Dave:
How did you get into hockey growing up?
Brandon: My father got me into it. I started boxing before I
was playing hockey and then it just happened when I was six or seven.
Dave: Did you always play the enforcer role?
Brandon: No, I was a goal scorer when I started. I still have newspaper clippings of some 6 and 7 goal games....even in the OHL I had 32 points one season as a defensemen. I was a decent power play guy.
Dave: When did your role change?
Brandon: When I turned pro. I was moved to forward and had never played the position before, so I fought a lot.
Dave: It seems a lot of enforcers start as defensemen but move to forward. Why do you feel that is?
Brandon: Usually the bigger guys get put on defense when they start
playing because they have slower foot speed. As they improve they
get moved up to forward. Also there are only six or seven defenders
in the game, so if you are going to be an enforcer, it is better to
be a forward if you are going to be off the ice for major penalties a lot.
It also takes you out of position if you are a defenseman and go after a
guy.
Dave: Who were some of the
players you idolized in your youth?
Brandon: Cam Neely.
Mario Lemieux, clips of Bobby Orr.
Dave: Speaking of Orr, the legendary Bobby Orr has been your Agent for some time.
How did that come about? Why did you
decide to go with him?
Brandon: My agent at the time was Darren Ferris and he moved
around to a bunch of different
organizations and the last was Bobby Orr's. I was
excited to meet him and one year I lived at his house for two months while
getting ready for camp.
Dave: Orr retired when you were 1 year
old. I am sure you aware of his legacy, but have you
ever watched footage of him in action? What were your
impressions of his play.
Brandon: Yes. He was my
Dad's favorite player. He was amazing...No one has ever
controlled the game like he did. He could do it all, score,
play defense, and fight. An unbelievable player, and
unbelievable man.
Dave: There was a lot of speculation that
you would not be back with the Columbus organization this season,
and that there were other clubs interested in your services.
Can you talk about that?
Brandon: I am not sure exactly who, I
know Detroit had some interest.
I wanted to keep my mind on the plan and let the agents handle that.
Dave: You did end up signing with the
Jackets, and when they did send you down, there was concern
that you would not clear waivers. How close were you to being picked
up by another team?
Brandon: I thought so. I thought I
would be picked up. It was a double edged sword. I was
happy that I came back, as I love this organization, but at the same time,
I wanted to play in the show. It's a good thing. It
gives me time to work on my game down here and hopefully get my shot
before the year is out.
Dave: Your skating is
noticeably better this season. What did you do to improve
your skating?
Brandon: Skated every day with a bunch of NHL guys. If you play with better players, it helps you get better. I looked out of place for a week or so, but then caught up.
Dave: Your conditioning level is impressive. What is your training routine in the off season?
Brandon: A
lot of boxing, a lot of road work. My Dad trained world class
boxers for years. Boxers are in the best
shape of all athletes, so I do a boxer's workout. ....5-6 hours a day.
Dave: How about during the
season?
Brandon: Maintenance work to keep up my strength and speed.
Dave: Your offensive numbers are up this season. What do you attribute that to?
Brandon: Partly being around better players this year and partly because I have more room out there with the new rules and my reputation as one of the toughest guys in the league, I tend to get some space when trying to make a play with the puck.
Dave: Andrew Murray has been the recipient of two of your three assists and I believe he assisted on your goal. What do you attribute your success with Murray to?
Brandon: He is a similar player to me. He like to get in
there, he is big, seems to be in the right place at the right time.
He is older for a rookie, having spent time in college so he has
experience. Great hands. Very good
all around player.
Dave: You had a very impressive NHL camp with Columbus. I think a year ago if someone would have said that Brandon Sugden and Stevie Goertzen would be the last two players cut, they would have been thought as being crazy. This is a testament to the hard work both you and Goertzen put in during the off season. Talk about what it was like to get so close to making the team. Does it provide extra motivation to do your best down on the farm?
