USHL: QA with Joe Hartman

Indiana Ice defenseman Joe Hartman may have been known by some as the younger brother of former Sioux City Musketeer and St. Cloud State Husky Matt Hartman, but the 6-foot-4, 200-pound blueliner is now more than making a name for himself and creating his own shadow. After a split season and two full seasons with the Alexandria Blizzard of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), Hartman has developed into a USHL All-Star and is putting his name in contention for selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft as a third-year-eligible player. If so selected, it would put him in the company of former USHLers Matt Bartkowski (Florida) and Phil DeSimone (Washington) from the previous two drafts.

McKeen's correspondent Kevin Wey recently had the opportunity to talk with Hartman. The young defenseman discussed such topics as his transition to the USHL, his two-plus seasons in the NAHL, his development in recent seasons, playing in the USHL Prospects/All-Star Game, his commitment to Miami-Ohio, the specter of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, and his high school hockey career in St. Cloud.

McKeen's: Earlier this week, for the third time, you were named the USHL Defensive Player of the Week, which would indicate that you're adjusting reasonably well from the NAHL to the USHL. So, tell me a bit about the adjustment from the North American Hockey League to the USHL.

Hartman: Well, this league is definitely a lot faster. A lot younger guys, younger, quicker guys. It's a harder league for sure, that first line is always a bit harder. But, the NAHL is a little more physical, and being 6-foot-4, that helped me a lot in that league, especially when I was younger in that league. There's a lot of older guys. This league's a lot faster, and that's the main difference.

McKeen's: In your two previous seasons, you played with the Alexandria Blizzard, and part of a third season before those two. Likewise, tell me what the jump was like going from St. Cloud Apollo to the Blizzard.

Hartman: I went to high school in Alexandria my senior year while I played for the Blizzard. Playing there was a lot different. The high school hockey was, obviously, lower-paced hockey and it wasn't as good of hockey. It was definitely a step up. There were a lot of bigger guys. The most intimidating thing is seeing guys with half shields for the first time, it's always intimidating. You're like, "Holy s--- these guys are old." It's a little intimidating, but you get used to it.

McKeen's: In your junior season, you did a bit of a split season, playing 10 games or so when they were the Minnesota Blizzard. That split season isn't that uncommon in the USHL, but it's a little rarer in the NAHL. So, did that come to be and when was that decided?

Hartman: Well, when I was a junior (pauses), yeah it's uncommon in the NAHL for sure. The coaches from Alexandria came down quite a bit and saw me play in St. Cloud, liked how I played, and realized that I was able to play in their league. I told them I couldn't go while I was playing high school that year, and they said they understood that but asked me if I could come for it after, and I said I was more than willing to do that. Any hockey is good hockey. Any experience for me is a plus. So, it was different. The guys were really great and accepted me right away. It was like a family, and I fit in pretty well, I thought. It's a little different, driving back and forth to practice. It was only an hour drive, but a little different.

McKeen's: That was before and after a little bit?

Hartman: Yeah, just two games before and then I went and played my high school season and then after I played eight, eight games. I got to 10, which made me eligible for them the next season. They didn't have to draft me.

McKeen's: In your first full season of NAHL you had no goals and 7 assists, but then last year you pumped that up a bit with 10 goals and 21 assists, and I read that your coach thought that you should have played in the All-Star Game, which is encouraging. So, what aspects of your game developed the most while you were with Alexandria?

Hartman: Those coaches did wonders for me. When I came in, I was a very defensive defenseman. I made the smart and easy play all the time, didn't take a lot of risks at all, steady and even. My second year there, I was a veteran and got a little more confident and I started to get more in the offensive zone and make some plays and started seeing that I could make plays and do well doing that also. So, I developed both my defensive play and offensive play and it really showed up for me last year. I definitely broke through. I think it was 31 points, or something like, after only 7. Obviously, that's something. I just got a little more confident and that's all you need.

McKeen's: Obviously that development and confidence helped in your development coming into the USHL, because earlier this month you played for Team CCM (East Division) in the USHL All-Star Game. Back in January, how was it that you came to learn you were named to the team, who told you, and what was your reaction?

Hartman: Well, first, I got a call from my brother, I think he was the first that talked to me, Matt Hartman. He told me and I thought he's obviously joking, your full of it. But then I thought there might be a chance. So, then my dad called me and he told me, and he wouldn't lie to me about that. So, I was like, "Holy s---. That's awesome." Just really honored. Never thought it'd happen, but it did. So, I'm pleased and happy.

