Fireside Chats
Fireside Chats: Jamie McGinn
by FTF Staff on Feb 23, 2010 12:03 AM PST
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Jamie McGinn was chosen by the San Jose Sharks with their second selection (36th overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Before starting his professional career this season with the Worcester Sharks, he played with the Ottawa 67's in the OHL, leading his team in points during the 06-07 season with 46 goals and 43 assists.
Since then he has bounced between San Jose and Worcester the last two seasons, taking part in the Worcester Shuttle that saw multiple entry-level players sent back and forth on a daily basis during the 2009-2010 season. McGinn currently has 20 points in 24 games played for Worcester (7 G 13 A), and 8 points in 40 games played (7 G 1 A) for San Jose. More Worcester Sharks information can be found at their official site.
Plank and TCY would like to thank Jamie McGinn and Worcester Sharks Director of Public Relations Eric Lindquist for making this interview happen. Enjoy.
How did you first learn the game? Were you an avid pond hockey fanatic or did you play competitively in indoor rinks from a young age?
My parents got me on skates when I was two years old, I had a backyard rink growing up. Every winter it would be my mom and dad up late flooding the ice. It was definitely my parents who got me into it at a young age.
Who was your favorite team and player growing up?
Favorite team would be the Toronto Maple Leafs, I grew up about an hour outside of Toronto. My dad was a big Leafs fan, so I was kind of born into it. My favorite player was Gary Roberts when he played for the Leafs as well.
Did you try and model your game after Gary Roberts?
Absolutely. He was one of the hardest workers on the team I have seen play, an honest player who played with a lot of heart. He had a lot of character and elevated his game to a higher level, especially in the playoffs. That's what I want to be like when I get established as a NHL player.
25 comments | 5 recs |
Fireside Chats: Al Stalock
by FTF Staff on Jan 22, 2010 12:27 AM PST
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Al Stalock was chosen by the San Jose Sharks with their third selection (112th overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Before starting his professional career this season with the Worcester Sharks, he was honored as a 2009 NCAA First Team All-American while attending the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Since then he has posted a 2.50 GAA and a .907 SV% with San Jose's minor league affiliate, earning rave reviews along the way from Sharkspage's Worcester correspondent Daryl Hunt, as well as being named to the 2009 AHL All-Star Team. Mr. Stalock prefers to be called Al as opposed to Alex, and although we didn't think of it until after the interview, if he ever decided to begin a career as a professional wrestler Paul Simon's "You Can Call Me Al" would be a perfect intro song. "The Stalock Slam" also sounds like a super sweet finishing move, but we digress.
Fear the Fin would like to thank Al Stalock and Worcester Sharks Director of Public Relations Eric Linquist for making this interview happen. Enjoy.
You’ve been known to play the puck consistently, and your goaltending coach Corey Schwab had some lofty compliments for you earlier this season. Any notable goaltenders who influenced this aspect of your game when you were growing up, or did you just pick it up playing forward in youth hockey?
I think I’d have to say a little of both led me to playing the puck consistently. When I was in youth hockey I tended to skate out quite a bit, played forward here and there. I think that helped in a way, just to be able to see the ice and watch plays happen.
To answer the second part, I think watching Marty Brodeur when I was younger was an influence. He plays the puck but he’s so smart about it. Very seldom do you see him make an error that costs his team. That’s what I try to do, not too flashy so it’s hardly noticeable, but you’re making the right play every time.
The trapezoid rule has been a hot topic amongst the GM's lately, and it seems as if there is some burgeoning support for getting rid of it entirely. Something tells us you wouldn't be opposed.
Yeah, definitely. There are positives and negatives though. Injury wise, it does take your defenseman low, makes them have to play a slow puck. It’s a race to the puck in the corner and the goaltender could have played it but he can’t because of the rule. I think that’s tough for both the goalie and the defenseman. No one wants to be hammered into the glass, especially if the goalie has the opportunity to play it.
On the other hand, it’s almost a positive for me. Especially earlier in my career I tended to get overactive with the puck, running deep into the corners. It almost helped me be more safe, I guess you could say, make smarter plays. I didn’t have to go after every single puck and that calmed me down a little bit, not having to run all over the place.
I think there are positives and negatives. If it does go away, I’ll still be smart with the puck but it will give me some more room to operate.
66 comments | 4 recs |
Fireside Chats: William Wrenn
by FTF Staff on Nov 16, 2009 3:00 AM PST
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William Wrenn was chosen by the San Jose Sharks with their first selection (43rd overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Since then, he has been playing for the 6-3-1 University of Denver Pioneers, posting 3 assists in nine games to go along with a +6 rating. Mr. Wrenn was kind enough to spend twenty minutes on the phone with Plank and TCY, and answered some of our questions about his experience playing hockey in Alaska, his time spent playing in Denver, and his current development.
Fear the Fin would like to thank William Wrenn and University of Denver Director of Media Relations Eric Bacher for making this interview happen.
You said in an interview that Dion Phaneuf was your favorite player. Has that changed since being drafted by the Sharks?
Not really. I just like the way he plays, and I think it's more of the style he plays that I really like. I like how aggressive and physical he is, and then he can also shoot the puck and score goals.
Growing up in Alaska, did you play a lot of outdoor hockey, or was more of an emphasis placed on the indoor rinks?
When I was a kid we would have practice outside every once in a while. When I left for LA my freshman year my Dad built a rink in our backyard, so I'd come home from school every day and do my homework and then skate until dinner, and sometimes we'd even go back out there again at night. I skated outside a lot, actually.
