There is no doubt that hockey and metal go together. They are both loud, exciting, fun to watch and listen to, and have been around for a long time.
No one knows this better than Brian Slagel. Slagel is the founder and CEO of independent record label Metal Blade Records and helped put a little-known metal band by the name of Metallica on the map.
Slagel was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to talk about his love of hockey, his hockey jersey collection, his massive collection of hockey VHS tapes, how hockey and Metal are similar, and more.
PH: Growing up, how did you get into hockey?
BS: I was big into sports as a kid. I played everything but hockey. I could skate, but it was too expensive.
In 1980 a local station showed the Stanley Cups Final. I started going to more Los Angeles Kings games the next year, and I got season tickets the following year.
I then just became a massive fan of the sport.
PH: Growing up, who was your favorite team (s) and player (s)? How about now?
BS: I liked the Kings, but when I was very young, I was into the Pittsburgh Penguins, so when I saw there was a hockey team, they became my favorite. Mario Lemieux has always been my all-time favorite.
Today, probably Auston Matthews.
PH: When doing some research on you, I read somewhere that you have a collection of over 2,000 hockey jerseys! How did you go about acquiring all of them?
BS: I was heavily into minor league hockey in the early 2000s. They had such cool logos and jerseys, so I just started collecting them.
Then I found a bunch on eBay for cheap, so I really started buying pretty much every team in minor, NHL, and Canadian juniors.
PH: I also read somewhere that you have an insane amount of hockey VHS tapes. How did you go about acquiring those?
BS: As I was getting more into the game in the 80s it was frustrating to pretty much only see the Kings on TV. I was a music tape trader as I kid, so I started doing the same with hockey games.
I had friends all over the country, and we would trade videotapes of games. I must have over a thousand games from the early ’80s to the early ’90s.
PH: How many teams have you had season tickets for, and how many hockey games do you go to a year?
BS: At one point, I had season tickets to the Kings, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, Arizona Coyotes, and New Jersey Devils. I was going to over 100 games a year then.
Now I have season tickets for the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights. I get to about 40 or so live games.
PH: Now, we also know how much you love Metal music. Why do you think hockey and Metal go so well together?
BS: They are both aggressive and skilled at the same time. I find them both to be so similar, which is probably why I love them both so much!
PH: In your opinion, what are the three best Metal songs that should be played at hockey games? Why these particular three?
BS: “Enter Sandman,” of course, as it is perfect for any sporting event! “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC as it really gets the crowd going, and “The Trooper” by Iron Maiden for the same reasons, and Maiden is my favorite band.
PH: At one point, you and Shawn Roarke of NHL.com hosted a podcast called “Metal Misconduct”. How did this show come about, and what was it like to be its cohost?
BS: Shawn had the idea and asked if I would do it. I was worried that the players would not have much to say, but as soon as we started talking about music, they went on and on!
It was fun to host and get to talk to and meet so many great players!
PH: I always like to ask this question, but just how big of a hockey fan are you?!
BS: Ha, well, pretty huge. I have been to multiple Stanley Cup Finals, multiple World Junior Championships, multiple college hockey games, and Frozen Fours.
I have pretty much been to every type of hockey tournament there is. I have been to all but three NHL cities to see games. I must have been to thousands of games.
I am lucky enough to be friends with so many hockey writers, radio and TV people who let me hang out with them. I have also been on many radio, TV, and hockey podcasts.
PH: Is there anything else that you would like to share with us hockey fans?
BS: I just love the sport and think it is the best in the world. Almost every person I have met in this world is super nice!
It is similar to the heavy metal world surprisingly!
ITR 39: Conference Finals – Inside The Rink
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