Latest / Chirping Zebras / JACOB SMITH | Chirping Zebras Podcast | Ep 104
Transcript
- Geno Binda: We don't pronounce RRs and we don't... Jacob: I've never heard side words before, was more sideways. Josh Dolan: Side word is a good idea. Irregardless. Geno Binda: Sidewards. Sidewards. Mark Riley: Really? Sideways, I say sideways. Yeah. We have a lot of weird, weird things. Everyone busts my balls because I call it Roast Deer Chicken. And they're like, it's rotisserie. I'm like, to me, it's Roast Deer. That's what I've always called it. Well, I fucking do. And no one said the TikTok till I started saying it. Now everyone says it. So. Welcome everyone to Tripping Zebras. Mark Reilly virtually alongside Gino Binda Jr. and Josh Dolan coming into you from the interwebs. And we're excited for a great episode. Before we get into that, I wanna remind you to like and subscribe on YouTube, follow us on the social medias, the Instagram, the Facebook, and of course, thank you. I also wanna thank our sponsors. Josh Dolan: Nobody says Roast Deer. Jacob: Well, a steer and a chicken is different. Those are two different things. Geno Binda: Well, I say. Mark Riley: Yeah, I know I'm wrong. I've accepted it. Geno Binda: The TikTok. Josh Dolan: Hahaha! Jacob: You Josh Dolan: Just trying to make everyone change with you. Mark Riley: The referees creesh one-stop shop for all your refereeing needs from training development scheduling paying They do it all also want to thank game and financial LLC for over 24 years. Damon financial has helped families and businesses ⁓ Grow and protect their wealth with clear trusted strategies from retirement planning and investments that tax-efficient solutions They deliver no nonsense advice focused on your goals call them at five ⁓ eight three two one But you know, it's all about me motherfuckers. Geno Binda: It's like that movie Bill Burr is in. It's like, knock, what did I say? What did I say? Mark Riley: ⁓ yeah. Yeah. Josh Dolan: Irregardless. Jacob: Well, good thing it's landscaping day here. This is great. I might have to go inside. Can you guys hear that in the background? So maybe that's iPhone's ability to just block it out. Cool. Mark Riley: Now. Josh Dolan: Yeah. And also this software will, ⁓ it'll cancel a background noise and like isolate right on you too. you're good. Mark Riley: Yeah. 2101 today to schedule your meeting with Damon Financial to find more information ⁓ at damonfinancial.com. And also wanna throw a shout out to AOA Studios. We got some live podcasts coming up, including the big one at Laugh Boston. So we're excited about that with the parade. So we got a lot of things in the works and we're really excited to have you guys along for the ride. Jacob: Okay, Sweet. Geno Binda: So like you're you looks like you caged in there is that what's more dangerous down there the bugs of the other gators. Jacob: I think these are for the bugs, ⁓ but I don't really know. Mark Riley: I don't think a gator's gonna- that's not gonna hold back a gator. Josh Dolan: haha Geno Binda: No, it's not gonna hold the key. That's true. Jacob: I haven't seen a gator. I've been here for six months. I haven't seen a gator in our little canal here. ⁓ Mark Riley: Well, if we see one coming behind you, we'll give you a shout and let you know. And the last episode, Darren McCarty, that's a train running on a track that can't be stopped. Jacob: Yeah, just give me a heads up. I'll rattle them to the ground. Mark Riley: Yeah, I don't Josh Dolan: That'll be great for clicks. Jacob: Yeah. Josh Dolan: It's rare that we get out-chirped. Geno Binda: No. Mark Riley: That'll go viral for sure. 100%. ⁓ I know. Yeah. I know. no, he kept going at me. I said I only watched Heated Rivalry for the comedic research. That was it. He did not believe me. He did not believe me. But what a guest. mean, just what a good guy. And, you know, like I said, he'll never pay for a beer in Boston because he beat the bag out of Jacob: 100 % in love. Josh Dolan: Fish wrestled gator. Geno Binda: He came in guns a blazing. Fresh little hockey player. Jacob: Yeah Josh Dolan: Yeah. And he didn't let Riley up for air once. Geno Binda: You zebra trapper. Mark Riley: Yeah, fish takes down Gator. Here's that 11. Josh Dolan: And it's just Tim Tebow. Mark Riley: So you actually grew up in Sudbury. So what's that like being in a show that's based in Sudbury? Because you're the only one that grew up there, right? ⁓ Max did too. Yeah, that's right. Josh Dolan: for research. Jacob: Yes, sir. Geno Binda: Yeah, he was great. Jacob: Max Mark Riley: Claude Lemieux, right? So no one likes Claude Lemieux. And if Claude Lemieux is listening and you wanna come on, by all means, we'll have you on, but probably, we probably won't be nice. So, Gina, we'll have you drive in traffic, get you all fired up if Claude Lemieux comes on, so you're all fired up. Jacob: Yeah, Max did. That's it. Yeah, it's just me and Max. Yeah, I mean, it's weird. I don't know. It felt very similar to like my 20 years of life, you know, playing the character. And not just the character, but just the show in general and like what we did on a daily basis. Like it felt like a show of my hockey career. So pretty interesting. Josh Dolan: Yeah. you Yeah. Geno Binda: I wouldn't need traffic for that one. Mark Riley: You Could go regular Gino on that one. He wouldn't even need any inspiration. You kind of, bet play the role you play is kind of like how you were as a player. I'm guessing. Josh Dolan: Yeah. Gina will throw him into a Honda Civic just like Cam did into the boards with Geno Binda: Yeah, right. Mark Riley: Oh yeah. Yup. So, no, Darren was great. And today's guest, I mean, the Shorzy train, they keep getting off at the stop. And Jacob Smith, AKA Fish from Shorzy, great dude. And what a great story on how he got on the show. Jacob: ⁓ yeah. Yeah, that's because I didn't know how to act. Mark Riley: You Geno Binda: Mmm. Jacob: So I just kind of stepped into what I knew, I guess you could say. Geno Binda: that well isn't that what he was going for right hire somebody like yeah this is what I want Jacob: I think that's what he was going for and it definitely worked out. We talk about it all the time on tour, how much this paid off and ⁓ actually the fact that Goon's a movie so it's a little different but they're not on tour. These shows, maybe Slapshot is, but they don't play. They're just more meet and greets and the reason we can do these tours is because we can actually play. The popularity of the show is obviously one thing but the... Geno Binda: I mean great great guy I mean it sucks that his character kind of went away but you know it's ⁓ yeah his story is great ⁓ just how he talks about it and where he is now in life and how everything's great so no that was awesome Mark Riley: Yeah, but and we got the invite to go down and play golf down at West Palm Beach. So. We got that going for us. Jacob: the ⁓ production value of an actual show that we put on live ⁓ is legit as it comes. Like you talk about the fight with Morasti, like you actually used to fight. You talk about the skating, the snapping the puck around, like the chemistry that we're starting to build as a team. These NHL guys are starting to notice it and ⁓ it's not just a bunch of actors. So it actually paid off in the... Josh Dolan: Exactly. Geno Binda: Don't tell my father that. Mark Riley: Yeah, you don't want to bring your dad. Geno Binda: No, you fucking... Yeah, no, all set. Mark Riley: All I can think of is we posted it. That's my dad when he dove into the puddle. ⁓ Just a classic Big Gene moment. ⁓ No, yeah, we got some trips we have to get done. We got to go up to ⁓ Maine to see Jedi. We're going to the Hall of Fame. Now we got to go down to Florida. So we got... Jacob: in the long run to hire hockey players because now we can actually sell something other than the show. Geno Binda: right Josh Dolan: ⁓ yeah. Geno Binda: in like, in partner up with. Josh Dolan: Yeah, because we don't see the mighty ducks out there in Keenan Thompson doing knucklepucks. Geno Binda: No, partner up with those, you know, the alumni people and like all those events, like those guys, they do a ton of great, great things for charity. And, you know, they, they love like just kind of like how the show is, right? Like what they miss about hockey is the locker room, the atmosphere, being with the boys, being with the guys and all that kind of stuff. And that's what you guys bring. And then like combining that with what they're doing, it's just, it's just a no brainer. It's like, it's almost like, it's like a natural fit. It's awesome that you guys do that. Josh Dolan: Main? All of fame. Jacob: ⁓ yeah. Mark Riley: We got some places to go. The Zebra's gonna be on the road. Just like we're gonna be on the road on our parade float in Salty. So come full circle, Vagina. Josh Dolan: Yeah. Jacob: Right. Josh Dolan: Exactly. Geno Binda: Yeah, that's. Josh Dolan: I can't wait to see what Gino Sr.'s wearing on the float. Jacob: Mmm. Yeah, it truly is and we get treated so well too. Like it's not like we're just going in at 30 minutes before warm up and slapping on the skates and going on the ice and leaving. Like we get this, I say pro hockey mentality, pro hockey feel when we step into the rink and these things and you know we have any sort of ⁓ Gatorade, hydration drink, ⁓ non-hydration drink if you get my drift. Geno Binda: I wonder maybe a where is Nickers. Mark Riley: Well... Yeah, well, he'll have his special sweatshirt on and I told him I'd get a milk crate for him to stand on so he can see over the side. So he'll be all set. So we're going to be careful. He'll pull the sponsorship. We'll be screwed. We won't be on scholarship anymore. without further ado, we had a great conversation with Jacob Smith, again, Fish from Shorzy. So I think everyone's going to really enjoy this one. So sit back. Josh Dolan: You Old thing didn't unravel. Yeah Mark