Brian Propp-NHL All-Star

Mike Hartman, performance mindset strategist. This is Develop the Mindset of a Champion with former Stanley cup champion Mike Hartman. Welcome to the show. Develop the Mindset of a Champion. I welcome everybody here today. Today we have Brian Propp and I'm really excited to have Brian. Brian grew up in Saskatchewan, Canada. Played 15 years in the National Hockey League. He played with the Philadelphia Flyers where He was a first round pick, 14th overall. He also played for the Boston Bruins, the Minnesota North Stars. I know he played for the Hartford Whalers. Five time NHL All Star. Next to his name, one of 92 players to play 1,000 games in the National Hockey League. And we're going to get a lot into that. He was a Philadelphia Flyers broadcaster. He's an entrepreneur, has his own business, philanthropist. There's a lot with the alumni in Philadelphia. If I had an hour, I can go through all your accolades. I just want to, it's, it's so great to have you and I'd love for you to share your story of, you know, when you were young, all the way through what you're doing today.

Yeah, so like, I grew up in Saskatchewan, Canada, with a town of 300 people. My dad was a minister and in a small town and I had two brothers and two sisters, so we're all 13 months apart. So we had our own hockey team at that time because we didn't have that many players and so you had to pick for other teams. And so when I was young, like my dad taught me how to play hockey, how to, how to, how to act and how to be a good player and how to give back and how to be honest and to live, live, live like you want to live on for the people. And so When I was 15, I played for the Melville Millionaires. So I tell people all the time that I was a millionaire once and I broke the scoring that year. I don't know a lot of, a lot of points that I had. It probably still stands today. But Jerry James was my coach. He played for the Montreal Maple Maple Leafs in hockey and he also played for football and won a, won a couple awards there too. So that was good for me. At 15, I couldn't drive, so my parents had to drive them all the time. It was a 20, 20 mile trip to and back. And so like they had to take me there all the time. And then from there I went three years for the Brandon Wheat Kings when I was 16, 17 and 18. And at that time, you know, I played with Ray Allison and Broad McCurran, Brad McCurman and Doug McCollum was my coach. He did a good job of teaching us how to play and get ready for the pros. And those years we had powerful teams with builder Lego and Simanco and, and all these good players. And so we didn't lose that much and so. Which I got used to.

That's great. So, I mean, you have such a, you had such a remarkable career in the NHL. I know you've gone through some personal adversity and you're a fighter coming back. We've always known you as a fighter. Hard worker, consistent individual. Please share with us the adversity we have and then we'll get a little bit more into that as we go.

All right? Yeah. So, like almost five years ago, I had a massive stroke. I was visiting with my family in Annapolis. You know, I had afib and I kind of knew that 10 years before that I had an ablation of the heart, which a lot of people don't know what it is. And so I'm not going to get into that. But AFIB hurts a lot of other people. So after my ablation, I didn't take medication because I didn't, didn't feel anything because I was in good shape. And the, the one day when we on vacation, it was kind of nice, nice day and I, I felt good. And that night I, I had a really bad headache and I, I just stayed at home and then I fell out of bed at 1:30 in the night and I, I, so I couldn't talk, I couldn't say anything. I, I just, I didn't know what was going on. I lost a couple teeth. All those years playing hockey, I never lost any teeth. But thankfully my son was there and we called the hospital right away and I was in the hospital in half an hour, but took me like five days. And then I transferred to McGee Hospital in Philadelphia. And I was in the hospital six weeks every day. And then I went to outpatient five days a week at McGee for another year and a half. So it took me a long time. I had trouble talking because I couldn't say anything at the start. The only thing I said at the start was, and Bernie Pront. I don't know why, it just came to me, but it took me a long time. I had to relearn with my brain how to talk. I've come a long way back now and, you know, now the last year I'm also working for Bancroft brain injury people where I visit them, I talk with them all the time. We have support Groups that we set up and the events that we do. Like, we have a big gala. It's going to be June 5th. It's a virtual event this year. But last year they raised 750,000 for Bancroft, and we had a golf tournament and a lot of other things. So I'm just very happy that I've come back as far as I have, because my right fingers and the right side don't work that well. So I learned how to sign with my left hand. Other than that, I can still play hockey twice a week with a group of guys that I've known for 25 years. I love that because it's special to me. And I can't shoot the puck that much anymore. Well, anymore. But the goalies I play with, they're not that good, so I can still score and do a guffaw.

