Post by oneillthegiant on Aug 21, 2014 17:31:20 GMT
Q&A session with Fife Flyers Matt Nickerson '2014
Matt Nickerson returns to the EIHL after a good 1st season in the UK with Scottish outfit the Fife Flyers. He was part of the first ever Flyers team to make the EIHL Play-offs weekend, and Nickerson provided the Flyers with protection needed out on the ice while also playing a solid stay at home defensive role through out the 13/14 EIHL season.
Previous to his move to Fife Matt Nickerson had played in Finland in the Liiga, while also playing in both the AHL & ECHL as a Pro. Matt is known for being a huge d.man who is very strong defensively. He likes to hit and punish opponents physically and will drop the gloves to protect himself and his team mates. It's great to have a character like Matt back in the EIHL and I'm sure Flyers fans will have their 'Fear the beard' T.Shirts out next season for his return.
Firstly welcome back to the league Matt, you where one of the more entertaining players of last season and it's good for the league to recruit players who have a bit of character about them, and congratulations on being voted 'Best Enforcer' in the Gardiner conference by our followers on Twitter last season...I'd also like to thank you for taking the time to do this Q&A session for EIHLhockeyfights
M.N.. Thank you.
Q.1. So Matt what got you involved in hockey as a kid.?
M.N. I got involved in ice hokey at the age of 5 because my father was a huge bruins fan and one of my neighbors was Doug Roberts. He played for UofM wolverines, Detroit red wings and Hartford whalers just to name a few. He was coaching at a college in new London Ct. That was the closest rink to us, and I started falling all over the ice.
Q.2. Matt what's your thoughts on the EIHL & the quality of hockey in Britain's top league at present..?
M.N. it's good and only getting better. More guys coming into the league with tons of ahl and echo games. As well as guys who have played nhl games. And this year with some of the signings I've seen, it will be better than last year.
Q.3. Matt you have just finished your 1st season Playing a good defensive game while adding protection to the Flyers roster, becoming a fan favourite among their loyal supporters.
So what's Fife like as an organisation & what made you want to return to Fife ?
M.N. it was an absolute blast playing in kirkcaldy(fife). The people at the games are loud. Makes playing at home so much fun. And the towns people have been so nice to my wife and I. Honestly made us feel like we are in our second home. Was an easy decision when we decided to return to the UK. Fife was it.
Q.4. Matt you played in the Finnish SM-Liga in your 1st season as a Pro.
Why did you decide to play in Finland & how did your physical style of play go down in a league that's not known for having many physical players in it's rosters. ?
I ask this as I noticed you set an all-time record for most PIMS ever in the SM-Liga in 2005-2006, 236min in 36 games...
M.N. It was a year where Dallas shared an ahl team and wanted me to play in a high skilled league so I could focus on hockey more than the rough stuff. Was an amazing year and opened the door to Europe for me. Very lucky that it worked out that way.
Q.5. Matt you returned to North America following your rookie Pro season in Finland, and split the year playing between the AHL & ECHL, fighting a total of 18 times in 06/07..
During that season you played along side one of the ECHL's toughest players in Jeremy Yablonski.. What's it like have Yabo as an Enforcer and a team mate.?
M.N. Yabo is the nicest guy in pro hockey, hands down. First day I was sent down he threw me the keys to his brand new Yukon Denali and told me to enjoy, just pick him up for practice. I didn't even know him. From there on we have remained friends. Trained mma in Boise while we were playing. Awesome stuff. Guy is a beast. I've tried to get him to fife!
Q.6. Matt the Gardiner conference rosters have toughened up this season, including the Clan, who the Flyers & yourself had many run ins with last season. Do you think you will be enforcing more often this season now the likes of the Clan have signed Salters & Fitzgerald, Caps have brought in big heavyweight in Riley Emmerson & the Stars have also brought in a few tougher physical players as well..?
M.N. Ha-ha yeah I've noticed the added muscle. All three names you mentioned I'm familiar with. All three are tough dudes.
