Post by Admin on Jul 20, 2013 14:15:15 GMT
Q&A with Coventry Blaze's tough captain Mike Egener
Defense man Mike Egener joined the Coventry Blaze at the start of last season and his hard working, physical, aggressive style of play on the ice was well received in the Sky Dome, with Egener becoming an instant hit among the Blaze fans.
Mike was one of the best stay at home D.men in the league last season, with his strong physical presence and leadership qualities being shown out on the ice. Egener's aggressive style of play saw him involved in a number of altercations with rival teams tough guys like the Giants Adam Keefe & Greg Stewart, Panthers Gui Lepine & Kelsey Wilson and the Devils British player Josh Batch. Egener was also involved in the much talked about end of game brawl in Cardiff on Oct 28 2012, were he exchanged punches with Devils bench coach Neil Francis and Max Birbraer.
The Blaze coaching staff were also impressed with Mike Egener, and were quick in bringing Mike back for the 13/14 season making him captain of the Coventry Blaze.
Before Mike played in the EIHL he had started his hockey career as a Junior in the WHL with Calgary Hitmen where he stayed for four season's. Egener was drafted in the 2nd round #34th overall in the 2003 NHL draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mike then spent a number of season's in the AHL with the Springfield Falcons and some spent time in the ECHL with both Johnstown Chiefs & Mississippi Sea Wolves between 2004-2008.
Egener then at the start of 2008 went out and played in Sweden with Bjorkloven and Vita Hästen, before returning to the ECHL and playing for the Ontario Reign in 09/10 and then the Florida Everblades in 10/11. Mike then returned to Europe and spent a season in Denmark with Esbjerg EfB Ishockey in 11/12, putting up a career high of 235pims.
During his career Mike has also dropped the gloves on many occasions to stick up for himself and his team mates when called upon. He's fought many tough guys during his career including some NHL quality enforcers like D.J. King, Riley Cote, Colton Orr and Trevor Gillies, as well as many past and present EIHL tough guys like Adam Keefe, Brad Voth, Guillaume Lepine, Kelsey Wilson, Greg Stewart, Craig Weller, Jeff Smith, Stuart Kerr, Kyle Bruce and Jeff Szwez.
Mike Egener is the kind of tough D.man every team in the EIHL would want to have and lucky for us he's back for another season. We got the chance to catch up with Mike and we asked him the following questions.
....
Cheers for doing this Mike..
1.. Mike you played 4 seasons as a Junior with the Calgary Hitman in the WHL between 2000 & 2004 and in that time you where drafted by the NHL's Tampa Bay Lighting in the 2nd round of the 2003 NHL Draft. What is the feeling like when your name gets called out on draft day.. ?
1. At the time it was emotions of relief and excitement for my family and I. It was just awesome being there and hearing my name being called out by the Lightning.
2.. Mike you started your Minor league career in the AHL with Springfield Falcons and stayed in Springfield for the best part of 3 season's. The Falcon's had some pretty tough players in their rosters one of which was Mitch Fritz who was a feared enforcer in the minor leagues at that time. What's it like knowing you have one of the toughest guys in the league watching your back when it's needed out on the ice. ?
2. Mitch Fritz was the epitome of a real team player. I personally really enjoyed my time playing with him. Mitch would do anything from protecting his fellow teammates, to getting the guys riled up, or committing his own personal time to off-ice community work. It was comforting having a 6,"8" tough guy on your team that always had your teammates backs.
3.. Mike your first taste of European league hockey was in the 2008-09 season where you played in Sweden. What was it like going from the physical leagues in North America to the Swedish leagues where fighting is not part of their game. ? and what kind of quality is the hockey in Swedish leagues. ? I've heard it is good.
3. Playing in Sweden I believe was very beneficial for my personal game. It was fun seeing how they went about their business (training, tactics, etc) and it was adventurous being in a foreign country. The level of hockey and their passion towards the game was quite impressive.
4.. Mike your 2nd spell in Europe was in the Danish league where you lead the league in Penalty minutes with a career high of 235 pims. How did you manage to rake up so many penalties in Denmark, did the refs not like you out there or something. ?
4. My penalty minutes in Denmark weren't indicative of how I was playing. I wasn't chasing guys around and being an idiot. It basically boiled down to the referees not liking my physical style of play and their poor judgement in calling a hockey game.
5.. Mike you joined the EIHL last season with the Coventry Blaze. What was it that made you want to come to the UK.. ?
