THIS IS SPORTS SPECTRUM’S WHAT’S UP PODCAST
WITH ANNABELLE HASSELBECK
On today’s episode of Sports Spectrum’s “What’s Up” podcast, we have Creed Willems!
Creed discusses what he’s all about at the moment, getting drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, and the role that his relationship with Jesus has played in his baseball career.
The @Orioles No. 12 prospect and 2024 Surprise Saguaros slugger has homers in back-to-back games after a 436 foot blast yesterday. @CreedWillems11 is slugging .644 in the month of May with a 168 WRC+ and .997 OPS pic.twitter.com/E4bRB1UEvF
— MLB's Arizona Fall League (@MLBazFallLeague) May 19, 2025
THIS IS SPORTS SPECTRUM’S WHAT’S UP PODCAST
WITH ANNABELLE HASSELBECK
On today’s episode of Sports Spectrum’s “What’s Up” podcast, we have Alex Loera!
Alex shares about her journey through the highs and lows of pro soccer in the NWSL, memories from her days at Santa Clara, and how she finds joy in the hardest of circumstances.
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.”
