Post by Admin on May 20, 2013 8:57:46 GMT
Belfast Giants tough guy Adam Keefe's Q&A session 2013
This will be Adam Keefe 9th season as a Pro hockey player and his 3rd season with the Belfast Giantsin the EIHL where he is now captain of the Northern Irish team and the Irish fans favorite player.
Keefe has been a tough guy through out his career with well over 200 career fights. He's one of the smaller tough guys out there, yet pound for pound he's as tough as they come, fighting many top fighters during his career.
Keefe started out in the OHL where he played for Sudbury Wolves for a season and a bit, and then the Kitchener Rangers for 4 season's winning the Memorial Cup in 2003. Adam while with the Rangers regularly lead his team and the league in fighting majors.
Keefe then played 6 season switching between teams in both the ECHL and AHL leagues playing as a tough guy for Toledo Storm, Manitoba Moose, Victoria Salmon Kings, Grand Rapids Griffins, San Antonio Rampage & Toledo Walleye.
Adam Keefe joined the EIHL team the Belfast Giants in 2011 as their tough guy, fighting 12 times, and helping the Giants in his 1st season win the EIHL championship. The 2nd season in Belfast Adam captained the team, which just missed out on back to back titles, losing out to rivals Nottingham Panthers in both the EIHL Championship and play-off finals. Keefe again lead the Giants in fights in 2012/13 season.
While in Belfast Keefe has become a fan favorite among the Giants faithful and just after this Q&A session was finished Adam Keefe signed up for the Irish side for another season as their captain in 2013/14.
Here's our Q&A session with the guy known as ''AK47'' in Belfast
Firstly Adam I'd like to thank you for taking the time to do this Q&A session for EIHLhockeyfights. You have made quite an impressing around the EIHL the last 2 seasons for your no nonsense style of physical play, and you have become a fan favorite among the Giants faithful.
Q1. Adam as a Junior you played on the Kitchener Rangers Memorial Cup winning team of 2002-2003 season. This team was stacked with future NHL players including Mike Richards, Petr Kanko, Gregory Campbell, David Clarkson, Andre Benoit, captain Derek Roy and defenceman Steve Eminger. What was it like playing with such a talented winning team at just 18 years of age.? and was this the best team you have every played with.?
AK. Q1. That Memorial Cup winning team was a special team. You just have to look at the names you mentioned above to see that, we knew we were winning and there wasn't a doubt in anyones mind on that team. I think that's what made us that good. It would be hard to say that wasn't the best team I have ever played for. The coach that year was also Pete DeBoer, current NJ Devils coach and the best coach ive ever played for. Loved my time in Kitchener Ranger jersey and will always be a rangers faithful.
Q2. Your Brother was also a hockey player and a very good one at that, top scoring in the OHL one season and making it as an NHL player with Tampa Bay Lighting. He is now coaching and doing very well in that area of the game as well. Was Sheldon a guy who inspired you as a kid. ?
AK. Q2. Watching my brother play growing up was always inspiring, we may not play the same, he may have " a little" more skill then me, haha, but he always gave 110% and played the game fearless with nothing but intensity every shift and Ive always tried to emulate that in my game. His coaching methods share the same core qualities. His accomplishments speak for that. I strongly believe we haven't seen the last of him at the NHL level.
Q3. Leading on from the question above. Your Brother was a skill player. Where as you are a hard nosed grinder and someone who fights for the team, someone who puts it all on the line game in game out. One of the reasons you have been a fan favorite for the teams you have played for. Was it always your ambition to fill this role ?
AK. Q3. I think growing up I was more of a skilled player as a young kid, but ever since body contact was introduced to me I haven't looked back. I love the physicality of the sport. My first fight came when I was 14 and I did real well sending the guy to the hospital to reconstruct his nose. From that year I was drafted to the OHL and looked upon to be a physical presence out on the ice. I had many losses my first few fights in the OHL as a 15 yr old but kept coming back a little stronger in the next fight. I guess my role kinda developed from there and I have been grinding it out ever since.
Q4. Adam you fought numerous times as a Junior in the OHL which would of got you good experience in the fighting aspect of hockey. But what it's like taking the step up into the minors and fighting there. Is the standard of tough guy that much higher?
AK. Q4. I think making the jump from the OHL to pro wasn't as tough as I had thought it would be, maybe starting my pro career in the old Toledo Storm's arena was just what I needed to help me make the transition because it was a hostile arena with crazy fans much like the [team=39002]Cardiff Devils[/team] BBT. The step from the ECHL to the AHL however wasn't easy as the guys were much bigger, stronger and older. But you learn pretty quick what to do and what not to do when you get punched in the face.
