Dave:
How much time is left on your PTO? Have
you been given any indication as to what will happen when it ends?
Brandon: I signed a one year deal with the Crunch on Friday
(12/12/03). I consider having an AHL contract a great opportunity for me!
Dave: How is the ankle? How
did you injure it?
Brandon: It is still giving me
some trouble. I had a MRI done on it after practice today and
should have the results soon. I injured it in the fight with Ryan Jorde.
When I went to change hands, I got caught in a rut and sprained
it.
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Dave: How are you adjusting to the AHL game? How does it compare to playing in the Q and ECHL?
Brandon:
I am learning on a game by game basis. The game is much faster and
the players much stronger than the Q and ECHL, but I feel I am making the
transition.
Dave:
What do you do when not playing
hockey? Hobbies? Favorite band?
Brandon: Bowling is a lot of fun! I also like my Playstation.
Favorite music is Marilyn Manson.
Dave:
You do a lot of player appearances…is
this something you enjoy? How have the fans taken to you?
Brandon: I love doing them. I
like meeting lots of people. The fans have been great to me.
They seem to respond well to what I am doing out on the ice. I
appreciate all the support the fans of Syracuse have given me.
Dave:
What is up with “The Sugden Flu?” Can you explain that?
Brandon: It is something that started when I was in Dayton.
Sometimes the other team's enforcers would suddenly have injuries and be
scratched when they played us. Some of my teammates felt it
was not coincidence. ( laugh)
Dave:
You have already gotten a reputation around the league for being
cocky. Do you think you are misunderstood? Do people take what you
say a bit too seriously?
Brandon:
Really? I did not know that. I am colorful and like to
get the fans involved in the game. You have to be confident to be an
enforcer in hockey.
Dave: I have seen a lot of
comments on opposition team's boards about what you have said about their
enforcers and I think this gave them that opinion.
Brandon: Getting in the head of the opposition is all part of the game.
Dave: You have had a handful of bouts already this year ( answers in red)
a) Who was the toughest?
Bonvie the toughest player, Rocky the
toughest fight.
b) Carkner – Did he slip or did the left knock
him down?
I
connected with the left, but I think our momentum brought him down, tough
to say.
c) What were you and Jorde talking about in the
box?
We both said "Good fight" I
tried to ask him about going again, but he did not look over after
that.
d) Who would you like to fight that you haven’t
yet?
McMorrow, Fedoruk, Stock, Sklac...more Bonvie
and Thompson
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Dave: Comment briefly on the following people (answers in red)
a) Coach Agnew - Great coach, a player's coach....best coach I have ever had
b) Howard Dolgon - Awesome guy!
c) Riley Cote - A lot of potential and a great guy off the ice.
d) Darrel Scoville - Cagey veteran...great Captain.
e) Aaron Johnson - Always smiling!
f) Jody Shelley - Tough guy, great with the fans.
g) Dennis Bonvie - A pest, very good at his job.
Dave:
You once had an internet site. Who did it and what became of it?
Brandon: I am not sure who was doing it, but he took it down about six months after the Dayton incident. My half-brother also has a site that he is updating and will pass the URL on to you when he completes it..
Dave: You are probably the most discussed player on the internet fight boards….there is a lunatic fringe of Sugden supporters that stick up for you. Why do you think that is? How does this make you feel?
Brandon: I think it is because a lot of the fans in my home town know me and appreciate what I do. They know I am a regular guy, just like them. It makes me feel great to have that support.
Dave: Who has been the greatest influence on your career thus far?
Brandon: My father. He was an athlete also, so he understands what I face everyday and has always encouraged me.
Dave: Do you have any brothers or sisters? Are they athletes?
Brandon:
I have an older sister and a half-brother, neither are athletes.
Dave: Who do you hang out with
on the team?
Brandon: They are all great
guys. I like to play cards with Mark (Hartigan). Also hang out
with Sloan, Knopp, Motzko. Cote and Connolly when they are here.
Dave: What would you like to do
when your playing days are over?
Brandon: My family owns a label
maker business back home and I will probably help run that when I retire.
They make clothing labels and do a real good business.
Interviewers note: I would like to thank Brandon Sugden for taking the time
to do this interview. Thanks to Eric M. Payne and Andrea for the pictures.