In this episode of Mission Control, Houston's Hockey Podcast, Savage runs through a flurry of Houston hockey updates—from NHL expansion chatter and local college club growth, team name drama, and a reminder that nature is not to be effed with. Plus, news on upcoming local events, NHL 26 thoughts, and Savage's new Aeros jersey review. Whether you’re here for the laughs, insights, or myopic optimism, hit play and join the Houston hockey movement.

00:00 - Get your tickets!

07:40 - Houston Hockey Developments

16:00 - How Dumb Team Names Happen

24:26 - Matt's New Jersey

32:20 - Driving Around HoustonUniversity of Houston Hockey Club Tickets: https://www.houstonicehockey.com/tickets

Tickets for the UH / A&M game at the Aerodrome: https://www.simpletix.com/e/texas-a-m-vs-university-of-houston-tickets-228912Hockey Hot Stove on Houston: https://hockeyhotstove.com/houston-wants-an-nhl-team-key-issues-to-watch/

University of Houston Harris County Survey: https://www.uh.edu/hobby/harris2025/

Rice is putting a hockey team together: https://www.instagram.com/ricehockey/

Pickup Hockey & other Houston Hockey Info: https://houstonhockey.org/

ISHL: https://www.ishl.org/

The Buoy Video: https://x.com/SEAbuoy/status/1950981195208204387

Aeros stuff from Vintage Ice Hockey: https://vintageicehockey.com/collections/houston-aeros

Name / Number kit for Aeros away (green) jersey: https://www.ebay.com/itm/325412521774"Houston is a Hockey Town" from Vintage Ice Hockey: https://vintageicehockey.com/collections/houston-is-a-hockey-town

WHOAH: https://www.facebook.com/people/WHOAH-Womens-Hockey-Outreach-Association-of-Houston/61556298042134/

Hockey Day in Houston: https://www.hockeydayinhouston.com/

Follow on X! https://x.com/MCHockeyPodcast

Add on Discord - @MCHockeyPodcast

The NHL isn't in Houston - but the Hockey Fans Are!If you've been obsessing over every rumor about a potential NHL hockey franchise in Houston, you've found your community.

Mission Control exists to help build a hockey fan community in Houston.

NHLtoHouston, NHL, Houston, Houston Sports, Houston Texas, Houston Aeros, Houston TX, NHL Shorts, HoustonIsAHockeyTown, NHL expansion, Hockey, Aeros, Houston Hockey, PWHL

It's a shorter episode, but it checks out.Feeling better — but a long way from okay — Savage takes a deep breath and reassesses where Houston stands in the NHL expansion race. While arguing that Houston's NHL future deserves more than a nostalgic look at its past, Matt lays out reasons for hope amid lingering frustrations and growing impatience. This episode covers the new NHL schedule (and associated travel plans to watch hockey), the Olympic calendar, and a reminder that hockey growth happens off the ice, too.

00:00 - A Wellness Check

04:20 - Reasons for Optimism

09:12 - About the 2025-2026 NHL Schedule

13:56 - Houston Hockey Community Plans
19:19 - NHL acknowledges the expansion fee

Shannon The Hockey Guy's Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/e76qcZLOHF4?si=MTdVx2SOiRpqVl8M

Houston Hockey Community: https://houstonhockey.org/

Follow on X! https://x.com/MCHockeyPodcastAdd on Discord - @MCHockeyPodcastThe NHL isn't in Houston - but the Hockey Fans Are!If you've been obsessing over every rumor about a potential NHL hockey franchise in Houston, you've found your community. Mission Control exists to help build a hockey fan community in Houston.

A Low-Energy Episode... because the intrusive thoughts are winning.

In this episode of Mission Control: Houston’s Hockey Podcast, Matt asks the uncomfortable question: Are we about to blow it? With NHL expansion rumors heating up and rival cities like Atlanta, Indianapolis, Austin, and Quebec City making noise, Houston fans have reason to feel uneasy. Savage breaks down each contender’s strengths, relives about Houston’s historical near-misses, and shares unpleasant reflections on what it means to support sports in Space City. Plus: a little on the Houston Hockey Community Gala, cool memorabilia pickups, and why the grassroots fan community matters now more than ever.

