Viper Bytes

Essentials

Position: Goalie

Catches: Left

Birth date: April 21, 1996

Height: 6’

Weight: 165

Hometown: Clarington, ON

Favourites

NHL team: Boston Bruins

Did you have a favourite goalie growing up? “I liked Raycroft until he went to Toronto, but growing up I always liked Luongo.”

What about him did you like? “He plays a similar goalie style to me. He has an awesome glove hand.”

Do you have a number you’ve always worn? “I used to wear 57, and before that it was 30.”

57 for Paul Rosen? “Yeah, the Canadian sledge hockey goalie. I went to a goalie camp, Jamie McGuire’s, and he just inspired me. He’s missing a leg and he was still able to find a way to play hockey and do an awesome job in net and play for Team Canada.”

Favourite music genre? “I like country and club music.”

Favourite movie? “Youngblood.”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey

Do you have a pre-game routine you stick to? “My only routine is I have to have Subway before every game. Other than that, I listen to music in my stall.”

What’s the sub of choice? “Spicy Italian, with lettuce, cucumber, green peppers and salt and pepper.”

You’ve got Zeus written on your stick, what’s that about? “It’s just a nickname that started this year. I saw other people have their numbers written on their sticks, so I put my nickname.”

What other hockey nicknames have you had? “Zee and Zanuss.”

What’s your biggest accomplishment been so far? “Winning Goaltender of the Month.”

What have you learned from Vipers goaltending coach Perry Wilson? “Perry has worked with me on tracking the puck and controlling my rebounds. He’s helped me keep focused during the game and not get distracted.”

Essentials
Position: Forward
Shoots: Left
Birth date: Feb. 23, 1993
Height: 6’
Weight: 190
Hometown: Belle River

Favourites

NHL team: “Boston Bruins.”

Favourite player on the Bruins? “Milan Lucic.”

Do you try to play like him at all? “Every game.”

What specifically about Lucic do you like? “The grittiness and physicality of him. He’s a beast.”

Favourite music genre? “Everything except scream-o, pretty much.”

Favourite movie? “Warrior.”

Do you have a favourite jersey number? “94.”

Why is that? “I wear it because it’s my late mother’s birthday, April 9, so I flip the numbers around.”

Your mom must have been a huge influence on you growing up. “She was everything. She’s my hero. I wear it as a tribute, so she’s with me there every game.”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey

Do you stick to a pre-game routine? “Not really, no. Whatever I’m feeling that day is what I go with.”

Are you particular about any piece of your equipment? “I tape my stick before every game and practice.”

Any writing on your stick? “I write my mom’s initials on the back, VM for Vicky McCann.”

Do you have a pre-game meal you stick to? “No, sometimes I don’t even eat.”

Is that intentional? “Yeah, it depends on whenever I wake up, how I feel. I just go with that.”

If you had to describe your style of play in one word, what would it be? “Gritty.”

What’s been the highlight of your junior career? “This season, finishing so high up. Hopefully we can keep it going.”

What’s the goal? “Win the Sutherland Cup. We’ve got the team to do it, and I think we can pull it out.”

Essentials

Position: Centre

Shoots: Right

Birth date: October 10, 1996

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 160

Hometown: LaSalle

Favourites

NHL team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Why the Leafs? “My dad grew up loving them, my nono grew up loving them so I was just raised in that atmosphere.”

Was there a player who you really liked the way they played? “Kyle Wellwood.”

Was there anyone you tried to look to for tips? “Looking back at highlights, Doug Gilmour. Right now, Patrick Kane.”

What do you like about Kane? “He’s a smaller player like I am, he’s real shifty, creative with the puck and smart, a good playmaker.”

What’s your favourite jersey number? “71.”

Have you always worn that? “No, but I always wanted it. The teams I’ve been on didn’t make (jerseys with that number), so I went to my second favourite, 10, and then 20. When I got here I grabbed it. It was when me and Luchuk and Burnsy were getting here.”

Favourite music genre? “Rap.”

Favourite artist? “Eminem.”

Pump up song? “Lose yourself.”

Favourite movie? “The Hangover.”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey

Do you have a pre-game ritual you go through every Wednesday? “I have a lot of rituals. I always tape two sticks. I always have a bagel with peanut butter and honey when I get to the rink. Usually three or four cups of Gatorade.”

Any quirks with taping your stick? “I’m really particular. I always tape it with white and I always go heel to toe. I always go about three-quarters down the blade. I put my number on the front. My nono passed away so I put GP, his initials for Gino Paliani, on the back.”

You must have been really close with him. “Yeah, I was really close to him growing up. He passed away four, five years ago. He came to all my sporting events and everything. We were really close.”

Pre-game meal: “Always pasta. Any pasta, spaghetti, penne. Homemade.”

Describe your style of play in one word: “Skilled.”

Being a local kid, what does it feel like being able to represent your city? “It’s an unreal feeling, any time you get to put hometown junior sweater on. It’s a great feeling. I just try to make the most of it every time.”