Q.7. Carrying on a bit from the previous question, do you think your presence in the Gardiner conference last season made some coaches decide to toughen up their rosters for 14/15.. ? Because watching as a neutral fan i noticed you dominated a few games physically last season in the Gardiner conference.
M.N. Maybe. It always nice to have a guy or guys to look after your other players. And obviously the fans enjoy that part of the game.
Q.8. Matt you picked up a couple of suspensions last season from the EIHL disciplinary committee, one of which was for an incident with Braehead Clans Chris Frank in December which you received a 9 game ban for. What happened leading up too you going after Frank,..? I've watched the video and it seems there could of been some contact by the Clan player on your goalie before hand..?
M.N Yeah that's what I saw as well. I was just doing what I thought was right. Protect my tender, Reagan. Obviously the suspension hurt, but you can't let it go unchecked.
Q.9. There also was a few other incidents between the pair of you in 13/14, including Frank attempting to head butt you in a game in September in Fife, before you fought each other in November, then a month later you picked up the long suspension.
What's your thoughts on the running battles you and Frank had last season..?
M.N. Yeah. The fans seemed to enjoy it. Wasn't really much of a rivalry in my mind. He is known to play dirty and it's my job to protect my guys.
Q.10. Another player you had some running battles with last season was Hull Stingrays Jeff Smith who i also noticed you had a few altercations with in N.America. Was it a case of two tough guys just doing their roles last season or do you think he still holds a grudge from previous encounters in the ECHL.
M.N. I felt he owed me a fair fight after last season. I obviously didn't get it. I didn't realize he was the same guy until the season started. In our echl dust up, I was just trying to help yabo who was on his back.
Q.11. Matt you played against all the other enforcers and tough guys in the EIHL last season. So who for you were the toughest opponents on the ice you faced in 13/14.. ?
M.N. Leigh Salters and Tim Spencer. Both big boys that can chuck Em and Both guys can play the game at the same time.
Q.12. Matt the EIHL also had quite a few agitators in the league last season and teams have brought in more this term. Was there anyone in the EIHL last term that annoyed you or the Flyers out on the ice.? I know when the Flyers came to Belfast i was impressed with Jordan Fulton, he could wind players up on the ice & also get a reaction from opposition fan bases.
M.N. I hear fults grinds a lot of guys gears. For me it was Harvey. Felt he was trying to hurt guys with some late and questionable hits.
Q.13. Matt what are your expectations for yourself and the Flyers coming into the new season.. ?
M.N. To be honest, get back to Nottingham and make a run at the finals. Last year was a special year in our dressing room and would love to repeat that.
.............. Here's a few fun quick fire questions to finish with..........................
What NHL team do you follow/support.?
M.N. Teams that my friends play on.
Who's was the worst dresser on the Flyers team last season.?
Yikes. A couple guys that need a mirror. Tom Muir.... And Ned L. Gets an honourable mention for his Dolomite jacket.
Will the epic Viking beard be back in 14/15.?
Do Vikings believe in Odin? Of course.... Haha
Which EIHL team's fans give you the most abuse.?
Jeez. Braehead, Dundee, hull.... Toss up. But may have to be Dundee. Even when the games over going to bus they keep going.
What's the best Chirps you have heard, as a player?
Too many. Some guys on other teams can actually make you laugh. I try not too.
Which opposition rink in the EIHL did you enjoy playing in most last season?
Fife... Maybe you wanted a road rink... Belfast would be it. Big barn and great support.
Scotland in the UK.. Yes or No .. ?
Dang. I would have to say no as an outsider...
Who's the best referee in the EIHL..?
Any way I answer this I am a bad guy.
Would Matt Nickerson make a good hockey coach.. ?
Would like to think so... Would love to stay involved in the game when my playing days are over.
Finally who do you rate as the best fighter currently playing today in any hockey league.?
1. Steve MacIntrye 2. Brian McGrattan. 3. Jeremy 'Yabo' Yablonski 4. Luke Gazdic.
Thanks again Matt and good luck for the coming season.
Cheers!! Thanks again!
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