EP 36: John Vogl, The Athletic

On this episode of the Moran-Alytics Podcast, Patrick Moran interviews brand new The Athletic (Buffalo) hockey writer John Vogl. For the first time since making headlines by leaving The Buffalo News, Vogl speaks on-air for the first time. Additionally, this marks Vogl’s first podcast appearance ever!

After spending the past 16 seasons covering the Buffalo Sabres at The News, Vogl was the first domino to fall in the recent purge of the sports department when he accepted a buyout. In the coming days and weeks several prominent members of the department decided to leave as well, spanning a variety of ways. Vogl planned to take the summer off and “relax on the water” but those plans quickly changed when The Athletic came calling. Within days of his announced departure from TBN, Vogl signed on for the new job.

Just as he was the first to leave the Buffalo News, he was the first to climb on board with The Athletic’s brand new Buffalo division. Before long the online subscription-based site added eight more writers to the Buffalo team.

Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) documents his version of the story, including the reasons he decided it was time to move on from TBN and what it was about The Athletic that was attractive to him.

We also discuss Vogl’s growing up in Western New York and eventually attending Buffalo State College. It may be a surprise to learn Vogl wasn’t always destined to be a sports journalist and didn’t exactly bear a resemblance to a model academic student. He talks about what led to things turning around for him and ultimately embarking on what’s been a fantastic career covering the NHL.

Vogl also talks Sabres hockey, his fondness for WWE and of course goes through the “Mini Lightning Round” to reveal his favorite city to visit, sports movie, twitter follow and three people he’d love to break bread with.

Immediately after that Tone Pucks (@tonepucks) pops by for a “Pat with Pucks” segment. Pucks and Moran talk about Sabres superstar Jack Eichel switching jersey numbers, their feelings on fans and jerseys, discuss a recent podcast guest’s prediction that the Buffalo Bills will have the worst record in the NFL this season and much more.

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