 Rookie defenseman Josh Bemis is featured in this edition of “Breaking the Ice with…” The feature showcases different Whalers so we can get to know them.
Selected by Plymouth in the 14th round (273rd overall) in the 2006 OHL Entry Draft, Bemis originally committed to playing college hockey before signing with the Whalers. He notched his first career point in his OHL debut vs. Erie on September 22nd. The Clarkston, Michigan, native, took a few minutes after practice and just a few days before his 17th birthday to help us break the ice and chat about his connection with former Whaler Gino Pisellini, his love for the Red Wings, and what he's going to be for Halloween.
» On the best advice he has been given…
“Always work hard for what you want.”
» On how he started playing hockey…
“My family – my brothers and dad got me into it when I was young.”
» On his youth hockey highlight…
“That’s tough, my teams weren’t too good in youth hockey. I’d probably say state playoffs my midget major year with Victory Honda. We lost in the finals, but it was still fun.”
 » On the championships he has won…
“I’ve only won a couple of tournaments.”
» On his most embarrassing hockey moment…
“I peed my pants on the ice when I was about 5. I think the ice might have turned yellow. I just know my mom was mad because she had to wash all of my equipment.”
» On who has influenced him in hockey…
“My parents, I can’t pick just one.”
» On his most memorable game…
“We played a tournament here at Compuware when I was about 14. I scored the game-winning goal in the championship game, so that was pretty memorable.”
» On if he has played with any of the guys before…
“I’ve played against Jenksy (AJ Jenks) a lot and with him during a few Select Festivals.”
» On picking major junior over college…
“When I was playing in Chicago for the Steel, I originally committed to Western Michigan for the 2009-10 season. I decided it would be better for my career and improve my chances of being drafted into the NHL if I played major junior, so I signed with the Whalers instead. The level here is definitely a step-up than if I would’ve waited to go to college.”
» On his connection with former Whaler Gino Pisellini …
“I’m best friends with his little brother, Nick, so I was going to live with their family in Chicago since I know them really well.”
» On coming back to Michigan…
“It’s fun. It’s nice to be close to home and I get to go home a lot. I see my family and my friends, which is always good.”
» On if he grew up as a Whalers fan…
“I came to a couple games when I was younger.”
» On billet life…
“It’s good. The Hayes’ are really nice and I knew them before I moved in since they are family friends. It was a pretty easy transition. I used to play with their son, so it has worked out (Anthony Hayes was drafted by the Whalers in 2005).”
» On who he tries to model his game after…
“Nick Lidstrom.”
» On what he should bring to the team…
“Just be a smart defenseman. I don’t think I do anything better than anything else.”
 » On the toughest player he has played against…
“(Steven) Stamkos because he has an all-around game. He can do everything, so it’s hard to shut him down.”
» On his rookie year adjustments…
“It’s not a huge adjustment since I did play junior last year, but it is definitely a step-up.”
» On his favorite class…
“My favorite class is political economics because Mr. Ross is hilarious and I’m in that with (Tyler G.) Brown, so we have fun.”
» On if he has any superstitions…
“Not really except I have to put my left side of equipment on first.”
» On if he has any nicknames…
“Bemer.”
» On his typical day…
“Get up, go to school, come to hockey, go home, eat dinner, and do it all over again.”
» On his pre-game routine…
“Get a good nights rest, eat a good meal, and don’t sleep all day before the game.”
» On his dream goal…
“Game 7 of the Stanley Cup against Patrick Roy because I hate him. He played for the Avs and I’m a huge Red Wings fan. It doesn’t really matter how I would score, just as long as I did it against him.”
» On if there is anything behind his jersey number 6…
“It’s just what I have worn the last couple of years. There’s nothing to it. I got stuck with it one year and haven’t changed.”
» On what he'd be doing if he didn't play hockey…
“I’d be an architect.”
» On having a lot of rookies on the team this year…
“It’s fun. There’s a lot of guys in school so we get to know each other better. Hopefully we will be great in a couple years. We’re pretty good now, so I think we'll get a lot better in the next few years.”
» On what reality TV show he'd be on…
“The Real World. I’d be the guy that hangs out and wants to meet people.”
 » On his funniest teammate…
“Tom Kane. He's kind of a dork. He does stupid stuff and it’s funny.”
» On what one thing he could not live without…
“My computer.”
» On his dream vacation…
“Cancun.”
» On the person he'd most like to meet…
“Jessica Alba.”
» On what he's going to be for Halloween…
“An Indian chief like Coop (Vern Cooper).”
» On a rule change he'd make in hockey…
“I’d change the penalty when you’re in your own zone and shoot the puck out over the glass. It’s the stupidest rule ever because I always get a penalty off it.”
» On what other players he would want on the ice with him…
“It’s going to be all Red Wings - Steve Yzerman, Gordie Howe, and well, I have to go with (Wayne) Gretzky because he’s the greatest ever even if he wasn’t a Wing. Nick Lidstrom on defense and Terry Sawchuck.”
-Natalie Shaver, October 30th, 2007-
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