 Defenseman Steve Whitely is the player in this edition of “Breaking the Ice with…” The feature showcases different Whalers so we can get to know them better.
Now with his fourth team, Whitely was acquired from the Belleville Bulls for a 5th round pick in 2008 right before the trade deadline. Originally drafted by Toronto in the 14th round (274th overall) in the 2003 OHL Entry Draft, he also spent time with the Saginaw Spirit. The Petrolia, Ontario, native took a few minutes before practice to help us break the ice and chat about scoring his first OHL goal, playing his guitar, and attending Tampa Bay's rookie camp.
» On the best advice he has been given…
“Roll with the bounces and take whatever is thrown at you and go with it.”
 » On how he started playing hockey…
“I was around 5 and started with the skating programs and then moved into hockey.”
» On his most memorable goal…
“My most memorable goal ever is the one I got this year (March 3rd vs. Sarnia). It was a long time coming in the ‘O’ so that would definitely be it.”
» On his most memorable embarrassing hockey moment…
“Last year in Barrie I scored on own net.”
» On his youth hockey highlight…
“Winning a championship in AAA Chatham for minor pee wee and also going to the Quebec major pee wee tournament.”
» On if he has ever played against any of the guys before…
“I played with (Joe) McCann in Saginaw. I played with Cunny (Wes Cunningham) on that Chatham  championship team and in summer hockey leagues.”
» On who has influenced him in hockey…
“My dad for sure. He has helped me a lot, always pushing me and keeping me going.”
» On the toughest player he has played against…
“Toughest player would be Zack Stortini. He was just scary out there, but the toughest player to play against would be Rob Schremp. He was hard to handle.”
» On what he feels he should bring to the team…
“Big body, physical presence, and I don’t think I’m a defensive liability, so that’s always good.”
» On the trade process…
“Actually, the coach in Belleville, George Burnett, called me into his office and told me there was some interest in me. He told me it was a good team in the West division, so I kind of figured out it was Plymouth and I thought it would be a good fit to come here.”
» On his typical day…
“Usually I wake up, come to the rink for a workout and breakfast club here. I go home, grab a bite to eat and maybe have a quick nap, then come back for practice. After I go home for supper then maybe hang with the guys later.”
» On his pre-game routine…
“I like to sleep in later. I won’t get up until 2. I’ll just bum around the house and think about the game. I’ll have a quick meal around 3 or so and head to the rink pretty early.”
» On the player he tries to model his game after…
“Ed Jovanovski.”
» On playing for four different OHL teams…
“You get to see a lot of different things and meet a lot of people. I’ve had really good luck with where I have played. They all have been really good cities. There’s not really a bad one around.”
» On adjusting to new teammates…
“It’s tough at first. The first couple weeks you’re just feeling everyone out, but after awhile, the guys are pretty good at taking you in and making you feel good.”
» On attending the Tampa Bay Lightning's rookie camp…
“That was a good experience. I got to see what it takes to get to the next level. It’s a lot more physical, a lot faster, and it shows how much you have to work to get there.”
» On if there is anything behind his jersey number 6…
“No, I’ve always liked low numbers and that was the lowest they had here.”
 » On what he'd be doing if he didn't play hockey…
“I’d like to be going to school somewhere."
» On his nicknames…
“Just Whitie or Whites.”
» On if he has any superstitions…
“I usually just follow the same routine each game, especially if we’re winning I won’t change much.”
» On what one thing he could not live without…
“My guitar, I’ve been playing for about 5 years.”
» On his dream goal…
“On Martin Brodeur, Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.”
» On his dream vacation…
“Hawaii.”
» On the funniest thing that has happened on the road…
“There’s a bunch, but always when you put a garbage pail full of water up against someone’s hotel room door and then waiting for them to open it and having it go through the floor to the rooms below.”
» On his funniest teammate…
“(Zack) Shepley.”
» On the person he'd most like to meet…
“I’m going to go with the obvious and say Wayne Gretzky.”
» On the playoffs…
“It’s a great feeling. We have quite a run going right now and we think we can go all the way, so it’s pretty exciting.”
» On what other players he would want on the ice with him…
“Obviously Bobby Orr as my D partner. Gretzky at center, (Pavel) Datsyuk on left wing, and Jarome Iginla on right wing, and Martin Brodeur in net.”
-Natalie Shaver, April 18th, 2007-
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