Interview

Kevin Kasel: Why did you start playing hockey?

Mike Neilon: It was a major sport where I was from in Minnesota and a lot of my friends started playing so I took it up along with them.

Kevin: I noticed there was an article, I don't remember which magazine it was, but it says you are started out in Austin, Minnesota?

Mike: Yes.

Kevin: And in your 8th grade year they wouldn't let you play varsity. So you move up to the Twin Cities.

Mike: Yea, moved to St. Paul (Minnesota).

Kevin: That's where it says in the (Buccaneer game) program you are from.

Mike: Yea, I guess I have two homes. I spent my High School career in St. Paul, but my family resides in Austin. So, I call Austin and St. Paul both my home. I am welcomed in both places.

Kevin: What year did you come into the USHL? Because when I was reading that article it surprised me.

Mike: 1999-2000 year, I played 15 games before my High School season, Sophomore year. And after that, my Junior year, I played here the full season.

Kevin: Tell me about the past teams you've played for.

Mike: The past team I played for was Omaha Lancers. Great organization. We won three cups in the two years I played there, was a lot of fun.

Kevin: Best advice you've ever received (doesn't have to be hockey-related):

Mike: If everyone is doing and it's wrong, it's still wrong.

Kevin: Tell me about some of your goals for the future.

Mike: For the future, to play college hockey, and graduate from a four-year school and hopefully be a successful businessman.

Kevin: What are some things you want to do in your life besides hockey?

Mike: I want to start my own business and travel a lot.

Kevin: What would you being doing now if you weren't playing hockey?

Mike: Right now I'd be going to school and probably working part-time.

Kevin: Where did you go on your last vacation?

Mike: It's been a long time since I have been on a vacation, it's probably .... I don't know, I don't really go on many vacations. I can't remember the last one.

Kevin: Where would you like to go?

Mike: I want to go back to Europe somewhere, Germany or something.

Kevin: Who has been the biggest influence on your life?

Mike: My High School hockey coach.

Kevin: Do you have a favorite movie?

Mike: Wow. Dumb and Dumber is my favorite movie.

Kevin: If you could have lunch with one person, past or present, who would it be?

Mike: My Grandmother.

Kevin: What's your most embarrassing moment?

Mike: Gee ... Let's just say it was too embarrassing to tell ya and it was. I remember that, I can't tell ya.

Kevin: What is your favorite holiday?

Mike: 4th of July.

Kevin: Who is your favorite Super-Hero?

Mike: Superman, because he has X-Ray vision.

Kevin: What is your favorite hockey movie?

Mike: Well, obviously Slap Shot is, along with everyone's.

Kevin: What is your favorite kind of ice cream?

Mike: Don't eat ice cream.

Kevin: What is your hockey career highlight?

Mike: Probably winning the National Championship with the Omaha Lancers.

Kevin: Do you have a nickname?

Mike: Stealin' Neilon.

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: Jennifer Lopez, I like her booty.

Kevin: What is your favorite board game?

Mike: Life.

Kevin: Do you have a pre-game ritual? If so, what is it?

Mike: I just try and eat a good meal before the game and try and stay off my feet.

Kevin: If you started your own NHL franchise, and you could pick any player, who would you start with and why?

Mike: I choose Marty Guerin.

Kevin: That's the same answer you gave last year. (Last year's interview: click here)

Mike: Yeah, Marty is the best complete player that I have ever played against or with.

Kevin: Who is faster, Speedy Gonzalez or the Road Runner?

Mike: I don't even know who Speedy Gonzalez is?

Kevin: The little Mexican Mouse that Sylvester the Cat is always chasing around or Daffy Duck is always chasing around.

Mike: I can't remember, I go with the other one.

Kevin: What is your favorite Des Moines radio station?

Mike: It's a rap station, 96.3 I think it is. I don't know, it's one of the rap stations, it's preset number 5 on my radio, that's all I know.

Kevin: What is your favorite restaurant?

Mike: Probably, Outback Steak House.

Kevin: What do you miss most about home?

Mike: My family.

Kevin: Who is your favorite professional non-NHL team?

Mike: Minnesota Twins, of course.

Kevin: Rank your opponent: Who is the toughest forward / defensemen / goaltender you have faced in the USHL?

Mike: Goalie is, Marty Magers (Lancers). Defensemen: David Hale (Musketeers). Forward: Ruslan Fedotenko (Musketeers).

Kevin: What food dish do you miss most from home?

Mike: My Mom's lasagna.

Kevin: If you could change one aspect of your game, what would it be?

Mike: Try to be more level-headed, instead of getting bad penalties at time.

Kevin: Which one, new or old Buccaneer logo?

Mike: Old.

Kevin: Burger King, McDonalds or Wendy's?

Mike: None, I don't eat at those play at those places.

Kevin: What is your favorite card game?

Mike: Schnarples. It's game J.P. Platisha created, kinda like spades, but we call it Schnarples.

Kevin: Outside of Des Moines, who has the best logo in the league?

Mike: Probably Cedar Rapids' new one, I like that.

Kevin: Outside of Des Moines, who has the best arena in the league?

Mike: Probably Lincoln.

Kevin: What "barn(s)" are you most intimated to play in, in the USHL?

Mike: Lincoln and Waterloo.

Kevin: Any advice for younger hockey players?

Mike: Follow your dreams and work hard towards them and everything should work out.