Hockey podcaster leaves Vail with a broken rib
'Empty Netters' show gives rave reviews to Vail Yeti hockey program, El Segundo restaurant

Madison Rahhal/Courtesy photo
Empty Netters Podcast host Dan Powers may have left Vail with a broken rib after pair of games against the Vail Yeti in January, but aside from that, he said he had a great time.
The Empty Netters show began in 2022 as a hockey interview and analysis podcast, but has recently morphed into a traveling team, which plays in beer leagues and games that are a step up from beer leagues, like the Vail Yeti and its senior A league play. In a review of the recent matchups in Vail, the Empty Netters crew was quick to explain how senior A differs from a beer league.
“It’s everything encompassing it,” said Nate Thompson, a former NHL player who cohosts the podcast. “It’s the national anthem, it’s the fans, it gets all those competitive juices flowing again.”
Powers, who describes himself as a “top-level junior who flamed out into a beer leaguer,” said his favorite thing about playing senior A hockey in places like Vail is the big game atmosphere.
“You click back into the competitive game play so fast,” he said. “We don’t wear shoulder pads in beer league, but (senior A) games are full check so I had to hit up Bauer and I was like ‘Hey, I need shoulder pads.'”

Support Local Journalism
The full-check, high physicality of the games was exemplified by a play in Vail, which Powers’ brother, Chris Powers, recapped on the podcast.
“We turned it over and they were transitioning the other way, and from the bench, I was like ‘Oh, we’re cooked,'” Chris Powers said. “The only solution is drill him, and as I was watching the play I was like ‘we’re dead,’ and then Dan just drilled him, and I was like ‘Oh yeah, sick play.'”

The play remained intense, with Dan Powers saying he suffered a broken rib during the weekend.
There were no hard feelings, of course, and the Yeti and the Empty Netters enjoyed a great time in Vail together both on and off the ice. The Empty Netters said they definitely plan on coming back next year.
“For the millionth time, boys, we love ya,” Dan Powers said of the Yeti. “Inviting us out, putting on that great show, it was so fun.”
The Powers brothers said an unexpected highlight of the trip was the food at El Segundo restaurant.
“Maybe the best Mexican I’ve ever had in my entire life,” Dan Powers said.
Thompson wasn’t able to make it to the game in Vail due to the wildfires in Los Angeles but said he hopes to join the Empty Netters crew on their Colorado trip next year.
“I would have loved to come to Vail,” he said.

And they’ll need him. The Yeti won both matches against the Empty Netters in the continuation of a season that has seen new matchups and tremendous fan support, said owner Kyle Forte.
The Powers brothers also shouted out the Yeti fans, specifically commenting on the signs they were holding. Tim “Chicken Man” McMahon passed out signs and markers to fans during the game, and they came up with slogans like “We’re better than the empty netter” and “puck the Empty Netters.”
“There were signs making fun of us and I was like ‘Yes dude, more,'” Chris Powers said.
The Vail Yeti plays again at Dobson on Friday and Saturday against St. Louis. The puck drop is scheduled for 7:45 p.m.