Born in Halifax and adopted into a white family in Sarnia, Ontario, Mike McKegney grew up on a backyard rink that helped shape three high-level players: Mike, his older brother Ian (who reached the NHL with Chicago), and his younger brother Tony (who starred in the NHL with Buffalo, St. Louis, and Quebec).

In this candid conversation, Mike reflects on his adoption journey, growing up as a Black player in 1960s–70s Canadian hockey, and becoming the first Black player ever signed by the Montreal Canadiens. He shares stories from Sarnia minor hockey, the Kitchener Rangers, pro stops in Nova Scotia, the NAHL, San Francisco, and Switzerland, and what it was like to skate alongside legends in Montreal’s system.

Mike also opens up about his experience with hockey's drinking culture in the 1970s, his own struggle with addiction, and how it derailed his NHL ambitions, and the 26 years of sobriety that transform his life. With honesty and humility, he looks back on what might have been, what he’s learned, and why he’s ultimately grateful, for his family, his career, and his life now in Belize.

On this episode of My Hockey Hero, we celebrate the journey of Hayden Paupanekis, a six-foot-five center from the Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba and draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens (2025 NHL Draft, 4th round, 69th overall). Hayden reflects on learning to skate at five in Winnipeg’s minor hockey system, the support of his family and community, and the pride he takes in being a role model for Indigenous youth.

He shares what it was like to be drafted into the WHL by the Spokane Chiefs, the challenges of moving away from home, the impact of his billet family, and adjusting to the business side of junior hockey. Hayden also talks about his offseason training, his experience at the NHL combine in Buffalo, the feedback from Montreal, and his transition to the Kelowna Rockets as they chase the Memorial Cup. We wrap up with rapid-fire questions on his role models, pregame rituals, and advice for young players about hard work and having a growth mindset.

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In this episode of My Hockey Hero, host Dean Barnes sits down with Alex Huang, star defenceman for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the QMJHL and 2025 draft pick of the Nashville Predators. Alex shares his journey as the son of Chinese immigrants growing up in a diverse Montreal suburb, his early love for hockey (starting on orange juice caps), and how the pandemic became a turning point in his development. He reflects on being an offensive defenceman, a trilingual student-athlete with Harvard on the horizon, and a role model for Asian and other racialized kids in hockey. Alex also talks about his team’s Memorial Cup aspirations, the demands of major junior hockey, and offers powerful advice to young players about self-belief, hard work, and carving their own path to the next level. blackhockeycards.com