That's awesome. I feel like hockey's a therapy. Like, I put my skates away for many years. I was in North Carolina, played a little bit. Sometimes guys try to get a little bit rough. And I said, boy, at my age, and I get frustrated. I look like the bad guy. So. But hockey really is like a therapy, and I feel it's a great way just to get out there, put your skates on. I mean, I've watched you in Central park when we were playing in the charity event, and we were just having fun. The sun was setting in, and it really is. You get out there and you don't think about anything. It's like meditation and yoga. You go out and put your skates on. So I know you love to skate. And so skating twice a week, that's fabulous. So tell me about, like, your daily. So what is your daily plan? Like, every day, we don't. When I. Within coaching or mentoring, we talk about a plan, like an action plan. Tell me. Tell me your plan, Brian. Your daily plan.

Yeah. So, like, the last five and a half years, I've been working for Wolf Commercial Real Estate in. In Marlton, and we have an office in. In Philadelphia. But I. I'm up early all the time. And so I usually went into the office every day just to kind of, you know, you follow up with emails that I had during the day and then talk with other people. You're looking for some connections? Because I've been here 40 years and I know all the. Companies that I work with. And like, a lot of people in Philadelphia know me because I've been doing a lot of things. And so it's good for me to be the spokesperson for Wolf commercial real estate. We do a hockey event every September and we do a golf tournament every year. And plus we give back the six charities that we support. We raise money for them. Last year our hockey game raised $80,000 for the six charities. So it's good to give back and to work with other people that need the help.

That's the philanthropist in you, Brian, for sure. And so do you work out in the morning? Are you on a regimen that you get up early? I know especially know you as a champion, know you within your professional hockey career, you've always been that guy that did all the little things. Right. Does that carry over to today's world?

Yeah, well, so since I've been started skating twice a week we skate from 7 to 8:30 at Pensacol Skate Zone. And I love it. It gives me some exercise. And plus I golf a lot in the summer. It keeps me busy, but I'm very active. And so I go to a lot of events for Wolf and Bancroft and the Flyers alumni because I'm the ambassador for the Flyers the last four years. I go to every home game. So I keep very busy. But I meet a lot of people. But you know, the hockey, like when I did the radio for nine years on the east for the Flyers, I got to know all of the alumni that work other teams. And that's why we do a lot of things together, even hockey, like you said in New York City, we did the charity last year and it was beautiful and nice day. But you know, to meet the right people and stay in front of them, it gives us other opportunities.

You said it because I shared this in a lot of these podcasts that I've done, videos that I teach my kids that life is built on relationships. And that's the one thing that hockey has done. And people should apply that to their business life too. Everything is on relationships and handshakes and getting to know people. So that's great. How about like the rituals you mentioned golf, like everybody, like I believe rituals could be meditation, yoga, walking, having a cup of coffee, whatever that that ritual is that gets you going. Brian, share some of your rituals with us.

Yeah, so like whenever I golf and I have charity events, I always get my group to, when they ever get birdies and eagles to do a team guffaw, just excitement. And so, you know, it gets them excited to do something a little different and to concentrate a little bit more. I know that when I we play play golf with, with the teams, like the first guy always wants to say, oh, I'M first and I'm. If you miss it, so it's okay. I tell them, no, if you have to make it, just concentrate. Because they're so used to just being the backup. They needed to know, hey, you want to do much better. And so like the same thing with golf. Like, I love that. Just helping the other people. You know, I can teach them a little bit because I used to be a good go golfer. Like, it was a four handicap until my stroke. Now I'm like a 15. I can't hit the ball that far anymore, but usually pretty straight. But it's still fun for being there, you know, I'm just really happy that I'm still alive. And I, I love every day that I do. I love working. I. Working out is like skating and just play golf and other events that I go to, walking and riding bikes. And so it's, it's. It's all been a very good. Helpful for me.

That's fantastic. Well, I mean, going to a 15 handicap isn't bad. I'm a 20 handicap with a mulligan. I play. I just saw that step on the toe logged onto here. And he says, hello. And it's funny, I watch him hit a golf ball. He goes, dad may try to hit this. And you know, he's a sand. You know, one of those guys that says, oh, yeah, right about 300 yards. He goes, oh, that was a good one. Then we go to the next hole and he says, you want to play for lunch? Let's say another ball about, oh, this one went about 350. So I learned my lesson in golf. I remember there was a golf pro in Charlotte, and he was a referee in the minor leagues. So I used to give it to him a little bit when I would play some of the games in the minors in Charlotte. And he was a pro golfer. So he said, let's play. So I said, sure. And I know he was a scratch golfer. So he said to me, hey, I'll make you a deal. Let's play and play for some lunches. Let's have a little fun. I said, okay. And I said, how many strokes you gonna give me? He goes, oh, no, we'll play for fun. He goes, but I said, no, no, you have to give me a few strokes.

