Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Former NHL goaltender from 1984-2003 for Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche. Current head coach of Quebec Remparts of QMJHL.
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 192
DOB: October 5, 1965 In: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Childhood Heroes: “Rogie Vachon was the best goalie I ever saw. Very spectacular, great career. My favorite goalie was Daniel Bouchard. My mom knew someone who knew him. And they took me to his house and I got to meet him. He gave me his stick and I slept with that stick [smiles].”
Hobbies/Interests: “Golf. I’m a golf maniac.”
Nicknames: “St. Patrick. Patty. The King. Casseau. When I first started in the NHL in 1985. The coaches were making fun of me. They were mad at me for not eating well. I was always eating junk food, french fries, chips. In French, ‘casseau’ means the take-out box they put french fries in.”
Favorite Movies: “I really like Shawshank Redemption.”
Musical Tastes: “Just basic pop music, Rod Stewart, Madonna, Celine Dion.”
Favorite Book: “Lance Armstrong. Amazing story.”
Favorite Meal: “Chicken.”
Early Hockey Memory: “From day one it was hockey for me. Every Saturday night we were watching ‘Hockey Night in Canada.’ After the first period, we’d go upstairs and I’d put on the pillows on my legs with belts. And we’d play hockey all night long. I remember the first time I played on NHL ice – a pee-wee tournament at the Quebec Colisee (age 11). We lost in the third game of the tournament. I remember Brett Hull and Sylvain Cote were there.”
Pre-Game Feeling: “Try to visualize on the team I’m playing against. Always nervous when I’m getting dressed. When they drop the puck I’m much better.”
Funny Hockey Memory: “First training camp with Montreal in 1984. (Coach) Jean Perron said, Ask the kid if he wants a pillow and mattress out there ’cause he’s going down on every shot! (Another memory) They gave me no. ’32’ in my first camp. But I didn’t like it. So I asked (equipment manager) Eddy Palchak if ’33’ was available and it was. I would’ve liked ’30’ like Bouchard but I didn’t have the guts to ask ‘Knucksy’ (veteran Montreal tough guy enforcer Chris Nilan) for it [laughs].”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Stanley Cup playoffs in 1986. When we beat the Rangers in Madison Square Garden in Game 3 (4-3 in overtime to take a 3-0 series lead in Wales Conference finals). Probably the best game in my career. I felt like a wall honestly. Like nothing is gonna stop our team. Kind of like in the zone, like a wall.”
Most Painful Moment: “It was sad to finish like I did in Montreal (traded in 1995 to Colorado after a public dispute with coach Mario Tremblay). I don’t think I deserved to end it like that.”
Toughest Competitors: “There’s a lot of excellent players in the NHL. I don’t underestimate any of them. Cam Neely is one who comes to mind. He gave me problems.”
Favorite Athletes To Watch: “Fred Couples. My favorite golfer. I like the way he plays golf. So smooth. I had the chance to meet him. Outstanding guy. A real pro – on and off the field. John Daly.”
Future Ambitions: “The same every year. Always want one more Stanley Cup.”
Family: Wife, Michelle; sons, Frederik, Jonathan; daughter, Jana.
Career Accomplishments: NHL goalie with all-time most wins; four Stanley Cup championships – in 1986, ’93, ’96, ’01; three Vezina Trophies as Top NHL goalie; three Conn Smythe Trophies as NHL Playoffs MVP.
You can read more hockey biofiles like this in the book 80’s Hockey Biofiles $14.99 at amazon.
Photo: NHL Media Guide 1989.
