You’ll soon enter your third year as a pro. What have you seen for yourself in terms of growth and development? "It’s pretty cool to be a part of it and enjoy the process. A lot of people say to ‘embrace the grind,’ but I don’t necessarily think that it’s a grind. It’s more ‘embrace the dream.’ Yeah it’s a struggle at times, but it’s a good struggle and if you didn’t go through it, it wouldn’t make you a better or stronger person. I’m just enjoying it."
When you were called up to Boston, what did you take from guys like Tuukka Rask and Anton Khudobin? "What they bring to the table day in and day out is a calm demeanor. They go out about their business with a pro mentality. There are times when we’d goof off and have fun, but when they’re on the ice it’s strictly business. And the way they moved, you could tell they’ve played a lot of hockey. They’re always within their stance, moving within their stance; their bodies were controlled the entire time. Sometimes you’re moving left to right and your stick or glove are trailing, but they’re consistent with having that under wraps."
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your time down in Providence? "If they could have it, everyone would be playing in the NHL, right? But it’s just not that way — it’s competitive and it’s a business. We have guys here that have played plenty of years up in the NHL, but they come with the same mentality every day. That veteran crew’s excitement is really contagious, and without their outlook and mindset it’d be a long year. Hats off to the core leadership group we have here, because they do a good job of helping us along."
What’s your advice to younger goalies? "It’s a difficult position to play, but if you have a mindset and drive to really commit to it, then by all means you should try and accomplish all you can. There are times you want to throw your stick into the stands because you’re so fired up, but then there’s times when you have to make a couple big saves and steal a game. For younger kids, no matter what you do, whether it’s being a goalie or a nurse or a doctor, compete and do what you can to the best of your abilities. If you don’t compete and give everything that you’ve got, then you’re not going to feel any self gratitude. That’s the big thing — go 100 percent and all the way with whatever you do in life."
What are the details like with your helmet? "I wear this white one for practice. But I have a painted one with the spoked ‘B’ up top. It’s got Frank Brimsek on the side, a guy who’s originally from Minnesota. ‘Mr. Zero’ is what they called him, so he’s a big figure. We have the bridge on the other side with the TD Garden, then on the back is my most personalized thing. It’s my grandma. She passed away in 2011 and she was a big influence on my life, both in hockey and as a person and kid growing up. We had a small family: me, my mom, my mister, my grandma, and the three girl cats. I was surrounded by a bunch of ladies, but it was awesome and I wouldn’t have changed it in any way. In honor of my grandma, I’ve always had that on my back plate."
You’re a Midwest guy. Are you fully adjusted to the East Coast lifestyle yet? "It took a little bit last year to get used to it because that was the first time I was away from home. The furthest place I played in my career was two hours away, and that was in Fargo. I got adjusted and acclimated, and this year I’m a lot more comfortable. I enjoy it, eating at the nice places here in Providence and Boston, the old Italian spots and hole-in-the-wall bars. It really has been awesome, with the culture and people out here. Anywhere you go, you show respect and you’ll get respect back. With Bostonians and the New Englanders, they’re so passionate about their sports, too. As much as there’s pressure or you feel like you’re getting chirped, they want to see their teams be successful. It’s great to be a part of."
Key Facts
Teams: Boston Bruins, Providence Bruins, Atlanta Gladiators, University of North Dakota, Fargo Force
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta
Position: G
Noteworthy: Has made eight appearances with Boston Bruins; 2016-17 AHL All-Star second team; led AHL in 2016-17 with 1.91 GAA and .934 save percentage; 2014-15 NCHC Goaltender of the Year; 2011-12 USHL Goaltender of the Year
Favorites
Pregame meal: "That’s usually spaghetti and pasta with chicken."
Opposing rink: "I’d say the Bell Centre was pretty sick. Madison Square Garden is up there, too, since it was my debut."
Food: "My stepdad’s chicken parm. He’s made it twice and that was delicious."
Vacation spot: "I’ve never been on vacation, but maybe Bora Bora or the Bahamas."
Musician: Eminem.
Song: "‘Speedin’ by Rick Ross. An oldie but goodie."
Movie: "It’s not a rom-com, more of a sad one: ‘Life as We Know It.’ I watched it back in the day. Super sad movie, but it’s super great at the same time."
Actor/actress: "I like Will Ferrell a lot, Ben Stiller as well. Then I’ll throw Owen Wilson in there as well for the trifecta."
TV show: "Game of Thrones"
Book: "I have a lot of them actually. Right now I’m reading ‘The Last Lecture’ and love it."
Sport outside hockey: "Golf; as a kid it was baseball and I played football a lot as well."
Team: Minnesota Wild or Minnesota Vikings
Athlete: "Man, this one’s hard. I’ll go with Tiger Woods, just for what he’s done for the sport of golf."
Equipment
Stick: Bauer
Pads: Bauer
Glove/blocker: Bauer
Mask: Warwick
Skates: Bauer