Oh, of course.

But so the bottom line was I said, no. He goes, I'll make you a deal. I'll play with two clubs. Pick any two clubs out of my bag, and I'll still give you 10 strokes. I lost still. And so it's great. So the golf is your ritual. That's fantastic. So the measurable goal, I know as a hockey player, I mean we're going to get into some of the hockey stuff. Some of your things that you did in hockey is unbelievable. But the measurable goal with your lifestyle, so the measurable is something that is attainable today. So what is that goal with your. To staying healthy every day within your lifestyle?

I think it's being happy with your whole life, being happy and being positive all the time, being patient. I know that when I first got in the hospital after my stroke, like I was really impatient, like I was stubborn and I didn't want to learn to take it easy. I always wanted things to happen quicker. And so after time I figured out that the brain needs time to heal. And that's why I talk with a lot of people have strokes because it's stroke month. This, this, this, this month. And I talk with a lot of people of strokes and I give them encouragement because hey, listen, if they're not going as well as they want, you know, just be patient. It takes some time and be patient and be positive all the time and your family and friends will help you and there's lots of ways that you can get better from that.

Brian, do you have like a vision goal like at the end here? Because everyone knows you're a fighter. You sound great, you look great. I skated with you. It was so much fun and just to see you healthy. But do you have a big vision goal like that? Ultimate goal.

My ultimate goal is to get in the NHL hall of Fame. Like I've played some good, have some good spots, stats, especially in the playoffs because that was the number one all time left winger in the history of the game with it was, was points and you know, so I, I think that's where it matters matters where you, you, you, you pray for the playoffs and it doesn't matter if, if you were a good player and you didn't even get a playoff game. A lot of people miss that and, but I was there 13 years straight and I'm proud of that.

Well, you better get into the hall of Fame. If I have my stats right, I believe one year you were tied or just behind Wayne Gretzky for number two. Was that 1980?

87, I think.

87, 1987 you were just behind Wayne Gretzky for playoff scoring. So you definitely could put the puck into that. I did a little research. You scored 79 goals on that millionaire team and in Saskatchewan. So that's Good. So. So, you know, you were one of the most consistent players. You played consistent every night. But what people should know is you played on the other side of the puck as well. So I think you had one of the most shorthanded goals. You're shorthanded goals share with that. Like, so you play on all sides of the puck. Very consistent.

Yeah. So, like, I'd like to say that Mark Rechy was very consistent. I like the way he played. He played tough, he played at both sides of the ice, he got a lot of points, and that's. I model him just like Bob Clark. Bob Clark was a leader, one of the best leaders in the team. When I was really young, 19 and 20, like, I didn't know much better. I just scored more and I kept quiet, but I was very naive. And so it took me a couple years to mature. So I think after Bob Clark retired after five years, it gave me more of an opportunity to be one of the leaders on the team. I didn't have a C or an A number, but I think most of the people that I know respect me because I played consistent, I was fun to play with, and I was good with them. And I know that every rookie that I brought to the team, I got them dinner and to know them a little bit more, because you're here as a team, you're not in competition, you're here to help the team. And so that was one of the things that I did at the start.

So you've done a lot with the game. I mean, looking back, you played. I mean, there's only a few. Like we mentioned earlier, over 1000 games, scored 400 goals. I'd love to have borrowed your hands just for one night. Oh, yeah, I would have loved to have borrowed your hands, but how did you get motivated? Because you were consistent. And I think no matter what you do in life, if it's business or sports or anything you do, consistency is key.

