 Defenseman Zack Shepley 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 10th round (199th overall) in the 2003 OHL Draft by Plymouth, Shepley got a taste of the OHL by playing 10 games his rookie season. Now in his third season with the team, the steady stay-at-home blueliner is one of the veterans on the defensive corps. The Oakville, Ontario, native took a few minutes before practice to help us break the ice. » On the greatest lesson he has learned from hockey… “Try your best at all times. You’re not always going to have your best game, but as long as you work hard, you’ll make it through it.” » On how he started playing hockey… “I started skating around 2 and I started playing hockey around 4. My dad got me into it. We always had a rink in the backyard then I got into tykes and stuff like that around 4 years old.” » On his youth hockey highlight… “I had a pretty good youth hockey career. I was always on good teams, so it would have to be when we made it to the OMHA finals.” » On his most memorable goal… “Most memorable goal would have to be my first one in the OHL (Feb. 11, 2005 vs. Saginaw). I mean, I don’t score a lot of goals. It wasn’t a good one, but it felt good to get the first one over with.” » On what championships he has won… “No major championships, bunch of tournaments in minor hockey, but that is about it.”  » On his best moment in a Whalers uniform…
“Probably last year when we beat the London Knights. We played pretty good and it was a good moment.” » On who has influenced him in hockey… “My grandpa played hockey. He played junior I think. He was pretty good from the stories he tells me at least. My dad played Junior B in Chatham and he got drafted by Sudbury, but didn’t end up playing there. They were both pretty big influences in my hockey career and have always been supporting me.” » On training with former NHL player Mike Marson… “It was good and fun training with him. He has been around the league. He was one of the tough guys in the NHL. He’s a real character. It was my dad who found out about Marson and got me going there.” » On his most embarrassing hockey moment… “Probably when I fell on a 3-on-1 over there (pointing near the zamboni entrance) this year. We were playing Windsor (Dec. 28) and I scored my first goal of the season and then I was going down on offense on a 3-on-1 and I fell.”  » On adjusting to billets…
“It has been pretty good. My billet family always helps me out if I ever need anything and they have been real supportive about everything. Plus, Canada is not that much different than the States.” » On his pre-game routine… “I’ll get up around 11 o’clock, go have some breakfast and relax for a bit. I’ll go for a pre-game walk, have my pre-game meal, and then I’ll go have a shower and go to the rink.” » On the player he tries to model his game after… “I’d probably say Jay McKee. He’s a defensive defenseman, a real solid player.” » On his classes… “I just started taking nutrition and organizing small business the other day. I want to be an elementary school teacher, but I’m trying to get a business degree right now.” » On if there is anything behind his jersey number… “Not really, there were only certain numbers open and it’s my birthday, but that’s about it.” » On his nicknames… “My nickname’s Shep.” » On his superstitions… “Not really superstitions, just some things I do with the guys in the room, but nothing really superstitious.” » On the toughest player he has played against… “I’m going to have to say Corey Perry from London. Last year, playing against him, he had so many moves it is kind of hard to stop him.” » On what he'd do if he didn't play hockey… “I’d be playing golf.” » On his funniest teammate… “Ryan Stephenson, he's always there to crack a joke.” » On what he brings to the team… “I’m a defensive defenseman, so always being that safety guy back there that everyone can trust.” » On the craziest thing that has happened on the road… “Craziest thing would have to be in Erie this year during the pre-season when 17 of us got stuck in the elevator. It took an hour and a half to get us out.”  » On the person he would most like to meet…
“Bobby Orr along with Wayne Gretzky.” » On his dream goal… “It would be to win the Stanley Cup against Martin Brodeur in overtime.” » On his dream vacation… “Dream vacation would definitely have to be Hawaii.” » On what one thing he could not live without… “Hockey.” » On the rule changes in hockey… “I actually like the changes this year. I think what I would change would be the goalies being able to play it right there, behind the net.” » On what TV show he would be on… “I’d want to be on the Real World and just be the outgoing guy. I also like Laguna Beach, I always watch it.” » On what other five players he would want on the ice with him… “My ‘D’ partner would be Bobby Orr. Up front would probably be Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, and Darryl Sittler. In net would probably be Patrick Roy. They are all great hockey players and it would be a great experience to play with them.” -Natalie Shaver, January 18, 2006- -- Other Players' "Breaking the Ice" Features -- | 
