20: From the Crease to the Flower Field: Carrie Martin on 22 Years of Hockey Life

20: From the Crease to the Flower Field: Carrie Martin on 22 Years of Hockey Life

Today's guest didn't plan on reaching out to a stranger on the internet. But after her husband's team missed the playoffs by just one point, she found herself up late, looking for something, and anyone, who actually got it. That search led her to my podcast, and I couldn't be happier to bring our conversation to you. Carrie Martin has been alongside Joel Martin for 22 years, through the CHL, ECHL, AHL, a season in Denmark with two bikes and no car, and eventually back to Kalamazoo, where Joel finished his playing career and walked organically into coaching with the same organization he'd called home. She's seen every version of this life: the uncertainty of one-year contracts, the chaos of moving, the particular loneliness of being a goalie's wife when the crowd decides it's someone's fault. The best part? Carrie is still standing, still laughing about most of it. I absolutely love hearing how after turning 40, walking away from grad school, and borrowing a patch of land from a grumpy vegetable farmer named Rick, Carrie built a flower farming business that's become completely her own. She's now breeding her own dahlia line, growing out of a field behind her son's gym, operating on pure instinct and the belief that the right people will find you if you just keep going. I want to thank Carrie again for reaching out to me and coming on to the show, and I'm excited for you to meet this incredible woman so you can hear about her experiences in this crazy hockey life! Did something in this conversation I had with Carrie resonate with you? I'd love to hear about it, so let us know over on Instagram, @wereinonepod [https://www.instagram.com/wereinonepod], and we'll see you back soon for another hard-hitting episode! Just some of the highlights you'll hear: * Why the loneliness felt as a player or coach's wife is harder to name than people think * What it was like for Carrie and Joel to pack into an Impala with a goalie's gear and just go, city after city, figuring it out as they went * The Denmark Chapter: showing up with suitcases, no car, no language, and a bike that kept getting flat tires in the snow * The unspoken weight of being a goalie's wife, including the playoff hives, the chirping fans, and the pregnant exit from a green ice game she'd rather forget * How moving from player's wife to coach's wife quietly complicated friendships, seating arrangements, and the question Carrie asks of where exactly she belongs now * Why both Joel (and my husband Jason) build rosters around character first, and how Carrie carries that same instinct into how she shows up for the people around her * The night she decided grad school wasn't for her, and how a friend's flower field changed everything for Carrie * What breeding dahlias has taught her about patience, uncertainty, and the strange joy of not knowing what you're going to get * The one thing hockey has given her that Carrie never could have planned for, and why she's learned to feel it fully before the final whistle blows LINKS: Carrie's Website [https://goldiegrows.com/] & Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/goldiegrows/] Joel's Hockey Profile [https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=55396]

19: How Bryce Reddick Forged His Own Path Beyond His NHL Father's Legacy

What does it mean to grow up as the son of an NHL Stanley Cup champion and then carve out your own 13-year professional hockey career across two continents? For today's special guest, Bryce Reddick (son of former NHL goalie Eldon "Pokey" Reddick), it meant navigating the constant pressure of living up to a legendary name while building his own identity one contract at a time! Bryce takes us behind the scenes of a journeyman's reality: the constant uncertainty of one-year contracts, learning to enter new locker rooms without fear, and the mental challenge of never quite knowing where "home" is. He shares candid insights about the pressure of being "Pokey's son" everywhere he went, the decision to forge his own path without relying on his father's NHL connections, and why the relationships matter more than the stats. Now transitioning into coaching with the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers, Bryce reveals why he walked away from playing at 35, the shocking difference between coaching and playing hours, and what he's learned about the mental side of the game. From early morning summer skates with his dad to finding "home" after years of constant movement, this is a story about adaptability, self-awareness, and knowing when to shift gears. Did something in this conversation I had with Bryce resonate with you? I'd love to hear about it, so let us know over on Instagram, @wereinonepod [https://www.instagram.com/wereinonepod], and we'll see you back soon for another hard-hitting episode! (Before you hit play on this one, if you missed last week's episode with Bryce's mom, Melissa [https://traffic.libsyn.com/1e4cb00e-2e4f-4cfb-84c6-f0c344a8e818/18_How_Melissa_Rach_Built_a_Legacy_of_a_Connected_Family_After_the_NHL.mp3], be sure to go back and hear her side of the Reddick family's hockey journey)! Just some of the highlights you'll hear: * The challenge Bryce faced being the son of NHL Stanley Cup winner Eldon "Pokey" Reddick and forging his own identity in professional hockey * How growing up in a hockey family across multiple cities taught him the social skills and adaptability that shaped his adult life and coaching career * What made Bryce walk away from playing at 35 to pursue coaching and why he felt the pressure to start immediately despite still being able to play * The brutal honesty about how long-distance relationships destroyed two meaningful partnerships and the mental toll it took on his playing career * A fascinating look at the father-son dynamic between Bryce and his dad, including early morning summer skates and the decision to let Bryce forge his own path without NHL connections * How winning three championships in Cardiff created lifelong bonds and why those relationships remain some of the most important ones in Bryce's life * The shocking reality of coaching hours compared to playing and why he now understands what players never see behind the scenes * What Bryce learned about the mental side of hockey being 90 percent of the game and why he says that confidence comes from what you do when no one is watching * The struggle to call anywhere "home" after 13 years of constant movement and how he's learning to be present for the first time in his coaching career LINKS: Bryce's Hockey Profile [https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=102372] Pokey's Hockey Profile [https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=4499] 18: How Melissa Rach Built a Legacy of a Connected Family After the NHL [https://traffic.libsyn.com/1e4cb00e-2e4f-4cfb-84c6-f0c344a8e818/18_How_Melissa_Rach_Built_a_Legacy_of_a_Connected_Family_After_the_NHL.mp3]

