Introducing Anna Meixner of the PWHL

Born in Austria, Anna Meixner is a forward with the Vancouver Goldeneyes in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). In her second PWHL season, she previously played for the Ottawa Charge until a trade this midseason.

In addition to her PWHL play, Meixner is a four-time European Women's Hockey League (EWHL) champion, the second-highest all-time scorer in EHV Sabres Vienna history and the fourth-highest scorer all-time for Austria. She also won several snow boarding events while in school.

When I met Meixner, I was standing behind a young fan who was coughing a lot. When she reached Meixner, her dad proudly told Meixner that the girl had a bad cold but really wanted to meet the players. This was also after the kid high-fived Meixner. I sensed Meixner was not too happy to hear that news, but she kept smiling.

I did not hear of Meixner being sick after that, but I was. I caught whatever germ the kid was spewing. I could not move away from the line, because I was the last person in line. I tried giving space, but apparently, I did not leave enough.

Even with a cold as the result, I am still glad I got to go to that practice and game, along with the next game in March. The PWHL is exciting and I really hope for a team in Chicago next seaon.

For more info on the league, go to thepwhl.com. Check here for my recurring coverage. 

Anna Meixner and me in Rosemont, IL-December 2025.

Introducing Katerina Mrazova of the PWHL

Born in Czechoslovakia, Kateřina Mrázová plays for the Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). She is also a member of the Czech Republic women's national ice hockey team.

In international play, Mrázová has represented the Czech Republic since 2008. She has also played for several other leagues since 2012. She joined the Ottawa Charge for their first season in 2023. In 62 games with the Charge, she has 10 goals and 33 points.

The Charge were in Rosemont, Illinois as part of the PWHL neutral sites Takeover Tour. It's basically an attempt to raise awareness of the league and possibly test for future expansion. After the second Takeover Tour game here, the thought is Chicago has a legit shot at getting a team next season.

I might have been the oldest fan in line to meet the players, but they were all very nice as I expressed my respect and support for the players and league.

Currently there are eight teams in the PWHL. I don't know if any expansion if officially planned for next season, but it's only a matter of time before more teams are added, especially if the league continues to draw as many fans as it has.

For more info on the league, go to thepwhl.com. Also, check back here for my coverage.

Katerina Mrazova and me in Rosemont, IL-December 2025.

Introducing Gwyneth Philips of the PWHL

Late last year, I got my first live taste of women's pro hockey, courtesy of the Professional Women's Hockey League. The Minnesota Frost played the Ottawa Charge in Rosemont (Chicago) as part of the Takeover Tour, designed to test markets and gain exposure.

On Saturday, I got to chat with Charge player Gwyneth Philips. A goalie, Philips starred at Northeastern University in Massachusetts. She compiled a record of 70-15 with 4 overtime losses. Philips earned several awards and accolades, including WHCA National Goalie of the Year in 2023.

With the Charge last season, she went 8-5-1.This season, the Charge are struggling in last place. In nine games, she has a solid 2.32 goals against average. That's third best for regular goalies.

Just finished with an exhausting practice, Philips was in great spirits. It probably helped to see so many fans wanting to meet the players, although it meant more time. Still, these are the folks who support PWHL and the players could not have been nicer.

The PWHL has eight teams. Fans filled the arena for the Rosemont games. I think Chicago will eventually get a team. I am hoping for next season though.

Go to thepwhl.com for more info on the league. Check back here for my recurring coverage, which will increase when the league expands to Chicago.

Gwyneth Philips and me in Rosemont, IL-December 2025.

Introducing Carla MacLeod of the PWHL

Last month, I got my first live take on the Professional Women's Hockey League. Although the PWHL doesn't have a team in Chicago, the league is playing some neutral site games. The Ottawa Charge played the Minnesota Frost in the Takeover Tour stop in Chicago.

Saturday was a day of practice, meet-and-greets and clinics in Rosemont. I attended all of it. The meet-and-greet featured four Charge players (more on them in the future). I was hoping to meet Charge Coach Carla MacLeod. Patience paid off as MacLeod came out shortly before the clinics started. I was fortunate to chat with her for a bit.

