Former professional hockey player, and now broadcaster, Luke Gazdic was the latest guest on the Martin Lycka Safe Bet Show, filmed live at the recent Canadian Gaming Summit in Toronto.
Gazdic recapped his time in the NHL and the minor leagues, before discussing his current role as a hockey analyst and how sports betting has changed in Canada from the start of his career until now.
After being selected in the sixth round of the 2007 NHL draft, Gazdic made 147 appearances in the league for the Edmonton Oilers and the New Jersey Devils.
Reflecting on his time as a hockey player, Gazdic spoke about the grind of playing in the minor leagues before making his debut in 2013 when he famously scored within 14 seconds of being on the ice.
He also discussed modern-day hockey and described how the focus has changed to recruiting players that are quicker and more skilful rather than “bigger and heavier”.
He added: “I think right now the game is the best it has ever been. The players that are coming into the league now are 18 years old and they are ready to play as soon as they enter the league. They are essentially robots. Most of them eat, sleep and drink hockey.
“The rules changed more in 2014 after the lockout where there was less obstruction and more ability for players to skate so all these general managers now started coveting these small, skilled, fast players. All the players coming up now are skilled, fast and most importantly creative.”
After retiring from the sport in 2021, Gazdic has transitioned into broadcasting and works as an analyst for NHL on Sportsnet. He has also appeared on CBC Television’s iconic Hockey Night in Canada which he says is the pinnacle of television for any hockey fans growing up in Canada.
Gazdic was asked about how he felt before appearing on TV and he explained that he still gets nervous and was “flipping out” before his first time on-screen.
He added: “It was nowhere near natural. Immediately after my first segment on TV, I had so much more respect for anybody who goes on live TV and can even articulate a sentence. The first time my heart was beating and I was just thinking of what is everyone going to think about me. Now I just try to keep it as natural and organic as possible.”
Towards the end of the episode, the discussion turns to gambling in Canada and specifically within the professional sports environment.
The Canadian sports betting market has evolved considerably since Gazdic turned professional, and even after his retirement with the opening of the regulated Ontario igaming market in 2022.
“We’ve come a long way. When I first turned pro it was basically non-existent but now you’re seeing the marketing and advertising. It brings a lot of revenue into the networks and the leagues. I think it has a lot of good things but it also has to be managed very responsibly, especially for guys that are playing the game right now,” explained Gazdic.
In October 2023 Ottawa Senators Shane Pinto became the first NHL player to be suspended for online gambling violations and served a 41-game ban.
Gazdic described the incident as “disappointing” given that it is a non-negotiable not to break such rules.
On what the league can do to discourage further incidents, Gazdic added: “First and foremost a 41-game ban does a pretty good job. Guys see now that it is no joke and I’m pretty happy that the league took that stance.
“I would almost guarantee you that every player has either a rep or a former player that struggled with [gambling] come in before the season and address the team as a whole because I think first and foremost they have to be reiterated every year what the rules are. They should know but you really have to drill it into their heads just to make sure they know.”
