On his style of play: I like to use my speed and use my shot to my advantage out there. I like to score goals. I work on my shot the most. I work on it a lot in the summer actually just shooting out back. I'd probably say my shot is probably my best attribute.

On patterning his game: Lately actually a few of the guys on my team told me I play like Ales Hemsky. I think I do play a little like him, just the way he skates around out there, sees the ice. He's got a great shot and makes plays.

On getting his start in hockey: I got started when I was about three years old in my backyard rink when I lived in Oakville. Then I moved to Winnipeg actually that year and got started playing for the Falcons. I started when I was four years old and I just took it from there.

On developing in minor hockey at a young age: What sticks out in my mind is I actually started playing with 11-year-olds when I was nine years old. I started playing for the Rangers. Actually I played four years of Rangers. That's a long time in Winnipeg, a long time of AA. That sticks out in the most in my mind.

On playing outdoors: There is a lot. It's really cold in Winnipeg, that's for sure. There's a lot of outdoor hockey during the season. Me and (Cody Eakin), we were always going to outdoor rinks before we got to the Western Hockey League when we were playing back in midget, and it was really fun.

On his rookie season with the Brandon Wheat Kings: It was a really good start to the season. Kelly (McCrimmon) just called us over at the beginning of the season and said that you three (Brayden Schenn and Matt Calvert) are going to start the season playing together. From day one I think it just clicked for all of us. We work really well together. We all like to move the puck and we all like to finish off plays. I think the chemistry there was just great and it was really fun season last year.

On the biggest influence on his career: I'd say my family, all of them. They're all in my career. They come to all my games in Brandon, which is a two-hour drive there and two-hour drive back every night. They're keeping me motivated all the time, they're really supportive and they're the ones that started me off (in the game).

On his older brother, Donnie, playing in the WHL: He got me started in the (WHL). He basically told me how it was and how he had to be. He was always giving me advice from day one when I first got there. It was really nice to have that.

On his childhood hockey hero: It was probably Mario Lemieux, just because of how he played, how exciting he was to watch, how some of the goals he scored were just incredible. I really enjoyed watching him.

On the NHL team he followed growing up: Being born in Toronto, all my family lived down in Toronto, I was a Leafs fan. Also moving to Winnipeg and then becoming a Jets fan. Unfortunately they left for Phoenix. I'm still a Leafs fan. Even though they're not doing so well right now, I think they're going to turn around eventually.

On the possibility of being drafted: Actually it's almost a surreal feeling. You grow up watching all the NHL players. You dream of becoming one. And now it's coming closer and closer to actually becoming an NHL player. It's a really weird feeling.