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Will Gensil : Congratulations, i am from wilkes Barre and i was wondering what do you think of the area and the fans so far?

Milan Kraft : I saw the area before the season started because we had training camp there. The area I'm from has the same population - so it wasn't an adjustment. I like it here.

Anonymous : Has it been hard adjusting to the style of play in the AHL and the amount of ice time that you are getting?

Milan Kraft : I'm been able to play lots. I didn't play the last two games in Pittsburgh. So I play my best and try hard everynight.

mike: Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Milan Kraft : No - not really. But, I'm trying to eat chicken before each game - or something like that maybe pasta or spaghetti.

Anonymous: who has been the toughest goaltender you have ever faced?

Milan Kraft : I've played twice against Hasek. I didn't score he made a couple of great saves on me.

Alex Warner: Hey Milan, I was just wondering what you think of Mario Lemieux return, and how you think it will affect your franchise?

Milan Kraft : I remember was I was child I watched the Pittsburgh Stanley Cups - And I never expected to play with him. And then he walked in the dressing room one day and said that he was going to play again. It was amazing. He's given me advice before the shift - like Play hard, Keep going. And he congratulates us when we have good shifts. He's a great person on and off the ice.

Anonymous: mr. kraft i'm a big swb-penguins fan, what do u think is going to be the most important thing the team is going to have to work on to win the calder cup

Milan Kraft : I think we have a pretty good team with pretty good players. We need to continue playing just the way we're playing now. Our coaches tell us to play hard every night and play offensively and defensively.

Anonymous : MILAN WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE NHL PLAYER WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP?

Milan Kraft : Definitely Wayne Gretzky. I would watch him on the TV it was so exciting. I would think he's the best hockey player in the world. He's got really great passes - so I would try to pass like him.

Jeff: I'm a game worn jersey collector (I have one of your Japan jerseys) and was wondering how many jerseys you wear in a game? How many have you worn with the Pens this season? Thank you for considering my question.

Milan Kraft : In Japan the first game we wore three dark jerseys and then in the second three white jerseys. In the regular season we have one black and one white jersey.

Chris Anderson: Hi Milan, (actually we go way back, I was Milan's trainer in the WHL in Prince Albert). Just wanted to say congratulations on player of the week honors and hope to see you up in Pittsburgh again soon. Question: What parts of your game do you think you need to improve to be able to, be recalled, and make a difference in Pittsburgh?

Milan Kraft : The NHL is the best league in the world with the best players in the world. I have to be faster, stronger and quicker. We have practice everyday and I try to give 100%. My coaches have been getting me to work on face-offs and quicker shots.

BABY PENS FAN, BOOSTER CLUB MEMBER AND SEASON TICKET HOLDER!: FIRST AND FOREMOST...CONGRATULATIONS!!! WELCOME TO WILKES-BARRE. WOW...WHAT A WAY TO SAY HELLO TO US ! MY QUESTION IS ...HOW DO YOU LIKE WILKES-BARRE, IT'S FANS AND THE ARENA? HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM PITTSBURGH? WHERE YOU BLOWN AWAY BY THE AUTOGRAGH SESSION ON TUESDAY NIGHT? GOOD LUCK THE REST OF THE SEASON AND ALTHOUGH I'M BEING SELFISH,I HOPE YOU STAY WITH US FOR AWHILE!

Milan Kraft : It was great. It was my first time to meet Penguins fans. It lasted about two hours and I realized all the fans are great. They were really excited about the next game - many of them said they can't wait to see us on the ice. Earlier in the day I signed about 1000 cards for a card company and then at the session I probably signed 500 autographs. I couldn't see by the end of the day because of all the camera flashes.

AJ: Milan, who do you feel on the WBS Penguins is the hardest worker?

Milan Kraft : The guys work hard on the ice and in the exercise room. Everyone seems to put the same amount of effort into the practices and games.

Anonymous: What were the reasonings behind you being sent down to Wilkes - Barre? Do you think being in the minors will help your game enough to be a 20 goal scorer in the NHL?

Milan Kraft : This is great experience - it will help my game in all areas. As I work harder and harder in practices I will ready to make my mark in the NHL.

susan dwinchick: how many NHL games have you played ? GOODLUCK

Milan Kraft : I've played 42 games. The first game was October 6, 2000 in Japan against Nashville.

Dave: With the exception of game speed what is the biggest difference between NHL and AHL hockey

Milan Kraft : The NHL is quicker for sure. In the AHL there are more physical play - more hits, more fights.

Anonymous: hi how many stick do you use in a season? thank you ryan

Milan Kraft : I'm using blade and shaft - I definitely go through a lot of blades - probably between 40-60 a year.

Anonymous: How does the coach decide who is on a line together? I read the article in Wed. paper about TK commenting about the line with you, him, and Sonnenburg--best of luck the rest of the season!

Milan Kraft : Before my first game he put on a line with Macdonald and Crozier. And then after the first period I played with Sonnenberg and Koustopolous - And I'm staying with the guys now - They are pretty good guys and we work well together.

Matt: Hey Milan. What was it like to play your first NHL game in Japan, and against one of your former linemates, Scott Hartnell?

Milan Kraft : It was my dream to play in the NHL it was a great feeling to step on the ice it was like something I had never experienced before. I was nervous before my first shift - but after that I calmed down. I didn't know what to expect - It ended up being a lot faster.

Moderator: Thank you to Milan Kraft for joining us. That's all the time we have for now. Is there anything special you would like to say to your fans?

Milan Kraft : Thank you to everyone for their questions. The fans in Wilkes-Barre are great - See at the next game.

