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Number: 19
Position: Forward
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 197
Birthday: 1.7.83
Hometown: Faribault, MN
Last team: Tri-City Storm (USHL)
Player Biography
Marty joined the Buccaneers mid-way through the season in a trade with the Tri-City Storm of the USHL. |
Kevin Kasel: Tell me about your family life, do you have any brothers or sisters?
Marty Mjelleli: Yeah, I got a brother, who's 16.
Kevin: How old where you when you started playing hockey?
Marty: Oh gosh, I was probably four or five.
Kevin: Why did you start?
Marty: Well, it is kind of a long story, but my Grandpa he is from Roseau, MN, in his mind it is the hockey Mecca of the whole entire world. I don't know, it was in my blood from there on. He just gave me a little tennis ball and a stick and I just began playing in the front room. And one thing lead to another, we went to a local association and I started playing.
Kevin: Have you always been a forward?
Marty: Yeah.
Kevin: Tell me about the past teams you've played for.
Marty: Well, my high school team, Shattuck St. Mary's, I don't want to like "toot my own horn" or anything or like that, but we were the powerhouse of the Nation for a couple years. We won a National Championship, there were very competitive teams there. I remember my Bantam year we went on a 45-game winning streak. Success was definitely great there.
Kevin: If I won the lottery, the first thing I'd do is ...
Marty: I probably buy a new ball park for the (Minnesota) Twins. They need it.
Kevin: Do you have a nickname?
Marty: No. Not really.
Kevin: What is your favorite saying?
Marty: Hard work beats talent.
Kevin: Where would you like to go to college?
Marty: Well, my dream would be somewhere in Minnesota. As of late, a lot of my friends go to North Dakota, that would also would be pretty sweet to go there too.
Kevin: Best advice you've ever received (doesn't have to be hockey-related):
Marty: Never be content. My Dad always says that to me.
Kevin: Finish this sentence: The fans would be surprised to know that I...
Marty: That I'm a big country buff.
Kevin: What is your favorite hockey memory?
Marty: Winning the 2001 National Championship in Philadelphia.
Kevin: What are your hobbies?
Marty: I like to collect movies. I am building a comedy/sports library of movies. I guess that is the little project I got going there. I am also a very avid miniature golfer/bowler too.
Kevin: What would you consider your dream car?
Marty: I know it sounds kinda funny, but when I worked at the Dodge dealership, I really like the new Dodge Rams, the truck. That's pretty smooth and it is awesome.
Kevin: What do you like to do besides hockey?
Marty: I like to play ping pong. I get really competitive with that. We got a ping pong table in our basement at home. We always have little tournaments all the time. That keeps me going. I also did like baseball too, but since I graduated (high school) I had to put an end to that. I really miss it.
Kevin: What can't you imagine living without?
Marty: Probably my cell phone. I love to talk to people. Without that I would be lost.
Kevin: Who is your favorite non-hockey athlete?
Marty: I have to go with Kirby Puckett. Just because he played the game with a lot of energy and he was fun to watch. All around class act.
Kevin: What is your favorite non-hockey sport?
Marty: Baseball.
Kevin: If you were a head coach of a team what would you do?
Marty: I would be like the Minnesota Wild and have the rotating captaincy. I think that ties everyone together a little more closely.
Kevin: What is your favorite food?
Marty: I like steak.
Kevin: Do you have a specific pre-game meal? If so, what is it?
Marty: I like to have fettuccini Alfredo and I like to drink a lot of Gatorade a day.
Kevin: Who is your favorite band?
Marty: I have to go with Kenny Chesney.
Kevin: Who has been the biggest influence on your life?
Marty: Probably J.P. Parise, the hockey directory at my old high school.
Kevin: If you started your own NHL franchise, and you could pick any player, who would you start with and why?
Marty: I have to go with my buddy, Zach Parise.
Kevin: Is he the one at North Dakota?
Marty: Yeah.
Kevin: Who would you have on your hockey "Dream Team"?
Marty: OK, I have a whole entire cast of fellow Americans here. I have Mike Modano, Tony Amonte, Bill Guerin ... two defensemen here? Chris Chelios, he's been there before. Bryan Berard. In pipes I have to go with Ritcher.
Kevin: What are your superstitions?
Marty: I have so many. I'd be here for the whole three hours here, talking to ya.
Kevin: If you were stranded on a desert island, whom would you want to be stranded with ... Britney Spears, Cameron Diaz, Sarah Michelle Gellar or Tara Reid?
Marty: I say a win-win situation right there, but I have to go with Britney.
Kevin: What is your favorite restaurant?
Marty: I like Applebee's. I like the food there and it is pretty good atmosphere too.
Kevin: Who would you rather be, Bugs Bunny or Road Runner?
Marty: I don't know, I hear Bugs Bunny gets all the chicks, so I'll be him.
Kevin: Who would you rather be, Superman or Batman?
Marty: I have to go with Batman. He's got a lot more gadgets. He's got that house. Probably him.
Kevin: Any advice for younger hockey players?
Marty: Just keep working hard and good things will come.
To 2002-2003 Roster
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