In this special 20th episode and first-ever livestream of Mission Control: Houston's Hockey Podcast, we are joined by WHA champion and broadcasting pioneer Jack Stanfield for a deep dive into Houston’s pro hockey history. Jack shares untold stories from the 1974 Avco Cup run, reveals exactly how close the Aeros came to joining the NHL (and how that deal eventually created the New Jersey Devils), and discusses the "magic" of playing alongside Gordie Howe. We also explore his role in revolutionizing how we watch sports through the creation of regional networks like HSE, and get his expert take on the viability of bringing an NHL expansion team to Houston today.Obligatory merch page link: https://mchockeypodcast.printful.me/"The Rebel League" by Ed Willes: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/892319.The_Rebel_LeagueThe Okananagan Hockey Community Foundation: https://okanaganhockeyfoundation.com/about/Jack's episode of the Face-Off Spot Podcast: https://faceoffspotpodcast.com/episodes/episode-183-jack-stanfield/Well, I WOULD tell you to join me at the Rice / UH game, but it's sold out. No, I did not get mine.HPIB Slapshot Scholarship: https://www.ishl.org/news/houston-slapshot-scholarship-2026-score-your-futurHockey Day in Houston Info: https://www.hockeydayinhouston.com/Follow on X! https://x.com/MCHockeyPodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/mchockeypodcast/Add on Discord - @MCHockeyPodcastThe NHL isn't in Space City yet - but the fans are.Welcome to Mission Control: Houston’s Hockey Podcast — your launchpad for all things hockey in Space City. Whether you’ve been following NHL relocation rumors since 2013 or just discovered the game through the Four Nations Face-Off, this channel is for fans who believe Houston has deserved a team for a long time. We cover Houston’s hockey history, NHL expansion gossip, arena politics, and local events. With throwback stories, awkward edits, and bad attempts at humor, we’re building the fanbase before the 33rd franchise gets here. Subscribe and be part of Houston’s hockey future.

HoustonHockey, WHA, Gordie Howe, Hockey History, Hockey Podcast, Houston Aeros, NHL to Houston

Join us for a chat with Jack Stanfield, 1974 WHA Houston Aeros Avco Cup Champion, team executive, and sports broadcasting guru - and that's only part of an impressive resume. If anyone is qualified to talk about pro hockey in Houston - both its history and its future - it's Jack. I'm really looking forward to this - make sure you join us for the live chat!
https://www.youtube.com/live/4lqZg7qLKXU?si=a97DCQsw5pZFVyHs

Matt takes you on a Christmas hockey road trip in this episode of Mission Control: Houston’s Hockey Podcast — but not before covering key local and national headlines. We break down the final three inductees to the 2026 Houston Hockey Hall of Fame, why the $1.7B Penguins sale matters to Houston, and healthy rants about the Team USA Olympic roster snubbing Jason Robertson, Team USA's inability to produce a good-looking jersey, and retro jerseys worn by relocated teams. Why should you listen to Matt ramble about his roadtrip? Because he's making a point about arenas... why else?

00:00 A Sleep-Deprived Introduction featuring the Houston Hockey Hall of Fame

09:24 The Olympic Rosters are Out... dude, wtf?

17:50 Winnipeg's Attendance, the ECHL Strike, and Retro Jerseys

24:24 What I Did on my Winter Vacation

39:22 The Calendar - The Part you Skip to if you Don't Care about the DFW Trip

Want a Sexy T-Shirt, or other merch to-be-added? https://mchockeypodcast.printful.me/

Hockey Day in Houston Info: https://www.hockeydayinhouston.com/T

he Count Dankula clip is from his episode of Albert Dryden: https://youtu.be/z2MPzVt3Hc8?si=eGojH5d-4W3GTSW6

Hey, they JUST added Channel info on the NBC Broadcast site:https://www.nbcolympics.com/schedule/sport/hockey

Sportico's Article on the Penguins Sale: https://www.sportico.com/business/team-sales/2025/pittsburgh-penguins-sold-hoffmann-nhl-fenway-sports-1234868839/

Bettman on Winnipeg's Attendance Issues: https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/12/12/bettman-says-winnipeg-jets-improving-attendance-still-needs-work/

Oh, and the "traditional Christmas movies" were Die Hard 1 & 2.

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The NHL isn't in Houston - but the Hockey Fans Are!If you've been obsessing over every rumor about a potential NHL hockey franchise in Houston, you've found your community. Mission Control exists to help build a hockey fan community in Houston.