We’re talkin’ to Mike Pitt about where this whole thing started — the Peter Frates ALS Foundation, built off the back of a beauty of a human who battled like a first-line grinder every single day. Kid had wheels, heart, and more compete than half the league combined.

Then boom — Ice Bucket Challenge hits. Absolute wagon of a movement. People dumping buckets on their heads like it’s a Game 7 celly — except it actually did something. Raised a stupid amount of money, put ALS on the map, and got everyone from your beer league buddy to celebs involved.

Now we’ve got the Ice ALS Charity Hockey Game — and this thing’s not just a skate, it’s a full barn-burner for a cause. Alumni, refs, the whole crew showing up. That’s how you grow the game and take care of your own.

They get into what ALS actually does too — and spoiler: it’s brutal. Not just physically, but financially. We’re talking real-life, off-the-ice battles that make a bad loss look like nothing. Families grinding harder than a PK unit down two men.

Shoutout to the work with the Pete Frates Foundation — absolute studs over there. Boots on the ground, making a difference, no shortcuts.

Then the convo takes a turn — refs catch a stray (as they should 😂). Talking youth officiating, how tough it is, and yeah… maybe we gotta stop screaming at 14-year-olds like it’s the Stanley Cup Final, eh?

Mix in some locker room nonsense, comedy bits, chirps flying — the boys are buzzing. You can tell there’s some sketch ideas cooking there too. Might get a couple beauties outta that.

They wrap it up with what’s next — events coming up, more ways to get involved, and maybe… just maybe… an Ice Bucket Challenge comeback tour? Run it back. Let’s fill the bucket again.

Fish from Shoresy — rolls through and gives the full story: how a hockey guy ends up in front of the camera, what it’s like sharing ice with legit NHL legends, and how the character everybody knows actually got built from real hockey blood, bruises, and locker-room life. It’s hockey stories, behind-the-scenes stuff, and the kind of honesty you only get from a guy who’s lived both sides of it.

Then it gets deeper — Jacob talks about life off-camera too: faith, family, purpose, staying grounded when people suddenly know your face, and figuring out who you are when the noise gets loud. Humble guy, grateful mindset, no fake tough-guy act — just real talk about growth, perspective, and keeping your skates on straight while life starts moving quick.

Basically: laughs, hockey, some real-life perspective, and a few stories that feel like they should’ve been told over beers after a road game.

This week the boys get real hockey nerdy with the one and only Pierre McGuire — ya know, the guy who knows every player’s junior billet mom and what stick curve they used in Bantams. Mark Riley, Gino Binda Jr., and Josh Dolan get into it with Pierre about everything from the chaos of NHL officiating to the beauty of the 2010 Olympic gold medal game.They’re talkin’ refs, linesmen, chirps from the bench, how the game’s changed, and why communication on the ice can make or break a night. Pierre drops wild stories from his decades in the league — behind the benches, in the booths, and down between the glass where he’s been smoked by more pucks than a beer league goalie.We get into fighter toughness, college-to-pro jumps, old-school coaching legends, the next wave of NHL expansion, and yeah — even a little Hall of Fame chatter. It’s pure hockey talk with the energy of a post-game beer in the dressing room.So tape up the twig, grab a cold one, and hit play — this one’s a beauty. 🍻#ChirpingZebras #PierreMcGuire #HockeyPodcast #RefLife #NHL🎧 Listen to the Full Episode:Audio: https://chirpingzebras.com/episodes/Thanks to our Sponsors:Damon FinancialDamon Financial LLC for backing the pod — if you want no-BS, straight-shooting financial advice from people who actually care, hit up Damon Financial. For over 24 years, they’ve been helping families and business owners grow and protect their wealth with clear, trusted strategies. From retirement planning and investments to tax-efficient solutions, they deliver advice focused on your goals.📞 Call 508-321-2101 to book your meeting with Damon Financial today.👉 Learn more about Damon Financialhttps://www.damonfinancial.com/Townshend HockeyAt Townshend Hockey, they don't just build great hockey players — they build great people with Discipline. Respect. Leadership.On the ice and off — they train character, they grow confidence, and they inspire a lifelong love of the game. Because at Townshend Hockey, it's not just about the scoreboard —It's about who you become.👉 Learn more about Townshend Hockeyhttps://townshendhockey.com/Referees CreaseYour one-stop solution for all things hockey officiating: Recruitment, Development, Advancement, Assignments, and Payroll. RECRUITMENT DEVELOPMENT ASSIGNMENTS PAYROLL📢 Connect with Us:Website: https://chirpingzebras.com/Show Social Media: The TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chirping.zebrasThe IG: https://www.instagram.com/chirpingzebras/The Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chirpingzebras/💬 Join the Conversation:We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback and join the discussion in the comments below or reach out to us on social media!⭐ Subscribe & Rate:If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to Chirping Zebras and leaving a rating/review. Your support helps us keep delivering insightful content from the referees' perspective!