Brandon: It is a touchy subject. I was heartbroken when I found out I was being set down. Four cuts had been made that morning and Stevie and I were at meet the press day, so we thought it was all good...until I got back to the motel room and heard the message on my answering machine. Heartbreaking, but what are you going to do? It certainly gives me extra motivation to get to the NHL.
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 - I did not see much of him, he broke his ankle first game. From what I have seen on film, amazing!
b) Nikolai Zherdev - One of the most skilled players I have ever seen
c) Gilbert Brule - I like his style. Not big, but throws his body around like he is 6'4"
Rusty Klesla - Great guy off the ice! Solid defenseman.
Dave: Did you spend any time with Jody Shelley while you were in Columbus?
Brandon: Not really, we talked from time to time but did not go out at the end of the day or anything.
Was it uncomfortable to interact with someone who's job you hope to one day take?
Brandon: No, he is mature in that way and so am I. We know we play the same role. He was nothing but nice to me and visa versa
Dave: It seemed the Jackets brass went out of there way to make sure you would not be on opposing teams in the preseason games. Was this talked about or just a silent understanding that you two would not be mixing it up?
Brandon: They told me not to fight anybody at camp. They did not want me to risk busting my hand in camp or hurting a teammate. Plenty of exhibition games to prove myself.
Dave: Is it frustrating to see a lot of the guys you not only defeated in tilts last year but have arguably better all around skills than getting NHL jobs this year?
Brandon: It makes me want to grab a rope and hang myself! ( laughs). I am happy for them though, it helps pave the way for guys like me because it shows the league still needs enforcers....tough to watch though.
Dave: Have you been watching Brian McGrattan's scraps this season? If so, any comments?
Brandon: I have watched every single one! He should be ranked in top 3. Hard to beat, and he gets better all the time.
Dave: You now have your own website. Have the comments you have received about it been favorable?
Brandon: Every single comment has been favorable. My buddies back in Toronto love it!
Dave: Once again this year, you are keeping a very busy community calendar. What drives you to spend so much time doing public appearances and charity work?
Brandon: I enjoy doing it, I like to give back to the community. For a guy that does not do much off the ice but go bowling, it keeps me busy. ( laughs)
Dave: Out of all the events and appearances you have done, what has been your favorite?
Brandon: I like the air hockey, pool tourney, competitive stuff is cool!
Dave: One of your teammates was quoted as saying "You could bowl for 12 hours a day." Why do you enjoy it so much? Have you ever considered going pro if this hockey gig doesn't pan out?
Brandon: I would love to go pro if hockey does not work out! I just bought a new ball and have gotten a lot of the guys into it. It works out good, bowl until 6 or 7, get tired, and go home and go to sleep!
Dave: You have only had a handful of bouts this season. Why do you think that number is so far down from last year at this time?
Brandon: I don't know if guys just don't want to fight me this year, that could be it. Fighting is down all around the league. It is disappointing to go 6 or 7 games in a row without a fight.
Dave: I read Dennis Bonvie said to you in a preseason game that he felt there was no longer a need for players like him and yourself in hockey. Do you feel that is true? Will fighting ever leave the game entirely?
Brandon: I think it will go back to the way it was. American fans like goals and fights. Hockey would be boring without it.
Dave: Speaking of Bonvie, this is likely his last season. What do you think of him? How do you think he will be remembered?
Brandon: We have had our problems, but I respect him. He will be remember as a pest , but also pound for pound, one of the toughest players to ever play in this league. The All Time AHL penalty leader.
Dave: When your playing days are over, how would you like to be remembered?
Brandon:
I want to be remembered as a fighter that was a good hockey player.
That was the toughest player around, and played the game well. A
good open ice hitter, a good team guy... A good looking guy
too! (laughs)
Interviewers note: I would like to thank Brandon Sugden for taking the time
to do this interview. Thanks to Eric M. Payne and Keith Capano for the pictures.