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Mike Erickson - Number 23, Team Captain Position: Forward Mike is returning to the Bucs for a second season. He is from Eden Prairie, MN and started playing hockey at the age of 4. His greatest hockey achievement is playing for USA in the under 17 tournament in Slovakia. The best advice Mike has received is, no matter what the score is, keep giving it your all. Q&A: Wild prospect Mike Erickson By Jason Shaner / Hockey's Future Mike Erickson was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the third round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound forward went to the University of Minnesota before a broken bone in his foot stopped his progress. Heading into the 2002-03 season, the Gophers bench was packed with skill and Erickson was left with little ice time. A mutual decision between Erickson and the Golden Gopher's head coach brought Erickson back to the USHL and the Des Moines Buccaneers, a place where he played six games in the 2000-2001 campaign. The return has been for the best for Erickson, even with all the success the Golden Gophers have enjoyed; the opportunity to return to play for the Buccaneers may lead to greener pastures. Hockey's Future got a chance to visit with Mike about the league and about his hockey career. Hockey's Future: Where did you start your hockey career? Mike Erickson: I'm from Eden Prairie, Minnesota. I started playing hockey when I was about 4. I played hockey for Eden Prairie for the last 3 years of High School. Hockey's Future: Who would you say was your influence? ME: I'm going to have to go with my Dad. He got me started on it (hockey). He pretty much kept me going with it. Hockey's Future: Why did you leave the University of Minnesota? ME: The main thing was playing time. After an injury like that, both me and coach (Don Lucia) thought the best thing for me would be ice time. Where we were at and how deep we were, we weren't too sure how much ice time I'd get. It was a mutual decision that the USHL was the best place for me. Hockey's Future: Why back to the USHL? ME: I think the college education was important to me. There was the possibility of playing in the WHL. With going to the USHL, I could play that half of the year (2002-03) and the following full year and still have two years of college eligibility, where as if I would have gone to the WHL, I would have had only one year left before I would have to sign with a pro team. So much can happen in bettering your skills and developing as a player. I thought this would be the best route for me. Hockey's Future: Compare the skill level between Division I hockey and the USHL? ME: I think the only difference between college hockey and the USHL is college would definitely have an overall edge on depth with all the good teams. Guys are a little stronger and just a little quicker. Hockey's Future: Why is the USHL increasing in popularity? ME: I think the game has changed over the last few years. The guys at the college level are older and two years of weightlifting (in the USHL), guys are going to get a heck of a lot stronger. Hockey's Future: Who is the greatest player to come out of the USHL? ME: I'd have to go with Tim Ferguson, I think he owns the record for most points in a season. (Ferguson, brother of Buccaneers head coach Bob Ferguson, does hold the record with 135 points). Hockey's Future: What is your future plans in terms of college? Any options yet? ME: I actually just committed to Western Michigan earlier this week. Hockey's Future: What things do you need to work on to make it to the NHL? ME: I think skating is a huge issue. I think that's one of my weaknesses and I've been working on making it a strength. Also I think passing is the biggest thing that stands out as you go up the levels. It's also getting stronger. Hockey's Future: Tell me what it is like being a NHL draftee in the USHL? ME: It's definitely something I'm proud of. Unfortunately, it serves as quite a bit of pressure. Every game you expect so much of yourself. It's kind of a lot of pressure because you want to be the best player on the ice every night. You make sure you stand out every night and help your team win. Hockey's Future: Is the NHL a realistic goal? ME: There are so many good hockey players all over the world. I think it's a possibility somewhere down the line, but not in the immediate future. By Jason Shaner Interview Kevin Kasel: Tell me about your family life, do you have any brothers or sisters? Mike Erickson: I have one sister, who is starting her first year of college this year. So she is 18 and going to the University of Minnesota. Kevin: If I won the lottery, the first thing I'd do is ? Mike: Probably buy a new car. That would be the definitely