The Post’s Steve Serby chatted with the 25-year-old Rangers right wing who will play in his first Olympics for Team USA.
Q: The movie “Miracle?”
A: It was inspirational to have a bunch of college kids come together like that and beat the Russians, and beyond that, win a gold medal (against the Finns). Hopefully we can repeat something like that. Maybe I’ll have to watch it again before I leave (tonight).
Q: Bob Suter, the father of your U.S. teammate Ryan Suter (Predators) played on that 1980 team at Lake Placid. Have you asked Ryan about that?
A: I’ve never spoken to Sutes about that before. If it comes up, maybe I will. We know what we have to do and what we’re up against.
Q: What kind of shot does Team USA have in Vancouver?
A: I think we have a good shot. A lot of people might think otherwise (because of) the youth we have on the team. With a guy like (the Sabres’ Ryan) Miller in net, anything can happen in such a short tournament like this. It’s gonna be more fun doing it as an underdog. The pressure’s not on us. We’re gonna play free and see what happens.
Q: Has (Rangers teammate) Chris Drury, playing in his third Olympics, given you advice on what to expect?
A: He says the biggest thing is you hit the ground running. Be ready to go right away. Not to be awed by it. Don’t try to take it all in right away.
Q: How weird will it be shooting against your teammate, Henrik Lundqvist?
A: If we play them (Sweden), it’s definitely gonna be strange. You battle with a guy and play with a guy through the whole year and you’re trying to score against him. It’s gonna be different. At the same time, I hope I score on him so I don’t have to hear about it the rest of the year (chuckles).
Q: Your scouting report on Ryan Callahan?
A: A guy who goes out there every night and works hard and is willing to do what it takes to help the team. He’ll go in the dirty areas — if he gets a chance to put the puck in the net, he hopefully will do that.
Q: Your agent once said of you: “Everyone has always doubted this kid.”
A: I think I had a pretty tough road to get here. Size-wise, everybody thought I was too small for the style of game I play. I got drafted in the 15th round in the (Ontario Hockey League), which is really late for the OHL. My first eligible draft year I didn’t go in the draft, I wasn’t ranked at all. In my first NHL camp, I didn’t play in the Blue-White Game at the end of that camp. I was one of five kids who got sent right down to Hartford and didn’t play in that game.
Q: What was that like for you?
A: It was tough. It was really tough, to have to sit there and watch it. At the same time, it gave me fuel to work hard and try to get back up there.
Q: Too small (5-foot-10, 188 pounds) for the style of game you play — what did you mean by that?
A: I feel like I’m a guy who crashes and bangs and hits a lot.
Q: You like contact?
A: Yeah, I love it.
Q: Did it bother you when people said you were too small?
A: It did, I think. I think I just used it as motivation more than anything.
Q: Even now?
A: I don’t think I do anymore. I hope I’ve shut up all my critics (chuckles).
Q: What’s it like being a New York Ranger?
A: It’s a huge honor and privilege . . . storybook organization. . . . It’s a great feeling to be able to put on that sweater every night.
Q: Ranger fans?
A: Pretty honest. They let you know how they feel. It’d be a great organization to win something with, the fans are so passionate about it.
Q: John Tortorella (Rangers coach and Team USA assistant)?
A: He’s very passionate about his work. Very honest with his players. He expects you to work hard and give everything you have when you’re at the rink.
Q: Team USA coach Ron Wilson?
A: I hear he’s a lot like Torts. He likes hard-working guys who battle for him.
Q: Being in the dressing room (as an NHL pup) with guys like Jaromir Jagr.
A: I felt a little bit in awe. It was tough walking into that room seeing guys like Jagr and (Brendan) Shanahan and (Martin) Straka, guys who won Cups before and are such great players. I had to step back a second and realize where I was.
Q: Boyhood idol?
A: Pat Lafontaine. I was a Sabres fan growing up (in Rochester).
Q: Favorite childhood memory?
A: Playing street hockey out in front of the cul de sac I lived in.
Q: You started skating when you were 2 years old?
A: My older brother (Mike) played hockey. I always went to his games, and I wanted to get on the ice.
Q: Your father wanted you to quit hockey?
A: I wanted to quit soccer and concentrate on hockey. I think he wanted me to play both.
Q: Biggest hockey influence?
A: Probably my older brother. He taught me the game. He roughed me up playing pickup hockey together (chuckles).
Q: You got engaged last month; describe Kyla, your fiancée.
A: She’s loyal. . . . She’s been through everything with me. We’ve been dating almost eight years now. She’s a beautiful girl and I love her personality.
Q: How did you propose?
A: I took her out to dinner at Del Posto. We had a private room/wine cellar [and] I dropped down to one knee and asked her.
Q: Favorite New York City things living on the Upper West Side?
A: Just walking around and kinda people-watching all the interesting people on the streets of New York.
Q: Are you recognized?
A: No, not too much. Every once in a great while, someone will recognize me. For the most part, I can pretty much go anywhere without being recognized.
Q: Favorite Guelph (Ontario) memory?
A: Probably winning the OHL Cup when I was there.
Q: How did Jim Schoenfeld help you at Hartford?
A: Learning the pro game . . . how you gotta be a pro.
Q: Hobbies?
A: I play a lot of golf during the summer.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Muhammad Ali; Gretzky; Obama.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Slap Shot.”
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Matt Damon.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Jennifer Aniston.
Q: Favorite entertainer?
A: D.J. Tiesto
Q: Favorite TV show?
A: “The Office” and “Las Vegas” — I watch that before every pre-game nap.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Chicken parmigiana.
Q: Where do you get it?
A: Campagnola.
Q: You’re living a dream?
A: Yeah definitely. I think growing up, there are two things a kid dreams of — winning the Stanley Cup, and winning a gold medal. To be able to have a chance to win a gold medal is definitely something special. I’m really honored.