AHL: QA with Brian Salcido

Anaheim Ducks prospect defenseman Brian Salcido finished second in AHL defenseman scoring with Portland in 2007-08, his second season in the AHL. He continued to patiently wait for his chance while skating for the Iowa Chops' as their top puck-moving defenseman in 2008-09, making many wonder if the 23-year-old would get the opportunity that he appeared deserving of. Then, in mid-February, Salcido finally got the call from the Ducks, playing his first NHL game in the same game future Hall of Famer Chris Pronger skated in his 1000th. Almost buried in a Ducks organization with significant depth at defense, Salcido acquitted himself well in his two games before returning to Iowa to help them in their playoff push, keeping the door open for him to eventually get a longer shot in the NHL. One that would seem certain given his composure with the puck and his steady defensive improvement.

McKeen's correspondent Kevin Wey was able to talk with Salcido just before the NHL trade deadline. Salcido discussed his first recall to the NHL, his reaction to Anaheim's acquisition of defensemen during the year, playing in the 2009 AHL All-Star Game, his development in the AHL, his college career with Colorado College, his prep career with Shattuck, and his stickhandling prowess and composure with the puck.

McKeen's: First off, congratulations on your NHL games in February.

Salcido: Thank you.

McKeen's:: When you received the call, who told you, what did they say, and what was your reaction?

Salcido: We'd just gotten done with a game in Chicago and we were leaving early the next morning to go to Houston. It was about 1:30 (a.m.), I was just able to close my eyes for a little bit and my phone rang, and it was actually David McNab, the GM here and the assistant GM up there (in Anaheim). I didn't really know what to expect, I'd never been called up before. He said, "You're getting on a plane in the morning to meet the team in Detroit." I think there's just so many emotions going through, I didn't really know what to think or what to make of it, but I made sure to call my parents and my girlfriend. I was pretty excited. It was a pretty cool feeling.

McKeen's: It's a little shorter trip to Detroit from Chicago than Houston.

Salcido: Yeah, yeah.

McKeen's: When you got to Detroit, tell me about the thoughts and emotions when you're getting ready in that locker room, walking through the tunnel, skating that first shift.

Salcido: You know what? Again, I was just so nervous, and there's so many things going through my mind. I was just trying to focus on what's coming up. It was a pretty special feeling for me, and my mom was there, and my dad was watching. It was actually Chris Pronger's 1000th game, but it was my first game. So, it was pretty special to share that with him and kind of be on two different ends of the spectrum. But, getting dressed in the locker room with Pronger and [Scott] Niedermayer and Bret Hedican and Teemu Selanne, it's pretty special. In pre-game skate you're making passes to guys that could be in the Hall of Fame. It's pretty special. It was a lot to take in, but I feel like I was ready and guys helped me out and gave me some good advice. So, it was a really cool experience.

McKeen's: In those two games, what were the differences that you perceived between the AHL game and the NHL game?

Salcido: I think everyone says it was definitely a lot faster. Guys are a lot bigger and stronger, but I feel like it's not as sloppy. You could count on people being in the right place at the right time. You could trust that the play's going to be there. You're not always looking to make a play, you can trust that the easy play is going to be there. It's definitely faster, but at the same time I feel like it's a little bit easier. Like I said, you don't have to worry about getting in trouble as much.

McKeen's: Goalies say the same thing.

Salcido: Yes.

McKeen's: I've had goalies tell me it actually gets a bit easier from the ECHL to the AHL, and then the AHL to the NHL. Before you came back to Iowa, the Ducks traded Chris Kunitz for Ryan Whitney, another defenseman. What was the reaction in the Anaheim locker room to that and what was the reaction amongst you defensemen?

Salcido: Well, you know what? It's hard. I don't think people realize how difficult professional sports is. You just never know what's going to happen. Kunitz, he started his career in Anaheim (pauses), it's a different aspect to things. It's a business kind of thing. You can't hold grudges or look into things too much, but I feel like the trade deadline's there, and Kunitz I'm sure wasn't too thrilled at the moment, but I hope everything works out for everybody. I think in the end, that's what the GMs aim for. I hope things work out for everybody.

