the podcast!
11 Aug 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #15 with Ryan VandenBussche
In the 15th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by one of the toughest pound for pound players to ever drop the gloves, Ryan VandenBussche. This guy learned how to be a team player in the tobacco fields of Norfolk County, Ontario, and he learned how to take a beating from his older brother too. That upbringing forged a man who could go into "zombie mode" where the lights were on, nobody was home, and he kept on fighting, routinely giving up 5 inches and 50 pounds. This lead to devastating consequences, not only for his opponents health, but also for his own, and even off the ice trouble. He has somehow come out the other side in one piece, and is a proud father, husband, business owner, and contributor in his community.
11 Aug 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #14 with Scott Sabourin
In the 14th episode of The Fight Plan, we are joined by the man, the myth, and the legend, Scotty Sabourin. I played against, with, and fought Sabs at different points of my career, and we had the most diverse kind of run ins. He is a journeyman pro fighter that can play, and an amazing teammate, and that's why he has become such a valuable vet in the AHL, and an impactful player in the NHL. With a frame very similar to mine, he is always giving up tons of weight and strength to the guys he fights, but more than holds his own. Off the ice though, what has allowed him to last this long, and be close to making the NHL full time, is his very grounded mindset.
11 Aug 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #13 with Samuel Morin
In the 13th episode of the The Fight Plan, we got a legit boogey man…Samuel Morin. This guy is so big, long and strong, he barely ever got punched in the face on the ice or off. From hard working roots, watching his parents build a very successful catering business from scratch, he channeled all his focus into hockey. He knew he was going to play in the NHL, because he would not allow another outcome. Blessed with rare athleticism in his 6'7" frame, his intensity and focus took over, propelling him on a meteoric rise to the NHL, annihilating everyone in his way! Then the path got real hard…
14 Jul 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #12 with Ryan Schnell
In the 12th episode of the Fight Plan, we are joined by journey man AHLer Ryan Schnell. A guy I fought in my first season, while Schneller played his last. If you just take a glance of this guy's elite prospects, he was ALWAYS willing to do the job. It did not matter what jungle monster was lined up against him, he more than held his own. From humble Illinois beginnings, in a non-hockey family, Schneller forged his own path with his man child of a body, and fought his way through an unconventional path to pro hockey. The peace he has found since stepping away from the game at 26 when the mental grind became too much, is so beautiful. He is the embodiment of JUST SHOW UP.
28 Jun 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #11 with Triston Grant
In the 11th episode of Fight Plan, we got a guy as tough and blue collar as it gets…Triston Grant. Hailing from the small Manitoba town of Neepewa, he began his fight, and realized he was pretty damn good at it. Sticking up to bullies off the ice, being a man child with hockey skills on it, he ascended the ranks taking on all comers. The first guest to reach out to me to come on, Granter opens up and is very vulnerable about his struggles and his triumphs, leading to being the amazing girl dad he is today, working for himself in the trades.
21 Jun 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #10 with Dan Carcillo
In the 10th episode of Fight Plan, our guest is a man that is truly alchemizing his own suffering into his offering…Daniel Carcillo. The nickname "Car Bomb" was earned. He took a pound of flesh from every opponent on his way to the NHL. But, that explosion to the top damaged him just as equally. Now, his nickname is more along the lines of "Love Bomb" and this conversation proves it. His peaceful, stoic, presence and deep vulnerability, are on full display as he holds nothing back.
14 Jun 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #9 with Aaron Volpatti
In the 9th episode of Fight Plan, our guest is a true renaissance man…Aaron Volpatti. Former undrafted NHL tough guy, 40% burn survivor, author, speaker, cognitive performance coach, injury coach, husband, father, and musician. This conversation was every bit as good as I thought it would be, with our multitude of shared interests, but also unique differences. I promise you will leave this conversation feeling a very high vibration. We will DEFINITELY have him on for another episode within a year.
