Hit The Dek Podcast

We are silly.  Whether that's a pro or a con, you should know that this episode starts near 100 and mostly stays there.  You may think that a charity that helps the homeless via hockey and a rink-building initiative can't be all that entertaining.  Hold my Mountain Dew. Never forget that orange is the new AAAAAGH! Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

On the heels of an exciting Tape DEK pemiere, we're back with the girl that brung us.  Not only are we shining our spotlight on a Hall of Fame rreferee and a northern factory for World Championship youth, but we've got the scoop on a sweet introduction between two titans, brokered by yours truly. It's that time of year when anything can happen.  It's Gritty season. Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

This week, we have a big announcement about the future of HIT the DEK.  But we're making you wait for it.  First, the USA's best are teaching the USA's most valiant about the benefits of a little orange ball.  And we propose to discuss the biggest possible win out on a rink in Nassau.  Plus that big announcement thing.  That one's kind of important. Happy Batman Day. Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

On Saturday, September 7, 2019, James and Gary took a little trip out to Massapequa, NY to cover the Grand (Re-)Opening of the Lou Anthony Sports Complex.  From the scorer's box, we had a prime spot on the glass to record a live(ish)-to-tape special edition all about the brand new rink crafted by DEK Superstars and the EMPowerplay Project.  Special thanks to Craig Stanton for his time, and Seb Giarratano for everything else.

To celebrate our Sesquicentennial, we sit down with Kelly K, head of the EMPowerplay Project.  Ever wonder where new dek rinks come from?  When a man and a sponsor love ball hockey very much...  Do you think they'll let us cut the ribbon? This week HIT the DEK is for the children. Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  

The draw this week is discussions about comic book movies, comic book TV, and comic book... helmets?  Just stick with us on this one.  We also cover a beer league tourney benefiting kids, and a follow-up with a happy ending.  Oh, and Gritty is armed now. Red yellow honey, sassafras and moonshine.  Surrey on down(load). Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Another week, another HtD.  This week we're ordering some Chinese.  Specifically, a couple of stories about introducing the game of hockey to China with little orange balls.  Plus, a company in Massachusetts is teaching folks how to get a new rink built.  Or something.  And Gary really likes Mike O'Malley, apparently. Do ya have it? Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  

This week we have a great tournamentality.  Taylor Hall is playing dek for the kids, and he brought a whole bunch of friends.  And where's a cop when you need one?  Teaching kids to play hockey, probably.  Plus, Mylec not only started the game, but they're giving us opportunities to play, too. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but a ball by any other color makes James see red. Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

This week we are happy to host Glenn Cunningham for a return engagement.  We wrap up our conversation about the LaGrange Street Hockey League, the difficulties of growing the game in a hockey-starved market, and the value of service.  We also get to discussing the USA Under-14 national team, and some stuff about Gritty.  Plenty of podcast to go around. *thwip* Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.    

This week HtD is most pleased to welcome Mr. Glenn Cunningham of the LaGrange Street Hockey League.  Glenn doesn't have the resources of an NHL franchise, but he's still making hockey available to anyone and everyone who wants to play.  He is an inspiration and we've got him.  We also haven't forgotten that the RSHL Summer Shootout is here and now.  And are we warming to a certain orange anarchist? Whatever is this world coming to? Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

We've got a nice, traditional HtD for you this week.  Ball hockey on the beach?  Check.  Rehabbing a rink that's part of a balanced breakfast?  You bet.  An average game-turned-legendary memory?  Oh yes.  Plus, the American Rhino is serving up some piping hot opinions on sauced bread, fresh from the oven.  Dig in. Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

This week features a return engagement with DCHL Commissioner Suds, who comes clean about what he's learned running four leagues, what he would do differently given the chance, and why it's all worthwhile.  We also check in with some goings on in Northern Canada, and chat about a brand new big orange ClawDad. We're coming in hot on this one. Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

We're celebrating America's birthday with a crazy idea.  What if this country was born out of less blood and more ball?  We're recounting the highest stakes tournament never played and learning a bit in the process.  (Really.)  Settle in with some grilled meat and a frosty beverage and let's have some fun.  Happy Birthday America!

This week we are overjoyed to welcome to the pod Suds, Commissioner of the DCHL family of leagues.  If you ever wanted to run your own league, this interview is a mandatory listen.  And what's black and white and red all over?  A Penguin with a sunburn (from playing dek hockey)!  Plus, we have an update on a certain someone, and you won't believe our take. Let's do this thing. Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

This week we are pleased to book Mr. Daniel Wilson, broadcast guru of the RSHL, for a return engagement.  We'll also give you a pretty good overview of the World Ball Hockey Championships, if we do say so ourselves. Incidentally, you won't hear this on the pod, but the USA Women are playing Canada for the gold.  Third time's the charm. Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

The guests just keep on coming.  This week we are pleased to welcome Mr. Daniel Wilson, broadcasting guru of the RSHL.  Let's call him the singer/songwriter of ball hockey media.  Plus we do some stage setting for a hot tournament.  And you'll learn more than you ever wanted to know about Pacho. There's gold on the line.  Game on. Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

This is one of those landmark episodes.  We're incredibly proud to welcome Team USA Forward Becky Dobson to HIT the DEK for a conversation about her outstanding résumé on and off of the court, her relentless push for equality, and her imminent quest for international gold.  We'll also provide you with everything you need to follow the Red, White, and Blue in Slovakia.  You won't want to miss this one. Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Who doesn't love a sequel?  This week Wayne Barrett is back to talk about his brand new rink and the exciting things he does on it.  And, the USA women's ball hockey team wants to win a World Championship, and they need your help to do it.  Plus, this week in... Pacho?  Okay. Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

This week it's party time on the podcast.  Excellent.  We welcome Wayne Barrett from the DCSH and, seemingly, everywhere else.  Wayne's a real baller.  (We know that's not what it means.)  Also, Memorial Day sees two NHL teams competing to see who can build more dek rinks.  Everybody's a winner. Schwing! Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

This week we're headed in the right direction.  Feast your ears on the aural upgrade that is HtD 136.  We're talking about a street hockey game that has been going on for almost half a century, and a couple of leagues that are policing the dek, complete with some international flavor.  (That flavor being maple syrup.) And if you say pretty please... Check out the exclusive content on our YouTube channel.  Stay current with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.