18: How Melissa Rach Built a Legacy of a Connected Family After the NHL

How do you react when the life you've spent years building is suddenly uprooted by a news bulletin on your car radio? For Melissa Rach, the ex-wife of former NHL goalie Pokey Reddick, it was finding out about a trade to Edmonton while driving home to her newborn baby was the moment she truly entered the hockey life. Today, Melissa gives a look back at an era long before the "WAG" label was popular, recalling a time of wives' rooms, superstitious rituals, and the silent strength required to move a family across the country at a moment's notice. We dive into the highs and lows of a professional career that stretched from the Winnipeg Jets to a historic Stanley Cup victory with the Edmonton Oilers. Melissa opens up about the isolation of being a 23-year-old mother in a new city, the exhausting "up and down" of the minor leagues, and the pivotal choice she made to leave the traveling lifestyle behind to give her children the stability they deserved. Beyond the highlights on the ice, this is a story about the intentional work of building a healthy family after the cheering stops. Melissa shares how she moved past the divorce to build a genuine friendship with her ex-husband's new wife, ensuring their children grew up in a supportive, unified environment. From watching her son, Bryce, chase his own professional dreams to the emotional 2024 reunion in Winnipeg, her perspective shows that while the career is temporary, the legacy of a connected family is permanent! Did something in this conversation I had with Melissa resonate with you? I'd love to hear about it, so let us know over on Instagram, @wereinonepod [https://www.instagram.com/wereinonepod], and we'll see you back soon for another hard-hitting episode! Just some of the highlights you'll hear: * The jarring moment Melissa learned of a life-altering trade via a sports broadcast while navigating life with a four-month-old baby * A rare look at the superstitions shared by the 1989-90 Oilers wives and the story of her son Bryce and the prestigious Stanley Cup * How Melissa chose to make Las Vegas a permanent home base to protect her children's friendships and education from the constant cycle of relocation * What the move from having the identity of a hockey wife to a dedicated hockey mom looked like for her and her children * How and why Melissa intentionally fostered a relationship with her ex-husband's second wife * A very emotional experience that occurred when she visited Glasgow, Scotland, and saw a fan wearing her son's jersey * A humorous memory she has watching Bryce as an 8-year-old playing hockey * How the unique challenges of the hockey world equipped her children with the kindness and resilience needed to thrive in any culture or country LINKS: Melissa's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mrach/] Pokey's Hockey Profile [https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=4499] Bryce's Hockey Profile [https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=102372] 15: Beyond the Spotlight: Brittany Lucic on Navigating NHL Life, Tragedy, and the Power of Reclaimed Grace [Part One] [https://traffic.libsyn.com/1e4cb00e-2e4f-4cfb-84c6-f0c344a8e818/15_Beyond_the_Spotlight_Brittany_Lucic_on_Navigating_NHL_Life_Tragedy_and_the_Power_of_Reclaimed_Grace_Part_One.mp3] 16: Beyond the Spotlight: Brittany Lucic on Navigating NHL Life, Tragedy, and the Power of Reclaimed Grace [Part Two] [https://traffic.libsyn.com/1e4cb00e-2e4f-4cfb-84c6-f0c344a8e818/16_Beyond_the_Spotlight_Brittany_Lucic_on_Navigating_NHL_Life_Tragedy_and_the_Power_of_Reclaimed_Grace_Part_Two.mp3]

