Justin Quenneville enters the CHL Chat Room

Corpus Christi Icerays Captain Justin Quenneville has became the latest player to enter the CHL Chat Room to answer questions from fans from all over the country recently.

This season has been a strong showing, especially in the 2nd half of the season as the Icerays are starting to holding on to the 5th and final playoff spot in the Southern Conference. This season for the Icerays Captain has scored 55 points and is 2nd in total team scoring only behind Chad Woolard.

Justin Quenneville Player Profile: www.pointstreak.com/stats/pro/playerpage.html?playerid=977386&seasonid=4438

Fans asked him about the recent Olympics and being a dual citizen, a recent trade involving Kyle Beech that's helped out the team. Also the pressure of the playoff picture.

If you play Odessa in the playoffs will it be as physical as it was in the regular season?

I would think so. We have had good battles in the games we have played against each other during the season, which should make for a similar match-up in the playoffs.

Who were you rooting for since you are a dual citizen (U.S.A. Or Canada)?

I'm born and raised in Canada, so I was pulling for my country. However my mother is American, so I looked at this as a win win situation. But definitely wanted Canada to win because of the importance of the gold medal to our country. That game was an instant classic and I wouldn't of wanted it to end any other way.

How different has the play been since Kevin Beech was traded to Corpus?

Its no secret that we have had an interesting year when it comes to finding goalies. We were fortunate to turn things around with the addition of Kevin Nastiuk, but when he left for Europe we needed to fill that void fast. Beech has played great for us and given us a chance to win every night. He has made some huge saves for us and had an immediate impact with our team. Between him and Kris Teebs, we have solid goaltending that we can rely on.

Who has been challenging opponent this season?

Personally I would have to say Odessa given the close one goal battles we have had. But Allen or Bossier-Shreveport and Texas are always difficult teams to play, especially on the road. It would be nice to say teams like Rapid City or Missouri, but we only played them once. Or Colorado, Wichita, and Tulsa, but never get to play against them. I am not even sure a Wichita Team exists, since I have not played them once in 4 years ago I have played in the CHL.

What was it like to step out on to the ice in your very first CHL Game? Were you nervous?

I was not nervous playing in my first CHL Game, since I had already had a few years under my belt in other leagues. If anything, I was confused, since my first CHL Game was a pre-season game in Austin. That building was tiny, the ice surface was smaller and the locker rooms were embarrassing. I don't miss that place at all.

Do you feel that being the teams captain puts the playoff picture on your shoulders as we head into the final weeks?

No, I am confident in my ability to lead my team into the playoffs, and I have all the confidence in my team to continue to play well down the stretch. If you look at our team's progress this season, we are a stronger and more consistent team then we were at the start of the season. It's important for us to be playing our best hockey of the season heading into the playoffs.

What is your pre-game routine like?

To be honest I don't have a pre-game routine. Unlike most players, I don't have a specific meal routine or pre-game nap before games. I have always had a difficult time sleeping on game days. I get too excited or anxious for a game after morning skates, I often trend to just find a way to distract myself on game days. Most game days, after a small meal, I either watch a movie, or when we are at home I go for a motorcycle on nice days to kill time.

If you make the playoffs, what are you most afraid of?

I can't think of a team we wouldn't want to play. There are teams that are tougher to play in their home building then other. In the playoffs there is no easy teams to play against anyways. When the playoffs start all records and points are washed away and team can win, just who wants in more. As a hockey player, you always want to play the best and beat the best.

Your still one of the fastest skaters in the league, do you think your getting faster or have you lost a step?

I don't think I have lost a step. If anything I have noticed that more speed is coming in every year in the CHL. The game has changed a lot over the years, and speed is everything. I take pride in training and look to find ways to improve on things every year, speed being a big one.

Do you remember dirty hits from other teams?

Hockey is such a rough sport and dirty hits happen all the time. Some teams play harder then others and you always have that in the back of your mind when you play a rougher team. The dirty hits are not the ones caused by a split second reaction, rather the ones a player deliberately thinks about and then does it. Although it happens occasionally, there is no room for players like that in our league, and eventually they are weeded out. And yes, you do remember dirty hits from other teams.

RGV Forward Zak Mcclellan enters the CHL Chat Room

Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees forward Zak Mcclellan has entered the CHL Chat Room as the Killer Bees forward talks about his life on and off the ice and getting ready for the upcoming All Star Game next week in Laredo. Currently, he has 17 points through the halfway through the season and is a big time forward who likes to use his height to take advantage of his competition. He also talks about some stuff away from the ice, including who the teams best cook, and some interesting comments about practice.

From the Central Hockey League website. www.centralhockeyleague.com

What advice would you give to a youth hockey player?

