The feature series Fifteen has leaned on fan suggestions as to who should be heard from next. For a good while Kevin Fiala‘s name was on top of my check list but I couldn’t get to him due to (1) he was with the Nashville Predators right around the time he was next to be interviewed and (2) the Milwaukee Admirals were on the AHL All-Star break and then in California last week.

With that all done and dusted the 19-year old from Switzerland was free to chat after practice yesterday and we were able to kind of sort of pull the interview off. I say, “kind of sort of,” because there were some blank spots to questions and some freedom on my part to Fiala to not get a migraine thinking up certain stories if they aren’t right off the top of his head. Not to mention, this is another one of those casual language barrier interviews where – yes he speaks English – but it’s not his language of choice. His English is still rough. Certainly better than my second language at his age… much less his fifth language that he can speak.

That all said, I’m hoping Fiala’s personality comes through here because I’ve noticed him looking far and away more relaxed than he was even at the start of this season. It’s as if someone reminded him that he is a teenage kid and he’s playing a game that he should try to take less seriously and just enjoy it. He seems loose around the rink and in-game action. I think a year into Fiala’s North American journey has seen an amazing maturation process in that respect. Enough of me saying as much, though. Let’s let him have his own say so.

~Fifteen~

Admirals Roundtable: What I’ve been doing is basically asking every player like fifteen questions and the day that I was going to do that with you – you got called up. WHich is a perfect segue into: how was that time in Nashville? You ended up getting a goal in your first shift.

Kevin Fiala: Yeah, it was a great time there. Obviously I could score. That was really nice to make my first one. Hope so. I hope it’s not the last one. Yeah, it was just a great feeling. (AR: It’s a shame that you scored in-and-out so fast that you didn’t get a time to celebrate it. They didn’t even know it went in.) No. I mean it went so fast. I looked back and I was like, “It didn’t? No, it went in.” I just played again.

AR: What were your inspirations to play hockey?

Fiala: My father plays hockey – or, played hockey. He first, so he took me on the ice and he.. I never wanted to go off the ice, he say. And that’s why. I like it. I love it. (AR: Did he play professionally?) Yeah, in Switzerland. [Editor’s Note: Meet Jan Hans Fiala.]

AR: When did you realize you were going to be playing hockey for a career?

Fiala: All the time. Every time when we were in school and the teachers asked us what did we want to do. Everybody was talking about like a job but I was always like, “I want to be a hockey player.” [laughs] Always, like every time. I don’t know what I would do if I don’t play hockey. (AR: I was about to ask. Did you even have a Plan B or was it just hockey?) No. No Plan B. I hope it will be good career so I can have some fun and make some money.

AR: Who was the first famous player that you met?

Fiala: I don’t know. My first? I played against [Alexander Ovechkin]. I never went to an NHL game or anything like that. So I never saw in [real] life. Like, the best players on the ice I just play against them. I mean, Ovechkin was actually the first one – I think. I’m not sure about that. (AR: When did you guys play or was that like a practice thing?) No, in World Championships two years ago. So, I think he was the first one but I’m not sure.

AR: What is your greatest hockey moment so far? Would it be that first NHL goal?

Fiala: Yeah, probably. [laughs] Yeah. (AR: Even though it was a blur?) Yeah, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter. (AR: Even for [Viktor Arvidsson‘s] when he scored his first NHL goal.. it’s not the style of goal that he scores.. but it counts.) Yeah. It counts.

AR: What’s the strangest game that you’ve played in?

Fiala: Straightest? (AR: Strangest.) Strangest game? What do you mean? Like, I’m never going to forget or what? (AR: Like, just odd. Even playing the AM games here this season were–) Weird? Probably the first game here. The most weird was probably here. The first game – my first AHL career game because it was so different. (AR: And that’s actually a fun point to bring up because it’s basically been now a year since you arrived here in this country. How has that been and how difficult was that first taste of the North American game?) Actually, if I’m honest with you, when I came here it was so different – the hockey. So much more North-and-South. You don’t drop here. You just play North all the time. It doesn’t matter if somebody is open or not you chip it out or something. You don’t do that at home. You always want to make a play if it’s North-or-South or East-or-West like it doesn’t matter. I think I did a pretty good job to take to it. I really like the game much more here than at home because you have a lot of more opportunities to score, too. Because everything is faster. (AR: The pace is overhwhelming. Even when you compare it to the Olympic style of the game it’s incredible.) Yeah, I mean also you have to have heads-up because everybody is coming. In Europe we don’t because it’s so big. You have a lot of time there.

AR: What is your most embarrassing hockey memory?

Fiala: [Editor’s Note: Kevin made an initially funny face because he was surprised by the question – so I laughed.] I don’t know, actually. [pause] Embarrassing.. [pause] Ask me something else. I can think about it and tell after.

AR: What is your most painful moment?

Fiala: Painful? (AR: I don’t know if it was necessarily painful but there was a perfect image last year of when you took a skate to the face. That’d be up there as far as scary but that’s not so painful.) Oh, no. That was not painful. Because I was in a game I didn’t feel it. The most painful maybe I think when we went out of the playoffs last year… or to block a shot probably, too! Painful. But, yeah, I don’t know. (AR: You’ve never had a significant injury?) No, actually not. Thank God. [laughs] Knock on wood, but I was never injured before. (AR: Because asking a question like that to Dean and Stan they both give me horror stories. The amount of times they’ve had their noses broken.) Oh yeah? No.. no.  I didn’t have anything broken yet just my elbow once when I was young. Maybe that? I don’t know. (AR: Let’s keep it that way?) [laughs]

AR: What are your favorite uniforms in hockey?

Fiala: Uniforms? Now Admirals and Preds. (AR: Just those two?) I mean, no. Also at home-Sweden – HV71. And my first team at home, Uzwil, you don’t know – my first team. (AR: I was going to say today you looked like you were adopted by the Swedes. Is that a thing? Are you becoming more Swedish?) We don’t have a Swiss guy here but I can speak Swedish, too. So, it helps me a lot. I like everybody. I mean, I’m with everybody but right now on the ice I was with the Swedes. (AR: How many languages do you speak?) About five. [pause] (AR: I can barely speak one!) [laughs] You can. (AR: How do you find the time to do that?!) No, I mean I had in school like three languages. I had one language because of my parents and the one language in Sweden because I was in Sweden.

