1) Can you share your thoughts on the Hitmen giving you a chance to play? Do you think you were treated fairly?
When I went into Calgary's training camp I was a rather unheralded prospect who wasn't really expected to play. But i came into camp in great shape and really worked hard throughout the camp scoring lots and playing really solid and left them no choice but to keep me. They already had two returning 40 goal scorers in Segal and Fussey plus Sjostrom who had a great season and Getzlaf who is there best up and coming player so once those players where factored in plus the other rookies there wasn't much room. So there wasn't the type of ice time available there that a player my style needed and my playing time gradually decreased as the team struggled and when the deadline came up there was a mutual agreement between the manager and myself that playing Jr.A would be better for my development and would help me get back to playing some minutes which I wouldn't have gotten in Calgary. So they gave me a great opportunity to play there for half the season and get a feel for the league but ultimately there just wasn't room for a player like me which was tough but taught me a lot and has given me a better perspective on how to have a better season next year.
2) How do you feel about the move to Everett? What are you looking forward to most?
Well once I heard about the expansion draft I was kind of hoping that I would go to Everett but once Calgary traded there bantam pick I didn't really think it would happen. So when I got the call about the trade I was a bit in shock but was very pleased to know that they thought enough of me to trade for me and I am very excited to playing in Everett. I look forward to getting an opportunity to play and from all indications live in a great city which I have been told Everett is.
3) Are you exited to play for Kevin Constantine?
I look forward to the opportunity of playing for an NHL coach that is very exciting and very optimistic about learning new things from him which will hopefully benefit my game and my style of play. As well as it is very nice to see that the organization has put so much work in to building a first rate organization.
4) What line are you hoping to play on?
It is a little early for me to say which line i would like to play on obviously i would like to get as much ice as possible but right now I’m just looking forward to helping the club in any which way the coach sees me doing so and if that is 4th line or 1st line I’m looking forward to helping the team be successful.
5) What part of your game need the most improving?
Thing's I would say i would need to work on is my consistency shift in and shift out as well as my first step quickness and shooting the puck more often. If i can develop those skills better this year i would be very satisfied in my progress.
6) What is the best part of your game?
I have been told the best facet of my game is my vision and hockey sense i have been told that is my strongest asset as well as my puck handling but both things i would like to work on a lot more but those would be my best attributes.
7) Tell us about your hometown in Alberta.
Well I live in Spruce Grove which is about 15 minutes outside of Edmonton it's population is about 16 000 people and it is a real nice small community with a good golf course and work out facility which is nice. Also it is close enough to the city in which I can get to and have access to numerous facilities as well as Oiler games.
8) What is your hockey background?
I started playing hockey when I was about 6 and it was always a good pastime for me and my dad but nothing I really took seriously until I was about 13 that's when I started to play summer hockey and AAA and different levels like that. Since then I have really focused on it and doing the necessary things to be successful at it such as working out and going to camps and things like that.
9) Do you find balancing hockey and school difficult?
This year it was really tough I didn't know really what to expect but i think it can be managed I have learned now through mistakes and shortcomings that it is very attainable and this year i will have the right mind frame to handle it better and be successful at both without letting one or the other slide.
10) Favorite NHL team and player
Favorite team would have to be the Edmonton Oilers and my favorite player would have to be either Mario Lemieux or Jaromir Jagr due to there exceptional abilities and the way they conduct themselves around the game I really admire them.
11) Your favorite and least favorite WHL players to play against.
The guy I probably least like playing against would be my friend Dion Phaneuf just because he such and in your face agitator aggressive type player who isn't just tough and annoying but also very talented and hard to beat. And his team the Red Deer Rebels aren't very fun to play against cause there so solid lines 1 through 4 that they are very hard to beat.
12) How do you think Everett will do this season?
Well they so far have brought in some very respected people into the organization such as Kevin Constantine and the facility from what I am told is first rate which tells me that they are very committed to putting a good product out on the ice so I think there is a possibility to have a successful first year maybe even make the playoffs but if not this year I’m very sure that they will be a very successful team in the near future. As well the people of Everett seem to be very excited and optimistic which is good for a team to cause if the community is backing the team then it makes everything around the organization that much better.
13) What are you doing in the off season to prepare for the upcoming season?
I work out 4-5 times a week as well as I will be skating in the month of July working on skills and technique and just trying to watch my diet and get mentally prepared for the upcoming season.
14) American fans seem to like the fighting in hockey, is this something we can expect from you?
I tend to focus more on skills and finesse but I dropped the gloves 4 times last year and due to my size and style I’m sure there will be a few occasions where the gloves come off but not something I will go looking for but something I won't back away from either. And when it comes to my teammates and stuff then I will stand up for them if someone is taking liberties.
15) What is your style of play and who do you model your game after.
I try and model my game after Peter Forsberg because of his versatile style of play he is very reliable defensively and equally as talented offensively as well as a strong competitor who makes his opponents pay for every inch he is and all around type player which I would like to become.