NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series - Stephen Gostkowski - November 25, 2025

In the third of the NHL Wraparound Celebrity Series, Neil and Vic welcome three-time Super Bowl champion placekicker with the New England Patriots Stephen Gostkowski to the show.

The four-time Pro Bowler and Patriots all-time scoring leader covers a range of topics from his early days or an athlete, to playing under Bill Belichick and with Tom Brady to life after football.

Gostkowski even mixes in a little hockey as a young fan of the Buffalo Sabres and, more recently, the Boston Bruins.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:49] - Neil welcomes Stephen Gostkowski to the show. Gostkowski shares how he got into placekicking as well as the uniqueness of the position where the participation in a game is brief but, often, very noticeable. Simply, the life of a kicker.

[06:47] - Given the apparent isolation for a kicker, Stephen shares who he bonded with during the course of his career.

[10:20] - The expectations succeeding Adam Vinatieri, a kicker who had carved his niche in NFL lore with four Super Bowl wins (three with New England) including some of the great clutch kicks in league history.

[13:16] - The relationship with head coach Bill Belichick.

[15:33] - Gostkowski's interesting take on why there's likely no coaching comparable in hockey, baseball or basketball to Belichick.

[17:29] - How 'bout Tom Brady?

[20:33] - Born in Louisiana and spending some early years in Buffalo, Gostkowski laced skates up at an early age and even suffered a casualty quite common to NHL players. However, any thoughts of playing hockey were erased by a move to Mississippi and played a significant role in Stephen eventually playing football.

[22:43] - A fan of the Sabres growing up, Stephen still recalls the heartbreak of the 1999 "Toe in the Crease" controversy which delivered the Stanley Cup to Dallas. Since coming to the New England area almost two decades ago, his team allegiance has shifted as he's gotten to know some of the Bruins players.

[24:51] - Remaining a fan of the team Stephen made his mark with.

[26:18] - Thoughtful dialogue about transitioning from pro sports back to a "normal life." It's something Gostkowski had to adjust to and an area he wants to be able to assist others with.

[31:17] - The deeper dive of the transition is the locker room/team environment being replaced family life and other activities which can be fulfilling, albeit not on a competitive level. Stephen adds a bucket list item for himself.

[35:49] - After investing so much in himself, Gostkowski was recognized in March...and just might be again in 2026...

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Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

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