5. My wife and I were looking for a new experience.
6.. What did you think of the standard of the EIHL hockey compared to what you had been used to in North American and European previously.?
6. I believe the level of hockey in the EIHL is quite competitive. Probably the biggest difference from NA is the depth in line-ups and between other European Leagues the physicality
7.. The Blaze put together a tough team in the EIHL last season and you guys were involved in a good brawl against the Cardiff Devils in the 'Big Blue Tent' on the 28th October 2012. What was said by the Devils bench after the buzzer had gone that made you go after them.?
7. Sorry that's not really something I'm interested in elaborating about. It's in the past.
8.. I'm a Belfast Giants fan and i watched all the Blaze v Giants games in 2012/13 either live at the 'O' in Belfast or via the Webcast with 'Coventry Blaze TV'. There was a few heated games between the teams last season and plenty of fights. You fought both Greg Stewart and Adam Keefe of the Giants coming out on top on both occasions. What do you remember about them games and fights last season.?
8. Belfast last season was a strong team that was built well. We did have some fun matches with them, all involving a ton of spirit. I have nothing but respect for Adam Keefe and Greg Stewart, both are warriors in their own right. They show up. In a fight it can go either way and in those incidences I was fortunate.
9.. Blaze new coach Mathias Soderstrom has made you Captain of the Blaze for the up coming season, and looking at the Blaze roster it's is not only a tough squad of players but also highly skilled with an improved pack of Brits as well. What are you expectations for the Blaze in 2013/14 .?
9. You've got to set the bar and our bar is to win it all. If we didn't set out to achieve a Championship as a team what are we playing for? Coventry took a step forward last season and we wish to take it a step further this upcoming season.
10.. Blaze have a tough roster again by EIHL standard this year with enforcer Benn Olson returning and others like yourself and Kevin Harvey in the roster. Doe's this mean we will see another hard hitting exciting Blaze team this coming season.?
10. I believe we have all the elements of a winning team. Thommo and Matty have done a optimum job in putting together a well built machine lubed up in character.
11.. Last season the Blaze brought in a late recruitment in Adam Henrich who made a massive impression in the short time he spent with the Blaze. Adam will this season been in the roster from the start of the season and seeing as you have played along side Adam on a number of occasions in your career, do you think he will continue to impress in 13/14 as much as he did at the tail end of last season.?
11. I know Henny will have a successful year, especially having his brother play along side him. He has eyes on the back of his head and always finds a way to get the job done. I'm looking forward to playing with him again.
12.. One of your rival teams from last season the Cardiff Devils have also recruited a very tough looking team this season and added four tougher players to their roster in Andrew Lord, Andrew Conboy, Adam Ross and Brad Plumton. Are you looking forward to some tough battle between the Blaze and Devils again next season.?
12. I will forever enjoy a good battle. Should be fun.
13.. Having a good group of British players is important in the EIHL if teams want to make a good push for a championship. Blaze signed one of the leagues top Brit's in Ashley Tait to their roster for 13/14. How big a signing was this for the Blaze..?
13. I couldn't agree more. It's vital to have good local guys. Ashley first and foremost is a competitor and leader. He's been in Coventry before and helped guide the team to banner seasons. I'm glad he's on our side now.
14.. Mike you have played with a lot of quality players over the course of your career so far. Who has been the best player you have played with or against in your career. ?
14. Probably from my junior days when I played with Ryan Getzlaf. He was just so talented with the puck, superior vision/hockey IQ, and came through when you needed him to. It's been fun watching him excel in the NHL.
15.. Mike you have also fought a lot of tough guys during your time in the WHL, ECHL and AHL Leagues. Who in your opinion is the toughest enforcer you have faced on the ice. ?
15. I can't really think of any one individual. They've all been tough in their own right.
I'd like to finish this Q&A with a few quick fire questions...
16.. Mike which NHL team do you support..? Toronto Maple Leafs & Chicago Blackhawks
17.. Whats you pre-game routine .. ? I don't really have a specific routine. Mentally I get focused and physically make sure my body is ready for a battle.
18.. Whats the worst away trip in the EIHL.. ? Cardiff
19.. Who was the best player last seasons in the EIHL.. ? David Ling was a 'special' player. He was quite talented.
20.. Who's the best chirper in the EIHL..? and whats the best chirp you have heard during your career.. ? Fergy (Simon Ferguson) a former teammate of mine is annoying on the ice. I've been chirped too many times in my career..they mostly always come down to how bad of a player I am
Thanks again Mike for doing this....
