Featured Image:
Jamie Langenbrunner during a break during the preliminary game against Canada during the 2010 Winter Olympics. (Photo: Rosie Perera)

When Jamie Langenbrunner looked across the outdoor ice of Washington Elementary school in Cloquet, Minnesota as a kid and saw the lights of his family home flickering in the distance, he knew it was time to take off his skates and head home. It has been many years since his days of organizing shinny games on the westernmost edge of Minnesota’s Iron Range, but the lights of home are once again flickering for the hockey player, bringing him back to the deep quiet nights of the “Wood City of the North,” as he officially retires from the National Hockey League.

On the eve of his retirement from a career that spanned nearly twenty years and included time with the Dallas Stars where he won a Stanley Cup, the New Jersey Devils and the St. Louis Blues, Langenbrunner took some time to discuss growing up Minnesota, winning the Stanley Cup and everything in between with not just another Minnesota kid, but me, a little girl who grew up in the very same city as he did, and skated the very same sheets of ice he learned on.

Q: First things first Jamie, now that your retirement is official how do you feel?

A: It’s a little bittersweet. It’s tough walking away and being officially done with something that you’ve been doing for nearly seventeen years. I’ve been playing hockey since I was five so to admit it’s over is difficult but I’m excited for the next chapter and being able to spend time with my kids and coach them and to get those other rewarding experiences…but it’s been a lot of fun.

Q: You grew up in Cloquet, Minnesota which is a pretty small town. Do you have any fond hockey memories from growing up in Northern Minnesota?

A: I have lots of great memories and I’m actually back here right now with my kids so I’m kind of reliving them a bit! I grew up next to Washington school which had a rink there and I’d walk across the field to skate there as a kid. I’d see my parents’ bedroom lights from the rink and when they started flickering that light it was time to come home. I was pretty fortunate to grow up during a time when our peewee and bantam teams were very competitive throughout the state and I got to play with some of my best friends in Rick Mrozik who went on to play a few games in the NHL and Adam Pavlatos and Kyle Young and guys that I grew up with and was able to play hockey with from the time I was little through high school.

Q: Is it weird for you at all being in Cloquet with how much people look up to you or is it just home?

A: I’ve never felt weird here. It’s always been home to me and I’ve always come back here in the summer. Most of my friends I grew up with are still around so it’s just home to me. They have the banners and such in the rink and I definitely feel special with that but I always look at the guys before me with Corey Millen and Derek Plante and those guys and they are the ones I’m always excited about so for me it’s not a big deal but I’m definitely honored by the nice things people say.

Q: You seem to have the reputation of being a solid leader in the NHL and beyond and have worn a C for multiple squads; do you attribute your leadership abilities to anyone or anything specifically?

A: I think part of it is that I’ve always just kind of been that way, even as a kid. I was the kid trying to arrange the games, as my mom would say. I would be calling all of my buddies making sure we had people from around town to get a game going and doing those kinds of things.

As far as the captaincy thing is concerned, in the NHL I was very fortunate early on in my career to be around some guys who I consider to be great leaders in Joe Nieuwendyk, Guy Carbonneau and Craig Ludwig. The teams I was on in my career also had some great guys I was around who either were captains or had been captains of teams. To see the way they conducted themselves and the way they treated people I was able to really learn firsthand how to do it at that level. I think leadership comes naturally though and you kind of feel comfortable in that role.

Q: Speaking of one of the teams you Captained, what was it like representing the US in the Olympics in 1998 and 2010?

A: Amazing would be the first word. I dreamed of being an NHL hockey player but the Olympics were definitely something that we all looked at and strived for and something I thought had gone away when I turned pro in 94’. Then the opportunity came up in 98’ when they brought the NHL guys in and it was amazing. Being named Captain for the 2010 team and being able to represent not only the country but my town and my team on the biggest stage, and for us to do well was probably the greatest individual honor I was given in my career.

Q: What was more flooring, winning the Stanley Cup or winning a silver medal at the 2010 Olympics?

