DETROIT - Tomas Tatar scored 19 goals during his first full campaign in the NHL last season and he hasn't missed a beat with a team-leading 16 this year.

A native of Czechoslovakia, Tatar was the Red Wings' second-round pick (60th overall) in the 2009 NHL draft. Before joining the Red Wings fulltime, he helped Grand Rapids win the 2013 AHL championship and was named the playoff MVP.

In a Q&A with MLive, Tatar talks about adjusting to life in the United States, Dan Cleary's sense of humor and why Riley Sheahan would win a team-wide talent contest.

MLive: What was the toughest adjustment for you to living and playing in the U.S.?

Tatar: The language, for sure.

MLive: How long did it take you to get used to that?

Tatar: Like a year. When I got to Grand Rapids my first year was kind of rough. But I got lucky. I had good teammates so they took care of me. Bu the language barrier was the biggest thing.

MLive: When you're over here playing, other than your family what do you miss most about your homeland?

Tatar: Obviously friends. You get used to home and certain things. When you're here you don't have it.

MLive: What's the craziest thing you've ever been asked to autograph?

Tatar: Probably parts of the body.

MLive: How much fun was that?

Tatar: It's fun but at the same time it's a little awkward.

MLive: Who's the funniest guy on the team, the one who keeps everybody loose on the bus, in the room, on the plane?

Tatar: Probably Dan Cleary. His sense of humor is really fun.

MLive: If you weren't playing hockey what do you think you'd be doing?

Tatar: I'd like to play other sports like maybe soccer or tennis.

MLive: If you owned the Red Wings, what's the one thing you'd do for the players?

Tatar: Probably give them gifts, like Christmas gifts. Give them more stuff to wear. More gifts.

MLive: Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Tatar: I like sweets. Chocolate thunder with ice cream. It's like a chocolate brownie, a sundae.

MLive: If you had a team talent show, who would win?

Tatar: (Riley) Sheahan.

MLive: What would he do?

Tatar: Basketball tricks.

MLive: Did you have a welcome to the NHL moment where you knew you really arrived?

Tatar: Probably last year when I got here for the whole season. I knew this was a chance to stay here.

MLive: What's your favorite movie?

Tatar: I don't really have one.

MLive: What's the best Christmas gift you ever got?

Tatar: Probably a hockey helmet.

MLive: What's the worst?

Tatar: People are always giving me nice gifts.

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