How are you planning to use your time with the LaSalle Vipers to further your career? “It’s a stepping stone. Wherever I go, I go. LaSalle has been nothing but great for me. It’s fun.”

Essentials
Position: Centre
Shoots: Left
Birth date: March 19, 1996
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 170
Hometown: LaSalle

Favourites

NHL team: Pittsburgh Penguins

Favourite player on the Penguins? “Sidney Crosby is obviously my favourite player, but growing up my favourite player was Mario Lemiuex due to my dad. That was his favourite player.”

Your dad is a Penguins fan too? “Yeah, he’s a big time Penguins fan. He always has been.”

Hockey is a big deal in your family? “It’s pretty big, my dad played when he was younger and loved the game. When me and my brother were growing up he taught us how to play. Once he introduced us to it, we loved it. Obviously my brother is a big part of the (Vipers) organization, so hockey is huge in my family.”

What did you learn from your brother Matt who was the captain of this team in 2011-12? “Just things like leadership, how to get through tough times. There’s going to be some ups and downs obviously but you just gotta battle through it. Just to always work as hard as you can. I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as he does and I try to just model my play like him. I don’t think I could ever work as hard as he does, he’s one of a kind. But I try my best.”

You’re wearing your brother’s jersey number, 43, as well. “Growing up, I wanted to be my brother, I wanted to play like him, everything he did I wanted to do. When I was watching the LaSalle Vipers, he was wearing 43 and it was a goal of mine to one day play here and wear that number and carry on the legacy he left. When I made the team, my family really wanted me to wear it and so did I, so it was a pretty easy pick.”

That has to be a cool feeling playing in front of your hometown fans every week. “Yeah, it’s a great feeling. There’s nothing better in the world. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I love playing for my hometown. I try every day to represent my hometown well.”

Favourite music genre: Rap and hip hop

Favourite artist? Jay-Z

Favourite song? “Is there a possibility I don’t have a favourite? They’re all my favourite.”

Favourite album? The Blueprint 3

Favourite movie: The Dark Knight

What makes that one better than the rest of the Batman trilogy? “Just the fact that you see Batman a lot more, him in his suit and he’s actually doing stuff. In The Dark Knight Rises, he’s more or less not in the movie being Batman, he’s more Bruce Wayne. You see more of Batman and that’s what I like.”

Favourite classes in school? “I like law a lot, math it’s hit and miss. It’s a love/hate kind of thing. I also like English, how your mind can explore and be creative.”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey

Have you thought about life after hockey? “I still have some mixed feelings. I applied for the electrician program at St. Clair. If I don’t like that, I’m going to go into business at the University of Windsor. Either electrician or accounting.”

Do you have a pre-game ritual you follow? “Yeah, every day before a game I always come home, take a nap, wake up, have pasta with chicken – homemade, from my mom.”

Are you particular about your sticks? “When I come to the rink, I don’t touch my stick, I don’t tape it until after we go and warm up with the team. I don’t know why, I always have. Last year in Jr. C when we would go warm up, I would come back and that’s when I would touch my sticks. Other than that, I don’t touch any of my equipment until then.”

Describe your style of play in one word: "Aggressive."

Essentials
Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Birth date: February 2, 1997
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 180
Hometown: Oakville

Favourites

NHL team: “Growing up it was probably the Maple Leafs, just because they’re the home town team, they’re in the area.”

A lot of Leafs fans in Oakville I imagine? “Yeah, tons. Everyone is a Leafs fan pretty much.”

You said ‘growing up’ you were a Leafs fan. Do you have a different team now? “Yeah, now I’m a fan of the Chicago Blackhawks.”

Why the Hawks now? “I like their defensive core. Almost all their defencemen are stellar, even some of their lesser defencemen like Nick Leddy are still amazing in my opinion.”

Which one is your favourite? “Duncan Keith, he has a very strong physical game. I don’t see him have any messed up plays. He’s a safe defenceman but he always does the right thing.”

Do you try to model your game after Keith’s? “Yeah, I guess I try to play like him but I find Kristopher Letang from the Pittsburgh Penguins plays a bit more like me. I try to model my game after Kristopher but definitely bring the aggression that Keith brings.”

Favourite jersey number? “22 would be my favourite pick because my birthday is February 2nd.”

Did you always wear 22? “No, I always wore 9 since I was a kid but I thought 9 was pretty mainstream so I wanted to change it up when I came to the next level.”

73 is about as far from mainstream as you can get… “Yeah, we I think like four choices, and I had never heard of anyone wearing 73 so I just threw it on.”

What is the most played song on your iPod? “Probably a country song, anything country.”

Is that mostly what you listen to? “Yeah, unless it’s before a game I like to listen to rap or techno to get pumped up.”

Who’s your favourite rapper to get you pumped up? “Probably Eminem.”

Favourite song? "By him? I would say Rap God right now."

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey

(At this point, Aaron Luchuk – who has been lurking nearby – says to ask him about ‘the sign’)

So…tell me about ‘the sign’? “The sign today was ‘Burns Will Burn You’. My billet made it.”

