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Ben Eaves, Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Cory Stillman, Darren Helm, Detroit Red Wings, Joe Corvo, Mike Commodore, Mike Eaves, Mike Modano, Murray Eaves, Nicklas Lidström, Ottawa Senators, Patrick Eaves, Ruslan Salei

(Aktualisierte Version vom 7. November 2011)

Detroit Red Wings-Stürmer Patrick Eaves wurde 2003 von den Ottawa Senators als Nummer 29 in der ersten Runde des Drafts gezogen, verbrachte danach noch zwei weitere Jahre am Boston College. Mit der U18 und U20 Mannschaft der USA holte er bei den Weltmeisterschaften 2002 und 2004 jeweils die Goldmedaille. Den Grossteil der Saison 2005/06 bestritt er bereits für die Ottawa Senators und kam auf beachtliche 20 Tore und 9 Assists in 58 Spielen. 2007/08 wurde seine NHL Karriere durch eine schwere Schulterverletzung vorerst gebremst – die Ottawa Senators entschieden sich, Eaves zusammen mit Joe Corvo für Cory Stillman und Mike Commodore nach Carolina zu schicken.

Im Sommer 2009 wechselte er im Austausch für Verteidiger Aaron Ward nach Boston, wo man ihm seinen Vertrag ausbezahlte – Platz im Kader der Bruins gab es für ihn nicht. Im August 2009 unterschrieb Patrick beim 11-fachen Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings einen 1-Jahresvertrag, der im heurigen Sommer um ein Jahr verlängert wurde. Für Wolfgang Gärtner von thefanblog.at nahm sich der 26-Jährige Zeit, exklusiv ein paar Fragen zu beantworten.

thefanblog.at: How and when did your passion for hockey start and when did you know that you would like to become a pro-hockey player?

Eaves: My passion for hockey started at a very young age. My father (Mike Eaves) was a hockey coach which meant that my brother Ben and I were able to go down to the rink and play. Hockey for me started as something very fun. From being fun it turned into a passion of mine. I think I realized I would have a shot to play in the NHL when I was drafted in 2003. Of course, it was always in my mind as something I would love to do, but once the draft happened it became very real.

thefanblog.at: During your college hockey career you have been of a scorer, in the NHL your role seems to be more of being a grinder. How to do feel about it?

Eaves: My role coming into the NHL was to score goals. My rookie year I scored 20 goals. It was a start that I was hoping to build on. I was put in many scoring situations by being on the first power play and playing in the top six forwards. After that year my role changed into more of a third and fourth line checker. I guess the coaches I have played for feel that I can do that role better. Obviously I still love to score goals and contribute when I can, but frustrating the other teams best players on the their power play is satisfying also.

thefanblog.at: Like the Austrian Thomas Vanek you are a 2003 first round draft pick. For us as an Austrian hockey website it would be interesting to know your opinion about the Austrians in the NHL – Thomas Vanek, Michael Grabner, Andreas Nödl.

Eaves: I know Thomas a bit from playing against him in junior hockey and college. Also he lives in Minnesota in the summers about 45 minutes from where I live. He is a good person and its always fun to run into him. As for him as a player, he is special. Thomas has something that you cannot teach. He always manages to get his stick on the puck or the puck just finds his stick. As a penalty killer, Thomas is someone we need to key on. I have played against Michael and Andreas only a couple of times and don’t know them personally. I was impressed with their ability to skate though. They are out east as well as Thomas so we don’t see them on a regular basis.

thefanblog.at: Last season the Red Wings couldnʼt quite fulfill the high expectations and the post-season has been rather short. What are your expectations for this season? Did you train more/harder because of the longer off-season?

Eaves: One thing I found out right away when joining the Red Wings is that the Stanley Cup is the goal. It is probably said by every team around the league, but with the players in the room you know that it is something very obtainable. We did come up short last year and that is always frustrating. Having said that the core players of this team have played a lot of hockey by going to the finals the past two years and just under half of our team played in the Olympics. San Jose played well and we did not get the job done.

My expectations this year is to win the Stanley Cup. Like I stated earlier that is just the culture of the Red Wings. We all believe if we do our jobs and get some luck, we will have a shot to make a run. This was a long off season. Ben, my brother trained me this summer. Ben used the extra time to really get my speed, quickness and strength up. I thought this summer was the best summer training I have ever had. The time was used wisely although it was unwanted.

thefanblog.at: In training camp this summer you have been playing on the same team with Mike Modano. How does it feel to be on the same line with a superstar like him and what can Modano add to the Red Wingʼs line-up? Can you see yourself being a pro-hockey player with the age of 40?

Eaves: I first met Mike when my dad coached him for team USA. That was a long time ago. Then meeting him again was great. Mike is an awesome team mate. Hopefully one day we can play on the same line together but that will work itself out. Mike has not lost his ability to skate. In todays game that is so important. Obviously all his other skills are elite but Mike’s skating stands out to me as his best attribute. When talking to Mike you would never know that he is so accomplished and has played almost 1500 games. He is down to earth, humble and loves to be one of the guys. Its great to see that committed to play at least another year with our team. I would love to be playing pro hockey at age 40. I say that now as a 26 year old. I’m sure when I wake up when I am 34 and can not get out of bed I will be singing a different tune! I just want to play as long as I can and as long as they let me.

thefanblog.at: What did you enjoy most in each NHL team you have played for and for which team would you still like to play?

Eaves: What I liked most about the teams I have played for is the friends that I have made. I have met some really nice people in Ottawa, Carolina and Detroit. Also I have had the chance to play with some of the top players in the league. The skill that each team puts out on a nightly basis is incredible. I like where I am right now with the Red Wings. The other two teams were great for the time but Detroit is perfect right now.

thefanblog.at: Most favorite player you ever played with and hardest opponent you have ever played against – maybe you could give us a short insight on that?

Eaves: I have played with some great players. Not just one stands out in my mind. My center Darren Helm is scary fast and its awesome playing with him. But then Nick Lidström isn’t too bad to play with either.

As for the hardest player to play against it would be Rusty Salei. Fortunately he plays for us now! Rusty is a strong, mean veteran who is always in the right spot and always in your face. For some reason every time we played each other he got the best of me. Thank goodness we signed him this year.

thefanblog.at: Your brother Ben is playing successfully in Europe, your uncle Murray Eaves
 played in Europe during the 90s. Can you picture yourself playing hockey in an European League?

Eaves: I would love to play over in Europe. Ben and I talk a lot and I know that the game is played at a very high level over there. It is different because of the ice but still the same game. My family lived in Helsinki when I was 12 and I got to see first hand how the SM-Liiga gameswere which was very exciting. I hope at some point in my career when the time is right for my family that we can make the trip across the pond and play. Hopefully with Ben.

thefanblog.at: You just became father for the first time – big congratulations! How much does the birth of your daughter affect your hockey life?

Eaves: We just had a baby Norah this summer and it was the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. She is crazy just like her mother but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have a dog Rueben also, who is my best buddy, and now with Norah it clarifies why I play. I play to take care of my family. My wife Katie takes care of all the off ice stuff so I can just play. My sleep patterns are a little different now I know exactly why I play.

thefanblog.at: Some hockey players are very picky, even superstitious with their equipment. How about you?

Eaves: Not really – I like to tape my stick a certain way but some guys place their sticks in the same spot every game. I am not like that. For me if I try to create superstitions takes my mind off the game.

Thanks for your time and all the best wishes for your season with the Detroit Red Wings!