Advice I would give a youth hockey player... hmm I would say play as many sports as you can. I think one thing parents sometimes think is to dedicate themselves or they will never make it as a pro. And I think if you dedicate your life and time to one sport too young, you really run the risk of burnout. So my advice would be to enjoy other sports along with hockey, work hard on your hockey skills during the year, and then enjoy something like soccer or basketball, whatever you enjoy in the off season. As far as with one skill though I would say skating, no matter how good you are. you can always get faster and stronger with your skates.

What is like playing with the big Joel Irving?

Joel is a big human that's for sure. Its good, he's hilarious too so that's makes it fun to have in the dressing room. He's also played at almost every level of pro, so he knows a lot of situations, and helps us college guys a lot.

What team do you think is the best so far in the Southern Conference this year?

I think the best team so far in the South is maybe Allen, they are big, strong and have a lot of good talent.

Who is the best cook and the best eater?

Wylie Rogers is a good cook!!! He is for sure in a really good zone when he gets in the kitchen. He cooks up some really good dishes! The best eater is a toss up, a couple of the boys can really put some food down; I'd say Goeckner-Zoller might be at the top of that.

What do you hat the most about practice?

That's a tough question, I'd have to say what I don't like is when you get repetitive and can fall in the funk of the same drills. That can really get to feeling like your a robot, and make practice not as much fun as when your doing new drills now and again.

Who is the player you have played with at some point that you have learned the most from?

Well I played with some really good players in college, so I can't really pin point one. But I can say that I learned a lot of really good things while going to Michigan State just playing day in and day out with some really good talent. I was able to be on great teams where a lot of the guys have gone on to play in the NHL & AHL and you can learn a lot by just watching them in practice and working with them. So I'm very fortunate about that.

Has living in South Texas been better or worse then you thought it would be?

South Texas has been a fun experience, Its definitely a lot different from Michigan. I like the weather and the sunshine, but really do miss the change of season. I'm happy to be able to be for a while but can't lie, think my home is always Michigan.

J.P. Levasseur gets in the CHL Chat Room

From The Central Hockey League Website

This is the 2nd player inside the Central Hockey League Chat Room as he answers question from fans. Earlier this week, Colt King of the Rapid City Rush was in the Chat Room recently. Laredo is currently 3rd in the Southern Conference and are looking to close in on the Allen Americans and Odessa Jackalopes in the Southern Conference.

What Work ethics do you do during the offseason to stick in shape on goaltending?

I train five times a week with the training staff of the Anaheim Ducks. They have a great training system in California.

JP, Is your father named Lou? I'm from Jonestown, PA and in the early 70s we had a goalie named Lou Levasseur. He was just awesome for us and won the NAHL Championship

No, my father is named Rene. I heard about Lou Levasseur but he is not in my family.

What is the design on your goalie mask?

It's a chop on top. One side of piece of corn to represent the state of Iowa. and the other side is downtown Des Moines, Iowa where he grew up.

How do you not get tired from being on the feet during the entire game?

You get used to it. I've done this my whole life, all the practices and games. I stay in pretty good shape off of the ice, which makes me in good shape on the ice during the season as well.

Have you ever been in a Goalie Fight?

No, Never in my career.

Who, would you say is the strongest team you have faced in the CHL so far this season?

The Odessa Jackalopes they are a pretty fast and really good team.

J.P. so would you think about Laredo and how different is it from being over seas?

It's different here for sure. I really love it here. It's great because I get to learn a different culture.

Have you ever met J.S. Giguere?

Yes, I'm good friends with him. I attended training camps with him, and he's a really great guy.

What NHL Goaltender did you grow up idolizing and who do you think are the top few in the NHL right now?

I grew up idolizing Patrick Roy. I think the best goalie in the NHL right now is Roberto Luongo.

Tulsa Oilers goalie Kevin Armstrong in the CHL Chat Room

Here's a look at Tulsa Oilers goaltender Jamie Armstrong when he answered questions from fans in the CHL Chat room recently. He was also named the Goaltender of the Week yesterday for last week. Currently the Tulsa Oilers sit in 2nd place in the Northern Conference just 1 point behind the Colorado Eagles.

Tell us what has been the key to the good start with basically a new team and new teammates, new coach, etc.

I think that you have to understand that every team is in the same position with a majority of new players every year. I think our success early on has to do with everyone doing their part, we have a lot of guys that can put the puck in the net. We're a really good offensive team, its nice to know as a goalie that the guys are going to put the puck in the net for you. I played with Rammer last year and I know what he can do as a coach, has got a winning record and he knows how to put a good team together.

Do you have any game day rituals or superstitions?

