Dave:
How did you first get involved in
hockey? What inspired you to bring your game to the pro level?
Brett: I started playing hockey when I was three years old, so
I can't really remember how I got involved. I know from stories that my
father
heard it was a great sport for kids and signed my brother and I up.
Dave: What part of your game do your feel will need the most improvement if you are to make it in the NHL?
Brett: My skating and my shot.
Dave: What do feel is your game's greatest strength?
Brett: Being a dependable utility guy.
Dave: Do the new rules help or hinder you?
Brett: Help
Dave:
You had a great career at Harvard University.
What was it like to be part of such a prestigious school?
Brett: It was great, there is a lot of tradition at the school that only makes you humble and work harder.
Dave: Was there a lot of academic pressure?
Brett: Not as much as you would think but you definitely have to
be on top of your studies.
Dave: Is it good to have an ex college teammate (Tyler Kolarik) playing with you in Dayton and now in Syracuse?
Brett: It helps and makes things a lot of fun. we have known each other for awhile and share a lot of common friends and stories.
Dave: How do you like living in Syracuse? How is it similar to you hometown? How is it different?
Brett: I am from new haven Connecticut, so both Syracuse and new haven are similar in size and both have a university. the differences are the weather is more extreme here and the layouts are different.
Dave:
What do you do when not playing
hockey? Hobbies?
Brett: I love to fish, fly fish, surf, and play tennis. I also run a
webpage, harvardflyfishing.org, a fishing club that I started at Harvard.
Dave: Who is your favorite (answers in
red)
a) Pro athlete? - Roger Federer
b) Hockey player while you were growing up? - Wayne Gretzky
c) Non athlete celebrity? - Phillip Seymoure Hoffman
d) Musical artist? - new order, pink floyd, talking heads
Dave: Comment briefly on the following people (answers in red)
a) Coach Agnew - he is pretty funny and straight up with the guys
b) Dayton Coach and GM Don MacAdam - a friendly guy
c) Tyler Kolarik- very intense and loyal person.
d) Mike Ayers - funny jokester
e) Scott Cameron - laid back musician.
f) Brandon Sugden -great
guy with a good outlook
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?
Brett: Tennis
or lacrosse. I played lacrosse in high school and a bit in college. I love
playing tennis. not sure if I could have played pro in
either sport.
Dave: Who has been the greatest influence on your career thus far?
Brett: My parents probably. my brother has certainly helped as well.
Dave: Do you have any brothers or sisters? Are they athletes? Have family members come to see you play?
Brett: I have a brother and a sister. my brother played hockey and lacrosse at Harvard and my sister plays soccer and lacrosse at Amherst college. my parents have come to a bunch of games.
Dave: Who do you most admire on the Crunch?
Brett: AL, he is always smiling.
Dave: How do you feel about the Syracuse fans? Are you comfortable signing autographs? Are you usually noticed in public?
Brett: The fans have been great so far, very friendly but respectful. I feel very comfortable signing autographs, I haven't been noticed in public, but if you do notice me don't hesitate to come talk to me.
Dave: What would you like to do when your playing days are over?
Brett: Travel for awhile then maybe start and run my own business.
Dave: Do you read any of the stuff on the internet, whether it be positive or negative and do you let that affect your play?
Brett: I don't read anything about hockey on the internet. I do read other stuff on the internet, but not about hockey.
Interviewers note: I would like to thank Brett
Nowak for taking
the time to do this interview.