Dave:
How did you first get involved in
hockey? What inspired you to bring your game to the pro level?
Ryan: I started skating at a young
age and loved the game, fear of sitting in a cubicle inspired me to
bring my game to the pro level, ha ha no I still love the game and
love my "job"
Dave: What part of your game do your feel will need the most improvement if you are to make it in the NHL?
Ryan: strength
Dave: What do feel is your game's greatest strength?
Ryan:
My pre-practice soccer skills are legendary
Dave: Do the new rules help or hinder you?
Ryan: I love them, they help me they open the game up
Dave: Was it a big surprise that you were traded to the Columbus organization?
Ryan: yeah it was, a good surprise though, like an unexpected Christmas gift or something
Dave: To you think the move will help your chances of seeing some NHL time?
Ryan:
that one isn't up to me, I would hope so
Dave: You played
college hockey at the University of Denver. What was the toughest
adjustment, going from college to pro hockey?
Ryan: I really missed getting up way too early in the morning and going to class for 4 hours, I just loved that!!!! time management is the biggest adjustment (boredom)
Dave: Adam Berkhoel was your teammate there. He is currently the goaltender for our ECHL team, the Dayton Bombers. Have you kept in touch or followed his career since college?
Ryan: oh yeah BERKIE is a great guy and great friend of mine, funny you ask, I am in his wedding this summer.......... poor guy
Dave: The defensive pairs have been shuffled a lot this season. Which partner do you feel you have been most successful playing with?
Ryan: like all my fellow defenseman the same (is that safe enough?)
Dave: How do you like living in SyraCuse? How is it similar to you hometown? How is it different?
Ryan: The 'Cuse is good, my hometown is a little over 900 people but really cold so in a sense they are not too far off
Dave:
What do you do when not playing
hockey? Hobbies?
Ryan: golf, maybe strum the
guitar, read the odd book, and am a wizard at PS2, (I would crush Methot)
Dave: Who is your favorite (answers in
red)
a) Pro athlete? - Tom Brady, he's the man!! and is dating Giselle
b) Hockey player while you were growing up? - Jamie Pushor
c) Non athlete celebrity? - Heidi Klum
d) Musical artist? - Neil Young
Dave: Comment briefly on the following people (answers in red)
a) Coach Yates - His finest season came in 1982-83 when he tallied 41 goals and 84 assists for 125 points and was named the AHL Most Valuable Player and The Hockey News Minor League Player of the Year
b) Howard Dolgon - only met once, nice guy!!!
c) Tomas Popperle- very funny guy
d) Jamie Pushor - great dancer
e) Andy Canzanello - former CC Tiger, other than that a nice guy
f) Filip Novak - should start a fan website, people in all cities love this guy
Dave: How did you feel about Brandon Sugden leaving the team?
Ryan: it
was too bad, I loved playing with Sugar
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?
Ryan: I think I could have been a pro baseball player, and maybe even ended up in the 'Cuse
Dave: Who has been the greatest influence on your career thus far?
Ryan: My Dad
Dave: What has been the highlight of your hockey career so far?
Ryan: An epic comeback battle by Canzy and I against Joe "Mr. Perfect" Motzko and Steven "pretty boy" Goertzen
Dave: Do you have any brothers or sisters? Are they athletes? Have family members come to see you play?
Ryan: 1 sister, that's it no more info boys!!!!!
Dave: Who do you most admire on the Crunch?
Ryan: Jamie Pushor he has played a lot of pro hockey and is a fountain of knowledge, also Bobby Mac the way he battled through his injury on our long road trip
Dave: How do you feel about the Syracuse fans? Are you comfortable signing autographs? Are you usually noticed in public?
Ryan: I love the Crunch faithful, great fans!!!
Dave: What would you like to do when your playing days are over?
Ryan: be happy
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?
Ryan: No, I like looking at pictures though!!!!
Interviewers note: I would like to thank Ryan Caldwell for taking
the time to do this interview.