November 14, 2007
Blake Kessel celebrates a Waterloo goal.
Tyler - Nebraska
What is your favorite arena to play in other than Young Arena?
My favorite arena would have to be Cedar Rapids because it is our rival and the arena is packed full of people and that makes it a lot of fun. The other place I like to play is Lincoln because of the environment, it starts with a crazy introduction and then all the fans that are there every night makes it a great place to play.
Deborah - Iowa
Did you know that you wanted to play hockey at a young age, or did your parents push you into playing?
My parents have always been supportive in whatever I do but I pretty much knew that I wanted to play hockey. My family is big into sports so I played every sport I could but I got into hockey because of my brother and from the very beginning it was the one that I wanted to play the most.
Tyler - Colorado
I'm a defenseman this year for the Pikes Peak Miners. I want to play in the USHL next year and I was wondering when teams started talking to you to move on? Did you get drafted? When did you find out about it if you did? Thanks for your time and good luck.
The year before I came to Waterloo, when I was still with the Madison Capitols, at some the end of the year tournaments when a couple of teams were talking to me about coming to tryouts. I was not drafted in the USHL. Actually I went to tryout in Indiana, Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. I was cut from Indiana and Cedar Rapids and Waterloo's tryout was the last one and I played good and got a chance to be on the team. So, if you are not drafted you still have a good chance of making a team if you get invited to tryout.
Chris - Nebraska
Blake, first I hope all is well with you and I hope you have a great season. I am a Lancer fan and I just wanted to ask what it's like playing against them? Do you expect a harder game than normal?
The Lancers are always a fast and tough team which makes them hard to play against. In the USHL you can always expect a tough game so you can't just be prepared and expect a harder game with one team.
Kevin - Iowa
You are committed to University of New Hampshire, but your hometown is listed as Verona, Wisconsin. What went into your decision to choose to play college hockey so far away from home?
It was a tough decision for me because I grew up in the Midwest and always around the WCHA. I looked at it as a new start, a chance to try something different for 4 years and be in a new location. As for the school it was a great campus and the best thing about it is that hockey is the number one sport at UNH. The games are all sold out and the fans really care about the hockey at New Hampshire.
Brett - Iowa
Hi Blake. Who are your favorite pro hockey players and teams (besides your brother)?
My other favorite team would have to be the New York Islanders. Some other players would have to be Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Chelios because they have been so good for so long. The others would be Gary, Bob and Ryan Suter - they all helped me with my game while I was at the Madison Capitols. I will keep learning as much from them as I can.
Rusty - Iowa
Hi Blake. Just as an intro. I used to go to Black Hawks game when I was younger at the McElroy Auditorium. Then last November my daughter won season tickets and I thought I would take my four children to a game. They and I were hooked immediately. We have so much respect for all of you now that we know how hard you work for the game that you love. We all picked favorite players and you are my favorite. I love it when you skate away from a skirmish with a huge smile! I know you probably like playing at Young Arena better than away games. But do you ever feel less pressure when you're at an away game because there are less of your screaming fans? Good luck this year and I wish you well when you move on after being with the Hawks.
Actually, yes sometimes I do just because you don't feel that you have to be perfect and can relax and just play. However, after the first few games you get used to our fans and hate playing on the road because we have some of the greatest fans in the league.
Randy - Michigan
Blake, how do you feel about cages and visors? Do you think one or the other gives you an advantage?
I think it is whatever you are most comfortable with in this league. I think that it is not that big of a deal to wear a cage and I will have to wear one next year anyway. Also in the USHL not everyone is wearing a visor. So, because of this I think the visor is not respected as much and sticks still quite often come up high. I think that the visor will give you a little better vision on the ice but it is whatever you will feel more comfortable with and be able to play your best that is what you should wear.
Jimmy - New York
Blake, what did it feel like when you were drafted into the NHL?
It was an unbelievable feeling. I cannot even begin to describe it. That was the most exciting day of my life. I was pretty much in shock and did not know what to do. I was just saying one word answers when I got the call from the Islanders.
Dane - Iowa
Who do you feel are some of the top rookies on your team?
We have some really good young players but the two that have had a great start would be Brock Monpetit with his offense and Drew MacKenzie has been really solid on defense.
Devin - Wisconsin
What's the best thing that you have done or can do to improve your game?
As hockey is changing into a game of speed the biggest thing is skating. Being able to transition and move side to side while playing defense is becoming very important. The thing I have done is work on foot speed and skating. Another big thing is being able to get up into the play on offense and get shots through from the point.
Patrick - Wisconsin
What would it mean to you to play with your older brother in the NHL?
Just to play in the NHL is my dream and ultimate goal. If I had a chance to play with Phil in the NHL I would do anything because he is who got me into the sport and taught/helped me so much to make me into the player I am.
Blake - Iowa
I live in Cedar Rapids and am of course a huge RoughRiders fan, and I've always wanted to know how this Hawks/Riders rivalry seems to get bigger and bigger every year, despite the high turnover of players each season. Coming into the USHL, were you aware or made aware of this rivalry and how important it is to the fans, or is the bad blood between the two teams something that just somehow carries on?
When I first came to Waterloo I was made aware by the veterans how important the games versus Cedar Rapids are. The fans also play a huge role because they want us to win so bad that they make sure we are ready to go and know how much winning those games means to them. I have a feeling this rivalry will continue to be a huge deal to both teams and towns.
John - Missouri
I have a son who is 15-years-old who has the motivation and desire to play Junior A hockey. What did you do as a 15-year-old to prepare yourself to play hockey at the Junior A level? How often were you in the gym lifting weights, spinning, etc.?
In-season we were working out with the team 2 times a week. Off-season it would be usually 5 times a week in the gym working out with a bike ride after the weights. We would not be in the gym for a lot of time we would be sure that we were having fun and getting our time off.
Bob - Wisconsin
How did your midget AAA experience playing for the Madison Capitols get you prepared for the USHL?
It made me into the player I am today. I know that I would not be here if I was not part of the Madison Capitols organization. When you have the guidance of NHL players it can only make you better. Bob and Gary Suter are still running and coaching within the organization. The level of competition that you play against in midget AAA helps you to be able to make the jump to juniors a lot easier.
Amy - Iowa
Can you explain to me what is it like playing in front of a sold out crowd at the Young Arena?
It is really hard to explain in words what it is like but when you are ready to come out for the game your heart starts racing. Your adrenalin starts pumping and when you hit the ice your legs start turning very fast. The noise is unbelievable - you can't hear anything at ice level. The sold out crowd is the best experience I have had at a hockey game yet.
Thank you to everyone that took the time to write in and I hope that the USHL will let me do this again and continue to answer questions that the fans have.
