Features > Player Spotlight- #2 Kyle Mills
Player Spotlight- #2 Kyle Mills
by Chris Bilder, Generals Staff Writer
Eugene, OR-
Chris Bilder: The records through 33 games are fairly similar between last year’s team and this year’s team. Last year the team was 24-9, and this year the team is 27-6. Do you feel the team is stronger this year at this point in the season?
Kyle Mills: I feel like we are stronger and that we have a lot more players who are focused than last year’s team.
CB: What are the major differences you see between last year’s team and this year’s team?
KM: One, we’re younger. Two, we definitely have a lot more focus. Three, we’re not afraid of any teams out there. I feel like last year we were kind of afraid of Seattle [Totems].
CB: You are wearing an “A” on your jersey this season. What does it mean to you to be one of the captains of the Generals?
KM: It’s a great honor to be wearing an “A”. It shows that coach respects me enough as a player to give me an “A”, and I hope the players feel the same way too.
CB: You have been somewhat of a utility player for the Generals over the last two years, switching between forward and defense. What skills allow you to be so versatile on the ice?
KM: Probably my speed and then being able to throw my body around.
CB: You put up 13 goals and 25 assists last season, and you’ve put up 13 goals and 12 assists this season. Is it your goal to surpass your point production from last season?
KM: Of course it’s always to get better, but we’ll see how things play out.
CB: You appear to be throwing your body around a lot more this season, and with a lot more ferocity. Was it an off-season goal of yours to be more physical this season?
KM: I don’t think it was. It’s just the way I play. If I’m hitting kids harder it gives me a boost, and maybe later on I’ll be fired up and get a goal. On the same note, I need to lay back a little on the huge hits because it definitely takes a toll on my body.
CB: What does playing on Military Appreciation Night in camouflage jerseys mean to you?
KM: It’s nice to play in one of these special games because there’s a bigger crowd and you get to wear a different jersey than you’d normally wear. It’s also nice to give the military personnel some entertainment for the night.
CB: The Generals are 1-0 while wearing the camo jerseys. How badly do you want to make it 2-0?
KM: It’d be great to make it 2-0. It’s kind of a tradition when we play the special games to keep a perfect record, and I want us to continue that on Saturday.
CB: The Generals are 3-0 against the third place River City Jaguars, which is the team you will be facing this weekend. How important is it for the Generals to come away with four points on the weekend?
KM: Yes, because it will keep our streak with the camo jerseys alive, and also it will get us that much closer to first place in the Pacific Division.
CB: What are your plans for next season, and the season after next?
KM: I play it day by day, and whatever happens, happens.