QA with Chris Durand, Part Two

McKeen's: You've talked about admiring Mario Lemieux. If you had some one-on-one ice time with him, what would you ask?

Chris Durand: Oh . . . only one question?

McKeen's: As many as you want!

Durand: I'd like to ask him "what was your career like?" And then sit for hours and listen to him talk. He's done it all. Just amazing! Though I think if I actually met him, I'd stumble and stutter and probably not be able to say anything because I'd be so nervous.

McKeen's: What your peers? Whom do you admire among your teammates, opponents and other players in your age group?

Durand: From my team, Tyler Metcalfe. I lived with him last year and he is 100% committed and focused. He takes the team to the limit. He carries himself respectfully and I try to model my life after him. Also, (Shea) Weber from Kelowna. He's a class act. He plays hard and plays physical, but plays within the rules. I think he's a guy who's been under the radar. He's very respectable and approachable off the ice. An unsung hero. And he's tough to get around on the ice.

McKeen's: One of Sidney Crosby's jersey was stolen recently. If you could (legally, of course) have any piece of hockey memorabilia, what would it be?

Durand: I think the puck from the winning goal at the Summit Series. That's a very significant hockey memory. I wasn't born yet, but I've watched every game and every DVD about the series. It would make a great movie.

McKeen's: Significance of #20 for you?

Durand: I've always worn #10, but it's retired here for Glen Goodall. #20 seemed the next best thing. I watched Pavel Bure growing up and always wore #10 from the time I was a little kid, playing hockey at 6 or 7.

McKeen's: Many potential rule changes in discussion for the NHL. No touch up icing, shootouts, removing the red line, bigger ice surface, restricting goalie movement, etc. Does the game need to be improved and if so, what do you think will make the game more exciting?

Durand: Jarome Iginla in The Hockey News just talked about that and suggested smaller goalie pads, a little less wide. Something that would cause the goalie to move side to side more and create more space. Also, taking out the red line could improve excitement and create more breakaways. It would also get rid of the trap. And it would change up the game for everyone and make us all come up with a new system. I think shootouts are a great idea. I'd like to see the WHL move in that direction. It can end the tie and give you something to talk about the next day. You can talk easily if you won or lost, but not really if you tied. Why not award a team two points if you can? It's exciting for everyone—the fans and the players. And if the fans leave excited, they may be more likely to come back for more.

McKeen's: Should the NHL consider sponsorships like the teams in Europe (or NASCAR) have to help with the financial concerns?

Durand: I think it could be another step, but I think it would be important not to overdo it and completely cover the jerseys in patches.

McKeen's: There have been lots of comments about the role of fighting in hockey. The old joke, "I was at a fight and a hockey game broke out." How would you explain the purpose of fighting in hockey to someone unfamiliar with the sport?

Durand: It has a place in the game, to change momentum, to stand up for a teammate. Sometimes you have to step up and each team usually has a couple guys who can take on that role as part of their game.

McKeen's: Have you been in a fight?

Durand: Not this year. Last year I was in a couple, but it's not normally part of my game.

McKeen's: You've had the opportunity to participate in many charity and community events including the Hockey Challenge for Seattle Ronald McDonald House and Tsunami Relief. Many NHL players have their own charitable organizations. Is there a cause you think you may want to support in some way in the future?

Durand: I would have to say the Children's Hospital. I've had the privilege of visiting and spending time with the kids a couple of times. Just interacting and being able to give them the attention and help is wonderful. There are so many kids that need help.

McKeen's: Favorite personal hockey moment? Still the U-17 last year in Newfoundland?

Durand: Yea, that's still a favorite moment. But I have to add that overall just playing in the WHL—it's an honor to be a part of it. As many kids that play hockey, to know I have put in the work and dedication to be here is great. Also, I'd have to say winning the city championships when I was in Bantam with my friends and peers. It was so great to accomplish that with your friends. We're all scattered now, but it's something we still reminisce about when we get together at Christmas.

McKeen's: Tell me a little about the CHL Top Prospects game from this year: working with John Davidson, playing with this year's top draft picks.

Durand: It was just an unbelievable experience. To play with the top 40 players, to play in front of 17,000 people. It was a great experience.

McKeen's: Funniest thing you've seen in a game?

Durand: I have never seen as many pucks deflects off a certain spot and into the net as I have at Key Arena with the things that hold the glass together--there's one in our end, the end we defend twice. And the puck just bounces right off there and goes into the net. We've lost a couple of games this year and one last year due to that. Brian (Bridges) goes to play the puck as it should go and it just takes this really weird, unpredictable bounce and goes in. You can't blame him for that! He has really adjusted his game and he waits patiently in the net when it's headed in that direction. I think it might be a curse.

McKeen's: Maybe you can shoot for it and use it to your advantage during the second period.

Durand: (Laughs) Yeah, maybe we can put that in our game plan.

McKeen's: I read your bio on the Thunderbirds site. If Steven Segal and Jean Claude Van Damme are too old to battle it out without breaking a hip, who's the number one action star?

Durand: James Bond

McKeen's: Favorite?

Durand: Golden Eye, I think that was a pretty good one.

McKeen's: Any finals words?

Durand: Here's a direct quote: "I hope the NHL comes back as soon as possible. I'm a huge fan and I miss it."