Former NHL star David Backes. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
THIS IS THE GET IN THE GAME PODCAST
WITH SCOTT LINEBRINK
David Backes recently retired after a stellar 15-year career in the National Hockey League, where he became one of the fiercest competitors and most dependable teammates in the league. He spent 10 of those seasons with the St. Louis Blues, where he was named to three All-Star teams and served as captain.
Backes spent the final years of his NHL career with the Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks before announcing his retirement on Sept. 9. Backes was also a two-time Olympian, helping the U.S. to win a silver medal in 2010.
He joins the Get in the Game Podcast to reflect on his career, share his and his wife’s heart for service (particularly as it relates to animal activism), share how his faith impacted his career, and what he hopes his legacy will be.
(This interview was recorded prior to Backes’ retirement announcement.)
THIS IS THE GET IN THE GAME PODCAST
WITH SCOTT LINEBRINK
Our guest today is Matt Hasselbeck, the former Pro Bowl quarterback who played 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts.
Matt joins Scott Linebrink on the podcast to talk about the current landscape of the NFL playoffs, what it means to follow Jesus and serve others, and his thoughts on the Seattle Seahawks being one game away from the Super Bowl.
THIS IS THE GET IN THE GAME PODCAST
WITH SCOTT LINEBRINK
Our guest today is Christopher Malleo, an entrepreneur, author and speaker who played college football at Northwestern University.
Chris went on to coach high school football at the Peddie School in New Jersey, where he built a nationally ranked program that sent 48 players on to play college football, 44 on full scholarships, with several reaching the NFL. During his time at Peddie, Chris pioneered one of the most remarkable leadership stories in sports by hiring a coach with cerebral palsy.
Today, Chris is the founder of High Impact Man (HIM), his flagship coaching program that equips men to live with integrity, discipline and purpose. He is currently enrolled in Harvard Business School’s Authentic Leadership Development program, continuing his mission of teaching leadership, culture and performance at the highest levels.
Today on the podcast, Chris Malleo joins Scott Linebrink to share about his journey of faith; the profound impact of his relationship with Frankie Keneavy, a coach with cerebral palsy; and the lessons learned about leadership, love and community.
Sting Ray Robb in May 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
THIS IS THE GET IN THE GAME PODCAST
WITH SCOTT LINEBRINK
Our guest today is Sting Ray Robb (yes, that is his real name), a race car driver in the IndyCar Series.
He shares about how his faith has shaped his identity beyond racing results, the importance of Scripture in his life, and the challenges of being a believer in a largely secular sport. He emphasizes the significance of community, the power of leading by example, and the need to lean into doubt as a means of growth.
Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun, Nov. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The Washington Capitals acquired defenseman Jakob Chychrun from the Ottawa Senators on an expiring contract in July 2024. It worked out so well for both sides that they agreed on an eight-year, $72 million extension before Chychrun could even test free agency.
Washington finished with the best record in the Eastern Conference, and Chychrun posted career-bests in goals (20), points (47) and plus-minus (17). He also tied a career-high with 27 assists.
The 27-year-old has been even better this season, collecting 11 goals and 14 assists in the Capitals’ first 30 games. After Monday night, he is leading all NHL defenseman in goals, his 25 points rank sixth among defensemen, and he is fifth in the NHL with a plus-minus of 24. Washington sits atop the Eastern Conference with a 18-9-3 record.
On Sunday, Chychrun’s 11th goal opened the scoring in a 2-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“I think every team wants to be able to win those type of games, those tight, low-scoring games where there’s not much room out there,” he said after the game. “That’s two highly skilled teams, so for it to be held to a 1-0 game late is, I think, a credit to both sides.”
A first-round pick of the Arizona Coyotes in 2016, Chychrun spent six full seasons with the franchise before being traded to the Senators midway through the 2022-23 season. One of the main things he credits for his emergence since arriving in Washington D.C. is his faith in God.
“It’s been a big part of my life this year, just starting to build a relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which has helped me a ton,” Chychrun said in May. “I think it’s made me a completely better person, better teammate, better son, brother, husband. It’s given me a different perspective on even coming to the rink every day.”
In the same press conference, Chychrun shared that he and some of his teammates had participated in a Bible study throughout the season. What started as three people turned into a group of between eight and 10.
Building an identity rooted in the Lord and being able to discuss his faith journey with teammates has helped Chychrun build deeper relationships: with God, with teammates and with his wife.
“It was a special, kind of, thing we had going this year that I think has helped a lot of us,” he said. “[It] has become a huge part of my life, for me and my wife.”
After the Capitals were upset by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the playoffs, Chychrun celebrated the season and his new contract in an Instagram post. In the post, he shared a Bible verse that was a source of inspiration throughout the season.
“Grateful beyond words for this season — my first diving deep into my faith, which has transformed me as a player and a person,” he wrote. “Colossians 3:17 says, ‘And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.’ This verse carried me through every challenge and triumph, on and off the ice. Huge thanks to our incredible fans and the organization for believing in me — I’m honored to sign on for eight more years.”
