All-Star forward Daniel Ryder is this month's player in “Breaking the Ice with…” The feature showcases different Whalers players so we can get to know them better.
At the trade deadline, Ryder was acquired from the Peterborough Petes for John Armstrong, 3rd and 6th round picks in 2007, and a 2nd round pick in 2008. He was originally drafted in the 1st round (14th overall) by the Petes in 2003. The Bonavista, Newfoundland, native took a few minutes after practice to help us break the ice and chat about his 300th OHL point, his brother in the NHL, and his MVP performance in last year's playoffs.
» On the best advice he has been given…
“My dad always coached me growing up so he taught me a lot about life through hockey.”
 » On how he started playing hockey…
“I started figure skating when I was three and then I got into hockey a year later.”
» On his most memorable goal…
“Last year in Game 4 of the finals against London, I scored a big goal.”
» On his youth hockey highlight…
“Growing up playing minor hockey in my hometown was just a lot of fun.”
» On who has influenced him in hockey…
“My dad and mom.”
» On the player he tries to model his game after…
“There’s a lot of good players like (Joe) Sakic and (Steve) Yzerman. They are players that everyone wants to be like, so I’d say one of them.”
» On the championships he has won…
“For minor hockey in AAA midget, we won the championship and last year with Peterborough, we won the OHL championship.”
» On winning the OHL championship and Wayne Gretzy 99 Award as playoff MVP…
“It was a good experience and a lot of memories. Being named MVP was just a bonus on top of winning the championship, so that was pretty exciting too.”
 » On the trade process…
“My assistant coach came in and got me from the dressing room. They brought me in and the GM of Peterborough told me I had been traded. That’s kind of how it went down. It’s exciting to be with another contender. We have a really good team, so I’m hoping to have a really long playoff run.”
» On his 300th career OHL point…
“My 300th point was a shot from the point by (Brett) Bellemore and the rebound came right to me and I had an open net. It was pretty exciting.”
» On growing up in Newfoundland…
“It’s a relaxed atmosphere. It’s home, so I love it.”
» On his brother Michael playing in the NHL for the Montreal Canadiens…
“It’s good. It’s a motivator for sure. Someone that I grew up with is doing the same thing that I want to do, so it’s a lot easier that way.”
» On his brother playing in the QMJHL, while he plays in the OHL…
“My brother had a choice. He went to the OHL and didn’t get drafted so he went to the ‘Q’ instead. We did have a choice on which league we wanted to play in, but not anymore. There’s a team in St. John’s now, so you have to go to the ‘Q’ if you are from Newfoundland.”
» On the toughest player he has played against…
“The London team two years had a lot of good players, so one of them like (Corey) Perry, (Rob) Schremp, or (Danny) Fritsche.”
» On playing in the OHL All-Star Game…
“It was a good time. It was good to represent my team and conference.”
 » On his typical day…
“Just wake up, have some breakfast, come to the rink, relax, hang around, watch some TV, practice, and have supper.”
» On his pre-game routine…
“I don’t know if I have a routine really. I just get up and get something to eat and later in the day I’ll have something too. Then I just relax and wait for the game.”
» On being drafted by the Calgary Flames…
“It was good. I was excited to get drafted by Calgary since they’re a good organization. I’ve played in two rookie camps now. I signed with them earlier this season, so it was good to know that they wanted me to be a part of the organization in the future.”
» On if there is anything behind his jersey number 27…
“I only had a few choices and I just picked 27. My brother wore 27 in juniors, so I just picked it. I like the number.”
» On what he brings to the team…
“My game is to go out and help the team the best I can. I try to read the ice and read plays to score points.”
» On his nicknames…
“Danger's a nickname I got from back home a long time ago.”
 » On if he has any superstitions…
“No, I can’t say that I do.”
» On what one thing he could not live without…
“Water.”
» On his dream goal…
“To make Calgary would be the ideal thing. That’s what I’m hoping to do – to be a part of their team – so just playing and scoring for them would be great.”
» On one rule change he would make in hockey…
“I’d change getting a penalty when you shoot the puck over the glass. It’s dumb.”
» On what type of character he'd be on a reality TV show…
“The guy that sits on the couch, watches TV, and just hangs out.”
» On what other five players he would want on the ice with him…
“Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Bobby Orr, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Felix Potvin in net.”
-Natalie Shaver, February 28th, 2007-
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