Q5. I see some very tough names on your career fight card over the years. Names like Jeremy Yablonski, Raitis Ivanans, Francis Lessard, Alex Henry, Mike Hoffman.ect. Whats it like going into fights like them knowing your up against some of the toughest guys in the league and your giving up a lot of height and weight to these guys.?
AK. Q5. Well playing against some of those guys can be pretty tough mentally on you leading up to the game or even during the game, but usually when the puck drops or the gloves drop that fear goes out the window and then your just trying to do your best and not get knocked out!
Q6. Belfast has become your home city for the last two season in the EIHL and you were part of a championship winning team last term. Have you enjoyed your time in the EIHL so far ? and whats it like playing on the Giants fans favorite line of you Mark Garside and one of the EIHL biggest pest's Daryl Lloyd.?
AK.Q6. The past 2 seasons with Belfast have been some of the most memorable years of my career. I have really enjoyed the EIHL and the competitiveness it takes to win a title in that league. The league title is probably one of the hardest titles to win in hockey. It takes an extreme amount of consistency over the course of an 8 month season.
Playing on a line with Gars and Lloyder has been fun, we all play a simple game and I think that's what makes it work. I do however spend more time watching what Lloyders going to do next on the ice then playing the game itself haha. But like him or hate him, they all know when hes on the ice. Gars is very reliable and rarely makes mistakes out there which makes him very effective and easy to play with. That being said I'm sure they would both love to playing with someone who makes plays instead of dumping and chasing everything. I've mastered the dump and chase and the high flip.
Q7. I know you are a fan of twitter and enjoy a bit of banter with other teams fans, and you have posted some hilarious chirps the last few seasons. Do you think the EIHL social Media policy has spoiled some of the player/fans interaction this season.? Yourself, Ryan Finnerty, Olson, Deeds before he left and others seemed to have toned it down a bit lately.
AK. Q7. I think twitter is a great way for the fans and even the players to enjoy a bit of banter over the course of the season. It gets the fans involved and gives them a voice. I think the social media policy is a good thing for the professionalism of the league however if they are going to be dishing out fines then I think they should be consistent with the fines or dont fine anyone at all. To hold players accountable the league itself must be accountable. That's all I will say on that matter as I cant afford anymore fines, I have a vacation to Cuba to pay for.
Q8. Coventry Blaze have had a very tough team this season in the EIHL and you have fought 5 times against them this season, including 3 times against a guy many see as one of the toughest in this years EIHL, Benn Olson. Over half of the Giants overall fighting majors this season has also been against the Blaze. Has it been a fun rivalry with the Blaze and did the EIHL new Conference system help build up the rivalries in the league this season.?
AK. Q8. I think the Coventry Blaze not only had a very tough team this season, they had a very good team. Benn Olson and Mike Egener are two very big and tough d-men that make them a hard team to play against. The battles with them were very fun and there wasn't a game against them I didn't leave the arena with some sort of battle wound. I think sometimes their lack of discipline cost them some games but in the end they were in the final 4. Credit to the team and Thommo for battling their way to Nottingham. Best of luck to Thommo in Sweden.
The new conference system I thought worked great, it made for more exciting and heated rivalries within your conference. However if one of the Gardner teams could put together a team that could compete for a full season with the top of the league it may give them an easy edge in the league title. I also disagree with the winner of the Gardner conference getting 2nd seed for playoff seedings.
Q9. Giants this season were hit with some of ice problems when their new owner turned out to have a very shady past. This caused a lot of off ice problems for the Giants Org. But as a Giants fan myself I think Todd, Doug and all the team including yourself done what was right for the integrity of the Giants and our supporters. Do you think this off ice drama dented our title bid this season as we lost quite a few games during this time.?
AK. Q9. I think the ownership issue was a distraction, but it was not the reason we missed out on titles. Nottingham was more consistent and we were hit with a lot of injuries. No excuses though, in hockey you have to find a way to win regardless night in and night out. Todd went through a lot this season and we the players have nothing but respect for him the way he handled it all and still managed to put on a good show at the odyssey every home game.
Q10. What was it like being Captain of the Giants this season, and does this help or hinder you in your role as the teams go to guy on the ice when trouble starts.?
Q10. It was an honor to wear the "C" for the Belfast Giants this season. The team and the city have lots of history. The fans are very passionate about their city and their team. I think throughout the season the players capture that passion and it becomes part of the teams identity. My role hasn't changed whether I was captain or not. When the going gets tough on the ice I will be there for my guys.
