Interview - Lær Dale Mitchell bedre at kende

I går fangede jeg ligaens topscore Dale Mitchell til et lille interview om ham, hans hobbyer, hans tidligere hold i USA og Canada, de danske fans og om hvordan Danmark er.

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When we see you on the ice, after the games and at the rink it seems like you are a funny guy and likes to be that way, but are you also like that when you aren’t at the rink? Or are you more chill and relaxed?

• "I am a competitive person and that's what comes out on the ice. I always want to win and I guess my emotions can get the best of me. However off the ice I am like anyone else. I enjoy having a good time and don't bring my hockey issues home"

What has been the biggest difficulty leaving the US/Canada and coming to Denmark and playing here for (soon) 2 seasons?

• "I don't think there has been a difficulty coming to Denmark. The people here are very friendly and speak english well. Odense has treated my girlfriend and I great and has made my 2 years enjoyable to play hockey"

Many have noticed you as a tough, fast and hardworking player, have you always been playing like you do now, or have you been a little easier on the opponents prior to the Danish league?

• "I have always played hard and used my speed to the best of my ability. I have always played the same way and never had any issues with previous leagues or teams  I have played in before"

Do you have any rituals or superstitions? Or is it just routines?

• "No rituals or superstitions. I just do the same thing every game day to prepare myself best for the game at night. I don't like into that stuff to much."

(I know hockey is work) However, do you have any other “hobbies” outside of hockey?

• "During the hockey season it's hard to do anything besides focus on hockey and being at the rink.  In the summers at home is the time to enjoy myself. Golfing with my buddies and relaxing after a long season."

Is there any difference in the fans between the OHL, AHL and here in Denmark? 

• "I'd say for sure the fans in Denmark are louder than the ECHL and most AHL arenas. You don't see the drums or the cheering songs during the games there. It adds excitement to every game. OHL is a little different. I was fortunate to play on some pretty good teams and we had 6000+ fans every night."

What has been the toughest league to play in?

• "Toughest league for sure is the AHL. I was 20-22 years old playing against men that would do anything to keep their job. It was a fast paced league with lots of hitting. You couldn't take a night off or your job could be in jeopardy. I learned a lot of things being there that I try to carry with me during my career."

I have seen some of your stats from the OHL and I saw that you had 300+ penalty minutes in about 300 games, and now here in Denmark you also have 300+ penalty minutes but only in about 60 games. Does the guys here in Denmark agitate you more than anywhere else?

• "No not at all. I have played the same way in North America as I do here. I guess the way I play is not to fond to some people here but I can't please everyone. But as your question states this is the only place I have had that many minutes so you can be the judge."

Is there any meaning behind your number?

• "No special meaning. I was given a choice of a few numbers and 13 seemed like a good choice.  I always watched Mats Sundin play for Toronto Maple Leafs when I was a kid and he was one of my favourites."

Which team has the worst locker room in the league, and who has the best? (besides your own)

• "Well I can only speak for the away dressing rooms of course. Id say Sønderyske has the best away locker room. In terms of worst there isn't any bad ones but maybe Esbjerg because It's small but that's it. I wouldn't say it's bad."

Who is the funniest player on the team?

• "I'd say Martin Larsen would be the locker room comedian. He will not hold anything back and say anything he is thinking, which most the time is something stupid that we just laugh at."

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