Brendan Shinnimin interview

I've been hard on Shinny in the past so I was, quite frankly, surprised he agreed to do the interview.  Then I remembered that ALL these boys are so nice.  "Nice" is such a generic term, but it's true.  They're well mannered and polite.  Plus, and I think hope he knows that I'm hard on him cuz I heart him and his talent and everything he's brought to the team.  It's been a real treat watching him grow and develop as a player and a young man.

DS: The team is coming off another successful season.  What have you, as part of the leadership group, been able to carry over into this season?

BS: I'm just trying to kind of play the same way I did last year and create energy and y'know always working hard--something that not only myself but the three 20s have brought. A lot of talk and a lot of excitement in the room. I think that's been something that's really been helping our team.

DS: You had the opportunity to go to the Phoenix Coyotes camp, tell me about that--what was that experience like?

BS: It was a really good experience, I was a little bit more comfortable this year after having a camp under my belt. I had a really good camp and they ended up offering me a contract but it wasn't quite what myself and my agent were hoping for so we decided to come back here and play another year of junior knowing we'd have a great team and have a shot for the Memorial Cup.

DS: Is there anything specifically that you took away from that experience that has helped you improve as a player this year?

BS: Absolutely. Playing up there you don't have as much time, so you always have to be skating, you have to be aware. It's something you can bring back here and really excel as a player. Knowing you're not going to have the time at the next level so you can work on that at this level to prepare for the next jump. Always skating, always driving to the net are some things I learned are important at the next level.

DS: What goals did you set for this season, personal and teamwise?

BS: Teamwise first, obviously the Memorial Cup would be the ultimate goal, the combination of veterans and new guys creates an exciting team and I think we have a very legitimate shot of doing that. For myself would be to sign a contract and to move on to the American Hockey League and eventually the NHL would be my personal goal.

DS: How do you feel you have improved as a player from a year ago?

BS: I think my skating is a lot better, I think that's one of my major improvements. I didn't think I was a bad skater last year but I got really explosive over the summer and I think I'm a lot quicker. I think that has to do with the success that I bring.

DS: If there was one area of your game that you could improve right now, what would it be?

BS: Probably be a bit more physical, that'd be one of 'em. I like to look for the turnovers opposed to trying to creating it. That'd be one thing for sure.

DS: Do you pattern your play after any particular NHL player?

BS: I try to sorta base my play off (Martin) St. Louis and Brian Gionta. Those are two guys I watch and they're similar players to myself, being smaller guys so I try watch what they do and try to do the things they do to succeed at that level.

DS: Do you have any pre-game rituals that get you pumped to play?

BS: I don't really have any weird rituals, I just kinda do the same thing everyday. The same dynamic warmup, just the same thing--when I get to the rink I tape my stick. But it's not anything really unusal.

DS: Nothing weird like goalies do?

BS: (laughs) No, goalies have some weird things. I just try to do the same things, but nothing really out of the ordinary.

DS: What is the best part about being a member of a team?

BS: You get to learn a lot from the other players, not only as a player but as a person. It helps you to better your game and in the long-run makes your team better and you build friendships that last a lifetime.

DS: And for you that's especially true with all of you guys that have played together since a young age, right?

BS: Absolutely. Y'know for Hughey and Wigosh anyway, it's been a friendship since we were five years old so it's kinda cool to be able to keep that going over all these years and still be playing together.

DS: Besides someone in your family, who has influenced you the most in your hockey career?

BS: Todd Davison, an assistant coach of mine in midgets. He passed away from cancer so he was the same type of player I was, a small guy, skilled. He taught me a lot, that's one guy who has influenced me quite a bit.

DS: Tell me a little bit about your family

BS: I have mom and dad, John and Maureen. I have two sisters, Lauren and Taryn. My older sister has lived in Vancouver for 3 years and my younger sister is pursuing dance in Winnipeg and try to make to some sort of next level in that, I'm not sure what that is, but she's working on that and going to school.

DS: Do your parents get out here a lot, I know your mom was in town this past weekend?

BS: They try to get out, once for sure, they try to get out twice a year. My dad saw me in the Alberta swing and he'll probably be out for the next Alberta swing as well. I'm sure they'll try to get down one more time for sure this year.

DS: Who is the best prankster on the team?

BS: Best prankster? I'd have to say it's close between Willy and MacMaster. They're just pretty good popsters, if anything's going on they'll try to blame it on other people but it's really them. They like to stir the pot a lot.

DS: If you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead (they'd obviously be alive for the purpose of this question), who would it be and why?

BS: That's always a tough question I get asked every once in a while and I never can think of anyone off the top of my head. I'm going to have to get back to you on that one.

DS: Ok, no worries. What's the best advice you ever got and from whom?

BS: I'd say Todd Davison, when he was coaching me in midget, just said to not to worry if, at the next level, you're not playing or just starting out, to keep working hard and earn your ice time. Earn everything you get, it's not going to come easy and that's kind of been the story of my hockey career, I've never been given anything. I've used that to get to where I am, worked hard to get where I am, and haven't really been given anything.

DS: What hobbbies or activities do you have away from the rink?

BS: I like to play XBox with the guys on the team, there's quite a few guys. We go online and play XBox together--Call of Duty and NHL.

DS: Do you play yourself in NHL?

BS: Not too often, I do a little bit. Usually play with the NHL teams.

DS: What song are you embarrassed to have on your ipod?

BS: I have a lot of Justin Bieber on my ipod. Might be a little unusual, but I like Justin Bieber so...(trails off)

DS: What actor would you want to play you in a movie about your life?

BS: Brad Pitt.

DS: Waffles or pancakes?

BS: Waffles.

DS: Good choice my friend. Thanks for taking the time to talk with me.