Dave:
Yours has been quite a story. You went from third or fourth
line AHL player to being the Jackets first call up. What do
you attribute this success to?
Steven: Well I think a big part of
it for me was to be consistent in my play, and to not try and be someone
I'm not. If you are able to work hard and bring energy to the team and
do the things that maybe other guys aren't always willing to do than
that gives you and advantage.
Dave: Were you surprised that with all the offensive threats in camp, it was you and Sugden going down to the wire?
Steven: Well Sugar plays a little bit different role than me, but is a very valuable guy to have on any team, and he had a great year last year so I wasn't overly surprised at that. As far as me being more of a defensive player, it comes down to what the team is looking for and where you fit in, and there is so many talented players in the blue jackets system, it would be a lot harder to compete for a job as strictly an offensive player.
Dave: What have the Jackets told you about
your play in Columbus so far this season? Are they pleased?
Steven: I know they were happy with
my training camp, and that was a big reason why I got called up. I would
like to think that they were pleased with my play since I got the
opportunity to stay up there for a while, but there still are parts of my
game that need work in order to play successfully in the NHL.
Dave: What are you doing with the extra money?
Steven:
Well I don't have a vehicle right
now so I have been looking into getting a truck or something, we will
see.
Dave: You seem to show zero let down of intensity when you are send to Syracuse. Is it hard to be as motivated, now that you have played in the NHL?
Steven: I think that it is the opposite. Knowing what it feels like to play there makes me want to work harder to stay there. The AHL is still a great league with a lot of great players, so it is not hard to stay motivated and get up for the games.
Dave: Which AHL teams do you most enjoy playing against? Why?
Steven: Rochester. I love to play
against rival teams, the atmosphere is so much better and the games are
more intense.
Dave: Which AHL teams do you most enjoy least against? Why?
Steven: I guess the teams that we
only see maybe once or twice a year because you are not as familiar with
the players, and there isn't as much intensity or hatred for each other
on the ice.
Dave: How about opposition players…anyone you have grown to hate or have
a conflict with whenever you face each other?
Steven:
There are usually a few guys
that like to try and cause trouble out there, but I cant think of anyone
specific that I hate playing against.
Dave: What are the details of your contract?
Steven: This is my second year in my contract, and I have one more year after this season left on my contract.
Dave: Comment briefly on the following people (answers in red)
a) Coach Agnew - great coach
b) Geoff Platt - natural scorer
c) Doug MacLean- very respected
d) Jody Shelley - leader
e) Nikolai Zherdev - amazing skills
f) Duvie Westcott - great guy
g) Brandon Sugden - tough
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?
Steven: I used to love to play all sports, and especially basketball. I played in school before hockey got too busy right around high school. Not too sure I was banking on a pro basketball career though.
Dave: Who has been the greatest influence on your career thus far?
Steven: I would have to say I look up to a guy like Steve Yzerman the most. To see the way he carries himself on and off the ice, and the type of leader he is to play through injuries is something that I admire. My friends and family back home have also always given me unbelievable support
Dave: Do you have any brothers or sisters? Are they athletes?
Steven:
I have a 19 yr old brother named Kurtis, he plays hockey back home in
stony plain. He has all the offensive skill in the family. I have a 23yr
old sister named Laura, who used to play lots of sports and is now
finishing up her university in education.
Dave: Who do you hang out with
on the team?
Steven: Well I like to hang out with everyone on the team, we have such a great group of guys here in Syracuse, that it makes for a lot of fun.
Dave: Who do you most admire on the team?
Steven: I would have to say Pushor because he has played the game for a long time, and been very successful in the NHL. He is also a great leader, and was great to us young guys last year in our rookie season, plus he is hilarious.
Dave: A lot of your
teammates from last year have gone to or stayed in Europe this season.
Have you been in touch with any of them and if so, how are they doing?
Steven: I
haven't been in touch with them for a while. I went golfing with Reich
this summer and caught up with him.
Dave: Do the rule changes help or hurt your game? Do they give
forwards an unfair advantage?
Steven:
I think the rule changes are good for the game. The forwards are able to
get in on the fore check a bit easier now which works to my advantage.
Not as many fights though.
Dave: Which rule change do you
think will have the most positive effect on the game?
Steven:
obstruction penalties
Dave: What are you goals for
this season? Both for yourself and the team?
Steven:
To make the playoffs is always the main goal to
start with, and definitely every teams goal is to win the league. For
myself, try an d get better every day and improve my chances at
eventually playing in the NHL fulltime.
Dave: What has been the highlight of your hockey career so far?
Steven: Playing in my first NHL game this year is something that I will never forget, and it was a great feeling. Also being able to play against certain players that you grew up watching is definitely exciting.
Dave: What do you think of the fans here in Syracuse? Do the players hear things like the goalie chant? Do they like it?
Steven: The fans are great here in Syracuse, and it is nice to see the amount of dedicated fans we have, it really helps when you have a loud crowd that you are playing in front of. As far as players hearing things on the ice, I'm sure every player is different , but me personally, I don't really hear too much of the outside noise.
Dave: What would you like to do when your playing days are over?
Steven: I would be interested in finding a job that somehow involves me still being in the game of hockey. I would love to travel a lot as well.
Interviewers note: I would like to thank Steven Goertzen for taking
the time to do this interview.