Defense man Mike Egener joined the Coventry Blaze at the start of last season and his hard working, physical, aggressive style of play on the ice was well received in the Sky Dome, with Egener becoming an instant hit among the Blaze fans.
Mike was one of the best stay at home D.men in the league last season, with his strong physical presence and leadership qualities being shown out on the ice. Egener's aggressive style of play saw him involved in a number of altercations with rival teams tough guys like the Giants Adam Keefe & Greg Stewart, Panthers Gui Lepine & Kelsey Wilson and the Devils British player Josh Batch. Egener was also involved in the much talked about end of game brawl in Cardiff on Oct 28 2012, were he exchanged punches with Devils bench coach Neil Francis and Max Birbraer.
The Blaze coaching staff were also impressed with Mike Egener, and were quick in bringing Mike back for the 13/14 season making him captain of the Coventry Blaze.
Before Mike played in the EIHL he had started his hockey career as a Junior in the WHL with Calgary Hitmen where he stayed for four season's. Egener was drafted in the 2nd round #34th overall in the 2003 NHL draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mike then spent a number of season's in the AHL with the Springfield Falcons and some spent time in the ECHL with both Johnstown Chiefs & Mississippi Sea Wolves between 2004-2008.
Egener then at the start of 2008 went out and played in Sweden with Bjorkloven and Vita Hästen, before returning to the ECHL and playing for the Ontario Reign in 09/10 and then the Florida Everblades in 10/11. Mike then returned to Europe and spent a season in Denmark with Esbjerg EfB Ishockey in 11/12, putting up a career high of 235pims.
During his career Mike has also dropped the gloves on many occasions to stick up for himself and his team mates when called upon. He's fought many tough guys during his career including some NHL quality enforcers like D.J. King, Riley Cote, Colton Orr and Trevor Gillies, as well as many past and present EIHL tough guys like Adam Keefe, Brad Voth, Guillaume Lepine, Kelsey Wilson, Greg Stewart, Craig Weller, Jeff Smith, Stuart Kerr, Kyle Bruce and Jeff Szwez.
Mike Egener is the kind of tough D.man every team in the EIHL would want to have and lucky for us he's back for another season. We got the chance to catch up with Mike and we asked him the following questions.
....
Cheers for doing this Mike..
1.. Mike you played 4 seasons as a Junior with the Calgary Hitman in the WHL between 2000 & 2004 and in that time you where drafted by the NHL's Tampa Bay Lighting in the 2nd round of the 2003 NHL Draft. What is the feeling like when your name gets called out on draft day.. ?
1. At the time it was emotions of relief and excitement for my family and I. It was just awesome being there and hearing my name being called out by the Lightning.
2.. Mike you started your Minor league career in the AHL with Springfield Falcons and stayed in Springfield for the best part of 3 season's. The Falcon's had some pretty tough players in their rosters one of which was Mitch Fritz who was a feared enforcer in the minor leagues at that time. What's it like knowing you have one of the toughest guys in the league watching your back when it's needed out on the ice. ?
2. Mitch Fritz was the epitome of a real team player. I personally really enjoyed my time playing with him. Mitch would do anything from protecting his fellow teammates, to getting the guys riled up, or committing his own personal time to off-ice community work. It was comforting having a 6,"8" tough guy on your team that always had your teammates backs.
3.. Mike your first taste of European league hockey was in the 2008-09 season where you played in Sweden. What was it like going from the physical leagues in North America to the Swedish leagues where fighting is not part of their game. ? and what kind of quality is the hockey in Swedish leagues. ? I've heard it is good.
3. Playing in Sweden I believe was very beneficial for my personal game. It was fun seeing how they went about their business (training, tactics, etc) and it was adventurous being in a foreign country. The level of hockey and their passion towards the game was quite impressive.
4.. Mike your 2nd spell in Europe was in the Danish league where you lead the league in Penalty minutes with a career high of 235 pims. How did you manage to rake up so many penalties in Denmark, did the refs not like you out there or something. ?
4. My penalty minutes in Denmark weren't indicative of how I was playing. I wasn't chasing guys around and being an idiot. It basically boiled down to the referees not liking my physical style of play and their poor judgement in calling a hockey game.
5.. Mike you joined the EIHL last season with the Coventry Blaze. What was it that made you want to come to the UK.. ?