What’s it like living with a billet? “It’s definitely a change. Not for the better or the worse, but it’s an interesting experience. It’s something all people who move to this level should experience. You learn how to cooperate with different people. They’re great billets. Their daughter is really fun to be around and they’re very responsible people to take care of you.”

What's the pre-game meal? "Chicken and pasta, keep it simple. Maybe throw in a bit of fruit. (Luchuk, who billets with Burns, interjects 'cordon bleu') Yeah we like to have cordon bleu before the game too."

Your billets sound like they spoil you guys. "Yeah, they spoil us a ton. They're great."

Do you have a pre-game routine you follow? "Not very precisely, but I always have things in the same order. I go through a school day obviously, get home, watch a bit of TV, have a nap, wake up, eat, go to the rink."

Liam Murray always watches Family Guy before games, do you have one show you always watch? "No, any TV (show). I like to play Xbox too (Luchuk: I always win). Anything really to pass the time, keep my mind off the game."

Describe your style of play in one word. "Dangerous."

Essentials

Position: Centre
Shoots: Left
Birth date: April 5, 1997
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 192
Hometown: Kingston

Favourites

NHL team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Why the Leafs? “It’s in the family. I’ve always been a Leafs fan since I was little.”

Did you have a favourite player on the Leafs growing up? “It was (Mikhail) Grabovski but I don’t have one right now.”

Did you have a favourite number, or one you always wore in minor hockey? “It was 13 for the longest time because of Mats Sundin, then I switched to 19. Recently I switched to 16 and 91.”

Did you pick 61 or was that just what was available? “It was available and it’s a cool number.”

Favourite music genre? “I love rock, but I love the house music too.”

Favourite movie? “Anchorman 2 was pretty good.”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey

I was told to ask you what ‘Luchuk’ means… “Three points.”

Actually? “No, that’s what Donny (Mouck, the Vipers trainer) thinks it means.”

Does it have a meaning? “It actually means bow and arrow, or archer, in Ukrainian.”

What’s your pre-game routine? “I don’t nap, I just make sure I have lots of water, make sure I’m rested up. If I can, I get a little skate in, in the morning. I get here two hours before the game.”

Do you have anything you do with your stick? Taping your stick a certain way? “I made the switch to black tape halfway through the year. I’ve always been a white tape guy. I like taping my stick, I tape my stick a lot.”

Why the switch to black tape? “Change it up. I was in a little bit of a slide, so I went black tape and got two goals in one game and I’ve stuck with it ever since.”

How often do you tape your stick? “I normally tape two or three sticks per game. It depends, if one stick isn’t working, I’ll switch it up. If I score with that one, I’ll stick with it for the rest of the game.”

Pre-game meal: “Noodles with a little bit of butter and parmesan and chicken cordon bleu.”

That’s fancy, when did that start? “My billets, when I got down here started making it for me. I’ve been having it ever since.”

Describe your style of play in one word: "Competitive."

Essentials

Position: Goalie

Catches: Left

Birth date: April 13, 1995

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 210

Hometown: Windsor

Favourites

NHL team: Detroit Red Wings

Why the Wings? “Growing up so close, going to games with my parents, with my dad and my brother, I just grew up knowing everybody on the team, who they were, like Yzerman, you watch them and you kind of get attached.”

Did you have a favourite goalie on the Wings? “I always liked Hasek growing up. Obviously we play a different style of game but he was a great goalie. A world class goalie.”

Can you pick up anything watching a guy like that or do you just throw his technique out the window? “I just enjoy the way he plays. Now everybody in the league, you watch them and pick up little things. Everyone is so technical. The game has changed completely.”

Do you have a favourite number? “I wore 33 growing up and we got custom jerseys our last two years so I wore number 1. I bounced around, I wore 31 the last two years of hockey. When I came here we didn’t have a 31. (Taylor) Speed wore 30 so with him leaving to go to the university, I picked a new number and went with 1.”

Did you know wearing 33 as a Wings fan is basically sacrilege? That’s Patrick Roy’s number: “I didn’t know that, but good to know now.”

Were you into the Wings-Avalanche rivalry or was it before your time? “It was a bit before my time but as a kid, in the playoffs, I knew of it but it’s tough to remember now.”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey

Were you always a goalie? “I started off as a player when I was beginning to skate. My first year of house league, I was terrible. I had one goal all year – and it hit off me and ended up in the net. That’s when I decided, if I’m gonna play I hockey I should switch to something I might be decent at.”

So, have pucks hit you and stay out of the net instead? “(laughs) Yeah.”

Sources tell me you control the music in the dressing room… “Yeah, I just kinda showed up and no one was really playing music so I just took control of that. It just kinda happened.”

What do you play? “In the room it varies from day to day. Before games I stick to mostly techno. Just stuff to get the guys fired up. On practice days, country, any feel good music.”

