Interviews with Bubnick and O'Dell

As I said last week, there are more prospect interviews to come. Here are two. Tomorrow I’ll post one of my favorite interviews from camp- an extended talk with Maine defenseman Will O’Neill.

F Jimmy Bubnick
6-2, 195 lbs
6th rd, 155th overall, 2009
Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

Jimmy Bubnick was a draft-day sleeper who fell to the Thrashers in the sixth round, much to their delight. The Saskatchewan native had 25 goals and 57 points in his second WHL season, more than doubling his previous year’s totals. The 17-year-old finished fifth on his team in scoring and fourth in goals. This interview was conducted following the first scrimmage at prospect camp, on July 12. Bubnick had two goals in that scrimmage and two more in the third scrimmage on the final full day, giving him thecamp lead in goals.

Q: What do you think of your first Thrashers camp?

It feels good to get your legs under you. The first scrimmage is always the hardest. You just get a feel for the game and go from there.

Q: Did you have any idea the Thrashers were going to take choose you?

I had no clue. You talk to teams and teams give you different signals. Coming in I had no clue where I was going. I’m happy to be a Thrasher now though.

Q: Did you know any of the guys coming into camp, or anyone in the organization?

I knew Kaner (Evander Kane). I knew him from playing on the under-18 team and things like that. I know Colby Armstrong’s brother Riley pretty good. I guess I kind of know Colby through him. He just signed with Calgary and he’ll give it a go there. I worked out with Michael Garnett two years ago, so I kind of know him. He’s in Russia now. He’s a good guy. He’s a lot of fun.

Q: How would you describe your game as it stands now?

I’m a power forward. I like to muck it down low in the corners and generate my scoring chances from there. I’ve got a pretty good shot with a quick release so that’s how most of my goals go in. Typical Western Canadian winger pretty much. Bread and butter.

Q: How big is your family and do any of them play hockey?

There’s five of us in my family. Both of my brothers played in the Western Hockey League so there’s some background there. They’re both older. One’s 23 and one’s 26. They both played in the league for five years and I just kind of followed them. One of them got offers to play pro but he decided to pursue an engineering career. The other went the commerce route. That’s the way they went.

Q: What do you do to relax?

I like to take it easy. Play Xbox and hang out with my friends. In the summer I’m at the lake quite a bit- the majority of the time for sure. I like wakeboarding and fishing and things like that. I’m learning the guitar too. I think it’s a Saskatchewan thing since Garnie (Michael Garnett) did that too.

Q: Do you have a go-to Xbox game?

Right now it’s probably Call of Duty, World of War. That’s the one right now. We all have Xbox Live so during the year we play that. NHL 09 too. I really don’t have a team though. I’m all over. I start a season, get sick of a team, and then I switch teams. I’m all over the place.

Q: Do you remember the first NHL game you went to?

The first NHL game I went to was actually a preseason game in Saskatoon. I was probably four years old. I don’t remember any details. It was the Flames versus somebody.

Q: Did you have a favorite player as a kid?

Theoren Fleury was always my favorite. I liked the way he played. He’s small and quick with a really good shot. He scored a lot of goals and was a high energy guy. Scrappy. He wasn’t afraid to go in the corners, that’s for sure. He was a sparkplug.

Q: What are your goals moving forward from this camp on?

I just want to go in and do my thing. Put forth a good effort here in camp, get in shape for the next season, and hopefully have a good year all around. I have three total years left in junior counting the overage year, so I’ll progress and take it from there. I’m not going to rush or put any pressure on myself.

F Eric O’Dell
6-0, 195 lbs
2nd rd, 39th overall, 2008 (by Anaheim Ducks)
Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

Forward Eric O’dell came to the Thrashers at the 2009 trade deadline in exchange for Erik Christensen who was traded to the Anaheim Ducks. He had 33 goals and 63 points in 65 games with the Sudbury Wolves thi spast season, finishing second in points and first in goals scored on his team. The first question of the interview actually came from Dannick Paquette who wanted to help out.

Q: Eric- How do you score so many goals?

I think I’m in the right spot a lot of the time and I find openings.

Q: You’ve been a part of the organization for a few months but this is your first real taste of life as a Thrasher. What do you think so far?

Coming here I didn’t really know what to expect, but I think I’ve blended in pretty well. All of the guys are good guys and we’re having a lot of fun. Things are going well. It’s intense but as the week has gone on we’ve gotten stronger and faster.

Q: How did you find out about the trade back in March?

I was at practice and we were watching the trade deadline coverage on TV. Then we had to jump on the ice to practice. I was the last trade at the deadline and the coach called me in. The owner and scouts were on the phone and they told me I got traded here. I didn’t know what to expect but I think it’s a great opportunity for me to shine with it being such a young organization.

Q: As you try to carve out a role for yourself, what are your strengths that set you apart?

I read the play well. I’m strong on the puck and I score a lot of goals.

Q: Is there anyone you would say you model your game after?

I don’t know if there’s anyone I’d compare my game to. Maybe Jason Spezza. He’s a smooth player and he finds a lot of openings.

Q: Your birthplace is listed as Ottawa. Did you grow up there?

Yup. Born and raised right in Ottawa. I was a Montreal fan as a kid but when I got older I became a Senators fan. I lived right in the middle of Ottawa.

Q: Who was your favorite Sen growing up?

Daniel Alfredsson for sure. He does everything well.

Q: How big is your family?

I’ve got a pretty big family. My brother and sister and a lot of cousins in the Ottawa area. I love hanging out with my friends and family. This summer has been all about working hard for next season though. When we do go out we go to the movies or play outdoor sports. In the winter we used to play a lot of outdoor sports, but now I’m in Sudbury playing hockey.

Q: What are your goals for next season?

Wherever I’m playing I want to work hard and be a leader. Just work hard and hopefully good things happen and we go pretty far in the playoffs. I have one more year of junior and then the overage year.

Q: How is the team in Sudbury looking for next season?

I think we’re going to be good. We were pretty young last year and now that everyone’s a bit older I think we’ll be good. The guys that we drafted are pretty strong too so I think we’re going to have a solid team. It should be a great experience.