54 comments | 2 recs |
Fireside Chats: Eric Lindquist, November
by FTF Staff on Nov 11, 2009 3:00 AM PST
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Eric Lindquist has been the play by play commentator for the Worcester Sharks the last three years, and currently assumes the duties of Director of Public Relations and Broadcasting. He also won the Showcase Showdown on the Price is Right, but Plank and TCY were unable to confirm if he kissed Bob Barker upon winning. Mr. Lindquist was nice enough to be our resource for all things related to the Worcester Sharks during last year's run through the Calder Cup playoffs, and has returned to shed some light on the state of the San Jose Sharks' AHL affiliate in Massachusetts. You can catch Eric's play by play for all Worcester's games on WTAG AM 580, and visit the Worcester Sharks site for more info on the team. Enjoy.
[Editor's Note] We had the usual conversation with Eric this month, but also asked some questions about the city of Worcester and the experience of attending an AHL Sharks game. Those answers, along with additional questions about the Sharks prospects, can be found after the jump.
Alex Stalock has put up some impressive numbers through nine games this season, posting a 1.84 GAA .931 SV%. Has he shown that he could step up and contribute in San Jose if Evgeni Nabokov (who will be a UFA next season) is not brought back?
Stalock has been very impressive. He's gotten a lot of attention throughout hockey circles, mostly because his excellent stick work allows him to act as a third defenseman on the ice. Alex is real fun to watch, you can see his "fire" when he plays in net. He simply reeks of confidence. You can tell that the Sharks know they have a chance to win every time he is in net.
By most accounts, Nick Petrecki has struggled at the professional level so far. Do you see any problems with his game? In your opinion, what does he need to work on?
What accounts? Everyone forgets he is just twenty years old and only played two years at Boston College. Im my opinion, he has gotten better with every passing game. Nick has a presence about him, in addition to terrific size and strength. He also has a mean streak, and when he hits, the opposing player feels it. I look forward to seeing him play after 20 games, and 40 games...
20 comments | 0 recs |
Fireside Chats: Eric Lindquist
by FTF Staff on Oct 16, 2009 3:00 AM PDT
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14 comments
Eric Lindquist has been the play by play commentator for the Worcester Sharks the last three years, and currently assumes the duties of Director of Public Relations and Broadcasting. He also won the Showcase Showdown on the Price is Right, but Plank and TCY were unable to confirm if he kissed Bob Barker upon winning. Mr. Lindquist was nice enough to be our resource for all things related to the Worcester Sharks during last year's run through the Calder Cup playoffs, and has returned to shed some light on the state of the San Jose Sharks' AHL affiliate in Massachusetts. You can catch Eric's play by play for all Worcester's games on WTAG AM 580, and visit the Worcester Sharks site for more info on the team. Enjoy.
With the big club currently having some issues in the defensive zone, we're wondering how well Nick Petrecki is adapting to the professional game. Is he playing against opposing team's top lines, or has Ray Sommer sheltered his minutes while he makes the transition?
Petrecki has played very well logging minutes in all situations and taking regular shifts. He is the only rookie defenseman to have dressed in all three games. Petrecki has a great physical presence on the ice, and received first fighting major against Michael Haley of Bridgeport on October 9th. He showed great emotion after the bout.
Jamie McGinn has been stuck in the AHL-NHL revolving door for most of his professional career. When do you think he finally sticks in the NHL, and what is his ceiling as an NHL player?
McGinn seems to be an all around player that can, and will, do everything to win. He will stick up for his teammates and score that big goal when needed. He scored some big goals for us last season in the playoffs and regular season. McGinn has a positive attitude, and he's still just 21 years old. This guy is a player.
14 comments | 2 recs |
Fireside Chats: Randy Hahn
by FTF Staff on Apr 14, 2009 5:22 PM PDT
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48 comments
Randy Hahn is the play by play commentator for the San Jose Sharks, and has held that position for sixteen seasons. Along with his current broadcast partner Drew Remenda he has won three Northern California Emmy Awards. Mr. Hahn was kind enough to answer some questions about the upcoming playoff series with Anaheim, his affinity for pretzels, as well as other assorted items of interest. You can read more of his musings at The Seagate Broadcaster's Blog, as well as joining him and Drew during the game on CSN Bay Area. Enjoy.
Thanks for taking the time to do this Mr. Hahn. Frankly we were a little surprised Versus decided to televise the whole series considering the Sharks nor the Ducks have gotten many nationally televised regular season games over the past few years- is this a message that the hockey community as a whole is taking an interest in the relatively untapped market of California?
That might be partially the case but I think it's an opportunity for Versus to tap into two large television markets- The Bay Area is the number six market in the country and the Greater Los Angeles area is the number two TV market. The Ducks won the Stanley Cup two years ago and generated a lot of interest in Socal and the Sharks have enjoyed a large ratings boost in their games this year.
We're good friends with some writers over at an all-California hockey site The Battle of California. They finally feel their name is validated. You've mentioned before that true rivalries are born in the playoffs- as a broadcaster, is there something a little more special about calling this series as compared to a match up with St. Louis?
Absolutely. The teams know each other so well. Until the schedule change this season they faced one another 8 times in the regular season. The fans know the key players on both teams. Sharks fans have it in for Pronger, Perry and Selanne. Ducks fans hate Shelley and Nabokov. It will make for a tremendous atmosphere in the arena's and therefore it should be compelling television.
48 comments | 0 recs |
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