Features > Player Spotlight- #10 Kyler Zimick
Player Spotlight- #10 Kyler Zimick
by Chris Bilder, Generals Staff Writer
Eugene, OR-
Chris Bilder: Your role has evolved from more of an enforcer last season to a more complete defenseman this season. Describe the change for you, and have there been any difficulties in the change?
Kyler Zimick: There really hasn’t been that much change. I don’t go out and look for a fight like I did last season. The only real difficulty is that I have to go out and look for plays instead of trying to protect everyone, and having someone else take that role.
CB: You’ve had some injury problems this season. How difficult has that been for you as a player and a person?
KZ: As a player its really hard trying to cope with the fact that I’m hurt all the time, and it doesn’t seem like anything is going my way. As a person it weighs on my mind, and I get down on myself because its like trying to fight a demon inside of your head.
CB: When you’ve been on the ice this season you’ve been really productive. How much has your contribution on the ice motivated you to get 100% healthy and back on the ice full time?
KZ: I want to get 100% as quickly as possible. Not only am I a contributor on the ice when I’m out there, but I feel like my contribution off the ice to get the guys motivated just isn’t there when I’m not playing. I think when I get back on the ice I think my motivation of the team, and the overall team motivation, will be a lot higher as well.
CB: The team is coming off of its worst loss of the season. How do you think the team will respond to this loss?
KZ: I think that we’ll respond to it pretty well. I think a lot of guys are pretty pissed off at how poorly we played, and I think that we’ll prove ourselves this weekend that we are the best team, and prove to everyone that we have the skill set to be very productive.
CB: If you could say one thing to motivate the team right now; what would that be?
KZ: Don’t worry guys; I’ll be back in a month.
CB: The team was really close last year. How does the closeness of last season’s team compare to the closeness of this season’s team?
KZ: Everybody on last year’s team loved each other, and bonds that were formed that will last forever like Schlags and Frei. At the beginning of the season it was hard to get close to everyone because of the connection of the team last year, but its starting to become like the brotherhood we formed last year.
CB: What has been your favorite moment of this season?
KZ: I think messing with all the rookies. We’ve pulled a lot of pranks, and I’m sure there will be more to come. I’ve also been really impressed with how well they’ve been taking it. Its gotten them a lot of respect from me and the rest of the veterans. Also, the bus rides have been epic.
CB: What is the one area of your game that you feel benefits the team the most?
KZ: I think the physical aspect of my game is the most beneficial, because it not only pumps the team up it pumps me up. I feel like when I have my physical game rolling its when I’m at my best.
CB: What is one area that you’d really like to improve?
KZ: My temper.
CB: What does the team need to do this weekend to beat Rogue Valley?
KZ: Play smart defensively, and eliminate the chances they get. We need to keep our cool and stay out of the box. We need to not worry about the stuff they pull behind the plays.