Riley: Hahaha Jacob: ⁓ Dehydration drink. ⁓ We get all the, you know, they set us up with sticks, any sort of equipment we need. ⁓ We go in two hours early. do, we obviously do a meet and greet and a signing, so we have to be there. We get free meals, free food, free snacks, free anything. Like we get treated the same way as, you know, Pittsburgh Penguins would or the Washington Capitals would. And I say those two teams because Mark Riley: relax and enjoy our conversation with Jacob Smith. You Josh Dolan: Okay. Geno Binda: break routine. Mark Riley: Yeah. Jacob: We were following one on our Western swing and then one was following us. So was like we were right in the middle of these two teams. It's just wild to even say that out loud. ⁓ So it's really cool man. ⁓ They do good things. Mark Riley: An absolute beauty. Fish. Jacob Smith. Just an incredible conversation and just an incredible guy. Josh Dolan: Yeah. Like he said, we probably could have gone for a few hours just because we were... I mean, sometimes I forget we're on a podcast and then I'm like, ⁓ it's been two hours, we gotta go. ⁓ Geno Binda: Yes. Mark Riley: It, we brought it up before. It's kind of a throwback to Slapshot because George Roy Hill, the director, wanted to hire hockey players, not actors, and make it authentic, right? And make it real. And that's exactly what Jared did with the show. Yeah. Well, when you hang and talk with good people, that's what happens, you know, and we're fortunate to have had a lot of good people on this show. mean, really, I mean, we're in a heater right now, but I think we've been on a heater for a couple of years, you know, with the with the people we've brought in. So, but yeah, just ⁓ another another, you know, great insight into, you know, how Jacob: Mm. Right. Yep, 100%. Mark Riley: And I'm sure, so you obviously grew up playing hockey. You played through college. Playing NHL is everyone's dream, right? But now you get to kind of live that dream, playing in all these buildings and playing all these former NHLers. That's gotta be pretty sick. Josh Dolan: Yeah. Mark Riley: hockey players become actors, become non-actors, and it's just a cool thing. Jacob: ⁓ Yeah, I could go many different routes to answer that question. I think the one I'm going to take though is the ⁓ gift of the ability to play in these buildings against your hockey idols and not have to stress about making a lineup. Not having to stress about performing, not having to stress about am I going to get... Josh Dolan: Yeah, it's and yeah, it's definitely cool to like how things have come full circle like going to that first Shorzy game. We didn't know any of them. And like now I feel like we're like best friends with all of them now just a year later. And like that that night was just so I know we've brought it up so many. This is last time I'm going to bring it up. But like it's so funny because I was like just like starting to. Well, it's my Navy SEAL moment. So. Mark Riley: Mm-hmm. No it isn't. Jacob: hit, I gotta be prepared, am I in shape, did I sleep enough the night before, did I eat enough that day, how's my warm up, am I awake, do I need, like all these things that maybe hockey players don't necessarily think about but we just do because we're wrapped in the competition mentality, you know, we're playing hockey for eight, nine months a year. The stress of that that puts on you after 82 games, after 90 games, 100 games if it's playoffs, whatever it is, is Mark Riley: Yeah, you know, it's all good. It's all good. We've all had one. Yep. Josh Dolan: Yeah, we all have. But it's cool to like come full circle and like talk to him about that night now and like. and you know, go down and play golf with him at his course. Mark Riley: We're doing it. Geno Binda: I can't believe you didn't get lucky though. Josh Dolan: Me? Well, they got a dog, like, it's not the 90s. Mark Riley: ⁓ cannot. Jacob: Like you almost don't realize it. But with this I finally realized that wow, there's so much less stress showing up at the rink and just going out and having a good time and actually putting on a show. You're putting on a show for these fans. So like I was always, and when I'm my hockey career, I was always benched for dangling because I'd cough up the puck. Now it's like encouraged. Now it's like yeah, toe drag, throw it through your legs and spin around, dude. Fans love it. And you know what? And if you screw it up, so what, dude? Whatever. We'll do it again next year. Mark Riley: I forgot all about that. Yeah. You played the part of fish in the bar. So. Josh Dolan: Yeah. Yeah, I did. And it took me so long to figure out what they were saying, because I was like, why is everyone looking at me? was like, they must think I'm on the show. And then when one chick was going, fish, I love you, I was like, fish? ⁓ she thinks that's me. ⁓ Mark Riley: Yeah. Geno Binda: Try it again. Mark Riley: Yeah, yeah. Jacob: So that part of it is so much easier, so much better, and there's so much less stress, like a pawn hockey game without the competition. So that part, and then I briefly mentioned it earlier, the part where you get to play your hockey idols. You're not competing against guys your same age. You're still playing, you talk about a lot of these younger 21 year old, 22 year olds playing against Crosby and Ovechkin. Mark Riley: That was outstanding. Well, it's been another good one, boys. As always, always fun to talk shop and have great guests on. So that's going to do it for this episode. Jacob Smith, Fish from Shorzy. I want to thank our sponsors, the referees, Kreese and also Damon Financial LLC and throw a shout out to AOA Studios. Want to remind you that you should like and subscribe on YouTube so you don't miss anything. Josh Dolan: It has. Jacob: and these players who are established are playing against their hockey idols and that's the thing, but now you're competing against them. This one you're just having fun with them. There's a different element that that brings and it's truly a gift to be able to do that. One that I don't think is even set in yet. It's starting to sink in. It's played its role in sinking in, but I'm sure I'll look back 10 years down the road and say, what just happened? Mark Riley: and also follow us on the social medias, the Instagram, the Facebook, and of course, and check out TrippingZebra.com. We got some cool merch, including our lace hockey hoodies and some quarter zips, and we got a whole online store you should check out. And ⁓ also, if you're at the parade, make sure you ⁓ give a shout out to us Zebras and the boys, Terry Ryan and Dolo from Shorzy will be there. Geno Binda: TikTok. Josh Dolan: you Mark Riley: And who is that? Like who is the player that you looked up to the most that you've been able to play against? Jacob: ⁓ man, that's a good question. I haven't really sat with that one. mean, the one that's at the forefront of the mind is Vancouver. Playing against the Sedens was, that was something special I don't think I'll ever forget. ⁓ You know, actually you know what, playing against the Sedens is one thing, but being on the ice with them and actually, we talk about the competition aspect, there is still an element of competition here. You're still trying. Mark Riley: So make sure you do that. Maybe we'll throw you a bead or a little something off the, maybe a koozie or something. We'll be throwing all kinds of stuff off the plate float. So for Josh Dolan and Gino Binda Jr., I'm Mark Riley saying so long. We'll see you next time right here on The Tripping Zebras. Jacob: a little bit and they're trying maybe 5 % but their 5 % and my 90 % are so different. You know? And there was a moment, I think I have a video of it, where they tic-tac-toed, I think it was Wellwood maybe they were playing with, and they tic-tac-ed so hard I spun around and then I thought I was in a position to block the shot. I took a knee and he faked the shot past it and I slipped out. I looked like an absolute. He's like... Mark Riley: Yeah. Josh Dolan: You Jacob: dumb and like skating around there but it really gives you that perspective like if these guys played a hundred percent there's just so many leagues above what you think you're capable of so ⁓ it's it's a humbling experience but I think that specific ⁓ that game with the Sidene brothers I think because there's two of them was was probably the most like most well and Doug Gilmore Doug Gilmore was my GM when I played Neal HL so playing with him on the ice as a Leaf, like seeing him in the Leafs jersey was really, really special. And Todd Gill was the head coach at that time, so playing with those two guys was special. So I'd say the Toronto game and the Vancouver game as far as like playing against the guys that really stood out would be the two games. Mark Riley: That's so cool that you like Like Bergeron being on the ice with him. He'd like the first time I was out there with him I'm like fucking produce Bergeron, you know, like that's really cool shit, you know and and Jacob: Yeah. Josh Dolan: think kind of like what Jacob was saying, like you being on the ice, like do you, you go from like being like, holy shit, that's Patrice Bergeron, but then it just kind of goes back to being hockey for a few seconds and you forget it's like beer league. And then you're like, ⁓ my, and then Patrice turned the jets on and. Jacob: Yeah. Yes. