How does your height affect being a goaltender?
When I'm off the ice I'm short. I'm 5-foot-6, a normal size. But for a hockey player it's not very big. But once I'm on the ice, the way I play and the way I position myself I make myself pretty big. That's what I try to do. I think I cover a lot of space just by positioning. I use everything.
Do people underestimate your ability?
It's always been like that. At first because I was a small goalie, there were a lot of shots going to the top of the net. And I proved that wrong. And they said that I couldn't last a couple of seasons because I wasn't tough enough and I proved that wrong. In the past I was small and people didn't want to give me that chance. And there are people that will give you that chance.
What is your ultimate goal?
My dream and my goal is to get into the NHL. I think I can do it. You can have the talent, but you also need the chance to do it to. I still have a lot of years left.
What's good about goalie is we can usually go into the NHL really late. Goalies that are my age (23) rarely get to the NHL. I still have a lot of time ahead of me, which is a good thing. You usually get to your peak around 30 years old.
Is it difficult to remain patient?
It's hard. When I had to go back to the East Coast last year, that was really hard. I was disappointed and I had a rough start. I didn't want that to happen this year. I didn't have a start this season actually. I stayed home for a month and a half, and I enjoy it more now. I try not to think about it too much. I'm pretty fortunate still to play hockey for a living.
What were you looking for from other teams during that month and a half off?
I was talking to other teams in different leagues. Some people were making me offers that I couldn't accept. I was just waiting for a good opportunity and a good situation. It was getting tougher day after day.
You are 8-2-1 since joining the Pilots. Have your past performances been typical of your ability or are you playing well?
I'm playing well. I've been playing like that for the last four years. Even when we win, I still make some mistakes. There are some things I still need to improve.
Has your approach to your position always been the same?
I changed pretty much the way I was playing when I was 19. I was more of a reflex goaltender. I wasn't close to what I am right now. Yves Dufort told me, "We're going to make your assets so good that they won't see your weaknesses."
I had a lot of skills basically, but what I do in the net, all that, I changed. I have a lot of respect for him and a lot of trust for him. I probably had my best season up until that point and the year after I did even better.
How did you meet Dufort?
He was my goalie coach when I was in major junior. He is also my agent and also one of my best friends.
How do you prepare for a game?
I come to the rink and take care of my equipment. I stretch and then after our team meeting I call my goalie coach Yves Dufort and we talk about the game for about five minutes. I tell him what I know about their team. If the team is known to come out really strong in the game I need to control and slow the game down to give a chance for our team. Then I come back and get dressed.
How much of your position involves timing? Do you ever see the puck?
Somestimes I don't see it. It doesn't happen a lot, but if your positioning is good enough it's going to hit you.
That's why positioning is so important. By the position of the guys on the ice, I know that the only place that the puck can go through is that spot or that spot. Sometimes it happens when you have two players in front of you, you just can't see it. It's really important to fight hard to be able to see it, but there are going to be times you're not going to see it.
You were goaltender of the year and rookie of the year after your 1998-1999 season with the Richmond Renegades. What was that season like for you?
It was just a great season. I went to the All-Star game and that was really nice. We had a great team. We were all friends. Nobody was complaining whether we were winning or losing.
What other things would you like to do in your life?
I would love to be a jet fighter pilot. I was so happy to come here because of the Blue Angels. I saw the Blue Angels in Quebec City this summer. They're unbelievable. Top Gun is my favorite movie of all time.
(C) Pensalcola Journal