AR: Who are the funniest players that you’ve met in the game?

Fiala: Met in the game.. funniest.. (AR: There’s a lot in that locker room.) Oh, in our team too? (AR: Yeah, anyone you’ve played with.) [Trevor Murphy] is pretty funny. I mean, Murph probably. I’m always laughing when I see him skate or stuff. [pause] But in a positive way! Not in a negative. (AR: It’s important that you brought that up.) Yeah, not in a negative way. Like I laugh with him because he like smiles at me and stuff you know? (AR: Last weekend there was a moment where I was expecting – we’re going to be laughing at Trevor Murphy playing as a forward not on defense… he scored a hat trick and three assists in his first game!) Yeah, I mean in a positive way. He’s a great player. Like you said, six points in one game. He’s a great player but he’s the way he is. He laughs a lot and it gives me a smile back. He’s not the funniest like I don’t [expletive-ing] make fun of him. You know? No, I just laugh with him. Most funniest guy? I don’t know. I’m 19-years old I don’t know. I never had a funny guy yet. But, he’s probably the most guy I laugh with in the team because he’s fun – or Pontus Åberg too but it’s in a positive way.

AR: So, you’ve been here basically a year. What has been your favorite part of Milwaukee?

Fiala: I like the beach, actually. Very much. When we came here it was pretty warm actually in October. So, I just like to be there to throw the ball to my dog and be with my girlfriend there. Or here in the arena. I like the malls, too. Yeah, it’s pretty cold here but the city is good. (AR: How does it feel to go from San Diego to this?) Yeah.. [laughs] It’s bad! (AR: It’s got to feel like a slap in the face.) Yeah it was cold. When we came from the airport outside it was like, “oh my god.”

AR: What is your favorite food?

Fiala: Fondue. Do you know that? Cheese fondue. Yeah, from Swiss. [Editor’s Note: Fondue video because of reasons.]

AR: What is your favorite non-hockey hobby?

Fiala: Soccer, tennis, golf. Those three. (AR: Do you have a favorite soccer team like in Europe or anything?) Yeah, maybe Barcelona or Bayern München. Those two. (AR: As long as it’s not Chelsea…) No! No, no no no. [laughs] (AR: We’re good then.)

AR: What is your favorite non-hockey memory?

Fiala: Non-hockey memory. [long pause – followed by a cameo from TREVOR MURPHY as he went to go play basketball on the Milwaukee Bucks setup inside the BMO Harris Bradley Center] (AR: He just picked you as the funniest person he’s ever played with.) (Murphy: [laughs] Yeah! I’m going to play ball, bro!) …the best memories non-hockey. I don’t know. Seriously, I don’t. No idea. I have a lot of good memories so I don’t know the best one.

AR: What are your plans after hockey?

Fiala: After hockey? [laughs] I hope.. (AR: This is why I ask it last.) No job. I hope. I hope I don’t have to work, of course. I don’t know yet where I’m going to live. I don’t know yet. I haven’t been in Uzwil in so long – far away. But, I hope to have a house in Switzerland. House in Sweden, maybe.

AR: Back to the embarrassing question.

Fiala: [laughs] Embarrassing. I don’t know. I don’t know. (AR: You had a near embarrassing moment today in practice but I think you can blame that on your skate more than anything. You went flying into the boards.) Yeah, but that wasn’t embarrassing. (AR: The pass was brilliant. [pause] But your skate gave up on you.) Yeah, skate was bad. Sharp today. Bad. But, it was not embarrassing. (AR: We’ll have to come up with another question on the spot then to fill that.)

AR: What’s your favorite thing about Nashville?

Fiala: I was there the whole summer. In the summer it was very warm. It was hot. That was the best thing I think. I’m not old enough to go out so I don’t know how the bars are but the weather was awesome. Every day was hot. And the people are nice. That’s what I remember in the summer. The people were awesome and the summer was great because the weather was nice.

Massive thanks to Kevin Fiala for taking the time for this interview. Reminder, my check list of players you’ve suggested is pretty much at an end so please comment down below with more suggestions!

Be sure to follow Admirals Roundtable on Twitter, like us on Facebook, see our photos onInstagram, and listen along on SoundCloud.

Adam Payerl has been one of the quiet yet great stories to the 2015-16 Milwaukee Admirals season. When you look back to pre-season camp Payerl was an invitee from the Cincinnati Cyclones where he had signed in the off-season after his tenure within the Pittsburgh Penguins organization came to an end. No immediate AHL offers were on the table so he signed on with the Cyclones to an ECHL contract and accepted an invite to test the waters in Milwaukee.

It was apparent quickly that the coaching staff of the Admirals loved what Payerl brought to the table as a player and as an individual off the ice. After a solid start his PTO contract turned into a standard contract in mid-November. What has this guy that no other AHL teams were interested in been able to produce as a member of the Admirals? Payerl is fifth on the team’s scoring list with 20 points (7 goals, 13 assists) in 41 games. Not too shabby for a pre-season camp invitee, eh?

~Fifteen~

Admirals Roundtable: What were your inspirations to play hockey?

Adam Payerl: I don’t know. I think just growing up I think I saw kids on my street playing road hockey outside – just roller blades and shooting on a net. Decided I wanted to play and asked my parents if I could go sign up for hockey.

AR: When did you realize that you were going to play hockey for a career?

Payerl: Sort of when you’re playing junior hockey. You kind of see, as a young guy, you see guys around you getting drafted – and signing – and moving on to the next level. You can kind of see at that point it’s a possibility. As my junior career went on, when I was kind of eighteen to twenty, I kind of realized I could do this for a living. The opportunity worked out for me and I did.

AR: Who was the first famous player that you met?

