Episode Description
Summary
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jeffrey Viel joins Greg Wolf and Braydon Coburn on Block Party, presented by Jai Alai IPA!
Jeff opens up about his journey from the minors to becoming an NHL regular, including the challenges of going undrafted, bouncing between organizations, and earning his five-year contract with the Lightning. He also shares the story behind his infamous wrong-way rookie lap in San Jose, what attracted him to Tampa Bay in free agency, and what it's like joining one of the NHL's strongest locker rooms.
Plus, Viel talks about his love for country music, life away from the rink with his Dalmatian Koda, his favorite spots around Tampa, memorable playoff moments against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, his fighting mentality, and the toughest opponents he's faced throughout his career.
0:00 Introduction
1:28 Halloween Costumes & Step Brothers
2:14 Meet His Rare Brown Dalmatian
4:40 Settling Into Tampa & Favorite Restaurants
6:23 Jeffrey Viel's Love for Country Music
8:34 Start, Bench, Trade: Chop Edition
9:55 The Wrong-Way Rookie Lap in San Jose
11:27 Grinding Through the Minors to the NHL
15:29 Why He Signed with Tampa Bay
22:18 Line Chemistry, Fights & Playoff Hockey
25:49 His Biggest Playoff Goal vs. Edmonton
27:42 How He Decompresses After Games
29:52 Rapid Fire Questions
32:08 Game Changer: One NHL Rule He'd Change
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