In Episode 20 of Bottle Rocket, we’re joined by Jason Helman, a nationally recognized PGA of Canada professional with over 25 years of coaching experience.

While Jason is best known as a golf instructor, he’s followed hockey closely for decades and his great-uncle, Harry Helman, played for the Ottawa Senators in 1923.

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On this episode, we’re joined by Bruce Bennett — one of the most influential figures in hockey photography and visual storytelling.

For nearly five decades, Bruce has documented the game at the highest level, covering over 5,800 NHL games, six Olympic Games, and shaping how hockey is seen around the world through his leadership at Getty Images.

Bruce takes us behind the lens to talk about capturing iconic moments, the pressure of photographing history as it unfolds, how the game and the craft have evolved, and what truly separates a good hockey photo from an unforgettable one.

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Ronnie Shuker joins Bottle Rocket for a wide-ranging conversation about hockey far beyond the box score.

An author and Editor-at-Large at The Hockey News, Ronnie has taken the game to some of the most unexpected places on Earth — from North Korea and Chernobyl to the Himalayas, where he played in a Guinness World Record-setting high-altitude hockey game.

We talk hockey as culture, storytelling in the age of hot takes, media responsibility, and the pressure of covering teams like the Maple Leafs. Ronnie also shares insight on Morgan Rielly, leadership, fan narratives and what still excites him about the game after decades around it.

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Joe shares unforgettable hockey stories, from covering Islanders dynasty teams and legendary Rangers–Islanders rivalries to breaking the news of the Florida Panthers’ expansion, learning to drive a Zamboni and reflecting on how the NHL has changed over the years.

Packed with history, laughs, and behind-the-scenes insight — this is a must-listen for hockey fans.

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On Episode 16 of Bottle Rocket, we are honoured to have Neil Smith, one of the most influential general managers in modern NHL history and the architect of the 1994 New York Rangers, who ended a 54-year Stanley Cup drought.

Neil takes us inside the mindset behind his legendary “Big Deal Neil” reputation, explaining why blockbuster trades worked then and what really separates contenders from pretenders.

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In Episode 15 of Bottle Rocket, we are joined by Steve Simmons, longtime Toronto sports columnist and one of the most well-known voices covering the Maple Leafs.

Steve shares his perspective on where this Leafs team stands, what’s really holding them back, whether they’re playing to win or playing not to lose and how much responsibility falls on coaching versus the core players.

Beyond Toronto, Steve shares his thoughts on the wider NHL picture, including why he believes the Colorado Avalanche could be a serious Stanley Cup contender this season.

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In this episode of Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva, we are joined by Matthew Blittner, one of the most prolific hockey authors and historians of our era. A five-time hockey author, Devils writer for Sportsology.com and co-host of the Blue Line Blast Podcast, Blittner brings decades of insight into the NHL.

We discuss the state of the league, parity, the challenges facing the Rangers, Devils and Islanders, the impact of injuries, media evolution, and what fans often miss when watching the game. Plus, Blittner shares his thoughts on today’s players, league leadership, and who he believes will win the Stanley Cup.

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In Episode 13 of Bottle Rocket, we’re joined by award-winning sports historian and archivist Paul Patskou and four-time New York Emmy Award winner George Falkowski. We break down the latest hockey news, talk media coverage and storytelling in the game.

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