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Geno Binda: I was a freshman in college and I did the black and gold game, the Bruins black and gold scrimmage, right? was, I refereed it, I lined, my father, Ryan Sweeney lined it. But, Patrice was a rookie, I had no idea who he was. I was just doing the game, the big names out there were like Thornton, know, Samsonov, like Marty LaPointe. And, you Samsonov scored like right away. And then like I get back to college and my coach goes, hey, how was that game? How was Bergeron? How did Bergeron look? I go, who the fuck is Bergeron? Josh Dolan: Yeah. Mark Riley: You Geno Binda: I like, was just on ice with Thornton and Samson off. I was like... Ah, it was so funny. Jacob: I'm and Mark Riley: I so I did that black and white game when Ray Bork was dating myself a little bit. But when he got traded the year he got traded at the Avalanche and won the cup, ⁓ I did it that year. And he almost took me out coming off the bench. And it was pretty funny because I was like, he goes, Hey, Sorry about that. I'm like, you're a boy fucking run me over all you want. Come on. Nuts. Geno Binda: Mmm. Mmm. Jacob: Yeah. Yeah. Josh Dolan: Hey, wait a minute. You ref the 2011 Cup one, the year they traded Marshy, so you gotta stop reffing those games because they're trading our captains every time you do. Jacob: Yeah, there you go. Mark Riley: Yeah, maybe it's me. Fuck. ⁓ Geno Binda: They don't even have a captain right Mark Riley: What was it like playing overseas? Because we've had a lot of guys on that have done that. And the experience is obviously completely different than here. What was that like? Jacob: Mm-hmm. Honestly, it was probably my most favorite, actually it was my second most favorite year of hockey. I played in France, I played in the Division I league out there, and it was decent hockey. was probably equivalent to like, I'd like to say it's in between the USHL and the ECHL. ⁓ I mean, there's, yeah, but the Southern Pro League has, I don't know, it wasn't maybe as, Mark Riley: Okay. Geno Binda: So the Southern Pro League. I guess I'm Jacob: It's not a skill. That's why say the USHL has a lot of players who are in the development process and the NHL has a lot of guys that are still fighting for their careers. So that's why I say it's a mix of skill and grit. ⁓ But obviously there has to be a majority of French players on each team. So the skill is capped at a certain level. Obviously France doesn't have a whole lot of development system. ⁓ But... Geno Binda: Mmm. Jacob: That being said, actual experience itself was what I went for, not necessarily the hockey. And the experience was phenomenal. ⁓ was like so incredibly different than what I grew up in, in, you know, Northern Ontario. I'm in this town in, in Northwest, like kind of France and in the middle of nowhere where I know really nobody. I mean, the town's 50, 60 thousand but it's sleepy 50, 60 thousand. It's not really much going on there. The buildings are different, the roads are different. It's so easy to travel and get around. I went to Paris like seven, eight times. We don't stay in hotels at all so it's all like sleeper bus, travel. But, you know, the ease of travel and like ability to go country to country and just be in Europe was, it's something that if any hockey player at that like 16, 17, 18 year old age is or even like you know 2021 finishing college and they're like I don't really want to grind in the coast or the SPI not really wanting to ⁓ I don't know if I want to be a third fourth like they there is so much opportunity overseas even in those France leagues or the German leagues or the Swiss leagues or even like Italy has a few leagues like okay you don't make a hundred thousand hundred fifty thousand dollars a year but you make enough to make a living to save a little bit money and to actually ⁓ travel. And so I encourage anybody who's on the cusp and who's maybe a little bit intimidated to commit to grinding at that pro level to take a trip over there because it was one of the best years of my life. Geno Binda: Same with refereeing too. I have a buddy over there. got let go by the National Hockey League. He's over there working at a pretty high level at, I think at the Swiss league. And then, I had another buddy that went over to Russia. Jacob: And then the officiating out there is probably similar to hockey out there. It's a wild, west. You just kind of go in game by game, hoping you're staying alive. Geno Binda: Russia was nuts. Boy. ⁓ yeah. Yep. He has some horror stories, but yeah, they're good ones. He had a good experience for the most part, but it was, it was wild. ⁓ yeah. Jacob: I wonder if he got paid for anything under the table Geno Binda: No, he didn't. He would have told us. ⁓ But yeah, it was like it was it was sketchy, but it was it was everything was on the level. I think I don't know if Paul Stewart was in charge then. ⁓ He might have been. But yeah, Paul Stewart was running the referees over there for a while in the KHL. Mark Riley: Yeah, John Marasty talked about going over there and having a great experience. He even liked Putin. yeah. Geno Binda: Yeah. Jacob: Huh? There go. There you go. Teach their own man. I don't know. I don't know much about Putin. I've never met him. I just hear what the media says about him and that could be right. It could be wrong. Who knows? Mark Riley: Yeah, you know, you never know. Geno Binda: So did- Mark Riley: Right? So I want to go back to the show for a second, because your character on the show is pretty interesting in that, you know, you're kind of not one of the five, but your character, I think, has developed more than almost any other character in the show. And is that something that was on purpose? I mean, it seems like Jared does everything on purpose, right? Jacob: Yeah. Mark Riley: You know what I mean? Like you went from this, you know, guy who didn't want to buy in, didn't like him, you know, even wanted to like kind of mutiny, right? To now all of a sudden you're part of the team and it's, you know, it's kind of a change the whole dynamic of the locker room. Jacob: Mm-hmm. So I guess to answer that question, I would have to probably hand it off to Jared because he's, you know, the writer of this. So I don't know where his intent lied. ⁓ I do know the second I walked into the room and met him, he grabbed me by the shoulders and said, I'm going to make you a star. So I think that in that respect, I think he had a plan for Fish's character. He saw, he foresaw it. Like he has a great vision for things, especially for... with writing. But I do want to say that he does write season to season. So I'm not quite sure, you know, where his head's at and he changes it when things come about. in the third season, there was an opportunity for Fish's character to cut his hair and be a part of that scene. And I think that would have skyrocketed Fish's character into maybe a fourth season, fifth season role. ⁓ Just where I was at at that time, just didn't fit. Let's just leave it there. ⁓ yeah, I told him no. And he went a different direction. And I feel like part of that would have been Fish's character development growing. ⁓ instead, think ⁓ other characters had a chance to develop in that way. So it's interesting how that played out. But ⁓ I don't know if he had a plan for Fish's character from the start. That's a good question. I'd actually like to. Like ask him about that. Mark Riley: Yeah, it'd be cool because, you know, and I mean, you look at kind of the analysis and whatnot and the scene with the dip. Everyone talks about that kind of scene with representing you buying in. know, before that, it was kind of like, fuck you. And that was that was it's interesting because you're you know, that's a huge arc that I think a lot of people probably don't even pick up on. Jacob: Mm-hmm. Right, I didn't pick up on it. Mark Riley: And you were a part of it. That's awesome. I love the fact that, you know, every hockey team, and I'm sure we've all been on a team where one guy kind of gets his balls busted, you know, pretty hard. And, you know, he calls you the ugly one when you're clearly not, which is the fucking funny thing, because I remember a kid on my college team, we used to call him fucking ugly and he was like fucking slayed everything. Jacob: Yeah. Mark Riley: And so it's just kind of funny because it proves that the locker room on the show is just like a locker room in regular life. Josh Dolan: You Jacob: Mm-hmm. Yeah, I think he does a good job of respecting the... Star players in a way so the characters are respected. Like if Shorzy respects the character, you're gonna respect the character's result. But he also does a good job at sharing the wealth of his language. ⁓ Sharing the chirping wealth around too. And ⁓ he does pick on some players. mean, I'm sure... Mark Riley: No. Jacob: You know, names come to mind with JJ and Michaels and stuff. yeah, I think for the most part, like Fish kind of started as like the leader of the useless ⁓ in the first season and that kind of evolved into sort of a role that I didn't anticipate. But nevertheless, it was exciting to be a part of. Mark Riley: Now, when you played, were you a trapper? Jacob: I got really nervous a lot, but there was ⁓ like my third and fourth year of junior and college, it started to come out of me a little more, but I would never, I wasn't quick enough for that. So I think the honest answer was like not really. Mark Riley: So what about referees? Because we're obviously the Zebras. What was your interaction with referees? Jacob: I don't know if I heard it. I mean, respectful, I think I have to say. ⁓ One of my best friends, Marco, he was a referee in college, because I went to college in Sudbury as well. I went to Laurentian and played for the team for four years. And there was a pretty important game where, gosh, I want to say we were down like... 6-5 with like three minutes left. I don't know. I might be butchering the story I think it was a tight game though because I wouldn't have got that frustrated if it wasn't but I got a breakaway pass and I was so onside I have the video of it. I was so onside I was like I wouldn't even I was thinking about what shot I was gonna make as soon as before the puck even touched my state as touch my stick and He blew it down. This is one of my best friends. I'm on a breakaway and it's 6-5 with three minutes left So, I mean, like little things like that can pop up to my forefront of my