Dave: Last season was a tough one for the team. Do you feel the Crunch have something to prove this season?
Mark: Absolutely. Even though we have a lot of new guys, we want to go for that main view of winning the championship. It's a long season, so baby steps to start and you build up to it
Dave: How did you prepare for this season? What was your off season training regimen?
Mark: Our conditioning coach, Barry Brennan set me up with a strength conditioning program and I hired a professional trainer to help me this season. A lot of time in the gym!
Dave: Where do you think the team has improved the most over last season?
Mark: We have a better balance. Our
players know their roles on the team and where they fit in.
Dave: What are the details of
your new contract?
Mark: 2 year, 2 way.
Dave: Is it true you had a few offers to consider in the off season?
Who was in the running and what make you decide to re sign with Columbus?
Mark: There were about 10 different
teams, but all offering the same 75K. There were
no one way offers, so I decided to come back to the Columbus organization,
where I have been treated fairly and been successful.
Dave:
What is your opinion on what has become to be known as the "75K rule"?
Mark: It is like putting a cap on the
AHL without putting a cap on it. I don't think it is
necessary, but there is not a lot I can do about it.
Dave: Which AHL teams do you most enjoy playing against? Why?
Mark: Rochester, because of the rivalry. I have always had good success against Albany. I also like to play against my old team, the Wolves.
Dave: Which AHL teams do you most enjoy least against? Why?
Mark: Binghamton, in the past was an issue.
I don't like playing in Toronto...not sure why, just have not done well
there.
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?
Mark: I haven't. I have been meaning to talk to Brad Moran, but haven't gotten around to it. Have talked Reich a few times, but he is not in Europe.
Dave: There are so many new faces this season, is there anyone that has not returned that you feel would be a perfect fit for this year’s team?
Mark: Komarniski and Moran.
Dave: How do you feel your game changes
when you are in the Columbus line up, versus being in the Syracuse
line up?
Mark: I dump the puck more in Columbus
than trying to make plays coming over the blue line. Also, the
ice time for me is quite different.
Dave: Does it get frustrating to shuttle back and forth?
What do you think it would take for you to earn a more permanent spot in
Columbus?
Mark: It is great to go up, but it does
get frustrating at times. Consistency will be my key to
staying up there.
Dave: Comment briefly on the following people (answers in red)
a) Coach Agnew - I like him, knows the game, easy to talk to
b) Geoff Platt - great Scorer
c) Joe Motzko - great hockey player...continually improves
d) Brandon Sugden - tough as nails
e) Jamie Pushor - great leader
f) Peter Sarno- great passer
g) Ben Simon -
don't want to play against him.
Dave: Lacing up with Columbus' top young NHL talent must have been a thrill. Talk briefly about your impressions of these players, both on and off the ice.
a) Rick Nash - stats and what you hear on the news stands for itself
b) Nicolai Zherdev - lot of talent, could be the best player on the ice every night if he wanted to be.
c) Gilbert Brule - going to be a great one
e) Rusty Klesla - Funny guy, will be one of the top defenders in the game one day
Dave: Do the rule changes help or hurt your game? Do they give forwards an unfair advantage?
Mark: Should be helping it, but it hasn't yet. I don't think it gives the forwards an unfair advantage.
Dave: It sounds like you are not happy with your game so far this season?
Mark: I am not. I should be scoring more. There is a long way to go though.
Dave: Which rule change do you think
will have the most positive effect on the game?
Mark: Shootouts
Dave: It is not unusual to see St Cloud Huskies jerseys in the stands on game night. Are you pleased that the fan support for the players extends as far as the purchase of their college jerseys?
Mark: Absolutely. It is exciting to see! Motzko and I talk about it on the ice when we see it and rib the other guys on the team about it.
Dave: How does the fan support in Syracuse compare to what you
were accustom to in Chicago? In St. Cloud?
Mark: It is great. It's a lot more
personal here in Syracuse. In St Cloud, I went to school
with the fans, so it is like playing in front of your buddies.
Dave: What are you goals for
this season? Both for yourself and the team?
Mark: We have a great team with
unlimited potential. There are a lot of future NHLers here,
so we should be able to compete for the Calder this year.
Interviewers note: I would like to thank Mark Hartigan for taking
the time to do this interview.