Just Chirpin'™ | Podcast

meet Bélanger

Founder of the AEA (2005)
Creator of the Silver Puck Challenge (2005)
Creator of Hockey Hold'em (2015)
Creator of Dekes & Dangles Pond Hockey Invitational (2016)
Jersey Designer for the SPC & Men's League Sweaters (2018)
Personality of Just Chirpin' Podcast (2021)

quotes

"Make good choices."

"We do it for the fans."

"Matt sat in gum again."

about Bélanger

Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Graduated: Central Michigan University
Beer League Career: 2000 - Present
Teams: SPC, Barleys, VETSports & Sip Shine

The "King of Beer League" was born in Caledonia, Michigan. As a youth, Brent (Bélanger) competed in a variety of sports; including judo, baseball and soccer. Hockey was never in the athletic portfolio for this country boy. After graduating from high school Brent continued to play competitive soccer overseas and at Central Michigan University. While at CMU he suffered a torn ACL, and began playing roller hockey as part of his rehabilitation. Bélanger was bitten by the hockey bug. After graduation he would return to Grand Rapids, Michigan and was invited to play ice hockey for the first time. At the age of 25 he became an official "beer league" hockey player.

Bélanger started the Silver Puck Challenge in 2005 at Patterson Ice Center. His first show was a small twelve (12) team tournament. Every year since the tournament continued to grow and gain popularity around the greater Grand Rapids area. Over the years, Brent has continued to adapt and bring new features to the tournaments. His tournament portfolio now includes Hockey Hold'em and Dekes & Dangles. He continues to look to expand his tournaments to other cities and states around the nation. Brent's largest, single city tournament will bring participants from all over the nation, packing in over 60 teams (1,000+ players) for a four (4) weekend "beer league" hockey extravaganza.

Brent has an extensive resume that extends from working the farm, entertainer, graphic designer, district manager and more. None of these career paths have delivered the joy like that of building a community, like the one he started in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Now he is expanding his resume once again to include online personality with the Just Chirpin' Podcast with two (2) of his good friends. Dooz, Stephan & Brent have played hockey together for years. The trio have played most of their games together as part of the Barleys beer league squad and the SPC competitive-coed teams.

Bélanger's overall goal with the podcast is to share his experiences in life and hockey with those that have become an integral part of the "beer league" hockey community. Bélanger also wants the participants of his tournaments to know how grateful he is, and recognizes that his journey hasn't been done alone.