Matt Gilroy

Status: New York Rangers defense prospect currently with the American League’s Hartford Wolfpack. Played 30 rookie games with the big club before being demoted Dec. 10.

HT: 6-foot-2 WT: 205 pounds

DOB: July 30, 1984 In: North Bellmore, N.Y.

First Hockey Memory: "Getting dressed for the first time and my mom, not knowing, she put my cup on the outside of my pants and I went on the ice. That's my first hockey memory (age 5 or 6)."

Hockey Inspiration: "The first guy I met was Pat LaFontaine, when he was on the Islanders. He did clinics for us and he played pick-up basketball games with my dad at the local church. Just a regular guy and a great guy. And I think I always looked up to him growing up."

Hobbies/Leisure Activities: "I played lacrosse my whole life besides hockey. Had to decide when I got older – hockey or lacrosse. I decided hockey. Besides that I like going to the beach, I live on the beach. That's about it."

Nickname: "Just Gilly, everyone calls me Gilly."

Favorite Movie: "I like comedies, like to laugh. I don't like too many serious things, but if it has a good laugh I like it. Stepbrother, Role Model, Hangover I'm a pretty big fan of."

Last Book Read:  "We're going back to school here, I don't want to remember any of that (smiles). I couldn't even tell you; from school I forgot everything. (How about the last hockey book?) 11 Seconds, the Travis Roy book."

Favorite TV Show:  "Family Guy."

Musical Tastes:  "All kinds, I'm not picky."

First Job: "Soccer referee. I think I was 12 years old. I used to ref the younger kids."

First Car:  "A blue Blazer."

Current Car: "Ranger Rover (black)."

Pre-game Feeling:  "Just relaxed. Play some things over in my head. Just getting focused mentally. Just kind of keep to myself. No headbangin' music for me, just nice and calm."

Favorite Meal: "Steak."

Greatest Sports Moment:  "Was probably winning the national championship last year (with Boston University)."

Most Painful Moment:  "Being down in the final three minutes of the national championship last year. That was pretty painful, but we came back and won it."

Closest Hockey Friends:  "Probably my buddies in school – Brandon Yip who's with Colorado. John McCarthy's with San Jose’s organization. Closest here – I'm getting closer with (Michael) Del Zotto and (Brian) Boyle. They're kind of the new guys and I'm kinda hangin' out with them."

Funniest Player Encountered: "Steve Valiquette is a pretty funny guy, I'll give it to him. (What is it about him?) Just everything. He's so quick with one-liners and he's always got something to say. And he normally makes some pretty funny comments."

Toughest Competitors: "Chris Drury competes pretty hard. And I think Vinny Prospal really competes hard. Something I look up to, especially from Vinny."

Funny Hockey Memory: "When we did the flying V in high school, that was pretty fun. The flying V from Mighty Ducks."

Embarrassing Hockey Memory: "Scoring on my own net in Maine two years ago. That was pretty embarrassing."

Favorite Players To Watch: "I like Dan Boyle, (Mike) Green from Washington and (Nicklas) Lidstrom. Those are guys I watch. And I go to actually see two of them play. When you're sitting on the bench, you just get to take it in, what they're doing. Pretty special what they do out there."

Last Halloween Costume:  "A ninja, in sophomore year in college."

Last Vacation:  "Actually, I've never been on vacation. My family's too big to go on vacation. I'm one of 10 kids, so we really don't get out on vacation."

Most Memorable Goal: "I think in peewee, I won the tournament in overtime. That was pretty cool. I don't have that many big goals that I can remember (smiles)."

Strangest Game:  "We got a game canceled because of fog against BC (Boston College). There was so much fog. It was such a hot day out in November. You couldn't see anyone in front of you, so they had to cancel the game due to fog. That was pretty strange."

Personality Qualities Most Admired:  "Hard workers. I love people who work hard. That's how my parents raised me to be. Hard workers and honest people. That's what I tend to draw myself to."

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