Moose enforcer Adam Keefe recently answered your questions in the sixth Ask-a-Moose session of the 2006-07 season.
Click here to listen to the Adam Keefe interview, or read the transcript below. Visit Moosehockey.com again soon for the next Ask-a-Moose feature!
|
 |
1. You spent some time in the ECHL last season. What do you feel is the biggest challenge young players face to stay in the AHL? Rita - Toledo, Ohio
|
 |
I think the speed of the AHL is a big thing you've got to adjust to. It's a step quicker than the ECHL, and once you get the speed down and the pace of the game, I think it's a big factor in staying in this league. From then on, it's just contributing consistently every game you get the chance to be in.
|
|
2. What did you learn while playing in Toledo that you have carried with you to Manitoba? Wendy - Toledo, Ohio
|
|
Well I think in Toledo, you know, it was great for me, a great experience - the fans are unbelievable there and the building has an unbelievable atmosphere. I still follow the team and see how they're doing. But things I learned in Toledo are that I just got a lot of ice time, a lot of key situations - powerplay, penalty kill, last minute of the game, that kind of stuff. Just that kind of experience helped me adjust and gave me more confidence to play at this level.
|
|
3. Your style of play seems perfect for the NHL now that the huge enforcers who couldn't skate are being replaced by a lot of guys like yourself: physical and able to keep up with the play. What part of your game do you think needs work before we see you in a Canucks jersey, and what-if anything-has the Canucks organization asked you to make a priority? Thanks. Looking forward to seeing you with Vancouver. /b> Wil - Winnipeg, MB
|
|
I think there's a couple things I need to work on. It's just in practice and in every game I get in. It's just being solid defensively, basically being an all-round defensive player and, you know, just protecting my teammates and doing what I do out there, and being consistent. Just working on things like my speed and my overall play. But as far as what Vancouver's said to me, Vigneault just told me in training camp to get a good year down here in the AHL and improve as much as possible, and we'll see where we're at next year.
|
|
4. Hi Adam, has there ever been a time when you were in a fight and you wished you never took on the other guy, or are you pretty much someone who will take on all comers? Ada - Winnipeg, MB
|
|
No, I don't think there's a time when I recall thinking that. Pretty much, when I go into a fight, I know what's coming and it's a matter of either protecting my teammates or standing up for someone or standing up for myself. It doesn't matter who's on the other side, how big or how small.
|
|
5. Who is the toughest player you have ever fought, whether it be in Junior or in the pro game? Matt - New Zealand
|
|
I've fought a lot of guys, in Junior and in the pro game. There's been a lot of tough guys - I can't name just one. It's my job, and I'm going to run into a lot of tough guys along the way. In the pro game, there's obviously guys who are getting bigger and stronger, guys get tougher, but I like to think I'm getting tougher as well. There's not one guy that I could name.
|
|
6. How was your first fight? How old were you and were you suspended? Bryce - Winnipeg, MB
|
|
I think I was either 14 or 15 when in my final year of Bantam, we were in a tournament and I got in a fight and then I got put in the penalty box and we came back out of the penalty box to fight again. I ended up getting 10 or 15 games for that incident. That was my first fight - I'll (always) remember it, obviously. But yeah, I did end up getting suspending. It's funny you asked that question.
>> This is just an additional question to that. At that point, did you realize that that was something that would be a big part of your game? Or did that kind of progress to the point where you're at now, where you're an enforcer and you're one of the toughest guys in the league?
When I was younger, when hitting started in hockey, I kind of liked the physical side of the game. But from Pee Wee to Bantam, there's not many fights going on. I kind of knew that fighting would come eventually. I guess once I got my first one under the belt, from then on there was a learning period. My first year in Junior, I took a few thumpings but that's the way I learned and that's the role I chose to play. And I'm happy with it so far.
|
|
7. If you could compare yourself to any NHLer, who would you think has the same characteristics as yourself? Kyle - Winnipeg, MB
|
|
I don't like to compare myself to any one guy in the NHL. I like my style of play, and I'm sure there's guys out there that I play like, but for the most part I just like to be an energy guy out there and just protect my teammates and protect myself. If the team needs a spark, that's what I'm there to do and provide energy and help the team in any way I can to win a game.
|
|
8. Adam, first off, I just want to let you know that everyone in Toledo hopes you are doing well. My question for you is, what is your most memorable hockey moment of your career? Sarah - Toledo, Ohio
|
|
First off, thanks for saying you hope I'm doing well. Obviously, I enjoyed my time in Toledo and it was fun. But my most memorable moments would probably be . . . I think I've got two of them. I won the Memorial Cup in Junior and that was a great experience - played with a lot of great players and made some lifelong friends through that. It was fun and a good experience. But recently, last year I played in an exhibition game with Vancouver, my first NHL game and it was just a nice thing - putting on the jersey, standing on the blue line, waiting for the game. And then luckily, I think two shifts in, I scored a goal. It was just a great feeling and something I want to get back at.
|
|
9. Who is the practical joker on your team, and who is your best friend? Jack - Winnipeg, MB
|
|
It's hard to say who the practical joker is - I think our team is full of a bunch of jokers. We joke around with eachother, whether it be practical jokes or just joking around and gesturing. Most of the guys are jokers on the team. As far as friends go, I think the whole team is pretty tight. Hanging around with a lot of the guys, I'm pretty tight with some of them. I probably spend more time with Alex Bolduc on the team.
|
|
10. What's the weirdest thing anyone has asked you to autograph? Kam - Winnipeg, MB
>> There's a back story behind this question, but we'll just go ahead.
|
|
Yeah, I think I know the back story. At the autograph session, a lady came and asked me to sign a Pantene Pro-V shampoo bottle. And not only did I sign it, about a month later I got an email telling me it was on YouTube. I saw the video and I started laughing. I assume the question is from her, and that is definitely the weirdest thing anyone has asked me to autograph.
|
|
11. What quotations or motivational phrases do you live by? Chloe - Winnipeg, MB
|
|
I don't think I live by any quotations or motivational phrases. I think my motivation is my goals, where I want to be, and what it's going to take to get me there. Obviously my main goal is to play in the NHL consistently, and that's my motivation every day I'm here practicing and playing.
|
|
12. Adam, we really miss you here in Toledo, but congratulations on staying in Manitoba. If you were not playing hockey, what would you be doing Jody - Toledo, Ohio
|
|
You know, I saw these questions and I was looking at that question, and I'm not quite sure what I'd be doing without hockey. I've played hockey since I was about four years old and it's been part of my life. You know, you have your summers off and then start September, hockey's back at it, and you go hockey from September 'til April, May, depending on how far you go. I thought about that question and I couldn't come up with an answer. I really don't know where I'd be at without hockey. I'm sure I would have chose a different path. But where I'm at right now, hockey's a big part of my life and I hope it is for the next 10, 15 years.
|
|
|
