Thursday, February 28, 2001

go whalers: Who motivated you to become a hockey player?

Jeff Daw : My father was the one who motivated me to become a hockey player. My brother and I spent a lot of time playing pick-up hockey with him on a pond behind our house.

Brian: What hockey player did you look up too when you were a kid?

Jeff Daw : I would have to say Guy Carbonneau. I was a fan of the Montreal Canadiens and I always thought my game paralled his. We are still similiar because he is a strong defensive forward.

Shannon: Are you superstitious? Do you have any any pre-game rituals?

Jeff Daw : No I'm not supersitious. I believe if you have a lot of supersitions and all of sudden you do not follow through on them it causes more trouble than it's worth. My pre-game ritual involves eating the same meal (grilled chicken and pasta), warming-up the same way and having an afternoon nap.

J.P.: As the season winds down, who do you want to be your first opponent in the playoffs?

Jeff Daw : That's a hard question...Teams I would not like to see early on in the playoffs Providence an Worcester.

Dangonzo: What is the toughest part about being a professional hockey player?

Jeff Daw : The toughest part would be I guess - making sacrifices for family and friends. I don't get to spend as much time with family member as you would like. You miss you parents birthday or special events because you need to be with the team. My family drives up to see my about once a month - It's an eight and a half hour drive. Whenever they come up they usually get to see me play - occassionally there's a game on the satellite dish.

Ryan - Bulldogs Fan: How do you like playing in Lowell?

Jeff Daw : I love playing in Lowell. I played my college hockey in Lowell so it's almost like a second home. My wife is from this area and we have many friends in the area.

Dave: Having played in both the AHL and IHL, what do you think are the major differences? Also, do you hope to re-sign with the Wild next year? Thank you and good luck.

Jeff Daw : I would say the AHL has a lot more youthful exurberance. The intensity seems a little bit higher. The IHL is a more controlled game with more veteran players who make less mistakes.

Darren Pardy: Do you Enjoy signing autographs after games?

Jeff Daw : Yeah - I enjoy meeting supporters of the team and the league in general. It makes you feel good meeting these people. Kids show-up at a lot of public appearances - My team does a lot of promotions - Once every two weeks we're in schools or at homeless shelters representing the team.

Sharon from Hamilton: Hi Jeff, congratulations on being named player of the week. Happy Birthday!!! What would you say is the biggest difference between playing in the AHL and the IHL? Do you keep up to date with whats happening with your former team, the Hamilton Bulldogs?

Jeff Daw : Thank you - It's my birthday today. I'm having a party after the chat...Quite a bit actually, I'm from Hamilton and played there for three years - It always keeps me interested. I still know a lot of the players on the team - and those that are playing in Hamilton.

Bernie Abramowicz: Jeff, congratulations on the Player of the Week honour. Growing up around the Hamilton area, how do you feel when you read that the Bulldogs are in danger of leaving the city, especially enjoying success with the team a few years ago?

Jeff Daw : It concerns me a lot that the team may leave - I think it has developed a large following of fans and I feel the Bulldogs do a lot within the community as well. It would be a shame to see them go.

Amanda: Hi I'm a big Thoroughblades fan and my question is what is the best team you have played against this season?

Jeff Daw : I would say Saint John Flames are one of the tougher teams this season. It's a team with a lot of physical substance and useful players and they've just been difficult for us to play against.

Carolyn: hey! Who do you get along with best on your team?

Jeff Daw : There's not one particular player. This year's team is good mix of guys, we get a long really well. At this point in the season everyone on the team is just happy with winning and are happy just to contribute.

Art: Congratulations Jeff! You've played well all season but, do you attribute this sudden scoring surge to the opportunity created by the Islanders pulling their players out? Both seem to coincide.

Jeff Daw : I'm still trying to figure that out. I did change my stick around this time - but my role has also changed. I've been given more powerplay time. And also, having a good connection with my wingers has helped.

Ryan - Bulldogs Fan: What is your biggest accomplishment?

Jeff Daw : My biggest accomplishment as hockey player is first getting a scholarship to a U.S. college and secondly graduating in 1996.

Moderator: Jeff thanks for joining us tonight. Enjoy your birthday party. Do you have anything you'd like to say to your fans?

Jeff Daw : I'd like to thank my fans for their support and a special thanks for those fans in the cities where I've played hamilton, cleveland, houston and lowell for making my family and I welcome.