Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva
A hockey podcast that blends classic wisdom, modern takes, and a few good chirps along the way. Each episode, Alena Sycheva sits down with hockey legends, journalists, and insiders to talk about the game’s biggest stories, unforgettable moments, and untold behind-the-scenes tales.
🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes!
📍 New shows drop every Tuesday
📩 Got a question or guest suggestion? DM us or email: alenasychevamedia@gmail.com
📱 Follow us : https://linktr.ee/alenasycheva
Episodes
37 episodes
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 37: Steve Passmore on the Reality of Being a Journeyman Goalie
From grinding through years in the minors to finally reaching the NHL, Passmore shares what it really means to be a journeyman in professional hockey — the uncertainty, the resilience, and the mindset required to keep going when nothing is guar...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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59:36
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 36: Steve Viuker | Worst Goalies, NHL Point System & Hockey Fights
On this episode with Steve Viuker we break down goalie performances, debate the NHL point system, and talk about the role of fighting in today’s game.
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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59:53
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 35: Glenn Healy on Goaltending, the 1994 Rangers & NHL Alumni
In Episode 35 of Bottle Rocket, we sit down with Stanley Cup champion and former NHL goaltender Glenn Healy.From his journey to the NHL to winning the Stanley Cup with the 1994 New York Rangers, Glenn shares what it really takes to succe...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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1:00:13
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 34: Inside the Rangers Locker Room with Mollie Walker
In Episode 34 of Bottle Rocket, Alena, Mave and George are joined by Mollie Walker, who covers the New York Rangers.We talk about what it’s really like covering an NHL team every day, the challenges of being a beat reporter in...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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56:37
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 33: Mitch Kerzner - Emmy Award–Winning Producer & NHL Alumni Executive
Mitch shares insights from his career in sports broadcasting and television production, as well as his work with NHL alumni and the stories behind the game. We discuss how hockey is presented on television, the evolution of sports media, and th...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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58:33
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 32: NHL Trade Deadline Reactions
We break down the latest NHL trades and what they mean for teams around the league. We discuss the Maple Leafs’ moves, key deadline deals, and which teams improved the most. Plus, our thoughts on contenders, rebuilds, and what fans can expect h...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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1:01:40
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 31: Vince Piazza, Francesco Saviano & Adam Abdalla | The Story Behind the Boxing Documentary On the Line
We are are joined by actor and executive producer Vince Piazza, director Francesco Saviano, and producer Adam Abdalla to discuss their powerful boxing documentary On the Line.We dive into the emotional and psychological side of boxing, w...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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59:28
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 30: Shannon Hogan on Islanders Broadcasting, the Olympics & Hockey’s Best Arenas
We are joined by New York Islanders broadcaster Shannon Hogan from MSG Networks.Shannon is sharing stories from covering the Islanders and what it’s like working in the fast-paced world of NHL media.We also dive into the excitem...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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57:28
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 29: Bill Mikkelson Joins Bottle Rocket Podcast
On Episode 29 of Bottle Rocket, we’re joined by NHL veteran Bill Mikkelson. From the expansion-era battles to the evolution of the modern game, Bill shares stories from one of hockey’s toughest generations. We talk old-school grit, locker room ...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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57:26
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 28: USA vs Canada Olympic Showdown Breakdown
Alena, Mave, Jerry and Ariel break down the Olympic showdown between USA and Canada, analyzing key moments, momentum swings, coaching decisions, and standout performances.
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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1:12:27
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 27: Alan Greenberg on Panthers Playoff Run & Olympic Hockey Talk
Senior Writer for Florida Hockey Now Alan Greenberg joins Bottle Rocket to break down the Florida Panthers’ playoff push, team culture, and what makes this roster so dangerous in a seven-game series.We also dive into Olympic h...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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1:00:38
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 26: Mark Nussbaum - Leafs Reality Check & Olympic Fire
In Episode 26 of Bottle Rocket, we are joined by self-proclaimed biggest Leafs fan Mark Nussbaum to break down the current state of the Toronto Maple Leafs — are they still in it or is this season slipping away?