	[an error occurred while processing this directive]		January 24, 2001 Milan Kraft Chat Will Gensil : Congratulations, i am from wilkes Barre and i was wondering what do you think of the area and the fans so far? Milan Kraft : I saw the area before the season started because we had training camp there. The area I'm from has the same population - so it wasn't an adjustment. I like it here. Anonymous : Has it been hard adjusting to the style of play in the AHL and the amount of ice time that you are getting? Milan Kraft : I'm been able to play lots. I didn't play the last two games in Pittsburgh. So I play my best and try hard everynight. mike: Do you have any pre-game rituals? Milan Kraft : No - not really. But, I'm trying to eat chicken before each game - or something like that maybe pasta or spaghetti. Anonymous: who has been the toughest goaltender you have ever faced? Milan Kraft : I've played twice against Hasek. I didn't score he made a couple of great saves on me. Alex Warner: Hey Milan, I was just wondering what you think of Mario Lemieux return, and how you think it will affect your franchise? Milan Kraft : I remember was I was child I watched the Pittsburgh Stanley Cups - And I never expected to play with him. And then he walked in the dressing room one day and said that he was going to play again. It was amazing. He's given me advice before the shift - like Play hard, Keep going. And he congratulates us when we have good shifts. He's a great person on and off the ice. Anonymous: mr. kraft i'm a big swb-penguins fan, what do u think is going to be the most important thing the team is going to have to work on to win the calder cup Milan Kraft : I think we have a pretty good team with pretty good players. We need to continue playing just the way we're playing now. Our coaches tell us to play hard every night and play offensively and defensively. Anonymous : MILAN WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE NHL PLAYER WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP? Milan Kraft : Definitely Wayne Gretzky. I would watch him on the TV it was so exciting. I would think he's the best hockey player in the world. He's got really great passes - so I would try to pass like him. Jeff: I'm a game worn jersey collector (I have one of your Japan jerseys) and was wondering how many jerseys you wear in a game? How many have you worn with the Pens this season? Thank you for considering my question. Milan Kraft : In Japan the first game we wore three dark jerseys and then in the second three white jerseys. In the regular season we have one black and one white jersey. Chris Anderson: Hi Milan, (actually we go way back, I was Milan's trainer in the WHL in Prince Albert). Just wanted to say congratulations on player of the week honors and hope to see you up in Pittsburgh again soon. Question: What parts of your game do you think you need to improve to be able to, be recalled, and make a difference in Pittsburgh? Milan Kraft : The NHL is the best league in the world with the best players in the world. I have to be faster, stronger and quicker. We have practice everyday and I try to give 100%. My coaches have been getting me to work on face-offs and quicker shots. BABY PENS FAN, BOOSTER CLUB MEMBER AND SEASON TICKET HOLDER!: FIRST AND FOREMOST...CONGRATULATIONS!!! WELCOME TO WILKES-BARRE. WOW...WHAT A WAY TO SAY HELLO TO US ! MY QUESTION IS ...HOW DO YOU LIKE WILKES-BARRE, IT'S FANS AND THE ARENA? HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM PITTSBURGH? WHERE YOU BLOWN AWAY BY THE AUTOGRAGH SESSION ON TUESDAY NIGHT? GOOD LUCK THE REST OF THE SEASON AND ALTHOUGH I'M BEING SELFISH,I HOPE YOU STAY WITH US FOR AWHILE! Milan Kraft : It was great. It was my first time to meet Penguins fans. It lasted about two hours and I realized all the fans are great. They were really excited about the next game - many of them said they can't wait to see us on the ice. Earlier in the day I signed about 1000 cards for a card company and then at the session I probably signed 500 autographs. I couldn't see by the end of the day because of all the camera flashes. AJ: Milan, who do you feel on the WBS Penguins is the hardest worker? Milan Kraft : The guys work hard on the ice and in the exercise room. Everyone seems to put the same amount of effort into the practices and games. Anonymous: What were the reasonings behind you being sent down to Wilkes - Barre? Do you think being in the minors will help your game enough to be a 20 goal scorer in the NHL? Milan Kraft : This is great experience - it will help my game in all areas. As I work harder and harder in practices I will ready to make my mark in the NHL. susan dwinchick: how many NHL games have you played ? GOODLUCK Milan Kraft : I've played 42 games. The first game was October 6, 2000 in Japan against Nashville. Dave: With the exception of game speed what is the biggest difference between NHL and AHL hockey Milan Kraft : The NHL is quicker for sure. In the AHL there are more physical play - more hits, more fights. Anonymous: hi how many stick do you use in a season? thank you ryan Milan Kraft : I'm using blade and shaft - I definitely go through a lot of blades - probably between 40-60 a year. Anonymous: How does the coach decide who is on a line together? I read the article in Wed. paper about TK commenting about the line with you, him, and Sonnenburg--best of luck the rest of the season! Milan Kraft : Before my first game he put on a line with Macdonald and Crozier. And then after the first period I played with Sonnenberg and Koustopolous - And I'm staying with the guys now - They are pretty good guys and we work well together. Matt: Hey Milan. What was it like to play your first NHL game in Japan, and against one of your former linemates, Scott Hartnell? Milan Kraft : It was my dream to play in the NHL it was a great feeling to step on the ice it was like something I had never experienced before. I was nervous before my first shift - but after that I calmed down. I didn't know what to expect - It ended up being a lot faster. *Moderator:* Thank you to Milan Kraft for joining us. That's all the time we have for now. Is there anything special you would like to say to your fans? Milan Kraft : Thank you to everyone for their questions. The fans in Wilkes-Barre are great - See at the next game.		[an error occurred while processing this directive]
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