Payerl: [long pause] (AR: It wasn’t Sidney Crosby was it?) Uhh, no. I played juniors with a guy. His dad was Shayne Corson. So that was the first kind of guy I met kind of personally, I feel like growing up, I met Wayne Gretzky getting an autograph and stuff like that but nothing – I didn’t have a conversation with him. (AR: So you were in line at like a thing or was that an actual skate meet and greet kind of thing?) It was like our team, when we were younger, he’s got a restaurant in Toronto – Gretzky’s – he was just there that night. Kind of came out and said “hi” to our team and signed a couple of autographs.

AR: What’s the greatest hockey moment of your career so far?

Payerl: Probably my first NHL game. That was in Colorado. It was a pretty awesome experience. (AR: Now, I always kind of ask this because it seems like this is always true. The game isn’t the thing you get nervous for it’s the pre-game skate where the nerves are really rocking. Is that true?) Yeah, kind of. I sort of had a travel day and I got to Colorado before the team did so I had that whole night. It was a pretty long night. Kind of had the jitters. Took me awhile to fall asleep. I was pretty nervous and stuff but it ended up working out that day. It was surreal. It was a great experience. I played well. And it was good. (AR: And that was with the Pittsburgh Penguins, yeah?) Yeah. (AR: I’m going to probably annoy all my readers, both in Milwaukee and in Nashville, by saying I am a Pittsburgh Penguins fan. So, talk a bit about that team and that locker room because it seems like such a fun group.) Yeah, it was awesome. So many superstars in that team. I mean you go through training camps and stuff so I had met most of the guys. So I already had that awe moment type thing. But, when I got there then, it was kind of all business. You kind of meet the guys, it was still a surreal experience, but there’s lots of good guys in that locker room.

AR: What was the most memorable goal that you’ve scored?

Payerl: Huh.. (AR: You have to think about that one?) Yeah, I mean.. most memorable.. [pause] Probably, it was a playoff game against Binghamton a couple of years ago. It was to tie the game. I just remember the play. It came down off the rush and I kind of shot through the screen – it was a big goal. Tied the game up.

AR: What is the strangest game that you’ve played in?

Payerl: Hmm. (AR: You have a couple of AM games this year to choose from.) Yeah, those 10:30 games – those were both a first. We played them both in about a week span. Yeah, probably those. (AR: How much of a jolt was that to the system? Because normally that’s like when you do a little bit of a practice.) Yeah, I mean it was definitely an adjustment. You got to make sure you get up extra early – make sure you’re ready for the game so guys were drinking lots of coffee and jumping in the cold tub to wake up in the morning. (AR: Was that harder or easier than what happened in Lake Erie where you’re basically playing two games in under twenty-four hours?) I’d rather play a morning game than two in twenty-four hours. (AR: Because when I saw the schedule push that far up on the Saturday with the 12 PM game I thought – well, that’s not fair.) Yeah it was definitely a quick turn-around but both teams were in the same boat. Everyone is grinding the same way.

AR: What is the most embarrassing moment of your career?

Payerl: Hard to say. Can’t think of one off the top of my head. (AR: A guy like Scott Ford would come up with, instantly, falling down.) [laughs] (AR: A lot. Even [Dean Evason] said falling down.) Maybe in warm-ups if you fall down all the boys give it to you in the room after warm-ups. So I think everyone has done that once but it happened to me a couple years ago. (AR: Just blame the skate. Bad steel.) Yeah.

AR: What is your most painful hockey moment?

Payerl: I had surgery on my finger a couple of years ago. So the post-surgery was pretty painful. That was probably the worst. (AR: Was it a break or-) It was like a tendon ruptured. So I had to get the tendon repaired. (AR: Do you even know how you ended up doing that?) It happened in a fight. It was just kind of a bad bounce – freak injury that you don’t see very often. It was frustrating at the same time after the surgery, that was my first surgery ever, so the recovery was a little painful at the start.

AR: What are your favorite hockey uniforms?

Payerl: We have pretty sweet uniforms here with the Admirals. The new ones we got this year they’re pretty cool. I think I like the dark blue ones the best.

AR: Who is the funniest player that you’ve encountered?

Payerl: I’ve played with some funny guys over the years. [Tom Kostopoulos] was the captain in Wilkes-Barre my last couple of years and he was a pretty funny guy. He’d always be one to come up with pranks and stuff on the road that were pretty funny.

AR: What’s been your favorite part of Milwaukee since you joined the team?

Payerl: Aside from the hockey part I’d probably say we have a great group of guys in the locker room. Seeing how crazy everyone gets for the Packers is pretty awesome – pretty cool to see that. (AR: Did you become a Packers fan?) Yeah, I think I have. We went out to Lambeau Field earlier this season -we weren’t able to get tickets because it was sold out- it turned out to be like a 20 degree celsius day so it was a really warm day. We didn’t get tickets but we went all the way out there and had a blast. (AR: Celsius?) That’s probably like 75 or 80 I want to say?

AR: What is your favorite food?

Payerl: I mean you’ve got to say pizza. Pizza is always a pleaser but I definitely look forward to pre-game meals, just chicken and pasta, because you don’t really eat that most days but on game-days you eat it and it’s probably one of my favorites.

AR: What is your favorite non-hockey hobby?

Payerl: I watch a lot of Netflix. A lot of TV series and stuff like that. (AR: Now you have to say what shows.) Right now I’m in the midst of watching Lost and there are so many episodes! You have to put in a lot of hours to get through it. So, I’m kind of grinding my way through that. (AR: I’ve actually never watched Lost. It builds and it has an amazing finish, too.) Yeah, I was that guy until a couple months ago. I’m still working my way through it but I recommend it. (AR: And Netflix is getting rid of my show Doctor Who.  So.. I can’t recommend Doctor Who anymore. They officially get rid of it in February.) Aww.

AR: What is your favorite non-hockey memory?

Payerl: Stick with the sports theme. I grew up playing lacrosse. I played junior lacrosse until I was twenty. Probably just in general playing lacrosse at a high level like that. Used to play in my hometown so that was a pretty cool experience.

AR: What do you see yourself doing after hockey?

Payerl: Haven’t thought that far ahead so.. (AR: This is why I always ask this question last.) Yeah. Take things as they come. Right now I’m focused on being a hockey player.

