On your NHL.com page, you have a bruised left eye in your photo. How did that happen?
"It happened during a fight at a rookie tournament in 2016 against Madison Bowey of the Washington Capitals."
What or who was your inspiration to play?
"My dad (Erik); he was a goalie. I wanted to play goalie, too, but he said there was less opportunity to make it as a goalie since there are only two on each team. I guess he was right."
How often did you shoot against him?
"Never. He didn’t want to strap the pads on. We skated together and he played forward, but I never shot at him."
At age 13, you flew across the country to play for the Los Angeles Selects HC Bantam. Being so far from home at such a young age, how was that experience for you?
"It was the best hockey move I ever made, to this day. Growing up, I played on some good teams and I had some good coaches, but I didn’t have coaches who wanted to teach me what I needed to learn. I was always pretty good, so they told me to just stay out there. When I went to L.A., I learned how to play systems and how to play in the defensive zone. I learned the details of the game that I never had a coach teach me before."
What do you remember most about your one season, 2010-11, with the Indiana Ice (United States Hockey League)?
"That was a tough season for me because our coach didn’t play the younger guys as much as I had hoped. In the beginning of the year I was doing really well, and he called me in and said, ‘Don’t change a thing in what you’re doing, but I have to get guys scholarships.’ At that time, I was already committed to Boston University, although I didn’t go there. That was my first experience with a coach who didn’t want to play me all the time. It was a learning experience."
You played four seasons (2011-15) with the Quebec Remparts (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) after being recruited by Patrick Roy, who was the general manager, head coach and a co-owner at the time. What do you remember about that?
"As soon as I got to Quebec, met him and saw the arena, I had to go. It was that special. Playing for him, he was a tough coach. He made sure you brought your best effort every single day. There were no days off with him."
Your National Hockey League draft day experience happened at Prudential Center in 2013. What was that experience like for you?
"It was really special, not just for me but also for my family. They made a lot of sacrifices. The most special part was to have them be able to experience and share it with me."
What was your "welcome to the NHL" moment?
"My first NHL goal (with the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 3, 2017). That was probably my biggest moment so far. That was really special. My first NHL game (with Tampa Bay vs. the Winnipeg Jets on Jan. 3, 2017) was wild. It’s one of those things you’ll always remember, but at the same time you black out because it’s crazy. So I still say my first goal."
Key Facts
Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
Hometown: North Branford, Conn. | Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Left | Size: 6-1, 214 | Age: 23
Notable: Drafted 33rd overall by Tampa Bay in the 2013 NHL draft. Played four seasons (2011-15) with the Quebec Remparts (QMJHL), totaling 275 points (118-157-275) in 240 regular-season games, and 47 points (29-18-47) in 45 playoff matches. Notched 18 points (10-8-18) in 45 regular-season contests and one assist in three postseason games during his one season (2010-11) with the Indiana Ice (USHL). Played in five games and registered one assist with Team USA at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Favorites
Food: "Any kind of chicken dish."
Movie: "The Shawshank Redemption"
TV show: "Entourage"
Actor: Will Ferrell
Musician: Alan Jackson
Road junior rink: Halifax (Scotiabank Centre)
Sport other than hockey: Football
Non-hockey athlete: Antonio Brown
All-time hockey memory: "Winning the national championship with L.A. Our whole team was ’95s, and we played the ’94 division."
Equipment
Helmet: CCM
Stick: Warrior or CCM
Gloves: CCM
Skates: CCM
