The Mask & The Mic

The Mask & The Mic brings together two longtime voices from the sports world for real conversation beyond the game. Former NHL goaltender and Original Mighty Duck Guy Hebert and veteran broadcaster Kent French sit down to talk sports, entertainment, and life with honesty, humor, and perspective. From stories behind the scenes to conversations with athletes, entertainers, and influential voices, this is a space where experience meets curiosity — and where the talk continues after the final whistle.

The Mask & The Mic is a sports podcast hosted by Kent, with 30 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Kent hosts The Mask & The Mic, a sports show with 30 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #31

  Brendan Steele: Inside the Ropes

  Sep 2, 20261h 4mS1

  What does it take to go from dreaming about professional golf to standing over a seven-foot putt with a PGA Tour victory on the line? On Episode 31 of The Mask & The Mic , Guy Hebert and Kent French welcome professional golfer and multiple-time PGA Tour winner Brendan Steele for a wide-ranging conversation about his journey through professional golf, the mental side of the game, his friendship with Phil Mickelson, and his decision to make the move to LIV Golf. Brendan takes us back to the beginning—when golf first captured his attention and when he realized the game could become much more than a hobby. He shares his path through college golf and the Golden State, Canadian and Nationwide Tours before finally earning his PGA Tour card. Then we revisit the breakthrough. On April 17, 2011, Brendan captured his first PGA Tour victory at the Valero Texas Open. He explains the mental adjustment he made heading into that week, how it helped him refocus his game, and what was going through his mind as he stood over a seven-foot par putt with his first PGA Tour title on the line. Brendan also shares stories about his longtime friend and mentor Phil Mickelson , including an unforgettable experience during Brendan's first trip to Augusta. Despite already being a three-time Masters champion, Phil took Brendan out to study and practice three specific greens—giving him a firsthand look at the preparation, attention to detail and work ethic required to become one of the game's greats. Years later, another call from Phil would help change the direction of Brendan's career. Brendan takes us inside the decision to join LIV Golf , why he says the choice was an easy one, and what he enjoys about the LIV format compared with his years on the PGA Tour. He also discusses how LIV continues to evolve, the challenges the league has faced, and what he believes the next version of LIV Golf could look like. And, of course, there are plenty of stories from inside the ropes. What's Brendan's favorite shot he's ever hit? What is the atmosphere really like between players during a professional tournament? Who likes to talk? Who doesn't? And what happens when things get interesting with someone in the gallery? From grinding through golf's developmental tours to winning on the PGA Tour, learning Augusta alongside Phil Mickelson and taking the leap to LIV Golf, Brendan Steele gives us a fascinating look at the life—and mindset—of a professional golfer. ️ Watch the full conversation on YouTube. Listen to The Mask & The Mic on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe and follow for more conversations with the athletes, coaches, broadcasters and personalities behind the games we love. Subscribe to TheMaskTheMic YouTube Channel

