Interview with Steelheads rookie Matt McKnight

Interview with Matt McKnight 4/10/09:Q: We?re here with Matt McKnight. So, Matt you?re playing in your first pro season, and obviously the schedule is a little different from playing in college. How are you feeling right now after a long season?A: It?s definitely a grind compared with college. It?s more like Junior. I played a couple years of Juniors before college. Now the second season?s coming up so we?re getting ready for that.Q: There?s a lot of rookies on the team this year. How are they guys all feeling? I mean, this is going to be their first professional playoffs. What?s the mood in the locker room and how are all of the rookies feeling right now?A: Oh, everyone?s really excited. We?ve had a good week of practice here and we?ve kind of rejuvenated from the grind of the last few weeks of the season. And, I think everybody?s ready to get going. The young guys are bringing a kind of youthful exuberance, if you will. I think we?re not really sure what to expect, but at the same time we want to get out there and have some fun.Q: How exciting is this, with some NHL-quality players on the team and Matt Climie coming back from the Stars. What will that bring to the team?A: Yeah, I mean he?s faced some of the best players in the world for the past week. I think he?ll have a lot of confidence and it?ll help build the confidence of the team.Q: Talk a little bit about Bryan McGregor. I know that you played together in college (three years). Have you ever seen him go on a scoring streak like he?s doing right now?A: He?s got a lot of talent and he?s playing really well right now. Hopefully he keeps doing what he?s doing and stays hot like he?s been for the last eight or ten games or whatever. Q: Are you growing a playoff beard?A: I?m trying, but as you?ll see, it?s pretty weak. I told the guys I can?t grow one so now they?re laughing at me.Q: Is anyone else doing anything funny with their hair or anything for the playoffs? I heard McGregor might do a Mohawk.A: Yep, McGregor likes the Mohawk look. Bemmer (Bembridge) and Wesy (Weselowski) died their hair blonde.