It was a tough. Sixteen games into my career, we had a coaching change. It was something I never experienced before, and something I had to go through a lot earlier in my career than I expected.

My parents, especially my dad, had a big influence on my hockey career. He introduced me to the game when I was younger, and I stuck with it.

Knowing your coach has confidence in you is big for a young player.

I don't see this as Marty [St. Louis] replacing me. I see this as Marty getting the opportunity he deserves.

I came into the League at 18-years-old. I didn't have a lot of experience in training the right way. I probably came into the league at 175 pounds; now I'm 190 ... It's all about training the right way and training for my needs.

I'm a guy who works very hard and if I want something bad enough, I'm going to do anything possible to get it.

Staying away from junk food and the pops-it's something that, for me, is harder than doing the actual workouts. It's so easy to get off-track. Like when you're out with your buddies and they're stopping at McDonald's. You can't have a Big Mac with them.