Hockey Press Pass

by Chris Botta

Season 1

The Season One Finale with John Buccigross of the NHL on ESPN

For the Season One finale of Hockey Press Pass, we were proud to be joined by John Buccigross for this discussion on the NHL's return to ESPN, his approach to play-by-play, the work of colleagues John Tortorella, A.J. Mleczko Griswold, Kevin Weekes and Ryan Callahan, the next steps for women's hockey, his approach to nutrition, and so much more. On behalf of the Hockey Press Pass and Islanders Forecheck team, thanks to all of our guests this season and also to the listeners for the fantastic response to the show. We'll see you down the road. Host: Chris Botta Executive Producer: Dani Rylan Kearney Guest Producer: Lou Pellegrino Producer: Pat Boyle Presented by: HelloFresh, InStat Hockey, Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington Village Go to HelloFresh.com/presspass16 and use code: presspass16 for up to 16 free meals AND 3 free gifts!

S1 · E31

Apr 6, 2022

29:50

Ex-NHL Referee Tim Peel on Accountability, the Dangers of the Job, State of Officiating, What to Expect in the Playoffs, and Potential for Historic Hires Next Season

Should referees be made available to answer questions from reporters after controversial calls? How have the refs enforced the new standard for crosschecking? What should fans expect from the refs in the upcoming playoffs? Will the success of female officials in the AHL this season result in history being made in the NHL in 2022-23? Former NHL ref turned Daily Faceoff rules analyst Tim Peel tackles every question, tells us about his love of the job, favorite colleagues, and advice to officiating prospects, and surprises us with a revelation about his childhood in this candid conversation. Host: Chris Botta Executive Producer: Dani Rylan Kearney Guest Producer: Lou Pellegrino Producer: Pat Boyle Presented by: HelloFresh, InStat Hockey, Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington Village Go to HelloFresh.com/presspass16 and use code: presspass16 for up to 16 free meals AND 3 free gifts!

S1 · E30

Apr 4, 2022

36:31

Your Questions, Part 2: On Garth Snow, Women's Hockey, the Gluckstern-Milstein Era and Budget Cuts, Favorite Players, and More

This episode is the finale of a two-parter in which Chris answers some of the questions you've sent during the season about his time in the media and as a PR executive with the Islanders and in the National Women's Hockey League. Host: Chris Botta Executive Producer: Dani Rylan Kearney Guest Producer/co-host: Lou Pellegrino Producer: Pat Boyle Presented by: HelloFresh, InStat Hockey, Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington Village Go to HelloFresh.com/presspass16 and use code: presspass16 for up to 16 free meals AND 3 free gifts!

S1 · E29

Apr 1, 2022

57:53

Your Questions, Part I: On the Coliseum, 2002 Maple Leafs Series, Spano, Chris King, Milbury, Favorite Teams, and a Missing Chest Protector

This episode is the first of a two-parter in which Chris answers some of the questions you've sent during the season about his time as the Islanders' VP of Communications. Host: Chris Botta Executive Producer: Dani Rylan Kearney Guest Producer/co-host: Lou Pellegrino Producer: Pat Boyle Presented by: HelloFresh, InStat Hockey, Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington Village Go to HelloFresh.com/presspass16 and use code: presspass16 for up to 16 free meals AND 3 free gifts!

S1 · E28

Mar 30, 2022

54:46

Kevin Kurz of The Athletic: From PR to the NHL Beat; Chris Shares a Personal Story About Al Arbour

Kevin Kurz, who took over the Islanders' beat for The Athletic in the middle of this season, made the atypical jump a decade ago from the PR staff of the Flyers to covering the NHL. Kurz is a skilled, dedicated and diligent reporter with a distinctive voice in his articles and Twitter posts. Over 35 minutes, we get to learn more about his career, process, and approach, and his early views on the Islanders. After the interview, Lou Pellegrino relays a listener's question about Chris's favorite coaches. The discussion leads to Chris sharing a personal story about a moment involving Al Arbour. Host: Chris Botta Executive Producer: Dani Rylan Kearney Guest Producer: Lou Pellegrino Producer: Pat Boyle Presented by: HelloFresh, InStat Hockey, Main Street Board Game Café

