Dave:
How did you first get involved in
hockey? What inspired you to bring your game to the pro level?
Andrew: As a kid growing up
in Canada my dad would take me to NHL games (Jets) to peak my interest,
then once I turned six, I started playing hockey.
Dave: What have you found to be the most challenging difference between playing in College vs. the AHL?
Andrew: It’s a different style game, the players are older, bigger, and stronger then in college. You also play a lot more games in the AHL.
Dave: What part of your game do your feel will need the most improvement if you are to make it in the NHL?
Andrew: I can improve in every area, right now I’m working hard on becoming a better skater. Columbus has been great in terms of developing younger players, and they have brought in a power skating coach (Marianne Watkins) to work with a few of us.
Dave: What did the returning players tell you about the Crunch-Amerk rivalry?
Andrew: With the two cities being only an hour away and us playing each other so much during the season its going to bring out a strong rivalry. We’ve played them three times already and you can see that it’s a playoff type atmosphere in the buildings. Its fun to be a part of, especially when your on the winning side!
Dave:
You have had a lot of success this season by driving to the net.
Has that always been your style?
Andrew: I’ve been working on my toe drag in practice lately, so you might
see a few highlight reel goals in the near future. But more likely than
not I try and bang home rebounds or get the ugly type of goals.
Dave:
Sugden and you have teamed up for a couple goals already this season.
How do you like playing on a line with him?
Andrew: Yeah Sugar and I usually stay after practice and work on
some plays we’ve been lucky enough to execute on a few of them during
the games. He's a big body out there and he creates space for who ever
he plays with.
Dave:
You play a more physical game than we are accustom to seeing from an ex
college player. Do you enjoy playing a physical style?
Andrew: I just try and finish my checks, to wear the other team down
and get them thinking that I’m gonna be in their face all nite.
Dave:
What do you do when not playing
hockey? Hobbies?
Andrew:
In the summer I enjoy golfing,
swimming, and hanging out with friends.
Dave: What are the details of
your contract?
Andrew: I signed a two year deal with Columbus this past summer.
Dave: How do you like living in Syracuse? How is it similar to you hometown? How is it different?
Andrew: I’ve enjoyed being in Syracuse
so far, it seems like a very friendly city, and the people are passionate
about their sports teams. Its bigger than my hometown (Selkirk, MB) and
not very similar at all.
Dave: Who is your favorite (answers in
red)
a) Pro athlete? - Milt Stegall
b) Hockey player while you were growing up? - Mario Lemieux
c) Non athlete celebrity? - Sam Katz
d) Musical artist? - Toby Keith
Dave: Comment briefly on the following people (answers in red)
a) Coach Agnew - Intense coach who loves to win
b) Geoff Platt - Likes to play Family Feud the DVD edition
c) Brandon Sugden - Could bowl for twelve hours a day
d) Mark Hartigan - Likes to sewer people
e) Joe Motzko - Good Bemidji boy!
f) Jamie Pushor- Can pull out some great dance moves
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?
Andrew: Curling. Not a chance.
Dave: Who has been the greatest influence on your career thus far?
Andrew: Parents and coaches along the way.
Dave: Do you have any brothers or sisters? Are they athletes?
Andrew:
One sister named Lauren, she is an elementary
school teacher
Dave: Who do you hang out with
on the team?
Andrew: It depends on what's going on that day/nite. I stretch besides a guy in practice that looks like Mark McGuire.
Dave: Who do you most admire on the team?
Andrew: Push, as he's won the Stanley Cup.
Dave: How do you feel about the fans? Are you comfortable signing autographs? Are you usually noticed in public?
Andrew: The fans here are great, they support the team tremendously and are very passionate about the Crunch. I usually get noticed in public but it always turns out that they thought I was someone else.
Dave: What would you like to do when your playing days are over?
Andrew: Be an actor.
Dave: Do you read any of the stuff on the internet, whether it be positive or negative and let that affect your play?
Andrew: I don’t read much on the net or in the paper. I usually only look stuff up on the internet for educational purposes only.
Interviewers note: I would like to thank Andrew Murray for taking
the time to do this interview.