A: Well if it had been a gold medal we might have a conversation! I think they are really two different things. To win the Stanley Cup, I mean you’re going through a season with a team. In Dallas we made a few trades at the deadline and added another Cloquet guy with Derek Plante and whatnot but you’re basically going through with a team for a six month battle and then a two month war with the playoffs, so you have a bond with those guys that’s pretty deep. You’ve spent more time with them then you’ve spent with your family by the time it’s over and it’s a really pretty amazing thing to go through.

The Olympics, especially with the way it’s set up as a two week long tournament is definitely different. It was a great experience since our group came together so well and we really bonded in a short time though. We had a lot of fun together but I think they are two completely different experiences although the world stage makes it so amazing especially with the country behind you. Hearing those stories back home from people who can tell you where they were while they were watching this game or that game is neat stuff and makes you feel pretty special to be a part of that.

Q: You recently spent some time with your most recent team, the St. Louis Blues, while they were visiting Minnesota. What was that day like for you?

Yeah, I brought my boys down the day before and spent the day with the guys from the Blues and went to pre-game skate. The boys were able to go to the pre-game meal with the guys and we had a good time seeing everybody and spent the day with Zach Parise and stuff afterwards so it was good to see some friends.

Q: So what’s next for you?

A: I’m kind of regrouping a little bit. I’ve actually been talking with the St. Louis management a bit about starting to do something with them. I’m just trying to find the right fit for me with the idea that I still want to have some flexibility to be around for my boys and stuff so we’re having ongoing conversations. Hopefully we find something that works for all parties involved and kind of slowly transition into something else. I’m not in a rush to do anything and it’s nice to have that luxury, so for now we’ll kind of wait and see what happens.

For more information on Jamie Langenbrunner and his career CLICK HERE for the NHLPA media release. You can follow Cloquet, MN native and the author of this article Amy Gist at @AmySnow17 as well as @MNhockeyMag for all of our latest updates, articles and events!

The post Flickering Lights and Hockey Nights appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Featured Image:
Ottawa Senators forward Matt Kassian during game two of their second round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, May 17, 2013 at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA.
(Photo: Michael Miller/Pens Through My Lens)

In the summer of  2012 Matt Kassian was on the Wild Road Tour in Minnesota when it was announced that he had signed a new two-year deal with the Minnesota Wild. By March of the following year the honeymoon was over, however, and Kassian was traded to the Ottawa Senators. With the Sens in town Kassian seemed like an ideal candidate for our “Know Your Frenemy/Enemy” series!

The Senators have slowly been building up a huge roster, literally in terms of size, and Kassian was a perfect fit for the towering team from Canada. To give a quick comparison there are only two players on the Ottawa Senators roster right now who fall below six feet tall while the Wild have nine currently listed. We spoke to Kassian during the Senators visit to the Xcel Energy Center today and what we got, was a great Q&A with the humorous gentle giant, that is Matt Kassian.

Q: Do you feel like you’ve evolved as a player since being traded to the Senators and leaving the club you were with for so long?

A: I haven’t reinvented myself as a player or tried to reinvent myself as a player because that would not be very smart, but it’s about opportunity and there wasn’t a lot here in Minnesota for me and in the end I was sent elsewhere to get that opportunity. Ottawa has been great, it’s been a lot of fun up there and I do think I’ve improved and I want to keep improving. I do feel like I’ve been better, which comes with having the opportunity to get out there and play and work on everything.

Q: How have you adjusted to the playing environment in Canada?

A: The culture of hockey in Canada is a bit different, not that it’s not good here in Minnesota because it is, but Canada is just on another level as far as hockey goes. It wasn’t difficult to adjust though, there are great fans there just like there are here. I loved my time here and it was a great place to play and Ottawa is the same. I don’t have any complaints or worries about my time there or here.

Q: How do you feel about the dressing room you call home now as a Senator?

It’s a good group. That Methot guy, he’s a bit of a different bird, I don’t know about him he sketches me out a little bit but it’s a pretty fun group. [Methot had no comment on Kassian’s chirps although it was obvious the two players are great friends who consistently jest one another all in good fun!] It was really easy for me to come in and fit in with these guys. I didn’t have to test the waters to see if I was accepted with my sense of humor and my slight awkwardness [laughs]. It’s even been easy with the guys who have come in since I’ve been there, like Bobby Ryan who was tweeting pictures of pigeons of me before I even met him, so it’s a good group, a fun group, and a group who likes playing with each other and for each other and I think that’s really important.

