Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast

Episode #371: Turner Zdunich, Hudson Hoy & Kleysen Gabruck

We put the wrap on what's been a busy couple of weeks on the show with a special episode to unofficially kick off the 2026 college baseball season. We welcome three brand new voices to the program who had massive 2025 campaigns. Turner Zdunich (High River/Dawgs Academy) is into his sophomore season at Colby Community College while Hudson Hoy (Spruce Grove/Parkland Twins) is doing the same at Northeastern Junior College. The veteran is Kleysen Gabruch (Martensville/Going Yard Academy), as he gets ready for his first season at Campbellsville University after two successful years at Williston State University.
5:22 - Turner Zdunich
15:16 - Hudson Hoy
28:28 - Kleysen Gabruck

Episode #370: Greg Hamilton, Jordan Procyshen, Adam Macko & Matt Wilkinson

We now know who will represent Canada at the World Baseball Classic. All rosters were unveiled during a special broadcast last Thursday night. Led by manager Ernie Whitt, 21 of the 30 players are either current or former MLB players, with a quartet of pitchers having roots here in Alberta: Michael Soroka, Rob Zastryzny, Adam Macko and Matt Wilkinson. We catch up with Baseball Canada architect Greg Hamilton to talk about the process of building the roster, bullpen catcher and Dawgs alum Jordan Procyshen on going to his second WBC, and the two youngsters - Macko and Wilkinson - talk about their excitement to represent Canada on the international stage.
1:58 - Greg Hamilton
16:47 - Jordan Procyshen
26:33 - Adam Macko
39:39 - Matt Wilkinson

Episode #369: The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame's Class of 2026

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has unveiled its Class of 2026 and it’s an excellent group to be celebrated on June 20th in St. Mary’s, Ontario. Jim Baba, Stubby Clapp, Kate Psota, Paul Runge, Bill Stoneman and Devon White make up this year’s class. 

Episode #368: Tyler Hollick, Riley Wolbeck & Nathan Flewelling

With a busy couple of weeks coming up, we're getting this episode out a couple of days early. Hear from Tyler Hollick of the Okotoks Dawgs as they have plenty of construction, roadtrips and "The Road to Okotoks" coming up this season. Then we hear from Baseball Alberta's 15U 'AAA' Player of the Year, Riley Wolbeck, about his journey with Black Gold 47s and much more. And we wrap things up this week with Innisfail native/Red Deer Minor Baseball alum/Sylvan Lake Gulls alum Nathan Flewelling following his first year of pro baseball in the Tampa Bay Rays organization.
4:02 - Tyler Hollick
24:49 - Riley Wolbeck
34:20 - Nathan Flewelling

Episode #367: Matt Coutney & Thomas Ireland

We head to the minor leagues for a pair of fantastic conversations this week. Hear from Wetaskiwin's Matt Coutney as he continues to make a name for himself in the Los Angeles Angels system. Then we get to know Regina's Thomas Ireland as he had a breakout season in the Texas Rangers organization. Both are looking forward to the new season and an opportunity to get closer to the big leagues.
4:48 - Matt Coutney
23:44 - Thomas Ireland

Episode #366: Steve Hildebrand, Eric Hartman & Tyler Heineman

It's good to be back! The 2026 season of ADS: The Podcast gets underway in a big way with a trio of fantastic guests. We hear from Steve Hildebrand of the Saskatoon Berries as the team has unveiled plans for an addition to NexGen Patch at Cairns Field. Then Dawgs Academy and Okotoks Dawgs alum Eric Hartman stops by to chat about his first full season of pro baseball in the Atlanta Braves system. And we wrap things up with Toronto Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman as he gets ready to head west for fundraiser event stops in Weyburn and Swift Current.
5:16 - Steve Hildebrand
14:33 - Eric Hartman
30:17 - Tyler Heineman

2026 Podcast Season Announcement

If you thought 2025 was a busy year for baseball in our provinces with all kinds of highlights, we have no doubt that 2026 will be even better. With a wide array of storylines to follow, from the grassroots to the big leagues, we are excited to announce that our coverage on the show will begin with the 2026 season premiere on January 22. So make sure to hit subscribe or like the show on your app so you don't miss a moment of the action. And, as always, a tip of the cap to all of our official supporters for helping tell the game's stories in Alberta and Saskatchewan. We can't wait to see you around the diamond soon!

