Dave:
Is it hard to return to work after a
summer off? How did you spend your summer?
Greg:
No, after spending all summer working out and playing pick up hockey it
feels good to get back and actually play for something. I spent my
summer back at UMass taking classes.
Dave: Last season was a tough one for the team. Do you feel the Crunch have something to prove this season?
Greg: I feel that every season each team has something to prove and we’re no different. We didn’t make the playoffs last year and I know for myself it was disappointing.
Dave: Where do you think the team has improved the most over last season?
Greg: We’ve improved in all areas, but I think that our team chemistry is something that has stood out to me.
Dave: Why did you choose to change your number for this season?
Greg: I never picked 32 it was the number that was assigned to me, so when I was able to pick I went with the reverse of my college number, which was 14.
Dave: Tell us about your pet snake? Do any of your teammates have Ophidiophobia?
Greg: My snakes name is George and its Ball Python. It’s a friendly snake and has never tried to bite anyone. I know that a few of my teammates aren’t thrilled with my snake, but I don’t think any of them are that scared.
Dave: Is it true a fan made a custom MacFarlane figure of you holding a snake? If so, how did it feel to be an "action hero" of sorts?
Greg: Yes a fan did make me one, but I
never looked at it as I was being portrayed as an action hero. I was just
cool to have a figure made of me.
Dave: How about opposition players…anyone you have grown to hate or have
a conflict with whenever you face each other?
Greg:
Not one person in general. I think
in each game a little rival gets built between players, but it wouldn’t
be hockey if it didn’t.
Dave: I understand you are very
close to earning your college degree. What is it in and how
much further do you have to go?
Greg:
My degree will be in Sports Psychology and I have about 9 more credits
to go.
Dave: Comment briefly on the following people (answers in red)
a) Coach Yates - A wiz with the pre game videos
b) Geoff Platt - A natural scorer
c) Steven Goertzen - Hard worker who plays with grit
d) Alexandre Picard - loves his techno music
e)
Peter Sarno - One of the best passers I’ve played with.
Ben Simon - Kid trapped in a mans body
Joakim Lindstrom - Good stick stills
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?
Greg:
I haven’t kept in touch
with any of the guys that went to 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?
Greg:
No, I think that each year teams change and that’s the way it is.
Dave: Do the rule changes help or hurt your game? Do they give
forwards an unfair advantage?
Greg:
I feel that they help my game and that yes
they give forwards an advantage, but players and coaches are smart and
will adapt appropriately to play strong defense.
Dave: Which rule change do you
think will have the most positive effect on the game?
Greg:
Well to attract fans it would have to be the shoot
out, but as far as the players I think that cutting down on the
clutching and grabbing.
Dave:
Who's idea was it for the photo of you scraping away the red line
in the Post Standard's season preview?
Greg:
I believe it was Lindsay Kramer.
Interviewers note: I would like to thank Greg Mauldin for taking
the time to do this interview.