By now most people are familiar with the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast. Whether you love the show or hate it, the name evokes an emotional response from most hockey fans because of the way it has garnered the attention of the hockey world.
The Birth of Spittin’ Chiclets
The now-iconic hockey podcast was started by Barstool Sports blogger Brian McGonagle (more commonly known as Rear Admiral, or simply RA) and former NHLer Ryan Whitney back in October of 2016.
At the time the show was little more than a concept, just an average joe and a former big leaguer sitting down to talk about the sport they both love. Barstool already had a reputation as an off-the-cuff, unapologetic, opinions first, feelings later, sort of network.
And to some people that style is insufferable.
But to others, Barstool is held in higher esteem than any other sports site out there. When Spittin’ Chiclets first hit the scene the show undoubtedly benefitted from that passionate audience, and the addition of former NHL enforcer Paul Bissonnette was soon-to-be a bigger boost to ratings than anyone could have anticipated at the time.
But I have already written an entire article on Spittin’ Chiclets alone which you can find here. The purpose of this article is to focus on the show’s impact on the hockey world, how it has changed the dynamic of how players, past and present, interact with the media, and how it has led to former players starting shows of their own.
Changing the Media Landscape
The key attribute that makes Spittin’ Chiclets stand out from the crowd is its unique interviewing style. Because both Whitney and Bissonnette are former NHL players they already have that shared experience with most of the guests they bring on. And while we have seen former NHLers in media roles for years, running the show under the umbrella of Barstool Sports has given the crew a longer leash to work with in regards to what is and isn’t acceptable to say during an episode.
Podcasts by nature are unfiltered beasts. Advertising relies on deals with individual brands. And those brands (should) know what they are signing up for when they agree to work with a podcast. From what I have gathered, brands that give a little more creative license to the hosts are usually the ones that have more success. RA does most of the ad reads, and being able to incorporate a personal joke or two might save a few people from fast-forwarding through that section of the show.
Eventually, podcast players will find a way to make it mandatory for listeners to hear ads, but we aren’t quite at that point yet. Despite being a popular medium for many years now, the podcasting world is still a bit of a jungle. But shows that are able to gain enough popularity to secure lucrative contracts with brands can make a solid income.
This is important because former players, who are still looking for a paycheck after their playing careers are over, have more options than just heading into traditional media, where they would likely be more censored than on their own show.
The Next Generation of Player Podcasts
One of the most refreshing things about listening to podcasts created by former players is that they each have their own unique style, but are able to maintain that distinctive dynamic with the players they interview that is light and casual.
Hockey players all speak the same language, and this helps immensely in building rapport and allowing interviews to flow effortlessly.
Dropping the Gloves with John Scott
Many hockey fans will remember John Scott for his appearance in the 2016 NHL All-Star Game when he captained the Pacific Division to a championship after being voted into the event via online votes from fans.
The situation, which was undoubtedly a black mark on the league for the way it was handled, ended up being one of the greatest feel-good stories in the history of the NHL.
If you want Scott’s side of the whole ordeal, his article in the Player’s Tribune titled A Guy Like Me is emotional, and 100% worth the read.
John Scott 2016 All-Star Game Highlights
Scott now has five daughters, including a set of twins born just after his all-star appearance. Since his retirement, which came shortly after that All-Star Game, he has begun adjusting to “normal” life and stated much of his reasoning for starting a podcast was based on recommendations that he had a good personality for TV or radio.
It is clear right away why he was recommended to start his own show. Scott is well-spoken, and those who only know him as an NHL enforcer would be surprised to learn that he not only participated in his first real hockey fight at 23 years old, but he also has a mechanical engineering degree from Michigan Tech.
While the show does exude some of the same “hockey guy” characteristics that brought Spittin’ Chiclets to fame, Scott’s show is not only more family-friendly, but the intelligence with which he is able to articulate his knowledge of the inner workings of the league is fascinating.