Thanks much to Adam Payerl for taking the time to do this interview. Five Days of Fifteen is officially done. Now Fifteen will be uploaded more casually here and there. The shortlist of players you’ve suggested is almost at an end so please comment down below with more suggestions!

Be sure to follow Admirals Roundtable on Twitter, like us on Facebook, see our photos on Instagram, and listen along on SoundCloud.

From the moment he arrived at the end of the 2013-14 season Joe Pendenza has been one of the more fun interviews to always do around the Milwaukee Admirals locker room. He’s honest, has a smart read of the game, and has no problem having a laugh at himself or, more often than not, those around him.

Needless to say, there is a lot of that which comes out during this interview. Especially laughing. Kick back, read up or listen in, as Pendenza tells some stories.

~Fifteen~

Admirals Roundtable: What were your inspirations to play hockey?

Joe Pendenza: My family was pretty big into hockey but my big inspiration was definitely my uncle. I used to go to his high school games growing up and I used to watch the videos of him playing hockey. The running joke through my family is that he was the first one that gave me a hockey stick when I was born. So, it was definitely him. He was a big inspiration of mine.

AR: When did you realize that you were going to play hockey for a career?

Pendenza: I had a really good junior year in college. We ended up going to the Frozen Four. I knew talking to my advisers at that point that it was a possibility. Then, at the end of my senior year, I had a couple offers. So that’s when it’s kind of like, wow, like.. this is actually going to happen. (AR: You say a couple offers. One of those being the Admirals. What made you end up going with the Admirals?) I went to Nashville’s development camp the year before. So I was already kind of comfortable with everyone else and knew the management, the coaches, and the players. The big thing was that I was comfortable with everybody so I felt comfortable coming out here. (AR: Any of those guys at that camp that are still around here by any chance?) [Colton Sissons] was there, [Miikka Salomäki] was there.. he’s up but he was there… trying to go through the locker room. A couple of guys are in Nashville now like [Austin Watson]… [long pause] (AR: Let’s just put it this way. Miikka’s English then versus where it is today is amazing.) A lot better! Yeah, a lot better.

AR: Who was the first famous player that you met?

Pendenza: I probably have to say Ray Bourque. I played against his son growing up and he was one of the coaches at the time. So I got to meet him then. And then I was like, eight or nine, I went to like an autograph session. Me and my mom stood in the line for like three-hours in a mall. [laughs] (AR: It was going to have to be someone with the Bruins with you.) Yeah! Absolutely.

AR: What is your greatest hockey moment?

Pendenza: Probably winning Hockey East Championships back-to-back years for UMass-Lowell.

AR: Most memorable goal?

Pendenza: [groans] Oh God. Most memorable goal.. I don’t even know. I’d probably say my first NCAA goal. (AR: Do you remember the breakdown of it?) Yeah. It started in our end-zone. I was playing center, got the puck in the middle like right around the blueline, just skated, and just threw the puck to the net – it went in. It wasn’t anything pretty but it was the first one! I cellied way too hard! [laughs] (AR: Speaking of celebrating way too hard. I recorded the videos of today’s shootout at practice. Félix Girard, first one… amazing.) Amazing! (AR: Jamie Devane… even better. Because he follow that the whole way in and seemed like he was the only one who knew it crossed.) Yeah, it was awesome. I’m hoping that Girard pulls that out in a game. That would be great. (AR: I couldn’t believe it. That was so out of character!) I know! (AR: But I got it! I have it on tape. So, that exists.)

AR: What’s the strangest game that you’ve ever played in?

Pendenza: Strangest game.. [pause] We had a game growing up where the we started playing and then the ice started to melt. And that was it. We came back the next day and finished it. [laughs] Yeah, it was different. (AR: What the heck was wrong with the rink?) Oh, God I don’t know. It was just a Boston NBC rink. It was kind of old. I’m pretty sure they knocked it down and built a new one. But, yeah, there was like a big hole at the side of the rink so they were like, “Yeah.. We can’t do this anymore.” [laughs]

AR: What’s the most embarrassing hockey memory for you?

Pendenza: In high school. It was not during a game it was right after the game. I was sick the whole game, told my coach, played a period, came off the ice, and then my buddy opened the door and.. just.. puked all over him. [laughs] So the next day in school it was just a tough day for me! [laughs] He ended up having to get all new equipment and everything. [laughs] (AR: I love that you had one right off the bat. The last few I’ve had it’s a challenge.) Yeah, it’s because my dad makes fun of me for it all the time. Whenever I get sick he’s like, “just watch out for your teammates!” [laughs]

AR: Most painful moment in hockey injury-wise?

Pendenza: I hurt my wrist last year at the end of the year. But I’d say when I was like twelve I broke my collarbone [pause] and then decided to play for another two weeks. (AR: *proceeds to give Pendenza the stink eye*) Yeah. I refused to get an x-ray because I didn’t want to stop playing and then my mom eventually dragged me there and they were like, “yeah you’ve been playing with a broken collarbone.” I was like, “Ohh. OK.” I was like that’s why it was so hard. I couldn’t shoot or pass. I basically just skated up and down the ice. (AR: This isn’t exactly a sport where you’d want to play with a broken collarbone.) NO. No. It was definitely not a good decision. The doctors were very surprised.

AR: What are your favorite hockey uniforms?

Pendenza: Probably our’s for sure. The new ones. These are awesome. And then I’d have to say the Bruins one. Classic Spoked-B.

AR: Who is the funniest players that you’ve met?

Pendenza: [looks at the locker room] We’ve got some characters in there. Honestly, I just have to say the Frenchies. (AR: The French Fries!) Yes, the French Fries. [Editor’s Note: The French Fries was the nickname coined by Jonathan Diaby of his fellow French Canadian players and besties Félix Girard, Jimmy Oligny, and Frédérick Gaudreau.) They’re just hysterical. I can’t get enough of them. [laughs] They are way too funny! (AR: I picked up on them calling themselves the French Fries last year and, once, I arrived to the arena just as they did. I could have sworn it was Félix and Jo in the same suit. I was just, “Aww, you two good lil’ buddies!”) That doesn’t surprise me. That doesn’t surprise me at all. They’re comical. I hang out with them a good amount, too. So, it’s just way too funny. (AR: I love that they have a nickname for themselves.) Yeah, it’s great! It’s not just one of them it’s the whole group! (AR: Whenever I see Diaby come back I’m just, “THE BIG FRY is back! The Big Fry!”)

