A Tribute to Two Titans of Hockey - The Sports Lunatics Show
- shawnlavignemedia
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
The Sports Lunatics are back with an episode that hits every note—history, heart, humour, and the kind of storytelling that reminds you why hockey matters far beyond the rink.
In this week’s episode, Shawn and Howie shine a well‑deserved spotlight on two towering figures in hockey history: David Branch and Bob Pulford. Their careers shaped leagues, teams, and generations of players, and their legacies continue to ripple through the sport today.
David Branch: The Steady Hand Behind Junior Hockey
For 45 years, David Branch guided the Ontario Hockey League with a rare blend of authority and warmth. Add 23 years as president of the Canadian Hockey League, and you get a man whose fingerprints are on nearly every major development in junior hockey for half a century.Shawn and Howie explore Branch’s impact not just as an executive, but as a person—a leader known for his approachability, integrity, and genuine care for the people who make the sport what it is.
Bob Pulford: Champion, Coach, Architect
Then the Lunatics turn their attention to Bob Pulford, a man whose hockey résumé reads like a full career for three different people.
Stanley Cup champion and all‑star with the Maple Leafs
Key figure with the Los Angeles Kings
Coach of both the Kings and the Chicago Blackhawks
And—because once wasn’t enough—four separate stints as the Blackhawks’ general manager
Pulford’s influence stretched from the ice to the front office, shaping teams and players across decades.
🎙️ The Darren Pang Story You Won’t Forget
Just when you think the episode can’t get any richer, Howie drops a story from goalie Darren Pang about Pulford that absolutely steals the show. It’s touching, funny, revealing—and the perfect emotional capstone to an episode built on legacy.
This is one of those episodes where the Lunatics do what they do best: honour the past, celebrate the people who built the game, and share stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
A must‑listen for hockey fans, history buffs, and anyone who loves a great story told well.
Ready to dive in? The puck drops as soon as you hit play.
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