Dave: Is it
hard to return to work after a summer off? How did you spend your
summer?
Ole-Kristian: I spent it on Oslo,
Norway were I have a apartment. Its actually good coming over after the
summer... you miss playing hockey and cant wait to get on the ice
again.. So, it's not hard at all, except that I have to leave home.
Dave: Last season was a tough one for the team. Do you feel the Crunch
have something to prove this season?
Ole-Kristian: Yes I do... We had a good
team, but we didn't play great hockey... we have to proof that we can
make the playoffs!
Dave: Which AHL teams do you most enjoy playing against? Why?
Ole-Kristian: I like playing
against Rochester and Binghamton... I love toe rivalries..... makes the
game even better.
Dave: Which AHL teams do you most enjoy least against? Why?
Ole-Kristian: I guess that has to be
playing Cleveland in Cleveland... No atmosphere there.. almost no people
at the game.
Dave: Why did you decide to go without the face shield this
season?
Ole-Kristian: It's easier for me to get
more gritty and i think it's easier to see without it.
Dave: Were you surprised to get a call
up to Columbus this early in the season?
Ole-Kristian: yes I was.. But I was
really happy to get the chance to play there. And hopefully I'll be
called up again.
Dave: What was your overall impression
of the experience?
Ole-Kristian: It was fun. It was for sure a dream that came true.
Dave: Did you have a goal date in
mind for your first NHL game?
Ole-Kristian: He he, my goal was
during the first half of the season,.. And it came true ;)
Dave: Does it give you additional incentive to make it back up and/or
earn a permanent NHL spot with the Jackets?
Ole-Kristian: For sure. That's why I'm here. I'm working to get to
the NHL.
Dave: You got banged
up in the Hamilton game, on a hit from Peter Vandermeer. Describe
what happened. Do you feel it was a cheap shot?
Ole-Kristian:
I don't know... I got an elbow the face
skating down to the corner.. Ended up going face first to the boards and
he came sliding after with skate first into my back... Got some stitches
in the back and some bruises... But, that's hockey.
Dave: I hear you have been working
with Sugden a bit on your fighting. Do you feel you are getting more
competent and confident in this area?
Ole-Kristian: Yes I have, and I do...
stronger and stuff like that. But the game have changed the last year,
so you don't see that much of it
Dave: Does it bother you that often when you rattle someone’s teeth
with a clean check, their response is to come back swinging?
Ole-Kristian: That's kind of my job.. I
don't mind them getting angry and taking penalties, as long as I don't
get injured.
Dave: Is there a “last goal buys dinner” bet between the defensemen
again this year?
Ole-Kristian:
Yes there is... And it's not me ;)
Dave: How did it feel to score your
first AHL goal? Did
you get the puck?
Ole-Kristian: It was good to finally get one... about time.... and
yes, I got the puck!
Dave: Comment briefly on the following people (answers in red)
a) Ben Simon – Great guy. Good leadership and a good team player.
b) Marc Methot- Big strong defenseman who can become a solid player.
c) Andy Delmore - Great offensive skills, and funny off the ice
d) Jeff MacMillan -
Good team player.... always
show up but bad in two touch :)
editor's note:
"two touch" is a soccer game the guys play before the games and
practices.
e) Rusty Klesla - Really good player when he stay healthy
g) Luke Richardson - Big leader.. Lots of experience.. You can learn a lot from this guy
Dave: How is your
guitar playing coming along? What are your favorite songs to play?
Ole-Kristian: Haven't had that
much time to play so far this year.. But, fav song got to be "Nothing
else matters" by Metallica
Dave: I understand some members of your
family visited recently. Who came and what were their impressions of the
games they saw and the City of Syracuse?
Ole-Kristian: It was my Mom, Dad
and my sister who came for Christmas. They were here last year
too. They always love coming over here and watch hockey... it's
better over here.
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?
Ole-Kristian:
Only Rafy(Sannitz)... He's doing good and
enjoying playing back home in Swizerland
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?
Ole-Kristian:
Hard to say.. I really like the team we
have now.
Dave: Last year there seemed to be a
real problem with sticks breaking. Not as much this year. What has
changed?
Ole-Kristian:
Think CCM is more prepared this year.. Last
year with the new contract they had to make up lots of sticks in short
time.
Dave: Do the rule changes help or hurt your game? Do they give
forwards an unfair advantage?
Ole-Kristian:
Some upsides and some downsides... but
overall it's going good.
Dave: Which rule change do you
think will have the most positive effect on the game?
Ole-Kristian:
No red line offsides.
Interviewers note: I would like to thank Ole-Kristian Tollefsen for taking the time to do this interview. Thanks to Andrea for the pictures