Yeah, I know that when I first came in the league in 79, we, you know, my first. First line was Reg Leach and Bob Clark. And then after 20 years, I went to Holmgren and Linds and Bill Barber was there. But my first game, I scored the game winner and had an assist against Bill Smith. And so. But it was. But I was used to that because in Brandon my last year, I was the MVP of the league, and I had 4, 90, 94 goals and 100 assists. And so we only lost five games that whole season, which is pretty amazing because at that time, it was 20 year old draft, powerful teams and. But you know, I was used to winning. And so then the second goal game I played in the NHL, we lost nine to two and I was like, what the hell is this? And. And then after that we went 35 without a loss. And so that was amazing to be part of that. And then we went to the finals against the New York Islanders. At that time it was one against 16. So that's why the conferences changed at that time. But you know, that's where the Islanders and the players played. And, and of course, unfortunately we lost it overtime in Game 6. But I remember to telling the team that hey listen, what next goal could win the cup for us? And you just have to concentrate on getting, get that and then force a game seven and then, then you never know what goes from there. But you know, we lost. But my first year was good. And I remember I was one of the all Stars in my rookie year with six other guys. I played a line with Phil Esposito and Reggie Leach. I scored a goal and an assist. And the most important thing was that Gordie Howe was still playing. He was 51 at the time and older than my dad. And I was in Detroit. The NHL game or the All Star Game because halfway the year they built the rink and then they played in the old rink and then they moved, moved into the Joe Louis and so. But I'll never forget the ovation that he got. And being, being part of that was really special.

I remember they brought him back because in 19, it was, I think 1980, the All Star Game was in Michigan and my father was a photographer for the Detroit Red Wing, so he was on the ice and they just built Joe Louis Arena. And now definitely remember those great times. And you mentioned Bobby Clark. I have to ask you a little bit about leadership, like what qualities make a strong leader. Everyone knows Bobby Clark, he played with his heart. And just please share a little bit about Bobby Clark or some of the heroes that you played with and some of the leaders you played with.

Well, as soon as Ed Snyder came to the team, Bob was very special, but he, he, he worked hard, but he did a good, good time, had points. But it was more about how he talked about the, the players and the team to get the best out of them. There are good stories are like Bill Clement and Kinderchuk that when they were in hurt and he, he talked to them and said, hey listen, if you can, if you can just play, it makes a whole difference by penalty kill or playing like that, be a Leader. So he knew a good way to tell the players without them knowing how good have a leader. He was. Of course, Fred the coach was there. He was different, but he got results. Like Mike Keenan, you know, like, you kind of know how the leaders are and how the coaching goes. But he did the little things so well, like he practiced as well as he. As he practiced as he played. And so I learned from him earlier, from Brandon, especially with Brad McCrimmon and Ray Allison, with Dunk McCollum, teaching us how to practice the right way and to be consistent and to be accountable.

That's great advice. I mean, you practice like you play. You have to be ready. You don't just put the skates on and go to practice. And I would think you're talking about Fred Sherrow back in those days, and some of the coaches like that. The Flyers had. And it was never pleasant playing against the Philadelphia Flyers. Every time I talk to one of my buddies or even personally myself, not being a very big guy, you know, you're playing the Flyers, I might have a funny story for you. It was 1987, and we just played our exhibition game in Buffalo. It was the first game against the Capitals. And the next game was two days later in Rochester, New York. Flyers were playing the Sabres. And I, after the game, they said, there's going to be a list on the wall. So I go, I look at the list and I said, I don't know if I'm going to play. And one of the guys said, don't worry, you're going to play. And I come back smiling. And Lindy Ruff, who was our captain, looked at me and said, what are you smiling about? I said, oh, I'm playing tomorrow. He goes, yeah, we'll talk to you after the game. Exhibition game, playing the Flyers. And I was young and dumb.

Yeah.

Oh, yeah, I'm going to play the Flyers. And everyone said, well, you know, our trainer, Jim Pizzatelli, who was a fabulous guy, would go around the room and he would circle guys to be careful of. Half the sheet was circled. I said, oh, no. So always playing the Flyers were so tough. So I have to ask you, what was the emotions like playing that thousandth game? How did you feel playing in that thousandth game?

Well, it was getting at the end of the year, and so I had a list of points that I needed and how much game is left of the year. But it was special for me because it was in Philadelphia against the Flyers at the end of the year. I scored two goals to get my Thousand points. And a lot of my family were there and that was special with friends and everybody. There was probably like a lot of people and you know, of course, like, like when they announced that I scored my thousandth point, a lot of people didn't even notice it, you know, because they remember even from the flyers from 11 years. But, you know, I had other times where I could play a little bit more and you know, so like. But it was really special for me. And we played against Lindros and their group and so it was very exciting for me just to get there because they had a couple games left and so I wanted to get that. But it was special in Philadelphia and that was fabulous.

