We had the pleasure to host Kingston, Ontario’s own Boston Bruins Stanley Cup winner Rick Smith at Home Base recently, and sit with our own Senior Director of Clinical Services Navy Capt (Ret.) Dr. Joe Bonvie. Joe and Rick talk about the mental and physical toll on the mind and body that happens in and outside the rink. Rick tells us about his journey post-retirement in the woods up north, and how finding new identity and purpose that he always had in hockey for years was far from easy to come by. Rick and Joe talk about a social hub of sorts in Kandahar, Afghanistan that existed for years on a military base with a full-sized ball-hockey rink transported by the Canadians in 2007, and how bringing the Stanley Cup with them overseas was good medicine for many in need.

A happy 100th Anniversary to the mighty Boston Bruins, as they lead 3:1 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Toronto Maple Leafs, facing off TONIGHT April 30th at Game 5! Here is our conversation with Rick Allen and Joe Bonvie on hockey, brotherhood, competition, and comradery.

Home Base Nation will be sharing episodes every two weeks up through the Run To Home Base this coming July 27th. Please sign up to join us there to support all veteran, servicemember and family care, and as we celebrate women in the military this year. 

Home Base Nation is the official podcast for Home Base Program for Veterans and Military Families – Our team sees veterans, servicemembers and their families addressing the invisible wounds of war at no cost. This is all made possible thanks to a grateful nation – And if you want to learn more on how you can help, visit us at www.homebase.org, or if you or anyone you know would like to connect to care, you can also reach us at 617-724-5202.

• Theme music for Home Base Nation: "Rolling the Tree" by The Butler Frogs
• Follow Home Base on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
• The Home Base Nation Team is Steve Monaco, Army Veteran Kelly Field, Justin Scheinert, Chuck Clough, with COO Michael Allard, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, and Peter Smyth.
• Producer and Host: Dr. Ron Hirschberg
  Assistant Producer, Editor: Chuck Clough
  Chairman, Home Base Media Lab: Peter Smyth

The views expressed by guests to the Home Base Nation podcast are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation or any of its officials.