One of only three pro-hockey exports from Denmark, Moose rookie Jannik Hansen has an entire country of hockey fans behind him. Following a brisk pre-game skate, the 20-year-old forward recently answered your questions.
Click here to listen to the Jannik Hansen interview, or read the transcript below. Visit Moosehockey.com again soon for the next Ask-a-Moose feature!
|
 |
1. Hey Jannik, Welcome to Winnipeg. Did you watch any NHL hockey when you were growing up? If so, who was your favourite team? Brett – Winnipeg, MB
|
 |
Well, back in Denmark, they really didn't show that many NHL teams on TV, so it was kind of hard to catch any. I wouldn't say, until actually the last year before I came over here, I really didn't watch any games until then.
So you didn't have a favourite team at all?
No, mostly just European teams, the Swedish League, and from there on.
|
|
2. Did you find the North American game difficult to adjust to when you first arrived here to play for Portland? Is there anything specific that you had to improve on? Rob – Brandon, MB
|
|
Yeah, it was harder to come from Denmark to Portland than from Portland to Winnipeg. The style isn't that much different from Junior to Pro, so pretty much the biggest adjustment I had to make as a player was to get used to the playing style and the rink size.
How was the playing style different from Denmark to Portland?
It's way more physical over here, so that's definitely an area you have to pick up on when you come over here.
|
|
3. Hi Jannik. We sure miss you here in Portland! Now that you've had a chance to experience both junior hockey and pro hockey in North America, what has been your best experience? What words of advice would you pass along to other young players coming from Europe? Jill - Portland, Oregon
|
|
Well, to take the first question about the best experience, I don't know. It was a good time coming over, playing in Portland. I didn't expect it to be that big. Like, a big crowd pretty much every night. And good games too . . . I didn't expect that, so that was a good experience for me. And the word I would pass by to other players would be just to take a chance and come over here, because I really think I benefited from it.
|
|
4. Do you feel that there is extra pressure on you, being one of the very few Danes who has a legitimate shot at making it to the NHL level? Vibeke – Copenhagen, Denmark
|
|
No, not really. I try not to think of it that way and just to focus on my play and the next game and take it from there. So no, I don't see any extra pressure on me.
|
|
5. Hello Jannik Hansen. My question to you is, how much is Winnipeg weather different from where you're from? Catherine – Winnipeg, MB
|
|
Oh, it's way colder. Like, if we were back home right now it's probably a couple of degrees plus Celcius, so it's way colder over here than what I'm used to.
|
|
6. Hi Jannik. What is your greatest hockey memory? Good luck this season! Brendan - Winnipeg, MB
|
|
It must have been two years ago, at World Cup, we were kind of digging ourselves into a hole. We had to come back and beat both Germany and Austria to survive in the 'A Pool,' and we came through and did it. So that must be the biggest or greatest hockey memory I've had so far.
|
|
7. Hi Jannik. Who will be the first to play NHL: you, Frans Nielsen (Bridgeport Sound Tigers) or Kim Staal (Milwaukee Admirals)? Jesper - Victoria, B.C.
|
|
I have no idea. It's a hard question. I don't know. I hope all of us get the chance to do it.
Do you know those other guys?
Yeah, I played with both of them on national teams and I grew up watching, especially, Kim Staal. He's a bit older than me, a player I used to look up to when I was younger.
|
|
8. Hey Jannik, welcome to Winnipeg! I was wondering, who is your best friend(s) on the team and who is your roommate on the road? PS. Great start with Manitoba and good luck for the rest of the year. Alex - Winnipeg, MB
|
|
Well, my roommate both on the road in here in Winnipeg is Edler. So I'm pretty much hanging out with him a lot. So I'd have to say him too.
What do you do when he's not around?
Well, that's the thing. Then you've just gotta get along. On the road, we just get assigned different roommates. Here you just hang out with whoever's here, so it really doesn't matter that much.
|
|
9. Paper or plastic? The controversy continues . . . Do you prefer a wood stick or one of the composites, and why? Captain Canuck - Winnipeg, MB
|
|
Well I prefer the composite sticks. It feels like they give your shot a little extra at the end, like almost a little snap when you shoot it. It's hard to explain. You just feel it when you're out there.
|
|
10. Why did you pick #17 as your jersey number? Jeff - Winnipeg, MB
|
|
Well, I really didn't pick it. Here in Winnipeg, they just gave it to me, and in Portland they gave it to me too because I played with it in Denmark. So it really comes back to my time in Denmark, and I think it's because my Dad used to play with it when he played with the same team.
|
|
|