mind when you ask what your altercation was, but I remember just ripping them on the ice. I'm like, are you kidding me? Like, we're in a, you know, whatever game. Oh man, gosh dude, it was frustrating. then we had, so we went back and forth for a couple of weeks until I scrounged up the video and then I sent it to him and then I won that battle. But yeah. Geno Binda: At least give it to me anyway. Josh Dolan: haha Jacob: No, honestly, other than that, nothing. I got maybe couple tens from screaming at the ref, but nothing nobody's never done before. Josh Dolan: Yeah. Geno Binda: I got four my freshman year college. Mark Riley: Get the Jacob: Yeah, there you go. Mark Riley: Your buddy should have done what I did when I refereed Gino back in the day. When he stabbed someone, I was like, yeah, I don't think that was that bad of a shish kebab. I think I'm gonna knock all that. Josh Dolan: Ha ha! Jacob: Yeah. Geno Binda: My college coach used to get mad at me because he thought that we were like losing power plays because they were letting stuff go from the other team because I was getting letting stuff go on my end. You know, like I was like, you know, cheap, but I wasn't like dirty, you know, I don't know. I was just like maybe taking it a fair to something out front, like knock the kid down, but whatever. Mark Riley: Sorry, I couldn't hear. I couldn't keep a straight face, you weren't dirty. I remember hockey night in Boston kid. A two, a five was a two and a two was nothing. Geno Binda: Yeah, that's true. Yeah, play on. Nothing to see here. And I got all the phantom assists. Josh Dolan: And the two is nothing. Jacob: Yeah, that's old time hockey right there. Mark Riley: ⁓ always. Geno Binda: All the kids, all the kids in the USHL. I worked the USHL for a season and like all the kids that were out in Boston or were from Boston or I saw him in juniors before they went out there. And I would walk out in the ice and they'd all be like, Oh yeah, bend his ref and we got a point tonight. Cause every single one of them got assists like all of them. Like I would skate by the bench. They'd be sitting there like, Hey, nice pass. Mark Riley: Yeah. Jacob: Yeah. Yeah. There's a couple of those like where you just throw a number in the ref's ear and he's not even like paying attention to you and he just that's what he remembers. So when he goes up to the box, he goes nine, I guess. Geno Binda: ⁓ yeah. Mark Riley: I always tell, when I ask who got the apples and the kids look at me and I'm like, dude, always call your own number. Why wouldn't you say, oh, 13, oh, okay. And like when they are smart enough, I'm like, all right, you'll get another couple. I always wondered why the kids look at you like, huh? Like what the fuck? Yeah, I know. Unbelievable. Geno Binda: Yeah, right. Jacob: Yeah, exactly. Yeah, exactly. Especially when they know there's only one assist, so you got, there's one free. Geno Binda: Jimmy Doyle gave me like seven one night in high school. It was awesome. Mark Riley: Josh, ready? Josh Dolan: Well, speaking of... Speaking of getting like a couple of tens in a game, ⁓ that made me think of a couple of tens being at the House of Blues ⁓ a couple years ago when the Shorzy guys were playing the Agandist Arena and then Dolo had a concert at the House of Blues and there was just a couple tens in the house and it was me and Fish and everyone thought I was you. And I know I was telling you about that at the... Mark Riley: Devin, is outstanding. Jacob: Yeah. Josh Dolan: the garden. But I it was insane. Like, do you get that a lot? Like where I think you said that you've never gotten like a number. But that night I got like 50 and people kept thinking I was you. I was like, no, he's I couldn't I couldn't find you. You're just in the corner minding your own business. And I was like, where is this kid? Jacob: I there's a lot to be said about ⁓ energy, like the way you carry yourself. And I think I'm very closed off because I'm married. Like, I try not to give anybody the time of day. And I've been married since Shorzy started, so that was never a ⁓ thing for me. Even in public settings, listen, I'll take a photo with you and I'll be really nice, but... Mark Riley: Yeah. Josh Dolan: Yeah. Jacob: I think your eyes speak a thousand words and I think I make sure my eyes are monogamous eyes. Josh Dolan: Yeah. Well, I was closed off too because I was going through a divorce. I wanted nothing to do with anything. Jacob: ⁓ no, they smell that from a mile away, dude. Come on now. Mark Riley: I was standing with him and the people are like waving from down below and they came up him and I'm like, I was on the fucking ice. Like what's going on here? I'm like, I'm single. My divorce is well over and I got nothing. So that's all right. Jacob: haha haha ⁓ man. Yeah. Yeah, it's fine. Josh Dolan: No, I just, I turned them all away, that's stolen valor, so. Jacob: What if my blessing is on it? Josh Dolan: haha Mark Riley: Do you so that like you weren't an actor now you kind of are Do you have like a desire to do other stuff? Jacob: ⁓ So I as another probably thing I wrestled with when I first got in it because everybody in my dog were telling me that it's the most important the the number one thing you need to get into the acting world is your actra and to get your actor is really tough and to get into the union is really tough and ⁓ now that I was in like a lot of people were telling me and Jared included was like, dude, you can do something special with this. This can actually be something that you run with. Nobody gets this opportunity. And so that was in the back of my mind. It's like, oh, I gotta take advantage. And that's always been something I struggle with. Oh, how can I make the most out of this situation? And it's actually been a blessing, but it's also been a huge curse for me, because I've really kind of dug into concrete with a lot of things in my life as a result of how can I make the most out of this. And so for the first season and a half, I was very focused on like, should I get an agent? Like, do I watch this evolve? Like, am I gonna get phone calls? Like, people are gonna see this. How's this gonna play out? ⁓ And then there was a conversation between me and Jared and he said he would, know, he's anything I need. He's so great, man. He's like, anything you need, ⁓ I got you. So I said, I said, yeah, and I talked to him. said, listen, I'm thinking about getting an agent. He goes, dude, I got a great team. I think they would love to have you, whatever. So had a couple of conversations with an agent. She sent me over paperwork. I verbally committed and saying, yeah, I think we're going to do this. And then I had a really good conversation with my wife about what that entails, about the commitment level that's required. And I was also planning on moving to Florida. And so it just didn't seem. like a right opportunity. So I actually had to bail out last second and just pull a shoot on that. ever since then, it's just never been a calling to me. So the mind and body of Jacob Smith is very much like, you should do it, but my heart is really much, I don't think that's the right calling for me, if that makes a whole lot of sense. Geno Binda: Mm-hmm. Josh Dolan: ⁓ yeah, no, it makes a ton of sense. And I struggle with that, too. Like I like the things I do with like this podcast with, you know, like my radio career or like ⁓ working for the Bruins alumni. always like, I kind of feel like I overthink that, though, where I'm like, how can I make the most of this? And then I obsess over that. And then I feel like it takes me out of it to where I'm not even enjoying what I'm doing. And then I I've learned to really like step back and just be like, all right, what do we got to do? Geno Binda: Big present. Josh Dolan: And is this like, that's a good skill that you have and that you know that and can look at it with the bird's eye view. Cause I feel like sometimes people get lost in it, but I totally respect when like, didn't Pat Shea like leave, like some people like want to be in that position that Pat Shea was in. And then he kind of retired early cause he had a passion for like acting and doing this kind of stuff. And I totally respect that. Mark Riley: Yeah, was the, Pat was the opposite. So, Pat Shea, I don't know, ⁓ he did a show called Full Ride and it's on YouTube and it's kind of about college hockey players. Home of the Bucks, you got the sweatshirt on. I almost wore mine today. Gino and I, played the coach. Gino was my assistant and it's a hilarious show. Matter of fact, Jared came up to me on the warmups of the game at the gardening. was like, dude, I love that show on YouTube that you're in. And I was like, what the fuck? ⁓ Geno Binda: Home of the Bucks. Josh Dolan: home is about Mark Riley: Pat was someone who played at UMaine and played, I think, a year in the Coast League or the American League and just didn't want to get beat up playing minor pro for years and decided to kind of take his talents. And now he has a great following on Instagram and the TikTok and does all that stuff. So it's kind of like the other way, going from something that he could have done for a long time to... Josh Dolan: Baroners. Jacob: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Mark Riley: Hey, I'm gonna try this. Jacob: Yeah, I think the heart of man is naturally drawn towards selfishness and how can I make this for me and how can I make this the most out of me and how could I get the most fame and get the most likes and get the most out of this and I think that's actually gonna just beat you to death at the end of the day. So it's very dangerous, especially in the acting world to get caught up in that and I just see it too much, too toxic and... I don't know if there's a proper healthy way to go about that in that world. So I just kind of steered away from it. And that's something that as a result, I now have an 18 month old