Post by oneillthegiant on Sept 2, 2013 15:43:38 GMT
Q&A with British EPL Enforcer Chris Wiggins
At 6'6'' and around 230lbs Chris Wiggins is big presence out on the ice and he's currently the toughest British enforcer playing hockey in the UK. Wiggins has in the last 3/4 season's made a name for himself as one of the toughest guys in the EPL in England fighting guys like Jozef Sladok, Robert Schnabel and once long time EIHL enforcer Andre Payette in the last few season's. This season Wiggins will be protecting the Bracknell Bee's in the EPL.
Chris Wiggins kindly took time out to speak to us at EIHLFights
1... Chris could you tell us about how you got into ice hockey as a Kid. ?
I was about 8 at the time when my family were given some complimentary tickets to watch a an early season Guildford Flames game. From then we began to attend more and more games. Eventually i was enrolled on an after school hockey course after a few public skating sessions. At the time the course was Co-run by the flames and spectrum and i was asked if i would like to come along on a Sunday morning to try out with the junior club. Obviously i accepted with my brother and sister were soon to follow. My parents certainly did well to get us all to the end of our junior days with all three of us playing in different teams as well as us taking up individual roller hockey teams. There was a few years when there wasn't a single day that we went playing hockey of one form or another.
2... At what age did you start to playing the tough guy role on your team and was it a role you wanted or did you end up with being pigeon holed into the tough guy role due to your size. ?
I guess its only since beginning my second stint in the EPL that iv been playing my role. It was by choice in one way as it was never my intention but at the same time i was willing. Being signed in Basingstoke as a 10th forward i was determined to prove my worth. Iv always played a hard hitting game but only ever had a few of fights with only one of those being against a notable opponent being Brent Pope when i was 21 . I wouldn't say iv ever been pidgin holed by my team mates or coaches, they know the way i play the game and they know that i know when and when not to drop the gloves. Iv never had tap on the shoulder and been told to go, id like to keep it that way.
3... Chris you have played in the EPL for several season's now for a number of teams. Do you think the league has increased or decreased in the standard of hockey being played now. ?
The Epl is definitely increasing in quality every year, there ha been some great junior prospects coming through the ranks likewise some of the import players we see could hold their own in the EIHL.
On the whole the league is balanced, and although pre-season my may be able to speculate final league positions in you can never be sure who is going to win on any given night. The fans keep coming back, attendances are up and people are entertained.
4... Do you wish the EPL had a few more enforcers coming into the league.?
I think the league has a good grit/ toughness skill balance at the moment, every game has potential flash points and i think its exciting to watch, most guys will fight if needed although it is the same names doing it frequently. I think people come to watch the EPL for an exciting 60 mins of hockey. The fights are good but the unpredictability is better. Just because team X is playing team Y doesn't mean it will kick off every time.
5... You have played against and fought Steeldogs coach and enforcer Andre Payette on a number of occasions.
I watched Andre for years in the EIHL and he always played a tough physical game and at times crossed the line with dirty plays, has he settled down any in the EPL now he is a coach or is he still playing this way.?
I never had the opportunity to see Andre play in the EIHL. By the sounds of it, hes much the same player. The best way to tell would be to see for yourself and come and watch a few games in Bracknell this season.
6... You have proved you can fight and hold your own against some good heavyweights in the EPL like Andre Payette and Jozef Sladok in the EPL . Have you had any approaches from EIHL teams to come and play in the Elite league where enforcers are a lot more common than in the EPL. ?
Its a question i get asked allot. Yes, i have been approached and considered a few contracts from EIHL teams. the difficulty being i have a 9 til 5 career job as well, playing EIHL wouldn't be conducive to retaining my current job. If the opportunity arose when i was in my late teens i would likely have taken it, so for now and the near future i can only see myself in the EPL.
7... What do you think of the rumors that there will be a London team back in the EIHL in the next few season's, and do you think this will effect the EPL in any way. ?
More teams can only be a good thing. As for affecting the EPL of course it would have a small knock on affect. There would be a hand full of new roster spaces for the taking and as the epl does hold plenty of EIHL caliber players and is predominantly southern based so it would be the first place to look. its hard to say if there would be much movement in fan bases, EPL and EIHL fans do seem pretty die hard about which brand of hockey they want to be watching. casual fans could be swayed but hopefully support could be found more locally to the new rink.
8... Andrew Sharp is another tough British player in the EPL and one that played and won a championships in the EIHL. I've noticed that you two have not fought yet. Has it every come close and are we likely to every see the two top British tough guys clashing in the EPL. ?
To be honest i cant recall every really coming up agianst sharpy on the ice in any situation that would warrant dropping the gloves. there is always this season though.
9... With it not being long to the season starts what has your off-season training preparations been like.? and do you have any personal goals set before a season begins.?
