I mean, you've had to tell the story so many times about your dad and what he means to this organization, but what does he tell you? What does he talk to you about?

I think just like first o- off, like first class organization, the way they treat their players and, um, and, uh, the people that are still in the organization that he knows.

And I think it's cool that, um, you know, he was a part of this like 20 years ago, and I learned to skate at this facility right here, so I think that's cool and I kinda want to embrace that.

Um, I think actually the day I was born, July 1st, um, is the day-

[laughs]

... by the end of the game, and there's a lot more like that.

Like he just, after every, I remember him telling me when I was young, like after every game you should have bruises, like that mean you had, that means you had a good game.

Thinking back, it was a little weird now to think about telling like a 12-year-old that, but that's just the way he is, I guess so.

Where did that attitude come from for you?

Um, [clears throat] I would probably say my dad from a young age.

His go-to quote was, "Once you're satisfied, it's time to quit," and I think that kinda stuck with me, you know, in pretty much everything that I do and, um, you know, I think you gotta live your life like that, too, not only just with hockey but with life, too and, um, you know, for me, I think I'm always trying to get better.

I think, uh, you know, with my size and everything growing up, it was never-- nothing was ever good enough, so I think not being satisfied in that way, um, always pushed me and I think I bring that, you know, energy to the rink and try to, you know, bring people with you, bring your teammates, um, bring the energy up and just do what you can to make everybody around you better.

Yes.

I would say on the ice, I've worked a lot this summer and this year about, like, keeping my feet moving, you know, and, and scoring opportunities, I would say.

Um, and that's something that's, you know, kinda your feet and brain have to kinda go together.

So that's-- I struggled with that a bit, um, in the years past.