AR: What’s your favorite aspect of Milwaukee?

Pendenza: The food is awesome. I really enjoy, there’s a lot of different bar scenes and restaurants that I’ve seen. I’m a big foodie guy so I like that. Obviously there’s a lot of breweries around here so I like that, too. (AR: And because I can rope it back in because this wasn’t recording when we started this… bar scene… beer… tell me about the last Bucks game you went to.) Yeah, so I took my buddy from back home – he works out here. We were sitting at the front and he just got a beer, ball came flying, we weren’t paying attention, probably shouldn’t have been sitting courtside… beer just went everywhere. We were those guys that had to delay the game. It was actually a pretty hilarious and memorable moment, though. (AR: Was it a Bucks pass that went flying at you?) No, it was an Orlando pass. So, yeah, they were trying to take out the fans that game I guess. [laughs] Thank God no one got hit in the head though. (AR: It was either that or, not too long ago, like LeBron went full-bore into the crowd.) That’s honestly what I was more afraid of was one of those guys coming into you because -man- they’re enormous! And I was like, oh God! (AR: I finally did sit courtside for a game and you don’t realize how big they are. Because they make the hoop seem so tiny!) It’s crazy.

AR: What is your favorite food?

Pendenza: Anything Italian. Growing up in an Italian household it’s tough for me to go out to eat Italian with that. But, yeah, anything Italian.

AR: What is your favorite non-hockey hobby?

Pendenza: I’d say playing soccer or video games.. or just hanging out with my family. (AR: Do you have a favorite soccer team?) Juventus in Italy. (AR: Ah. [pause] Because if you said Chelsea I would have given you the stink eye.) No, I’m all about the Italian squads.

AR: What is your favorite non-hockey memory?

Pendenza: I am an older brother to two of my younger brothers. So I’d say both the days those two were born. I’m very close to both of them and I love them to death… even though they’re a pain in the ass. [laughs] (AR: I get followed by some of your family members because I’m always seeing on Twitter likes from them and stuff.) Yeah, I’m not on social media but God knows what they’re doing on there! [laughs] (AR: Which brings up a great point. Why aren’t you on Twitter?) I stay away from that stuff. Too much trouble happens! (AR: Too much of a vortex.) Yeah, too much of that. I keep to myself.

AR: What do you see yourself doing after hockey?

Pendenza: After hockey I have a degree in Finance. So it would probably be good to use that. If not I’d like to maybe do coaching. Nothing big. Probably the highest I’d ever do coaching is like midgets or something – stay with the younger kids. But I should probably do something with my degree – at least make it worth it for those four years of college. (AR: That was one of the first things I said when Eric Robinson was here last year. I said, why did you go the college route when you were drafted by a junior team? He said I wanted to get a degree. I was like, YOU GET IT.) Yeah! Definitely the degree. Not to mention – I remember that decision came actually and my mom was like – not a chance. I was like, ok.  But I mean growing up in Boston it’s always college hockey so I always wanted to go there. Get a degree. Why not? It’s good to fall back on. (AR: That’s the other thing. I think that you get the degree and it makes something like this just a reward.) Absolutely. I want to play as long as possible, that’s for sure, but knowing that I have that degree – I have some connections in the finance world through Lowell that I met. It’s good to have those connections so I keep in touch with them. But, if it wasn’t for that, I’d honestly be clueless as to what I was going to do. (AR: You’re going to become like a mayor of Massachusetts one day aren’t you?) NO. [laughs] I’d rather just be a big wig at a financial firm somewhere running the stock market! [laughs]

Big thanks to Joe Pendenza to take the timeout after practice last week to do this interview. That has to be a record for the most laughter ever in an Admirals Roundtable interview, period. Five Days of Fifteen will end tomorrow with Adam Payerl. After that it will go back to a more casually presented feature. Speaking of which, who do you want to have featured in Fifteen next? Please comment down below with your suggestions!

Be sure to follow Admirals Roundtable on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and see our photos on Instagram.

I had a lot of fun doing the Fifteen series with Milwaukee Admirals head coach Dean Evason. Normally, the talks that the two of us have are entirely game related. Having a casual chat and letting him tell old playing stories was great. It’s with joy that I can say you’re all in-store for more of that thanks to a reader suggestion to hear Fifteen from assistant coach Stan Drulia, as well.

For those unfamiliar with Drulia he came into coaching after a twelve-year professional playing career. He played 126 games at the NHL level, all of which came as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and scored 42 points (15 goals, 27 assists). The majority of his playing career came in the ye olde International Hockey League (IHL) – where the Admirals played from 1977-00. In total, Drulia logged 797 career games of professional hockey before transitioning into coaching duties with the Orlando Seals of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League (ACHL) in 2002-03. It wasn’t until midway through the 2011-12 season when he was appointed assistant coach of the Admirals -but- he has been part of the organization ever since.

~Fifteen~

Admirals Roundtable: I’m going to have to change up the tenses here from the players to- (Stan Drulia: Way back when?) Yeah. [laughs] Back in the day. -BUT- what were your inspirations to play hockey?

Drulia: My inspirations to play? Oh, wow. I don’t know. I mean.. when you’re young, back in Canada, you’re growing up – you get thrown out on the ice – you start playing and you start watching. All of the sudden when you’re getting older, thirteen – fourteen, you’re hearing that you have a chance possibly play and you’re one of the better kids growing up where you’re from. All these guys, all our players, have been the best kids where they were growing up. So, I don’t know. It’s just a passion. It’s a love of the game that as a young guy growing up it’s all I wanted to do was play hockey. And I did it every day after school.. in the backyard.. in the basement.. where-ever I could play I would play.

AR: When did you realize that you were going to be doing this for a career?

