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An Interview with a Bear

Darren Paterson, Sports Editor

At the Blue vs. White prospects game I was able to catch up with bear-
pawed Canucks defenseman Johnathan Aitken, to ask him a few questions.
Despite catching him after what seemed like an unpleasant telephone con-
versation, I still managed to get in a few goodies.

Asan 8th overall draft pick by Boston in ‘96 expectations were high
from the beginning of Aitken’s NHL career. However he had seen little
time in the actual big leagues until last year with Chicago. When I asked
him about this he opted to comment that his “game has changed more
than anything,” while mentioning that his time spent in Boston was unpro-
ductive in that way. Of course, this is ironic because his main concern in
Boston was that they opted to play him on the wing instead of on defense.
And I say that’s ironic because of the fact that he took a few shifts on wing
during the prospects game. However, I failed to mention this irony to the
towering and fearsome Aitken.

I did ask him about fighting people other than myself though, as I
posed the question, “What should every fan know about fighting on
skates?” His reply? “Keep your balance and don’t get hit.” Good advice.
Simple, but good.

And mote importantly, I asked him, “What words of comfort do you
have for all us poor college nerds who cry ourselves to sleep each night
because we don’t get paid to play a game like your” To which I received

 

 

Aitken (#40) checks a player from team White

SEPGEMOEF § f2/e000

 
 

 

my best quote of the
night, “Count your
lucky stars that you
don’t have to put up
with all the politics

and bullshit.’ Of
course, this wasn’t too
comforting consider-
ing that we all put up
with our own politics
and BS all the time.
Not to mention the
fact that, as hockey
fans, we actually do
have to put up with
the exact same crap as
him. But hey, Pll let
him off the hook for
three reasons. One, he
was gracious enough
to do an interview
with this snot-nosed
Sports Editor. Two,
he’s an NHL tough guy
that could beat the crap out of me. And three, he said bullshit in an inter-
view.

Then came the lightning round. Ten multiple-choice questions and a
kitten attached to an electrified steel plate. It went down like this:

 

Who would you rather fight in their prime, Gino Odjick or Bob Probert?

J.A.: Probert.

Prime for prime: Gretzky or Lemiuex?

J.A.: Gretzky.

Who would win in a hockey fight? Bob Goodenow or Gary Bettman?

J.A.: Goodenow, definitely.

Who has the better shot? Al Macinnis or Brett Hull? (This one had him thinking.)

J.A.: Al Macinnis.

Better short player: Theoren Fleury or Cliff Ronning?

J.A.: Fleury, when he’s high.

Which is the better team? 1972 Team Canada or 2004 Team Canada? (Another
thinker.)

J.A.: 2004.

Better movie: “Slapshot” or “Miracle”?

J.A.: S/apshot, easily.

Best Canuck: Trevor Linden or Stan Smylé

J.A.: Smyl, because he had a good long run. Linden’s still going so you
can’t count him yet.

Gatorade or Powerade?

J.A.: Powerade.

Best college newspaper: The Other Press or The Other Press?

J.A.: The Other Press.

Well, that’s about it, my first poorly written professional interview. I’d
like to take one last moment to throw out props to those who helped me
stumble through this: Colin Miley, Grant Kennedy, and Johnathan Aitken.
Thanks guys. I promise I’ll do better next time.

DUREPPPeSS | dl