What did you learn about yourself as a player last season?

There’s gonna be ups and downs, and it’s about how you handle yourself through those ups and downs. Everything’s not always going to be sunny and beautiful, there’s going to be some tough days, and it’s about making sure that you get yourself ready for those times. Obviously when you’re on a high, you want to keep riding it but there are going to be moments when you do drop, and when that happens, you just got to find a way to get out of it as quick as possible.

How do you do that? Is there anyone in particular you talk to?

I think it depends how long it’s been going on for. Obviously everyone around you in that room is supportive of you and knows how you’re feeling and they’re on your side regardless of what’s happening. Obviously family is the same way. Usually it’s just trying to get your mind off hockey. I think that’s the most important thing when you get out of that rink is forgetting about hockey and all the stuff that happened the day before and just living your life.

What is it like to be part of a playoff series in this city?

Pretty wicked, obviously. It’s a dream to play in your hometown and obviously going to the playoffs. But I think [two seasons ago] we were really excited about it and then [last] year we expected to be there. I think we were disappointed, we felt that we deserved better and that we could’ve gone further, and obviously this year that has to be the mindset as well, is just to make it past these next rounds. Obviously every round you play in the teams get better and harder to play against, so just making sure we grow up as a team together and making sure that we’re ready for those challenges.

When you were a rookie, did any teammates in particular give you solid advice?

Marty [Matt Martin] definitely did. Marty was a big piece in helping me out. He was a guy that I could always talk to and blow steam off with, and he was a guy that always invited me over. I’d have dinner with him and his girlfriend.

But you’re so picky!

We’d usually go out to eat, so I’d just pick from a menu. [Laughs.] He was a guy that was great to have around. We never really talked too much about hockey, to be honest. We just joked around with each other. Obviously there was the big joke about him and I, dad-son and stuff like that. He was a great person to have around and learn from.

Do you like that dad-son joke?

It’s pretty funny. There’s still people commenting on photos when someone takes a photo with a 10-year-old or something, saying how it’s funny that I’m there. It’s pretty funny to me.