Anything off-limits? No Miley Cyrus? “It depends, she has some good stuff. Country, you can’t play before a game. That’s more post-game music. We don’t change the music too much, we like to keep it the same.”

What is your pre-game ritual? “I put all my right equipment on first. I like to get away from the team before the game and between the periods and focus on what I have to do to help the team be successful. Nothing really superstitious, just the same thing every day.”

The popular myth or stereotype about goalies is they’re all kind of quirky. Does that apply to you? “I don’t know, I feel like I’m a pretty normal guy I like to think. I get it a lot from my buddies and the coaches and trainers, so maybe I am weird but I don’t see it. I’m no Bryzgalov. I just kinda go about my day. I don’t think I do anything weird.”

What’s the pre-game meal? “It’s chicken and a vegetable, or sausages, just any type of meat and vegetable and a little bit of rice. I don’t change it up much. Whatever my mom cooks for me.”

Essentials
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Birth date: February 21, 1996
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 220
Hometown: Burlington

Favourites

NHL team: Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL player: “I always liked Joe Thornton because I thought we’re similar style of play, we’re both big guys. Same type of game, in front of the net and working hard in the corners.’”

Favourite number: 9

Favourite movie: Django Unchained

Favourite colour: Light blue

Favourite music genre: Country

Favourite artist: Tim McGraw

Favourite subject in school: “English. I like to read and write stories, essays.”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey

What’s your pre-game routine? “My routine is the same every game day. It starts the minute I get up. I have first period spare so I sleep in until nine, get up and go to school, come home for lunch and have some pasta. Then I go for a walk. (After school) I go home and eat another plate of pasta, take a 40 minute nap and head to the rink and I tape my stick before the game. I put all my equipment on the left side first, skate, shin pad, elbow pad, all followed by the right side.”

Any other routines or superstitions outside of hockey? “I always change things up unless it comes to hockey. Hockey is routine for me.”

What would you be if you weren’t a hockey player? “I’d like to get into journalism someday. Freelance or sports journalism. Something where I could use my opinion to write about other athletes and teams.”

Essentials

Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Birth date: June 21, 1995
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 185
Hometown: Riverside

Favourites

NHL team: Leafs

The Wings/Leafs rivalry locally is pretty big. Did you have friends on both sides? “Yeah, of course. Family too, unfortunately.”

How did you become a Leafs fan? “Growing up, from my dad. He’s a huge Leafs fan. They’re few and far between, but there are some Wings fans (in the family). We like to give it to them at family parties. There’s a little rivalry there too.”

Did you have a favourite Leafs player growing up? “Doug Gilmour was my favourite.”

Were you always a defenceman? “I was a forward growing up and halfway through I switched to D and stayed there.”

You’re a smaller guy who plays with a lot of physicality, one of the bigger hitters on the team. Is Doug Gilmour someone you modeled your play after? “I like the tenacity he showed. I try to show that every game. Other than that, I’ve always been strong on my feet and worked at that.”

Favourite music genre: “Classic rock, for sure.”

Favourite artist? Pink Floyd

Favourite song? “Time, by Pink Floyd.”

That’s Dark Side of the Moon, right? “Yep.”

Favourite movie? “Either Dodgeball or Anchorman. I’ll go with Dodgeball.”

Did you have a favourite number growing up? “93, because of Doug Gilmour.”

Does 16 mean anything to you? “It was one of my buddies’ numbers, and it was one of the only ones available when I got to LaSalle.” 

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey

Do you have a pre-game ritual you go through every Wednesday? “Not really other than I always put on my right equipment first if there’s a left or right piece. I’ve always done that, no reason for it.”

Pre-game meal: “Last year, we had a carpool of four guys and we would always do a pasta dinner at the house before. It’s just me and Deno now, so we haven’t really been doing that, but pasta was definitely the go-to.”

Whose house was the dinner at? “(Korey) Morgan, Denomme, me and (Evan) Makaric and we always alternated each week.”

So do you and Denomme still eat together? “We haven’t really been doing that, because I’m in university now and sometimes I’m coming right from there.”

What do you take in university? Engineering

What do you hope to do with that? "I've always liked to build stuff, and I'm leaning towards mechanical engineering." 

Essentials

Position: Defence

Shoots: Left

Birth date: May 6, 1993

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 202

Hometown: Harrow

Favourites

NHL team: Detroit Red Wings

Why the Wings? “They were my dad’s favourite team, so I grew up watching them. I always liked the way they play.”

Did you get to many Wings games growing up? “Yeah, actually quite a few. In their prime, when they won back-to-back Stanley Cups (1997,1998), I was really young but just watching Steve Yzerman and Sergei Fedorov, Brendan Shanahan, those guys play.”

Do you remember where you were when they won in 1997 or 1998? “I was actually at my dad’s baseball game and they had a TV in the back of somebody’s van. We were sitting out, kind of tailgating. I couldn’t tell you which one (1997 or 1998) it was though.”

Have you made it out to a Stanley Cup parade for any of their four Cups (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008) since you were born? “No, I haven’t. I would like to though in the future.”

