Ray & Dregs Podcast Episode 14: Wayne Gretzky

Darren and Ray span the globe to make Episode 13 happen, with Ray in Ostrava in the Czech Republic ahead of the start of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. TSN's award winning play-by-play announcer Gord Miller joined Ray in Ostrava for an interview 'under protest' sharing Ray's earbuds and a headset mic. Gord ran down some of Ray's top travel tales, and shared some excellent stories of covering international hockey for almost three decades for TSN.

Hockey Hall of Famer and President of the Boston Bruins Cam Neely joined the guys and talked about his path to the NHL, his short time with the Canucks, the trade, how perfect the fit was in Boston for his style of play, and how he landed the role of 'Sea Bass' in the cult classic 'Dumb and Dumber'. In 'Between the Benches' the 'Bobfather' himself Bob McKenzie joins the guys with some great stories from past World Junior tournaments including the legendary Snake Lady.

Alternate Captain of the Minnesota Wild, Zach Parise joined the guys and talked about how the season has progressed, how he has battled his way back from injuries, where the 'Mr. September' shirts came from, putting a rink in his backyard, and memories of his dad. And in 'Between the Benches', Hall of Famer, Olympian and scout for Seattle's NHL team Cammi Granato joins the guys with thoughts on her new scouting role, and what Ray does that annoys her.

Stanley Cup champion, and current head coach of the Arizona Coyotes, Rick Tocchet joined the guys and talked about the Bill Peters' situation, and the approach he tries to take now as a coach to build a true partnership with his players. In 'Between the Benches' the O-Dog Jeff O'Neill joins the guys with some great stories and brings on a special guest of his own to surprise Ray.

Stanley Cup champion 'Iron' Mike Kennan joined the guys and talked about his life as a coach, including the times he got fired by surprise. In 'Between the Benches' Ray's old teammate Keith 'Walt' Tkachuk joins the guys with some great stories from their time together playing in St. Louis and more.

Ray and Darren discuss at length all the ramifications of the news dropping Wednesday afternoon that the Leafs fired their head coach Mike Babcock and promoted Marlies’ head coach Sheldon Keefe.

Four-time Stanley Cup champion Craig MacTavish joined the guys and talked about why he was the last player in the NHL to not wear helmet, his 9 game coaching stint in the KHL and much more. And Ray's old teammate Shjon Podein joins the guys with some awesome stories from their time together playing in St. Louis and beyond.

Washington Capital forward Tom Wilson joins the guys and talks about how he thinks the Caps still have another gear, changes to the game and where physicality like his fits in, and tells of a ‘fountain mishap’ during Cup celebrations. Ray and Darren also catch up with Ray’s old teammate Dean Evason.

Toronto's head coach Mike Babcock joins the guys and talks about where the Leafs are at with developing their team identity and they chat about how he almost became Ray's teammate. Ray and Darren also catch up with their old teammate Jeff Odgers, and Jeff dishes some hilarious stories from his and Ray's playing days on the Atlanta Thrashers.

Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving joined Darren at the Heritage Classic and talked about his playing days as a bruising D-man in the AHL, IHL and ECHL, his starting-up of the Western Professional Hockey League, and his path to the front office and the GM chair, and what he has learned from his iconic father.