Q11. Do you see yourself in Belfast next season or is this year the last we will see of [player=1826]Adam Keefe[/player] in the EIHL.?
Q11. This is a pretty easy question to answer as I have just signed back with the Belfast Giants yesterday. I am looking forward to the new challenge next season with someone new behind the bench. Without a doubt the Sheffield Steelers just got a lot better with the addition of Doug and they will be a force to reckon with as will Nottingham as usual.
Q12. I know you are buddies with Mike Danton. I've been a follower of his on twitter all season long and I think he was mentioned on more threads on the UK hockey forums,Twitter,facebook ect than any other player this season, and he did not even make it over. Would the EIHL been able to live with the Mike Danton show this season.. ? I think Cardiff Devils fan forum the inferno would of went into melt down.
AK. Q12. I think the EIHL missed out on a great player for the league and also a great personality. I do think he would of had a few more social media fines then me though because he is a mutant.
... Just a few quick fire questions to finish...
Q13. Who the best player you have played with/against in your career ?
AK. Q13. I think the best players I've played with are Mike Richards and David Clarkson, both two close friends since the Kitchener Rangers days, their careers speak for themselves. Also Mike Keane didn't have a bad career himself. Ive played against a lot of great players that are currently playing in the NHL so its hard to name just one.
Q14. Toughest player you have fought in your career? and in the EIHL ?
AK. Q14. Toughest I've fought in my career would be Jeremy Yablonski, fought him 5 times, none of them were fun. In the EIHL I'd have to say Benn Olson. He is a big human and he owes me a left elbow pad.
Q15. Which fan base has the most #mutants among them in the EIHL ?
AK. Q15. I'd have to say its a toss up between Hull and Cardiff for most mutants, maybe slight edge to Cardiff because they get more of them.
Q16. Who's the best Darts player in the Giants roster?
AK. Q16. That would have to be myself, with Craig Peacock and Matt Towe coming a close second. One hundred and eightyyyyyyyyyyy.
Q17. Which team do you enjoy playing the most in the EIHL?
AK. Q17. I enjoy playing them all especially now that league has become a lot more competitive from top to bottom.
Cheers again Adam for doing this Q&A session for EIHL Hockeyfights twitter followers
This will be Adam Keefe 9th season as a Pro hockey player and his 3rd season with the Belfast Giantsin the EIHL where he is now captain of the Northern Irish team and the Irish fans favorite player.
Keefe has been a tough guy through out his career with well over 200 career fights. He's one of the smaller tough guys out there, yet pound for pound he's as tough as they come, fighting many top fighters during his career.
Keefe started out in the OHL where he played for Sudbury Wolves for a season and a bit, and then the Kitchener Rangers for 4 season's winning the Memorial Cup in 2003. Adam while with the Rangers regularly lead his team and the league in fighting majors.
Keefe then played 6 season switching between teams in both the ECHL and AHL leagues playing as a tough guy for Toledo Storm, Manitoba Moose, Victoria Salmon Kings, Grand Rapids Griffins, San Antonio Rampage & Toledo Walleye.
Adam Keefe joined the EIHL team the Belfast Giants in 2011 as their tough guy, fighting 12 times, and helping the Giants in his 1st season win the EIHL championship. The 2nd season in Belfast Adam captained the team, which just missed out on back to back titles, losing out to rivals Nottingham Panthers in both the EIHL Championship and play-off finals. Keefe again lead the Giants in fights in 2012/13 season.
While in Belfast Keefe has become a fan favorite among the Giants faithful and just after this Q&A session was finished Adam Keefe signed up for the Irish side for another season as their captain in 2013/14.
Here's our Q&A session with the guy known as ''AK47'' in Belfast
Firstly Adam I'd like to thank you for taking the time to do this Q&A session for EIHLhockeyfights. You have made quite an impressing around the EIHL the last 2 seasons for your no nonsense style of physical play, and you have become a fan favorite among the Giants faithful.
Q1. Adam as a Junior you played on the Kitchener Rangers Memorial Cup winning team of 2002-2003 season. This team was stacked with future NHL players including Mike Richards, Petr Kanko, Gregory Campbell, David Clarkson, Andre Benoit, captain Derek Roy and defenceman Steve Eminger. What was it like playing with such a talented winning team at just 18 years of age.? and was this the best team you have every played with.?