McKeen's: With the trade deadline looming later this week, you guys down here aren't immune from what the Ducks do, either. So, tell me a bit about the pressure you guys have heading into that.

Salcido: You always hear rumors, and you try not to pay attention to them. But, like you said, we're not immune. Anything could happen. You could play the best game of your life or the best season of your life and get traded or play the worst season in your life and get traded.

McKeen's: (Chuckles)

Salcido: So, there's just no telling. I don't want to say people are tip-toeing around, but maybe just waiting to see what happens, whether it's you or a friend or someone in Anaheim. You really never know what's going to happen. I think that it's not worth your time worrying about it and trying to figure things out. I think you just need to let things play out and hope for the best.

McKeen's: Well, with the latter part of your response to that, maybe this next question isn't the best one for you, but, earlier during the season, the Ducks picked up Nathan McIver off waivers, they signed Bret Hedican, and they acquired Sheldon Brookbank. With Anaheim picking those defensemen, did you ever lose any hope that maybe it's not going happen for you this year?

Salcido: Maybe not lose hope, I feel like I've always played my game and tried to live my life like things always happen for a reason. For me, I just wanted to be ready when my name got called, and I didn't know if that was going to be this year or next year or 10 years from now. But, I just wanted to be ready, and when I got the shot, I wanted to show that I belonged there. I didn't want to have a cup of coffee and then get traded or whatever. I wanted to be ready. Whether they pick someone up off waivers or make a trade, it's out of your control. You're here now and you want to make the best of it. So, you want to get better as a hockey player and as a person and when your name gets called, you just want to be ready.

McKeen's: After those two games, when they re-assigned you to Iowa, what did they tell you?

Salcido: You know what? I didn't have a chance to talk to too many people, but I know a few people said that I did a really good job and that I need to keep it going and things will get straightened out. Whether that means I get another shot this year, whenever, it was good to know that I made the best of when I was there.

McKeen's: Going back to training camp when the Ducks assigned you to Iowa, what were some of the things that they told you then and some of the areas of your game that they wanted you to continue working on so that you'd force there hand, that they had to keep you there?

Salcido: Well, I felt like I had a good summer, and I felt like I was prepared. I was getting sent down (pauses), it's hard to crack a lineup with guys like Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger and [Francois] Beauchemin, and everyone up there. I wasn't mad. Like I said, people are up there for a reason. But, they said I had good composure and good patience with the puck but just needed to get stronger defensively and work on my footwork and stuff like that and just get better. Like I said, I wasn't mad or upset, I looked at it as an opportunity to get better and hopefully get a chance.

McKeen's: Along that track, what are some of the areas you feel you've improved on the most this season and then, also, in your two-and-a-half-plus seasons in the AHL overall?

Salcido: Well, coming out of college, or even major juniors, it's just such a different game. There's so much to learn. The season and the schedule, it's just so different. I feel like my game's evolved a lot more, I've learned a lot from older guys and from being in different situations. Being in playoffs last year and getting good icetime, I feel like I've learned a lot about my body and how to take care of myself on and off the ice. But, definitely, I think, on the ice, I've gotten better defensively. I'm learning more about how to approach the game and making smarter decisions and playing more like a man, being more mature.

McKeen's: In January, you played in the AHL All-Star Game, for the second time, replacing Drew Miller this time. Tell me about PlanetUSA's victory, the story to that, and how the two days went for you, and also how the second time was different than the first time around.

Salcido: It was actually pretty cool, because we were down (pauses), I think we scored six goals in the third period to win. So, it's always fun to do stuff like that, win or lose. But to come back like that was pretty cool. It's a really fun experience. You meet a bunch of guys that you never thought you'd meet, guys that you battle against or maybe had a grudge against the night before, then you're on the same team. So, it's kind of cool to meet those guys. It's a really cool experience. Not many people get to do stuff like that, so to be able to put that on resume and keep that in my pocket is a pretty cool thing. The first year was really special, because a lot of my buddies that I'd grown up with were there, so I'd known a lot of people and it was nice to see them and to be able to hang out with them and go through something like that together. The second time, there's a lot more younger guys, and I wasn't familiar with as many people. But, it was good to meet everyone. It's always fun for the fans. Stuff like that, that's what you're doing it for.

