... that was awesome

...

it was kind of just like, just like even like the media out there, even part of our media, they're like, people were shocked, and we were like, we were kind of like, we were scoring goals on a crazy rate.

And it was just, it, it was just fun hockey.

And obviously, I was having a great, great year, and Pittsburgh was unreal to me.

The new coaching staff, they just, you make a mistake, and they're putting you right back out there 30 seconds later.

So it's, it's kinda hard to dwell on mistakes, and your confidence just goes through the, goes through the roof.

So what is, you know, I guess part two of the My Hockey Rankings question of the week is like what's that ice time look like for a guy like yourself?

What kind of clicked for you last year that maybe you learned in those, those previous half seasons the year befores?

Yeah, I mean, I think it was just my first year, uh, in the NHL, it was just getting used to the pace and, uh, just defen- defending well, defending with my stick, defending with my body.

But, um, no, last year it was just...

I think it was just a confidence thing.

I personally knew it was in me the whole time, and it was just waiting for, um, I guess, the right opportunity.

We also...

We got a...

Um, but having guys who are like, "Yeah, I'll do that after I defend first," did you always have that mentality or is that something you've just kinda grown into as you've gotten older?

What kinda clicked for you last year that maybe you learned in those, those previous half seasons the year befores?

Yeah, I mean, I think it was just my first year, uh, in the NHL.

It was just getting used to the pace and, uh, just defen- defending well, defending with my stick, defending with my body.

But, um, no, last year it was just, I think it was just a confidence thing.

I personally knew it was in me the whole time, and it was just waiting for, um, the, I guess, the right opportunity.

We also, we got a...

The coaches before were great to me, but, um, there wasn't a bunch of, uh, I guess, opportunities to move, uh, in the lineup or get that certain ice time that you, uh, need to kinda showcase what you got.

Um, but having guys who are like, "Yeah, I'll do that after I defend first," did you always have that mentality, or is that something you've just kinda grown into as you've gotten older?

But just a thought on how critical your stint in the American Hockey League was in your development to becoming a full-time NHL player.

Yeah.

I mean, as you said, they're more focused on the Texas Longhorns, the college down there.

But they always showed up and were great fans down there.

But yeah, I mean, I just I didn't rush myself in college.

I had a good college career and I just stayed patient.

I never thought, I guess, the dream of getting to the NHL kind of left throughout the AHL.

What part of your game improved the most to make you a full-time NHL player?

No shootouts.

Yeah.

If you have any more questions about shootouts, I'm all eyes.

[laughs] Questions about shootouts.

Yeah, I think it's a good point.

I mean, I think, um, we kinda ha- I would think we would like a better, uh, start to that third.

Obviously, couple penalties gave 'em momentum.