Player Profiles
By Jackson Kennedy for The Hockey News

On today’s Player Profile, we take a look at Edmonton’s first pick of the second round, and nominee for the SMJHL’s Jack Cross award, Andrea Morandi. We also have a sit down interview, where we get to know the player and how he feels about his career so far, the chance to play for Edmonton, and the possibility that he may win an award this season.

Andrea Morandi is a player that might need some introduction to many of our readers. Though he plays for the Quebec City Citadelles, one of the J’s most famous and beloved teams by many fans, he isn’t someone who’s had rising stock since he was young, like many of our more high profile players. This is in no small part because he hails from Italy, not a nation generally known for it’s amazing hockey output, but it’s also partly because he started playing soccer, and switched to hockey later than most.

Those that have paid attention, though, should know his name, because he shows promise. He first came into the league as a late season reinforcement for Saint Louis in the playoffs of the 76th season, having gotten just a few games before then. In those twelve games he played in Saint Louis, though, he had seven points, a remarkable return for a mystery man who had never played a pro game before. After that, of course, he was taken in the second round by Quebec City, where he’s so far thrived, getting 42 points as a rookie on a rebuilding team, including 32 assists. There’s a lot to like about him, and especially his teamplay, which might be why he’s nominated for the Jack Cross. But we can ask him about…

Jackson Kennedy: “Hello Andrea. Thank you for coming to the studio for this interview today. I have a lot I want to talk about, so I hope you’re comfortable and ready?”

Andrea: “Hello and good evening Jackson, so grateful to be here, and certainly comfortable.”  -  The player gives a subtle reverence with the head in salute, he also turns about as to take a quick look at the spectators around and raises his hand, taking his time so that they all can feel addressed to as well.  -  “Now, I may not be one who’s deeply familiar with interviews, but from the get go let me praise you for your efforts, it seems you’re very in touch with the pro scene and aware of the numbers and statistics too beyond just the trends and news, quite impressive!”

JK: “Well, that is my job, after all! But I love digging into the stories of lesser known players who are showing signs of greatness. What do you think, Andrea? What is your goal, long term, for your career?”

Andrea: “Well, there’s no shortage of discussion about shorter term goals, be it winning the cup or getting into the radar of the major teams and sponsors, but for the longer term? I feel the most genuine answer I can give you is to keep up my game, to break the statistics out of pure trial and error. What I’m trying to say is, top level play is a world of its own, and nothing short of hard work and a profound understanding of one’s aptitudes and limits will do when the time comes. So we’re working on it, little by little, and finding my way to enjoying the process as I go.”

JK: “An interesting answer. It sounds like instead of long term goals, you see it as a constant series of short term goals… has it always been like that for you? I imagine that kind of attitude would have helped, coming from a nation where hockey might be slightly less accessible?”

Andrea: “Is not too much unlike life, the way I see it. You have to be constantly balancing responsibilities with projects, obligations and desires. Learning to enjoy the process, and celebrate each milestone goes a long way to keep you motivated over the long-term, but so does having a proper entourage that can cultivate such traits. Even in my days of football, it was that friendly, yet ever-present competitiveness that kept people motivated and striving for more. But you see where I’m going with this, no? There’s only so much of this you can look out for in Italy, lamentable as it may be.”

JK: “And that’s why you came to North America, right? You wanted to pursue hockey at its very highest level, which you couldn’t find back home?”

Andrea: “You know that itch when you’re eager or willing to try something out but not sure whether it’ll work out? Figured if I could get my opportunity, might as well give it a try. Sure, I sure do miss my home, my old way of life, all the familiar faces and customs, but I also think it’s wonderful to be able to come overseas and share experiences with people with such different and diverse mentalities, way to keep things fresh and interesting.”

JK: “That’s a hard spirit for a lot of foreign players to have, especially ones that don’t have english as a first language. Impressive! But surely your family still talks to you? Have they ever managed to make it out from Italy to see you play?”

Andrea: “Could be, language was sort of a bump in the road at first, but a necessary obstacle to address if I really wanted to, like, connect with my fellow friends and companions here. Now family-wise? Course, of course! Not just talk, I made sure to go visit once the play-offs were over. In fact, I was just making sure to keep the slack in check after the vacations, but almost the moment I got myself back in action I started getting congratulated for the Jack Cross nomination, and huh, not gonna lie, caught me off guard as snowy day on a summer season! Still, quite the pleasant surprise.”

JK: “A snowy day on a summer season… I like that one! Must be some Italian phrase? Lovely. But, yes, the Jack Cross! I take that statement to mean you weren’t expecting to get the nomination at all? Is it exciting?”

Andrea: The player shrugs his shoulders unassumingly at the first comment, smiling a bit but not giving it too much attention either.  -  “I mean, everyone loves some recognition, even if they would mind admitting it. Whether it may be sponsors, the fans who watch and love the sport and even fellow players. Did I expect a nomination for my efforts? In my wildest dreams! I just try to do my part best I can, so that everyone else has an easier time giving their all too. Regardless, you can bet it’s exciting, in spite of our middling performance, to be recognised like this does draw some attention, from GM’s to fans, on the fact that you ARE actually trying real hard. Is great for one’s career of course, but also I’ve come to find surprisingly endearing. With that said, I know a lot of effort has been put into this season, so I wish everyone else the same good luck on it.”