AK. Q1. That Memorial Cup winning team was a special team. You just have to look at the names you mentioned above to see that, we knew we were winning and there wasn't a doubt in anyones mind on that team. I think that's what made us that good. It would be hard to say that wasn't the best team I have ever played for. The coach that year was also Pete DeBoer, current NJ Devils coach and the best coach ive ever played for. Loved my time in Kitchener Ranger jersey and will always be a rangers faithful.
Q2. Your Brother was also a hockey player and a very good one at that, top scoring in the OHL one season and making it as an NHL player with Tampa Bay Lighting. He is now coaching and doing very well in that area of the game as well. Was Sheldon a guy who inspired you as a kid. ?
AK. Q2. Watching my brother play growing up was always inspiring, we may not play the same, he may have " a little" more skill then me, haha, but he always gave 110% and played the game fearless with nothing but intensity every shift and Ive always tried to emulate that in my game. His coaching methods share the same core qualities. His accomplishments speak for that. I strongly believe we haven't seen the last of him at the NHL level.
Q3. Leading on from the question above. Your Brother was a skill player. Where as you are a hard nosed grinder and someone who fights for the team, someone who puts it all on the line game in game out. One of the reasons you have been a fan favorite for the teams you have played for. Was it always your ambition to fill this role ?
AK. Q3. I think growing up I was more of a skilled player as a young kid, but ever since body contact was introduced to me I haven't looked back. I love the physicality of the sport. My first fight came when I was 14 and I did real well sending the guy to the hospital to reconstruct his nose. From that year I was drafted to the OHL and looked upon to be a physical presence out on the ice. I had many losses my first few fights in the OHL as a 15 yr old but kept coming back a little stronger in the next fight. I guess my role kinda developed from there and I have been grinding it out ever since.
Q4. Adam you fought numerous times as a Junior in the OHL which would of got you good experience in the fighting aspect of hockey. But what it's like taking the step up into the minors and fighting there. Is the standard of tough guy that much higher?
AK. Q4. I think making the jump from the OHL to pro wasn't as tough as I had thought it would be, maybe starting my pro career in the old Toledo Storm's arena was just what I needed to help me make the transition because it was a hostile arena with crazy fans much like the [team=39002]Cardiff Devils[/team] BBT. The step from the ECHL to the AHL however wasn't easy as the guys were much bigger, stronger and older. But you learn pretty quick what to do and what not to do when you get punched in the face.
Q5. I see some very tough names on your career fight card over the years. Names like Jeremy Yablonski, Raitis Ivanans, Francis Lessard, Alex Henry, Mike Hoffman.ect. Whats it like going into fights like them knowing your up against some of the toughest guys in the league and your giving up a lot of height and weight to these guys.?
AK. Q5. Well playing against some of those guys can be pretty tough mentally on you leading up to the game or even during the game, but usually when the puck drops or the gloves drop that fear goes out the window and then your just trying to do your best and not get knocked out!
Q6. Belfast has become your home city for the last two season in the EIHL and you were part of a championship winning team last term. Have you enjoyed your time in the EIHL so far ? and whats it like playing on the Giants fans favorite line of you Mark Garside and one of the EIHL biggest pest's Daryl Lloyd.?
AK.Q6. The past 2 seasons with Belfast have been some of the most memorable years of my career. I have really enjoyed the EIHL and the competitiveness it takes to win a title in that league. The league title is probably one of the hardest titles to win in hockey. It takes an extreme amount of consistency over the course of an 8 month season.
Playing on a line with Gars and Lloyder has been fun, we all play a simple game and I think that's what makes it work. I do however spend more time watching what Lloyders going to do next on the ice then playing the game itself haha. But like him or hate him, they all know when hes on the ice. Gars is very reliable and rarely makes mistakes out there which makes him very effective and easy to play with. That being said I'm sure they would both love to playing with someone who makes plays instead of dumping and chasing everything. I've mastered the dump and chase and the high flip.
Q7. I know you are a fan of twitter and enjoy a bit of banter with other teams fans, and you have posted some hilarious chirps the last few seasons. Do you think the EIHL social Media policy has spoiled some of the player/fans interaction this season.? Yourself, Ryan Finnerty, Olson, Deeds before he left and others seemed to have toned it down a bit lately.
AK. Q7. I think twitter is a great way for the fans and even the players to enjoy a bit of banter over the course of the season. It gets the fans involved and gives them a voice. I think the social media policy is a good thing for the professionalism of the league however if they are going to be dishing out fines then I think they should be consistent with the fines or dont fine anyone at all. To hold players accountable the league itself must be accountable. That's all I will say on that matter as I cant afford anymore fines, I have a vacation to Cuba to pay for.
