Luca Ciampini on the Memorial Cup Run, Mooseheads Brotherhood, and Hockey Mentorship | Playoffs Around the Corner

The QMJHL Draft Is Almost Here, Halifax Takes Centre Stage | Team President Brian Urquhart and Events East Colby Pridham Join the Pod

The QMJHL Entry Draft in Halifax is just around the corner! This week on This Is Moose Country, we're joined by Halifax Mooseheads President Brian Urquhart and Events East Vice President Colby Pridham to break down everything fans need to know ahead of the 2026 QMJHL Entry Draft at Scotiabank Centre. We discuss: * Why Halifax was finally chosen to host the draft * What fans can expect from the event * The Mooseheads holding picks 3 and 7 overall * Whether the team could make major offseason moves * How the league landscape is changing * Colby Pridham's memories playing for the Mooseheads * The impact of the late Robert Irving on the QMJHL Plus, Scott and Brad discuss the QMJHL Finals, Moncton's playoff run, Tommy Blais' NHL Draft stock, and why this could be the biggest offseason in recent Mooseheads history. Show notes: 00:00 - Introduction 00:50 - Congrats to Chicouctimi 4:15 - Gabe Smith wins Playoff MVP 8:10 - Offseason begins 12:47 - Should Halifax trade draft picks? 14:42 - Brian Urquhart & Colby Pridham join the show 15:22 - Halifax hosting the QMJHL Draft 19:08 - What the draft means for the city 20:24 - Behind the scenes of the event 23:09 - Planning the draft in Halifax 24:19 - Mooseheads draft strategy discussion 26:07 - Colby Pridham's Mooseheads memories 31:10 - Brian Urquhart's journey with the Mooseheads 32:47 - Colby's role with Events East 35:55 - Gardiner MacDougall & Moncton discussion 37:14 - Remembering Robert Irving 39:17 - Final thoughts

Marty Frk Looks Back on His Halifax Years, NHL Journey & Raising a Family in Pro Hockey | QMJHL Playoff Predictions

Mooseheads legend Marty Frk joins the pod for a fun and memorable conversation about his Halifax career, the 2013 Memorial Cup run, life in pro hockey, fatherhood, and what it was like adapting to North America after arriving from Czechia. Marty also shares stories from his years in the AHL and NHL, reflects on his time with the Mooseheads, and talks about why Halifax still means so much to him. On top of that, the guys break down the Mooseheads' playoff matchup with Chicoutimi, make their QMJHL first-round predictions, and react to a great social media post of the week from Sackville minor hockey. Then comes a great surprise as Luca Ciampini jumps in to crash the interview and bring some classic stories, laughs, and memories from their Mooseheads days together. If you're a Mooseheads fan, this one is packed with playoff talk, nostalgia, and some all-time stories from one of the most beloved players to wear the jersey. Show notes: 00:00 - Introduction 1:04 - Final games of the season 7:45 - First Round Matchup 12:05 - Playoff Predictions 21:55 - Social Media comment of the week 25:17 - Marty Frk joins the show 26:17 - Marty on becoming a father of two 30:11 - Why Calgary has been a great fit 36:58 - Marty Frk's Mooseheads draft day story 42:02 - Surprise guest Luca Ciampini joins 56:26 - Classic Marty and Luca stories 01:06:09 - Marty on his 8-point playoff game 01:07:54 - Memorial Cup parade memories 01:09:33 - NHL Draft and pro hockey journey 01:14:21 - Why Marty went to Switzerland 01:17:44 - Quick hits with Marty Frk!