Drulia: [exhales] I don’t know. I knew I wanted to do it as a career probably when I was seventeen – eighteen. I struggled to find a job to play when I was younger. Turning pro was tough for me to find a spot to legitimately become a regular in the American Hockey League. Obviously, the aspiration is to play in the NHL. I got a hundred games in there – which I’m real proud of to be able to play there. But I think as a seven, eight, nine-years pro – I knew I wanted to coach. That’s what I’m obviously doing it now. I don’t know how many years I’ve been doing it. It’s about fourteen or fifteen. It just seems to all run into one-another. Now, this is my life. I love the teaching aspect of it. I love being able to be a part of letting a guy know he’s going to the [NHL]. I think that’s an exciting and thrilling part for us.

AR: Who was the first famous player that you met along the way?

Drulia: I don’t know. Probably- I grew up a Buffalo Sabres fan growing up in Fort Erie [Canada]. As a young guy probably going to the Buffalo Sabres hockey schools, Jerry Korab, Gilbert Perreault, Danny Gare, and those types of players. Rick Martin. The ol’ French Connection Line was my line with the Buffalo Sabres growing up so I was a die-hard Buffalo Sabres fan when I was a young guy.

AR: What is your greatest hockey moment and, for you, this could either go player or coach?

Drulia: Well, it’s obviously playing your first NHL game – scoring your first NHL goal. To win two championships as a player, even in the IHL, winning is everything. When you win and you’re a part of that winning culture it’s fantastic. I was able to win once as a coach in Orlando in my first year coaching. And like you said, as a coach now, it’s that feel good of knowing that you’re helping put guys in the [NHL].

AR: What is the most memorable goal that you’ve scored?

Drulia: My first goal, probably. I scored against Ron Hextall when I was in Tampa Bay and he was with the Québec Nordiques. I had just gotten benched for the whole period and I got a late shift. I was able to score and it ended up being the game-winner that night. So, it was real special. (AR: Now, is this one of those things like Viktor Arvidsson‘s first NHL goal in a couple years time he’s going to be saying it was the greatest wrist shot or slap shot in history but it just bumped off of him.) No, no! I actually walked into it. I got a great pass. Walked right down and saw it. It was a slap shot.. and I actually fanned on it, it kind of went end over end, and did hit the crossbar and go down. But I fanned on the shot for sure.

AR: What is the strangest game that you’ve played or coaches in? Specifically in the last few years there’s been a lot of strange Admirals games that you’ve been around in.

Drulia: Oh boy. Probably the Rockford game back here my first year when Ian Herbers was the coach. The brawl. [Editor’s Note: Oh, yeah… that one.] That brawl was crazy. We’ve built a tremendous rivalry with Rockford. Both teams compete. We see each other so often. That was really strange for me. The way that it happened.. as we weren’t playing great at the time.. and I think that brawl actually catapulted us to go on to the finish that we had to make the playoffs. (AR: Take me into the psychology of that moment. Because that’s one of those legendary moments of this team’s history now. Was that something that had been building or was that one incident with Rob Flick going after Jeremy Smith?) No, I think it was an incident provoked by Flick. Jeremy was fortunate enough to be looking at the glass and see him coming from behind. But I was impressed with how fast our guys got off the bench. [laughs] (AR: I was impressed by how fast Jeremy Smith got going.) Everybody! I mean -actually- the guys actually built a pretty good wall and Rockford couldn’t get to him. It’s one of those things that I was involved in a few as a player in junior. You don’t see it anymore. You rarely see it. I was involved in two or three in junior as a player and they’re scary. (AR: Even something like a line brawl – you don’t see them that much.) No, and thankfully. Rightfully so – with all the injuries and how big and strong these guys are right now there’d be some serious injuries. That brawl really -it did- catapult us on to being the team that we were. (AR: The lasting image I have of that -it looked like it was straight out of Slap Shot- was Michael Latta.. I think he came out of the penalty box.. he’s got no clothes on.) Latta did come out of the penalty box. Yeah. Well that was Latta. Latta was an interesting man. Loved him. He was going to stick up for anybody. He wasn’t going to let anybody get the better of one of his teammates.

AR: What is your most embarrassing hockey memory?

Drulia: Well, we had a lot of shootouts back in the day. And probably having a shootout and losing the puck into the corner and never even getting a shot on goal

AR: What is your most painful hockey career? And I was lucky enough once to hear you telling Kevin Fiala a lot of your’s when he got that skate to the face last season. You told him it’s going to be the first of many.

Drulia: Well, poor Kevin. I mean, you’re going to have injuries. I took a shot in the eye – took a puck in the eye – almost lost my eyesight in training camp one year after we won the championship in ’97 in Detroit with the Vipers. Probably the scariest moment for me. Jumping in a taxi cab, going over to the emergency room, and then the doctor’s telling you you’re probably going to lose your eye. That was probably the scariest moment. Not as painful as you may think but scary in itself.

AR: What are your favorite hockey uniforms?

Drulia: I tell you what. I really like our’s! I think our jerseys, what [Harris Turer] and [Jon Greenberg] and the staff did here with our jerseys, are fantastic. I like the Minnesota Wild, too. I like that dark green. I think that’s a pretty neat jersey. (AR: I’d have to imagine, also, you’d go for those classic Sabres ones?) Well the new ones – I don’t like the new ones. You got to go right back to the old ones, you know the die-hard, buffalo on ’em with the blue and gold. Those for sure.

AR: Who are the funniest players you’ve encountered, as a player or as a coach?

Drulia: One of the funniest guys I ever played with was Marc Bergevin. I played with him in Tampa now he’s the GM in Montreal. Berg could be one of the funniest men alive. You can tell in the way he conducts himself as a GM. He’s as classy as they come but man did he keep you loose around the rink

AR: What’s been your favorite aspect of Milwaukee?

Drulia: I don’t know. It’s a real sleeper city. People don’t know how good of a city Milwaukee is. There is so much to do. Our fan support has been fantastic. You go around the community you hear about the Admirals and things like that. I just think it’s a real small town but a big city feel. And I’ve really enjoyed the people here.

AR: What is your favorite food?

Drulia: Oh, steak for sure. Nothing wrong with a good filet mignon. (AR: How do you take it?) Medium. (AR: Just medium?) Yep. (AR: I’ve had a lot of medium-rare with that one.) No, just medium – medium with lots of spices.

