Top Shelf

As Harvard hockey dropped a pair of road games in upstate New York to Colgate and Cornell, a brand-new episode of Top Shelf aired on WHRB. Senior defenseman Ian Tallett joined Alex Biega, Kyle Richter, and Tom Brennan in the studio. Hear their thoughts on the team’s big win over Dartmouth, as well as a preview of the team’s first real road trip of the season and the off-ice routines that the Crimson save for the road. All three players recap the squad’s Halloween costume selection as well, going over their own choices as well as those of their teammates.

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The 2009-10 regular season has finally begun for the Crimson, and senior goaltender John Riley joins Alex, Kyle and Tom in the booth. With Halloween just around the corner, the guys give a preview of some of their teammates costumes - including a trio of Star Wars characters. With eight new faces joining Harvard hockey this season, the co-hosts discuss the conduct of the freshman class on and off the ice. The episode wraps up with some creative and thoughtful stick salutes, especially that of Kyle Richter.

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It’s a full booth for the inaugural episode of Top Shelf, Season Six, as Jimmy Fraser swung by campus for one more taping before heading off to begin his professional hockey career. Jimmy joins Alex Biega and Tom Brennan, and Kyle Richter returns to the studio for the first time since 2007-08. Hear Jimmy’s professional plans, some discussion of foreign languages, a lengthy discussion of Mark Messier’s visit with the Crimson, possible endorsement opportunities for Jimmy, and plenty more about the upcoming season.

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Jimmy, Alex, and Tom step into the studio for one more edition of Top Shelf, joined this time by outgoing play-by-play man Ben Weintraub. Topics of discussion include: spring break, the warm weather at school, post-season awards for Jimmy and Alex (including Alex’s captaincy), wardrobe choices, summer plans (next year’s plans for Jimmy and Ben), name pronunciation issues, the Stanley Cup playoffs, and more. In short, the biggest episode to date. Though the season is well over, there will be further Top Shelfs through May (and maybe the summer).

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The final episode of the 2008-2009 season aired as the Crimson fell to the Brown Bears in the first round of the ECAC playoffs.

Alex, Jimmy, and Tom start by discussing the difficulties the Crimson have had in recent years against Brown. Then off the ice, Tom quizzes Jimmy and Alex on their favorite types of eateries around Harvard Square–including the best burger, best pizza slices, best date spot, and a variety of other categories. The show then concludes with a couple lengthy stick salutes.

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The fifteenth episode aired as the Crimson defeated Quinnipiac and Princeton in the final weekend of the regular season.

Senior forward Nick Coskren joins Jimmy, Alex, and Tom in the booth. With Senior Night on Saturday, Alex and Tom ask Nick and Jimmy to hand out some senior superlatives. The superlatives given out include: biggest video gamer, worst driver, and worst clothing style.

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The fourteenth episode of the year aired as Harvard traveled to the North Country February 21st and 22nd and drew at both St. Lawrence and Clarkson.

Junior netminder John Riley joins Alex, Jimmy, and Tom for a second guest appearance. Alex, Jimmy, and John focus the show on the traditions and routines of road trips–from loading the bus to meals on the road. Highlights include complete explanations of the road rituals of “shoe-checking” and “leaners.”

Finally, outro music makes its season debut — set to the New Radicals’ hit “You Get What You Give.”

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This extended episode aired as Harvard skated to two wins over Colgate and Cornell on Valentine’s Day weekend.

Ian Tallett returns as a guest, this time joined by fellow classmate and defenseman Chad Morin. Alex sets up a special friendly debate format between Ian and Chad, and Tom starts off with a question about the place of hair in hockey. Then Jim asks the panelists about their tastes in clothing and Alex finishes up the debate with a question about their respective music tastes. At the close of the show, everyone discusses the upcoming Pink at the Rink fundraiser, and some unconventional stick salutes are given.

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The twelfth episode aired as the Crimson faced off against the Boston College Eagles in the Beanpot Consolation game February 9th.

Alex and Jimmy highlight some of the hockey team’s off-the-ice activities, including Fire and Ice, a soccer game between the women’s soccer team and the men’s hockey team. During a radio interview with members of the women’s hockey team, the women predicted a 5-0 victory in a men vs. women shootout, so Jimmy and Alex respond in kind with their predictions. Finally, Tom pre-empts Jimmy’s usual stick salute, forcing Jimmy to go in a different direction.

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The eleventh episode of the season aired as the Crimson traveled to New Haven to take on Yale on Friday, February 6th.

Jimmy and Alex recap the excitement of the first round of the Beanpot, and discuss the recent Dan Shaughnessy column about Top Shelf and Alex Biega. With a game at the Yale Whale coming up, the guys spend some time discussing rinks around the ECAC, highlighting their favorite and not-so-favorite barns to play in.

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