This summer has been a tough one for me. Signing in Bracknell i'm being given the opportunity to play a larger part within the team which is exciting for me on a personal level and has remained in the back of my mind, id love to come into this season at peak fitness ready to go from the first game. However at the end of last season i had reconstructive surgery on my knee following and injury from December. Immediately after surgery i was not allowed to put any weight what so ever through my leg for 6 weeks and remained in a full leg to ankle brace restricting movement for 11 weeks. Its safe to say thats not the sort of preseason training anyone wants .
10... You have joined the Bracknell Bee's this season. Looking at the roster do you think the Bees will be able to compete for a championship this season.?
Personally i think the team has all the right elements and we will be a challenge for anyone we play. We may not win the league this year but the focus as over the last few seasons has been realistic competitive sustainability. Each season they have improved and i feel the same about this coming season. Should we maintain a decent level of consistency and remain relativity injury free id like to see us int he top half of the table and i don't see the cup competition or playoff finals being out of the question at all.
11... Looking at the other teams rosters in the EPL, which teams stand out as being championship contenders. ?
As with most years early favorites are Manchester and Guildford i think were well over due an underdog lifting some silverware this year though.
12... Do you think the number of import players is right for the EPL, or would you like to see an increase or decrease in the number of imports in that league.
At the moment i feel the level is right, there is a good balance across the league as it stands. I think adding further imports at this stage would increase the gap between the have and have nots. Id like to see the standard of the British player improve rather than look for a quck fix in upping import numbers. The league is heading in the right direction.
13... I've been told by friends of mine who are EPL followers that your team-mate this season Scott Spearing is an annoying agitating player out on the ice. Is there any truth to this and who are the good agitator in the EPL.?
He does it and he does it well, as the saying goes if you cant beat him join him. id say as far as proper agitating goes he is one of few. Im sure we will see Ryan watt up to his old tricks this year.
14... Are you a follower of the NHL, and if you are is there any player you try to style your game on. ?
I cant say i do follow the NHL. between work hockey and trying to maintain a personal life it doesn't leave much free time.
15... Can you every see yourself going into a coaching role when you finishes playing hockey.?
Its not something i have thought about yet. Id like to think iv got a few years left still and im smarter than i play. if the right job came along i cant see myself turning it down.
Like to finish with some quick fire questions Chris.
16... Who's the funniest team-mate you have played with.?
Craig Tribe
17... Favorite Holiday destination.?
Barcelona
18... Which other sports team do you support.?
Southampton Jaguars
19... Dogs or Cats.?
Dogs
20... What tunes are you listening too at the minute.?
Anything SHM
Thanks again to Chris Wiggins for kindly doing this Q&A for the fans, and hopefully one day the EIHL will get to see what you bring to the table.
At 6'6'' and around 230lbs Chris Wiggins is big presence out on the ice and he's currently the toughest British enforcer playing hockey in the UK. Wiggins has in the last 3/4 season's made a name for himself as one of the toughest guys in the EPL in England fighting guys like Jozef Sladok, Robert Schnabel and once long time EIHL enforcer Andre Payette in the last few season's. This season Wiggins will be protecting the Bracknell Bee's in the EPL.
Chris Wiggins kindly took time out to speak to us at EIHLFights
1... Chris could you tell us about how you got into ice hockey as a Kid. ?
I was about 8 at the time when my family were given some complimentary tickets to watch a an early season Guildford Flames game. From then we began to attend more and more games. Eventually i was enrolled on an after school hockey course after a few public skating sessions. At the time the course was Co-run by the flames and spectrum and i was asked if i would like to come along on a Sunday morning to try out with the junior club. Obviously i accepted with my brother and sister were soon to follow. My parents certainly did well to get us all to the end of our junior days with all three of us playing in different teams as well as us taking up individual roller hockey teams. There was a few years when there wasn't a single day that we went playing hockey of one form or another.
2... At what age did you start to playing the tough guy role on your team and was it a role you wanted or did you end up with being pigeon holed into the tough guy role due to your size. ?
I guess its only since beginning my second stint in the EPL that iv been playing my role. It was by choice in one way as it was never my intention but at the same time i was willing. Being signed in Basingstoke as a 10th forward i was determined to prove my worth. Iv always played a hard hitting game but only ever had a few of fights with only one of those being against a notable opponent being Brent Pope when i was 21 . I wouldn't say iv ever been pidgin holed by my team mates or coaches, they know the way i play the game and they know that i know when and when not to drop the gloves. Iv never had tap on the shoulder and been told to go, id like to keep it that way.
3... Chris you have played in the EPL for several season's now for a number of teams. Do you think the league has increased or decreased in the standard of hockey being played now. ?
The Epl is definitely increasing in quality every year, there ha been some great junior prospects coming through the ranks likewise some of the import players we see could hold their own in the EIHL.
On the whole the league is balanced, and although pre-season my may be able to speculate final league positions in you can never be sure who is going to win on any given night. The fans keep coming back, attendances are up and people are entertained.
4... Do you wish the EPL had a few more enforcers coming into the league.?
