We are a scrappy collective of hockey lovers reaching out to the furthest reaches of the hockey-sphere! Our goal is to connect and expand the hockey community. We do this by shedding light on the millions of different/unique/interesting aspects of the game. Everyone that loves hockey and shows it in their own way, so we want to tell the world all about it. From professional/college/beer league hockey players to skating instructors to bubble hockey customizers to your everyday hockey fan. This podcast is our continuous ode to that which provides so much to us everyday, the good ol’ game of Hockey.
The Beginning
On the Bench with Beeks was created in the most simple of ways, just two buddies hanging out in a garage, having beers and talking about hockey. Cody ”Beeks” Beekman and Keits Zanders have been great friends since their youth hockey playing days and have carried on their love of the game ever since. As it just so happens, the boys end up drinking a few lagers and the topic of conversation (in so many cases) were the current happenings of the NHL’s trade deadline. It occurs to Keits that they should be recording this and putting it out into the world for folks to listen to. The next day as the boys were heading towards downtown Denver, for a Colorado Avalanche game, Keits decides that his epiphany the other day needs to become a reality. He throws $500 of his own money down on podcast equipment. Announces this to Beeks and behold, On the Bench with Beeks was born.
Finding Our Voice
Our original focus for the podcast was a lot like many sports podcasts that were and are doing great things out in the podcast-spehere. Reacting to, discussing and analyzing events and happenings within games and around the leagues. Things such as who’s winning/losing, who is on the trading block, who’s hot/who’s not. However, once we started welcoming on guests, our main prerogative became quite clear. As we sat and listened to each guest’s own story of their journey, passion and love for the game of hockey. We realised that not one hockey story is the same, so we made it our personal mission to learn and share all of the incredible ways a person can express their love for the greatest game on earth.
OTBWB Now
On the Bench with Beeks has gone through a few roster changes in its 84 episode (and counting) life, but we have kept that same passion and work ethic to bring listeners amazing stories of people in the hockey community doing unique and incredible things. Keits, has moved on but still has enough time to produce a few side project podcast episodes once a month, during the hockey season. As it stands the boys on the Bench are Cody ”Beeks’ Beekman (host), Nick Adams (co-host), and Bryce McMillan (co-host). And last but not certainly least, we have the one and only Dave Zamboni from the world’s best and only hockey rock ’n’ roll band, The Zambonis! Dave provides a weekly Zambonis song and a little bit of background about his pick.
Conclusion
We truly are some scrappy, dare I say crass at times, hockey lovers that stumbled our way onto the microphone. We love our hockey and want to contribute to our hockey by expanding and connecting with as many hockey lovers as possible. In the end, we are just a few people who love talking hockey. So please cue up an episode and join us on the Bench!
– Beeks
Topics: hockey, podcast, introduction
Twitter socials: @On_Bench_Beeks @CodyRocksteady @AdamsNick96 @Millan3Mc @TheZambonis
