Ask Me Anything: Ryan Reaves
By
Ryan Reaves @rreaves75 / Pittsburgh Penguins
Q: How did you discover your talent of imitating goal horns?
A: I was playing with Max Lapierre. We were on a Sunday fun day mission and he did it in the middle of the club. It scared everyone and he taught me.
Q: What's has been your favorite part about playing with the Penguins so far?
A: Just watching the talent on this team. Lot of skill going by me.
Q: Favorite player growing up?
A: Patrick Roy. Always wanted to be a goalie.
Q: Is there a certain team or arena you look extra forward to playing against or in?
A: Now it's Vegas. That place was rocking when we went there. My whole career it has been San Jose. That arena is always buzzing.
Q: What is the proudest moment of your life?
A: Signing my first contract... Nah, tied with having my kid. I can't leave him out of there.
Q: Hey Ryan! How do you like the city of Pittsburgh so far? Have you tried Primanti Bros?
A: Day three I had Primanti Bros. It was dynamite. I'm loving the city of Pittsburgh. I haven't seen a lot of it yet. Every time I get home I want to spend time with the family. It has been great so far.
Q: Whats the weirdest thing anyone's ever said to you on the ice?
A: I would think I say the weirdest things on the ice. Maybe Steve Ott telling me he would beat me up while he was standing behind John Scott.
Q: If you could fight 100 duck sized Cody McLeods or one Cody McLeod sized duck, which would you pick and why?
A: 100 duck sized Cody McLeods, I guess. I feel like I have big feet so I could squish them all. I feel like I did that with regular-sized Cody McLeod.
Q: Do you still think of your buddy Vladimir [Tarasenko] sometimes? -Blues fan who misses that bromance
A: I always think of Vladdy. Absolutely. Every time he used to shoot I used to say: "allë" which means hello in Russian. I had a hard time not saying at the game last week.
Q: What was it like leaving a city that loves you as much as St. Louis does and what it's like to come to Pittsburgh where you are playing for new fans?
A: It was tough leaving a place I lived in for seven years and created a good fanbase. I obviously loved the city. Coming to a new team and a new city, I'm trying to build a new fanbase. It's going well so far.
Q: What's your weirdest fan experience?
A: The weirdest thing of a fan - is a fan in Peoria got a tattoo of me in my jersey... With my wrong number. God, was it scabbed up bad. It looked like she had it done with a knife.
Q: What are the top three teams you want to blow kisses to?
A: Well, now or before? Now it's Washington, Columbus, and Philly - right? It used to be Dallas, Chicago, and Winnipeg or LA.
Q: Saw a great video of you and your dad on the Dad's Trip joking around... Has he ever played a really good prank on you (or you on him)?
A: My whole life he used to scare me all the time. That's where I get it from. He used to love popping around corners. I think the best I ever got him was he had this thing where he'd buy the hottest hot sauce he could find every year. He asked me for a pickle one time. I put this hot sauce on it and it tore him up for like two days. I've definitely scared him a couple times with the mask. I made him drop his whole briefcase one time, papers going everywhere.
Q: Are you superstitious?
A: No, absolutely not.
Q: Hey Ryan, big fan! Who is your favorite teammate, both past and present?
A: It's gotta be a tie between Chris Stewart/Steve Ott and present all of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Nah, I've gotta say Phil (Kessel).
Q: I just want your favorite Evgeni Malkin moment.
A: I think playing cards at the table. Every time we play, for some reason, he's got to go 30 octaves higher than everybody.
Q: What's your favourite food?
A: My Nana's ribs.
Q: If you could play on a line with any NHLer in history, who would it be and why?
A: I would say Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg. When I was growing up, Colorado was my favorite team. After I found out I wasn't going to be a goalie, those were my two favorite players.
Q: What is your go-to trash talk line to chirp at other players?
A: I like asking guys "What are you really going to do?" and then laughing. I feel like the laughing makes it frustrating for them. I like laughing in people's faces a lot. That's why you always see me smiling on the ice.
Q: What do you think you'd be doing if you weren't playing in the NHL?
A: I like to say I'd be playing in the NFL. I always thought I was going to be a football player first.
Q: What words do you have for all the haters out there?
A: I appreciate you. I do. Haters are motivation. So, thank you.
Q: What is your most memorable moment on the ice?
A: Probably the Winter Classic. The whole experience and the game itself. After, the crowd going crazy and the fireworks going off. I remember I brought my phone on the bench so I could record the celebration.
Q: What do you hope to do after hockey?
A: I wish I could retire, but I'm not a good enough player to do that. I would like to stay in hockey. I'd like to give coaching a shot. I like the being around the boys too much to just go cold turkey and get out of the game.