I think the league has a good grit/ toughness skill balance at the moment, every game has potential flash points and i think its exciting to watch, most guys will fight if needed although it is the same names doing it frequently. I think people come to watch the EPL for an exciting 60 mins of hockey. The fights are good but the unpredictability is better. Just because team X is playing team Y doesn't mean it will kick off every time.
5... You have played against and fought Steeldogs coach and enforcer Andre Payette on a number of occasions.
I watched Andre for years in the EIHL and he always played a tough physical game and at times crossed the line with dirty plays, has he settled down any in the EPL now he is a coach or is he still playing this way.?
I never had the opportunity to see Andre play in the EIHL. By the sounds of it, hes much the same player. The best way to tell would be to see for yourself and come and watch a few games in Bracknell this season.
6... You have proved you can fight and hold your own against some good heavyweights in the EPL like Andre Payette and Jozef Sladok in the EPL . Have you had any approaches from EIHL teams to come and play in the Elite league where enforcers are a lot more common than in the EPL. ?
Its a question i get asked allot. Yes, i have been approached and considered a few contracts from EIHL teams. the difficulty being i have a 9 til 5 career job as well, playing EIHL wouldn't be conducive to retaining my current job. If the opportunity arose when i was in my late teens i would likely have taken it, so for now and the near future i can only see myself in the EPL.
7... What do you think of the rumors that there will be a London team back in the EIHL in the next few season's, and do you think this will effect the EPL in any way. ?
More teams can only be a good thing. As for affecting the EPL of course it would have a small knock on affect. There would be a hand full of new roster spaces for the taking and as the epl does hold plenty of EIHL caliber players and is predominantly southern based so it would be the first place to look. its hard to say if there would be much movement in fan bases, EPL and EIHL fans do seem pretty die hard about which brand of hockey they want to be watching. casual fans could be swayed but hopefully support could be found more locally to the new rink.
8... Andrew Sharp is another tough British player in the EPL and one that played and won a championships in the EIHL. I've noticed that you two have not fought yet. Has it every come close and are we likely to every see the two top British tough guys clashing in the EPL. ?
To be honest i cant recall every really coming up agianst sharpy on the ice in any situation that would warrant dropping the gloves. there is always this season though.
9... With it not being long to the season starts what has your off-season training preparations been like.? and do you have any personal goals set before a season begins.?
This summer has been a tough one for me. Signing in Bracknell i'm being given the opportunity to play a larger part within the team which is exciting for me on a personal level and has remained in the back of my mind, id love to come into this season at peak fitness ready to go from the first game. However at the end of last season i had reconstructive surgery on my knee following and injury from December. Immediately after surgery i was not allowed to put any weight what so ever through my leg for 6 weeks and remained in a full leg to ankle brace restricting movement for 11 weeks. Its safe to say thats not the sort of preseason training anyone wants .
10... You have joined the Bracknell Bee's this season. Looking at the roster do you think the Bees will be able to compete for a championship this season.?
Personally i think the team has all the right elements and we will be a challenge for anyone we play. We may not win the league this year but the focus as over the last few seasons has been realistic competitive sustainability. Each season they have improved and i feel the same about this coming season. Should we maintain a decent level of consistency and remain relativity injury free id like to see us int he top half of the table and i don't see the cup competition or playoff finals being out of the question at all.
11... Looking at the other teams rosters in the EPL, which teams stand out as being championship contenders. ?
As with most years early favorites are Manchester and Guildford i think were well over due an underdog lifting some silverware this year though.
12... Do you think the number of import players is right for the EPL, or would you like to see an increase or decrease in the number of imports in that league.
At the moment i feel the level is right, there is a good balance across the league as it stands. I think adding further imports at this stage would increase the gap between the have and have nots. Id like to see the standard of the British player improve rather than look for a quck fix in upping import numbers. The league is heading in the right direction.
13... I've been told by friends of mine who are EPL followers that your team-mate this season Scott Spearing is an annoying agitating player out on the ice. Is there any truth to this and who are the good agitator in the EPL.?
He does it and he does it well, as the saying goes if you cant beat him join him. id say as far as proper agitating goes he is one of few. Im sure we will see Ryan watt up to his old tricks this year.
14... Are you a follower of the NHL, and if you are is there any player you try to style your game on. ?
I cant say i do follow the NHL. between work hockey and trying to maintain a personal life it doesn't leave much free time.
15... Can you every see yourself going into a coaching role when you finishes playing hockey.?
Its not something i have thought about yet. Id like to think iv got a few years left still and im smarter than i play. if the right job came along i cant see myself turning it down.
Like to finish with some quick fire questions Chris.
16... Who's the funniest team-mate you have played with.?
Craig Tribe
17... Favorite Holiday destination.?
Barcelona
18... Which other sports team do you support.?
Southampton Jaguars
19... Dogs or Cats.?
Dogs
20... What tunes are you listening too at the minute.?
Anything SHM
Thanks again to Chris Wiggins for kindly doing this Q&A for the fans, and hopefully one day the EIHL will get to see what you bring to the table.