00:00 – Expansion Anxiety: “Are We Gonna Blow It?”

02:30 – The Competition

12:02 – Houston’s Strengths… and Self-Sabotage?

20:15 – Gala Recap & Community Growth

24:32 – Why you — yes, you — are key to making NHL Houston happen.Follow on X! https://x.com/MCHockeyPodcastAdd on Discord - @MCHockeyPodcastThe NHL isn't in Houston - but the Hockey Fans Are!If you've been obsessing over every rumor about a potential NHL hockey franchise in Houston, you've found your community. Mission Control exists to help build a hockey fan community in Houston.#HoustonNHL #NHLExpansion #HockeyPodcast #HoustonHockey #NHLRumors #ExpansionAnxiety #HoustonSports #NHLNews #HoustonAeros

Follow on X! https://x.com/MCHockeyPodcastAdd on Discord - @MCHockeyPodcastLike rainy-day traffic on 610, NHL expansion to Houston is inevitable. In this episode of Mission Control: Houston’s Hockey Podcast, Matt Savage separates fact from fiction — taking on bad headlines, faulty rumors, and uninformed speculation. From confirmed reports about Dan Friedkin and Tilman Fertitta's cooperation to new insights about NHL practice facility plans, we lay out what’s real, what’s likely, and what’s just noise. Plus: a breakdown of the NHL’s latest CBA changes, why a December expansion announcement makes sense, and whether “Houston Aeros” is still in play. If you're following the NHL expansion drama, this is your field guide.

Note: After uploading we now know the other interested cities not mentioned in this video are Austin and Indianapolis.Ice Rink - Bob Williams Drone Footage:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z_TMatUsnQWoodlands SlapShot:https://www.woodlandsslapshot.com/Vintage Ice Hockey - Houston Aeroshttps://vintageicehockey.com/collections/houston-aerosIHL Aeros Numbering Kit:https://www.ebay.com/itm/325412521774?_skw=houston+aeros&itmmeta=01JYKNVP6Q45RF7584A8TP5BQH&hash=item4bc419072e:g:6nUAAOSw519jZkpGHouston Hockey Community / Brett Hull Gala:houstonhockey.org00:00 - Facts, and Evidence-Based Speculation. 10:02 - The Toyota Center (at least at first)17:19 - Minor League Affiliations?25:54 - The Name28:48 - Events & Jersey SalesThe NHL isn't in Houston - but the Hockey Fans Are!If you've been obsessing over every rumor about a potential NHL hockey franchise in Houston, you've found your community. Mission Control exists to help build a hockey fan community in Houston.

Is the title too much of a stretch? I was trying to play off of "Death & Taxes". Ah well, we're talking about the non-controversy about teams that don't pay state income taxes - but that's not all. In this episode, Matt talks about Bettman’s recent comments on the state income tax issue, explores what NHL expansion means for Houston, Canadian markets, and the league’s playoff format. Plus, we'll fill out your calendar with University of Houston hockey events. If you care about hockey, expansion, and the business behind the sport, this episode’s for you.

00:00 The State Income Tax Thing

03:31 The History Lesson

07:27 Update Your Calendar with UH Hockey

10:25 Passion Isn't Everything

18:45 Pipedreams about Fixing the Playoffs & A Relegation SystemFollow on X! https://x.com/MCHockeyPodcastAdd on Discord - @MCHockeyPodcastThe NHL isn't in Houston - but the Hockey Fans Are!If you've been obsessing over every rumor about a potential NHL hockey franchise in Houston, you've found your community. Mission Control exists to help build a hockey fan community in Houston.

What does the new Toyota Center naming rights deal mean for hockey in Space City? In this episode of Mission Control: Houston's Hockey Podcast, Matt breaks down the latest arena news, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly’s comments on expansion, the Stars’ playoff collapse, and goes on a weird tangent about seat colors. Plus, we take a look at the Utah Mammoth rebrand, the "BEARS Act" in Illinois, and how U.S. politics keeps colliding with the sport we love. If you’re following every whisper of NHL expansion to Houston, this one’s for you.