JK: “Do you really though? Don’t you want to win it?”

Andrea: “Isn’t it obvious?”  -  Andrea asks for confirmation as he raises an eyebrow, as if estranged by the simplicity of the question.  -  “Of course I wish to, but this isn’t like talking about player of the season, trust me I’d fight tooth to nail for such a privilege if I was a valid candidate for it. But keep in mind, as a draftee I come with a LOT of competition, in my position, getting into the people’s radar and the public consciousness should be top amongst my priorities too, even if one day I can become a world-class player it’d be pointless if no one noticed and winded up as a third-line in some nobody team, and for that purpose I think I’ve already gotten a good leg-up.”

JK: “Well, I think being world class will get you noticed itself. Was that why you switched out of soccer, then? You didn’t think you’d be noticed?”

Andrea: “Now, now, I think we might be onto something.”  He politely conceded, he’d follow up by resting his right leg onto the other horizontally, and his hands onto it.  “Football is incredible and I still enjoy the occasional match with friends back home, but is too ingrained in everyone’s culture, even the remarkable is considered mundanely average, and unlike hockey, I do feel demands a level of specialization that keeps you from getting too involved in areas outside your strong ones. But beyond the added agency, I remember when first trying out hockey, never before in football had I experienced such a level of adrenaline and… intensity. It got me riled up, in a good way, and I remember it being almost addictive at first. From there on, I was bound to get deeper and deeper into this lovely rabbit hole.”

JK: “An adrenaline rush, huh? You’re not the first player I’ve ever heard say that about their first hockey game. Truly found your calling, then, I guess, huh? Now, this question might be a little aggressive, but… tell me about the players you want to beat. The ones you want to show everyone you’re even better than.”

Andrea: “Getting bold huh? Tell you what, I’ll dig it. So, immediately one that comes to mind are my fellow teammates Chris and Randy, we’ll be sharing a line in the upcoming season and also bound to be spending a good while together as the future first line should our course remain unchanged. Naturally I’m inclined to say I wish to beat them, just so they can push themselves to try and beat me back. Outside of Quebec, Alexa for sure, Alexa Johansen, St. Louis’ captain. Great influence, admirable dedication with plenty of experience backing her up, to me this is a good metric on what kind of performance should I aspire to if I wish to be anywhere remotely close to the SHL, besides, I’m sure she’d find a way to roast the living hell of me if I dared to slack off. A real shame”

JK: “Aren’t you supposed to be teammates with her, once you get called up to the SHL? Are you not afraid she’ll roast you for this interview?”

Andrea: “Hah, as if! Don’t worry, she’ll roast me regardless, so trust me, you get used to it.”  -  He jokes casually on the matter, half joking, half serious, but seemingly enjoying his time nonetheless.  -  “But she’s not unreasonable, she’ll nag you for as long as it’s necessary but the moment she can tell you’re a reliable chap, she’ll give you some room to breathe and show her softer side too, even if she’d hate me for saying this outloud.”

JK: “Not afraid to make enemies! How are you feeling about being drafted to Edmonton overall, though? Have you connected with any of your fellow classmates? They got quite a haul. Did it sting to not get picked in the first round?”

Andrea: “I’ve shared some moments with the prospects of Edmonton and a few from the roster, but is still a distant relationship, especially when compared to the almost familiar level of closeness you can find with the Citadeles’, so this will be a boring answer but I guess that’ll have to wait and will figure in due time. As for the draft, I reckon I did not used to mind it too much at first, but once I came upon the implication of being a well, second-round draftee, I realized I had to do something to make up for it, because that kind of told me I was not a priority, not for one team, but for NO team.”  -  He emphasized, with additional intent in his intonation, as to make clear the relevance of the fact in question.

JK: “And if you want to get noticed, that’s no way to be. Right? Can you tell us what kinds of things you’ve been working on?”

Andrea: “Got myself invested in most things, to an extent. Got around a more intense physical routine, started refining some more set plays. Beyond that, I’ve tried to get my hand in the tactical aspects as of late, and I mean, heavily. Learn more about the game flow, the different responses used by teams to different scenarios, and understand better what my team may need of me beyond just physicality, sooo, I’ve spent quite some time lately with the trainers and GM’s so that we can better understand each other and be on the same page.”

JK: “A lot to learn when you’re a rookie, but as you get older, it gets easier, hopefully. Thanks for the interview, Andrea, it was wonderful to have you come into the studio today.”

Andrea: “Anytime Jackson, great to be around, eager to talk to you anytime.”  -  And so, with a nod of his head, he stands up from his comfortable seat, and approaches the man before him for a quick handshake, after which he would give a final salute to the spectators and walk away from the scene.