AR: What is your favorite non-hockey hobby?

Drulia: Non-hockey hobby? Oof, that’s all I do. I don’t do a whole lot. I’ve got two dogs. I spend a lot of time walking the dogs. (AR: What types of dogs?) I have a Jack Russell Terrier. She is thirteen I think. And then we have a new one.. we’re not sure what she is. We think she’s a Rat Terrier. We took her up at a rescue last year at Christmas.

AR: What is your favorite non-hockey memory?

Drulia: Favorite non-hockey memory. [pause] Wow. [pauses – looks to Milwaukee Admirals VP/Communications Charlie Larson for guidance] Charlie, you got to give me better insight on this one. (Charlie: Which one of your kids do you like more?) Yeah exactly! The first thing I thought of was the birth of your kids but.. obviously it’s the birth of your kids. Now that my kids are older it’s nice when we can all get together because we’re not around. We don’t get together very often with both of them in college and that. So, I think when we’re all together it’s probably a good special time for all of us.

AR: This is usually the one I kind of use to stump the players – which is, what are your plans after hockey? I think you’ve taken care of that. So.. (Drulia: I’m going to retire!) What are your plans after coaching then?

Drulia: Well, my wife and I just bought four acres of land in New York state on Lake Erie a couple of years ago. We’ve been taking the last couple years to clear – knock some brush down. We’ve been working on our house plans. Hopefully get a shovel in the ground this summer to build our home that we want to live in for as long as I guess we’re together. But, that’s it. I’m just looking forward to being around this game as long as I can. Hopefully coaching and moving up the ladder as well like the players want to do. And, after that, going to have a nice glass of wine.. sitting on the beach.

Thanks much to Stan Drulia for taking the time to do this interview. You can always hear him post-game on the radio on 105.7FM The FAN with Milwaukee Admirals broadcaster Aaron Sims. Here at Admirals Roundtable – Five Days of Fifteen rolls on tomorrow with the seemingly always laughing Joe Pendenza. As for the coming weeks – who do you want to have featured in Fifteen next? Please comment down below with your suggestions!

Be sure to follow Admirals Roundtable on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and see our photos on Instagram.

Continuing on with Five Days of Fifteen I turn to the person who I strongly considered for the Admiral of the Month for January, Pontus Åberg.

To this point, the sophomore season for Åberg has been hugely successful. The 22-year old Swede looks very comfortable on the ice and has played with far better consistency game-by-game. As the Admirals sit on their AHL All-Star break Åberg sits with the team lead in goal scoring with 13 goals scored in 41 games. In a less flashy but more head coach Dean Evason appreciated territory – his penalty minutes from this time a season ago have been cut clean in half.

~Fifteen~

Admirals Roundtable: What were your inspirations to play hockey?

Pontus Åberg: Probably my dad. He played hockey when I was growing up and I went to see him play as a kid. That’s probably why they put me on skates. So, probably my dad. (AR: So he played professionally?) Yeah, in Sweden. (AR: Certain team?) They’re called Södertälje SK. They’re in Division I right now. They were in the second division when he played but… he didn’t make it as high as I did, obviously. He was a good defenseman.

AR: When did you realize that you were going to be playing hockey for a career?

Åberg: I don’t know. All of my coaches always kind of told me that I was probably going to make it because I was always.. I was good as a kid – very talented. As I got older all the coaches in junior hockey told me to mature more so that would make me become a pro because I had a talent. I think I matured a lot. So, that’s probably how I knew. (AR: And what’s the moment like when you find out you do get drafted by Nashville?) That was a dream come true. Even my first game back home in the highest league when I was seventeen was a huge thing for me – my favorite team back home – my hometown team [Djurgårdens IF] – and when I got drafted I was even more excited to come over here at once. It was a nice feeling.

AR: Who was the first famous player that you met?

Åberg: We had a lot of former NHL’ers in my hometown team. We had Marcus Nilson – he played in Calgary. Jimmie Ölvestad – he played in Tampa Bay. We had a lot of really good players. (AR: That’s actually the interesting thing that I’m finding with you guys that either played in Sweden or Finland. You guys were playing as up and comers as the lockout was going on so you did get a lot of those imports, too.) Yeah, that was my second-year over in Sweden. We got Douglas Murray, Patric Hörnqvist, and Gabriel Landeskog. (AR: Douglas Murray is a beast.) He’s a big guy! But he’s not that much of a beast if you know him as a person. He’s a really nice guy.

AR: What was your greatest hockey moment?

Åberg: It’s got to be when I won the Under-16 Swedish Championship. Been with the guys the whole year, made it through the whole year, and ended up winning it against the rivals back home – AIK. So I think that’s from playing hockey, and even playing my first game over in the Elite League, and just get drafted.

AR: What’s the most memorable goal that you’ve scored?

Åberg: I don’t know. It’s got to be the first goal I scored in Sweden in my first game and, obviously, the first goal I scored over here in Milwaukee too. [Editor’s Note: Video Highlight. Åberg scored on Opening Night of the 2014-15 season in his North American pro debut in Milwaukee against the Charlotte Checkers. Brendan Leipsic‘s reaction to the goal was all of our reaction.] (AR: I was going to say, you made a heck of an introduction first night here in Milwaukee.) Yeah, it was kind of nice to get that kind of goal. You just dream of that kind of goals. You did it all the time when you were a kid but it’s not as easy on this level – and it worked out. (AR: Does it feel like you’re kind of in slow-motion when you are doing something like that? Because it seemed like you’re going through people and still had enough to finish that one off.) That goal that I scored here just kind of happened. I didn’t even think I would do it. I was just skating and.. (AR: By the end you’re like, it’s still on my tape?) Yeah. When you do get that kind of stuff it’s not like you planned it – it just happens. You don’t even know what kind of move you’re going to make on the defenseman – you just make it.

AR: What’s the strangest game that you’ve played in?

