NE Prep: QA with Avons Lee Moffie

Lee Moffie has made tremendous progress since his freshman season and now as a junior, he has become one of the top defensemen in prep with the highest potential. Recently committed to Michigan for 2009, Moffie has loads of offensive talent. He has the ability to rush the puck or make the pass and join the rush. He has a fluid stride and a quick burst of speed coming through the neutral zone with the puck. Moffie was relied upon this season to log a tremendous amount of icetime and handled it well by putting up impressive offensive numbers (7 goals 25 assists 32 points).

McKeen's correspondent Vincent Montalbano, recently had the chance to interview the talented defenseman fresh off his second-consecutive prep championship. The 2008 draft-eligible prospect talks about his game, the upcoming draft, future college commitments, his experience with Avon thus far and his plans for the summer.

McKeen's: How did you become interested in hockey? At what age did you start playing organized hockey?

Moffie: I got interested with hockey through my family. My father played growing up and my older brothers were playing at the time. I started on backyard rinks when I was two and a half and started playing organized hockey when I was three or four.

McKeen's: Describe the type of game you play. What are your strengths? Weaknesses?

Moffie: I play an offensive game. Some of my strengths are getting pucks to the net from the point, being the third man on the rush and making sure pucks get out of the zone or the first pass on the breakout is solid. Some of my weaknesses would not being as intense as I should in the defensive zone and not being as physical as I should for a guy with my size.

McKeen's: What would you say is the most underrated facet to your game?

Moffie: An underrated part of my game is my ability to slow down and control the pace of the game. Also, another part would be my work in the defensive zone.

McKeen's: Which NHL player do you model your game after and why?

Moffie: Surprisingly, I'm not that knowledgeable with the defensemen in the NHL but one I used to like to watch was Sergei Gonchar when he played for the Bruins. I liked how well he was able to get shots to the net and he averaged a ridiculous amount of shots each game.

McKeen's: Who are the five most talented players you have played against and what specifically do you admire about their styles?

Moffie: Nick Bonino - His hands and vision make him tough to play against. He is probably my favorite person to go on a one on one with.

Todd Hall - I have only played men's league against him. He played for the Hartford Wolf Pack and had the game-winning goal in the Calder cup finals. He has the best patience with the puck I have ever seen. I have probably played against him 15 times and I have never seen him get a pass picked off.

Augie DiMarzo - Has a tremendous set of hands and is real quick and shifty. His creativity with the puck on his stick makes him real fun to watch and he is fun play against.

Alexander Killorn - He has got this real big body and he protects the puck really well. He makes you work really hard to get the puck from him.

Reid Cashman – He played for Quinnipiac and now plays in the Maple Leafs system. He has great poise with the puck especially from the blueline and he is a great passer.

McKeen's: You are from Wallingford, CT. Where did you play before attending Avon? What made you decide to go to Avon out of all the prep schools in CT?

Moffie: I played for the local high school my freshman year, which is Lyman Hall. My two older brothers went to Avon so I had been going to Avon games my whole life and I knew it was a place I wanted to be. I also watched an Avon defenseman named Mick Monsey who went on and played for UNH and I wanted to model the road he took before he went on the play college.

McKeen's: Describe your decision process in committing early to Michigan? What are you looking forward most to playing at Michigan with legendary coach Red Berenson?

Moffie: Michigan has always been a dream school. When it came down to it, I was very comfortable with the school, the coaching staff and especially where the coaching staff saw me fitting into the program. Committing there early has been a dream come true. The biggest thing I look forward to is just putting on the jersey and playing for the University of Michigan. It is going to be a tremendous honor. Also, it is going to be incredible playing at Yost and possibly playing in an outdoor game.

McKeen's: Any other schools in the mix?

Moffie: Other schools where Yale, Brown, Quinnipiac, UNH and BU.

McKeen's: You are finishing your junior year and since you are not scheduled to play for Michigan until 2009, are you planning to return to Avon?

Moffie: As of now, I'm planning on returning to Avon to finish off my senior year.

McKeen's: What were your expectations coming into this season and does playing at a school like Avon have higher expectations than most schools every year?

Moffie: The expectation every year at Avon is bringing home a New England championship and anything less is a failure. That is the great thing about playing at Avon is you're the team to beat and everyone wants a shot at you. It is a great place to play and get better.

McKeen's: You recently won your second prep championship, what was the difference between last years and this year?

Moffie: Both years were great and both teams where great in their unique ways. This year's title might have been a little more special because unlike last year, I was one of the main guys that had to step up.

McKeen's: What do you think about coach Gardner and the job he has done at Avon (7 prep championships – most of any prep school)?

Moffie: The guy is a phenomenal coach. He knows the prep school game so well and it shows with his record. He does a good job maintaining a player/coach relationship and makes sure you are never comfortable with a certain spot in the lineup. His numbers speak for themselves.

McKeen's: Describe your summer. Do you play a lot of hockey or relax and workout? What do you focus on during off-season training?

Moffie: I like to do it all in the summer. I train hard and play hockey at least three or four times a week, which is good because I mostly work out and play with all D1 guys so we help each other to get better. Then again, I love to relax and go to the beaches in Rhode Island and work on my tan. But the summer is a great time to refine your skills and work on all facets of the game because there is always room for improvement.

McKeen's: The NHL Entry Draft will be coming up for you this year. Are you thinking about it at all?

Moffie: Not really thinking about it too much. It would be nice to get drafted but it really means nothing. No matter what happens, I'm still going to have to get a lot better in college and work on getting better each day.

McKeen's: Is their any NHL team that you follow closely?

Moffie: Wallingford is and hour and half from New York and two hours from Boston, so I follow both those teams. I have also always followed the Red Wings for some reason and I love watching Datsyuk and Lidstrom play.

McKeen's: Which areas do you consider you have to improve to succeed in the next level in college and further?

Moffie: All facets of my game have room for improvement but a big one is being intense the whole game in both the offensive and defensive zone, which includes being more physical. Also, skating can always be improved.

McKeen's Five Fun Questions:

1. What has been your best hockey moment so far? (Goal, hit, etc.)

Moffie: Probably winning back-to-back championships with Avon.

2. Best thing about your hometown Wallingford, CT?

Moffie: The location is great. It's half way between Boston and New York. Also, I have a great core group of guys here that I love and will probably be close with my whole life.

3. Favorite actor/ actress?

Moffie: I think Tom Hanks is phenomenal especially after I found out that he play's every single role in the animated movie "The Polar Express". I also think Leonardo DiCaprio is great.

4. If you had your own theme song, what would it be?

Moffie: It would probably be "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie. Somehow, that song is my alarm on the phone and I wakeup to it everyday, surprisingly it gets me going for the day. But really I love all music and my theme song would change every week.

5. Best arena you played in?

Moffie: I'm real excited to play at Yost at Michigan but the best was probably the Colisee in Quebec for the Pee-Wee finals.