On his style of play:  I think I see the ice pretty well; that is probably my biggest strength.  I know where to be at the right time.  I think I'm maybe classified as a power forward.  I try to use my body to the best of my ability -- maybe not crush guys, but just bump guys off the puck, protect the puck, and just see the ice pretty well.

On patterning his game after San Jose's Joe Thornton:  My favorite player is Joe Thornton.  I don't think I could maybe quite be like him, but to play like that and to make everyone make his linemates that much better and to be able to see the ice so well like him, that would be definitely how I'd want to be.

On getting his start in hockey:  I think I didn't have a choice.  We had an outdoor rink, and me and my brothers used to play there all the time.  That's usually how I got into it.  Then eventually I worked my way up through minor hockey and had a lot of great coaches that taught me a lot. 

On keeping up to his older brothers -- Eric (Carolina), Marc (NY Rangers) and Jordan (Pittsburgh):  Sometimes it's tough.  I don't think I touched the puck too much on the ice but it was a lot of fun. I couldn't ask for anything more growing up as a brother.  To have three older brothers that were good at hockey, it was good competition.  It was a lot of fun.  We're all really close and it's been good.

On the biggest influences in his career: Definitely my parents -- they're the ones that drove you to all the practices, and it was pretty hectic with me and my brothers.  There were four rinks they had to go to in one night.  They found a way to get there and I thank them a lot.  They were always supportive of me and whatever I wanted to do.  If I didn't want to play hockey, you know, they supported me in that way.  But I think they were just really good people and really humble.  And I'm thankful for all they've done for me so far.  Another person is my coach in junior this year (Mike Foligno) and last year.  He's taught me a lot so far as a hockey player.  And I'm grateful for everything he's taught me.

On what motivates him to become better:  I think just the Stanley Cup.  That's the biggest thing in motivation, to get your name on that and seeing that.  When my brother (Eric) won it for the first time, you know, it gives me chills.  I didn't even get to win the thing or anything.  I just couldn't even imagine the feeling of winning that trophy and that is the biggest goal.

On playing for the Stanley Cup on the backyard rink:  It was always the same thing --  someone was Gretzky, someone was Lemieux.  It was always Game 7 in overtime.  You always wanted to score the big goal to win the game.  That is pretty much how we played on the outdoor rink.  It was a lot of fun and hopefully some day that can happen for real. 

On his most memorable hockey gift: I think maybe my first one piece stick I got for Christmas from my parents.  That was pretty special.  They're a pretty big thing.  And I had it for probably a year and a half.  It was probably my favorite stick I ever had.  Too bad it broke.  But that was probably the most special gift.

On routines and superstitions:  I'm not that superstitious.  I think I just do the normal thing.  Eat in the afternoon, take a good nap.  I think maybe if things are going well I try to keep the same routine -- especially in the warm-up.  I do the same thing pretty well over and over.  Stretch in the same spot, stuff like that.  But nothing too serious. 

On spending time away from the rink:  I think I'm pretty relaxed.  I don't worry about too much.  I think when I'm at the rink it's pretty stressful.  It's pretty hard work.  When I get out of there, I just want to lay back.  I think I like to have a good time and I like to laugh and hang out with friends.  I'm not too serious of a person.

On razzing his older brothers:  I think if I see them maybe in the highlights or something and they had a breakaway or made some play and missed the net or something, just jab them a little bit and make fun of them about that.  But I think just the little things about hockey.  Just get under their skin, it's pretty funny.

On his thoughts about the Draft:  You know, it's an exciting thing. It's the next step to that process and that step.  I think that would be a tremendous honor if I got chosen and got drafted by an NHL club.  I think that's what I've been working for so far in my career.  Having  my name called would be a lot of fun and hopefully that opportunity comes.

On the most embarrassing song on his iPod:  My most embarrassing song on my iPod is "Piece of Me" by Britney Spears.

On the one thing he couldn't live without:  The one thing I couldn't live without is a computer.

On his favorite food to cook:  My favorite food to cook and pretty easy is grilled cheese.

On his favorite video game:  My favorite video game is NHL '08.

On the one movie he would choose to be in:  If I could be in one movie, I would be in "Happy Gilmore."