baby, a new one on the way, a healthy marriage I'm living for. And I'm not saying that wouldn't have happened, but I'm saying where we're at is a testimony to the decisions that sometimes maybe it's not best to follow. what the world says. Maybe it's sometimes best to sit back and think about what's best for, you know, your future and whatever. Mark Riley: No question. It's similar a little bit into comedy, the world of comedy. A lot of guys do it for trying to get, they want to get famous. And one of our former guests, Gavin, they call him the godfather of Boston comedy. When I told him I wanted to do comedy, he asked me why. And I said, I like making people laugh. And he was like, all right, I'll let you. And you got to know him. he said, if you answered, I want to be famous. Jacob: Mmm. Josh Dolan: Yeah. Mark Riley: He would have said, yeah, don't do it. Because that's the wrong reason. Now, can that happen? Sure. And it's kind of like a side effect. But it's not, you know, if you go into it with that goal or that expectation, you're going to get disappointed because of your control. You don't control whether you become a celebrity, right? That happens based on whether it's your body of work or whether it's getting a break or whether it's, you know, being, you know, the hot tour girl. You know, it can never, you don't know, you know. Jacob: Mm. Geno Binda: Mm. Jacob: Right. Right. Geno Binda: body of work. Jacob: Right. Yeah, yeah. Well, that's it. And that's the social media craze right now. We're like, you asked probably 75 % of young youth now. It's like, what do you want to do when you grow up? Well, I want to be an Instagram influencer. I want to be. Yeah, I want to go viral. That's a big one, too. Yeah. And at the end of the day, like even before Shorzy happened, dude, I had a TikTok video that got four million views. Actually, it's how I met my wife, ironically. But like that viral video, like that was my first time. Mark Riley: So. Geno Binda: I want to go viral. Jacob: getting a little taste of that and there's like an underlying, I say evil, like current that flows under the virality. Like you call it viral, like what else goes viral? Like STDs, know, like diseases, you know? It's not, yeah, yeah, exactly. It's not like friggin' money goes viral or like, you know, healthy, like your fitness level's viral, like, you know? Anyways. Mark Riley: Yeah. Josh Dolan: COVID. ⁓ Geno Binda: Yeah, right. Mark Riley: No, it's true and once you do have like actually the podcast has had a couple that have gotten up over a million ⁓ I had a comedy one that like got four million and The danger of it though is like the next three videos I posted I was like, alright and it was like I got 200 fucking views like what happened, you know And you had a I had to catch myself and go wait. Wait a minute. Like not everyone is gonna go viral Josh Dolan: Yeah. Jacob: Nice. Mark Riley: just because one went great. got a bunch of followers from it and that's awesome. But now you gotta keep plugging away and there's no rhyme or reason sometimes. Josh Dolan: Yeah. Geno Binda: My sister-in-law is in the business. No, no, I'm just saying my sister-in-law is in the business too. And like, she says the dumbest videos go viral. Like she's into fitness and all that, and health and stuff. And she'll just do like the dumbest little stupid video and it gets like a gazillion likes. And she's like, ⁓ I just had this awesome, like informative, like nutritious, whatever. And that does, that gets like a hundred views. Like no, people like funny shit and entertainment. They're not looking for. Josh Dolan: Yeah, that's why I always compare it. ⁓ sorry, go ahead, Gino. Geno Binda: You know, like the right people are going to go and look for that, right? The people that your audience will go and enjoy that. But it's not the viral thing. If you're looking for the viral moment, then you're in the wrong industry. Like just stick like like even with like with hockey, like John Butchergrass, like he talks at a lot of things and stuff. And and he says what makes hockey great is like the people that are involved in hockey get it and love it and care for the sport. The people that are outsiders, the outside is right. Like I don't care about them. Like I'm not here for them. I'm here for the people that love hockey, that want hockey, that need hockey. Josh Dolan: Yeah. Jacob: Right. Geno Binda: And that's that's what you do it for. Same with comedy, right? Same thing we talk about. like. ⁓ Josh Dolan: Yeah, but like with that, chasing that, that's why I always compare it to like, it's like whatever the hell it is, like if you go viral or like you kill it on stage one night doing stand up, like you get a taste of that and like I would get small taste of it when I was on the radio, like for 10 years in Boston, like you get a little taste of it and then you're always chasing that. Like you're chasing the, like you're always chasing that high. And I'm like. Jacob: Right. and Josh Dolan: Maybe that's why we do stand up Riley. I don't know. We're both sober. we're just always chasing that. Mark Riley: Well, I mean, I think when I first started and before I realized kind of what why I Enjoy it and did it. I don't know how to put that but I did chase that I wanted that validation I wanted to hear how great I was after the show and now It's not about that. I just go up and share my energy and whatever happens happens and Then you know that exchange that energy exchange is just so powerful, but it's not I don't know. I don't chase it anymore. It's just kind of like, let it happen. And if it happens, great. If it doesn't, they didn't come on the ride. Well, then they didn't come on the ride, you know. Josh Dolan: Yeah, but that's why I think what Jake is doing is like if you're chasing it, you might be chasing it in the wrong direction, but Jake's doing what's best for him and what he wants. And I feel like the universe will like, like I always wanted to play pro hockey, but I didn't have the talent or the work ethic, but I still made it to the Bruins alumni. I was like, I didn't know you could skip that whole part. Just go right to the retired part. Jacob: Right. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Josh Dolan: But I feel like the universe always has a way of like giving you what you truly want and need. It just might not be in the form that you... Jacob: Yeah, well that's why I use the analogy in digging into concrete because you're not going anywhere dude. That's the point is like if and it broke my heart when to see that fish's character wasn't in season four I'll be honest with you dude. I was I was really disappointed in that Well, actually not to see that he wasn't in season four Jared called me personally to let me know but like that phone call like that was a tough one to get because I had so much fun being on show I know I wouldn't see the guys again. I didn't have any idea about this tour But then when I finally made ends with it and I was like, you know what dude, it's for the best. I got this family here, I got this life here, I'm gonna just start going after it here. And then that was a fun chapter of my life and we move on. And then a year later now we're selling out friggin' Roger's place in Edmonton. I didn't anticipate that. If that never happened I would have been fine. it's funny how life just turns out, man. It's weird. Mark Riley: Yeah. Josh Dolan: Thank Mark Riley: Would there be ⁓ a chance that fish comes back at some point? Jacob: I think Jared's smart enough to tie loose ends and I haven't seen season five So I don't know if he does in season five But at some point you have to find out what happened to JJ what happened to sanguine what happened to fish and So whether that's just a conversation between the guys in the locker room or whether you actually bump into him at Peppi Panini. I don't know Mark Riley: Mm-hmm. Thank Jacob: You know, that's up to him. So ⁓ I'm not banking on it. I think it's a no, but you never know. Mark Riley: Yeah. Well, if I wrote a hockey movie, a script called Penalty Box based on the East Coast League and referee and when that gets made, ⁓ if you'll come out of acting retirement, I got a role for you. No question. I got a role. Yeah, it follows four referees through a season in the East Coast League and they're all trying to make the NHL, but they all have other shit going on. Josh Dolan: Hehehe Jacob: I'm in Mark. Geno Binda: The rack. Josh Dolan: you Jacob: It's about hockey. Mark Riley: And it's based on four real characters, myself and three of the guys I worked with. One was a hillbilly from North Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Mark Hamlet, the hammer, John O'Brien from New York and Richie Leonard, who was a rookie at the time. Now he became an Indian kid in the movie just cause it's funnier, but yeah, it's hopefully it gets in the right hands. I'd love to have Jared look at it and see what he thought, but. Geno Binda: I am a- Josh Dolan: Ha ha ha. Mark Riley: It's good. My writing partner, he was a screenwriter. So, you know, I just gave him the stories and he put it in the right form and stuff. And he's like, yeah, I tell people that Slapshot meets The Hangover, you know, and pretty accurate, I think, you know, so. But you're in. I hope I get to make it so I can put the people I want in, you know? Like that would be my fantasy is to. Jacob: Sweet. Well, hopefully that works out. Yeah. Mark Riley: or my ultimate situation is where I can say, right, all my friends are in it. You know what I mean? And Pache is gonna play me in the movie. Yeah, he's playing, because I'm too old to play me now. So I gotta take a role of someone older in the movie now. So Pache's playing me, so I got that role cast already. But it's, yeah, I'll definitely have you come out of retirement for sure. Jacob: Yeah. Geno Binda: Pat Shea will make it. Yeah, he'll make it. Jacob: Thank you. Geno Binda: There you go. Josh Dolan: Hahaha Jacob: guys. Mark Riley: And you don't have to be in the union or anything. We're good. we're good. So for like you mentioned last time we were just talking the golf course. So like what are you doing now down there? And is there any hockey down there that you kind of like men's league or anything? Jacob: There you go. Perfect. I'm in. Yeah, but the baby and stuff I just I work late nights and so I don't really have time for any leagues Except if it's on Sunday or Monday, and that's more family time So I'll just get that out of the way to say no I don't really plan any adult leagues get a couple offers here and there but nothing really concrete as far as work goes so I walked in one day and It's just a beautiful conversation between me and my boss. We talked about spirituality and at the time I was like kind of like focused on you know things outside of our you know you talked about the Josh you said universe and I was like kind of very much that mentality and like figuring out okay how exactly does this life work do I have to work hard do I can I just like manifested all this stuff so I created a podcast I was very much on the spiritual side of things and my boss brought me aside and he my boss now brought me aside as a stranger at the time at the time and started telling me about Jesus Christ. And so when he started talking about Jesus to me, I'm like, okay, dude, like great, tapped him on the shoulder. I said, I grew up a Catholic, I know Jesus, but I'm glad he works for you, but he's not for everybody. And then two, three weeks went by and me and my wife had this like big blow up, dude. I was here in Florida. So I was like, you know what? I'm just gonna go back to Canada and we're gonna get a divorce or whatever. And it was pretty like intense. And so, I'm the last ditch effort, man. I just cried out one night, I was all alone, I cried out. said, God, I just wanna know, you wanna know the answers to this world. And I'm so tired of searching. And so, that next morning, ⁓ it was revealed to me that Jesus is the Son of God and that we are to ⁓ respect what he has done and understand what he has done. And I could go into that maybe a different time if anybody wants to go into that a little deeper, but once I realized that, my entire life changed. I gave myself to the Lord, I got baptized, and I understood what a true relationship with Jesus Christ is. I went back to the golf course and I was like, Mike, dude, I feel it, I know what you're talking about now. And I showed him my baptism video and he started bawling. He goes, we're brothers forever. And it was just a beautiful kind of thing. And then after, at the end of it, he goes, do you want a job here? I'm like, yes. I'm like, I'm in, I'm in. And I'm like, well, what am I doing? How much am I working? What am I getting paid? I had nothing. He goes, don't worry about it. Just show up. So I said, I said, okay. So I showed up January 22nd, 2024, and I was making 16 bucks an hour. I had no idea what my hours were. It was like 35, 40 hours a week. I was working the pro shop. just kind of like make it or I was even 15 it might have been less than I'm 14 or 15 bucks an hour it was it wasn't much but anyways and I was working the pro shop and at this random 18-hole golf course in West Palm Beach and I just started working my way up and started selling memberships and getting commission off those and scrounging up money to pay off bills and all of a sudden like my finance I was in the thousand pretty decent amount of debt. started paying off my debt. bought a car and then all of a sudden I worked outside. I started scrubbing clubs. You talk about serving and humility. I was a paid actor at the pinnacle of my fame in this moment on Shorzy. And now I'm scrubbing people's clubs for two bucks a bag in a golf course in Florida. It was such a learning experience. a year and a half went by, two years went by and then we were... was slated to open up this $8 million clubhouse and then my boss came up to me a few months back and he said, hey man, I want you to step in there. I want you to run it. So I've been running the clubhouse ever since. so it's just a cool story of like how my life at the time was so down and out and it was truly redeemed by the Lord. And I owe all I have to him and what he's done for me and my family. And now, you know, here I am. I work three to 11. ⁓ kind of choose my own hours. I build out leagues for the clubhouse. We have this in-range top tracer. You guys know like Topgolf and Drive Shack. we have like that. We have 29 hitting base. So I run leagues off at tournaments, events. I organize it all. I have employees that I help manage. And ⁓ it's really been making some good money. So we're hitting some good revenue goals and it's going well. So little story on how my golf. Mark Riley: Yeah, yeah. Josh Dolan: Yeah. Jacob: As a result, I don't golf at all. You'd think I would, but with the family, I've golfed maybe 18 holes in eight months, I think is what I've done. So. Mark Riley: No way! Josh Dolan: Ha ha. He is me! Mark Riley: Wow. Geno Binda: Wow. Mark Riley: That's a it's it's a cool story and and now when you moved to Florida were you recognized as fish? Jacob: So for the first little bit I was, because I had long hair and I had my goatee, ⁓ but once I cut my hair and trimmed my face, I haven't been noticed that much. Maybe once or twice from like super fans, like you look familiar, but like that's about it. Mark Riley: Wow. That's wild. Jacob: Yeah. Mark Riley: And now I just had the thought it'd be great to have a little road trip for the Zebras down to West Palm. You know, maybe do a comedy show at the clubhouse and you know, I'm just throwing it out there. Geno Binda: Here you go. Jacob: You guys are more than welcome to come by, man. I'll hook you guys up. You'll have a great time at our golf course, and then you can stay around. We got a full restaurant bar and hitting bays and stuff. Come on down. Mark Riley: ⁓ we're in. Geno Binda: I'm working on five minutes. gotta, I gotta work it out. I'm not a stand up like these two, but I'm gonna try it. Give it a whirl. maybe my next call and. Josh Dolan: ⁓ hell yeah. Yeah Mark Riley: I always tell Gino, I always tell Gino he has enough trauma and anger to be a good comic. Geno Binda: Well, that's part of one of my that's part of one of my bits. It's making fun of comedians. It's like how you guys are just fucking psychos or whatever. And you just go up and tell dick jokes and you know. Mark Riley: Really all the pigs. You Well, a little more to it than that, but. Josh Dolan: Yeah, we're just- Jacob: whoosh. Geno Binda: We do have some talent. And when you put it like that, well. Mark Riley: huh Josh Dolan: We're just crazy like molly. Mark Riley: Yeah. No, it's a really, that's a really cool story because you do go from, you know, like I'm sure in Canada, everyone knows you. Jacob: here. Take care. Mark Riley: and you're popular on the tour, it's not like, ⁓ yeah, and Phish. I saw the applause all you guys got. I mean, people love you. So it's kind of interesting that it's a journey we're all on, right? And it kind of takes some turns up and down and in and around. And before you know it, you look back and go, fuck, I'm in a good place. Jacob: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Josh Dolan: ⁓ no. Yeah, people love you, I know. Mark Riley: Yeah, they love Josh until they find out he's not you. Jacob: Yeah. Yeah, I've had I've had some amazing conversations with fans and I'll tell this one little story so I was walking out after our LA show after dolo's performance and And I was just kind of walking out on my own like with the fans and like it was so funny I I mean I dressed up a little bad nice leather jacket on a new watch and stuff had some good shoes and and like people are kind of like like you You act like you don't know that everybody's staring at you, but it's hard to just ignore it, you know, completely. I just, you know, I just say, hey guys, like I'm respectful, whatever. And like, to the point where you're going down an escalator and the 10 people in front of you are like rubber-necking. So I'm, but then again, we just got out of the show of Dolo and we were all on stage, whatever. So we go down and a couple of people there and I'm just kind of making some small talk with fans, interactions, whatever. And I'm walking back. Josh Dolan: Yeah, you can feel it. Jacob: And the way the LA show was set up is there's like this little center in downtown LA where you have like restaurants on either side. You have a skating rink in the middle. So there's like patios set up or whatever. And guy looks at me and he goes, fish. And I look at him and I kind of just like see him and he waves and I walk over and I'm like, what's up? And he gets all like this. goes, I was just saying hi. And I said, well, you kind of like waved at me. He goes, I just thought. Mark Riley: You Jacob: you were gonna just wave back and move on. I said, and I said, no, I'm just, I'm not really doing anything. So, and I kind of look at his table and I said, I said, you guys just three? And he goes, yeah, do you want to have a beer? And I kind of look back and look around, I'm like, sure. So I went, I walked around and I sat with him and dude, was just like, and you gotta think this is like maybe normal because you're like, oh yeah, you're fish dude. Obviously people react that way, but. Mark Riley: you Jacob: For me, in the first person experience, I'm just a club scrubber from Florida, dude. I'm just soaking in this experience for what it is. So I sit down and these people are looking at me like I only know you on a TV screen. And I'm looking at me like I am not that. Let's just talk from Adam and let's see where it goes. And so I spent 45 minutes with this couple and then this other. Geno Binda: Mm. Mark Riley: Ha Jacob: ⁓ Girl whose husband had just left like 30 seconds before