Kassian poses with a fan during the MN Wild Road Tour 2012. The fan gifted Matt with a great Gnome/Rooster war statue in honor of a long standing inside joke from Kassian’s twitter.

Q: Is it strange coming back to Minnesota?

It’s a little weird. It’s a little different seeing all of the places you’ve been before and seeing the people you’ve seen before from the security guards to the guys at the doors and gates…when you’ve been around a place for awhile you still know them all, so it’s good to see everybody and fun to be back.

Q: Do you have any former teammates or things you particularly miss?

You miss guys and good friends. Scandella is one of my closer friends so it’s good seeing him, we got a chance to go to dinner last night and sit down together so that was nice. I mean you’re going to see guys, I saw Brodziak a bunch this summer and Spurgeon, but it is what it is. It’s part of the businesses and they know it just like I do that even if you get traded you’re going to be seeing those guys around because it’s a small world and for me it’s right now and it’s going to be fun and I’m excited for it.

As the lights fell dim over the Xcel Energy Center ice, Matt Kassian took to his twitter account as he often does and tweeted, “After much deliberation I have decided that winning on the road is fun…” The 3-0 win was not the first for the Sens this road trip, but it certainly was a night Matt Kassian probably won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

You can follow Matt on twitter at @Kassassination as well as the author of this article @AmySnow17! Be sure to check out @MNhockeymag as well for all of our latest updates, articles and events!

The post Know Your Frenemy ~ Ottawa Senators’ Matt Kassian appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

1.  Wayzata Trojans (11-3-0, 0-0-0)

Last Week: vs Benilde-St. Margaret’s (W 2-1), vs Holy Family Catholic (W 3-2 ot)

This Week:  vs Hill Murray (1/9)

Pat O’Leary’s Trojans continue their impressive string of games as they are winners of 7 straight and are 8-1-0 in their last nine games.  The Trojans, along with the Lakeville North Panthers, are the two hottest teams in Class AA hockey.   While they didn’t blow anyone out last week, a 2-1 win over the Benilde-St. Margaret’s Red Knights and a 3-2 overtime win over Holy Family were recorded in the win column for a successful week.  Chandler Lindstrand’s goal at 4:41 of the second period stood up as the game winner against BSM.  The Trojans continue to take care of business in the Section 6AA with wins over BSM and Holy Family. Both of last week’s wins improved the Trojans section record to 2-0 and improves their bid to defend as Section 6AA champions.  While they are not particularly lighting up the score column averaging 3.36 goals per game, the Trojans have been filthy defensively allowing just 1.5 goals against.  They have been playing with a ferocity that is expected of them and it has anointed them as the #1 team in the MinnesotaHockeMag.com rankings for this week.

2.  Lakeville North Panthers (9-3-1, 7-1-0)

Last Week:  vs Hill-Murray (W 3-0)

This Week:  at Eagan (1/7) at Rochester Century (1/9), vs Prior Lake (1/11)

The Panthers haven’t lost since December 7th and that was to the St. Thomas Academy Cadets by a score of 5-2.  Since then, they are 7-0-1 in their last 8 games and have earned quality wins over Burnsville (5-2), Bloomington Jefferson (4-2) and (5-1), Eden Prairie (7-0), Hill-Murray (3-0), and tied Blaine (3-3).  Their losses were to Eastview (4-3) to open the season, Minnetonka (4-2), and the STA game.  The Panthers have turned the entire high school hockey world’s heads with their play and to see what they are doing live and turning of the scoreboard is impressive.  They are playing some of the best hockey this state has to offer at this moment.  Averaging nearly 4.5 goals per game, the Panthers are led by Jack Poehling (13g-13a-26pts) who is a well rounded player that wins draws, battles in all three zones, and is terrific off the rush and closes around the net.  They use a pair of goalies in Will Dupont (6-1-1, 2.25, .897) and Jake Oettinger (3-1-1, 1.94, 928). What is impressive for Oettinger is he is a freshman that has earned wins against Hill-Murray, Eden Praire, and Bloomginton Jefferson.  He also has a tie with the Blaine Bengals.  Right now, the Panthers have earned the second slot of the Minnesota HockeyMag.com rankings on the strength of some major wins against top ten teams and the wins have not been because of a fortunate bounce.  This team is beating teams defensively and offensively night in an night out.

