Ask a Player: T.J. Oshie

His responses are below. If your question was not answered, keep an eye on stlouisblues.com in the future for more Ask A Player features.

1.Do you sometimes wish you had stayed at the University of North Dakota for your senior year, or are you glad you made the decision to turn pro and play in the NHL? – Becca Couture, O’Fallon, IL
A: I think it’s tough because I was leaving such good friends. You miss them, you always want to stay in your comfort zone, and my comfort zone obviously was North Dakota. But now that I’ve got almost a full season under my belt and developed relationships here (in St. Louis), I think I made the right decision.

2.I heard you were one of the most feared players to fight in your college days, so why haven’t we seen you in a fight this season with the Blues? – Michelle Peters, Greenup, IL
A: I never got in a fight in college. I guess no one has asked to fight here (with the Blues). If the time is right and its the right guy, hopefully (a fight will go down).

3.What’s your favorite part about being Patrik Berglund’s roommate? – Tyler Klostermann, Highland, IL
A: We’re not roommates anymore. But when we were, it would be how much we laugh all the time, just because of his accent. It’s just the things he says, they’re sometimes off the wall and funny. His ‘Ys,” his “Js” and his “Gs” get all mixed up so when he says, “If you don’t do the dishes I’m going to ‘gell’ at you,” rather than “yell” at you. It’s funny, but his accent has gotten really good. He’s learned a lot this year, but there’s still some stuff that slips that’s pretty funny.

4.How do you think becoming a pro has changed the way you play the game? – Stan Pawlow, Swansea, IL
A: I think I’m more aware of the little things on the ice. Not necessarily getting the big goal or the big things, but more so trying to out-think the guys on the ice.

5.You play with so much energy, what do you do to prepare yourself mentally and physically to go out and play with the best players in the NHL every night? – Jimmy Watt, Columbia, MO
A: I actually don’t really do anything. I don’t have a routine before the game, I obviously think about what I’ve got to do. But I just always want to pride myself on being the hardest worker on the ice. That’s my main goal.

6.Have you ever talked to John Davidson about trading for Jonathan Toews, signing Ryan Duncan and reuniting one of the best lines in college hockey history? It probably won’t happen, but it can’t hurt to try, right? – Jeremy Baeten, St. Peters, MO
A: It can’t hurt to try. Obviously Johnny has made a name for himself in the NHL, so it’d be nice to get him here. Duncan has been a great captain this year, great leader in North Dakota and an unbelievable linemate, so it’d be a fun line. But I’ve got a pretty good line going again with the young guys (here).

7.Who or what has been the biggest influence in your career? – Almedin Mulasalihovic, St. Louis, MO
A: Patrik Berglund by far. That guy pushes me through thick and thin. [Laughs as Berglund listens nearby].

8.If the Blues made a long playoff run, do you think you could grow a playoff beard? – Andrew Graczyk, St. Charles, MO
A: Beard? No. Playoff patches of hair on my face would be more of what it would be.

9.What is the story behind is the Bermuda Cup? – Emily Watson, St. Louis, MO
A: I’ve had a lot of people ask me about this, but I’m holding strong. I can’t tell anyone. The boys back in North Dakota know what it is. That’s all that matters.

10.What does T.J. stand for? – Melanie Rau, St. Louis, MO
A: My first name is Timothy and my mom, when I was really young, watched the movie “The Champ” and the little boy in the movie’s name is T.J. She liked it and figured it would work out. The “J” actually (doesn’t stand for anything). Just something my mom gave me.