We recently caught up with Chris Driedger of the Ottawa Senators organization! He was drafted in the third round (76th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft. In his junior career, he played for both the Tri-City Americans and Calgary Hitmen, putting up crazy numbers last year (36-14-4). He’s a great guy just to chat with, and you can chat with me on Twitter by following him on Twitter: @ChrisDriedger. If you would like to chat with me, you can follow me on Twitter: @HkyBlogger and “like” us on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/notyouraveragehockeyblog

We’re not going to hold you back from checking out our interview any longer. So here it is, our interview with Chris Driedger!

As per usual, we are in bold.

How has your day been?

Day has been great, I’m at the Sens development camp since Tuesday. It’s been a lot of fun.

So we always here that players are at the development camp, but not what goes on. What goes on during development camps?

Well right now we have a scrimmage going on, but I’m coming off an injury so they don’t want me skating. Just a lot. They teach us how to work out and take care of our bodies. We have nutrition, mental toughness, sports psych and all sorts of seminars so they maximize out chances of being successful hockey players and people.

You played a season with the Tri City Americans before getting traded to the Calgary Hitmen. So what was it like getting traded?

Well it was pretty interesting, I knew the trade was coming so I wasn’t too surprised when I got the call. It was nice knowing I’d get a good opportunity to play some quality games for this team. It turned out to send my career in the right direction.

What’s something you’ll miss about Tri City?

Tri was an awesome city to play in. The guys were great, the fans were great, it was fun to play for an American team as well.

So playing in Tri was your first time playing away from home for an extended period of time. Was it scary for the first while?

Yeah it was my first time. It took a little bit of getting used to for sure but it was also really exciting at the same time. I was lucky I had great billets and my roommate was a really nice guy too. Helped me through a lot.

Who was your roomate? Maybe we’ll get him a shoutout on Twitter or something!

Actually was Brendan Shinnimin. Made quite the name for himself after I went to Calgary!

Is there anything in particular that Brendan taught you that you try to pass on to the rookies?

Shin was just an all around hard working guy, I would say his work ethic was easy to learn from because it made him successful.

So on to the draft, what was it like to be drafted to the Ottawa Senators?

Well it was a great feeling! The Sens are known for their development of prospect so being a prospect was a great feeling. After my first development camp I knew this was a team dedicated to making their prospects better. Being in the Senators system is an honor.

That sounds great! So what has been the highlight of your career so far?

Best day of my career has been being drafted by the Senators by far. It was just a big step in my career and a move in the right direction.

Do you remember who you hugged first or what your first reaction was when you got drafted?

It was my girlfriend actually!

Oh haha that’s cute! What has been the lowpoint of your career?

Well my girlfriend at the time. But I would say my 16 year old year. Didn’t play very much at all and it was tough being the youngest player in the league. Looking back, I got a lot better being exposed to the league at an early age. It was just a tough time that year.

So the next half of it is rapid fire. Don’t think. Just answer. This is where the average fan meets you as a person. Ready?



Favorite food?

A good old fashion pizza.

Favorite pastime?

Netflix.

Ever had an awkward encounter with a fan?

Yes… Girl didnt know an autograph meant an autograph… I’d rather not go into it.

Do’s and dont’s of meeting Chris Driedger?

Be polite and friendly and that’s all I need.

Ever had a childhood pet?

I had pet fish but I’m not sure if they count.



If you weren’t a hockey player, what would you be planning to do?

I would be a psychiatrist.

Best thing about being Canadian?

The love of hockey.



Final questions:

Who should we interview next?

Interview my roomie Greg Chase next the guy is a character.

Thank you for your time!

Take care.

Photocreds: Twitter.com