Q&A with Daniel Tolensky

I had the privilege to ask some questions with hockey blogger Daniel Tolensky of HockeyBuzz.com. If you haven't heard of him, I suggest you check out his daily blog. Good reads.

-Q: How did you get your start in hockey blogging?

I started my own small site and wrote there for a couple months. I ended up sending some of my stuff to one of the writers on Hockeybuzz and he ended up passing it along.. One thing led to another and next thing I knew I was staying up until all hours of the night writing a daily hockey column.

-Q: When you were growing up, who was your favorite hockey player?

Wayne Gretzky. My room was plastered with posters and at least half of my wardrobe was black and silver. Needless to say living in Toronto I wasn’t so popular in my class when the Leafs played the Kings in 93.

-Q: If you weren't a hockey writer, what do you think you'd be doing?

Sleeping a lot more. A LOT more.

-Q: What's your earliest hockey memory?

The first game I attended at Maple Leaf Gardens back in 1986. It was actually a playoff game and the Leafs beat Chicago 7-2 in game three to complete the series sweep (back then they played best of five in the first round). We were second row center ice right behind the Hawks’ penalty box and Denis Savard kept taking penalties so we thought he was this really tough player. I remember watching the graphics on the old scoreboard, the organ, the coloured seats and the incredible feeling you got being a young kid watching a game at the Gardens. From that day I was hooked.

-Q: For you, what's the greatest reward about covering hockey?

Getting to meet so many interesting people in and around the game, whether its’ players, management, members of the media or fans. It’s great to talk to so many others who share my obsession of hockey.

-Q: Other than hockey, what sports are most appealing to you?

Definitely NFL. I’m a huge Eagles’ fan and try and to one game a year when possible. My greatest football memory was the 2004 NFC Conference Final game in Philadelphia. I had gone down for the game the year before against Carolina and to be at the Linc to experience the lowest of lows and the return the next year to see them advance to the Super Bowl was just incredible.

-Q: In your opinion, which player has the most overall talent in the NHL today?

Alex Ovechkin. When you look at pure talent and what he can do with the puck, I don’t think there’s any doubt about it.

-Q: I know it's early and all of the rosters haven't been set, but if you had to pick one team as a favorite to win the Cup it would be______?

I hate making predictions, especially in August but I’ll go with the team I picked last year to win it all, San Jose.

-Q: If there was one rule in the NHL you could change, which rule would it be (unless you like 'em all) ?

Protect the players better – eliminate headshots and punish offenders more severely on plays where there is clear intent to injure or even just recklessness.

-Q: And finally, cause I gotta ask, where do you think Sundin lands?(Retirement included)

I’ve said Montreal all along and I’ll stick with them. If he wants to have a good chance to win the Cup, stay in Canada and play in a historic city, the Habs are the perfect choice. I still can’t see him retiring...


--Much thanks to Daniel for this interview.