3.  Blaine Bengals (9-2-1, 7-0-0)

Last Week:  vs Andover (W 5-3)

This Week:  at Minnetonka (1/7), vs Elk River (1/9)

The Bengals rebounded from the 4-0 loss to the Wayzata Trojans with a sturdy 5-3 win over an underrated Andover Husky team.  They overcame 2-0 first period and 3-2 second period deficits to erupt for three goals in the third period to pick up the hard fought win. The Bengals once again are at the top of the Northwest Suburban Conference with a 7-0 record and have the depth to score from multiple sources. Three players are tied for the team lead in points.  Joey Lau (8g-14a-22pts), Brandon Noterman (8g-14a-22pts), and Tyler Cline (15g-7a-22pts) lead they way not only in production but with senior leadership.  They will need to keep the puck out of their own net as they have allowed 7 of their 28 goals against in their last two games if they would like to earn a trip to the State Tournament for the first time in two seasons.

4.  Burnsville Blaze (9-4-0, 5-1-0)

Last Week:  vs Edina (W 4-2)

This Week:  at Bloomington Jefferson (1/7)

Like many teams that open the season searching for an identity, the Burnsville Blaze certainly are playing as though they have found it.  Like most teams that are surging to the top, the Blaze are 7-1 in their last 8 games with quality wins over Edina (4-2), Minnetonka (3-0), St. Thomas Academy (3-2), Eastview (6-1), and Wayzata (1-0).  Their losses have come to top ten teams in Hill-Murray (5-3), Lakeville North (5-2), and BSM (5-4). Brock Boeser (12g-14a-26pts) proves to be a game changer every night and the emergence of Jack Ahcan (4g-11a-15pts) on the blue line has helped the Blaze maintain the puck and play the attacking game that they execute so well.  Goaltender Dyllan Dubbesmeyer (9-4-0, 2.08, .916) has posted three shutouts this year and has ben a back-bone to his team.  After starting the season 1-3, he and his team is 8-1 in their last 9 games.

5.  Edina Hornets (12-3-0, 0-0-0)

Last Week:  vs Cretin Derham Hall (W 5-2), vs Burnsville (L 4-2), vs White Bear Lake (W 5-1)

This Week:  at Hill-Murray (1/11)

The Hornets held down the top spot for the second time this season last week and were tossed from that perch after losing to the Burnsville Blaze by a score of 4-2 last Thursday for this week’s rankings.  They were solid in their win against Cretin-Derham Hall and delivered 3 second period goals to earn the victory over White Bear Lake.  The Hornets are 7-1 in their last 8 games and have earned a split with  Burnsville thus far.   Two of their three losses have come to teams that were ranked in the top ten at the time of their meetings.  All three of Edina’s losses have come away from the friendly confines of Braemar Arena where they are stand a perfect 6-0.  Miguel Fidler (11g-14a-25pts), Cullen Munson (10g-11a-21pts), and Tyler Nanne (4g-15a-19pts) are a trio of seniors who have paced the way for the Hornets this season.  They are joined by fellow senior goaltender Andrew Rohkohl (11-3-0, 2.05, .923) who has paced the way for the Hornets.  As they continue through their difficult schedule, the tilt at Aldrich Arena with Hill-Murray will be great test for the Hornets away from Braemar.  The game with the Pioneers is the second time this year.

6.  Hill-Murray Pioneers (9-2-0, 4-0-0)

Last Week:  vs Lakeville North (L 3-0)

This Week:  vs Wayzata (1/9), vs Edina (1/11)

The Pioneers have lost two straight games, the first being handed down by the Edina Hornets and the most recent a 3-0 loss to the surging Lakeville North Panthers.  They will have a chance to right the ship or slip into a legitimate slide as the second half of the season makes the turn.  It won’t be easy as #1 Wayzata and #4 Edina on the schedule.  One thing is certain with the Pioneers, it is always about the long term success with big goal of the state tournament in St. Paul in its midst.  With  26 state tournament appearances and three state titles to their credit, it has been a solid formula.  Make no mistake, the Pioneers will look to get in the win column this week against two difficult opponents.  Mitch Slattery (7g-12a-19pts) leads his team in points and Josh French (10g-8a-18pts) paces the way in goals.  Zach Mills is second in goals with (9g-2a-11pts) and Joey Anderson (10g-8a-18pts) has been his consistent self and is third on the team in points.

