NHL Executive Suite

Latest Episodes:

S1: Kim Davis, NHL Executive VP of Social Impact Mar 06, 2019

Show notes

Deb Placey is joined by Kim Davis, the NHL’s Executive Vice President of Social Impact. Davis tells us how her grandmother became the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. at Harvard (1:00) and how her grandmother’s advice impacted her decision to take a full-time position with the NHL after a successful career in financial services (4:45). She explains why she considers hockey to be a “tribal” sport (10:34) and describes the steps that are being taken by the NHL to be fully inclusive (12:25). Davis examines how today’s athletes are dealing with social issues (19:50) and how her “millennial” children have influenced her work (25:18). She discusses what she believes the next generation of hockey fans desire (27:00) and the importance of properly engaging women to help grow the game (30:41).

S1: Executive Director of the NHL Alumni Association Glenn Healy Feb 13, 2019

Show notes

Deb Placey is joined by Glenn Healy, executive director of the NHL Alumni Association. A guarded secret for years, Healy describes his off-ice passion of playing in a pipe band – a hobby that has taken him all over the world and given him the chance to perform with legendary musician Paul McCartney (3:01). Healy shares stories from his earliest hockey memories – including putting on his first pair of Gordie Howe skates – and explains how never touching the puck as a skater persuaded him to try the goalie position (12:00). Healy recalls signing with the Los Angeles Kings during the ‘Gretzky era’ and what that meant as a transformational time in the history of hockey (17:16). He also discusses the commanding presence of head coach Al Arbour during his days with the New York Islanders (22:05), the best goalies of his era (30:33) and playing for his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. Healy also touches on his time as a broadcaster with Hockey Night in Canada (39:25), what he did on his day with the Stanley Cup (34:34) and his intermission show “Heels and Flats,” hosted with former Islanders teammate Patrick Flatley (43:20).

S1: Vegas Golden Knights Chairman & CEO Bill Foley Jan 29, 2019

Show notes

Deb Placey’s guest is Vegas Golden Knights Chairman and CEO Bill Foley. Foley reacts to the notion that he’s the most ‘interesting man in hockey’ (0:45), explains how is interest in purchasing the Jacksonville Jaguars led him to the NHL expansion opportunity in Vegas (1:30) and reveals the advice he’s offered

to the folks leading the NHL’s newest franchise in Seattle (3:50). He recalls his time at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (7:07), how he got his start on Wall Street (11:00), and how his initial small investments turned into great success (14:00). Foley shares his secrets in building the Golden Knights (15:08), his ‘we’re for real’ moment during the team’s inaugural season (23:45), how dealing with tragedy made everyone come together in Las Vegas (21:10), why the ‘Knight’ is an important part of his team’s culture (25:05) and how he’s excited for his new venture, The Folded Flag Foundation (30:18).

S1: NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly Jan 16, 2019

Show notes

Deb Placey is joined by NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly. As a long-time hockey fan, Daly rattles off his list of favorite New York Rangers players during the 1970s and 80s (2:25) and points out how hockey has grown in New Jersey, where he grew up (6:40). Daly tells us about his personal connection to Saskatchewan (7:40), how he ended up as a star running back at Dartmouth (11:42) and what kind of football player he was (13:16). Early in Daly’s law career, he worked on a high profile case involving the USFL and the current President of the United States (20:55). He recounts his transition from working at a private law firm to the NHL (22:43) and attempts to predict what the future holds in regards to the broadcasting of NHL games (31:28). Daly discusses the impact that the legalization of sports betting in certain states has had on the League (41:40), the marathon negotiations that saved the 2012-’13 season (47:16), his chemistry with Commissioner Bettman (52:30) and how he consistently tries to improve his management style (55:05).