There is a lot more to John Scott than the average hockey fan might know, and I highly recommend checking his show out, I know I was pleasantly surprised.
Kes & Juice Podcast – with Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa
As far as dynamic duos are concerned, Canucks (and Ducks) fans should have fond memories of Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa.
Polarizing figures throughout their careers, the two played 12 NHL seasons together between Vancouver and Anaheim and were part of the 2011 team that was one win away from raising the Stanley Cup.
Combining for over 2,000 penalty minutes during their years in the National Hockey League, the two were hardnosed players that opposing fans loved to hate.
Kesler, in particular, was known not only for his point production, tallying eight 20+ goal seasons and one 41-goal season, but also for his tough, often questionably-legal, playing style that drove opposing players insane.
On a recent episode of the podcast, Kesler and Bieksa interviewed Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl. Draisaitl, who has already recorded his second-consecutive 100-point season in just his fifth full year in the league, remembered the struggles he had going up against Kesler in the few seasons the two overlapped in the NHL.
Bieksa most recently made headlines for his speech at Daniel and Henrik Sedin’s number retirement ceremony in Vancouver, roasting his former teammates in front of a packed Rogers Arena.
By watching the video you can tell that Bieksa has a knack for public speaking, and the podcast flows well thanks to his poise.
The close relationship Kesler and Bieksa have is evident based on the way the two interact with each other, constantly trading subtle jabs throughout episodes making for an entertaining final product.
The podcast has a stylistic approach closer to Spittin’ Chiclets than Dropping the Gloves but is also slightly more family-friendly than the former. I still wouldn’t play it around children, but you might be spared some of the particularly risque stories you get from Bissonnette and Whitney.
If you are a fan of Spittin’ Chiclets, you will likely be a fan of Kes & Juice as well.
Cam & Strick Podcast – with Cam Janssen and Andy Strickland
Out of all three podcasts on this list, if one had to be the closest in style to Spittin’ Chiclets it is the Cam & Strick Podcast.
Hosted by long time St. Louis Blues reporter and journalist Andy Strickland alongside iconic NHL enforcer Cam Janssen, the show takes a no-holds-barred approach to podcasting.
Strickland and Janssen acknowledge their similarity to the Barstool podcast, yet tout their ability to bring a unique flavor to the popular podcasting style.
Janssen is prone to speaking his mind, an admirable quality that has been known to cause trouble, and Strickland is in charge of steering the show as the two pick the brains of legends such as Tie Domi, Mike Modano, and other high-profile NHLers.
In 336 NHL games, Janssen amassed 774 penalty minutes, including a 2009-10 season with the St. Louis Blues where put up 190 minutes with zero points in 43 games.
If you are someone who is interested in hearing more of the wild stories on and off the ice from a guy who was feared like few others during his time as a pro, this show has what you are looking for.
The Future of Player Podcasting
As you might have noticed by now, there seems to be a trend among NHL enforcers starring in hockey podcasts. From Paul Bissonnette on Spittin’ Chiclets to John Scott on Droppin the Gloves, to Janssen on Cam & Strick, all these men played similar roles in the NHL, yet are all incredibly unique in their personalities.
It may just be that NHL enforcers are the most misunderstood, most entertaining players. Or maybe they were just the first ex-players bold enough to take the leap into a world of media that can be unforgiving to those who are concerned with saying the wrong thing from time to time.
Hockey as a sport has been both celebrated and criticized for its emphasis on “we” not “I” and players are continuing to navigate the waters as these shows mentioned above lead the way into NHL players becoming more comfortable with sharing real stories about their lives in the National Hockey League.
If I had to take a guess, I would say that we will continue to see all types of players making the jump into non-traditional media roles in the coming years as their careers come to an end.
And if early success has been any indication, these types of shows could become the new norm as the hockey world continues to evolve.
Interested in reading more from The Puck Review? Click here.