Nothing to crazy or out of ordinary. Just the nap, try to relax, watch some TV in the afternoon. When I get to the rink, I'm always doing different things, my rituals is always changing, always adding things in or taking things out, it's never really the same thing,

In your opinion, how does the CHL compare to different leagues like the ECHL and the OHL?

Well I played in the Western Hockey League, I believe that the CHL is kind of a continuation of major junior. The shots are a lot harder here because the guys are older and a lot stronger, but a lot of is pretty similar.

How did the experience playing for the Turner Cup in the IHL help jumpstart your pro career?

I think it was good experience for me to get some pro games under my belt before playing my first full season of pro. I got to learn a lot by getting used to the pro lifestyle as opposed to Junior. Playing on a good team to Muskogen last year gave me a chance to play in the playoffs in the finals, which was a great experience for me as a goaltender.

How is it more challenging to be a goaltender than someone on defense or offense?

Its definitely a unique position, it may not be as physically demanding as someone playing defense or forward because your not taking body checks all night. Its pretty tough mentally, as you have to be completely focused. All your mistakes are under an magnifying glass, its easy to see when a goalie makes a mistake but with that being said, it's a high risk, high reward type of thing because its really obvious when your playing well.

What advice would you give to someone who's new to hockey, I notice that a lot goes on that I miss. I know the rules, but how would you suggest someone who views the game?

That's a question to answer, I really don't know how to answer that.

When you guys are on the road, what do you do during the day to while away the hours before the game.

Usually catch a quick nap at the hotel room, maybe watch some TV. Once when we get to the rink its just like any other game day.

How long have you played hockey?

Since I was 8 years old, I played forward for 3 games and then it was my turn to in the rotation to get into net. I really didn't want to, but was forced. I got a shutout and stuck with it ever since.

What do you enjoy when being involved with the community? And also how is it mentally being a goalie during training camp with so many goalies competing for the number one spot.

It's always nice to do stuff in the community, helping out encouraging kids is my favorite part. In training camp its no different then competing for a win in a game, you're always competing against the guy at the other end. Its all the same, you just have to be focused on what you do and not what the other guys doing around you.

What style of Goalie are you?

I'm a butterfly goalie, typically it seems most guys are these days. Traffic in front of the net always makes things harder. You just got to find your way around it, whetever it be side to side or over the top, do what you can to find the puck.

Austin Sutter in the CHL Chat Room

Here's a look at when Austin Sutter was in the Central Chat Room recently. They will do chats with several players from different teams throughout the season.

How do you feel about the team overall this year?

I am very excited about our team this year. The season is very fresh, but getting off to a good start helps tremendously. Our team feels very confident, knowing we do have a lot of work. Every team will improve throughout the season. Our goal is to keep improving everyday.

What is it like when players from different leagues like the ECHL, do they adapt to the CHL quickly?

I think that the CHL has improved greatly in the four seasons I have been involved. I have seen players transition from the CHL and ECHL. I know both leagues have a lot of talent and is great hockey watch. The bigger difference in the leagues is probably the average age of it's players. The ECHL has younger players then the CHL.

What do you and coach Pellerin expect from the team this year, where do you see us going this season?

Every teams goal is to win a championship. Our goal is to improve everyday as a team, be competitive each game, and what that leads to hopefully a successful run in the playoffs.

How was your first training camp under coach Pellerin different from your experience with past coaches?

Yes, it's very different. We decided to keep our camp small in terms of the number of players and starting to work on systems early. Mix a little work and conditioning in and so far our teams feels pretty good.

I know that you are a player who steps onto the ice with the attitude of giving your all. Where would rate this group of guys to those you've played with in different seasons?

We feel that we have a team full of good attitude players. Guys that will block shots, back check and pay a price to win. This team ranks high on my list who are willing to buy into a team concept.

I know you have spent a lot of time with youth hockey in Amarillo, what is the best thing about your time donated to youth hockey? Also whats the best advice you could give a young player in Amarillo?

I have a passion for working with kids. The feeling is amazing when you see yourself making a difference in a child's life. When I was a young player, I had the blessing of many players in my community giving back to youth. I feel like it's my turn to give back now. The best advice I could give is to follow your heart. If you love something, give it all you have. If it's sports, music, art, education, or whatever it may be, do it to the best of your ability. Find a passion and fuel your love with hard work, dedication, and the commitment to be the best at what you do.

What do you like the most about playing in Amarillo for the number of years you have played here?

The people are amazing. I could write a book on how many wonderful friends my wife and I have in this town. We feel so blessed to be a part of this community. Amarillo is an honest, hard working city. It's the perfect place for us. Thank you to everyone who makes hockey in Amarillo possible.