Dave:
How did you first get involved in
hockey? What inspired you to bring your game to the pro level?
Joe: first got involved
in hockey because I had an older brother that played and my father built
us a rink in our back yard. I have brought my game to the pro level
because obviously its always been a dream of mine to play in the NHL and
this is just anther step in the right direction.
Dave:
Is it hard to return to work after a
summer off? How did you spend your summer?
Joe: No not at all, although summers are very fun and relaxing you look forward to getting back into the swing of things with another hockey season. I spent last summer in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area training with former crunch member Duvie Westcott but also taking advantage of the many lakes and great golf courses in the area.
Dave: What part of your game do your feel will need the most improvement if you are to make it in the NHL?
Joe: I think its just improving my all around consistency in all aspects of my game. You not only have the skill to make to the NHL but you have to prove you can do night in and night out at the NHL level.
Dave: What do the Columbus brass tell you about your chances? Are they encouraging and motivating?
Joe: The management of Columbus is very encouraging. They seem to be happy with my development thus far and continue to push me to develop my game to NHL caliber.
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Dave: How do you like living in Syracuse? How is it similar to you hometown? How is it different?
Joe: Its a good city and a sports city which I enjoy. They
have great support for SU athletics along with the crunch. The fans here
have shown great support which helps make it feel like home. It is a
little different coming from the Midwest to the east but I've found a lot
of similarities in the different time zones.
Dave:
What do you do when not playing
hockey? Hobbies?
Joe: In the summer I enjoy golfing and fishing in my spare time and
during the season I enjoy relaxation of going to movies or just hanging
out with the guys on the team.
Dave: What are the details of
your contract?
Joe: This is my last year of my two year contract with the
Columbus organization
Dave:
If you could have any one of your former teammates back
from any team to play with this season, who would it be and why?
Joe: I would have to chose Ryan Malone currently with the Pittsburgh Penguins. We played together for five yrs starting in Omaha of the USHL and then four years at St. Cloud.
Dave: You played your college hockey at St. Cloud State. Former Crunch star Duvie Westcott was a teammate of yours. What was it like to play with him.? Do you still keep in touch with him, and if so, what has he told you about his time in Finland?
Joe: It was great playing with Duvie he is such a skilled hockey player, he just made the game look easy. Duvie and I lived and trained together last summer. I haven't talked to him much since he's been in Finland. I think its been a tough adjustment for him with the lifestyle and the way the game is played over there but overall he is enjoying himself.
Dave: Mark Hartigan was also a teammate of yours in college. You formed a successful line with Shawn Limpright last season. This season it looks like the Crunch still haven't found the right combination. Who do you think would be the best choice to skate with you and Hartigan?
Joe: After a slow start Mark and I have been reunited along with Jeremy Reich and I think so far its been a good line and we are really starting to come together.
Dave: Which locker room is more crazy? A locker room full of College players or a locker room full of AHL players?
Joe: I think all locker rooms are pretty similar. Anytime you get twenty hockey players in a locker room together its always a recipe for good laughs.
Dave: You have faired well at the shootout this year. What do you attribute your success to?
Joe: I think its just a matter of being patient and trying to get a good read off of the goalie.
Dave: Who has the advantage? The shooter or the goalie? Why?
Joe: The goalie definitely has the advantage. The ice conditions in the shootouts are usually horrible which forces the shooter to shoot more rather than forcing the goalie side to side to make a save.
Dave: Who is your favorite ( answers in red)
a) Pro athlete?
- Tiger Woods
b) Hockey player while you
were growing up? -
Steve Yzerman
c) Non athlete celebrity?
- Will
Ferrell
d) Musical artist? - Dave Matthews Band
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Dave: Comment briefly on the following people (answers in red)
a) Coach Agnew - I have learned a lot from coach Agnew. From day one he has had confidence in me and helped me develop as a player
b) Howard Dolgon - We don't get to see Howard much but he's a great owner and always looking out for the guys on the team.
c) Brandon Sugden - Doesn't get enough credit. has the toughest job in hockey and a great guy to have on your team.
d) Greg Mauldin - shows some great skill will develop into a good goal scorer
e) Raffaele Sannitz - love the way he plays
f) Mark Hartigan - puck hog (ha-ha)
g) Matthias Trattnig - one of the hardest wrist shots I've seen
Dave: If you were not playing hockey, what sport would you play? Do you think you would be good enough to be a pro at it?
Joe: I'd be a golfer maybe not good enough to be a pro but definitely able to make some money from friends.
Dave: Who has been the greatest influence on your career thus far?
Joe: My parents, they have always been supportive and given me the chance to succeed.
Dave: Do you have any brothers or sisters? Are they athletes? Have family members come to see you play?
Joe:
My brother Matt was a hockey player and a golfer
and my sister Stacie was a volleyball player and a golfer
Dave: Who do you hang out with
on the team?
Joe: Mostly Aaron Johnson because we are roommates. But we have a close team and the boys are always getting together for some fun.
Dave: Who do you most admire on the team?
Joe: I think the older guys like Jamie Pushor are great guys to look up to because they have been through it all and know what it takes to be successful.
Dave: How do you feel about the fans?
Joe: The fans in Syracuse are great.
Dave: What would you like to do when your playing days are over?
Joe: I would like to stay involved in hockey as a coach maybe. But its hard to say at this point.
Dave: Do you read any of the stuff on the internet, whether it be positive or negative and let that affect your play?
Joe: No, not really.
Interviewers note: I would like to thank Joe Motzko for taking
the time to do this interview.