5. My wife and I were looking for a new experience.
6.. What did you think of the standard of the EIHL hockey compared to what you had been used to in North American and European previously.?
6. I believe the level of hockey in the EIHL is quite competitive. Probably the biggest difference from NA is the depth in line-ups and between other European Leagues the physicality
7.. The Blaze put together a tough team in the EIHL last season and you guys were involved in a good brawl against the Cardiff Devils in the 'Big Blue Tent' on the 28th October 2012. What was said by the Devils bench after the buzzer had gone that made you go after them.?
7. Sorry that's not really something I'm interested in elaborating about. It's in the past.
8.. I'm a Belfast Giants fan and i watched all the Blaze v Giants games in 2012/13 either live at the 'O' in Belfast or via the Webcast with 'Coventry Blaze TV'. There was a few heated games between the teams last season and plenty of fights. You fought both Greg Stewart and Adam Keefe of the Giants coming out on top on both occasions. What do you remember about them games and fights last season.?
8. Belfast last season was a strong team that was built well. We did have some fun matches with them, all involving a ton of spirit. I have nothing but respect for Adam Keefe and Greg Stewart, both are warriors in their own right. They show up. In a fight it can go either way and in those incidences I was fortunate.
9.. Blaze new coach Mathias Soderstrom has made you Captain of the Blaze for the up coming season, and looking at the Blaze roster it's is not only a tough squad of players but also highly skilled with an improved pack of Brits as well. What are you expectations for the Blaze in 2013/14 .?
9. You've got to set the bar and our bar is to win it all. If we didn't set out to achieve a Championship as a team what are we playing for? Coventry took a step forward last season and we wish to take it a step further this upcoming season.
10.. Blaze have a tough roster again by EIHL standard this year with enforcer Benn Olson returning and others like yourself and Kevin Harvey in the roster. Doe's this mean we will see another hard hitting exciting Blaze team this coming season.?
10. I believe we have all the elements of a winning team. Thommo and Matty have done a optimum job in putting together a well built machine lubed up in character.
11.. Last season the Blaze brought in a late recruitment in Adam Henrich who made a massive impression in the short time he spent with the Blaze. Adam will this season been in the roster from the start of the season and seeing as you have played along side Adam on a number of occasions in your career, do you think he will continue to impress in 13/14 as much as he did at the tail end of last season.?
11. I know Henny will have a successful year, especially having his brother play along side him. He has eyes on the back of his head and always finds a way to get the job done. I'm looking forward to playing with him again.
12.. One of your rival teams from last season the Cardiff Devils have also recruited a very tough looking team this season and added four tougher players to their roster in Andrew Lord, Andrew Conboy, Adam Ross and Brad Plumton. Are you looking forward to some tough battle between the Blaze and Devils again next season.?
12. I will forever enjoy a good battle. Should be fun.
13.. Having a good group of British players is important in the EIHL if teams want to make a good push for a championship. Blaze signed one of the leagues top Brit's in Ashley Tait to their roster for 13/14. How big a signing was this for the Blaze..?
13. I couldn't agree more. It's vital to have good local guys. Ashley first and foremost is a competitor and leader. He's been in Coventry before and helped guide the team to banner seasons. I'm glad he's on our side now.
14.. Mike you have played with a lot of quality players over the course of your career so far. Who has been the best player you have played with or against in your career. ?
14. Probably from my junior days when I played with Ryan Getzlaf. He was just so talented with the puck, superior vision/hockey IQ, and came through when you needed him to. It's been fun watching him excel in the NHL.
15.. Mike you have also fought a lot of tough guys during your time in the WHL, ECHL and AHL Leagues. Who in your opinion is the toughest enforcer you have faced on the ice. ?
15. I can't really think of any one individual. They've all been tough in their own right.
I'd like to finish this Q&A with a few quick fire questions...
16.. Mike which NHL team do you support..? Toronto Maple Leafs & Chicago Blackhawks
17.. Whats you pre-game routine .. ? I don't really have a specific routine. Mentally I get focused and physically make sure my body is ready for a battle.
18.. Whats the worst away trip in the EIHL.. ? Cardiff
19.. Who was the best player last seasons in the EIHL.. ? David Ling was a 'special' player. He was quite talented.
20.. Who's the best chirper in the EIHL..? and whats the best chirp you have heard during your career.. ? Fergy (Simon Ferguson) a former teammate of mine is annoying on the ice. I've been chirped too many times in my career..they mostly always come down to how bad of a player I am
Thanks again Mike for doing this....