7 Jun 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #8 with Ben Meyers
In the 8th episode of Fight Plan, our guest is none other than the co-host of "After The Bell" —somebody like you, Ben Meyers. We have an absolute blast for 2 hours diving into his origin story, and what harrowing challenges he went through to emerge from the cocoon of life, the powerful embodiment of a man that he is…& he is just getting started! A powerful yet nurturing presence, this guy…in only two years…has shown me the standard of true, cell deep, spiritual friendship.
1 Jun 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #7 with Brady Leavold
In the 7th episode of Fight Plan, I'm joined by my good friend Brady Leavold who I am sure many of you already know. I have been on his Puck Support Podcast twice, and now we get to turn the table around and dive into him more. We go back to his childhood love of the game, but then get into where he is now after getting re-established in life. What are his new challenges? What breakthroughs is he making? We take it as it comes and go deep on a lot of topics, and Brady shares some wild stories with his trademark unflinching honesty
24 May 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode 6 with Jeff Viel
In the 6th episode of Fight Plan, I'm joined by Jeff Viel of the Anaheim Ducks. Vieler is an absolute junk yard dog, and one of the few fighters who truly LOVES to fight. He might be the most calm & easy going, yet hard working, psycho killer I have ever met…I would have loved to go to war with him every night bash brothers style! I believe has finally earned his place in the show as a full time NHLer with the Anaheim Ducks. He takes on all comers, is an unbelievable team mate, and scored huge dirty goals in the playoffs.
17 May 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #5 with Garrett Mitchell
In the 5th episode of Fight Plan, I'm joined by Garrett Mitchell who was the best team captain I have ever had. Why? Because he always showed up, & did not let fear ever deter him. Never afraid to fight the toughest on the ice, or stand up and advocate for himself & his team mates off of it, Mitchy takes us through his very unique journey from Regina, Saskatchewan, through the minors, to puckdrop in Washington, D.C, in his first NHL game. A guy I call a true brother then has a twist that makes the second half of his career very inspiring.
10 May 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #4 with Darren Kramer
In the 4th episode of Fight Plan, I'm joined by hockey fight legend Darren Kramer, a guy I locked horns with twice. Krames details his humble beginnings & violent journey fighting his way up the hockey ranks. He holds nothing back talking about how he sees his therapist as his coach, & detailing his toughest fight yet with his health in retirement. Proud to call this first class human a brother, who shows up so powerfully for his daughters, his wife, and himself.
3 May 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #3 with Cody Bass
In the 3rd episode of Fight Plan, I'm joined by former NHL player Cody Bass for our most vulnerable conversation yet. Basser opens up about his childhood in his challenging family dynamic, & how he naturally took to fighting after being a skilled player all the way up. We nerd out on fighting techniques & opponents, & he holds nothing back talking about his challenges after retiring. I gained a new brother & am so proud of how he shows up as for his daughter, his wife, & himself.
26 Apr 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #2 with Anthony Peluso
In the second episode of Fight Plan, I'm joined by former NHL player Anthony Peluso for a powerful conversation. We dive into Loose's childhood, his path to becoming a feared fighter, the simple mindset behind his toughness, and how he now helps save lives as a firefighter while supporting others through struggle. You'll be struck by the quiet confidence he carries. Topics include adversity, authenticity, vulnerability, and life after hockey.
19 Apr 2026
The Fight Plan: Episode #1 with Chris Thorburn
In this first episode of The Fight Plan, I am joined by former NHL player Chris Thorburn for some great laughs and deep conversation. Together, the two of us dive into Thorbs journey to be an NHL fighter, the mindset and preparation it took to get there and stay there, ultimately leading to the vulnerability that changed everything for him in retirement.
This episode dives into the mindset of an NHL fighter, the adversity along the way, and how powerful it is to open up and be vulnerable in all arenas of our life.
Topics covered:
- Mental health in sports
- Life lessons from hockey
- Overcoming adversity
- Vulnerability as true strength
Follow us on socials:
Instagram: @thefightplan
TikTok: @thefightplan
Website:
www.kurtisgabriel.com
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