Pens fans have seen a lot of Derick Brassard over the years, especially during the playoffs as he has faced them in the postseason each of the last four years. They know what he's capable of on the ice - he scored his 21st goal of the season on Sunday against Philadelphia to give him a new season-high six-game point streak - but they may not know a lot about the Quebec native off the ice. So the 31-year-old center took the time to sit down with Michelle Crechiolo and answer a few questions.
Getting to Know: Derick Brassard
How did you first get started playing hockey?
I started when I was probably 4 or 5 years old and I remember I was walking on the ice, I had like two blades on each skate. After that, I think my parents signed me up for those skating classes and after that I started playing hockey. I just wanted to do it. My dad Pierre played hockey when he was growing up, so basically I just started playing and loved it. Kept playing and here I am (laughs).
Do you have any siblings?
I have an older sister, Janie. She's 36. She's a schoolteacher back home, she has twins. They're 2 years old. We'll see if they're going to be Penguins fans.
Carl Hagelin said you're a student of the game. How immersed are you in it?
I watch sometimes, depending on the games. I used to watch more when I was younger in the league. Now I think it's good to kind of get away from it. I love learning from other players and I think you can learn a lot from watching your own stuff and other guys, some of the stuff they do well on the ice. But I'm always going to watch when it's a big game or it's the Stanley Cup playoffs, Olympics, World Juniors, anything, it's just fun to watch.
So when you're trying to get away from the game, and you're not at the rink, what do you do?
I don't have all my stuff here so I'm just trying to get away from it. Sometimes I have to do laundry, do dry cleaning. I like to watch March Madness pretty much every night. Get together with some of the guys downtown and go eat, trying to get out of the apartment a little bit. You still have to enjoy your life and do stuff. There's a lot of pressure, a lot of stress involved so it's good to get away.
How is your March Madness bracket going?
I'm actually leading the team here right now in March Madness. Hopefully Villanova can win.
How much are you into fantasy football?
I'm pretty involved with fantasy football. I just did my fantasy baseball last week with my friends back home. I like fantasy football a lot, those Sundays - I'm not sure if they play a lot here on Sundays, but NFL RedZone, your couch, your iPad, you're just following everything. I like to bug guys every day for trades and I just like to get involved. Everybody is pretty competitive and I just try to get involved.
What is your game-day ritual? Do you have any superstitions?
No, I try to change it all the time. I don't do the same stuff every day. I don't warm up the same way, I show up whenever I feel like I need to show up at the rink. I always show up at different times. I like to be there nice and early, but depending on what I have to do - if I have to tape sticks, different stuff. I try to stay away from that because I think it's just mental.
What do you do on the plane?
I play cards. I was playing Schnaps before. Now we're playing like 7-up, 7-down but it's like 13-up, 13-down. I just kind of learned this game and I'm playing with Geno, Phil and Tanger. It's pretty intense. The last trip I said I played my last card game because I don't need that stress in my life (laughs). You please one guy with one move and the other two are yelling at you and after that, it's the other way around. There's always one guy not happy. So we'll see if I'm going to play in Detroit.
Who are your closest friends in the league?
Cam Atkinson from Columbus, I was in his wedding last year. Mats Zuccarello, Kevin Hayes, got a pretty good relationship with Mark Stone in Ottawa. Couple good friends.
What sports do you enjoy watching besides hockey?
Football would be No. 1. I like the postseason in baseball. Golf, if it's the Masters coming up, it's fun to watch too. I'm a sports fan in general, I always go watch games and stuff. I went to a Steelers game last year, we went to a Pirates game as well. Nice park. I had the chance in New York to go to the Super Bowl one year and the World Series, Mets against the Royals. I haven't seen a soccer game overseas yet. I like watching if Rinaldo or Messi are playing, or the World Cup or the Olympics or something like that we'll watch. But soccer is probably my least favorite one.
Speaking of overseas, what is your dream vacation?
I haven't done Greece yet. Eventually I'm probably going to do that when I'm done. Just to go in Europe somewhere and travel.
What TV shows and movies do you watch?
I just finished Bloodline and Ozark. I watched Narcos, Suits, Sons of Anarchy. Now I need to find a new show.
What music are you listening to right now?
I listen to pretty much everything. I try to mix it up. I like country music. Because when you listen to Top 40 or Hit List 1 it's always the same music that comes up. I feel like the country music, it makes you happy.
What is your ideal meal?
Probably a rib-eye with some Italian side. I like everything. There's not one type of food I don't like. Italian would probably be my No. 1, but I like steaks a lot.
What job would you have if you weren't a hockey player?
That's a good question. Honestly, I have no idea. That's something I always ask myself.
Finally, just overall, what have been your impressions of Pittsburgh?
Honestly, I love it. I was just talking to my dad when I was coming in today and it's amazing to see the atmosphere of the rink and see the people behind their teams, the Steelers, the Pirates and everything. It's a sports town. As a professional athlete that's what you're looking for in a city and a team that you want to play for. Our facilities here are unreal. Everything is brand-new. Even on my days off I come here sometimes just to be around the room. Everything is professional.
How has Kris Letang been as a tour guide?
He's good. He's been here for a while now, everyone knows him. He's brought me to his three really good restaurants that he likes that we just rotate, basically. He's been good to me. I knew him a little bit before this, but he's a really good person and has showed me a lot in the city to make me feel comfortable around the room and all the guys and everything. He's been really good for me.