S1: Buffalo Sabres owner Kim Pegula Jan 02, 2019

Show notes

Deb Placey is joined by Buffalo Sabres and Bills owner, Kim Pegula. Kim explains how she finds time to manage all of her responsibilities as an NHL and NFL owner and as President of Pegula Sports and Entertainment (0:52). She reacts to recently being mentioned as a possible candidate for the NHL Commissioner position (1:42), shares why she loves interacting with Buffalo fans (4:22) and points out the main differences between professional hockey and football players (7:00). Kim details how being a woman in sports has changed over the years (14:24), how her unique childhood has shaped who she is today (18:00), what the biggest technical advancement has been for the teams that she owns (25:23) and why Buffalo is such a wonderful place to live or visit (28:00).

S1: New York Islanders General Manager Lou Lamoriello Dec 19, 2018

Show notes

Deb Placey welcomes in New York Islanders President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Lou Lamoriello. Lou reminisces about his early days in hockey while working as a stick boy with the Providence Reds and how his relationship with Johnny Bower began (5:12). He recalls his time playing and managing in the Cape Cod Baseball League (9:53), when he took over the Providence College men’s hockey program (16:17), and his time as the school’s Athletic Director. He shares who his first choice was for the Providence men’s basketball head coaching position (17:15) and why he ultimately ended up hiring Rick Pitino (18:05). Lou fondly remembers when he was recruited to run the New Jersey Devils (19:35) and how that led to him working with George Steinbrenner (20:55). He details the time he was almost an extra on The Sopranos (27:34), his motivation for spearheading the formation of the Hockey East Conference, how he struck the first television deal for NCAA hockey (39:11) and why he supported the drafting of Soviet players to the NHL (42:10).

S1: Nashville Predators General Manager David Poile Dec 05, 2018

Show notes

Deb Placey sits down with Nashville Predators General Manager David Poile, the winningest GM in NHL history. Poile’s love affair with hockey began in earnest while watching Bruins games when he attended Northeastern (2:10) and his time in the NHL began in a trailer in Atlanta (5:35). Poile shares a story about a letter that his father Bud Poile, a member of the Maple Leafs 1947 Stanley Cup winning team, sent to Leafs’ then general manager Conn Smythe from his post during the Second World War (13:30), recounts the time he traded Capitals owner Abe Pollin’s favorite player (15:23) and the thought process behind trading for P.K. Subban (19:35). He details how he guided the Predators from expansion to contention (21:14), provides insight into his favorite wines (27:40) and how he overcame an eye injury suffered in practice (32:05)

S1: Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman Nov 20, 2018

Show notes

Deb Placey chats with Chicago Blackhawks Vice President and General Manager Stan Bowman. Bowman explains how difficult his decision was to part ways with Joel Quenneville (1:40) and what his relationship is like with new head coach Jeremy Colliton (2:42). He also details how he’s different than his father Scotty (11:06), recounts his time at Notre Dame (17:27), how he got his first front office job (26:35) and discusses his two battles with Hodgkin’s lymphoma (28:38). He tells the story of why he and Patrick Kane have a special relationship (35:42) and how cool it is to have his father as an advisor to the Blackhawks (39:44).

S1: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Nov 07, 2018

Show notes

On the first episode of NHL Executive Suite, Deb Placey sits down with Commissioner Gary Bettman. During their wide-ranging discussion, Bettman describes his wife’s reaction to his upcoming Hall of Fame induction (12:15), his time at the NBA working under David Stern (19:33), what it was like to interview for the Commissioner’s position in 1993 (21:45) and explains how he knew Las Vegas was ready for an NHL franchise (29:45). He also reveals his favorite music (32:07), what he looks for when watching hockey games (34:28) and how he’d like to be remembered when his time as the NHL Commissioner is up (37:45)

NHL Executive Suite Trailer Nov 02, 2018

Show notes

Deb Placey provides a unique look at the people who own, build, cover and manage our favorite teams by engaging in candid interviews with National Hockey League executives, including appearances from Commissioner Gary Bettman, general managers, owners and notable brass from League partners. How they got into the game, why they pursued their career, how they see the future of the sport evolving and much more.

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