Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Tampa Bay Lightning captain and center. NHL leader in goals scored in 2010 and 2012. Has played in seven All Star Games.
HT: 6-foot-0 WT: 176 pounds
DOB: Feb. 7, 1990 In: Markham, Ontario
Hockey Inspirations: “I’d probably say my dad. He was the one who really got me involved in the game at a young age. He had a love and passion for the game and he was the one who got me out there on skates when I was around two-and-a-half years old by taking me public skating. And ever since then I fell in love with the game and he’s been supporting me ever since.”
Hockey Heroes: “My dad’s favorite player was Wendel Clark growing up and I was a big Leaf fan and I really loved watching him play, too. I think, in the modern era, Joe Sakic and Steve Yzerman are two guys I really tried to pattern my game after and really look up to. They’re both great on and off the ice, great leaders.”
Nicknames: “Stammer, that’s it. The abbreviation of the last name, just like everyone else.” (smiles)
Hobbies/LeisureActivities: “I loved playing sports growing up – baseball, lacrosse and soccer. Obviously, every hockey player loves golf. Just the regular things; hanging out with friends. Nothing special.”
Favorite Movie: “Remember The Titans.”
Last Book Read: “Hmm. I think it was probably a hockey psychology book, something along those lines.”
Musical Tastes: “Everything. Rock, rap, country, Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Kid Rock, Nickelback.”
First Hockey Memory: “Very early hockey memory – playing in the Edmonton Brick tournament at the West Edmonton Mall- it’s probably the biggest mall in Canada, we had a tournament there when I was nine; and the big peewee Quebec tournament. Those are big, fond memories in my minor hockey days.”
First Job: “Selling steaks at the St. Lawrence market in downtown Markham.”
First Car: “Mercedes.”
Favorite Meal: “Probably a good seafood linguini.”
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “Not a big cereal guy.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”
Pre-Game Feeling: “For the most part I’m pretty relaxed. I like to go out there, kick the soccer ball around, not really trying to focus on anything in particular. Feel loose. Then once the game starts, you go into a separate mindset.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Winning the Stanley Cup (2021, 2021). Getting taken first overall in the NHL draft.”
Most Painful Moment: “Probably losing that West Edmonton mall tournament in double overtime.”
Favorite Uniforms: “Tampa Bay.”
Closest Hockey Friends: “Well, I have a bunch of them. Michael Del Zotto for the Rangers, we’re pretty close. (Alex) Pietrangelo. Mark Katic – my roommate back in Sarnia.”
Funniest Players Encountered: “Mark Katic, he got drafted by the Islanders. Here (in Tampa), probably was Shane O’Brien.”
Toughest Competitors: “Well, it’s tough because there’s a lot of tough competitors in the NHL.”
Funny Hockey Memory: “Well, maybe it wasn’t funny for me. I was going down on a shootout my first year in junior and got to the top of the circle. The puck just went – and this was to win the game – I went to stickhandle the puck and it went right in the corner. I didn’t even get a shot off in the shootout to win it at home. So, it’s pretty funny.”
Favorite Websites: “Facebook. NHL.com.”
Favorite Athletes To Watch: “I love watching baseball – Blue Jays fan. Golf. Tiger. Jim Furyk. Sergio Garcia. Big Raptors fan, too. Football – I love the Bills. I’ve been to a couple of Bills games. And the Bucs now – my two favorite teams.”
Most Memorable Goal: “I have no clue. Biggest goal? You stumped me on that one. Trying to think ..I think I had back-to-back game-winners at the end of the season a few years ago.”
Strangest Game: “Maybe in minor hockey. We were down 5-1 in the third period and I think I scored five goals that game to come back and win 6-5. That was in minor hockey, though. When I was playing with the Markham Marks.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Just have a good personality, a good sense of humor, work hard, loyal, trustworthy. I think those are attributes everyone looks for, whether it’s a friend, your girlfriend, boyfriend, teammate, coaches. Those are pretty good qualities.”
