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Number: 1
Position: Goalie
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 160
Birthday: 5.8.84
Hometown: Bow, New Hampshire
Last team: Avon Old farms
Player Biography
This Bow, New Hampshire native joins the Bucs after playing last season for Avon Old Farms Prep, where he had a .924 save percentage in 19 games. A.J. says Peter Skudra (Vancouver) is the NHL player he admires most, because he’s had the opportunity to train with Skudra, who really pushed him to improve.
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Kevin Kasel: Tell me about your family life, do you have any brothers or sisters?
A.J. Bucchino: I have two brothers and one sister. Who are 14, 10 and my little sister is four.
Kevin: How old where you when you started playing hockey?
A.J.: I was three years old when I started skating. And my first game was when I was five.
Kevin: Why did you start?
A.J.: I started because my Dad was involved in the NHL and it was through the family. That's how I gained my interest.
Kevin: Why did you decide to play for the Bucs?
A.J.: Because it was a good situation, good league, and good development place for me before I go to college.
Kevin: Have you always been a goaltender?
A.J.: Yes.
Kevin: Tell me about the past teams you've played for.
A.J.: Past teams? I played in Atlanta Youth Hockey and that was fun and very interesting. Then, I lived in Quebec, and that was a different style of hockey, almost like European hockey. It is very fast and quick. Then I went to two prep schools, which is intense. But compared to Des Moines, it is a lot longer and better competition.
Kevin: Do you have a favorite pro or college team?
A.J.: Yeah, my favorite pro is Peter Skudra, the Vancouver Canucks' goalie. My favorite college team is the University of New Hampshire.
Kevin: Do you have a nickname?
A.J.: A.J.
Kevin: What is your full name?
A.J.: Andrew Joseph
Kevin: Tell me about some of your goals for the future.
A.J.: To win a championship in the USHL. Make a name for myself throughout the league and college hockey. And just go as far as I can with hockey.
Kevin: What are some things you want to do in your life besides hockey?
A.J.: Baseball. I love playing baseball. Other then that, outside of hockey, probably, other sports. I don't want to say (hanging out with) friends and all that.
Kevin: What is your favorite hockey memory?
A.J.: When I saw Ron Hextall score a goal. The first time a goalie has ever done it.
Kevin: What are your hobbies?
A.J.: My hobbies are, throwing a ball around with friends. Going to movies, just basically being with a bunch of my friends and having a good time.
Kevin: What would you consider your dream car?
A.J.: Is a Hummer.
Kevin: In comparison to your hometown what do you like and dislike about Des Moines?
A.J.: Des Moines, I like how people are more laid back out here. And it is not like a party all the time, considering back east everybody is a little more wild and they have a reputation like that.
I don't like how I am not near an ocean. I like the water. And out here, you don't have that. So, I miss that back home.
Kevin: When did you first hear about the Bucs?
A.J.: When I was a Freshmen in High School and I came into more intense leagues. And I knew about all the teams in the USHL then. I heard about them, when they heard about me.
Kevin: Did you have any other choices?
A.J.: Yes. I had some other choices, but I felt that Des Moines was the best place for me to go.
Kevin: What do you like to do besides hockey?
A.J.: Off the ice, I am pretty laid back. I like to think and be with friends and try and get my mind away from hockey. If it's not with baseball, I know it's a sport, but it is usually just throwing the ball around and letting my mind loose. Other then that, I like analyzing things with my friends, solving problems, stuff like that.
Kevin: Do you have a favorite movie?
A.J.: My favorite movie is Goodfellas.
Kevin: What's your most embarrassing moment?
A.J.: Was letting a puck in from the other end.
Kevin: Who is your favorite non-hockey athlete?
A.J.: Gotta be, Babe Ruth. Babe Ruth.
Kevin: If you could have lunch with one person, past or present, who would it be?
A.J.: I have lunch with, Hitler. I just wanna know what he was thinking when he did all that.
Kevin: What is your favorite food?
A.J.: Chicken Parmesan
Kevin: Who is your favorite band?
A.J.: My favorite band is Oaer.
Kevin: If you started your own NHL franchise, and you could pick any player, who would you start with and why?
A.J.: I would start with the New York Rangers, because I love the area and the fans are crazy. And their getting in the money. And if I could start with a player? Any player? I have to pick, a veteran, who would be? Patrick Roy to lead the team. He got a lot of background and he knows what to do. He can get them on their heels.
Kevin: Who would you have on your hockey "Dream Team"?
A.J.: Every single player that has played in the Stanley Cup.
Kevin: What are your superstitions?
A.J.: I can't tell you that.
Kevin: If you were stranded on a desert island, whom would you want to be stranded with ... Brittany Spears, Cameron Diaz, Sarah Michelle Gellar or Tara Reid?
A.J.: Brittany Spears.
Kevin: Who would you rather be, Bugs Bunny or Road Runner?
A.J.: Probably Bugs Bunny.
Kevin: Who would you rather be, Superman or Batman?
A.J.: I'd rather be Superman.
Kevin: Any advice for younger hockey players?
A.J.: Stay focused. And keep your dreams in line. You only get one get one chance to go for it. And don't ever let it go by.
11/19/2002
To 2002-2003 Roster
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