S1 · E27

Mar 28, 2022

50:12

Brendan Burke of the NHL on TNT & the New York Islanders on MSG Networks

Thanks to the generosity and class of Brendan Burke, this episode has it all: an inside look at his preparation for his next game; the crucial and challenging years in the minors while wondering if he’d ever get the call to the NHL; the job interviews and process leading up to a contract offer to do Islanders play-by-play; the dynamic in the booth with Butch Goring and Darren Pang; keys to staying sharp (and rested) while traveling across North America in his work for the NHL on TNT. There’s a lot here for hockey fans, broadcasting aficionados, and aspiring announcers to learn from enjoy. Host: Chris Botta Executive Producer: Dani Rylan Kearney Guest Producer: Lou Pellegrino Producer: Pat Boyle Presented by: HelloFresh, InStat Hockey, Main Street Board Game Café Stick Taps: Blair Cofield, Sean Dennison

S1 · E26

Mar 15, 2022

1:07:26

TSN’s Jamie McLennan on the NHL Trade Deadline, Rollercoaster Playing Career, and Triumphing after the Fight of His Life at Age 25

Overcoming a dangerous bout with Meningitis in Intensive Care to return to the NHL with the Blues, play great, and win the Masterton Trophy. Being the second player named Jamie from his junior team to hear his name called at the NHL Draft (oops). Playing for Al Arbour and getting the nod to go into games after Ron Hextall got Game Misconducts. Transitioning from popular teammate to successful broadcaster. The goalie market at this year’s NHL trade deadline. We discuss all of this and a whole lot more with Jamie McLennan of TSN. Host: Chris Botta Executive Producer: Dani Rylan Kearney Producers: Lou Pellegrino, Pat Boyle Presented by: HelloFresh, InStat Hockey, Main Street Board Game Café

S1 · E25

Mar 8, 2022

57:42

Sportsnet’s Kristina Rutherford on the NHL, Maple Leafs, Art of Profile Writing, and Future of Women’s Pro Hockey

As we enter a crucial time for the sport coming off the Olympics and powerhouse viewership numbers for the gold medal game between Canada and the U.S., it was time to speak with Kristina Rutherford, the gifted features writer for Sportsnet. In addition to the usual Hockey Press Pass inquiries of our guest about the NHL, her career, process and advice for aspiring journalists, Kristina and Chris discuss the current climate in women’s sports and what’s next for women’s professional hockey in North America. Host: Chris Botta Executive Producer: Dani Rylan Kearney Producer: Pat Boyle Presented by: HelloFresh, InStat Hockey, Main Street Board Game Café

S1 · E24

Mar 1, 2022

40:38

Michael Russo of The Athletic on the Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers, the Islanders’ Dynasty and 25 Years of Relentless Reporting

In Chris’s opinion, no one has covered the NHL team beat better over the last quarter-century than Michael Russo. In this interview you’ll get an idea of why Mike is so good, as his love for the game and journalism comes through. Mike covers everything, from the impact the Islanders made on him while growing up on Long Island, to his approach to serving fans as a reporter, to maintaining relationships and working through hurdles with players and coaches, to his time covering the Florida Panthers and now the Minnesota Wild. Host: Chris Botta Executive Producer: Dani Rylan Kearney Producer: Pat Boyle Presented by: HelloFresh, InStat Hockey, Main Street Board Game Café

S1 · E23

Feb 22, 2022

39:29

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan is Everywhere as a Lead NHL Reporter for the Worldwide Leader

Before ESPN got the NHL back, Emily Kaplan wrote nonstop for ESPN.com. Now you can find Emily everywhere on ESPN platforms – on game telecasts, on “The Point,” co-hosting the podcast “In The Crease,” not to mention her frequent appearances on “Around the Horn.” Get to know a lot more about this brilliant and relentless journalist in this wide-ranging interview with Chris Botta. This episode is sponsored in part by Hello Fresh – America’s #1 Meal Kit. Go to HelloFresh.dot/presspass16 and use code presspass16 for up to 16 free meals + 3 free gifts. Host: Chris Botta Executive Producer: Dani Rylan Kearney Producer: Pat Boyle Presented by: HelloFresh, InStat Hockey, Main Street Board Game Café

S1 · E22

Feb 16, 2022

40:39

1 of 5