So in 1987, I remember this clearly is when they had the Canada Cup. It was my second year in Buffalo in training camp and we were watching the games on tv and I remember that Canada cup was the great series. I think that's the year they brought back, you know, the international hockey with, with, with the NHL. And you know, that experience, I'm sure, was amazing for you. I do recall you playing on a line with, you know, with Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. And how was that whole experience with the Canada cup in 1987?

Well, it was really great for me because that was in 87. At the end, we went to the finals, game seven in Edmonton. And then that summer we had camp in October and September. So I, you know, because I was, you know, I was seven years in the league and so I was the oldest player on the team and was able to play with Gretzky and Lemieux and Coffey, Bork fur, you know, Ron Hextall was a backup and Doug Crossman and Talkett were part of it. But we put the team together so that we kind of knew what was going on. Harwichuk was there. I mean, Gomount. It was unbelievable. Because of that year, the Russians didn't defect. It was, it was special for them to win everything that they had. They trained all along for everything. But it would. It ended up being like a six, a three game series. 6 1, 6 5, 65 and 6, 5. So we lost the first game, 6, 5. The second game was in double overtime where I, I passed to Lemieux to, To score the winner. And then we went to game seven. I didn't get the assist on that because, yeah, they gave it to Gretzi, but that's okay. It didn't matter. I, I was happy to win. And then of course, game three was 6, 5 where Lemieux scored with a minute left. And it was special to win that the go. The hockey was unbelievable. It's sort of like the Olympics that they have now, like all the different teams. But it was, it was really amazing.

It sure was. And one thing I thought about way back then was I, I used to know how the Olympics trained. We had Jack Blatherwick, who was our guy with USA Hockey. We would go to Colorado Springs and we would learn about, you know, off ice training. And he shared with us it was the Russians that really brought a lot of the stuff over. So you knew, you know, going back then, so this was happening in the summer, you had to be in top shape because you knew the, the Russians were going to be in amazing shape and ready to play. So that had it been something that you had the mindset of training in the summer where usually we'd have our summers off and train. You must have really had to train hard and everybody had to join as one big, you know, the unity of the team coming together.

Yeah. And at that time, like it was in. Pat Croce was a physical guy, like in 80, 81 or 82. And then we also had a sports psychologist, Steve Rosenberg, that helped me because all the best athletes and players find a way to get much better. Like whether it's psychology or it's working out or looking for something different. Like even me with my stroke, I'm always looking for ways that I can get much better. Like I've been using a Beamer machine for three and a half years. It helps the circulation of your whole body. Haven't been sick the last three and a half years. I got more energy. There's other companies, like if you go to my Brian Prop website, there's a lot of information on Vox socks for banker Bantra, no balance and, and how the brain works. And so I never give up. Looking for something new to get your brain better.

Well, that's great. We have a few people sending messages in. Jeff Chickering, who I've always been a big fan of. I met Jeff in Florida years ago. He lives down where my family is. Plus he was one of those guys that you worried about too, about six foot five coming in. He says hello. Stephan Matteo says hello. I have a couple people from Philly. One gentleman, Joe Turso. He. Joe Turso Jr. He asked. The message slipped by. But the transition from going from a broadcaster to hockey to a broadcaster to real estate, how was that transition?

Well, I think it's like when we all played hockey, we have to learn what we have to do next. And so when I first retired, I went to the Medford ice rink for three years, built a whole facility, learned the programs and did that for nine years. And then the announcing was tough the first year and a half, but I had Bill Clement and Gene Hart helping me. I listened to the broadcast and then replayed it so that I kind of listened to what I was going on. And after a couple of years, I got better. But it's a lot of. A lot of hard work. You had a promote your prepare for everything. It's sort of like real estate. Like we got my license at the start because I know a lot of people, but I. It's sort of like everything that you have, it's the better you get. You. You figure out a way to do to make it be more consistent. You work hard consistent and you're honest and people like you.

Well, great. I'm going to conclude with this because this is a great. It's not even a question. Kevin Silver from Charlotte says great interview and stories, Mike. Brian, and he's a Bruins fan, will get to the hall of Fame, you will see. And I have to agree, first class guy. Brian, this has been an honor and a pleasure to speak with you. I'm looking forward to doing more things with you. And yeah, thanks for being here.

Yeah, thanks, Mike.