Special Thanks to Ryan Stanzel, Derek Boogaard, and
the Aeros for allowing this interview to happen.
1. Have you had to adjust the way you go into a fight
differently at this level compared to the fights you
had in the ECHL and WHL?
No, not really, just the guys in the AHL are bigger
and stronger than the ECHL and WHL.
2. Who has been the toughest opponent that you faced
this year?
I think that it would have been Ty Jones of Norfolk at
the time. Big, strong, lefty but never hit me.
3. I saw that you are playing on several different
line combinations in any given game, has this helped
your progress along by being able to experience playing
with many different players with different skills?
Yes, Todd (McClellan coach of the Aeros) has given me
the confidence and I put confidence in him to put me
out there with any lines from first to fourth.
4. You have had multiple fights with Mike Sgroi and
Jeff Paul, are there any other guys you have fought
this year that you would like to get another shot
at?
It would be Martin Grenier because he said that he
didn't want to fight and then jumped me when I was
going for the puck later in the game.
5. How has this year in the AHL differed from your
half season in the ECHL?
The AHL is a lot busier than the ECHL because Houston
is so far away from most of the other AHL teams so we
would have to get ready and set up around 4 am for a 6
am flight.
6. You have made some noise in the AHL this year and
are building your reputation, how will you build on
this next year?
Work harder this off season so that I can improve in
all aspects of my game and just play the same type of
game as I did in the previous season.
7. Do you have any pre-game rituals?
Some guy's do but I don't. Usually it's eat pasta and
then sleep a bit on game day's.
8. Do you feel that the incident with Todd Bertuzzi
has caused fans and media to look at hockey fights and
fighters differently?
Not really, in the States there is hardly any coverage
on hockey but all of a sudden this incident happened
and the sports networks showed it non stop giving the
sport an even more black eye among American viewers. In
Canada it wasn't so much because the coverage is non
stop and you get to see all the good plays, hits,
goals, saves, etc. And unfortunately it does happen,
the bad incident's as well but overall, it has hurt the
game.