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  Episode #30

  PLAY LIKE IT'S YOUR LAST | Sam Carrick

  Aug 26, 202648 minS1

  Heart. Grit. Perseverance. And playing every game like it could be your last. On Episode 30 of The Mask & The Mic , Guy Hebert and Kent French welcome NHL veteran and former Anaheim Duck Sam Carrick for a conversation about what it truly takes to build—and sustain—a career in professional hockey. Drafted in the fifth round by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2010, Sam reflects on the unforgettable experience of being selected by the team he grew up cheering for. But as his career progressed, he came to an important realization: if he wanted longevity in the NHL, he couldn't take a single day for granted. He had to approach every practice, every shift, and every opportunity like it might be his last. That mentality would come to define his career. Sam looks back on joining the Anaheim Ducks organization in 2017 and spending parts of eight seasons battling between the NHL and AHL with the Ducks and San Diego Gulls. He discusses the perseverance required to keep earning opportunities, his breakthrough 2021-22 season, and why signing a new two-year contract didn't mean he could finally take his foot off the gas. He also reflects on the influence of Dallas Eakins, who coached Sam at multiple stops throughout his career and played an important role in his development as both a player and professional. The conversation then turns to Sam's 2024 trade to the Edmonton Oilers, where he experienced the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time—and rode that opportunity all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. Sam shares what playoff hockey feels like from inside the locker room and what it's like playing alongside one of the greatest players in the game, Connor McDavid. But an NHL career isn't lived by the player alone. Sam opens up about moving from city to city with his wife and three young boys, the sacrifices a hockey family makes behind the scenes, and the mentality required to remain an NHL player through trades, roster battles, and constant uncertainty. After 14 years of professional hockey and nearly 400 NHL games, Sam is beginning his latest chapter with the Buffalo Sabres following a trade from the New York Rangers in March 2026. Now settled in Buffalo, he's balancing preparation for his first full season with the Sabres with another important role—hockey dad. And finally, we head off the ice and into the Canadian woods. Sam shares the story behind Carrick Brothers Maple , the family maple syrup business he operates with his three brothers. What began as a childhood tradition of tapping trees with their grandfather has grown into a thriving operation in South Algonquin, Ontario, with more than 46,000 taps producing maple syrup, maple water, maple cream, granulated maple sugar, and more. From NHL locker rooms and the Stanley Cup Final to family, fatherhood, and the maple farm, Sam Carrick's story is ultimately about something much bigger than hockey: Showing up. Doing the work. And earning your opportunity every single day. Watch the full episode on YouTube. ️ Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe to The Mask & The Mic for conversations with the athletes, coaches, broadcasters, and personalities behind the games we love. Subscribe to TheMaskTheMic YouTube Channel

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #29

  Stu Grimson: The Grim Reaper

  Aug 19, 20261h 12mS1

  More than 2,000 NHL penalty minutes. One unforgettable nickname. And plenty of stories from the original Mighty Ducks. On Episode 29 of The Mask & The Mic , Guy Hebert and Kent French welcome Guy's former Mighty Ducks of Anaheim teammate Stu Grimson , better known throughout the hockey world as “The Grim Reaper.” Stu takes us back to the beginning of his professional career and the realization in the minor leagues that fighting—and his willingness to protect his teammates—might be his path to the NHL. He shares the story behind “The Grim Reaper” nickname, what it meant to embrace the role of an NHL enforcer, and the pride he took in knowing his teammates appreciated having him on their side. Then Guy and Stu head down memory lane to the inaugural 1993-94 Mighty Ducks season. They reminisce about former teammates, life as employees of Disney, some of the unusual perks that came with it, and those unforgettable Mighty Ducks photo shoots—including dressing as pirates and posing aboard a pirate ship at Disneyland. But there was also a very real price that came with being one of the NHL's most feared enforcers. Stu opens up about some of the toughest fights of his career, the opponents who tested him the most, the injuries he suffered, and the physical toll that years of fighting ultimately took on his body. The guys also revisit the memorable 2001 Foundation for a Better Life commercial that showed hockey fans a very different side of “The Grim Reaper,” and Stu reflects on telling his full story in his memoir, The Grim Reaper: The Life and Career of a Reluctant Warrior . It's a conversation filled with laughs, honesty, Mighty Ducks nostalgia, and a fascinating look inside one of hockey's most demanding roles—from the man who lived it. Watch the full episode on YouTube. ️ Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe to The Mask & The Mic for conversations with the players, coaches, broadcasters, and personalities who have shaped the games we love. Subscribe to TheMaskTheMic YouTube Channel

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #28

  The NHL Salary Cap & KISS!

