We get to know NHL players with some quick questions. Today's subject: Phoenix Coyotes forward Scottie Upshall, who talks about his love of music, the grind of playing in the NHL, and which player he would like to get with a good, clean check.
What is your earliest hockey memory?
Walking out of my house back home in Fort McMurry (Alberta), my dad had our deck in our backyard, and he always had it frozen over. He had a sheet of plastic and some ice out there and I remember the winters being so cold, and being old enough just to pretty much walk, and my dad would have me out there on probably an 8-by-10-foot deck just skating around. That's probably my earliest memory of being on skates and having a stick in my hands.
What are your favorite, and least favorite, things about playing in the NHL?
Favorite thing about being in the NHL is definitely having the opportunity to play a game I love in great cities across North America, and having an opportunity for my close friends and my family to be able to watch play me at an elite level. Just having the opportunity to be in this position and to play for the Stanley Cup every year is pretty special.
I'd say my least favorite thing about being in the NHL would be the tough travel. Eighty-two games throughout the course of six months, I mean, it can be pretty tough. I love traveling, but at times when you're playing three games in five nights in three different cities it definitely takes a toll. And having to play against guys like Jordin Tootoo and Sean Avery, who run around and try to take your head off.
Do you have any hidden or special talents off the ice?
I'm a big fan of alternative music; I love Pearl Jam, I love a band called Phoenix right now ... there's a lot that I like. I like Radiohead, I like Coldplay, I love Jay-Z. I love pretty much everything except country.
Do you have any superstitions or pregame rituals?
Not really. I'm not the most superstitious guy. I like to just get prepared and I play the same tunes before every game. I'm in control of the music in the locker room so I make sure I have some good beats going on.
I like to know who we're playing, who is in the lineup, who is not, and just be prepared for the goalie that we face. Other than that, nothing much.
Who is the one player in the NHL you would like to get a good, hard, clean open-ice hit on? And don't be afraid to be honest.
Oh man ... maybe Ryan Kesler.
Who, in your mind, is the toughest player in the NHL to play against? The one guy that when you see his name in the lineup you think 'Aw man, this guy is a pain in the ass to play against.'
I'd probably have to go with Brenden Morrow from Dallas.
