November 12, 2007
Matt Farris is one of the first South Dakota natives to play in the USHL.
During the 2007-08 season, www.ushl.com will feature player profiles of current USHLers, giving people the opportunity to learn more about the players that are behind the masks. Rookie or veteran, it doesn't matter, players from all teams will be featured with a new player added each week.
Name: Matt Farris
Nickname: None
Hometown: Pierre, South Dakota
Best Thing About Hometown: The hunting and fishing
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, biking, rollerblading, reading
Favorite Band: Rascal Flatts
Favorite Movie: The Man From Snowy River
Favorite TV Show: House, M.D.
Favorite Food: Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo
Dream Vacation: Waterfowl hunting in Canada
Favorite NHL Team: Detroit Red Wings
Favorite Player Growing Up: Niklas Lidstrom
Greatest Hockey Moment: Scoring my first USHL goal
Pre-Game Rituals: None
Best Player You've Played With: Nate Dewhurst
Best Player You've Played Against: Jay Barriball
When did you see your first USHL game? My first pre-season game was on September 22nd against Sioux City and my first regular season game was on October 13th against Chicago.
How does it feel to be one of the first South Dakota natives to play in the USHL? It feels awesome; I'm excited to be the kid who gets to help get South Dakota on the hockey map.
Describe your USHL experience so far? The experience has been unbelievable. It has been an adrenaline-filled roller coaster ride and I am loving every minute of it. The Sioux Falls Stampede is a first class organization and it is a real treat to get to play for Coach Hartzell. The experience has been eye-opening and I have learned a lot in the three months I have been here.
How did it feel to score your first USHL goal? It felt great to get a goal and to help the team get a big win. The crowd was ecstatic and it was just an electric feeling.
Would the experience be as special if you weren't playing for your home-state team? The experience would still be unbelievable but I don't think it would have been as great. The hockey community in South Dakota is still pretty small and I have had a lot of support from people throughout the state. That support makes the experience more enjoyable and a lot more special.
What was your hockey experience like growing up? It was rough at first. We started outside at the local softball complex and the following year we moved into a horse barn which was quite interesting. Two years later we moved into a nicer building where we currently reside and it was like a country club compared to our previous situation. We started out very humble and I think that has helped me appreciate things more and realize that nothing comes easy and you have to work to get everything. We also spent
countless hours on the road just to play games. We would travel many weekends to the Twin Cities or to Fargo to play in tournaments during the fall, spring, and summer.
Coming from a "non-traditional" hockey area, how did you start playing? I started playing organized hockey in the first grade. I had skated before that, and I would always watch the older kids play during the winter. One day I came home and asked if I could play and my parents decided to give it a shot. The moment I put on my helmet and gloves I couldn't get enough of it.
Who would play you in a movie about your life? I think either Mark Wahlberg or Russell Crowe.
What's one thing that nobody knows about you? I like to paint and draw.
What advice do you give to young players? Never give up on your dreams. Work
hard and you can accomplish anything!
Previous Profiles
Will Weber - Chicago
Jason Gregoire - Lincoln
Tim Hall - Ohio
