Today we interview current Delta Giant and U-20 Team Canada defenceman Chris Rodriguez. It is already his second year with the Giants, even though he was still eligible last year to play minor ball hockey. After a blazing start to his rookie year, Chris cooled off last season offensively to focus more on defence. We caught up with Chris at the local Taco Del Mar to talk Delta Giants.
After a subpar year last year for you personally, what are you going to do differently to get back into the player that won you the 2010 Rookie Of The Year Award?
C: I think I am going to take more offensive chances, pinch more. I feel that I focused too much on defence last year, and this year I am going to try to be more of a two way defender.
Last year your PIMs went down dramatically. What attributed to this more mature behaviour on the back end?
C: I decided that I wasn't a rookie anymore, so I didn't have an excuse to put my team down a player. I felt like it was time to mature last year and make the other team on the power play rather than fight back. I feel that our team gained more respect after our B Provincials, so we went from a hated team to a legitimate team.
You played last year for Team West Coast in Saskatoon, and played well enough to earn an invite to the U-19 Team Canada national team. How does playing for these provincial and national teams help to improve your game?
C: I've learned a lot of different strategies from different Provinces. I have taken some of those ideas and worked them into my own game. It was nice to compete with players my own age for a change, I felt more dominate after playing mens for a couple years.
So Team Canada wants you to be the anchor on their D-core, but you had to turn it down. Any regrets to that considering it would be your last year eligible for U-20 team?
C: Obviously I have some regrets, its always a privilege to put on the Team Canada uniform. But unfortunately my commitment is with the Delta Giants, and maybe one day I will get an invite for the Mens Team Canada.
You recently suffered your third concussion in under 2 years in ice hockey. When do you think you will hang them up and focus on Giants, and will this affect your game this season?
C: I don't see it ever affecting my game. I have a mind from the future so it would take a few more conkys to sink down from Birds level.
Last question, what can we expect from ole' C-Rod this year? Third year in the league, only 20 years old. Can we assume that throwing sticks over the boards and kicking helmets is out of your game?
C: Ha, yes, but if theres a chance to stand up for my teammates I won't hesitate to do so. You can expect me to pinch down low more often and burying whenever I get the chance to from the point. I'm looking for 5 G and 15 A this year. Anything but a provincial or playoff championship will be a disappointment of a season for me. I think we have the team to win it all, we have no excuse saying it is our first year in "A" anymore.
Gracias Chris! Gran entrevista del Rookie del Año! You can translate that yourself. Chris Roddy is looking to shake off his recent concussion and have a strong start to the season. Next player profile coming up, the Captain, Rob Munro
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