A listener makes the trip to Sweden and comes home with a good story to tell.
The Skating Penguin Network, formerly the Pensburgh Podcast, just crossed its second anniversary since going independent and going the Fans First Sports Network back in the spring of 2023. With the conclusion of the 2024-25 Pittsburgh Penguins season, the podcast is now shifting focus to the offseason and what lies ahead in what should be another busy summer for the Penguins.
Each week during the offseason, we try to conduct a mailbag of listener questions collected through the podcast Twitter account. When collecting questions for this week’s episode, listener Edward Beckham checked in with the details of his recent trip to Sweden to watch Sidney Crosby and Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships.
Not a question but just wanted to let you know about my trip to Sweden.
Watched Sid score 2 in a 4 point night last night. So good. This was after I randomly sat next to a former Penguin who I didn’t know, but ended up having a couple of beers and a good chat with him…..— Ed (@edward_beckham) May 18, 2025
Living in the UK, the World Championships provide the perfect opportunity for fans like Ed to see their favorite players in person and Ed took full advantage with a weekend trip to Stockholm and was treated to a classic Crosby performance against Slovakia.
On top of seeing Crosby dazzle, Ed ran into a familiar face at a local bar in Stockholm while having a drink, former Penguins defenseman Dick Tarnstrom who was enjoying the tournament in his home country and watching his former teammate Crosby in action as well.
Dick Tarnstrom. Any memories of him? Nice guy and an interesting chat. Photos attached pic.twitter.com/yiD3rMqN2G
— Ed (@edward_beckham) May 18, 2025
Tarnstrom, as many of you may remember, was with the Penguins between 2002-2006, and led the team in scoring with 52 points in 2003-04, the only defenseman to ever lead the Penguins in scoring. Tarnstrom also had the honor of playing with both Crosby and Mario Lemieux during his stint with the Penguins which lasted 174 games before he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers at the 2006 trade deadline.
All in all, it’s safe to say this was a worthwhile trip for Ed to make, and one he will certainly remember for a long time. Being a Penguins fan across the pond is no easy task, but our European fans are dedicated to the team and it’s cool one of them got to have an experience like this.
If you are interested, Robbie and Snail discussed Ed’s story and a bunch of other topics surrounding the Penguins and the NHL as whole in the latest episode of the Skating Penguin Network and can be found below with our entire catalog of shows.
Our content for now will focus mainly on offseason happenings through free agency with some other fun items thrown in as they come our way. We will find topics to fill the air during the slow part of NHL summer then get back to game recaps and news shows once the new season arrives.
If you have listened in the past and enjoyed our show, we thank you for listening and hope you stay along for the ride.