Åberg: Strangest. [thinks] Over here it has to be against Rockford when there was a line brawl in warm-ups. [Editor’s Note: Photo of where it initiated. Photo of the scrum.] You’re not used to it and that was kind of strange. (AR: I only ever got to see the photos of that. You have Rich Clune chatting away.) We got [Mike Liambas]. Yeah, we got some big boys. That was kind of strange for us Europeans I think but, for me, I just talked to their European guys and it was just kind of looking it off. (AR: The other thing that was fun about that. Their goalie at the time was Scott Darling who played with us – he’s just chilling out with Magnus Hellberg – and they’re having a bit of a chat. They were kind of like, “hmm.. whatever.”) Yeah, I think they’re friends from before so I don’t see the point of fighting someone you know in warm-ups. I don’t see the point of that. It’s good to have those kind of guys on the team, to fire up the team, so it’s obviously both good and bad.

AR: What’s the most embarrassing moment of your hockey career?

Åberg: Oh. That’s a good question. [pause] I fell after I missed a penalty shot in Sweden. That was kind of awkward because the whole bench stopped talking back to me. But, that was a long time ago. [laughs] That was kind of weird. (AR: What was the set up? Were you trying to- because I remember Steven Stamkos once was trying to set up a spin-o-rama and just absolutely lost an edge and went flying one way and the puck went the other way.) I think I tried to go backhand and when I was skating back to the bench I skated into the boards and fell. Kind of awkward.

AR: Most painful moment in hockey?

Åberg: It was when we got relegated with my team back home to the second division. We had a really good team and just couldn’t pull it off. All the scouts and stuff thought we were going to end up top-five and have a good playoff. We just ended up second to last and didn’t even get to make it to stay in the highest league so that has to be the worst. (AR: It’s always fun to get to ask that question because I’ve been getting the different responses – injury-wise painful – but you go with the team aspect. Has there ever been an injury that made you–) Yeah, it was when Sweden won the World Juniors in Canada I made the team and the last exhibition game I injured my shoulder and had to go back to Sweden. Then they ended up winning the whole thing – in first time in like twenty-years for Sweden so that was kind of painful.

AR: What are your favorite hockey uniforms?

Åberg: Like, in the game? (AR: Yeah, and like worldwide too.) It’s got to be.. I like our baby blues. And I also like my first team back home when we played in a red jersey. You have to look it up. It’s kind of sick. [Editor’s Note: Challenge Accepted, Pontus. And Challenge Accomplished… with you in the photo wearing the uniform no less.) So, those two.

AR: Who are the funniest players that you’ve played with?

Åberg: Funniest. [pauses] It’s got to be Fredrik Claesson. He plays in Ottawa right now – usually plays in Binghamton. He’s a funny guy.

AR: What’s been your favorite part of Milwaukee?

Åberg: What do you mean by favorite part? Like, as a city? (AR: Yeah, city.. fans.. food.) I like when it’s a full house here. It doesn’t happen that often but when it happens it’s kind of sick because the arena is pretty big and it gets loud. It’s way more fun when it gets loud out there. It gives you more energy and stuff. With the city I don’t think it’s anything like special. I like eating lunch at Beans & Barley by my apartment. I like water that goes through the city. I think it’s kind of cool, too. So those things. (AR: The fans here are pretty die-hard though. We had that first bit of a snow storm here and there were still fans flooding the gates on a Tuesday.) Yeah. (AR: So, they still come out. It’s just so weird because this is building is a pro building – it’s just we’re an AHL team.) Yeah, obviously we have fans. I just think this arena is too big for the Admirals. I think it will be better next year if we go into the Panthers Arena. I think it’s smaller isn’t it? (AR: Yep.) Yeah, I think that’s going to be better for the Admirals and that will probably make it seem more crowded than it is. Like, we have our fans but I just think the arena is too big for us.

AR: What is your favorite food?

Åberg: It depends. I like tacos. We usually do that once a week – me and my girlfriend. I also like just a steak with, I don’t know if you know, béarnaise sauce and just a fresh salad. It’s really good. (AR: How do you take your steak?) Medium, or medium well. It depends on if I want it bloodier or not. (AR: And can you describe to me, because I didn’t do this to him on the spot [during his interview], palt. That was Viktor Arvidsson‘s choice.) Oh yeah. I have no idea. That’s their kind of food up North. It’s not common in Sweden at all. It’s more of a up North food. (AR: Because I threw that out to me and I kind of gave him a stink eye and was, alright.) Yeah, I don’t understand how that could be his favorite food. It’s probably just because he’s from where he is.

AR: What is your favorite non-hockey hobby?

Åberg: I like to watch soccer if that’s a hobby. And I like to play Playstation, obviously. I like Call of Duty, FIFA, and those kind of games. So it’s got to be FIFA or just watch soccer. (AR: I put the word out there last season that you are the best FIFA player on the team.) Still. (AR: Still true?) Still. Still no competition. I’m going to play [Jason Nordby] our trainer. He just added me on Playstation so I have to beat him first but he says he’s pretty good. So, we’ll see about that.

AR: Favorite non-hockey memory – which, for you I think, probably just happened didn’t it?

Åberg: Yeah, I’m going to be a dad in July. So, obviously, very exciting. Wasn’t planned at all but it happened and I’m really looking forward to it. My girlfriend she’s flying back in April and she’s going to get [laughs] bigger and bigger. It’s obviously the most exciting thing for me. (AR: Last year you were adopted by Magnus Hellberg. Did you tell him he’s going to be a Granddad?) [laughs] Yeah! He texted me and asked if he was the Godfather but I have to see about that.

AR: What are your plans after hockey?

Åberg: I don’t know. I haven’t really planned that. Didn’t finish school – I put it all into hockey because I still had one more year left in school when I turned pro in Sweden and I kind of just focused on hockey. I always wanted to get better into that. School will always be there and hockey won’t. When I quit hockey I’m going to think about it after that.

A big thank you to Pontus Åberg for taking the time to do this interview. Also, a big congratulations to himself and his girlfriend on the announcement they’ll becoming parents later this year. Here at Admirals Roundtable-land Five Days of Fifteen rolls on tomorrow with Milwaukee Admirals assistant coach, Stan Drulia. As for the coming weeks – who do you want to have featured in Fifteen next? Please comment down below with your suggestions!

Be sure to follow Admirals Roundtable on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and see our photos on Instagram.