McKeen's: Tell me about the experience of playing in the USHL All-Star Game, how the game was and how the two days were.

Hartman: It was a great experience all around. I had a lot of fun. Being able to meet all those guys and playing in a competitive but friendly environment. It wasn't like the big bodying and all of that in the typical game, but it was still pretty up-tempo. It was a good game. I had some great guys. It was a great experience. Sioux Falls did a great job of hosting that. A lot of people came and I had a lot of fun.

McKeen's: We've talked about past development a little bit, but, of course, every player is always looking to get better. So, what are the things that you're focusing on developing this year with the Indiana Ice?

Hartman: This year I've, obviously, been working on my shot a lot from the point. I've been working on that, working on some of my footwork, and definitely trying to get bigger. I'm always trying to get bigger. Those are the things that I've been working on, but coaches have obviously been helping me a lot with those.

McKeen's: Getting bigger, is that an all-around thing, or mostly upper body, lower body?

Hartman: I'd say upper, err, all around I'd say. I don't know. Just a little bit stronger. I've been getting bigger. I think I'm close to 200 right now. I want to be around 215 or so, and obviously I want that to be muscle.

McKeen's: Then on the flipside, we've talked about development, but what would you say are your strengths as a defenseman already and what style of game would you say you like to play?

Hartman: My strengths? I've always felt they've been defensive play and my ability to move the puck up quick and make the smart, easy play, like I told you I did in Alexandria. But, lately I've been getting more into the offensive zone a little and making some plays. But, I'd still have to say my bread and butter, or whatever you'd want to say. I don't know what you want to call. It'd definitely be my d-zone and my ability to make easy plays and just move the puck out and also quickly.

McKeen's: Going back to the NAHL, in what ways are things similar between the USHL and the NAHL and then maybe ways it's different?

Hartman: Similarities (pauses)… it's competitive in both leagues. Both leagues are very competitive. There's talent in both leagues for sure, and a lot of people don't notice that, but there's definitely talent in the NAHL. I'd say that the competitiveness is equal. I'd say there there's more depth in this league, but the skill is actually closer than you think. I can say this league has more depth, that's all.

McKeen's: Sure, and since the NAHL has more players that are 19 and 20, that'll affect that skill level being closer than people think as well.

Hartman: Yep, definitely.

McKeen's: Your successful progress in recent years has translated into something good for the future, too, your commitment with Miami-Ohio. When was it that they started talking to you, what was the recruiting process was like, and what made you decide that was the right place for you?

Hartman: I started talking to Miami at the very beginning of the year at the Fall Classic, in the pre-season. Right away, I obviously acknowledged that I was attracted to the school and I'd heard a lot about them, but I didn't know much about the campus and all of that. Then they asked me to come on a visit and I said sure, it's not far, and I was really interested. I went there and saw it and it was pretty good. Pretty good campus, obviously. I loved it there. The coaching staff was great, treated me well, the guys treated me well, and I just knew it was a fit right away. I went on another visit, I also visited Michigan Tech, which is also good, but I could tell that Miami is for me. It just felt like home right away. I felt really good right away.

McKeen's: You mentioned Michigan Tech, but, if I might ask, what were some of the other schools that showed an interest in you?

Hartman: St. Cloud State showed some interest, obviously being a hometown boy.

McKeen's: And your brother.

Hartman: Yeah, and my brother. Bemidji State and (pauses), kind of all around a little bit. There were some East Coast teams like RPI and UMass.

McKeen's: A fair number. In recent years you may have been better known as Matt Hartman's little brother, at least as far as age is concerned, and he played at St. Cloud State and for Sioux City as well. So, how did being Matt Hartman's brother affect your hockey career?

Hartman: I've always liked to be on my own level. As much as I love him as a brother, I hate to be known or be shadowed by him. I don't like that at all. I make that clear to a lot of my friends, I don't want to be his younger brother, and they realize that and respect that. But, saying that, we play a complete different style of hockey.

McKeen's: (Chuckles)

Hartman: He's a grindy little forward and I'm a stay-at-home defenseman. You can't get much opposite than that, unless I played goalie.

McKeen's: (Laughs, then composes self) Last year, Lincoln's Matt Bartkowski was in his third year of draft eligibility and he was selected. Similarly, you're in your third year of draft eligibility. To your knowledge, have any NHL teams shown interest in you that regard?