they were in this they went to the show and the husband just left I guess he had to pick up the kids or they had to go run Maybe he worked early in the morning. So like he just missed me coming up I probably wouldn't have sat with them if there wasn't an open seat either so kind of worked out in a way but ⁓ you talk about like little interactions with fans and and people loving the characters in the show like I think the best part about us is the fact that we can do things like that and I don't see like Geno Binda: Mm. Jacob: celebrities and people with influence maybe doing that. And maybe it's just not talked about, but if we did more of that, if we humbled ourselves and said, let's just have a conversation with fans. Like we don't need to put ourselves on any sort of pedestal. And I don't think any of our guys really do. I think our guys are so good with the fans. Like everybody sticks around afterwards and talks to the fans and like. Geno Binda: talking place. Jacob: You know, the gyms went into the stands after one game, like Jared shakes everybody's hand, takes pictures with everybody, like we're there for hours after the game, making sure that everybody gets the full experience. And even if anybody were to meet us outside, it's nothing but humility for our team. So I think it's a really cool thing that Jared's put together and having hockey players instead of actors, I guess. Mark Riley: We saw it firsthand a couple times, not only at the House of Blues show, but this past year, ⁓ Josh and I were able to hang out with everyone at the Bell in Hand. And people were like, is that the cast? And almost afraid to come up. And you guys are like, come on over. Yeah. Josh Dolan: Yeah, they were like asking permission to talk to you guys. I was like, I know, but you talk to them. Jacob: ⁓ yeah. Geno Binda: Of course the people leave celebrities alone though. Mark Riley: But that excessive, but I think that's why there's such love for the show and for the characters and you guys because it's not like you guys are like, yeah, I don't have time for you. Like Jared made a freaking video call to someone's brother or something. The girl said, ⁓ he'd be crazy. You know, he'd go nuts. And he makes a call and just hanging out at the bar. And it's like, he doesn't have to do that, but that shows you the type of person. Jacob: Anyway. Yeah. Yeah. No. Josh Dolan: Yeah, I think it was something like Jacob just said, like the guy had just left and he was like, we'll call him. Mark Riley: Yeah. And I think that's what sets it apart from, you know, you're right. There's too many people, think, to forget, especially famous people, to forget why they're famous. It's like you're famous and you have all that you have because people loved you and made you famous. And now you're going to, you know, not sign a shirt or sign a picture. It's like those people drive me nuts. Jacob: Yeah. Yeah. Mmm. Yeah, yeah, I think but at the same time though, like I could see where it would get into your head if you're not properly equipped with humility. Like if you're not, if you're not doing the right, if you're not taking, how do I say this? Because it's, it stems from a lot of ⁓ maybe, anyways, I could go into that, but that's the point. It's just you got to equip yourself with humility. That's the bottom line, we'll leave it there. Mark Riley: No, I think if you, if you approach it with gratitude, not ego from the ego, right? Then you're, it completely changes the way you accept that and you can interact with that. If you're just letting it feed your ego, you know, and I kind of personally, I went through this back, like in the beginning, like I said, I needed to hear everyone tell me I was great because that's what I fed off of. But now it's, it's, you know, it's out of pure gratitude that these people enjoyed it, interacted with it. Josh Dolan: Yeah. Jacob: Right. It's huge. Yeah. Well said. Mark Riley: And I always stay at the shows and talk to people if they want to talk and they'll come up, ⁓ are you really a teacher? Did you really get hired by the NHL and fight a week later? And it's like, why wouldn't I want to make that connection? Jacob: Yeah. Now, you know what? You touched on something really big there, Mark. It's that gratitude. And I think that every single one of us are just in such a position of gratitude to even have this opportunity and to be able to relive the hockey dream again and to be appreciated by people and to, you know, that element of things is if you don't have the gratitude, could be the most humble person in the world, but if you're not grateful, then you're missing out on a big chunk of it. Josh Dolan: Yeah. I feel like I stress too much. Like, obviously I'm not at a level that you're at, but like here in Boston, New England, I was on like one of the top radio stations for a very long time and like they have social media and like people would recognize me from that and still do. And like people have asked for selfies and stuff like in public. I always feel so guilty. Like I feel like I've tricked everybody. And like I feel like that kind of like it holds me back where I'm like, ⁓ shit or like WAF like had tons of merch like anytime they asked me to sign like a jacket or a shirt I'm like I'm gonna ruin your shirt like you But I feel like I hope that doesn't translate to like that. I'm not Grateful or anything. It's just like I'm always kind of like are you sure? Geno Binda: Thank Jacob: Mmm. ⁓ Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's a tough thing to ⁓ experience. think just, you know, embracing it and in just making the effort of like ⁓ building a relationship with the person who even wants your photo in the first place. I think that's where that can maybe steer it in a different direction. Josh Dolan: Yeah. Yeah. Mark Riley: No question. I experienced it last Bruins game I went to. A couple people came up and I had my white pine on and they recognized me from the show. And one guy came over and he goes, hey, are you famous? And I'm like, C-list at best. ⁓ Geno Binda: Thank you, famous. Josh Dolan: If you get to ask that question, the answer is no. Jacob: you Yeah. Mark Riley: Yeah, he was busting my balls, but it was kind of it's just cool that you know It's just cool that your work can affect people that way, you know And and give them something to feel positive about you know, I don't know. I I live by a mantra I'm looking down at the dirt not up. So it's a great day like, you know people like ⁓ I'm like if I wake up tomorrow fuck I'm gonna it's gonna be a great day and then we'll see what happens Jacob: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. Geno Binda: I don't know what I walk when I walk into a rink everybody fucking hates me. I'm the referee like like like everybody's looking at me like that. Like the parents of my daughter's team can't wait to get at me like the referee fucked us in the last game. It's fucking awful. Like I hate going out in public because all I all I deal with is people coming up to me and wanting to complain bitch moan and groan. Yeah. ⁓ it's horrible. Like I deleted myself off one of the fucking group chains because I couldn't I couldn't take it. Mark Riley: You You Josh Dolan: Always an awake game. Jacob: Refing is a thankless. It's a thankless job for sure. Yeah. Geno Binda: I'm like, you complain about ⁓ a squirt, a U-10 squirt game and the referees and give me a fucking break. Jacob: Yeah. Josh Dolan: So like talking about like the the interactions you've had with fans and then like being at the golf course and like how that's like a completely separated from the Shorzy life and that like has there has there been like I know people recognizing you is like a thing that can happen but is there anybody that like you've recognized that's come into the golf course where you're like ⁓ he's here she's here Jacob: ⁓ Well, yeah, only because I'm in West Palm, so you do get a lot of that. ⁓ Like, it's more golf influencers, like the good, good guys. You know, we get, ⁓ we get like a bunch of long drive guys, like more golf related players. ⁓ Jupiter's right down the road, so a lot of PGA guys play at a Jupiter. ⁓ But ⁓ I think the most, I guess, well known was Steve-O came in one day. And I like, so I'm... Geno Binda: That's it. Jacob: routine man back when I was scrubbing clubs I'd wipe the clubs down I'd see there were rental clubs I'd say oh where you guys from so I leaned over the cart I looked in the cart I said oh where you guys from what he goes yeah I was like that was his response yeah like no way I said what are you doing here he goes golfing I said boy you s*** Geno Binda: Hehehehehe Mark Riley: You Jacob: I mean, yeah, but like, what are you doing here? I guess he had a, he does comedy, he does stand up too. So he did, he had a show at the Hard Rock or something like that. And so he, his producer booked him a tea time, him and his father. It was the first time he ever played golf in his life. And it was at my golf course and I saw him out. It was pretty cool. I got a little photo with him. He was a interesting guy, but super. Geno Binda: You No shit. Josh Dolan: You were asking because you were concerned about the golf carts. Jacob: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. No, he was actually, like, because that's, I would say he's probably an A-list celebrity. Like, I mean, you know, he's big time with Jackass and everything, and his own stand-up career, he just sells out a lot of stadiums and stuff. So he's pretty big time, and he didn't necessarily feel like he was big league in anybody. So... Geno Binda: You're not doing any stunts Mark Riley: Yeah Josh Dolan: No tattoos on the course. Geno Binda: ⁓ yeah. Josh Dolan: ⁓ yeah. No. No. Jacob: Hey, did you ever see Shorzy? No, I'm just kidding. Josh Dolan: Yeah, Steve-o came into the radio station a few times and he, ⁓ he was one of the only guys that I would get starstruck by just