7.  Benilde-St. Margaret’s (9-3-2)

Last Week:  vs Wayzata (L 2-1)

This Week:  vs St. Thomas Academy (1/7), at Minnetonka (TCF Bank Stadium)

After going on a 5-0-2 in seven games that followed a pair of 7-3 losses to Hill-Murray and Holy Family Catholic, the Red Knights have delivered their share of wins during that time.   A solid 5-2 win over Eden Prairie was an impressive win to go along with their two wins over Moorhead (9-1, and 4-2).  The big test came in the form of the top ranked Wayzata Trojans and while moral victories don’t bode well for top ten rankings, the Red Knights did win in the regard that they played well on the big sheet and will need to in the Section 6AA finals should they qualify for the finals at Mariucc Arena.  BSM also won in the fact that they held a top 5 team to 2 goals and delivered in a defensive game.  This week once again will test the mettle of the Red Knights as they take on a top team in STA and then crosstown rival Minnetonka as they take it outside at TCF Band Stadium in s critical Section 6AA game.  Spencer Naas (19g-16a-35pts) makes a case for being the best player on the ice every night and pushing him is defenseman Ben Newhouse (4g-19a-23pts).  Wing Carter Roo (14g-8a-24pts has hit his stride with the Red Knights and has been key in offensive production to the Red Knight surge.

8.  Grand Rapids Thunderhawks (11-3-0, 1-0-0)

Last Week:  vs CEC (W 5-1), vs Hopkins (W 6-1)

This Week:  vs Hermantown (1/7), vs Duluth East (1/9)

It is a big week for the Thunderhawks who are coming off a pair of solid wins over Cloquet-Esko-Carlton (5-1) and Hopkins (6-1).  Avery Peterson (18g-18a-36pts) has been a man among boys on the ice and picked up (9g-9a-18pts) in his last 5 contests.  Hunter Shepard is (11-3-0, 2.68, .925) is key to their success and he presents problems for opposing teams in the net for Rapids.  After dropping a pair of games to Edina (4-3 ot), and Eden Prairie (7-4) at the Edina Holiday Classic, the Thunderhawks have won 6 straight with solid wins over Elk River (3-2), and Brainerd (3-1).  Currently, they are 4-0 against their section and a win over Duluth East would all but lock up the #1 seed.  Beating the Hounds will be easier said than done as they are always well coached and ready to play their sectional foes.  A solid Hermantown team comes first meaning the Thunderhawks do not want to get caught looking ahead to Thursday’s game as the Hawks are a very good hockey team.  The Thunderhawks will be closing out a 7 game home-stand this week.

9.  St. Thomas Academy (7-3-1, 2-1-0)

Last Week:  vs Totino Grace (W 3-1), vs Mahtomedi (W 8-2)

This Week: at BSM (1/7), vs South St. Paul (1/9), vs North St. Paul (1/11)

The Cadets stay put at the #9 slot for this week with two wins over un-ranked opponents.  They endured a pair of tough one goal losses in the Schwan Cup Gold Division with a 3-2 loss to Burnsville and 5-4 overtime loss to the Breck Mustangs.  Since then, STA has responded with three straight wins by a combined score of 17-6.  Tom Novak is on a tear over his last five games as he has collected big numbers for his Cadets squad (3g-9a-12pts) and will consistently be looked to for leadership in getting it done for his team.  A big test is on deck for the Cadets at the St. Louis Park Rec Center Tuesday night.  That game can be seen live streaming on bsmhockey.com.

