hockey

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Brian Spencer (22) races for the puck behind the net in 1977. (AP)

'I Absolutely Froze': The Night 'Spinner' Spencer's Dad Attacked The CBC

Spencer's father held CBC staffers at gunpoint on the night his son appeared on the NHL's biggest stage.

Only A Game

11:15Aug 7, 2020

Bill Fitsell with the Morse Stick at the International Hockey Hall of Fame, April 2015. (Ed Grenda)

Treasure In An Umbrella Stand: The Morse Hockey Stick

Germaine and Gary Morse kept an old piece of wood in their umbrella stand. It turned out to be very valuable.

Only A Game

07:29May 15, 2020

The Friendship Between NHL Broadcaster Scott Oake And Player Ryan Reaves

In the early 1990s, while Scott Oake was establishing himself as one of Canada’s foremost sports broadcasters, future NHL player Ryan Reaves was growing up across the street.

Only A Game

06:32May 17, 2019

Ryan O'Neal dons his Harvard hockey uniform for the movie "Love Story." Bill Cleary III is in foreground. (Courtesy Bill Cleary)

The Hockey Legends Who Made Their Mark On 'Love Story'

The 1970 hit film "Love Story" brought in over $100 million at the box office. It also gave two hockey legends a taste of Hollywood.

Only A Game

10:17Mar 29, 2019

Brian McFarlane at his Hockey Hall of Fame induction. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Not A 'Bona Fide College': The Story Of The Scotiabank Hockey College

In the 1970s, a bank promotion dreamt up by a Hockey Hall of Famer inspired a generation of Canadian kids to save their pennies.

Only A Game

08:19Feb 8, 2019

Alex Frecon traveled to North Korea to play the sport he loves, ice hockey. (Courtesy Alex Frecon)

From Minnesota To Pyongyang: A North Korean Hockey Adventure

Without telling his family, coworkers or teammates, Alex Frecon traveled to Pyongyang to face off against the North Korean national team. "The love for the game translates across the world,"...

Only A Game

12:27Dec 28, 2018

Leonard Nimoy (left) as Star Trek's Mr. Spock. (Public Domain)

A Hockey Referee Meets Mr. Spock

Former NHL player and ref Paul Stewart and his Dad loved watching Star Trek together. Bill Stewart had a special connection with Mr. Spock.

Only A Game

04:12Nov 23, 2018

Wolf "The Dentist" Stansson and Team Iceland were the villains in "D2: The Mighty Ducks." But they nearly got cinematic redemption. (YouTube)

In 'D3: The Mighty Ducks,' Team Iceland Nearly Got Redemption

Team Iceland is the fearsome rival in "D2: The Mighty Ducks." But there was almost an even scarier Ducks' enemy.

Only A Game

03:36Nov 23, 2018

Some of the devastation in Halifax, Nova Scotia after the December 6, 1917 explosion. (Courtesy HarperCollins/Nova Scotia Archives)

The U.S.-Canada Alliance — And Hockey Program — Born From An Explosion

The most successful college hockey program in U.S. history owes its existence to a Canadian who grew up hating the United States ... and to one of the largest explosions...

Only A Game

10:35Sep 28, 2018

Don Cherry never coached a team to a championship -- at least, that's what most people think. (Carlos Osorio/AP)

Don Cherry’s Little-Known Coaching Championship

The knock on Don Cherry is that he never coached a team to a championship. But in 1972, he did coach a team to championship. It was Pittsford High School....

Only A Game

09:12May 4, 2018

John Scott, left, made a name in the NHL brawling. But that's not his whole story.
(Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

John Scott: The 'Gentle Giant' Who Became The NHL's Last True Enforcer

When it comes to pro athletes, the stereotype does not always reflect reality. And there’s perhaps no greater example than former professional hockey player John Scott.

Only A Game

21:47Mar 9, 2018

"The young man who was taking care of the line came up to me and said, 'Sir, if you move your hand down the stick a little further...' " Wayne Gretzky recalls. (Dan Levine/AFP/Getty Images)

'The Great One' Gets Some Tips At The Hockey Hall Of Fame

Wayne Gretzky holds the NHL's career scoring record with 894 goals. But on a trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame he couldn't quite seem to find the back of...

