TORONTO — Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford is basically on call for Team Canada during the World Cup.
Crawford’s prepared to play if there’s an emergency, but he understands Canada’s net belongs to Carey Price. That won’t change unless something drastic happens. Anyway, Crawford’s just happy to be invited to the World Cup party.
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While Canada’s large contingent of media swarmed elsewhere during the World Cup media day on Thursday, Crawford was free to talk 1-on-1 for Three Questions with Corey Crawford (plus a few bonus ones).
Scott Powers: How do you utilize the World Cup to prepare for the season if you’re not playing much in the games?
Corey Crawford: Try and get as much work in practice, I guess, morning skates as you can. When you’re not playing a lot, that’s pretty much what you got to do. Me and [Braden Holtby] haven’t seen too much here pretty early in this tournament or pre-tournament. I think just doing extra stuff after, some goalie drills. Steph [Stephan Waite] has a bunch of those.
SP: When you look back at the last couple seasons, what do you credit for your improved numbers?
CC: I think experience is probably the biggest one, maybe No. 1. The more you play in this league, the more you see the players, the more you know tendencies, the better you read plays. I think that’s the biggest part — to be able to read and also to adjust, knowing to adjust. The experience, I think when you’re a young player or goalie just go out and play. I think it’s just on adrenaline. There’s less time or less room for that adjustment from game to game or week to week, see what’s working, what’s not, being able to switch.
SP: You’re still somewhat young at 31. Do you think experience is something you can continue to learn from?
CC: Yeah, for sure. It’ll only help more. I still feel really good in net, feel quick and somewhat young [laughs]. Just enjoying it. Just enjoying it these days.
SP: Off the ice, you have a passion for cars. How did that come about?
CC: I’ve always liked cars, but I got into muscle cars when I was early in the minors, my first couple years in the minors. Started to look at that. Look at the auctions, started watching those – Mecum [Auctions], Barrett-Jackson [Auction Company] and stuff. One of my buddies, he’s huge on that. His whole life is about muscle cars. You know having a best friend that’s really into that kind of helps, too. I’ve learned a lot from him. I just enjoy it. I’m trying to work on them. Hopefully one day build one myself and drive it. I think that would be coolest thing – build it from scratch and be able to drive it.
SP: You have a favorite one?
CC: I got two – Chevelle and Camaro. They’re different. They drive different. Chevelle was my first one. That one, I love that. But I don’t know. I love them both. It’s hard to pick.