Who was your favourite player on the Wings? “Definitely Steve Yzerman.”

Were you always a defenceman growing up? “No, I didn’t play defence until midget minor. I always played forward through minor hockey.”

Did you try to play like Yzerman? “No, not really. I was more of a gritty kind of guy. Every once in a while I tried to be like him.”

More of a Kirk Maltby? “Yeah, definitely.”

Favourite number? “16. My dad wore 16 whenever he played sports.”

Favourite music genre: “I like country.”

Favourite artist? Florida Georgia Line

Are you a “Cruise” fan? “Yeah, I like a lot of their songs.”

The original “Cruise” or the Nelly remix? “The original definitely.” (Spoken like a true country fan)

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey

Do you have a pre-game ritual you go through every Wednesday? “Not necessarily, I get here early and always tape my stick first. Get in my Under Armour. Nothing really big, just small things.”

You don’t have one thing you do where you say ‘Ok, now it’s time to get in the zone’? “I always get dressed for warm-ups at 6:15.”

That’s oddly specific… “Yeah, I’m always in my stall by 6:14 and at 6:15 I start getting dressed.”

Pre-game meal: “I like to mix it up. Nothing in particular. Maybe pasta.”

Do you remember how you got in to hockey? “There’s a hockey school in Harrow. I started going there when I was three or four years old and that’s how I decided I wanted to play. I just remember waking up early and going to hockey school. From there, I fell in love with it.”

Describe your style of play in one word: “Defensive defenceman.” (That’s two words Zack, but we’ll give it to you)

Essentials

Position: Centre/Left Wing

Shoots: Left

Birth date: March 25, 1996

Height: 6’

Weight: 185

Hometown: LaSalle

Favourites

NHL team: “The Toronto Maple Leafs. I’ve always been a die-hard fan.”

Growing up in this area, where it’s about a 60/40 Leafs/Wings split among fans, what’s that rivalry like? “A couple of my really good buddies are Wings fans, so we would have a lot of battles. Whenever we played each other it was a lot of fun.”

What’s it like having the Wings and Leafs in the same conference again? “I love it. I’m excited for the Winter Classic, and being able to watch more Wings-Leafs games because I can go to the Joe. That’ll be nice.”

Favourite number? 14

Why 14? “When I was a little kid, that was one of the only numbers left so I picked it and it stuck with me.”

Favourite music? Rap

Favourite artist? “There’s a few, but I think Eminem would get the top of the list.”

Thoughts on the new album (The Marshall Mathers LP 2)? “It’s a great album, I love it.”

Favourite track from MMLP2? “Bad Guy.”

Favourite movie: Dark Knight

Are you a fan of the whole Batman trilogy? “Yeah, I love it. The Joker made (the Dark Knight) for me. I liked his laugh. You could tell he was nuts in the movie, and unfortunately it carried into real life. He was an unbelievable actor and it showed in the movie.”

Favourite sports movie: The Blindside

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey

Pre-game routine? “Most people do, but I don’t. The only thing I do is eat Subway for lunch every day and there’s this place called the Oriental Grill, it’s a Japanese place with chicken and rice and vegetables. That’s my pre-game meal.”

Do you always get the same sub? “Yeah, it’s always Chicken Bacon Ranch with lettuce, tomato, cucumbers and green peppers. It’s unbelievable.”

Do you always do the same thing at the rink? “Nah, whatever I do that day, I do that day. Nothing concrete.”

How did you get into hockey? “I was seven or eight, and one of my good buddies, he was playing travel and his dad was the coach. He knew me from school, he talked to his dad, his dad talked to my parents and I tried out for travel.”

Describe your style of play in one word: “(Pauses) Awesome. (Laughs).”

Essentials
Position: Centre/Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Birth date: October 10, 1995
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 190 lbs
Hometown: Tecumseh

Favourites

Favourite hockey team growing up: San Jose Sharks

Why the Sharks? “Joe Thornton is one of my favourite hockey players.”

What do you like about Thornton? “His vision on the ice, he brings pure leadership to every team he’s been on and he’s just a really good player.”

Have you tried to model your game after that? “In a sense. I just try to play hard and whatever comes out for me, happens.”

Favourite music genre: Rap and classic rock

Favourite movie: Wedding Crashers

Favourite sports movie: Semi-Pro

Do you have a favourite number? “18, because my birthday is on the 18^th (of October). I’ve always worn it.”

Does it have any other meaning other than your birthday? “Mickey Renaud (the Windsor Spitfires captain who tragically passed away February 18, 2008) wore it and he was one of my role models.”

Did you know Mickey personally? “Yeah, my dad coached him and our families were pretty close so I was always around him.”

What did you learn from him? “Just to always go hard. It doesn’t matter who is watching, 100 per cent whatever you’re doing in the gym or on the ice.”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey

You come from a hockey family with your dad, Bob Jones, being an associate coach for the Windsor Spitfires. What did you learn from him growing up? “Lots of things. Since day one, he was always helping me with hockey and regular life things. He’s been a good dad.”

