QA with Troy Rutkowski and Taylor Aronson
McKeen's correspondent Randy Gorman was able to interview defensemen Troy Rutkowski and Taylor Aronson of the Portland Winterhawks prior to the end of their season. Rutkowski and Aronsos have a good chance of both being selected at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, as they were ranked No. 44 and No. 88 respectively among North American skaters by Central Scouting.
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McKeen's: Where did you play your minor hockey before joining the Winterhawks?
Rutkowski: I played in the Edmonton area with Sierra minor hockey system.
McKeen's: What is the biggest difference in the game at the major junior level in the WHL as compared to minor hockey at the midget and bantam level?
Rutkowski: The speed and physicality of the game is definitely the major difference from midget or bantam by a couple of notches at least.
McKeen's: This being your draft year, does it bother you that scouts are in the building watching you and analyzing your play?
Rutkowski: I try not to think about it too much, it kind of bothers me but I can't get too worried about it, I just have to go out and play my game and hopefully everything else will fall into place.
McKeen's: Every player has strengths, and also things they want to work on, can you tell me what you think your strengths are, and what you would like to work on to improve your draft status?
Rutkowski: My strengths are my offensive upside, as where I like to jump into the play and look for passes and one timers. As for things I would like to work on, I would have to say work in the defensive end with moving the puck and playing more physical. I want to achieve a balance between offense and defense.
McKeen's: What's it like playing on a talented team with so many guys that are draft eligible like yourself, and also the coaching style of Mike Johnston?
Rutkowski: We have a coach in Mike Johnston who has NHL experience and that's a real plus and an advantage in helping every player develop. The players we have on this team make it exciting and fun for ourselves and the fans. It's good knowing we will be together for a couple of years.
McKeen's: Do you have anything that you have set out to achieve this season?
Rutkowski: No, not really, I would just like to see the team be successful and finish as high as we can to get home ice advantage for the postseason.
McKeen's: Who has had the most influence and impact on your hockey career to date?
Rutkowski: My parents have always been there for me and I couldn't ask for anything more with the support they have given me.
McKeen's: Was there anything you did that helped get you ready to play for the Winterhawks in the off-season?
Rutkowski: I tried to work on my foot-speed with my trainer and really put the emphasis on that.
McKeen's: What do you like to do in the off-season?
Rutkowski: I like to catch up with my friends and socialize. I start my off-ice training rather early and that takes up a lot of my time.
McKeen's: Where did you play your minor hockey before joining the Portland Winterhawks?
Aronson: Last year I played for the L.A. Jr. Kings AAA midget, and the years' before that I was with the California Wave.
McKeen's: What's the biggest difference and adjustment coming into the WHL from those prior levels of hockey?
Aronson: Definitely the speed of the game and the strength and size of the players make it that much more difficult and a challenge, as your playing against the best junior players' in the world.
McKeen's: Would you classify yourself as a defensive defenseman, and do you work hard on drills that involve puck movement out of your own zone?
Aronson: Our coaches stress in practice on making good first passes out of our own end , always keeping our feet moving as to adjust to any situation, especially errant passes so we can recover quicker and in a better position to counter transition offense from the opposing team.
McKeen's: Have you set any personal goals for this season?
Aronson: I just want to see our team do well and go far in the postseason.
McKeen's: Is it a fair assessment to say that you are a student of the game, working extra hard in practice?
Aronson: Yes, I have been learning a lot from the coaching staff here in Portland and if scouts are noticing my play has improved, I must be doing something right.
McKeen's: Who has had the biggest impact in your hockey career so far?
Aronson: I'd say my parents foremost, however my last two coaches - Mike Lewis with the California Wave gave me a lot of advice and guidance, also Jack Bochus also helped me a lot with the L.A. Jr. Kings.
McKeen's: How much importance do you put on dry land training?
Aronson: Very important, you need to workout in order to build up muscle and add core strength to be able to withstand the constant grind of the WHL so you don't get knocked around out there.
McKeen's: Does it bother you that many scouts are watching you and your teammates, or do you just go out and play the game?
Aronson: I just try to go out there and show people how I play the game and I don't worry to much about who's watching me and what they are saying.
McKeen's: What's it like playing on a team with a lot of young talented players and under the tutelage of coach Mike Johnston?
Aronson: He's a great coach and teacher, and yes, we have a lot of young talented players that are only going to get better.
McKeen's: Being an American-born player, was it a difficult choice to chart the course to play in the WHL and major junior hockey, over say, the National Team Development Program (NTDP) and then onto NCAA hockey?
Aronson: It was a difficult decision, however, in the end I made the choice based on the fact Mike Johnston was running the program here in Portland.
McKeen's: How far do you think the development of U.S. hockey has come over the last 10 years?
Aronson: With all the hockey programs offered throughout the U.S., and in non-traditional hockey markets has helped encourage kids to try the sport at a young age. In my case, growing up watching the L.A. Kings and Wayne Gretzky helped inspire me. I think over the last 10 years U.S. hockey has improved and made big strides on the world stage with the development of marquee players that are now playing in the NHL.
McKeen's: What do you like to do in the off-season when your not playing hockey?
Aronson: I grew up in Southern California, so I like to hang with my friends and go to the beach. I also play roller hockey to stay in shape.