10.  Eastview (9-2-0, 4-2-0)

Last Week:  vs Bloomington Kennedy (W 5-1)

This Week:  vs Rosemount (1/7), vs Eagan (1/11) at TCF Bank Stadium

After starting the season 3-0 with wins over Lakeville North, East Ridge, and Hopkins, the Lightning hit a bump in the road falling to Burnsville (6-1) and Bloomington Jefferson (4-1).  They have earned 5 straight wins and have a big South Suburban and Section 3AA game against the Eagan Wildcats outside at TCF Bank Stadium this Saturday at 8pm.  Zach Driscoll (9-2-0, 1.98, .923) has been his dependable and as advertised self in the goal this year.  Offensive balance is the key to the Lightning this year and that bears itself out with 7 players who have picked up 9 points or more in 11 games this year.

Others Receiving Votes:  Duluth East, Elk River/Zimmerman, Roseau, Cretin-Derham Hall, White Bear Lake, Eagan, Eden Prairie,

The post MHM Boys AA Top Ten 1/6/2014 appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Featured Image:
Niklas Backstrom, Clayton Stoner and the Wild are unbeaten in 2014.
(Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/Getty Images)

Last night at the Xcel Energy Center I was on the losing end of a winning game. Early on in the first period my beloved iPhone, a tool that allows me to record post game interviews, check quick stats and of course keep contact with the world, decided it didn’t want to work anymore. On any day that wasn’t a game day I probably wouldn’t have been so bothered by it, but there I was in the press box without a key piece of my life.

As the Wild scored goals and chalked up their first win in seven I Googled how to get my touch screen to start responding again. First I had to try to hard restart it, no luck. Next I had to erase it and perform a factory reset. I went through this process a solid five or six times, occasionally contemplating the idea of deep-sixing the handset and letting it fly off the press box level to its demise, before finally conceding defeat and admitting I was powerless to help my phone.

As my iPhone saga unfolded a few members of the press noticed my obvious frustration and came to my rescue with recorded audios I could use as well as calming words meant to refocus and get me back on my game. These key words and phrases were running through my head: restart, refocus, back on my game, back to basics. I glanced behind me at the Minnesota Wild players who were watching their team from the press box and then looked back down towards the ice … and it was at that moment that I had a revelation.

As the Wild skidded six games before finally winning last night against the Buffalo Sabres we had observed them attempting to fix their broken game night after night by resetting, attempting to get back to basics and use the system and structure that is meant to be the backbone of the squad. Much like me with my iPhone, as they tried to reset back to their baseline operating system and found themselves still facing failure, they grew more and more frustrated and agitated until there was little semblance left of team cohesion.

They came under pressure from fans, themselves, the coaching staff and whoever else could throw out an opinion but no amount of talking, or not talking was going to get them out of the endless cycle of reset, fail. They had to accept they were powerless and start building up from the bottom, which is what appears to be happening now.

The dressing room became increasingly tense with players struggling to explain what was going on. How do you really answer a question with no real answers anyway? Coach Mike Yeo also found himself facing tough questions and the speculation that continued losses may result in his dismissal. If that isn’t a recipe for disaster I’m not really sure what is. With last night’s win came a few small laughs and even a joke out of Clayton Stoner that the team is now undefeated for the new year although a cloud of caution still hung over the press conferences and interviews deep in the belly of the ‘X’ following the contest.

I write this as a simple reminder that sometimes there aren’t any easy fixes or answers and that even when the solution seems simple, the answer is not always as straightforward as it first appears. I believed I could fix my iPhone by getting it back to basics, as I’m sure the Wild believed they could get their team back on track by prescribing to their system. The thing is though, with so many moving parts, like in my phone, a team is only able to control so much before they have to take a deep breath and wait for things to start clicking again.

My iPhone ultimately took some professional help to get back online and even as I type this I’m still not sure whether or not it’s going to come off of life support anytime soon. I’ll go so far as to say the Wild aren’t quite out of the woods just yet either but they are slowly showing signs of intermittent life, something that should make all Wild fans breathe a little easier for the time being.

As we move through the next few games beginning with the Capitals and Kings – two teams known for being ruthless when they want to be – remember that any frustration you’re feeling is probably being felt ten-fold on the bench and while their performance may not be without error or even pretty, it will be a genuine effort being put forth by a team that truly cares about its fans and the state of Wild hockey.