17: How Tina Tuzzolino Navigated the Identity Shift from Player's Wife to Coach's Spouse

The move from the playing years to the coaching staff changes more than just a schedule, it changes the entire dynamic of a hockey household! My special guest Tina Tuzzolino has spent twenty years navigating this life alongside her husband, Nick, through two dozen cities and every level of the game, and I can't wait for you to hear her story. In this conversation, Tina talks about the logistical reality of the "Traveling Gong Show" and she breaks down the transition from the relatively carefree life of a player's wife to the high-pressure responsibility of being a coach's spouse. We discuss the unseen mental load of recruitment, the reality of solo-parenting three young athletes without a local support system, and a whole lot more. From their favorite chapters in Salt Lake and Savannah to the way the rink served as a sanctuary, this is a look at the grit and resilience required to build a life on the move! Did something in this conversation I had with Tina resonate with you? I'd love to hear about it, so let us know over on Instagram, @wereinonepod [https://www.instagram.com/wereinonepod], and we'll see you back soon for another hard-hitting episode! Just some of the highlights you'll hear: * Tina's identify shift of moving from the carefree player's wife to the responsibility of the coaching life * The "duct-tape" bond and why being isolated in new cities creates a family resilience you can't find by staying in one place * A look at the unseen mental load of coaching and why the game never truly stays at the rink, even on Christmas Day * Her insights on navigating the moment children are old enough to understand the stakes of a loss and question job security * How Nick's journey through 20 cities turned him into a mentor who prioritizes a player's mental health * Managing the logistical challenge of three kids in travel sports without a local village to lean on * Tina shares about the unique craving for the "wind to change" and why staying in one city for more than two years feels like a creative dead end * Her direct response to a common stigma about this lifestyle and why a pro-hockey career is a 50/50 venture that requires a full household commitment * She reflects on the specific chapters of life where the weather, the community, and the stage of motherhood aligned perfectly * How the structure of the game provided a healing space for the family during times of grief LINKS: Tina's Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tinatuzz/] Nick's Hockey Profile [https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=83957]

16: Beyond the Spotlight: Brittany Lucic on Navigating NHL Life, Tragedy, and the Power of Reclaimed Grace [Part Two]

What do you do when the life you've built for nearly two decades suddenly hits a dead end? Last week, my special guest Brittany Lucic and I started a conversation that was as real as it gets, and today, we're finishing it. We're diving into that "reckoning" moment: the kind of raw, seven-hour talk that happens when you're days away from a divorce and finally decide to lay everything on the table. Today, Brittany opens up about the side of this league that never makes the highlights. We're talking about the physical and mental toll of being the "villain," the secret injuries players carry just to keep their spot on the roster, and the terrifying reality of navigating a family crisis under a microscope. But more than the hockey of it all, this is a story about what happens when you stop waiting for someone else to change and start doing the work for yourself. From finding a sense of peace in the Scottish highlands to learning how to lead with grace instead of resentment, Brittany's perspective is the breath of fresh air we all need. Settle in, because this conclusion is one that's going to stay with you. I want to give a big thanks to Brittany for sharing such a personal story, and you can follow her journey further, @brittanylucic [https://www.instagram.com/brittanylucic/], on Instagram. If her story resonates or inspires you we'd love to hear about it, so let us know over on Instagram, @wereinonepod [https://www.instagram.com/wereinonepod] and we'll see you back soon for another hard-hitting episode of the podcast! Just some of the highlights you'll hear: * The raw reality of the 7-hour reckoning that occurred days before a finalized divorce and how it changed the trajectory of their family's future * How to navigate heavy conversations around rehab and addiction with children so they feel supported without carrying the weight of adult issues * A rare look at the invisible physical toll of the game and the story of Milan playing through a broken leg just to protect his career and trade value * Why Brittany chooses to lead with empathy instead of anger when facing public slander and the damaged humans behind digital harassment * Milan's evolution from denial to advocacy and how he now works behind the scenes to help other players navigate the stigma of mental health * Defining the mission of Reclaimed Grace and why Brittany believes a partnership can only survive if both people are committed to individual growth * Finding peace through the move to Scotland and the magic of seeing her children attend the same school as their great-grandparents * Understanding the gentle soul behind the grit and why you can't judge the human by the character they play on the ice LINKS: Brittany's Website/The Reclaimed Grace Journey [https://brittanylucic.com/] Her Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brittanylucic/] Milan's Hockey Profile [https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=83957]