Favorite team and player growing up?

I was an Edmonton Oilers fan. My favorite player was Mike Comrie for a bit, then it became Raffi Torres. Those were my favorite players. I was young and I didn’t know.

Who was your mentor?

My Dad, Ian, always coached me when I was young. When I was 12 or 13 he stopped coaching, but he is always someone I could talk to. He understood my game. He’s my strength coach and trains me in the summer. He’s someone who really understands me and my body. He also helps me when I don’t play well and tells me things to help me improve when I’m going through a slump.

Who did you model your game after?

I always liked watching Martin St-Louis. He’s a smaller guy that I could look up to and just see little tricks that he did. I was able to play against him a little bit as well. The thing you always noticed is how hard he competed. Never took a shift off, loved to win. When I watched him play, it stuck with me.

Memories from your NHL first game?

My first game was against Florida at home. ‘Chucky’ (Alex Galchenyuk) scored his first goal in that game. I got an assist. I don’t know how they gave me an assist on it, but that was my first point. I don’t think I deserved it, but they gave it to me. It was special to share that with Chucky. Two rookies playing together. It was pretty cool.

Best thing about being an NHLer?

The food we get on the road. The Canadiens staff treats us pretty good. Whether we’re on the plane or in a hotel, they always have food ready for us.

Worst thing about being an NHLer?

The lack of sleep some nights. After we play and fly to a new city, sometimes we get in at three or four in the morning and we have to get up the next day for practice. It’s probably the worst thing.

First major purchase after signing an NHL contract?

A golf cart. That was pretty sweet. I live on a course, so it’s easy to get around.

Most important skill to work on?

A lot of my game is being in tight to the net. So I like to work on tipping pucks. Being in tight to the crease flipping pucks in the top corner, since that usually is where I find myself. I find when I practise this it helps me in the games.

What’s your craziest fan interaction?

We’ve got a fan in Montreal that makes everyone put on this squirrel hat. Apparently when you put it on, he takes a picture. He always says when you put it on you’re going to score a goal or something the next game. I don’t really believe it. It’s a pretty gross hat. He got me on it too. I bit. I don’t remember if I scored or not, but I put on the hat.

Best advice for a young player?

Don’t get caught up in all the talk around you. Enjoy it. Everyone remembers their minor hockey days. Everyone is always looking too many years in the future. Think about your team and how you can become a good player to help your team win. Also have fun doing it.

– With Murray Pam