Q8. Coventry Blaze have had a very tough team this season in the EIHL and you have fought 5 times against them this season, including 3 times against a guy many see as one of the toughest in this years EIHL, Benn Olson. Over half of the Giants overall fighting majors this season has also been against the Blaze. Has it been a fun rivalry with the Blaze and did the EIHL new Conference system help build up the rivalries in the league this season.?
AK. Q8. I think the Coventry Blaze not only had a very tough team this season, they had a very good team. Benn Olson and Mike Egener are two very big and tough d-men that make them a hard team to play against. The battles with them were very fun and there wasn't a game against them I didn't leave the arena with some sort of battle wound. I think sometimes their lack of discipline cost them some games but in the end they were in the final 4. Credit to the team and Thommo for battling their way to Nottingham. Best of luck to Thommo in Sweden.
The new conference system I thought worked great, it made for more exciting and heated rivalries within your conference. However if one of the Gardner teams could put together a team that could compete for a full season with the top of the league it may give them an easy edge in the league title. I also disagree with the winner of the Gardner conference getting 2nd seed for playoff seedings.
Q9. Giants this season were hit with some of ice problems when their new owner turned out to have a very shady past. This caused a lot of off ice problems for the Giants Org. But as a Giants fan myself I think Todd, Doug and all the team including yourself done what was right for the integrity of the Giants and our supporters. Do you think this off ice drama dented our title bid this season as we lost quite a few games during this time.?
AK. Q9. I think the ownership issue was a distraction, but it was not the reason we missed out on titles. Nottingham was more consistent and we were hit with a lot of injuries. No excuses though, in hockey you have to find a way to win regardless night in and night out. Todd went through a lot this season and we the players have nothing but respect for him the way he handled it all and still managed to put on a good show at the odyssey every home game.
Q10. What was it like being Captain of the Giants this season, and does this help or hinder you in your role as the teams go to guy on the ice when trouble starts.?
Q10. It was an honor to wear the "C" for the Belfast Giants this season. The team and the city have lots of history. The fans are very passionate about their city and their team. I think throughout the season the players capture that passion and it becomes part of the teams identity. My role hasn't changed whether I was captain or not. When the going gets tough on the ice I will be there for my guys.
Q11. Do you see yourself in Belfast next season or is this year the last we will see of [player=1826]Adam Keefe[/player] in the EIHL.?
Q11. This is a pretty easy question to answer as I have just signed back with the Belfast Giants yesterday. I am looking forward to the new challenge next season with someone new behind the bench. Without a doubt the Sheffield Steelers just got a lot better with the addition of Doug and they will be a force to reckon with as will Nottingham as usual.
Q12. I know you are buddies with Mike Danton. I've been a follower of his on twitter all season long and I think he was mentioned on more threads on the UK hockey forums,Twitter,facebook ect than any other player this season, and he did not even make it over. Would the EIHL been able to live with the Mike Danton show this season.. ? I think Cardiff Devils fan forum the inferno would of went into melt down.
AK. Q12. I think the EIHL missed out on a great player for the league and also a great personality. I do think he would of had a few more social media fines then me though because he is a mutant.
... Just a few quick fire questions to finish...
Q13. Who the best player you have played with/against in your career ?
AK. Q13. I think the best players I've played with are Mike Richards and David Clarkson, both two close friends since the Kitchener Rangers days, their careers speak for themselves. Also Mike Keane didn't have a bad career himself. Ive played against a lot of great players that are currently playing in the NHL so its hard to name just one.
Q14. Toughest player you have fought in your career? and in the EIHL ?
AK. Q14. Toughest I've fought in my career would be Jeremy Yablonski, fought him 5 times, none of them were fun. In the EIHL I'd have to say Benn Olson. He is a big human and he owes me a left elbow pad.
Q15. Which fan base has the most #mutants among them in the EIHL ?
AK. Q15. I'd have to say its a toss up between Hull and Cardiff for most mutants, maybe slight edge to Cardiff because they get more of them.
Q16. Who's the best Darts player in the Giants roster?
AK. Q16. That would have to be myself, with Craig Peacock and Matt Towe coming a close second. One hundred and eightyyyyyyyyyyy.
Q17. Which team do you enjoy playing the most in the EIHL?
AK. Q17. I enjoy playing them all especially now that league has become a lot more competitive from top to bottom.
Cheers again Adam for doing this Q&A session for EIHL Hockeyfights twitter followers
