Q and A from chicagoblackhawks.com:
Hi Jonathan, there has been plenty of talk of you being the guy to step up and take the "C" next year. If offered this responsibility, would you take it? And if so, what sort of positive leadership do you think that you can offer to the incredible balance of young talented rookies and experienced veterans on the Blackhawks roster? -- Brett Gurr, Lethbridge, AB
I would definitely be up for the task. I think it's still early in my career; there are still a lot of things I have to do as a player -- the way I play on the ice, the way I am in the dressing room with the guys... there's a long way to go. But I think all throughout my career I have prided myself on working hard and doing the little things right, going the extra mile, and some of those qualities I guess resemble that of a leader, so I think it's just a matter of gaining the respect from the guys in the room. If you don't have that no one's going to look to you for leadership or for you to make big plays on the ice. I think it's just a matter of time and we will see how it goes.
How are you going to feel when TJ, Dunc, Taylor, and the rest of the boys finally bring home the trophy this year? I can only imagine how awesome we would be if you were back. Good luck, Jonathan, all of us Sioux fans are following your career and cheering for you. -- Jon Heffernan, East Grand Forks, MN
Even though I'm here in Chicago, I still feel very close and still feel like a very big part of that Fighting Sioux family, so I'm watching closely and I know the guys will be able to make another run and take another shot at that NCAA title. And I'll be just as happy if they win it this year than if we would have won it when I was there the last few years.
Jonathan, you are obviously adjusting well to the pace of the NHL game -- congratulations. What will you miss most about NOT being in a Fighting Sioux jersey this season? Keep up the great work! -- David U, Grand Forks, ND
Now there are a lot of distractions with everything that comes with being an NHL hockey player. This is your job; it's what you do, but there are a lot of things on the side that you don't realize, a lot of things that might change the way you are as a person. Back in North Dakota it's a small town, it's really cold in the winter... obviously it's college and there's a lot of partying and stuff like that, but it's just hockey there. You just enjoy playing the game. But here it's a professional lifestyle and you have to be professional and obviously battle through mentally, keeping those other things on the side and just do your job and come to the rink everyday and leave everything behind.