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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1:04:40
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 25: George Falkowski on Funny Hockey Names & the Hughes brothers
In Episode 25 of Bottle Rocket, four-time New York Emmy Award winner George Falkowski joins us for a fun hockey conversation — from the funniest player names in the game to the Hughes brothers.
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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52:37
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 24: Bobby Holik on Winning, Identity and What Actually Matters in Hockey
Bobby joins us for a thoughtful conversation about what winning really takes beyond talent and statistics. From team identity and locker-room accountability to leadership without the spotlight, pressure in the playoffs, and the mental side of t...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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1:02:53
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 23: Chico Resch Talks Goaltending, the Leafs, the Rangers & Russian Legends
In Episode 23 of Bottle Rocket, we sit down with Chico Resch to talk goaltending, pressure and what it really takes to win at the highest level. We get into the mental side of the position, the current state of the Toronto Maple Leafs and New Y...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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1:32:56
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 22: Gordon Stafford The Growth of Women's Hockey
Under Gordon’s leadership, Shattuck-St. Mary’s has captured 17 national championships, helping shape generations of elite female hockey players who have gone on to compete at the collegiate and professional levels.We dive into the evolut...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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1:01:17
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 21: Glenn Dreyfuss on the Capitals, Kraken & Hockey’s Untold Stories
Glenn has had a rare front-row seat to two NHL expansion eras — witnessing the birth of the Washington Capitals in the 1970s and later the Seattle Kraken decades later. From early expansion struggles to how the league learned (and evolved), Gle...
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1:03:40
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 20: Jason Helman - What Hockey Can Learn From Golf
In Episode 20 of Bottle Rocket, we’re joined by Jason Helman, a nationally recognized PGA of Canada professional with over 25 years of coaching experience.While Jason is best known as a golf instructor, he’s followed hockey cl...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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55:05
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 19: Bruce Bennett on Photographing Hockey’s Most Iconic Moments
On this episode, we’re joined by Bruce Bennett — one of the most influential figures in hockey photography and visual storytelling.For nearly five decades, Bruce has documented the game at the highest level, covering over 5,80...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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1:05:30
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 18: Ronnie Shuker on Travel, Culture & the Game
Ronnie Shuker joins Bottle Rocket for a wide-ranging conversation about hockey far beyond the box score.An author and Editor-at-Large at The Hockey News, Ronnie has taken the game to some of the most unexpected places on Earth...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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58:36
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 17: Joe Dionisio on a Life in the Game - Hockey, Hollywood & Zambonis
Joe shares unforgettable hockey stories, from covering Islanders dynasty teams and legendary Rangers–Islanders rivalries to breaking the news of the Florida Panthers’ expansion, learning to drive a Zamboni and reflecting on how the NHL has chan...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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57:51
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 16: Neil Smith on Blockbuster Trades, Leafs Trouble & NHL Reality.
On Episode 16 of Bottle Rocket, we are honoured to have Neil Smith, one of the most influential general managers in modern NHL history and the architect of the 1994 New York Rangers, who ended a 54-year Stanley Cup drought.Nei...
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1:01:45
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 15: Steve Simmons — Sunday Sun Journalist on the NHL, the Leafs & Hockey Media
In Episode 15 of Bottle Rocket, we are joined by Steve Simmons, longtime Toronto sports columnist and one of the most well-known voices covering the Maple Leafs.Steve shares his perspective on where this Leafs team stands, what’s really ...
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1:03:50
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode14: Matthew Blittner — One of Hockey’s Leading Authors on the NHL Today
In this episode of Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva, we are joined by Matthew Blittner, one of the most prolific hockey authors and historians of our era. A five-time hockey author, Devils writer for Sportsology.com and co-host of the Blue Line...
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59:27
Bottle Rocket with Alena Sycheva Episode 13: History, Storytelling & Today’s NHL with Paul Patskou & George Falkowski
In Episode 13 of Bottle Rocket, we’re joined by award-winning sports historian and archivist Paul Patskou and four-time New York Emmy Award winner George Falkowski. We break down the latest hockey news, talk media coverage and storytelling in t...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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1:01:15