Puck Insiders: So I guess ill start by asking you how you feel your season is coming along? The team is obvious doing well&you're a big reason for that.
@ScottWedgewood:Well for us before the season started we knew we were going to have a strong team. I think for the most part we have lived up to that expectation. In 2nd seat now, with the adversity at times. For me personally this season has been definitely the one I have learned the most in, being a 4th year guy andk nowing what to expect and how to handle this and keeping a good work ethic and attitude through otu the year.
PI: You sort of entered the WJC as an underdog by some do you feel your extremely strong camp and taking the number 2 job has helped you develpo as a goalie?
SW: Yeah of course, I mean all 4 goalies were given the chance to make the team Visentin being a returning guy was favoured to be selected, and for me I just tried to show my ability to stop the puck and be able to play under pressure. Doing well at the camp helped with confidence moving forward into the tournament but i think the tournament in itself helped me a lot more in developing just through the experience you learn thing and how to better understand your mindset in big situations and the oppurtunity you are given.
P.I: So obviously that loss to the Russians was a heartbreaker especially since it was mainly due to bad luck rather then a poor performance. Do you think that loss has not just made you a stronger goalie, but also a stronger person?
S.W: Yeah it was definitely a heart break not just for the players but for our country. The puck definitely wasn't on our side during the first two periods with the bounces we were getting and unfortunate plays. Leaving the game at the time I did was not what I wanted to do, not being able to help the team come back, but they almost did the impossible and made it close. The learnign experience I took away from that game has definitely changed the way I look at any game I play in now, because your never to far behind to come back. Also that when the bounces are against you ,just means you have to work that much harder to make them go your way and give the team a chance to win. Also helped with the maturity and how to handle myself in that situation, you can't explain how it feels or even what to expect until you have experienced that situation and going through it will know what is expected and how to prepare for it if I am ever in that sitiuation again.
PI: Well I certainly felt for you that game, it was tough to watch. Your junior career is coming to an end, and you may still be a few years away from the NHL but with Martin Brodeur's career coming to an end and you being one of if not the best NJ goalie prospect do you feel any added pressure to get there sooner?
SW:I haven't really put things into perspective yet on that situation. For a goalie to come out of junior and make an impact in the NHL is not to common, would be great to do but in reality, going to take things a day at a time and develop no need to rush things. Brodeur has accomplished almost everything a goalie could dream of doing while in NJ and to be projected to replace him is an honour in itself. Will see what happens when the time comes but no going right now. Main focus is here with Plymouth and winning a Championship.
PI:Fair enough. Sorry to go back to the WJC, I missed a question has your life changed a lot since then? Like do you get noticed in public more?
SW:Since the tournament I have a lot more twitter followers haha, but not really things are back to normal, i've soent most time in the states, fans here congradulate me and things like that,sign more autographs for fans in different arenas throughout the league, but for the most part just back to the ways things were before.
PI: Alright, so back to the other questions now. You're very good at playing the puck, is that something you work on, or does it just come naturally?
SW:playing the puck kind of transferred over when I switched from player to goalie when I was 11. Still play player in the summertime and what not but was a defensemen back in the day, so knowing what to do behind the net I've learned from experience and love to get my stick in the play whenever I can to make it easier to break out for our team.
PI: Oh wow, didn't know you played player until you were 11. What made you make the switch then? And did you ever expect to be where you are now when you made the change?
SW: I had always been goalie in road hockey due to two older brothers, and just played one summer in a 3on3 league and fell in love with the position. I always wanted to know where I would be if I had stayed player, but I am very happy with where I've gotten and think I made the right choice.
PI: Yeah, I used to play goalie as well and thought the same thing haha obviously it turned out better for you! So I'll try and wrap things up here. So obviously Plymouth has clinched a playoff spot already. Is it hard to keep focus knowing you're already there?
SW:I think the biggest challenge when clinching a playoff spot is knowing that every team your going to face is going to bring out their best performance because most likely they are battling for home ice or a playoff position. So for us right now is taking the challenge and competing just as hard so we get into playoff mode and are ready to take on the challenge we will get in the first round.
PI:Alright and last question. I asked Galchenyuk this too. Is there anyone you try to model your game after? or do you just try and be "Scott Wedgewood"?
SW:While growing up Brodeur was my idol. I always thoguht I played like him, but more just like to be able to stop the puck anyway I can. Any goalie in the NHL i'd compare myself to right now would be probably Kiprusoff or Quick. But my mentality and composer in the net I learned from Brodeur growing up.
PI:One last quick question. Have you had the chance to talk to Brodeur at all since being drafted by NJ?
SW:I skated with him this past camp when we both were recovering from injuries, Definitely have a lot to learn from him and hopefully get the opportunity to do so.
PI:Thank you so much for this, it means a lot to us! Good luck with the rest of the season and playoffs.
SW:Thanks guys.
Shout-out to Scott Wedgewood for taking the time to do this! If you aren't already, follow him on Twitter!:
@ScottWedgewood
This Q&A was conducted via Twitter DirectMessage.
