Dave:  Tell us about your season so far. I understand you suffered a shoulder injury after the fifth game and only recently returned to the team.
Brad:   It was a frustrating start to the season. Five game in I tore the labrum in my left shoulder and it required surgery. I was out about 3 months. I was lucky enough to be ready at Christmas and play for Berlin in the Spengler Cup. That was a great experience, but 4 games in 4 days was a tough way to jump back into things. Since then things have been improving ever since. We are now in the middle of our Olympic break and only have 3 games left after that and then the playoffs.

Dave:  What are some of the major differences between the Swiss league and the AHL?

Brad:   I think the biggest difference is the physical side of things. There is some hitting but not nearly as much as the AHL.  A little has to do with the bigger ice and the fast flow. Although the ice is bigger there isn't that much more time on the ice, it is a very fast free flowing game here and more so now that they have implemented the new NHL rules.

Dave:   Have you and your wife gotten a chance to enjoy the country?

Brad:    Being hurt for the first 3 months of the season and not being able to do that much, Sarah and I have been able to travel around quite a bit. We had short stays in Paris, Rome, and Milan. We also got to spend New Year's in Davos for the Spengler Cup. The team also took us to the Canary Islands for a week during the Olympic break.

Dave:  What has impressed you the most?

Brad:  The fans in Switzerland was the biggest surprise for me. The fans are lined up before we get to the rink and they singing before warm up. They bring huge drums and just go crazy. If they are unhappy with you or the referee they make sure you know. It is a lot like the European soccer games. Most of the time they are just having a good time. There is also a caged off section in most rinks for the visiting team, and they are often the loudest group in the building and must bring there own security. It was a big shock at first and defiantly a lot different that some AHL rinks like Cleveland.

Dave:  How have you adjusted to the change?

Brad: I think I am still adjusting to the changes. Missing 26 games of a 44 game season when the games are so spread out was tough for me. By the time I started to feel good we stopped for 3 weeks for the Olympics. I am not a big fan of 3 games in 3 nights, but 3 games in all of Feb was tough for me.

Dave:  Have you followed the Crunch season at all?

Brad:  I am always checking out scores and stats from theahl.com. It is nice to see the Crunch having a such a good season. When you play in one place for so long I think I will always check to see how the team and guys I know are doing.

Dave:  Have you been in touch with any of your former teammates?

Brad:  I try and keep in touch with as many guys as possible. Over the years I have made a lot of great friends in Syracuse and always talk to some of them.

Dave: How long is your contract? If it is up after this year, have you made plans for next year yet?

Brad:  My contract here is for this year only. As of right now I am not sure where I will be next year. I just have to wait and see what come up.