Alex Leavitt Interview
McKeenshockey.com: When and where did you start playing hockey?
Alex Leavitt: Played my minor hockey in Edmonton, Alberta and started at age 3.
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McKeenshockey.com: Is there any particular person who has been influential in your development?
Alex Leavitt: My dad for sure. He spent countless hours teaching my brother and I and even coached us till we were 14. My mom also made a lot of sacrifices in getting us to practices, spending tons of money on hockey equipment and supporting us when things didn't go well.
McKeenshockey.com: Are there any players in the NHL you watch and admire?
Alex Leavitt: I love to watch Peter Forsberg of Colorado. He has the complete game of toughness and skill. As well, former Wisconsin badger Dany Heatley is also a player who is fun to watch.
McKeenshockey.com: What do you love most about playing hockey?
Alex Leavitt: I love scoring or assisting on a big goal in front of thousands of people. Just performing I guess, like an actor on stage, we just perform in a game.
McKeenshockey.com: What is your biggest success in hockey so far?
Alex Leavitt: Probably winning the Under 18 tournament 2 summers ago with Team Canada. We were only together for a couple of weeks and managed to beat some strong teams from all over the world.
McKeenshockey.com: How would you describe your game to someone who has never seen you play?
Alex Leavitt: I'm the small guy who uses his quickness and good vision of the play to make things happen. I am an offensive player who usually tries to set others up to score goals.
McKeenshockey.com: What do you think is the strongest part of your game?
Alex Leavitt: My ability to pass the puck and be creative offensively.
McKeenshockey.com: Do you have any pre-game superstitions?
Alex Leavitt: I always put my equipment on the same way, with the left side stuff going on first. If I'm in a scoring drought, I may dip my stick in the dressing room toilet for good luck. Don't ask my why, it just works.
McKeenshockey.com: Do you play any other sport besides hockey?
Alex Leavitt: I play a lot of golf in the summer months and played baseball till I was 13 years old.
McKeenshockey.com: What do you feel you have to improve on before making the jump to the next level
Alex Leavitt: My speed and strength. I feel that I have the fundamental skills to play at the highest level; I just have to get a bit faster and quite a bit stronger to compete with those guys.
McKeenshockey.com: Do you have any hobbies or things you like to do on your free time?
Alex Leavitt: I love to play cards. Games like poker, Texas hold'em, and blackjack are really a good time, especially when you bluff someone out of a big pot!! I also enjoy watching movies and even doing a little school work every now and then.
McKeenshockey.com: Do you have a nickname?
Alex Leavitt: In junior hockey I had a lot of nicknames, but here everyone just calls me "the kid" mainly since I'm still the youngest player on the team in my sophomore season.
McKeenshockey.com: What is your goal for the upcoming season?
Alex Leavitt: Next year I'd like to put up double the points that I did in my freshman and sophomore seasons. That basically works out to a point per game for next year. As well, I'd like to see the team improve and contend for a WCHA championship.