Dylan Denomme told us about a pre-game ritual you two share: "Yeah, ever since I joined the team here, we've always shared an energy drink or some sort of drink before warm-ups."

Do you have a routine you do other than sharing a drink? "Not really, no. The last 10 minutes of warm-ups is when I really get in the zone."

Pre-game meal: "My mom always cooks me this chicken dish with pasta."

Hidden talent I'm really good at the violin."

Really...? Yeah, when I was four years old I started taking lessons. I didn't really get into it until I was seven."

Do you still play? "Not anymore but if one was hanging around I could grab it (and play)."

Essentials
Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Birth date: June 28, 1997
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 190
Hometown: Orleans, Ontario

Favourites

NHL team: “The Toronto Maple Leafs. Everybody in my family is a big Leafs fan so I grew up in that environment. Even though they haven’t had the best history over my life, it’s getting better.”

Being from the Ottawa area, how did being a Leafs fan go with your friends? “I have a mixed group of friends when it comes to favourite hockey teams. At school and stuff some people would give me a hard time for being a Leafs fan because they’re big Ontario rivals, right? But I’ve gotta stick to my word and stick to being a Leafs fan.”

NHL player: “Dion Phaneuf. I try to model my game after him in terms of physical play and his defence. He was a guy I looked up to playing hockey growing up.”

Favourite number: “Growing up, we never really had a choice in number but as soon as I did, I picked number three for Phaneuf. I’ve always been that number, unfortunately I didn’t get it when I came here (it is worn by Nicolas Crescenzi), but another guy I looked up to is Bobby Orr so I figured that I have that chance, I took it.”

Favourite music genre: “Before games, I like to listen to house music, the stuff that gets you going, rap or whatever. When you’re chilling at home, it’s more soft music. Kind of depends on what mood I’m in.”

Favourite TV show: “Definitely Family Guy. It’s been my favourite ever since I first watched it.”

How did you react to Brian (the dog on Family Guy) being killed off in the last episode? “It was pretty heart-breaking. I’m pretty sure he’s coming back though, they can’t just kill him off like that. I’m hoping for the best. That was awful.”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey

What is your pre-game ritual? “I wake up and go to school, get home watch a little TV then take a nap. When I get up, I make my pre-game meal which is always chicken and rice. Then I watch two episodes of Family Guy, take a shower and get ready for the game.”

Is it always the same two episodes of Family Guy? “Nah, I switch it up. If I’m in a good mood, there’s a go-to one I watch but I usually switch it up.”

Do you have a routine you stick to in warm-ups? “Just little things, I always tape my stick before every game, just the basics. When it comes to the freaky stuff some guys might do…I wash my gear, I don’t believe in (not washing lucky equipment), that’s gross. When it comes to putting skates on, I always do left before right and coming out of the room I’m always one of the last ones. It’s just habit now, I don’t even think about it, it just kinda happens.”

You’ve been described as a mature player with leadership qualities, is that a fair assessment? “I don’t try to go out of my way to be a leader, I just try to be myself. I try not to take control of the team but be a good role model and be as mature as I can, and make a name for myself as a good team guy, a good guy, a good friend on the team. Being with these guys all the time, you want to have a good reputation with them, be good friends with them, because at the end of the day they are your family. You just gotta make sure you’re staying positive in the room, that’s always been a big thing with me.”

Describe your game in one word: “Tenacious.”

Essentials

Position: Forward

Shoots: Right

Birth date: July 12, 1993

Height: 6’

Weight: 185

Hometown: Windsor

Favourites

NHL team: Red Wings

Why the Wings? “I just grew up close to them. My favourite player was Steve Yzerman so I watched them a lot.”

What was it about Yzerman that you liked? “His game, he was the best captain that ever lived, he played for one team his whole career and he gave it his all every night, even with an injury.”

Favourite number:19 or 96

How did you wind up with 18 in LaSalle? “When I was 16, Ryan Baldwin had 18 and they gave it to me after he wore it, so that was kind of cool.”

Favourite music genre: “I like Eminem.”

Get the new album? “Yeah, I love it.”

Favourite TV show: SportsCentre or Duck Dynasty.

Favourite movie: “Transformers. All of them”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey
Pre-game routine: “I do the same thing every day. I leave my house at the same time, I eat the same meal – homemade ravioli. Me and Jonesy (Blake Jones) share a Gatorade pouch before we go on the ice every game.”

How did that start? “Last year when he came to the team, we were stallmates. We did it once and we both had a sweet game and we’ve done it ever since.”

Are you superstitious other than your Gatorade ritual? “Yeah, before every period I touch the goalie’s blocker, then the crossbar and post.”

How did that start? “I’ve been doing it since I was eight years old. I just did it one time and stuck with it.”

