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Only days after scoring his first goal this season, 2nd year Moose defenceman Maxime Fortunus answered your questions in the fourth Ask-a-Moose session of the 2006-07 season. Read the interview below, and stay tuned to Moosehockey.com to submit your questions for the next player in the Ask-a-Moose hotseat.
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1. Hey Max, congratulations on your great season last year. This is not a hockey-related question, but what was your first car? And first job? Melissa – Winnipeg, MB
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I really didn't have a first job because I've been playing so much since I was young, playing hockey in the winter and soccer in the summer, so I didn't really have time to work. But for my first car, it was a '98 Jetta. Actually, I had it three years ago. I bought it from my mother-in-law and she gave me a good price on it. It was a good car.
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2. How did it feel to be awarded the Emile Bouchard Trophy as the best defenceman in the QMJHL? Andrew - Grand Forks, North Dakota
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Good, actually. We had a good team that year, and you play your season hoping to win some games and maybe the championship. We ended up winning the season championship, and then I won the award at the end of the year. But I mostly owe it to all my teammates.
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3. Being an undrafted defenceman, what did it feel like to stay as long as you did in Vancouver's training camp in the pre-season? Brett - Winnipeg, MB
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It was great, a really great experience playing with the guys you see on TV every day. It was a really great experience for me because it was the first real camp I did. I went to Minnesota before, and Dallas, but I didn't go to the main camp. This year I got to go to the main camp, so it was a great experience for me.
Obviously, you're hoping to follow that up next year with another visit to the camp?
Yeah, I hope so. I'm hoping to have a good season. You never know what can happen.
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4. Hi Maxime. My name is Rhyse and I'm 11 years old. I play AAA PeeWee hockey in Kenora. As a defenceman myself, I was wondering if you could give me some advice on how to score more points from back here. Thanks in advance? #27 Rhyse – Shoal Lake, ON
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Firstly, you have to get the shots on goal. But even further than that is working hard. In your practices, make sure you hit the net. I mean, you'll be playing the same way you practice, so it's all about work-ethic and making sure you work hard every time you're on the ice.
Is scoring points something you think about in your game, orr is it if the opportunity arises, you take it?
It's not something I'm aiming for, you know, finishing my season with 60 points. I'm more thinking about playing well in my zone and supporting the offensive play. Scoring points is a part of the game, but you've gotta be able to do both: play offensively and defensively.
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5. Hey Max, how have you accustomed yourself this year to your role on the team as more of a veteran player, as opposed to last season when you were new to the organization? Ada – Winnipeg, MB
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Different mindset, for sure. Last season when I came in, I didn't know a lot of people on the team so it was really a different mindset for me. This year I came with a little more confidence, so I think that was the main difference. It's really about being confident on the ice.
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6. Hey Maxime! I am a huge Manitoba Moose hockey fan and I would like to know what you do in your free time away from the arena, and what is your best hockey memory playing for the Moose so far? Stephanie - Portage-la-Prairie, MB
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Right now I'm at home, taking care of my girlfriend. She's pregnant right now. But other than that, I like music and a lot of sports, too. In the summer I like to play soccer, play basketball, things like that. I listen to a lot of music at home too, so that's what I do during the season in my spare time.
The best memory would have to be last year in the playoffs, winning the series against Syracuse. I don't really remember the last time I won a series like that, that was so well fought. That's definitely the best memory I have.
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7. Hi Maxime, welcome back to the Moose this year. Do you have any pre-game rituals? Such as listening to certain music or bands? If so, what bands do you listen to? Brett - Winnipeg, MB
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For rituals, it's more about coming to the rink and doing pretty much the same thing over and over again. I don't have any specific rituals because sometimes that can get in your head. You don't want to start thinking that if you miss something, that means you're going to play bad. You've got to let it go and just get ready for the game.
Do you listen to any music in the locker room before?
Not really. I'm not the master of the radio in the locker room so I let the other guys fight about it.
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8. Mistletoe is hanging above your head and you can pick any celebrity to be under it with. Who do you choose? Andrew - Grand Forks, North Dakota
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That's a good question. The right answer would be "Oh, I have a girlfriend so I don't need a celebrity." But I don't know. Probably . . . I like Mariah Carey. I've liked her since I was really young, so probably her.
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9. Santa Claus is coming to town and has a chance to give you anything you want. What's the one thing you would wish to see under your tree Christmas morning? Andrew - Grand Forks, North Dakota
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Probably a T-Rex. Not a lot of people may know about it, but it's kind of like a motorcycle with three wheels. That's the thing I would like.
I don't think that would fit under the tree, though.
(Laughs) You'd have to get a big tree, I guess.
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10. Hey Max. Just to let you know, I've always loved your defensive style of play. My question is, who is your roommate on road trips and who is your best friend on the team? Thanks and good luck this year. Alex - Winnipeg, MB
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Uh, I would have to say that my best friend is Marc-Andre Bernier. We hang out a lot together, and he's my roommate too on the road. Last year he was my roommate, and this year, it happened that he was my roommate again. We like to bug each other and get on each other's backs.
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