Complete Audio of the Interview
Dime A Dozen Questions (Clean Version)
Name- G
Age- 23
Hometown- Hearst, Ontario
Relationship status- Single
1. Favorite food- I mean, I like food. I love a grilled cheese sandwich, and I don’t mind a little steak for dinner.
2. Favorite sport’s team/city when you were growing up- Montreal Canadiens. Where I’m from everybody cheers for the Canadiens. It’s like a French community, so I gotta go with them.
3. Who you think is the hottest celebrity- Good question. Mila Kunis is pretty cute.
4. Favorite thing about Philadelphia- Sports town. I mean, I grew up playing a lot of sports. I like basketball, I like baseball, I like football. When you come to a town like Philly everybody just loves sports. It’s kinda my kind of town.
5. Favorite Moment as a Flyer- When we went to the Stanley Cup Finals. I mean, it was a dream for us to have a shot at the Finals, to get so close and see all the fans all loving it too. It was pretty special.
6. Favorite TV show- Modern Family, Friends, and Friday Night Lights
7. Favorite music genre- Country. I like Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band. Before games I don’t really listen to that. I kinda like techno before the games.
The Important Stuff
What was your initial reaction to Carts and Richie being traded and have you had a chance to talk to either of them since?
I was kind of shocked. Anytime you see some your buddies get traded like that it’s not fun, but it’s the business side of hockey, and you kinda just have to move on. I had the chance to talk to both of them. They were pretty upset about being traded, and that’s kinda normal. I wish it goes well for them in LA and Columbus.
After Monday night, Jaromir Jagr had a couple nice things to say about you. He said, “It’s a lot easier to play with you. He’s a genius.” And he also said you remind him a little of himself, and then he mentioned Mario Lemieux. What are your thoughts on that, and playing with a guy like Jaromir Jagr?
When I grew up I kind of looked up to him. He’s obviously one of the best players to ever play the game. To have him come to our team, I mean, he’s been here for a week and I have learned so much just from him. It’s a great compliment obviously, and I look forward to playing with him this year.
On the flip side, there was a story today on Philly.com in which Paul Holmgren compared Matt Read to you. Can you talk a little bit about how good he has been in the preseason?
We didn’t really know what to expect from Reader when he came to camp, but he has been one of our top players in the preseason. He really made his mark as a good player, and he’s good offensively and defensively. Anytime you see a guy like that coming to your team, with a great work ethic and a great attitude, it’s pretty exciting.
The whole face of the team has changed now with new guys coming in like Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds, and a new goalie in Bryzgalov. Has the personality of the team changed? What is the mood in the locker room like now? More upbeat and loose?
Well, it’s different right now. We gotta try and get to know everyone. I mean almost half the players are new, so it’s kind of weird in the room right now, but you can see that every day everyone is getting more and more comfortable. The players that were here last year, we’re trying to make them a lot more comfortable. They are obviously really good guys, so it’s going to be a pretty fun season.
How is Chris Pronger working his way into the role of captain early on?
He’s been captain before, he knows what it takes. But captain or not, he’s a good leader. He leads the way on and off the ice, and anytime you get a guy like that, just in practice, he’s there to talk to the young guys. Anytime you got a guy like that on your team you’re just going to get better.
Much of the pressure to replace the scoring of Richards and Carter is being thrown on you and JVR. Is that something you welcome/embrace and are excited for?
Anytime you lose those two guys, Jeff and Richie, there’s going be some ice time to grab. With all the new players we have there is motivation to want to play better, and to have that kind of role of being leader on the ice, and wanting to help your team. We got a lot of young, good players and guys will have to step up, and I’m sure most of them will.
Did you hear the clip of Sean Avery telling Tom Sestito, to put it in polite terms, that he’s going to go after you?
Yea, I saw that after the game. He was yelling at me, and I didn’t know why. A couple of the guys told me why. I didn’t really know what to say when he said that, but he can say whatever he wants, and I mean, we’ll see on the ice what happens.
Are you looking forward to playing in your 2nd Winter Classic in 3 years, this one in Philly?
Yea, we were pretty lucky to play at Fenway Park, and now that we get a chance to play at home, all the guys are pretty excited about that. The first experience was a good one and now we get our family and friends there, so it will be a pretty good weekend.
Thoughts on being on HBO’s 24/7 series (Begins Dec. 14th)? Anything different with the cameras around, and are you guys excited to be on the show?
Yea, it was pretty fun. They showed up one day and it was kind of different. I was able to talk to Max Talbot about it, he had it last year. Right now we’re not too sure what to expect, but he said [Max Talbot] it is going to be a good time. I saw the TV show last year and it looked pretty good. It’s pretty exciting.
Word is you are no longer living with Briere? Where and with who are you living now?
I finally moved out, and I’m living by myself now.
Rapid Fire Questions
Best cheesesteak in Philly? – Geno’s
What kind of car do you drive?- I’ve been switching a lot, so I’m not so sure anymore.
Best part of living with Briere?- His three kids and two dogs, so I don’t get bored.
Worst part of living with Briere?- He’s a terrible cook.
Thoughts on the fans in Philly? – Crazy, and I like it.
Is Ilya Bryzgalov as funny as we think he is?- You have no idea.
All-time favorite hockey player? – I have two: Doug Gilmore and Steve Yzerman
Closest friend on the team? – Matt Carle is my roommate, and we hang out a lot. And James Van Riemsdyk.
Toughest defenseman/goalie you’ve played against? – Ryan Miller
More F-Bombs on 24/7, Pronger or Laviolette? – Lavy is not that bad, so I guess Prongs
What’s more fun for you, scoring a goal, or setting up a goal?- Feels pretty good to set up a goal
Typical day in the life of “G” – Wake up, have some oatmeal, go to practice, have a cup of coffee, little workout, have lunch, I have to get an afternoon nap, then I like to go to the movies, and just chill and hang out.
*Special thanks to Claude Giroux and the Flyers.
[Related: Exclusive interview with James Van Riemsdyk]
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Good interview, would like to have heard his answer to a question about Pronger getting in his face last year around the time Pronger got hurt.
nice little questionnaire with the g man. keep up the good work. good interview.
Thanks Alex