Q: How does friendship affect you on the team?

A: There are couple of kids that I have known for a while. It is nice to sort of have them, and it is definitely a source of meeting new kids because everyone who plays on the team obviously is interested in hockey and that is automatically a common thing that you share and can talk about.

Q: What are some of the challenges that you have faced while playing hockey?

A: There is competition within the team, and sort of getting a nice placement in the lines. It is hard. Kids are big, so it is physically challenging.

Q: Many athletes struggle to keep up their academics. Does that happen to you?

A: In previous years for me, it actually helped me work better, because once I work out, I feel like I can focus more. The only thing that really affects me is mostly games during the week, it just takes a lot of time. Especially if it is an away game, you have to take the bus, get their an hour early; it’s just a time commitment. But otherwise, I have been able to work through it, and I will see how it goes throughout this year.

Q: What are your goals for hockey 2014?

A: Make the playoffs, and go somewhere in the playoffs.

Eric Lee can be contacted at [email protected]