In this high-energy episode of The Hockey Guys, Jace Denman (the "wise one"), "Crazy Eddie" Christian, and Coach Dean Wilson dive into the aftermath of the 2026 World Junior Championship quarterfinals. With guest Doc Phil Johnson—medical director for the tournament—the crew discusses Team USA’s disappointing exit, Canada’s rising dominance, and how Minneapolis has set a world-class standard for future host cities. The conversation also shifts to the domestic front, recapping a wild night of college hockey where in-state rivals clashed and the transfer portal continue to spark heated debate among the hosts.
Key Moments
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World Juniors Reflection: Doc Phil Johnson shares behind-the-scenes insights into the 2026 tournament, noting that the Minneapolis facilities and medical coordination have "set the new bar" for the IIHF. The hosts break down Team USA's 4-3 overtime loss to Finland, citing a lack of puck control and defensive zone lapses as the primary culprits.
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Canada’s Shortened Bench: The crew lauds Team Canada head coach Dale Hunter for his aggressive coaching style, noting how he successfully "potty trained" his elite roster by shortening the bench to two lines early on to enforce a fast, physical north-south game.
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The In-State Battle: College hockey highlights include the Bemidji State Beavers securing an exhibition shootout win over the Minnesota Gophers. Other notable scores include North Dakota’s victory over Mercyhurst and Augustana’s narrow win against Colorado College.
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Portal & Politics: Coach Wilson and Doc Phil engage in a candid discussion about the "Portal Problem" in college athletics. They debate how the current system may be eroding team culture and whether elite players are prioritizing short-term financial gains over long-term program development.
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Player Spotlight: Shout-outs go to Moorhead native Aaron Reierson, who earned his first college point with Alaska Anchorage, and Fargo’s Ben Strinden, who netted the game-winning goal for North Dakota.
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Safety on the Ice: Doc Phil discusses the "Rescue on Ice" training protocols and the ongoing challenges of protecting players in vulnerable spots, such as the back of the neck and dental safety through proper mouthguard use.