McKeen's: As you touched upon a bit, the last two seasons you played with Portland, and last year you guys made a pretty good run in the playoffs. So, recall that for me if you would, and how does going that deep into the playoffs affect your off-season training?

Salcido: Yeah, it definitely does. It's really hard. It was really cool to go that far. Sometimes you don't think you could do it until you start doing it, and it was really special. You really felt like the team was coming together. You really felt like you were part of something special, and that was really cool. But going that far, it really does affect your summer, it cuts it real short. Maybe you don't take as much of a break off as you would if you didn't make the playoffs or not as far in the playoffs. But, you've just got to take advantage of it. People think that we get the summers of, but, really, it's a year-round job. Sometimes the summers are harder than during the year. You just want to push yourself and hopefully you maintained your strength and your workout program through the year, and even in playoffs, that it kind of jump-starts you into the summer so that you're already ready to get your work done and get the workload done before the next camp.

McKeen's: What are the biggest differences between Portland and Iowa, both on and off the ice?

Salcido: Biggest differences? I'd definitely say the rink is way different. This is a brand new facility and it's really fantastic. In Portland, I'm not taking anything away from it, I think we had one of the best home records last season and it was a really hard place to play and a had a lot of character. It was a really good place to play and had good fans, but it's really cool to be in this building with a nice locker room, and our fan base is getting bigger and bigger. So, I feel like we're doing some good things here. Off the ice, it's definitely way different, East Coast versus Midwest. There's a lot of cool places to eat and cool places to hang out. Everyone here is just super friendly. Sometimes it's a little eerie, a little weird how nice people are. You wonder if after you meet someone if you'd met them before, if you were supposed to know them. But, people are really friendly here. It's a real fun place to play.

McKeen's: Now, as you touched upon, prior to playing for Portland you played college hockey for Colorado College, leaving after your junior season. First off, what were some of the highlights of your collegiate career, and then tell me about that decision to leave early.

Salcido: A couple highlights? Well, we had a couple really, really good teams. We made it to the Frozen Four one year and we just barely missed it the next year. I played with some cool guys that I'll forever be friends with, that I still stay in touch with, and guys that I see day in and day out here. So, it's cool to see them in warm-ups and play against them in the game and to still have that bond. It's something that you'll never forget, you'll always be a part of. And then (pauses), I left, it was a really difficult decision. Going to college was always really important to me and really important to my family. It was really difficult. But, I just felt like I learned as much as I was going to learn playing hockey and I knew that this was something that I wanted to pursue. For my hockey career, I knew that this was the next step that I had to take. It was definitely difficult for me and my family, but I promised my mom that I'd finish and get my degree. So, it's always there. Hopefully I play hockey for a little bit, but I'll make sure that I finish up and have that, too, in my pocket.

McKeen's: Prior to playing at CC, you committed to there while playing at Shattuck. What made you decide to go to Colorado College in the first place?

Salcido: Well, Colorado College, when I went and years prior, it was kind of known for developing California guys. Justin Morrison was there, and Noah Clarke, and Brett Sterling was there. Luckily, it was my first choice and I was lucky enough that they offered me a spot on the team. It was a relatively easy choice to go there. It's close to home, it's a really beautiful camp, and a beautiful place to live, great facilities, and a great academic program. So, I was pretty lucky to be able to go to my first choice.

McKeen's: I'd never thought about that, but CC is the closest to California and it definitely does have that California connection. Going back to Shattuck, tell me about the decision to leave the Los Angeles area and go to one of the top prep schools, as far as hockey is concerned, and also the commitments that that takes.

Salcido: Definitely a lot. I think commitments is a very good word to describe going there. I was 15 years old, 14 or 15 years old. I was leaving home, my parents weren't there, I lived in the boarding (pauses)

McKeen's: Dorms, I guess.

Salcido: Yeah, dorms, dorms. It was cool. You learned a lot about yourself. It really made you grow up fast. You learned how to take care yourself without your parents and how to manage your time and your schoolwork. Like I said about Colorado College, the bonds that you made with your friends there are forever. I still talk to those guys religiously. It was a really special place, a really special time for me, but it was really cool to be a part of something with everybody that had the same goal, and that was to get a good education and play hockey. It kept you focused. It was a really special time in my life. I'll always hold that close to my heart.

