Getting To Know: Mike Hartman

This week's Q&A session is with former NHLer and current hockey coach Mike Hartman.

Status: Former NHL left wing from 1986-1995 for Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning. Recently launched the new web site www.Hockeycoach.com

DOB: February 7, 1967 In: Detroit, Michigan

First Hockey Memory: "First NHL game in Montreal in 1986."

Hockey Inspiration(s): "Clark Gillies."

Last Book Read: "Power of Full Engagement."

First Famous Hockey Player You Met Or Encountered: "I met Bobby Orr at a fundraiser in Michigan when I was thirteen."

Nickname(s): "Harty."

Greatest Sports Moment: "Playing in my first NHL game."

Most Painful Moment: "Last NHL game in Pittsburgh."

Most Memorable Goal: "Playing against Los Angeles. I played against Wayne Gretzky all night"

Fiercest Competitors Players Encountered: "Cam Neely."

Closest Hockey Friend(s): "I made many great relationships from hockey."

Funniest Hockey People Encountered: "Marc Bergevin."

Embarrassing Hockey Memory: "Skating out on the ice in Calgary for warmups - myself. I was a rookie with Buffalo and the guys played a joke on me."

Current Car: "BMW 3 Series."

Favorite Uniforms: "New York Rangers."

Strangest Game: "Scored a goal on a dump-in and it took a funny bounce."

Favorite Sport Outside Hockey: "I love baseball, to watch, and when I was a kid I loved to play."

Funny Hockey Memory: "I got benched in New York because of a player making me laugh. It wasn't funny at the time but looking back it was hilarious. (What happened?) The organ was playing and a banjo song was on and Nick Kypreos asked me if that noise is my hamstrings."

Favorite Arenas: "Old Chicago Stadium."

Worst Injury: "Taking a snapshot in my eye. (Who shot it?) James Patrick hit me in practice by accident."

People/Personality Qualities Most Admired: "Scott Bowman. Clark Gillies. Lindy Ruff. Mark Messier. Mark Napier. Mike Foligno. Wayne Gretzky. Kevin Lowe. Steve Larmer."

Mark 'Scoop' Malinowski's new book "Facing Federer" is available on www.amazon.com. Malinowski is the creator of two websites: www.thebiofile.com and www.tennis-prose.com