Summer Catch Up: Jesper Fast

There was little rest for Jesper Fast after the season concluded in New York in April.
That's because the hard-working forward tied the knot with his fiancé, Amanda, in July at a ceremony in Greece.
Now happily married and healthy, NYRangers.com checked in with the Swede to see how the summer has gone and to look ahead to the upcoming season in New York.

NYR: First off, congratulations. How is married life thus far?
JF: "It's been good. I wouldn't say it's much different because we've been together for so long. We had a wonderful time with family and friends."
NYR: Why did you two choose to have the ceremony in Greece?
JF: "We usually go there every summer. Amanda has been going there with her family every summer since she was young. When we were looking toward the wedding, we found a place there that was really amazing. We wanted to do something special."
NYR: The photos from the wedding looked great. How was the special day?
JF: "It was good. We had a couple days before with family and friends. We met up and had some nights before. The wedding was emotional and exciting. Everything went well. Everyone was happy, and I think Amanda was even more happy."
NYR: Did you get a chance to go on a honeymoon yet?
JF: "We stayed in Greece for a couple more days by ourselves to relax and enjoy the moment."
NYR: Aside from the big day, how has the summer gone?
JF: "Of course missing the playoffs is not fun. It was a long summer. I spent a lot of time with family and friends. Try to go to the gym and rehab to try and get the body to 100 percent. Of course the wedding was the focus, but now it's been getting on the ice."
NYR: With so many family and friends overseas, it must be hard to see them during the season. Do you make up for lost time during the summer?
JF: "For sure. Family and friends are very important. As soon as you have time here, you like to spend time with them. They come over during the season, but not a lot."
NYR: How are you feeling physically?
JF: "It's been a really good summer. I feel like I haven't been healthy in a really long time. I'm excited and I feel good. I'm looking forward to the start of the season."
NYR: Other than the wedding and honeymoon in Greece, did you get a chance to travel anywhere else?
JF: "No. We just went to Greece for two weeks before for a little vacation. We were there for almost three weeks. That was my vacation. Then we spent some time in different cities in Sweden on the weekends."
NYR: When you weren't planning the wedding, what were you doing to have fun?
JF: "Just played a little golf and catching up with friends and family."
NYR: What was the best round you shot this summer?
JF: "Maybe a 79? I'm a little rusty because of the wedding, but it's always fun to play with the guys."
NYR: Has there been a song or album of the summer in the Fast house?
JF: "I just listen to everything. Nothing specific, just whatever Amanda is listening to."
NYR: So she controls the radio?
JF: "Yes, she controls the radio [laughs]."
NYR: At this point late in August, what's your training schedule look like?
JF: "I'm just getting on the ice as much as possible. I'm on the ice almost every day. Doing explosive stuff and conditioning. I'm just putting schedules together during the week. The main focus is getting on the ice to get the hands working and the feet moving."
NYR: There was obviously change in the organization late last season and then during the offseason. What's the excitement like for you to begin this new chapter?
JF: "There's a lot of new guys with the new coaching staff. I'm very excited."