Episode #365: The 2025 Season Finale

It's finally here! Thank you for your patience as Joe battled through a sickness recently, which led to a delay in the final episode of the 2025 season. He catches us up on all the news from the past couple of weeks (including some personal news courtesy of Baseball Canada) then Ian Wilson stops by for a recap of the recent WCBL annual general meeting. We also hear from league president Kevin Kvame before we get into our highlights of 2025 and a short look-ahead to 2026.

Episode #364: Justin Morneau

He’s a man who really needs no introduction. Justin Morneau is a former MLB MVP, All-Star, Silver Slugger, Batting Champ and more. The New Westminster, B.C. native had an 18-year pro career, which included a stop with the Edmonton Trappers in 2002. Most recently, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame legend was made the namesake of the new Morneau Cup, the academy national championship through Baseball Canada, which is playing out in “THE ROAD TO OKOTOKS” which comes to a head in July 2026. Always gracious with his time, Morneau stopped by for a chat about his journey, the power of giving back and what excites him the most about seeing the best face the best in Okotoks next summer.

Episode #363: Celebrating the 2025 Baseball Alberta Awards

It was a packed house at the Wyndham Edmonton Hotel and Conference Centre, as the best of the year were celebrated. From players and coaches to volunteers and organizations, it was great to hear of all the successes of 2025 and look ahead to what 2026 had in store. We have a full rundown of the festivities and list of award winners here. On the show this week, you will hear from Women's Player of the Year Julianna Scott (Calgary), Baseball Alberta Elite League Player of the Year Carter Moffat (St. Albert), 18U 'AAA' Player of the Year Aubrey Stender (Calgary), and Baseball Alberta president Jon Oko.
1:56 - Julianna Scott
10:56 - Carter Moffat
14:21 - Aubrey Stender
18:55 - Jon Oko

Episode #362: Madison Willan, Sydney Barry, Braidy Birdsall & Addie Ziebart

It was an historic week as the Women's Pro Baseball League held its first-ever draft to start putting rosters together for its inaugural season. A total of 120 players were selected including some of the biggest names in the game like Kelsie Whitmore and Ayami Soto. 20 Canadians had their names called, including Edmonton's Madison Willan, Fort McMurray's Sydney Barry, and Saskatoon's Braidy Birdsall and Addie Ziebart. In this special edition of the show, we hear from all four about their draft-day experience and what they look forward to the most as they look towards starting their professional baseball careers.
2:02 - Madison Willan
9:30 - Sydney Barry
18:14 - Braidy Birdsall
32:23 - Addie Ziebart

Episode #361: Josh Mills, Taylor Schueller & Dane Tofteland

What a year it’s been for all three of our guests this week. Dawgs Academy hurler Josh Mills (Leduc) played for Alberta at the Canada Summer Games, the Canadian Futures Showcase and most recently suited up with the Baseball Canada Junior National Team. Baseball Sask Female Player of the Year Taylor Schueller (Saskatoon) also went to the Canada Games as well as repped Saskatchewan at the 19U Women’s Nationals and the Women’s Nationals before joining the Baseball Canada Women’s National Team. And Dawgs Academy alum Dane Tofteland (Grande Prairie) thought his baseball career was finished after a great year with the Rocky Mountain Vibes, only to get a message to try out for Banana Ball, which landed him a draft selection by the Loco Beach Coconuts.
4:12 - Josh Mills
18:59 - Taylor Schueller
31:30 - Dane Tofteland