Hartman: I honestly don't even know if I'm eligible this year for the draft. I've heard that I'm not. I've heard that I am. If anything happens (pauses), I've had some interest in the past, certain teams have had interest in me in the past. If it happens, great. I don't want to know if I'm eligible to be honest, because there's not much I can say or do about it.

McKeen's: You're an '89, right?

Hartman: I'm an '89. I don't know if I'm eligible or not. I don't know when the date is.

McKeen's: As an '89, all 89's are eligible.

Hartman: I've talked to a couple teams, but not anything too serious. If it happens, I'll be shocked.

McKeen's: Have you ever considered yourself an NHL Entry Draft-caliber player and if so why, and if not, why not?

Hartman: I hope I can be a pro player someday. That's every kid's dream, obviously, play D1 college hockey and then go play pro somewhere, and I hope that happens, and everybody does also. During my draft years, I don't think I was up to the level those players are, but I've improved a lot and I work hard and it's helped me get here. But, during that time, I was working my balls off and made sure I got after things and now I think I'm up to that level, but only the scouts can decide that. At the time, though, I don't think I was there yet, but now I think I'm closer, I'd like to think.

McKeen's: If I were a director of amateur scouting for an NHL hockey team, what are some reasons I should consider drafting Matt Hartman (oops)?

Hartman: Joe Hartman

McKeen's: I mean Joe Hartman. Nice. Cut. Take two.

Hartman: That's alright. I think I'm a very, very good stay-at-home "d." I can play the "d," I can play special teams, I make the easy plays, I don't make things very difficult out there. I just do it easy and make the simple plays and take care of things defensively.

McKeen's: On a lighter subject, when did you first start playing hockey and how did you get that start?

Hartman: First started playing hockey (pauses)…, I think I was almost three when I started playing hockey, really young, obviously. I'm from Minnesota, and there's actually quite a few people who start there that young. A lot of my brother's friends and my brother played, and I always looked up to my brother, so I decided that's what I want to do, I want to be a hockey player. So, at that age I started working. I loved it right away and started playing roller hockey, shinny hockey, outdoor hockey, all that stuff, and I loved it. Every opportunity I could skate or stickhandle or shoot pucks or whatever I could do, I jumped on it.

McKeen's: At what age did the height really come into play?

Hartman: I think eighth grade to freshman year is when I shot up. I think I shot up maybe four or five inches in the summer. I was a decent defenseman before that, and I'm glad I chose to be a "d," because it's really helped me back there. I'm sure it helps you on offense, too, but it really helped me. Obviously, right when you grow that much, you get a little clumsy and your hand-eye and all of that isn't exactly spot on. So, I had to adjust to my size, but all in all, I love it. I think that was going into my freshman year of high school. That helped me for sure.

McKeen's: A little earlier than some guys who end up your size. I know you played high school hockey for St. Cloud Apollo, but how many years did you play for them? Was it the three years for them, or was it just two?

Hartman: My freshman year I played at St. Cloud Cathedral.

McKeen's: Oh, okay.

Hartman: We went to the state tournament that year and I transferred over to the public school, St. Cloud Apollo, which was a AA school, compared to Cathedral being A. A lot of my buddies went to that school and I decided that was better for me. I knew the coaches, I knew the coaches of both teams, but I just felt that going to Apollo was better for me. I wasn't exactly a fan of private schools. So, I was at Apollo for two years, and my junior year I was a captain while I played the before-and-after with Alexandria, which at that time was the Minnesota Blizzard.

McKeen's: What were some of your favorite memories or highlights of your high school career, and you've mentioned one of them already?

Hartman: My favorite memory is definitely going to the state tournament my freshman year. We won the Section, too. That was definitely the highlight of my year, the highlight my high school career my far. At Apollo we didn't do too well, but I had a lot of fun and tried really hard and there were a lot of good guys. But that was definitely the most successful season I had in high school.

McKeen's: Lastly, who were some of your favorite players in your youth and who are some players today that you look up to and would like to equate to?

Hartman: Favorite player growing up was Pavel Bure, when he was with the Canucks. Then once the Minnesota Wild came around, then I had a team to cheer for and he got traded away from there. He was definitely my favorite player growing up. Once I got older, I think, my favorite player is probably Nicklas Lidstrom. He's a lot more offensive. He plays well, he scores a lot of points, he's a good leader out there, and he does really well.

McKeen's: No doubt. He's won all those Norris Trophies for a reason.