  Aug 12, 202654 minS1

  The NHL salary cap is going up—but so are the salaries of the league's biggest stars. How are teams supposed to fit everyone under the same cap? On Episode 28 of The Mask & The Mic , Guy Hebert and Kent French take a closer look at the growing list of NHL Restricted Free Agents still waiting for new contracts, including Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier. With the NHL salary cap increasing this season and again next year, the guys discuss how the changing financial landscape is impacting roster construction across the league. Macklin Celebrini's new $18.8 million annual contract has reset the ceiling for the NHL's elite players, and Guy and Kent explore what that means for General Managers trying to keep multiple young stars together. For the Ducks, the challenge is particularly important as they work to fit Gauthier's next contract alongside Leo Carlsson's massive new deal. The conversation then moves to baseball as Kent gives Guy a behind-the-scenes look at his recent stretch of double duty with the Angels, working both reporting and hosting responsibilities during a home series against the Texas Rangers. Kent describes what it's like watching a Major League Baseball game from the camera well and shares some of the unique perspectives that come with working so close to the action. Then comes KISS Night at the Big A! The Angels are welcoming KISS legends Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley for a special celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of KISS performing at Anaheim Stadium. The guys discuss the KISS-themed entertainment, fireworks, giveaways—and, naturally, whether Kent might get the opportunity to interview the rock legends and whether he should show up dressed for the occasion. And finally, Guy does what Guy does best: talks golf. This time, he's heading to Sherwood Country Club to play alongside auction winners from the Ducks Alumni Golf Tournament. Guy shares what it's like playing with fans who bid for the opportunity to tee it up with a former NHL goaltender and what makes these alumni golf events so much fun. From NHL contracts and salary-cap strategy to baseball, KISS, and golf, Episode 28 is another wide-ranging conversation from The Mask & The Mic . Watch the full episode here on YouTube. ️ Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe to The Mask & The Mic for weekly conversations featuring NHL insight, baseball stories, behind-the-scenes broadcasting, golf, and plenty of surprises along the way. Subscribe to TheMaskTheMic YouTube Channel

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  Episode #27

  Angels Shake Up and The PGA

  Aug 5, 202648 minS1

  What do Newport Harbor, the PGA Tour, the MLB Trade Deadline, and Ted Lasso have in common? On Episode 27 of The Mask & The Mic , Guy Hebert and Kent French cast a wide net across the sports world—and even brainstorm a fun new idea for the future of the podcast. Could a future episode be filmed aboard a boat while cruising Newport Harbor? The guys discuss the possibility of taking The Mask & The Mic on location for a truly unique setting. The conversation then turns to the PGA Tour as Guy catches Kent up on everything happening in the world of golf. They recap the Rocket Classic, discuss what happened to fan favorites like Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth, and look at the emergence of golf's next generation of stars. With the Wyndham Championship serving as the final event of the PGA Tour regular season, the guys explain what's at stake for players trying to qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs. They also spotlight Southern California native Jake Knapp, his impressive season, and where he currently sits in the FedEx Cup standings. The discussion expands into why golf has become the sport of choice for so many professional athletes, musicians, actors, and business leaders. Guy and Kent share the story of actor Tom Holland hitting balls alongside Rory McIlroy and how even one of Hollywood's biggest stars couldn't help but marvel at the incredible skill of a world-class golfer. Next, the focus shifts to Major League Baseball following one of the most significant trade deadlines in recent Angels history. The Los Angeles Angels took an aggressive approach, trading seven players and acquiring nine prospects in return. Guy and Kent break down the organization's dramatic philosophical shift, discuss several of the key prospects now entering the system, and examine what interim General Manager John Mozeliak's vision could mean for the franchise moving forward. They also tackle one of the biggest questions facing the organization: Where does Mike Trout fit into the Angels' future, and can the club build a winner around one of the greatest players of his generation? To close the show, the guys revisit their excitement for the premiere of Ted Lasso Season 4 and laugh about the summer blockbuster movies they still haven't gotten around to seeing. From golf and baseball to television and future podcast adventures, Episode 27 is another fun, wide-ranging conversation you won't want to miss. ️ Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe to The Mask & The Mic for weekly conversations featuring insider sports analysis, great stories, and behind-the-scenes perspectives from across the sporting world. Subscribe to TheMaskTheMic YouTube Channel

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