McKeen's: Some of the larger names amongst your teammates were Sidney Crosby, Jack Johnson, Drew Stafford, but the prep team from Shattuck, especially at that time, it was almost an All-Star Team. So, with that said, what were some of the highlights of your Shattuck career and, today, how long ago does that feel?

Salcido: Oh, wow. I feel like sometimes it seems like it was years and years ago, and then there's some times when you're reminiscing with your bodies and it feels like it was yesterday. But, you named some of those guys, and then there's Jonathan Toews, and tons of guys that have developed there. It's a great program. They teach you a lot about yourself and about hockey. It was really special, it was really cool. Definitely, the highlight, though, was winning nationals. When you go there, you want to play with the prep team and you want to win nationals. My senior year, we had a great team with guys like Crosby and Stafford and Matt Smaby, who's in Tampa Bay, and Ryan Duncan, who won the Hobey Baker, we were full of guys. We were a really good team. So it was a good time to come together and be a part of that and win nationals. That was definitely the best part of it.

McKeen's: Anyone who's been able to watch you much at all will notice that you're a pretty good stickhandler.

Salcido: (Chuckles)

McKeen's: At what point in your career did you develop that prowess and what were some of things that you did to do that?

Salcido: Well, you know what? I don't know if I like to think of it as being a good stickhandler. My dad always had me do the power skating clinics and the Turcotte stickhandling clinics and stuff like that. He always taught me when you're standing in line, if you're waiting in line, do little toe drags and just handle the puck. I don't know if I like to think of myself as a good stickhandler, but I appreciate that. But, growing up my dad really kept me focused on different, various parts of my game, and that was definitely one of them.

McKeen's: Well, the stickhandling/positioning of your body, I suppose, maybe.

Salcido: I like to think that I've got good composure with the puck.

McKeen's: That's definitely true. But, if you have no confidence in your puck skills, you probably won't have much composure.

Salcido: (Chuckles) No, you're right. It was definitely before practice and in warm-ups, just getting used to handling the puck and different moves that you would use throughout the game, just getting used to handling the puck like that.

McKeen's: Kind of calibrating the hands.

Salcido: Yes, definitely.

McKeen's: Going back to your youth, who were some of your favorite players growing up and why and maybe who are some players today that you'd like to equate to?

Salcido: Well, definitely I grew up as a Kings fan, so I was a big Rob Blake fan. I like to think I'm a pretty offensive defenseman, so of course Bobby Orr. I really loved Ray Bourque. I grew up watching Ray Bourque, but I was a Kings fan growing up, and when they had Paul Coffey, and they had a guy with really long hair, his name was Ron Duguay. I'll never forget him.

McKeen's: (Laughs)

Salcido: Like I said, I don't want to say who I focus my game after, but I love the way [Nicklas] Lidstrom plays. The stuff he does out there is really amazing. I don't want to say that I think I play like him, but maybe I try to play like him. He's just so good all-around. He's the best. He really is the best.

McKeen's: Right. Lastly, what was your reaction when you found out the team that you were likely going to be coming to was named the Iowa Chops, who told you, and how do you feel that's turned out, though, for the organization?

Salcido: I kind of laughed at first. I was talking to Andrew Ebbett over the summer, and when we found out, we sent some pretty funny text messages. I couldn't believe it. I thought it was joke at first, then I saw the picture. I couldn't believe it. I thought it was a joke. But, you know what? It's really grown on me. We've got some really cool colors and the logos not as bad, and I really love our jerseys. I think it's pretty cool, it's really grown on me. I think people laugh at first when they hear that you're a pig, or a Chop. They're like, "Who are you? The Pork Chops?" But, I think it's pretty cool. It's grown on me.

McKeen's: And the team doesn't treat you like pieces of meat?

Salcido: No, no. I wish we could get some free pork chops or something. I'm sure they could give us some good ones for our name. But, we're not meat. We play in The Meat Locker, they say, but they don't treat us like meat.