 Rookie defenseman Beau Schmitz is featured in this edition of “Breaking the Ice with…” The feature showcases different Whalers so we can get to know them.
Selected by the Whalers in the 1st round (19th overall) in the 2007 OHL Entry Draft, Schmitz signed with the Whalers last spring after spending a year with the U.S. National Team Development Program. Schmitz is used to playing at Compuware Arena since he was a member of the Compuware 91 Team when he was younger. The Howell, Michigan, native, took a few minutes after practice to help us break the ice and chat about his dad playing with Mike Vellucci when they were kids, his international experience, and winning a national championship. » On the best advice he has been given… “I’ve always been told to be humble, and I think I do a pretty good job of that.” » On how he started playing hockey… “I started playing when I was three in Howell and it’s just something my dad got me into since he played. My whole family plays.” » On his youth hockey highlight… “Playing in the Pee Wee Quebec Tournament with Compuware because it was like the World Championships for that age.” » On his most memorable goal… “My first OHL goal (November 7, 2008). I haven’t scored many besides that. It was in Guelph and (Chris) Terry went around the net on the power play and threw the puck out to me in the slot and I shot it.” » On who has influenced him in hockey… “I’d have to say my dad. He’s taught me everything. I’ve learned a lot from him and he’s a hard worker. My dad actually used to pass the biscuit with (head coach Mike) Vellucci when they were younger on Compuware. He went on to play college hockey, so he has taught me a lot.” » On playing for Compuware and watching the Whalers… “I played for Compuware when I was younger and was actually coached by my dad. It was good since he has taught me pretty much everything I know. It’s nice to be back here since it’s close to home and a lot of family and friends can come and watch me play. I’ve always come to Whalers games. It was cool watching the Whalers play for the OHL Cup.” » On what championships he has won… “I won states a few times, once with Compuware and twice with BelleTire, and we won nationals with BelleTire.” » On the toughest player he has played against… “It’s not really a player, but I hated playing Honeybaked. They were always a tough team to play when I was younger.” » On if he has played with any of the guys before… “I played with RJ Mahalak and TJ (Tyler J.) Brown on BelleTire for two years.” » On his most embarrassing hockey moment… “The most embarrassing moment would be during the first regular season game; I fell in warm-ups in Kitchener.”  » On playing for the National Team Development Program…
“The NTDP was a great experience. It was a lot of fun going over seas, but it was different. It’s a lot different than home since you go to all the different countries and see their cultures. I have nothing bad to say about the program; I just thought coming to the OHL would be a great opportunity too. One difference between the NTDP and the OHL was my teammates. All the guys were the same age as me, so it was a little different in the locker room with stuff since nobody was singled out as being a rookie or vet.” » On picking major junior over college… “The OHL is more the NHL style of play. It’s more physical and the hockey that I need to get used to.” » On his rookie year adjustments… “It’s a lot faster play in the OHL compared to where I played last year. As a rookie I have a lot of things to learn and I’m still learning, but I think I’m making the adjustment. It’s fun.” » On who he tries to model his game after… “Brian Rafalski.” » On playing at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament with Tyler J. Brown… “It was fun. It was a good experience. It wasn’t the main USA Team since I was used to playing all the international stuff with the guys from the NTDP. It was good to play with different guys from different leagues though, but we ended up not playing too well which was disappointing.” » On what he should bring to the team… “Offensive defenseman, jumping up in the play and getting back as soon as I can so they don’t score.” » On his typical day… “On, non-game days, I wake up for school at 7:30 and go to school, then go to the rink, get dressed and practice for about an hour to hour and a half. After practice I work out for a half hour to an hour, go home, do homework if I have any, play Xbox, and go to sleep.”  » On his pre-game routine…
“For my pre-game routine for an away game, I listen to music on the bus, and when we get to the rink, I tape my sticks, clean my visor, and stretch out.” » On if he has any superstitions… “None.” » On if he has any nicknames… “No, I really don’t.” » On his favorite class in school… “Lunch.” » On living with a billet family… “My billets are great. I love it there. I like being with a billet instead of living at home since it’s like I’m on my own and have a little more freedom. I like it. I live with Patrick Lee now and it’s great to have someone live with you. There’s always someone there to do something with if you’re bored or help you with your homework.”  » On playing close to home…
“It’s different since you get a lot of family and friends that come. I get a lot of fans that come from my hometown that I don’t even know, but they come to watch me play.” » On if there is anything behind his jersey number 17… “No, there’s nothing really behind it. I was 17 both years at BelleTire and then last year we weren’t allowed to be anything lower than 30. I don’t know, I just got 17 back this year.” » On what he'd be doing if he didn't play hockey… “I’d be sitting on the couch playing Xbox.” » On his other hobbies… “I like being out in the woods. My dad has always hunted and the same with his dad, so it’s like a family tradition. I also race motocross.” » On his dream goal… “It would be an end-to-end rush and I’d go bar down. I’d score on (Thomas) McCollum because I think he is one of the best goalies in the league.” » On the craziest thing that has happened on the road… “I think the ride from Barrie to Mississauga (December 18, 2008) that took 4 hours was ridiculous. It was only supposed to take an hour, but the snow made it horrible.” » On his funniest teammate… “I sit next to (Jordon) O’Neill in the locker room and he always has something to say and it’s pretty funny.”  » On what reality TV show he'd be on…
“Survivor.” » On what one thing he could not live without… “Money.” » On his dream vacation… “Kentucky on the house boat.” » On the person he'd most like to meet… “Michael Waddell.” » On if he'd change any rules in hockey… “Offsides. I don’t want there to be offsides ever.” » On what other players he would want on the ice with him… “(Steve) Yzerman, (Wayne) Gretzky of course, (Alex) Ovechkin, my ‘D’ partner would be (Nick) Lidstrom, and goalie would be Patrick Roy.” -Natalie Shaver, January 1st, 2009- -- Other Players' "Breaking the Ice" Features -- | 
