"On the Fly" is a new regular feature on DallasStars.com. Senior digital correspondent Scott Burnside sits down with a member of the Stars for a few random, off-the-cuff questions to gain insight into their lives, thoughts and careers on and off the ice.

Scott Burnside: What was the best hockey purchase you remember growing up?

Marc Methot: It's funny. It's kind of off the map, but for me, I remember doing this huge project on Ray Bourque when I was in Grade 5, I think. I sent it off to him to get it signed -- it was a big, long page of stuff. I went to a French school and I had a bunch of printed out pictures and stuff, too, from the Boston Bruins. He was my favorite player growing up and I never got anything back from him. Now, maybe that was my fault. I don't know if I had anything pre-posted back in the envelope, so that could be why. But that stands out to me. I still am a huge fan of his game, but man, if only I could meet him one day and have something signed from him or a signed jersey, I would be very appreciative.

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SB: Do you remember the first time you were ever asked for an autograph or interviewed?

MM: I never had opportunities like that, just because I wasn't a highly-touted prospect as a kid. I was a sixth-round pick in the OHL draft, and I was a six-rounder in the NHL draft. I always had something to prove and I never really had those puff pieces written about me as a player. It became more of a reality, or at least the opportunity became attainable, when I was playing junior. Once I started playing junior hockey, and you started seeing guys getting drafted around you, I remember thinking, 'Well, that guy got drafted in the third or second round, and I know I'm better than him.' That's when I started to realize that reaching for those goals wasn't impossible, and that would be the more significant area. It was probably my three years playing junior hockey. I felt that way early on, but especially in my last year of junior hockey. I was playing for the London Knights. We won the Memorial Cup that year and I was playing against Sidney Crosby. ... I had a couple of really good games against them and I remember thinking then that, okay, if I can play with the best guys in the world at this age group, I can do it.

SB: You played against Crosby and Pittsburgh in the conference finals last year. Was there ever a moment between you?

MM: No. God, no. He's had so many moments that any moment I would have had with him is completely insignificant, and I get it. I would never even bring that up, but I'm glad that we won that tournament. So, that's one thing I have.

SB: If you could go back and talk to 18-year-old Marc Methot, what advice would you give him?

MM: I would tell him to relax a little bit more. I was very uptight and nervous and stressed all the time. I was hard on myself. Maybe that was a strength of mine, I don't know. Had I relaxed more, maybe I wouldn't have gone down the same path. But I took things very seriously, and I think I didn't leave myself enough time to maybe a relax a little bit more and enjoy the moment. But it's what's made me the player that I am now and I'm proud of that.

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SB: When you signed your first contract, did you reward yourself with a purchase?

MM: No. I remember -- this goes for most players, I think -- I got my signing bonus, whatever it was there at the time, when I signed that first deal just coming out of junior, and I remember getting that first paycheck in the mail and thinking, 'Oh, my god, where did it all go?' I wasn't aware of the whole tax thing. You know you get taxed, but you don't realize that 50 percent is gone, and so, I remember getting the check and calling my agent right away and going, 'What's happening here?' It was crazy. I still remember where I was when I made that phone call and opened it. I was at my old house where I grew up. That was a very significant moment. I was always very stingy, especially early on with my money. I didn't go blowing it on a big car. I think the first vehicle that I bought was a Chevy Trailblazer that was when I was playing in Syracuse, my first year pro. But I didn't buy it prior (to the season). Going in there, I had my parents' old minivan -- it was a Toyota Previa. It looked like a spaceship, and I remember guys were laughing at me and then it wouldn't start a lot, and that was in Syracuse. But I'm grateful my parents lent me that until I bought the Trailblazer.

This story was not subject to approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.

Scott Burnside is a senior digital correspondent for DallasStars.com. You can follow him on Twitter @OvertimeScottB, and listen to his podcast.

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