*You can follow us on Twitter @MNHockeyMag! You can also follow the author of this article @AmySnow17!

The post A Wild Reset appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

You are a US born player and spent time with the US National Team Development Program. How important was that to your development as pro?

For me going to Ann Arbor and the program was really important. I was a very raw player and needed a lot of work and I think they saw that as well; to have those kinds of resources as a 16-year old is amazing because you play against older players and it really develops your game. There’s a fine line between developing your game and playing to win and the coaches and the whole staff did a great job of it. I think ultimately my two coaches there and some of the support staff were tremendous in helping me develop and get ready for college and ultimately the next level, here [the NHL].

What is it like for you watching younger players coming through the program now that you are in the NHL?

It’s cool. I think me being a part of it and seeing older guys who went through it and now these young guys…you always remember your experiences there and playing in the World Juniors and the World 18s and it’s just an exciting feeling. You’re always excited to play for your country but as you get up and go through the ranks it’s harder and harder to get that opportunity. I know how special it is for these guys to have this opportunity and they are obviously doing great right now so it’s fun to watch, especially with a couple Canadian guys in the locker room!

Sounds like there’s some friendly competition over the IIHF tournament in the dressing room…

There’s some bets going and we’ll see what happens!

You went from the program to Boston University. How did playing college puck influence your game?

I’m from the Northeast and I grew up watching college hockey so that was my goal. I think for many kids in Canada the goal is often to play in major juniors. Going the college route was very important to me but it’s not an allotted plan for everyone; we all take different routes to get here and for me getting to college was that path. I think BU in particular was important for me because of the coaches and knowing that’s where I would develop best. To be able to have Coach Parker who was very hard on me but in the right ways was really important. Their new Coach David Quinn who was our assistant and defensive coach there took a lot of time to make sure we developed in the right way and I think it was important to do that and I wasn’t rushed out of college either which was also nice.

Do you have any favorite “Winter Classic” style events from your hockey career?

At school we got to play BC at Fenway Park so that’s probably my greatest outdoor game experience. Playing at Fenway in front of 45,000 people was amazing! We got to do that and we won and had a nice little celebration after and it was just a really, really fun night and something that we’ll get to remember for a long time.

Would you like to play in a Winter Classic one day?

I would love to! I think it would be great for us and for the team. It brings a lot of excitement to the game which is important too. Hopefully, we’re crossing our fingers, that St. Louis will get a game sooner or later.

What are your personal feelings on the season so far?

The season so far has been great. It’s nice to start the season on time and go through training camp with all of the guys to get back in the swing of things. I think we have a pretty special team here and we were very excited coming into the season. I think we’ve met our expectations and it’s just been good to not have to go through all of that hoopla and the meetings and such like last year.

You have been stepping up and really contributing to some big wins for your team this season including a game winning shootout goal over the Blackhawks just the other night. How does that make you feel? 

It’s great when you get to fill a big role for your team. I think everyone always hopes to be someone who contributes in a game for their team and when you get the opportunity it’s time to step up and for me it was a great night. It’s always a good feeling to come into the locker room knowing you had a piece of the win and the guys are congratulating you; it’s a very fulfilling type of feeling.

Obviously you guys have already travelled to a lot of cities this winter but what do you think of this Minnesota deep freeze you arrived in yesterday?

Unfortunately I left my coat at home so it wasn’t a great night for me last night! It’s been pretty crazy this season, we’ve been to some cold cities so far but I think Minnesota has taken the cake!

You can follow Kevin Shattenkirk on Twitter @Shattdeuces as well as the author of this article @AmySnow17!