You can contact us at:
Twitter:@PuckCentralHQ
Email:puck.central@gmail.com
@ScottWedgewood:Well for us before the season started we knew we were going to have a strong team. I think for the most part we have lived up to that expectation. In 2nd seat now, with the adversity at times. For me personally this season has been definitely the one I have learned the most in, being a 4th year guy andk nowing what to expect and how to handle this and keeping a good work ethic and attitude through otu the year.
PI: You sort of entered the WJC as an underdog by some do you feel your extremely strong camp and taking the number 2 job has helped you develpo as a goalie?
SW: Yeah of course, I mean all 4 goalies were given the chance to make the team Visentin being a returning guy was favoured to be selected, and for me I just tried to show my ability to stop the puck and be able to play under pressure. Doing well at the camp helped with confidence moving forward into the tournament but i think the tournament in itself helped me a lot more in developing just through the experience you learn thing and how to better understand your mindset in big situations and the oppurtunity you are given.
P.I: So obviously that loss to the Russians was a heartbreaker especially since it was mainly due to bad luck rather then a poor performance. Do you think that loss has not just made you a stronger goalie, but also a stronger person?
S.W: Yeah it was definitely a heart break not just for the players but for our country. The puck definitely wasn't on our side during the first two periods with the bounces we were getting and unfortunate plays. Leaving the game at the time I did was not what I wanted to do, not being able to help the team come back, but they almost did the impossible and made it close. The learnign experience I took away from that game has definitely changed the way I look at any game I play in now, because your never to far behind to come back. Also that when the bounces are against you ,just means you have to work that much harder to make them go your way and give the team a chance to win. Also helped with the maturity and how to handle myself in that situation, you can't explain how it feels or even what to expect until you have experienced that situation and going through it will know what is expected and how to prepare for it if I am ever in that sitiuation again.
PI: Well I certainly felt for you that game, it was tough to watch. Your junior career is coming to an end, and you may still be a few years away from the NHL but with Martin Brodeur's career coming to an end and you being one of if not the best NJ goalie prospect do you feel any added pressure to get there sooner?
SW:I haven't really put things into perspective yet on that situation. For a goalie to come out of junior and make an impact in the NHL is not to common, would be great to do but in reality, going to take things a day at a time and develop no need to rush things. Brodeur has accomplished almost everything a goalie could dream of doing while in NJ and to be projected to replace him is an honour in itself. Will see what happens when the time comes but no going right now. Main focus is here with Plymouth and winning a Championship.
PI:Fair enough. Sorry to go back to the WJC, I missed a question has your life changed a lot since then? Like do you get noticed in public more?
SW:Since the tournament I have a lot more twitter followers haha, but not really things are back to normal, i've soent most time in the states, fans here congradulate me and things like that,sign more autographs for fans in different arenas throughout the league, but for the most part just back to the ways things were before.
PI: Alright, so back to the other questions now. You're very good at playing the puck, is that something you work on, or does it just come naturally?
SW:playing the puck kind of transferred over when I switched from player to goalie when I was 11. Still play player in the summertime and what not but was a defensemen back in the day, so knowing what to do behind the net I've learned from experience and love to get my stick in the play whenever I can to make it easier to break out for our team.
PI: Oh wow, didn't know you played player until you were 11. What made you make the switch then? And did you ever expect to be where you are now when you made the change?
SW: I had always been goalie in road hockey due to two older brothers, and just played one summer in a 3on3 league and fell in love with the position. I always wanted to know where I would be if I had stayed player, but I am very happy with where I've gotten and think I made the right choice.
PI: Yeah, I used to play goalie as well and thought the same thing haha obviously it turned out better for you! So I'll try and wrap things up here. So obviously Plymouth has clinched a playoff spot already. Is it hard to keep focus knowing you're already there?
SW:I think the biggest challenge when clinching a playoff spot is knowing that every team your going to face is going to bring out their best performance because most likely they are battling for home ice or a playoff position. So for us right now is taking the challenge and competing just as hard so we get into playoff mode and are ready to take on the challenge we will get in the first round.
PI:Alright and last question. I asked Galchenyuk this too. Is there anyone you try to model your game after? or do you just try and be "Scott Wedgewood"?
SW:While growing up Brodeur was my idol. I always thoguht I played like him, but more just like to be able to stop the puck anyway I can. Any goalie in the NHL i'd compare myself to right now would be probably Kiprusoff or Quick. But my mentality and composer in the net I learned from Brodeur growing up.
PI:One last quick question. Have you had the chance to talk to Brodeur at all since being drafted by NJ?
SW:I skated with him this past camp when we both were recovering from injuries, Definitely have a lot to learn from him and hopefully get the opportunity to do so.
PI:Thank you so much for this, it means a lot to us! Good luck with the rest of the season and playoffs.
SW:Thanks guys.
Shout-out to Scott Wedgewood for taking the time to do this! If you aren't already, follow him on Twitter!:
@ScottWedgewood
This Q&A was conducted via Twitter DirectMessage.
You can contact us at:
Twitter:@PuckCentralHQ
Email:puck.central@gmail.com
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