00:00 – Toyota Center Deal: Ermahgawd, they're working together!

05:12 – Bill Daly Speaks: What “No Expansion Process” Really Means

12:09 – Stars Eliminated: Savage Rants, Otter Criticized

15:04 – The BEARS Act... sounds familiar, doesn't it?

17:30 – Utah Mammoth Rebrand & Jersey Money-GrabFollow on X! https://x.com/MCHockeyPodcastAdd on Discord - @MCHockeyPodcastThe NHL isn't in Houston - but the Hockey Fans Are!If you've been obsessing over every rumor about a potential NHL hockey franchise in Houston, you've found your community. Mission Control exists to help build a hockey fan community in Houston.

This episode has it all: costumes, inappropriate memes, and a Very Special Guest drops by the studio.Houston is inching closer to NHL expansion, so we're going to give some attention to the man rumored to be the franchise owner: Dan Friedkin. In this episode of Mission Control: Houston’s Hockey Podcast, we break down why ownership matters, and what kind of NHL franchise owner Friedkin might be, based on his ownership style of AS Roma and Everton. Where will this new team play? Join Detective Savage's investigation of what Houston fans should expect from the man aiming to bring the NHL to Space City.(Note: Since recording this video, new info dropped: https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2025/05/12/houston-rockets-toyota-extend-arena-naming-rights.html ... so maybe they ARE going to play at Toyota Center?)Also, here's that Landman speech I referenced: https://youtu.be/fmbZwxEnAFc?si=aML6OIKiElBqMevWOh, and the definitive Sherlock Holmes is Jeremy Brett, from the 1984 BBC television series.I might've gotten a detail wrong (besides my suburb guessing / speculation). I'll be happy to correct if that's the case.0:00 - The Rumors Confirmed5:35 - The Houston Barnacle Hit-Piece9:49 - Why Ownership Matters15:20 - What Kind of Owner Has Friedkin been?19:32 - Where Would the New Team Play?Follow on X! https://x.com/MCHockeyPodcastAdd on Discord - @MCHockeyPodcastThe NHL isn't in Houston - but the Hockey Fans Are!If you've been obsessing over every rumor about a potential NHL hockey franchise in Houston, you've found your community. Mission Control exists to help build a hockey fan community in Houston.

You clicked on this? With that thumbnail? Might as well watch the whole episode, then.

In this episode of Mission Control: Houston’s Hockey Podcast, host Matt Savage tackles a fan identity crisis — is supporting the Dallas Stars from Houston like seeing someone else’s team? He shares his thoughts on a recent Stars game, breaks down harsh takes from the Dallas Stars subreddit, and explains why Houston needs its own NHL franchise. Along the way, we hear from a WHA legend, celebrate Houston’s hockey community, and invite you to join our NHL playoff bracket challenge. It’s part reflection, part rant, and 100% Houston NHL fandom.Follow, subscribe, and remember: you are the Houston hockey community.

Those Reddit Threads:https://www.reddit.com/r/DallasStars/comments/1ikfu3n/a_close_proximity_nhl_team_will_only_help_the/https://www.reddit.com/r/DallasStars/comments/1jh7us6/nhl_eyes_potential_expansion_during_next_cba_in/

The Face-Off Spot Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6tXLwuwUbyHxWsxkubsi75?si=b984a1873c59464f

Join the Bracket League! (Password: MCHockeyPodcast) https://bracketchallenge.nhl.com/en/leagues/19664

Follow on X! https://x.com/MCHockeyPodcast

Add on Discord - @MCHockeyPodcast

The NHL isn't in Houston - but the Hockey Fans Are!If you've been obsessing over every rumor about a potential NHL hockey franchise in Houston, you've found your community. Mission Control exists to help build a hockey fan community in Houston.

#NHLtoHouston | #HoustonHockey | #DallasStars | #AerosLegacy | #MissionControlHockey