Featured Image:
Kevin Shattenkirk surveys the ice during his two-point night (1-1–2) in the Blues’ 3-2 loss to the Kings on Dec. 2, 2013 in Los Angeles.
(Getty Images/Jeff Gross)

The post Know Your Enemy ~ St. Louis Blues Kevin Shattenkirk appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Featured Image:
The Wild’s Zenon Konopka and Nashville’s Rich Clune engage in a scrap in the Wild’s 2-0 win over the Predators on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, in St. Paul, Minn. (Photo: Getty Images/Bruce Kluckhohn)

With two of the five scheduled contests between the Nashville Predators and the Minnesota Wild in the books, one thing is certain, there will be no love lost this season between Smashville’s hard-nosed Rich Clune and Minnesota’s own penalty box bench warmer Zenon Konopka.Need a reminder of what went down the first time the two men met this season? Here’s a clip to jog your memory:

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Missed Tuesday night’s rematch? There’s a video for that too:

[youtube id=”1eUJFly9o0c” width=”420″ height=”315″]

There is no question that both of these men are well seasoned fighters with an underlying grudge, but what do Minnesota fans really know about Konopka’s new nemesis? Let’s take a moment and get to know the enemy, Rich Clune.

Following Tuesday night’s contest we took a swing through the Predator’s dressing room to find the oldest of three Clune brothers from Toronto, Ontario, a man Predators staff describe as “The funniest guy you’ll ever meet.” Twitter fans would probably echo that sentiment as Clune made national headlines over the summer with his witty tweets and hand-written contract demands. Not only did he want a statue erected in his honor he also tossed in a demand for the reporters out there which read, “If any media interviews me about my substance abuse history, they must tell me a dark secret first.”

We didn’t ask Clune about his substance abuse issues which were brought to light late last season in an ESPN article on his rehabilitation, but we did ask “Dicky” when he would be making his triumphant return to the twitterverse since he mysteriously deleted his account almost as quickly as it showed up. His response was nothing short of what you would expect, given his reputation, a response he laughed all the way through.

“I was kind of the Miley Cyrus this summer of twitter,” Clune said. “I don’t know, we shall wait and see…[looks up and smiles].”

Fair enough. (If you happen to be a twitter junkie, Clune does have a shared twitter account with his brothers @clunebrothers if you’d like to follow in case he decides to tweet something.)

What we really wanted to know about was this newly formed rivalry between Clune and Konopka, starting with what happened in their most recent foray into shaking the mitts.

“I think I kind of got the jump on him last game and he returned the favor,” remarked Clune. “Kind of came out from behind me so it is what it is.”

Clune continued to chirp back and forth with Konopka while they served matching five minute majors before having what looked like a very friendly chat with some Wild fans to his left.

Rich Clune chats with Wild fans while serving his five for fighting. Photo copyright ~ Amy Gist

The reason we believe this new rivalry is far from over? Clune opened the door wide on that assumption saying, “We (he and Konopka) kind of play similar styles and we both like to fight so I’m sure it’s not the last time we’ll fight.”

Tuesday night’s game was Clune’s return to the ice after being a healthy scratch for the past five, yes five, games. Clune commented on his first night back as well with a pretty standard response, “Obviously having a fight on your first shift it takes you a little bit to get your second shift. I just tried to keep it simple and get in on the forecheck when I could. Our line had a few scrambles in front of the net which I would’ve liked to go in but what are you gonna do?”

In the grand scheme of things, Clune’s on-ice performance was notable given the five game benching and it comes as no surprise that he dropped the mitts, a fighter’s way of letting the team know he’s there and he’s going to go to work for them.

In case you missed the gems that were Rich Clune’s tweets this summer, we’ve scoured the internet machine and put together a collection of what made him wildly popular. Enjoy.

“I think Tyler Seguin is probably a great guy, when he’s sleeping.”

“When @mikefisher1212 and @carrieunderwood ask you to watch your language you listen kids ok.”

“I used to wake up & need some sort of substance 2 start my day. Now I wake up & dance around naked to Florence & the Machine #shakeitout“

He also used his twitter to raise over $12,000 for the treatment center that helped get him clean and back on the ice:

“Hey friends. I’m trying to raise money for a place which helped save my life and is close to my heart. Check out http://t.co/2nLGd44z7V“

And yes, that link in the tweet still works if you want to check out Dicky’s charitable efforts.

We also recommend this short video put together by the Preds on Clune and his road to the NHL which you can check out by clicking HERE.

**Remember you can follow us online for all of the latest and greatest Minnesota hockey coverage at @MNHockeyMag! You can also follow the author of this article, who narrowly avoided having to tell Rich Clune one of her dark secrets in the making of this article, @AmySnow17!**

The post Clune, Konopka establish pattern of pummeling appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.