#RedCarpetRegulars #SpectacularSportspeople #AwesomeAuthors @NHL @sportsology Exclusive Interview with Mover and Shaker Russ Cohen on the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Mover and Shaker Russ Cohen is a writer and author who specializes in hockey and baseball content. He is an author of 11 books and currently runs www.sportsology.com as well as www.nhldraftbuzz.com/. Besides his writing, his podcasts and are a part of his weekly schedule.   We know Russ because we originally reviewed his book on the New York Rangers.  His last Whom You Know interview was in 2013, also in Red Carpet Regulars.

Russ is currently highly occupied during the hockey playoffs: either by attending games or commenting on them on his or on other radio shows. He's had a regular on NHL Network Radio since its inception on Sirius.

When NHL fans want to find out information about the NHL Draft, they call on Russ to keep them informed and to find out about what he thinks about those players. The month of June is very busy for him because the Stanley Cup, something he's covered since 2003 and the NHL Draft happens within weeks and that makes for a tight schedule.

There is never an offseason since he writes about collectibles for Go GTS and that entails writing about Baseball, Football and Hockey prospects and the trading cards that are out regarding each player. Hobby enthusiasts know and trust his opinion and have for many years. Whom You Know is thrilled to present Russ Cohen in his newest interview. Russ was interviewed by Peachy Deegan.

Peachy Deegan: What does hockey mean to you?

Russ Cohen: Hockey is Life. I have been covering it religiously since 2001 and was a fan long before that. I’ve tried to experience everything the sport has to offer and I love covering it.

Tell us about the best NHL playoffs you have covered and what you like about them.

2003 Stanley Cup was my first. The Devils won in a Game 7 and that was exciting and something I never thought I would be able to do. I worked hard to get to that point.

What teams look the most promising for a Stanley Cup this year?

I’ll say the Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets but it’s a tough year to predict. The games have been great.

What do you think of the Rangers new coaching staff and what are your predictions for their success?

Mike Sullivan was once their assistant and a very good head coach. He’s been very successful. Some say not lately and that happens but he has his work cut out for him and next year could be a transitional season. They had some big issues this season.

What other records do you see Alex Ovechkin breaking?

Probably something more obscure. He is the all-time leader in more than a few categories.

What do you think of the MLB season so far?

The torpedo bats have made a splash with a lot of early home runs especially for the New York Yankees. The Los Angeles Dodgers are the team to beat but the New York Mets will be dangerous as well. The Yankees and Red Sox are battling; that hasn’t happened for a while and that’s good for the sport.

What or who has had the most influence on your pursuit of excellence?

I have a drive to be better for sure. My parents instilled a good work ethic. I enjoy what I do and try and be better everyday. I don’t want to sit on my laurels.

What are you proudest of and why?

I have books in the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Hockey Hall of Fame. It was a real honor to have them accept them. They are there for reference and that makes me proud.

What would you like to do professionally that you have not yet had the opportunity to do?

I would like to publish a book about the New York Jets. I got close once. Maybe that’s in my future.

What honors and awards have you received in your profession?

My podcast, Off The Post, was in a ranked hot list. I don’t have any hardware currently.

What one word best describes you and why?

A grinder. I keep grinding much like hockey players do.

What do you take your sense of identity from?

Being grounded and true to myself. What you see is what you get.

What is your favorite place to be in Manhattan?

Central Park. It’s awesome and it is free!

What is your favorite shop in Manhattan?

Macy’s. It’s a classic.

If you could hire anybody whom would it be and why?

I would hire Green Day to play a private concert for a birthday celebration.

What is the best advice you’ve received in your career and what mentors have influenced you the most?

I was once asked, why do you want to cover hockey prospects? Nobody cares. That made me want to do it even more. To prove that writer wrong and to make people care more about them and I think I have accomplished that. Bruce Bennett, although a photographer, has been super supportive. There are too many to list but most of the people are in the hockey world.

What is your favorite drink?

Unsweetened Iced Tea.

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you at a cocktail party?

At a closed event for the NHL, before the All-Star game, I scalped tickets on the street to get in. I figured I could eat a lot of shrimp and make a few connections and it worked.

What is your favorite restaurant in Manhattan?

Carmine’s. The food is fantastic!

What is your favorite Manhattan book or favorite character in Manhattan literature?

Vito Corleone from the “Godfather”.

What is your favorite tv show and why?

I curently love Will Trent. Great cast and Betty the dog is the cutest thing on television.

What is your favorite movie and why?

Blazing Saddles. It’s a timeless classic.

What do you know now that you wish you knew at the beginning of your career?

That you have to be a brand more than a personality. I figured that out midway into it.

What’s one thing you wish the world better understood about you and why?

That I’m honest. I’m not going to say what I think you want to hear or read.

Who would you like to be for a day and why?

The commissioner of baseball. I love the sport and think I can do a better job than the current commissioner.

Who is your favorite actor?

Tom Hardy, he can play any part and is always fantastic.

If you could have anything in Manhattan named after you what would it be and why?

The Russ Cohen dog park. You can’t have enough dog parks.

What has been your best Manhattan athletic experience?

I played in the Hotel League, fast pitch softball championship in Central Park. We made it to the championship game but we lost.

What is your favorite thing to do in Manhattan that you can do nowhere else?

Get a slice. The best pizza on earth.

If you could have dinner with any person living or passed, who would it be and why?

Mel Brooks. He’s so smart and full of stories. I could sit and listen to him all day.

What has been your best Manhattan art or music experience?

It would be music. I once saw the Walden Woods benefit concert at MSG. It featured, Billy Joel, Sting and Don Henley. That was a great night.

What do you personally do or what have you done to give back to the world?

I try and mentor people in my industry so they can succeed. I give my time to multiple charities and donate to as many as I can afford each year.

What do you think is most underrated and overrated in Manhattan?

Underrated - McSorley’s Old Ale House is one of the great local breweries.

Overrated - New York street Pretzels, They are heated on coals. They’re mediocre.

Other than Movers and Shakers of course, and obviously NHL Peachy and MLB Peachy, what is your favorite WhomYouKnow.com​ column and what do you like about it?

Gotham Gadgets. I love reading about technology.

What else should Whom You Know readers know about you?

That I’m hard working and love what I do. It takes a while to be able to position yourself that way in life but we can all do that.

How would you like to be contacted by Whom You Know readers?

rcohen@sportsology.net