Special Thanks to matt himself for answering the
questions for this interview.
1. How was the Wild camp this year?
Wild camp was unbelievable. I wasn't quite sure what
to expect going in, so I tried to prepare myself for
anything, but nothing you can do quite prepares you. It
took a little while to get comfortable but everyone
treats you well and it was a great experience.
2. I read you had a couple fights during the camp, how
did they go?
Well, they're fights. I had two fights in rookie camp
and I thought both of them went pretty well. Apparently
the first guy had a concussion, I'm not sure if that is
true or not but I know he didn't play the rest of the
game. The second fight was different, mostly because I
haven't ever seen some try to fight where they tie-up
and then try to wait for you to get tired trying to get
loose before fighting, but I thought that fight went
well too.
3. How was it playing with some NHL pro's?
It was great, it gives you something to measure
yourself with, to let you know where you have to be if
you want to make it.
4. How did you become a "fighter"?
I thought I was a goal scorer? *laughs* Well it was a
role that just came naturally, which seems kind of off
because I'm really laid back and easy-going off the ice
and basically the exact opposite when I lace up the
skates. When I first broke into the WHL I knew that it
was going to be a big part of my game, if not the only
part, and it just grew from there.
5. What are some of your favorite moments in
hockey?
Draft day. I don't think there's a way to describe the
feeling you get when you pick up the phone and someone
on the other line is welcoming you to be a part of an
NHL club.
6. What are some of your most memorable fights?
There have been a few good ones, I'm not sure if I
could pick out any one thats more memorable that
others, I try to remember all of my fights to learn
from them and how they fight in case I ever get in a
fight with the person again.
7. Who is your favorite enforcer in the NHL today?
I like Todd Fedoruk, just because I'm good family
friends wth his family back home. His cousin coached
me in minor hockey so I'd have to say he's my favorite
right now. My favorite all-time enforcer would have to
be the Grim Reaper. He was just awesome.
8. What is your favorite kind of music, and bands?
I listen to country and a lot of stuff no-ones ever
heard of (you might call it alternative or punk or
whatever). Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Shania for
country artists. Bleed the Dream, Cauterize, Anberlin
and Taking Back Sunday for bands.