Executive Director of the NHL Alumni Association Glenn Healy

Deb Placey is joined by Glenn Healy, executive director of the NHL Alumni Association. A guarded secret for years, Healy describes his off-ice passion of playing in a pipe band – a hobby that has taken him all over the world and given him the chance to perform with legendary musician Paul McCartney (3:01). Healy shares stories from his earliest hockey memories – including putting on his first pair of Gordie Howe skates – and explains how never touching the puck as a skater persuaded him to try the goalie position (12:00). Healy recalls signing with the Los Angeles Kings during the ‘Gretzky era’ and what that meant as a transformational time in the history of hockey (17:16). He also discusses the commanding presence of head coach Al Arbour during his days with the New York Islanders (22:05), the best goalies of his era (30:33) and playing for his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. Healy also touches on his time as a broadcaster with Hockey Night in Canada (39:25), what he did on his day with the Stanley Cup (34:34) and his intermission show “Heels and Flats,” hosted with former Islanders teammate Patrick Flatley (43:20).