Only A Game

02:43Mar 9, 2018

Hy Buller gave his hockey stick and puck to 10-year-old David Rubin. Though the connection was brief, the impact has not been lost. (Courtesy Elly and David Rubin)

Befriending A Hockey Pro On The Neighborhood Ice

In his story "Chasing Hy Buller," David Rubin recounts his meeting with a professional hockey player on a flooded field 70 years ago.

Only A Game

05:45Mar 9, 2018

On Dec. 31, 2016, Carolina Hurricanes equipment manager Jorge Alves signed a one-day, $500 contract that brought his dream to life. (Mike Carlson/AP)

An NHL Equipment Manager's Lifelong Dream, Fulfilled In 7.6 Seconds

When the Hurricanes backup goalie fell ill just hours before a game, the team called on Jorge Alves -- an equipment manager. For Alves, who spent years bouncing around the...

Only A Game

08:56Dec 29, 2017

NHL referee Paul Stewart in action during a 1988 game between the Ottawa Senators and the New Jersey Devils. He says his career in hockey was launched when his Dad gave him a gift. (Ezra C. Shaw/Allsport/Getty Images)

The Christmas Gift Of A Hockey Lifetime

Paul Stewart played pro hockey and refereed over 1,000 NHL games. And it was all made possible by a Christmas gift from his dad.

Only A Game

07:43Dec 22, 2017

The U.S.-Canada Alliance — And Hockey Program — Born From An Explosion

The most successful college hockey program in U.S. history owes its existence to a Canadian who grew up hating the United States...and to one of the largest explosions in history.

Only A Game

10:29Dec 8, 2017

When he was a kid, Harnarayan Singh was told, "Nobody who looks like you is on TV." A few years later, he got a phone call from the executive producer of Hockey Night in Canada. (Courtesy of IceSingh.com)

'Nobody Who Looks Like You Is On TV:' The Story Of A Sikh Broadcaster

Growing up, Harnarayan Singh wanted to be a hockey broadcaster. People in his hometown told him, "You have to be realistic. Nobody who looks like you is on TV." Singh...

Only A Game

09:50Apr 28, 2017

An NHL Equipment Manager's Lifelong Dream, Fulfilled In 7.6 Seconds

When the Hurricanes backup goalie fell ill just hours before a game, the team called on Jorge Alves -- an equipment manager. For Alves, who spent years bouncing around the...

Only A Game

09:22Jan 20, 2017

Walker Aurand's parents were told that their son wouldn't get past a 4th grade level in math or reading. Walker ended up graduating from high school with honors and is currently playing hockey at Davenport University. (Courtesy of Davenport University.)

For Walker Aurand, Hockey Was The Right Therapy For Autism

Walker Aurand was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2. His parents were told that he wouldn't get past a 4th grade level in math or reading.

Only A Game

10:00Nov 4, 2016

Waiting For Their Gold Medals...Since 1976

Winning a gold medal game should be the pinnacle of any Olympic athlete's career. For two men from the 1976 New Zealand field hockey team, it's a moment that's too...

Only A Game

10:14Aug 12, 2016

Morning Edition

'I Absolutely Froze': The Night 'Spinner' Spencer's Dad Attacked The CBC

Treasure In An Umbrella Stand: The Morse Hockey Stick

The Friendship Between NHL Broadcaster Scott Oake And Player Ryan Reaves

The Hockey Legends Who Made Their Mark On 'Love Story'

Not A 'Bona Fide College': The Story Of The Scotiabank Hockey College

From Minnesota To Pyongyang: A North Korean Hockey Adventure

A Hockey Referee Meets Mr. Spock

In 'D3: The Mighty Ducks,' Team Iceland Nearly Got Redemption

The U.S.-Canada Alliance — And Hockey Program — Born From An Explosion

Don Cherry’s Little-Known Coaching Championship

John Scott: The 'Gentle Giant' Who Became The NHL's Last True Enforcer

'The Great One' Gets Some Tips At The Hockey Hall Of Fame

Befriending A Hockey Pro On The Neighborhood Ice

An NHL Equipment Manager's Lifelong Dream, Fulfilled In 7.6 Seconds

The Christmas Gift Of A Hockey Lifetime

The U.S.-Canada Alliance — And Hockey Program — Born From An Explosion

'Nobody Who Looks Like You Is On TV:' The Story Of A Sikh Broadcaster

An NHL Equipment Manager's Lifelong Dream, Fulfilled In 7.6 Seconds

For Walker Aurand, Hockey Was The Right Therapy For Autism

Waiting For Their Gold Medals...Since 1976