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Question: Name something that people in Connecticut do not know about you.

Answer: I have two dogs back home in Minnesota by the names of Toby and Truman. They are Schnauzers.

Q: What do you like to do in the off-season to take your mind off of hockey?

A: I love to fish and play golf. My family owns a cabin in Minnesota on Rush Lake. My father, brother and I go out on the lake in our fishing boats and catch walleye. I like them the best because they are harder to catch and when you do, they taste so good. It is a lot of fun because I get to spend some time with my family, who has been the biggest influences in my life, and not be under the stresses of the season.

Q. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?

A. I would build my own golf course. I like to play golf as well as fish. I'd say I have an eight or nine over handicap.

Q. Do you have any hidden talents?

A. Not really but one thing I can do is that I can take my teeth out. I took a stick to the face earlier in my career and it knocked out my front teeth. It was definitely the most painful injury that I've had in my career.

Q. Do you have any superstitions or pre-game rituals?

A. When I arrive to the arena, I take my stick and grab a tennis ball and work on my stick handling. Once more of the guys show up we play our soccer game to get our legs warm. After soccer I do some stretching and concentrate on the game. I really try to concentrate on being prepared for the game and sticking to a routine that gets me ready. I was told a wise quote once, "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."

Q. What is your biggest pet-peeve?

A. Bad drivers. I cannot stand people who drive too slow on the highways or are not paying attention to the road. I drive a Chevrolet Silverado and she's called the "Polar Bear."

Q. What's your favorite sport and team other than hockey?

A. I like baseball and being from Minnesota, I have to say the Twins. My favorite players to watch are Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.

Q. What has been the proudest moment of your hockey career?

A. Scoring my first goal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Our line was cycling the puck in the corner and I was fed a pass in the slot. I fired it as quickly and with as much power I could. The puck went directly in but I didn't realize it. I drove the net after the shot to bang away at the rebound taking two swipes at the goalie's pads before my teammates grabbed me to celebrate. My dad took the puck and it is up in our cabin.

Q. What player did you idolize growing up?

A. Wayne Gretzky

Q. Do you have any bad habits?

A. I seem to have a messy room all the time. I will attempt to clean it and then two days later it is a mess again. I just hate to fold and put my clothes away.

Q. What actor would play you in a movie and what type of movie would it be?

A. Definitely Paul Newman and it would be exactly modeled after "Slap Shot."