Wes ONeill Interview
Position: defenseman
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Team: Notre Dame (CCHA)
Age: 17
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 200 lbs
McKeens: When and where did you start playing hockey?
Wes O'Neill: I started playing hockey when I was 4 years old, in the Windsor Minor Hockey Association.
McKeens: Is there any particular person who has been influential in your development?
Wes O'Neill: My Dad has influenced my hockey career the most out of anyone. He has coached me since I was 4 and has always been my biggest supporter as well as my biggest critic.
McKeens: Are there any players in the NHL you watch and admire?
Wes O'Neill: Steve Yzerman has always been my biggest role model. He is a great leader and is always competing at the highest of levels.
McKeens: What do you love most about playing hockey?
Wes O'Neill: I love the intensity of the game as well as being part of a team. Also I love being on the ice and just the all-around speed of the game.
McKeens: What do you consider your biggest success in hockey so far?
Wes O'Neill: My biggest success up to this point would have to be winning the Provincial title two years ago, and also making Team Canada (2003 U-18 World Cup).
McKeens: How would you describe you experience playing for Team Ontario at the 2003 Canada Winter Games?
Wes O'Neill: It was an awesome experience. We had a great team who unfortunately did not live up to the expectations that were set before the tournament. Although we were not successful, it was a good learning experience and it allowed me to play in front of a lot of important NHL scouts.
McKeens: Can you try and describe your strengths and weaknesses?
Wes O'Neill: My strengths as a hockey player would have to be my offensive game and my vision on the ice. My weakness would be that I have to get stronger in the defensive zone.
McKeens: How you would describe yourself to someone who has never seen you play?
Wes O'Neill: I would have to say (or I have been told) that I am a good skater for my size, who likes to jump into the play a lot, and who also has a bit of a mean streak.
McKeens: Do you have any pre-game superstitions?
Wes O'Neill: I have a couple; one being that I always wear my good luck hat backwards during stretching and another would be always having a role of white tape in my stall before the game.
McKeens: Do you play any other sport besides hockey?
Wes O'Neill: I am an avid golf and tennis player, as well I love to go fishing during the off season.
McKeens: Do you have any hobbies or things you like to do on your free time?
Wes O'Neill: Mostly in my free time I like to just listen to music and hang out with some friends.
McKeens: Do you have a nickname?
Wes O'Neill: The only nickname that I have is a short form of my name which is ‘ONEI’.
McKeens: What is your goal for the 2003-04 season with Notre Dame?
Wes O'Neill: My goal for the season is to help our team make a strong push for a bid to the national tourney, and hopefully draw some attention from the NHL scouts.