Josh Manson in January 2020. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
THIS IS EPISODE 580 OF THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST
Josh Manson is a defenseman and assistant captain for the Anaheim Ducks. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by Anaheim, and made his NHL debut in 2014.
In 2016-17, Manson played all 82 games and helped the Ducks to the Western Conference Finals. The next season saw him record a career-high 37 points (seven goals, 30 assists) and average more than 20 minutes of ice time for the first time in his career. He’s averaged 20-plus minutes every year since.
In college at Northeastern (in Boston), Manson was awarded the Hockey East conference’s Best Defensive Defenseman award in 2013-14, and also named to the 2013-14 Hockey East Second All-Star Team.
Josh’s father, Dave Manson, was a first-round pick and played in the NHL from 1986-2002.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Josh Manson about his hockey season being cut short due to the pandemic, becoming a dad for the first time, coming to faith in Christ in 2017, and growing up in a pro hockey household.
Nick and Marcus Foligno have built long NHL careers on toughness, leadership and a willingness to rise in big moments. But this season, perhaps the moment that matters most won’t show up in a box score.
Though the two brothers play on separate teams, they’re teaming up to raise money for breast cancer research in honor of their late mother, Janis, who died in 2009. Through a partnership with the Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild, NHL, NHLPA and the V Foundation via Hockey Fights Cancer, the Foligno Face-Off has become one of the most meaningful initiatives of their careers.
“It’s really special,” Nick, the Blackhawks captain, recently told NHL.com. “Obviously, it’s something that’s near and dear to us with our mother and losing her to breast cancer. But the fight continues and that’s something Marcus and I have always said we would do in her honor is to continue to fight and continue to find ways to make it a better outcome for somebody else. I think she’d be proud of that.”
This year’s campaign invites fans to donate $17 — a nod to the number both brothers wear — or whatever they can give. One hundred percent of every donation goes directly to the V Foundation for breast cancer research, expanding the impact of the Janis Foligno Foundation, which has raised more than $1.2 million for research and patient care.
For the brothers, this is more than a cause. It’s a continuation of the life their mother helped shape. Her voice, her presence and her joy still echo in the memories that shaped them. While their dad, Mike, played in the NHL, Janis was often the one driving them to their own games and practices, which were often several hours away.
She made plenty of sacrifices to help both brothers reach their dreams of playing professional hockey.
“Our dad played hockey, and we listened to him for advice on how to play,” Marcus, a forward for the Wild, told The Athletic in 2023. “But if it wasn’t for our mom getting us where we needed to go, being such a supporter and booster of our confidence, I don’t think we would have made it.”
“She was the drill sergeant in the family, the motivator, the everything, really,” Nick told The Athletic. “She was the rock — which is why it really rocked our family when we lost her.”
Though she never saw the full arc of their NHL careers, she did see both boys get drafted and saw the start of Nick’s career after he was drafted in 2006 and made his debut in 2007. Marcus was drafted in June 2009 — by the Buffalo Sabres, one of the teams his father played for — and Janis passed away in July.
“It was emotional,” Marcus told The Athletic. “You think your mother hung on for that day, to see you get drafted. It was weird how full circle it was. Buffalo. It could have been anywhere in the NHL. She knew I’d be going home with a lot of family and friends there. She knew I’d be good. I’d be safe. It was a crazy, crazy, special moment.”
The lessons she instilled carry forward in both men’s lives, now shaping the way both brothers parent their own kids and the way they lead in their locker rooms.
Their faith in God also plays a central role in how they move through grief, success and every season in between. Both are actively involved with Hockey Ministries International.
Nick often returns to the clarity of Romans 12:12, which says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
“I just love how simple and direct a message it is,” he once told HMI. “I think it perfectly describes the journey we go on in our faith in Christ. Always be hopeful because without it, I firmly believe we are lost. When hard times come, be patient and strong and know it won’t last. And lastly be constantly in dialogue with Jesus because to me that’s how you stay connected.”
Marcus said he’s fortunate to be able to play the game he loves “with Christ guiding me through all the ups and downs.”
“Attending team chapels throughout the season also helps me,” he once told HMI. “Our schedule is demanding and it’s easy to get caught up in uncontrollable events. Chapel provides a place for me and some of my teammates to sit down, reflect and grow our faith together. It helps us see the bigger picture and ease the stresses that come with our job — and to let go and focus on Jesus.”
Nick missed the first of his face-offs with Marcus (Nov. 26) due to injury, but the brothers are scheduled to meet three more times this season (Jan. 27, March 17 and March 19). Each time, fans can choose between Team Nick or Team Marcus, and each donor will be entered to win a Hockey Fights Cancer jersey signed by both brothers, as well as a signed puck from one of the teams.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING EDDIE GEORGE
Eddie George played nine seasons in the NFL with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans (1996-2003) and Dallas Cowboys (2004). He was selected 14th overall in the 1996 NFL Draft by the Oilers after a stellar collegiate career at Ohio State, where he won the 1995 Heisman Trophy.
In 2011, George was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, and in 2019 his number 27 was retired by the Titans.
Currently, George is in his first season as the head coach at Bowling Green State University, after spending four years as Tennessee State’s head coach (2021-24).
Today on the podcast, fellow Pro Bowl running backs Matt Forte and Eddie George discuss George’s strong faith in Jesus Christ, rededicating his life to the Lord, why ballet is something that helped him as a running back, and lessons he learned in college at Ohio State.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING GEORGE HILL
George Hill played 15 seasons in the NBA from 2008-2023 with the San Antonio Spurs, Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers. He was drafted by San Antonio in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft (26th overall). During his long career, Hill was teammates with Tim Duncan, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Today on the podcast, Matt Forte talks to George Hill about his welcome-to-the-NBA moment, guarding Kobe Bryant, the culture of faith in the NBA, giving his life to Christ, and being baptized this past summer.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE, FEATURING KELVIN BEACHUM
Kelvin Beachum is a 14-year NFL offensive lineman with the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally selected in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2016) and New York Jets (2017-19) before joining Arizona in 2020.
Today on the podcast, Kelvin Beachum joins his former Jets teammate Matt Forte for a conversation on his remarkable journey in the league, his faith, and the lessons learned from his upbringing. Beachum reflects on his career, life beyond football, his infamous 1996 Green Monster Tahoe, lessons from playing with Matt, and the role of Jesus in his life.