because his whole body is covered with like the tattoo Ryan Dunn gave him on the golf course and like the, and like the, I was surprised at how fragile he looked. Like, I don't know what I was expecting, but he seemed so fragile. I was like, ⁓ my God, this guy's broken down. Jacob: Yeah. Yeah, ⁓ yeah. ⁓ yeah. ⁓ yeah, dude, he's done some stuff for sure. He's some stories. Geno Binda: mean, he's OD'd Josh Dolan: Yeah. Mark Riley: And had he seen Shorzy? Did you, I know you didn't ask him. No, yeah. Jacob: I didn't, I didn't, I would, that's not, I don't know, I didn't really bring it up. Mark Riley: Yeah, no, I- Geno Binda: You don't walk around with your Shurzy sweatshirts like ⁓ Mark and I do. Jacob: I can't. No, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, that's one thing I try not to do, man. I try to be as low-key about it as possible in any sort of setting. The only time maybe I'll wear it is if we're on tour and we got the free merch or whatever, but here I'm just, you know, regular guy. Mark Riley: Yeah It's awesome. Like, seriously, I think that's why the show is so successful, because you're all the same. you know, like, seriously, I don't know, maybe I haven't interacted with any of you guys on the team that came across other than fucking regular guy, you know, regular hockey guy. Jacob: Yeah. Yeah. Well, I think that's number one. should be our mantra, our goal. We're just regular guys who stumbled into something. Other than Ryan, ⁓ Michaels, Ryan McD, none of us have any sort of experience or even made any effort to be a part of the show. We were all chosen to be a part of the show, which we should just have gratitude. And whether you're in one scene, one season, or your main character, it doesn't matter. You just along for the ride. Mark Riley: How did you end up getting on the show? Jacob: Well, that's a long story. I do have to dip out here in probably, you know, five, ten minutes. ⁓ But do you want to end off on that one? Okay, cool. Her name's Ashley Kydin. Kydin? Kydin? She messaged me on ⁓ Facebook. She was part of the ⁓ casting for Letter Kenny. She was also part of the casting for Shorzy. I don't think she's part of the show anymore, but she was at the time. Mark Riley: Okay. Geno Binda: Yeah, let's do it. Josh Dolan: ⁓ hell yeah. Jacob: And she used to message me back and forth, before Shores and back when Letterkenny was shooting in Sudbury, because I was part of Laurentian. And I got her contact through Facebook and she would message me about players to play background roles on Letterkenny, because we were the only real adult team in Sudbury at the time. I would, she'd be like, I need a 6'2", 210 build. I'd say, okay, Fitzy, I'll message him, whatever, I'd set it up. I'd be like the middle middle man. And so we built a relationship through that and she always wanted me to get onto the show Letter Canning and there was just never any roles that really fit my my build or persona I guess and it worked out because Jared didn't want any overlap other than Hitchcock and I guess JJ but they were explicitly like overlapped with that it wasn't like a change of character. So but anyways the ⁓ the text came through about a month before shooting. message on Facebook and I sent in audition tape. Didn't hear anything back. messaged her, I said, hey, did hear anything? Like, I don't know what's going on. And again, you gotta think, like, this Shorzy thing, it could have been called, like, Green Grass Blue Sky. Like, you can't, because we have the name Shorzy now and we're thinking about, ⁓ you wanna be a part of this big show. At the time, it was just this Lederkenny spinoff. I didn't know much about Lederkenny and nobody knew about Shorzy. So it was just this random, could have been YouTube. Thing like we had no idea. I just sent him my audition tape thinking whatever it's hockey related They needs they need people. Let's see what happens and she messaged me back She was always forgot to message you you didn't get any roles or you didn't get the role But they do need special skills So they need background characters to do some hockey tricks and stuff like that We see you have pro hockey experience. Is that something you want to do? And I said, yeah, I can do it and she goes, okay It's 17 days of shooting whatever she laid out And ⁓ I said, right, I'm in. So I was planning on leaving on the 14th or 18th or whatever. And then we started filming on November 12th. I got a call on, or we started filming on November 13th. I got a call on November 11th at 2 p.m. I had my feet up on a desk at my buddy's work and it was Kara Hafletsson. She's our executive producer. She is unreal. She does so much. She's set up so much. She's got the connections and she's really devoted her. her last six years to the show, five years. So anyways, she calls me and she goes, Jacob. And I said, yes, who's this? And she goes, this is Kara. I'm the executive producer of Shorzy. I have an interesting question for you, an interesting offer for you. We have ⁓ a role that just came available. This is about two o'clock, keep in mind. It's important to remember here in five seconds. So ⁓ she goes, Is there any way ⁓ that you would be interested in filling an acting role on the show? And again, super, like I wasn't, yes, because I know what I know now. It was, well, let me see, what does that entail? Like, does it, can I get back to you? All this stuff. She goes, yeah, no problem. So my buddy comes back, because I was just filling in for an hour. go home. And at the time, my dad just had a couple heart attacks. We had a bunch of family there. And they were all kind of just like tending to him. We were. just spending time together. I was in Kingston, Ontario for reference, seven hours from Sudbury. And ⁓ I said, guys, I think I just got a really cool opportunity to be an actor. And they were like, what did you just say? I said, I think this might be something here. And so they said, well, how about you ask her these questions? And I wrote down on a piece of yellow legal pad, I said, I 12 questions, how much am gonna get paid, what's the role, what's the show about, how long is it, how many days is it, what's the future of it, da da da, this, that, and another. So, I call her back, and she gives me all the answers, and I said, okay, let me call you back one more time. So I go back upstairs to my family, and I say, here guys, here's all the answers. And I remember my grandmother, my grandma and grandpa were there, my dad was there, mom was there, I think my uncle was there. And I said, okay, so this is what I'm gonna do. And another thing, so my dad just had a heart attack, so my family was there, but I also had just married my wife and brought her from Florida into Canada because the whole COVID thing was, we had to be married in order for her to make it to Canada, so I had to marry, so I went down, we eloped, and I brought her back. That's a whole nother story. So she was living at my parents' place. We were living at my parents' place, just freshly married, and so she was in on this conversation too. Mark Riley: You Jacob: So I look at my wife, I look at my family, I said, what do think we should do? It was six weeks at the Radisson in Sudbury, Ontario. In the dead of winter, my wife had just come back from Hawaii. She was doing a little work thing in Hawaii. So she goes, I think you should do it. So I said, okay. So I called Kara back and I said, you know what Kara? I'm in, let's do it. And so she goes, great. Jared loved your audition tape. You fit the role perfectly. When can you be here? Can you be here tomorrow? I said I can be there tonight. Ironically, that day I just dropped off my car to put winter tires on it. So it got finished up at six o'clock. I grabbed my car and I drove off to Sudbury that night. And the thing is, is the thing that happened with Fish's character is he lied about his hockey resume. So at 1.30 they stepped on the ice. He found out he couldn't play hockey. Jared brought him aside. He got booted off the ice 10 minutes later. Kara called me 20 minutes after that. And I committed to this show at five o'clock p.m. and the rest is history, man. This is story of how fish was built. Yeah. Mark Riley: Holy, that's so cool. He lied. That's awesome. That's such a cool story. Because everyone has a story of how they got there, you know? Geno Binda: Wow. Josh Dolan: Awesome. Geno Binda: Okay. Josh Dolan: Hahaha Jacob: Yeah. Yeah. Geno Binda: Right. Jacob: Yeah, everybody's got a really interesting one too, man. It's not just I auditioned, they took it, you know, like a lot of interesting paths to Shorzy. Geno Binda: Mm. Mark Riley: Yeah, well that's cool, man. Very cool, thanks for sharing that one. That's good stuff. Jacob: Yes, sir. Yeah, thanks brother. Mark Riley: Well, it's been awesome, man. We really appreciate you coming on and hanging for a while and sharing your life with us. Geno Binda: Thank you. Jacob: My pleasure guys. Yeah, I have to jump out to work here at three o'clock, so I gotta make a lunch and head out. But ⁓ I would stay on for you guys. I feel like we could chat for a few hours, but ⁓ maybe another time. Geno Binda: Right on. Mark Riley: Well, there's always a part due if we need to, you know, we can always bring it back on. So that's always on the table, you know? Well, yeah, we're going down there. We'll film down there. When we come down, we'll do a, we filmed playing golf before, so we'll do that. Jacob: Sweet. Good stuff. There you go. Josh Dolan: Well, we're going down to Florida, We'll be in Tampa at some point this year, right? Or just make it part of that trip. Jacob: Yeah, why don't Yeah, there you go. So why don't you come down? We'll film on the golf course and then we'll sit in the clubhouse and we'll do an interview in the clubhouse and camp it off. Mark Riley: Yeah, I know. Absolutely. Done. Done. We're gonna do it. Great stuff. Josh Dolan: Hell yeah. Jacob: Cool. Awesome.