On his style of play: I think I play kind of like a power forward game, use my size and my strengths to my advantage, and at the same time try to play a good defensive game and try to take responsibility in my own end.

On patterning his game after Vincent Lecavalier: I don't really think of myself as ever trying to be a player like that, because I know he's one of the greatest in the world right now. Any player that has my type of size and skating, I just try to play like them and watch them and do what they do.

On getting his start in hockey: I first started skating when I was just a few years old on our frozen pool in Minnesota. My dad played in the NHL and so he got me started in it and it just kind of took off from there. I just love the game from when I was young.

On growing up around NHL rinks: That was great. I don't remember much. But from what I do remember, just being around the rink and always getting to go on the ice when they were done practicing and stuff and just being around a hockey rink all the time and just watching how they take care of themselves.

On his dad’s influence on his career: Well, just watching him from when I was young and always wanting to be like him, and when he retired, he started coaching me all the way up and made me the player I am today.

On what motivates him: I guess it is just a love for the game and just the feeling that you get when you're playing good and when you have the puck on your stick and when you score a goal and the crowd goes nuts. You get that great feeling.

On his most memorable hockey gift: I normally used to get the leftover sticks from the broken ones in the locker room from my dad. But when he first did finally buy me a new one-piece stick, I remember I got really attached to what type of stick I used.

On his superstitions: Normally I take a lot of time on my sticks to get them ready and then do a little stick handling routine. And when I get dressed, I normally do my left side first. I'll tie my left skate first and stuff like that.

On his favorite childhood Stanley Cup memory: I'm a big St. Louis Blues fan from growing up there, and I always remember Steve Yzerman's overtime slapshot to put St. Louis out of the playoffs. It was pretty upsetting but it was such a nice goal at the same time that it was great to see.

On playing in the U.S. National Development Program: It was awesome. Every time you put the USA jersey on, it just feels great, and, you know you're representing your country and it makes you play the best you can. And Ron Rolston was a great coach.

On growing his passion for the game on the outdoor pond: I was only in Minnesota for a few years when I was young, but I think that's where I probably got my love for the game -- just playing outside on the ponds and I think that's what kids growing up love most about hockey is just being outside on the pond with their friends playing a pick up game.

On his most memorable hockey moment: It would definitely be when I won nationals with my team growing up -- we all were a really tight group. Our goal was to win the National Championship and it was my last year playing with that group and we won it. It was just a great feeling. I'll never forget that.

On his favorite NHL player: My favorite NHL player is Vincent Lecavalier because he's really exciting to watch and I try to play like him.

On his favorite food to cook: My favorite food to cook is fish.

On his favorite toy growing up: My favorite toy growing up was probably mini-sticks.

On the one thing he couldn’t live without: One thing I couldn't live without is my iPod.