be the first, buy a new car. Kevin: Tell me about some of your goals for the future. Mike: The biggest and only goal I have is to play hockey for as long as possible. Kevin: What would you being doing now if you weren't playing hockey? Mike: I probably finish up my college degree and move on, find a job from there. Kevin: What can't you imagine living without? Mike: I can't imagine living without fishing. Kevin: Where did you go on your last vacation? Mike: Last vacation was probably to Mexico with my family. Kevin: When did you first hear about the Bucs? Mike: The first time I heard about the Bucs was my senior year at Eden Prairie. Kevin: What is your least favorite trait in a person? Mike: Dis-honesty. Kevin: What are your hobbies? Mike: Fishing, golf, hunting, which is I started doing this year and then playing cards. Kevin: What is your favorite holiday? Mike: Probably be Christmas. Kevin: Finish this sentence. My teammates think I'm ... Mike: Old. Kevin: Who is your favorite Super-Hero? Mike: Favorite Super-Hero ... I probably have to go with Spiderman. Kevin: What is your favorite hockey movie? Mike: Would definitely be Slap Shot. Kevin: What is your hockey career highlight? Mike: Would probably winning the National Championship at the U (University of Minnesota). Kevin: When you're not playing hockey, where are we most likely to find you (in season or off season)? Mike: In season if I'm not playing hockey, probably find me at home or one of guy's home hacking, playing some video games. In the off season, probably on a lake. Kevin: Do you have a nickname? Mike: Not really. Kevin: If you were stranded on a desert island, whom would you want to be stranded with ? Britney Spears, Halle Berry, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez or Tara Reid? Mike: Probably go with Halle Berry. Kevin: Here's a loaded question for you. Where would you like to go to college? Mike: Well, Western Michigan. Kevin: I always ask people who have already committed (to college). Kevin: What is your favorite board game? Mike: Favorite board is probably cribbage. Kevin: Do you have a specific pre-game meal? If so, what is it? Mike: Yeah, Quizno's, oven roast turkey, large. Kevin: What web page do you check first when you go on-line? Mike: Usually the USHL home page to see where the teams are in the standings. Kevin: Do you have a pre-game ritual? If so, what is it? Mike: As soon as I get done eating I usually play solitaire for a little bit. Usually if I win a game of solitaire, if have a good night on the ice. Kevin: Who is faster, Speedy Gonzalez or the Road Runner? Mike: Road Runner. Kevin: What is your favorite Des Moines radio station? Mike: I have to say 92.5. Kevin: What do you miss most about home? Mike: Probably the outdoor rinks. Kevin: Rank your opponent: Who is the toughest forward / defensemen / goaltender you have faced this season? Mike: Forward would probably be (Rastislav) Spirko (Tri-City). Defensemen, would probably be (Kevin) Seibel (Lincoln). Goaltender probably (Eric) Aarnio from Tri-City. Kevin: Which one, new or old Buccaneer logo? Mike: Old. Kevin: Burger King, McDonalds or Wendy's? Mike: I'll go with Burger King. Kevin: What is the last movie you have seen? Mike: Wind Talker. Kevin: What is the last CD you have purchased? Mike: Oh gee, been so long, I don't think I can remember. Probably, I think the last one was Tim McGraw's Greatest Hits. Kevin: What is your favorite card game? Mike: Favorite card game would be Schnarples. Kevin: Outside of Des Moines, who has the best logo in the league? Mike: Outside of Des Moines, I'd probably ... it's a tough one ... I don't think I can answer that one. Kevin: Outside of Des Moines, who has the best arena in the league? Mike: So far I'd say Green Bay is the nicest one I have played in. Kevin: What "barn(s)" are you most intimated to play in, in the USHL? Mike: Lincoln's definitely one of them. I'd say that because they have all the fans there for warm-ups and they are right on top of you. Kevin: Any advice for younger hockey players? Mike: Keep sticking with it. The only way you are going to improve is by practice. If you have dream, make sure you follow it. Kevin: What are your duties as captain? Mike: Duties as Captain, just make sure everything stays in line, and on track, when the coaches aren't around. Make sure the younger guys kinda realize the importance of games, even though it is mid-season. And trying make sure everyone is getting along and on the same page and wanting to win. Kevin: How do they choose a captain? Mike: I think leadership quality skill and some stuff to do with it. Kevin: Did the coaches pick? Mike: Yeah, coaches picked. Ability to try and get guys to go on and try and motivate them to bring it up a notch. |
