Q&A with Ryan Pulock

The New York Islanders are a week away from opening training camp, but the group skates are in full swing at Northwell Health Ice Center. Over 20 skaters were on hand Thursday getting their legs under them before camp opens.
Ryan Pulock was one of the new arrivals, as the defenseman looks to build off a 10-goal, 32-point season. It was an eventful summer for Pulock, who signed a two-year deal with the team in July, represented Canada at the World Championships in May, skated for Humboldt and more. NewYorkIslanders.com caught up with Pulock on Thursday to talk about his summer.

NYI: So how was the summer?
PULOCK: It was good. I didn't get up to a whole lot, a couple weddings, kind of hung out and relaxed. Come July and August I got pretty heavy into the training and it's hard to really go anywhere.

NYI: Well you did go to Denmark for the World Championships. What was the experience to represent Team Canada - and to go with four of your teammates?
PULOCK: It was awesome. Just to be part of it, see some of the country and continue playing. It was a lot of fun. It obviously helps when you're comfortable with those guys going over there, can stick with them and make yourself feel comfortable when you first get there before you kind of get to know anyone else.
NYI: You also played in a charity game benefitting the Humboldt Broncos this summer. What did that mean to you to help raise some money for the team and families after the tragedy in April.
PULOCK: When something like that happens, you want to help out in any way you can and I was contacted about them having a game in Yorkton, Sask., and it's only an hour and a half away from my hometown so I figured I better get out there and show my support to those guys and help out in any way I could.

NYI: Back in Manitoba you and your girlfriend [Paige Friesen] helped fix, vaccinate and rescue animals. Can you describe what you were doing up there?
PULOCK: We went up to a remote location in northern Manitoba and we were able to fix 42 animals over the couple of days between dogs and cats. It's a pretty cool experience to be a part of it and help out with the situation that they have in some of those communities.
NYI: This is a cause that means a lot to you and her, right?
PULOCK: [Paige] has been doing that for quite a while though. It's nice to be able to help and see some of the changes in those communities when you do fix those dogs. It's saving those dogs not having to go through having puppies and whatnot for the rest of their lives.
NYI: There was obviously a lot of change here over the summer. What are your thoughts on the team's offseason?
PULOCK:Obviously it'll be a big change with the new coach, new GM and new guys here and with [John] Tavares gone, but I think we have a good group in here. We have some young talent and some veteran guys that have been around and are good leaders. I think it'll be a good mix and it's going to be a learning curve to start and learn how to play a different way, but at the end of the day it'll be good for our team and our club and I'm looking forward to the season.

NYI: You must have been excited to see Thomas Hickey, your regular d-partner last season, re-sign with the team.
PULOCK:Forsure. Me and Hicks have become pretty good friends and most of my playing time in the NHL has been alongside him, so I feel comfortable playing with him and I enjoy it. Its going to be a lot of fun.
NYI: Since Barry Trotz is from Dauphin, Manitoba [Pulock's birthplace]. Had you ever had any contact or connection to him before he signed on with the team?
PULOCK:Not really prior. He had some contact with my dad when my dad played junior. Barry was the coach around there and tried to recruit him a bit. After that I hadn't been in touch with him until he got the job here and then it was finally nice to meet him and get to talk to him since we're from the same area. I was able to meet up with him for a coffee prior to [his day with the Cup] so it was good.