A native of Alberta, MacLeod starred at the University of Wisconsin. She also played internationally, winning the gold medal in two Olympics and a gold and three silvers in the world championships. MacLeod was a force on defense.

She began her coaching career shortly after retiring in 2010. In September 2023, she was named head coach of the Charge, one of the original six PWHL teams. In her first year, she guided them to a fifth place finish. Last season, the Charge finished in third place. Currently, the team is struggling a bit in last place.

MacLeod was very engaging. She thanked me for covering and supporting women's hockey. I said I was hoping for a Chicago team. A a former Wisconsin player, she knew what a team would mean to the area.

I had read she announced she was battling breast cancer. I did not broach the subject. I didn't think it was the time or place. I did wish her well.

The next day, the Charge beat the Frost in overtime. The game drew a respectable 7,200 fans. On the weekend before Christmas, for Chicago's first taste of women's hockey with two non-Chicago teams, I thought that was encouraging. As for the hockey itself, I was impressed. It was competitive and exciting.

For more info on Coach MacLeod and the PWHL, go to thepwhl.com. Also, check here for my recurring coverage, which hopefully will eventually include a Chciago team!

Carla MacLeod and me in Rosemont, IL-December 2025.

Charlie Kruel Shout Out

A couple years ago, wrestler Charlie Kruel was one of the first people I interviewed remotely. She was promoting her appearance for Girl Fight Wrestling, the company Mad Man Pondo runs. That interview is at On the Beat With Charlie Kruel on the Johngy's Beat YouTube channel.

Charlie is an excellent young wrestler, but an even more impressive young woman. She openly discusses her autism and her battles with depression. She is courageous and wants to help others.

Earlier this year, Charlie was kind enough to send a shout out to Johngy's Beat. In turn, I encourage all to check out Charlie on social media and wherever she wrestles. Oh and bring PopTarts.

Bear Down Sunday #3-Bears Versus Rams

The Bears and the Rams are both 1-1.  This is a huge game for the Bears already despite being so early in the season.  The last game for the Bears featured a return to shakier offensive times.  I am hoping for a rebound this week, to the times of the mid-80's Bears.  Let's start with the offensive line.
Born in a suburb of Chicago, Kurt Becker played 8 of his 9 NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears.  He was a member of the 1985 Super Bowl champion Bears, starting 3 games at guard.
Becker was part of the great Bears offensive line of the 1980's.  Although he played one season with the Rams, he did come back to the Bears to play the final season of his career.
I would be remiss if I did not mention that he was a standout lineman at the University of Michigan.  The Gekas clan would never forgive that omission.
The Bears offensive lines of the last few years could use a standout guard (and a standout tackle, a standout center, another standout tackle and another standout guard).  Becker was excellent, yet only started regularly for 2 years of his career.  That is how good those lines were.  As the old joke goes, Becker would probably start on the current Bears offensive line...and he is 54 years old!
Hopefully, the image of Becker will inspire the Bears offensive line to play more reminiscent of the old Bears offensive lines.

Kurt Becker and me in Niles, IL-March 2011.

The Bella Twins Join Johngy's Jay Leno Club at Wizard World

The Jay Leno Club has expanded, thanks to the Bella Twins at Wizard World.  The Jay Leno Club is comprised of celebrities who have mentioned a Johngy-Jay Leno resemblance.  Now, Nicole and Brianna Bella (aka the Bella Twins) have joined this prestigious group.
The Bella Twins are former WWE divas.  Each Bella held the WWE Divas championship once during their stay in the WWE.  The Bella Twins are also known as Brianna Monique Garcia-Colace and Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace.
If their names confuse you, their beauty will amaze you.  I am also happy to report that they were both as sweet and pleasant as could be.  Matt and I had a fun exchange with them at their both and I saw plenty of other fans walk away happy and impressed after meeting them.
Lots of talented people pass through the WWE and then disappear.  I believe the Bella Twins will go on to bigger and better things.  I hope so, because they seem like very genuinely nice women.
I hope to see them again at a future convention.  No matter what though, they will always be special to me and the Jay Leno Club.
My only real problem though is how to count them.  Are they the fourteenth member or the fourteenth and fifteenth members of the Jay Leno Club?