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Number: 16
Position: Forward
Height: 6' 1"
Weight: 195
Birthday: 12.29.82
Hometown: Minot, ND
Last team: Fairbanks Ice Dogs (AWHL)
Player Biography
Eric was a long way from his hometown of Minot, North Dakota last season when he played for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the AWHL. He scored 18 goals and 14 assists for Fairbanks. Eric first played hockey at the age of 3, and says he’s working on “finishing my opportunities to score”.
Eric was traded to Chicago November 7, 2002 for future considerations. |
Kevin Kasel: Tell me about your family life, do you have any brothers or sisters?
Eric Helstedt: Yeah, I got one of each. My sister is 16 years old. And I got a brother who is 8 years old right now.
Kevin: How old where you when you started playing hockey?
Eric: I started skating when I was 2-1/2, I started playing competition I suppose it was 3-1/2 probably, three, 3-1/2.
Kevin: Why did you start?
Eric: I guess it was something my Dad forced me to do at the time. He was interested in hockey and he kinda forced me to do it. But after that, I took right off, and I loved it and ever since then I really loved it.
Kevin: Why did you decide to play for the Bucs?
Eric: This is the place to be. I played in Sioux City a couple of years ago. This is a great atmosphere. It's one of the top places to play. It's an unbelievable place. It's very intimidating when you come in here and play against us. It's a top place in the league, for sure.
Kevin: Have you always been a forward?
Eric: Yep, always played forward.
Kevin: Tell me about the past teams you've played for besides Sioux City.
Eric: Well, in Sioux City three years ago, then after that I played in Minot (ND), my hometown, in the AWHL. Then they folded. Last year, I moved to Alaska. Played up in Alaska in the AWHL last year. And now, here this year.
Kevin: If I won the lottery, the first thing I'd do is ...
Eric: Oh boy ... buy a new car.
Kevin: Best advice you've ever received (doesn't have to be hockey-related):
Eric: Do everything 100%. You never know who is around watching.
Kevin: What is your favorite hockey memory?
Eric: Probably, ooo boy, there is so many of them. My first Junior goal. Another one would be scoring the game-winner to win the West Region Championship in high school
Kevin: My first job was ...
Eric: I worked on the farm ever since I was probably 7-8 years old with my Grandpa.
Kevin: Best decision I ever made?
Eric: To leave High School to play Junior hockey.
Kevin: What would you consider your dream car?
Eric: To tell you the truth, it will be nothing real out-of-ordinary. I'm not a big fan of cars. Probably a Dodge Viper.
Kevin: In comparison to your hometown what do you like and dislike about Des Moines?
Eric: Well, it is a heck of a lot bigger then my hometown. There's a lot more things to do. The people around here are nice and stuff.
Kevin: What do you like to do besides hockey?
Eric: Play a little golf. Go out and be at the lake in the summer.
Kevin: Do you have a favorite movie?
Eric: Tommy Boy.
Kevin: What's your most embarrassing moment?
Eric: Probably ... starting line-ups, tripping on the way out at the blue line.
Kevin: Who is your favorite non-hockey athlete?
Eric: Probably Tiger Woods.
Kevin: What is your favorite non-hockey sport?
Eric: Gotta be golf.
Kevin: If you could have lunch with one person, past or present, who would it be?
Eric: Oh, Wayne Gretzky.
Kevin: If you were a head coach of a team what would you do?
Eric: Oh boy, I have to coach forwards for sure. Definitely, be a Junior team somewhere.
Kevin: When you're not playing hockey, where are we most likely to find you (in season or off season)?
Eric: In season it is either the gym or working, hanging dry-wall. In the off-season, most likely find me at the weight room again or working.
Kevin: What is your favorite food?
Eric: Definitely got to be potatoes and steak.
Kevin: Who is your favorite band?
Eric: Dave Matthews Band.
Kevin: What is your favorite move/line from a movie?
Eric: There are so many lines from a movie, Slap Shot you got so many, I don't know if you really can say any of them. Everybody as seen it.
Kevin: If you started your own NHL franchise, and you could pick any player, who would you start with and why?
Eric: Gotta start with a tender first off. Gotta pick Mike Ritcher. You gotta look at the New York Rangers, he stuck with them all this time. He really helped them out and he's just determined to win. And hopefully one of these days he will win again, here soon.
Kevin: Who would you have on your hockey "Dream Team"?
Eric: You have to have Fedorov, Mogilny, Ritcher, you can go down the list. Probably pick some up-coming stars too.
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?
Eric: Well, definitely Brittany Spears. Gotta go with Brittany Spears.
Kevin: What is your favorite restaurant?
Eric: Famous Dave's.
Kevin: What is something you've always wanted to do, but haven't yet?
Eric: I haven't got to bungee jump yet.
Kevin: Who would you rather be, Bugs Bunny or Road Runner?
Eric: Road Runner.
Kevin: Who would you rather be, Superman or Batman?
Eric: Superman.
Kevin: If I could change one thing about me, it would be ...
Eric: More Power.
Kevin: Any advice for younger hockey players?
Eric: Stick to it, you'll never know what happens.
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