Chatten med Ben Eager!
Den 20:e Januari fick supportrar och övriga chansen att chatta med Ben Eager och jag har valt att posta delar av chatten här för er som är intresserade. Allt är på engelska! För att ge er en inblick om vem Ben Eager är så har han den här säsongen gjort 38 matcher. 5 mål och 5 assist och ligger på +4. Han har även hunnit med att sitta 83 minuter i utvisningsbåset.
Hey Ben! What was it like playing in Ottawa!?
It was fun. Nice to play in front of my family and friends. Being there a couple days early I was able to catch up with them and go out for dinner. Unfortunately we didn't play as good as we could have, but it was definitely fun to be home.
I have to say I love watching you fight and ruff guys up out on the ice…What do you like about being in Chicago? (aside from playing for the Hawks of course.)
The city is a very nice one to live in. The people are friendly. I live downtown and there are a lot of things to do. Going for walks or going out to eat... Ever since I moved here from Philadelphia, my friends and family spend a lot more time visiting.
Who was your favorite players growing up? How about tuff guys?
My favorite player growing up was Mario Lemieux. I watched the Penguins a lot. I never really had a favorite tough guy.
Before you go into a game, do you ever have a particular player that you go after and try to fight?
No, but you always know which guys are willing on the other team and I just go out and play. Whatever happens happens.
What's Quenneville like as a coach?
He's a great coach. He likes defense first but lets us be creative on the offensive end. All the guys enjoy playing for him.
What is your pre-game ritual, if you have one?
Pregame skate and then I get a nap in and a big meal. I like my sleep and try to get 3 hours in before the game.
My 6 yr old is learning to skate. What's the funniest thing you remember about your earliest hockey days. I'd like to share something from the pros with him.
Probably just falling on my butt a bunch of times. I was about 4 when I started.
Do you have a favorite team to play against?
Since coming to Chicago I like playing against the Red Wings. I've had success against them and they're usually fun, tough games.
Eags whats up! i am a huge fan got my 55 in black. Why is your number 55 any particular reason behind that?
Not really any reason. When I first got called up in Philly they gave me #55 and it kind of just stuck ever since then. I like it.
Who do you and your teammates consider your biggest rival? I know there's a Blackhawks-Red Wings rivalry among fans but I thought the games against the Canucks & Blues have been pretty heated.
Yeah, I would say definitely this year our biggest rivals have been the Canucks and Blues, like you said. They have a lot of guys who are tough to play against and so do we. They're pretty intense games and it's nice having those rivalries. I think we play them each a few more times and I'm sure they'll be similar to the last few.
Hey whos the funniest in the locker room??
There are some jokers in the room. I've been sitting beside Buff a lot on the road this year. He's been cracking me up a bit, so I'd say him. He's pretty funny looking too, so...
Your line has been very productive, not only scoring but always being active for the entire shift, what do you attribute your line's success to?
We try to keep it simple and come ready to work every night. We started off kind of slow but we're picking up our games and take advantage of our opportunities. We just focus on whatever we have to do to help the team win games.
What is your favorite Chicago restaurant or bar?
It's a breakfast place... the Pierre Gourmet.
What was your opinion on that awesome playoff beard you grew last season?
I think me and Soupy were the frontrunners for best beard on the team. Working on another right now. Trying to keep warm in this cold Canadian weather.
Any bets going on in the locker room about who's winning gold at the olympics?
I'm sure there's been some between Kaner and the Canadian guys. I don't think the other teams have as much of a chance, but I haven't been part of any.
What do you plan on doing during the break?
I'm gonna go to Colorado with a few buddies and hang out there.
What's been your best memory since joining the Blackhawks?
Would have to be last year's playoff run, probably when we beat Vancouver at home.
Are you looking forward to the convention this summer?
Looking forward to it. The last two years have been a cool thing to be a part of for all the guys.
Who is the MOST annoying guy on the team? Like the one who just won't stop?
I'm going to go with Tomas Kopecky. Every time we get on the bus he's talking loud on his cell phone in Slovakian. Same deal before we take off.
Whats the best chirp you have ever heard or said?
Maybe when we were playing New Jersey and a guy with a visor was chirping our bench. Someone told him to "put your window down before you talk to me."
Is this years squad the most talented group of guys you have ever played with?
I'd have to say yeah, for sure. If you look throughout our lineup there are a lot of skilled guys who can do creative things. Sometimes it's fun to just watch them at practice and see their creativity. It's definitely the most skilled team I've been on.
Who would win in a wrestling match YOU or BURISH???
Oh I'd tap him out in a couple seconds.
When did you realize that playing professional hockey would be a reality?
I don't know... my second year of junior I thought maybe I had a chance of making that dream come true.
If you could choose any two players in the history of hockey to be your linemates, who would you pick?
I'd say Mario Lemieux for sure because he was my favorite growing up and...
maybe Doug Gilmour.
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Thanks for joining me on the chat fans. It was a lot of fun and I look forward to the next one. Hopefully we can finish this road trip off with some wins. We'll see you guys back in Chicago.
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