Special Thanks to Ryan Stanzel, Derek Boogaard, and
the IceGators for allowing this interview to
happen.
1. You came into the ECHL with a great reputation from
your time spent in the WHL. Has your reputation as a
great fighter made you a target for other teams tough
guys or have you had to search out "dance
partners"?
I guess so. My first game in Mississippi, nobody
wanted to fight. I was trying to find Stu Pietersma,
and he didn't even look at me. He turned around and
fought Jeff Worlton.
2. What was the biggest transition you have had to
make since joining the Gators, on and off the ice?
Learning to live on my own, and it's a bit quicker
game. Here, players know where they're going, and in
juniors there's just one cluster of guys skating
around.
3. You renewed an old rivalry with Mike Lee the other
night, how did it feel to square off with him after a
few years and get a little payback?
I fought him a year after he broke my jaw, and I beat
him up pretty good, so it really didn't matter.
4. You are playing some great hockey, chipping in on
the offense, playing solid defense, and racking up the
PIM's. How have the fans and your teammates reacted to
your first pro season?
It sounds like they are pretty excited. They've
treated me really good.
5. In our last interview you mentioned that the
Minnesota Wild had asked you to work on your defensive
game, at present time you are a +4 in the plus/minus.
What changes did you make defensively to your game?
I haven't made too many changes. I'm playing on a
really good, successful team with great players.
Sometimes, I play on a line with former New York Ranger
Daniel Goneau and an AHL veteran in Bruce
Richardson.
6. How do you approach most of your fight partners?
Call them out during a face off, tug at their sweater
during play, just make eye contact?
A combination of all of them. Sometimes I just smack
them with my stick on the way by.
7. How do you see yourself involved with the sport of
hockey after your playing days are over?
I'd like to be a coach. I'll probably see how coaching
is for a bit, then go into business.
8. The Wild has a history of rewarding players for
hard work and being team players. Recently Wild tough
guy Matt Johnson was named as team captain for the
month of December because of his hard play and team
work. I have always said playing with heart, working
hard, and being a team player are more important than
individual statistics. What do you think the most
important skill or attribute a pro hockey player can
possess is?
You've got to be levelheaded and always positive
mentally. That's all you need.