 Second-year forward Tom Sestito is this week's player in “Breaking the Ice with…” The feature will be a season long series on plymouthwhalers.com and showcase a different Whaler each week so we can get to know them better.
Selected in the 5th round (93rd overall) in the 2003 OHL Draft by Plymouth, Sestito is in his draft year for the NHL as a late '87 birthday. Last season, he played with his brother Tim, who was an overager for the Whalers, and tallied 4 points. This season, he has developed offensively, notching 10 goals and 9 assists so far in 48 games. The Rome, New York, native took a few minutes after practice to help us break the ice.
» On the best advice he has been given…
“Live your dream. I’m living it right now and hopefully I can keep going.”
» On how he started playing hockey…
“I was like 4 and my grandfather got me into the sport because he played. My dad didn’t really play too much and I didn’t live with my dad, so my grandfather got me going.”
» On his youth hockey highlight…
“Going to the Quebec Major Tournament.”
 » On his most memorable goal…
“My most memorable goal would be in the Quebec Tournament when I scored the only goal in our game.”
» On the upcoming draft…
“In the draft this year, I just want to get drafted anywhere. I don’t care what round or anything. It doesn’t matter. I just have to work hard in the summer.”
» On his best moment in a Whalers uniform…
“Probably my goal against Windsor (Nov. 3, 2005) when I went top-shelf.”
» On if he has ever played with any of the guys before…
“I played with Dan Collins and Andrew Fournier in summer hockey.”
» On who has influenced him in hockey…
“My grandfather just because he got me into the sport.”
» On playing with his brother Tim last year with the Whalers…
“It was good. He helped me out. Showed me the ropes, I guess you could say. That’s about it.”
» On playing different sports growing up…
“I played lacrosse, baseball, and football. My parents told me I had to pick one and stick with it, so I picked hockey.”
» On his most embarrassing hockey moment…
“Probably my first fight against (Chris) Bain (Oct. 10, 2004). It was short. It was just one punch and I fell and then he hit me again. Hard.”
» On choosing major junior over college hockey…
“Well, my brother came to the OHL and said it was good, so I followed him.”
» On adjusting to billets…
“It was hard at first, but you get used to it. You have teammates, so you’re not at the house as much, just with your friends.”
» On his pre-game routine…
“Pre-game meal at 2:30, nap, and come to the rink at 5.”
» On living with Chris Terry…
“It’s great having a roommate. Terry’s a good guy, but goes to bed a little too early though.”
» On being named the Whalers' Player of the Month for January…
“It was great. I’m glad people can see that I’m playing well right now.”
» On the player he tries to model his game after…
“Tie Domi. He just plays hard, finishes all his checks, and fights.”
» On if there is anything behind his jersey number…
“11 is my favorite number, but my brother had it last year, so I took 21 and I’m sticking with it.”
» On his nicknames…
“Tito and Teapot, but Teapot stuck here. It’s a long story, but my dad called me it when I was little and my brother brought it here and actually (John) Mitchell made it stick. My dad used to sing the “I’m a little teapot” song and it just used to get me all rattled.”
» On his superstitions…
“No, I’m not superstitious at all.”
 » On playing the penalty kill…
“I love playing the penalty kill. It’s high intensity and gets me more ice time.”
» On pestering London's Rob Schremp Saturday…
“I grew up with Schrempy. He’s a good guy. On the ice I just don’t like him and know I can get him agitated. I like playing against their top lines.”
» On the toughest player he has played against…
“Probably (Steve) Downie because he’s an agitator and gets everyone off their game.”
» On what he'd do if he didn't play hockey…
“I’d probably be at some college having a college life.”
» On his funniest teammate…
“(Ryan) Stephenson by far. He just does great impressions.”
» On what he brings to the team…
“Bring hard work every day, finish my checks, fight if I have to, and just crash the net.”
» On the craziest thing that has happened on the road…
“The line brawl in Barrie. It was just hectic.”
 » On the person he would most like to meet…
“(Poker player) Phil Ivey.”
» On his dream goal…
“London in the Conference Finals in OT.”
» On his dream vacation…
“Cancun, Mexico and hopefully I can do that this summer.”
» On what one thing he could not live without…
“Hockey I guess.”
» On the rule changes in hockey…
“I think they are good rule changes. The fans are into it more and the fans love the shootout.”
» On what TV show he would be on…
“Real World and I’d just go party.”
» On what other five players he would want on the ice with him…
“Tie Domi. Patrick Roy for my goalie. (Derian) Hatcher and (Chris) Pronger. And the other forward (Pavel) Datsyuk.”
-Natalie Shaver, March 1st, 2006-
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