Essentials

Position: Centre
Shoots: Left
Birth date: May 7, 1993
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 175
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Favourites

NHL team: Pittsburgh Penguins

NHL player: “Mark Recchi. He was a guy I could relate to size, physicality and type of play wise. He was nicknamed the Recchin’ Ball because he was a little ball of energy, who runs around and could make plays too. He was a big part of the first Stanley Cup (in Penguins franchise history, in 1990-91, though that was before Ben was born).

Favourite number: “At the moment it would be 27 (his jersey number with the Vipers), but I like 11 too. I won a championship as number 11 (in 2011-12 with the Idaho Jr. Steelheads of the Western States Hockey League).”

Favourite movie: Get Him to the Greek

Favourite sports movie: Goon or Youngblood. Or Mystery Alaska.

Favourite music genre: “I probably have the most diverse iPod in the world, but if I had to stick with one, it would probably be rock.”

Favourite artist: “If I had to go with an artist, Marilyn Manson but if I had to go with a band, Slipknot.”

Favourite subject in school: “I was always a fan of history. It’s pretty interesting to me. And I’m pretty good at remembering dates.”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey

What’s your pre-game routine? “My actual routine is to never do the same thing twice. A lot of people have superstitions and I just do it different every time.”

Do you intentionally prepare differently every time or does it just happen? “I don’t even think about it. I never do anything in the same order.”

Any hidden talents? "I'm actually not bad at art and I can play the drums pretty well. I played in a garage band in high school."

Essentials

Position: Right Wing/Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Birth date: August 10, 1996
Height: 6’1
Weight: 185
Hometown: Windsor

Favourites

NHL team: “Growing up it was the Maple Leafs. I really liked Mats Sundin a lot, but now it’s the Washington Capitals because my favourite player is Ovechkin. I like watching him play.”

What do you like about Ovechkin? “He’s really fast, has an amazing shot, he’s really skilled and uses the body.”  

Favourite number: “12, because I was usually 12 growing up. My dad wore 12 when he played hockey back in the day. He played NCAA for Northeastern, he got a full-ride scholarship there and played pretty good and then got a try out for New Jersey. He went pretty far.”

Favourite movie: The Lord of the Rings

Favourite sports movie: Miracle

Favourite music genre: “Rap and pop get me going before the game.”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey

Pre-game routine: “After school I usually eat, nap then go to the rink.”

Pre-game meal: “Usually chicken parmesan.”

You and your brothers Joe and Robbie (they are triplets) are all hockey players. Was there a lot of competition growing up? “Joey is a forward and Robbie is a d-man, so there was more competition between me and Joey.”

Do you remember the first time the three of you went skating? “Yeah, we were probably three or four and had to use chairs on the ice to skate. I think it was at South Windsor Arena.”

Essentials
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Birth date: February 23, 1995
Height: 6’1
Weight: 207
Hometown: Windsor

Favourites

NHL team: Detroit Red Wings

Why Detroit? “They’re five minutes away from my house, it was easy to pick them.”

Favourite player: Milan Lucic

Is that who you model your play after? “Yeah, kinda. He’s just a big guy who doesn’t take any crap.”

Favourite number: “It’s always been nine. In midget I couldn’t wear it so I changed it to 81 but it’s always been nine.”

Favourite TV show: Chicago Fire

Favourite movie: “No Strings Attached. I like the romantic movies. I’m a big softie.”

Favourite musician: “James Blunt, Jesse McCartney, Backstreet Boys.”

Favourite song: “At the moment, it would have to be Bruises by Train.”

Other favourite sports? “Soccer and football.”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey
Pre-game routine: “I’m lucky because on Wednesday there’s soccer on, so I watch a little UEFA Cup and head to the rink.”

Who do you root for? Juventus

How did you get into soccer? “My dad is Italian so I enjoy it, but I never got to play it.”

Pre-game meal: “Pasta and meatballs, always the same.”

Any hidden talents or skills? “I’m a pretty good singer.”

Were you ever in a band? “No, but I always wanted to be. I made my own YouTube videos though.”

You don’t say? “Yeah, Paolo (Battisti) is in a few of them.”

Essentials

Position: Forward

Shoots: Right

Birth date: March 11, 1995

Height: 6’

Weight: 195

Hometown: Windsor

Favourites

NHL team: “I was brought up as a Maple Leafs fan, but I switched to the Pittsburgh Penguins.”

Why did you switch? “I kind of jumped on the bandwagon with Sidney Crosby. He’s a good player to watch.”

Is Crosby your favourite player? “At the moment, yeah. Between him and (Pavel) Datsyuk.”

What do you like about how they play? “I like the way Datsyuk has the speed and great hands, and I like the way Crosby is flat-out the best player in the league.”

Favourite number: “My favourite number was 21 always growing up. When I started playing junior hockey I switched to 8. I was fortunate enough to keep it this year from last year.”

Favourite TV show: Friends

Why Friends? “It’s a classic I watched growing up and I’m still in love with it to this day.”

Do your teammates know you like Friends? “I don’t think so.”

Will you take some heat for it? “Not too much because it’s a good show, but who knows with some of the guys.”

