Nathan Paetsch Interview: By Any Means Necessary

Nathan Paetsch is a very determined hockey player. Paetsch patiently bided his time after spending several seasons toiling in the minors. He continued to improve his game under the guidance and trust of Rochester head coach Randy Cunneyworth. A versatile player who can play both forward and defence he has cemented a roster spot on this talented Sabres team.

McKeen's recently had a chance to catch up with Paetsch and talk about his involvement in Game 7 of last year's Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals as well as a funny story about him winning the coveted forward position in Rochester.

McKeen's: You worked so hard to get here. How rewarding is it to you?

Paetsch: It is a huge reward. Whenever you go through the gravel road, as I like to call it the grass is always greener on the other side.

McKeen's: Is there a sense that this team is so deep that there has to be an injury for a player like yourself to get exposure and ice time?

Paetsch: We are definitely deep however everyone on this team earns their ice time. Our depth and the fact that everybody in this dressing room is so hungry is what makes us such a good hockey team.

McKeen's: You have been playing forward in recent games for a few shifts, a position you are overly familiar with. How have you been able to make the adjustments?

Paetsch: (Laughs) Well it has only been one game as I ended up back on defence. It is something I managed to do before in my first season with Rochester. It has been an adjustment but not something I am completely not used too. I felt comfortable the first few shifts and our line actually created a few scoring opportunities so I imagine it will get easier with more experience.

McKeen's: Is there a story behind you playing forward in Rochester?

Paetsch: (Lets out a big laugh) I came in as a 20-year-old and didn't get signed until two weeks into the season and we already had six veteran defenseman. So they were not going to change the lineup and it was doubtful that I would land one of those defenseman spots. So when coach Cunneyworth came up to me, I lied to him and told him that I had experience playing forward when in reality the only forward I had ever played was some three-on-three hockey in the summer time. In the end, it worked out pretty well for me and the team of course.

McKeen's: Let us go back to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals. You stepped in and immediately showed that you could make an impact. How important was that to you on a personal level in terms of developing your confidence and knowing that you could play at such a high level of hockey?

Paetsch: It was massive. I mean you are not going to get a chance to be in a higher skilled game like that with more on the line. Between the noise, the pressure and the intensity of that particular game the fact that I was able to contribute the way I did will eventually make everything that much easier in the future.

McKeen's: You had some setbacks of not being in the lineup (healthy scratch). How do you stay motivated knowing that there is a small window of opportunity for you to succeed and that you have to be constantly playing to make an impact?

Paetsch: Well thankfully injuries have not set me back, knock on wood. But there is room here and I am young enough to be patient and wait for it. However, I have already played 40 games this season and with each passing week, I am feeling more comfortable with my play and contributions.

McKeen's: This is a young team so who are some of the guys that you have formed a unique bond with? Are there any funny stories that happened to you this season that you wish to share?

Paetsch: This is a great group of guys and I firmly believe that is the key to our success, that there is no animosity in the dressing room and everybody loves being here. My roomie on the road is Adam Mair and he and I spend a lot of time with another to the point where his wife actually cooks for me as I am living the single life and am on my own. It is nice to get those home cooked meals every now and again.