Luca Ciampini on the Memorial Cup Run, Mooseheads Brotherhood, and Hockey Mentorship | Playoffs Around the Corner

Former Halifax Mooseheads forward and 2013 Memorial Cup champion Luca Ciampini joins the podcast for a fun and memorable conversation about his time in Halifax, the bond of those championship teams, and the path hockey has taken him on since junior. Luca reflects on being drafted second overall by the Mooseheads, the build-up of one of the most talented teams in franchise history, and what it was like sharing the ice with names like Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Frk, Jonathan Drouin, MacKenzie Weegar, and more. Luca also shares stories from behind the scenes of that era, including his friendship with Marty Frk, the unforgettable atmosphere of winning in Halifax, and why lifting the President Cup on home ice meant so much. Plus, he gives an update on life today in Montreal, where he's deeply involved in hockey development, player mentorship, and the agency world. It's a great episode filled with laughs, nostalgia, and the kind of stories Mooseheads fans will love. Tune in now! Show notes: 00:00 - Introduction 00:40 - Back to back victories 6:35 - Strong rookie season from Oleg Kulebyakin 7:40 - Chicoutimi on a hot streak 12:45 - Social media comment of the week 13:58 - Luca Ciampini joins the pod 14:20 - Life update, hockey development, and agency work 24:25 - Drafted 2nd overall by the Mooseheads 31:19 - Building toward a championship team and winning the Memorial Cup 48:02 - 2014 playoff run and leadership growth 56:55 - Quick hits with Luca Ciampini

Local Boys, Big Roles: Quinn Kennedy & Danny Walters Join the Pod | Olympic Hockey Predictions

It was a weekend that had everything: an exhausting shootout marathon, an ugly "stinker," and a pushback game that brought the Halifax – Moncton rivalry heat right back to the surface. Quinn Kennedy and Danny Walters talk about how a team responds after getting embarrassed, how you reset mentally within 24 hours, and why proving you can hang with the league's best matters this time of year. The episode also starts with Olympic hockey chatter — Scott and Brad tee up Canada vs. Czechia, talk about the Czechs' identity in big tournaments, and can't stop laughing at how stacked Canada looks (to the point one player compared them to the Harlem Globetrotters). It's the perfect backdrop before diving into rivalry hockey, momentum swings, and the reality of a grindy season. Show notes: 00:00 - Introduction 00:15 - Tough stretch of losses 5:25 - Olympic hockey predictions 10:25 - Random social media comment of the week 12:36 - Quinn Kennedy & Danny Walters join the pod 13:53 - The bounce-back mindset after the 11–1 game 15:20 - The fight, momentum swings, and sticking together in a chippy game 18:46 - Moose Fight Cancer Night 20:29 - Quebec road-trip grind, hotel life, and watching Dexter 27:48 - What it means to be local Mooseheads, family in the stands, favorite memories 38:52 - Wearing letters + quick hits

From Road Trip Grind to Playoff Mindset | Sam Rousseau and Connor MacPherson Join the Pod!

On today's episode, Scott and Brad recap a gritty Quebec road trip, preview a huge stretch vs Newfoundland and a home-and-home with Cape Breton, and break down how tight the Eastern standings are while looking towards the playoffs. They also shift into draft talk: the Mooseheads' lottery-positioned Rimouski first-round pick, what the odds mean, and the excitement of the QMJHL Draft coming to Halifax June 5 - 6 — plus how Halifax's stockpile of picks could shape the next era. Then, overage forwards Sam Rousseau and Connor MacPherson join the show to talk life in Halifax, balancing school with the major junior grind, and what's clicked since arriving with the Mooseheads. Rousseau breaks down his scoring surge and physical, net-driving style, while MacPherson shares his unique path back into the CHL and his all-around role. The conversation also hits on the NCAA rule change and how it could reshape player development, before wrapping with quick hits. Tune in now! Show notes: 00:00 - Introduction 00:38 - Quebec road trip 6:35 - A closer look at the standings 11:15 - Halifax's hosting draft 13:55 - Random social media comment of the week 15:20 - Interview with Sam Rousseau and Connor Macpherson 17:47 - Road trip vibe + reset after Victoriaville 20:46 - Fighting rule discussion 22:22 - MacPherson and Rousseau on brotherly love in hockey 28:11 - NCAA rule change: how it would've changed their careers 31:33 - Rousseau on Rouyn-Noranda development culture + 12th round draft story 35:20 - MacPherson's path to Halifax 37:10 - New Mooseheads facilities: game-day lights, steam room, NHL feel 38:25 - Playoff mindset 41:10 - Quick hits with Sam Rousseau and Connor MacPherson!