Favourite music genre: “I like pretty much anything except jazz.”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey
Pre-game routine: “I keep it relaxed, try not to do anything crazy.”

Pre-game meal: “Usually a light meat, some rice. Maybe some pasta.”

How did you get into hockey? “My dad was a die-hard hockey fan his whole life, he played hockey growing up. My dad got me into it.”

Any hobbies outside of hockey? “I play a lot of Xbox, but right now I’m into welding. That’s what I’m going to school for.”

Is that what you want to get into after hockey? “Yeah, eventually I’m going to move away and get into that line of work.”

Any hidden skills or talents? “No, I like to show all my talents.”  

Essentials

Position: Defence

Shoots: Right

Birth date: March 8, 1994

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 198

Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ontario

Favourites

NHL team: Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL player: “Doug Gilmour. I was originally a forward and then I switched to defence.”

Favourite number: “It’s always been three. I like three the best, I’ve always worn it.”

Favourite movie: The Longest Yard

Favourite non-sports movie: King Arthur

Favourite music genre: “I like everything, but rock is the best for me.”

Most embarrassing song on your iPod: “Miley Cyrus, Party in the USA.”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey
Pre-game routine: “Wake up, get some good food in me, take a nap later in the day then get ready for the game. Nothing special.”

Pre-game meal: Pasta.

Any hobbies outside of hockey? “I like to restore cars.”

How did you get into that? “My dad. He restored one back in the day and now we like doing it together.”

What have you worked on? “A couple of Mustangs. It’s pretty fun.”

Is that what you want to get into after hockey? “I’m going to try to get into chiropractor school.”

Where do you go to school now? “York University, I’m taking online courses. I was there last year and instead of transferring to the University of Windsor I decided just to take online courses.”

Essentials

Position: Defence

Shoots: Right

Birth date: April 8, 1997

Height: 5’11.5”

Weight: 185

Hometown: Belle River

Favourites

NHL team: Detroit Red Wings

NHL player: “Growing up it was Steve Yzerman, then it went to Nick Lidstrom. Now, I would probably say (Pavel) Datsyuk.”

Favourite number: “I’ve changed numbers. I went from number 10 to number three, now I’m number six. For a lucky number, I’ll go with three.”

Favourite movie: Miracle

Favourite non-sports movie: The Hangover.

Favourite music genre: Techno.

Favourite subject in school: Math

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey
Pre-game meal: “Pre-game meal I change up every time.”

Do you have any superstitions? “I always warm up the exact same way and I get dressed the exact same way every time. Left skate, then the right. I always do the exact same stretches in the exact same order so I get my full body warmed up.”

Describe your style of play in one word: “Defensive.”

Essentials

Position: Defence
Shoots: Right
Birth date: October 21, 1993
Height: 6'
Weight: 200
Hometown: Windsor

Favourites

NHL team: Detroit Red Wings

NHL player: Stevie Y

How ‘bout a favourite defenceman? “I liked Konstantinov and I was always a Chris Pronger guy. Obviously Nick Lidstrom too.”

Favourite number: 41

That’s a weird number for a defenceman: “Yeah, that’s why I’m wearing 5. Four plus one.”

Favourite movie: “For a serious one, Friday Night Lights and for comedy Old School.”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey

Do you have any superstitions? “I don’t get ready until 6:15 for home games. Gives me 10 minutes to get ready, I’m on the rink by 6:25. Whenever we do the second half-moon in warm ups, I go stretch. I’m more of a routine guy (than superstitious). I like to get a good walk in (before getting to the rink).”

If you weren’t playing hockey you would be…: “Probably playing baseball. I love baseball. I never really played, but I love it.”

What do you do in your down time? “I go to the University of Windsor, second year poli sci (political science). Right now, I have a lot of school work. Other than that, I hang out with the boys on the squad and I’m a big ‘chel14 (NHL14 video game) guy.”

Any hidden talents? “I’m pretty good at ‘chel.”

Essentials

Position: Defence

Shoots: Left

Birth date: May 19, 1994

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 210

Hometown: Tecumseh

Favourites

NHL team: Colorado Avalanche

NHL player: Was Joe Sakic growing up, but now it’s Brooks Orpik

Why Sakic? “He was unreal. A really good player to look up to.”

Favourite number: 91 (He’s a Fedorov fan)

Favourite movie: Stepbrothers

Favourite subject in school: “I’m taking electrical and I’m loving it.”

Hobbies, superstitions and life away from hockey
Pre-game meal: “I try and mix it up, but I try to keep it light. Pasta or fish.”

Do you have any superstitions? “I like to try and get ready the same way, do the same thing at school and at the rink. It’s a routine more than superstition.”

Other talents: I used to play baseball. I’m not a very good golfer though.

How did you get into hockey: At a young age in Tecumseh, I played for the Tecumseh Eagles, moved my way up through Sun County and now I’m here with the LaSalle Vipers.

Describe your style of play: “Tough, hard-nosed. I give everything I’ve got out there.”