01-03-2012, 01:26 PM
Our homegrown Erik Chisling has had a monumental influence on the SHL’s Manhattan Rage and we sat down with him today for an interview you can only see here, on Copenhagen Sports Network (CSN). Stay tuned for the interview.
Arne Jensen: Hi Erik, I just wanted to thank you for taking the time with us at CSN today in a busy offseason.
Erik Chisling: Of course, my pleasure.
AJ: So the Rage surprised people last season huh?
EC: We surprised ourselves last season to be honest. We were on a 3 year plan so to say; last year was the 1st in our rebuild. I came on board and as much as I was disappointed to move to a team on the rebuild, I was excited for our chances in the future. We came into the season and competed, it was great to be a part of it.
AJ: How was the locker room? Was there any interesting characters?
EC: Gooseneck is an interesting person. We don’t let him touch the stereo. Worst. Music. Choices. Ever. He keeps babbling on about the universe and how it is so humongous big. Agante is a really silent leader. He sits there and does what needs to be done, he’s an inspiration for young guys like me. Ocho pretends to be tough as well, he’s sitting there with his headphones listening to Frank Sinatra during intermissions. Kinda odd if you ask me. He’s a great guy to have on my D pairing though, love to have him back there to watch my butt when I look to turn the puck up the ice.
AJ: Erik, what kind of role did you play on the ice and in the room?
EC: I tried to play my game, up tempo offensive while not being too unreliable defensively. I am usually out there in do or die situations to try to get that puck in the back of the net. In the room I am a vocal kind of guy, I say what’s on my mind. Some people respect it, some find it a hinderance. I don’t know, I’d like to think I am a good guy in the locker room and a leader.
AJ: How has your career changed since the trade from the Panthers?
EC: Well, first thing is first, I want to congratulate the Los Angeles Panthers on their first championship season. GM Deener and all of the players did a tremendous job and earned that win. With that said, I feel like my season was completely different than what it was, I had an offseason to work on my skills and develop further as a player and just make a bigger impact on the ice. All the things that were going wrong last year seemed to turn around this year for me and I couldn’t be happier for my chance here with the Rage.
AJ: So now you are a veteran on this young Manhattan team. What’s your take on being a leader?
EC: Being a leader has always come naturally to me Arne, I just play my game and try to help my team in any way I can possibly do so. If it takes a conversation, or simply leading by example, I do what needs to be done. It’s kind of odd, it seems like just yesterday I was the new guy and that I was the one buying dinners for the team and now I’m not the low man on the totem pole. It’s an interesting change of pace.
AJ: You guys were eliminated in the playoffs. What was that first taste of playoff action like for you?
EC: There’s nothing like the SHL playoffs. The crowd is just in another gear. It’s too bad we were eliminated so early, but that playoff berth is more than what we expected out of this year. I turned the page and I am working hard to prepare for next year.
AJ: You had a career year and an all star selection in your 2nd year in the league. Congratulations!
EC: Thanks, I had a lot of things go right for me this year and that is a tribute to the fantastic Manhattan organization. I look forward to the all-star game and hopefully the fans enjoy it.
AJ: The SHL draft just went by, how do you think the Rage did?
EC: Agante knows what he’s doing. I am ecstatic with some of the pickups we got. I look forward with lacing up the skates with them this year.
AJ: Now that it is the offseason, what do you expect for next year?
EC: It’s gotta be the championship. Set your goals high. Manhattan will be a contender this year, I guarantee that.
Arne Jensen: That’s all the time we have for today Erik, thanks so much for taking the time to have this quick discussion with us and best of luck with the next season over in Manhattan!
Erik Chisling: Thanks Arne, I appreciate the support of all the Danish fans.
Arne Jensen: Hi Erik, I just wanted to thank you for taking the time with us at CSN today in a busy offseason.
Erik Chisling: Of course, my pleasure.
AJ: So the Rage surprised people last season huh?
EC: We surprised ourselves last season to be honest. We were on a 3 year plan so to say; last year was the 1st in our rebuild. I came on board and as much as I was disappointed to move to a team on the rebuild, I was excited for our chances in the future. We came into the season and competed, it was great to be a part of it.
AJ: How was the locker room? Was there any interesting characters?
EC: Gooseneck is an interesting person. We don’t let him touch the stereo. Worst. Music. Choices. Ever. He keeps babbling on about the universe and how it is so humongous big. Agante is a really silent leader. He sits there and does what needs to be done, he’s an inspiration for young guys like me. Ocho pretends to be tough as well, he’s sitting there with his headphones listening to Frank Sinatra during intermissions. Kinda odd if you ask me. He’s a great guy to have on my D pairing though, love to have him back there to watch my butt when I look to turn the puck up the ice.
AJ: Erik, what kind of role did you play on the ice and in the room?
EC: I tried to play my game, up tempo offensive while not being too unreliable defensively. I am usually out there in do or die situations to try to get that puck in the back of the net. In the room I am a vocal kind of guy, I say what’s on my mind. Some people respect it, some find it a hinderance. I don’t know, I’d like to think I am a good guy in the locker room and a leader.
AJ: How has your career changed since the trade from the Panthers?
EC: Well, first thing is first, I want to congratulate the Los Angeles Panthers on their first championship season. GM Deener and all of the players did a tremendous job and earned that win. With that said, I feel like my season was completely different than what it was, I had an offseason to work on my skills and develop further as a player and just make a bigger impact on the ice. All the things that were going wrong last year seemed to turn around this year for me and I couldn’t be happier for my chance here with the Rage.
AJ: So now you are a veteran on this young Manhattan team. What’s your take on being a leader?
EC: Being a leader has always come naturally to me Arne, I just play my game and try to help my team in any way I can possibly do so. If it takes a conversation, or simply leading by example, I do what needs to be done. It’s kind of odd, it seems like just yesterday I was the new guy and that I was the one buying dinners for the team and now I’m not the low man on the totem pole. It’s an interesting change of pace.
AJ: You guys were eliminated in the playoffs. What was that first taste of playoff action like for you?
EC: There’s nothing like the SHL playoffs. The crowd is just in another gear. It’s too bad we were eliminated so early, but that playoff berth is more than what we expected out of this year. I turned the page and I am working hard to prepare for next year.
AJ: You had a career year and an all star selection in your 2nd year in the league. Congratulations!
EC: Thanks, I had a lot of things go right for me this year and that is a tribute to the fantastic Manhattan organization. I look forward to the all-star game and hopefully the fans enjoy it.
AJ: The SHL draft just went by, how do you think the Rage did?
EC: Agante knows what he’s doing. I am ecstatic with some of the pickups we got. I look forward with lacing up the skates with them this year.
AJ: Now that it is the offseason, what do you expect for next year?
EC: It’s gotta be the championship. Set your goals high. Manhattan will be a contender this year, I guarantee that.
Arne Jensen: That’s all the time we have for today Erik, thanks so much for taking the time to have this quick discussion with us and best of luck with the next season over in Manhattan!
Erik Chisling: Thanks Arne, I appreciate the support of all the Danish fans.
