Status: Chicago Blackhawks right winger.
Ht: 5-foot-10 Wt: 163 pounds
DOB: November 19, 1988 In: Buffalo, N.Y.
Hockey Inspirations: "I think, growing up, obviously being from Buffalo, you got (Pat) LaFontaine, (Alex) Mogilny and I was a big fan of Joe Sakic, too.”
Nicknames: "My dad, to this day, still calls me Buzz, because I had a buzz haircut up until about four, five years ago and then I grew it out. Kaner seems to be the nickname around the locker room. Guys also call me The Doctor in here. They say I'm a surgeon on the ice, going to work. So they call me The Doc."
Hobbies/Leisure Activities: "During the season, probably eat and rest. In the NHL you have to prepare yourself for every game. Obviously it's nice to go have a good time with the boys, hang out with them. In the off-season - relaxing, again, and getting prepared for the new season."
Favorite Sport(s) Outside Hockey: "I'm a big fan of basketball. I played when I was younger - if you can believe it nor not, with my size. I was actually really into basketball growing up. And I love watching football, too."
Favorite Movies: "I like the Batman series. Pretty big fan of Dark Knight; that was a good movie. Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore."
Favorite TV Shows: "Entourage."
Musical Tastes: "Lil Wayne, he's come out with some great tunes lately."
Last Book Read: "Oh, haven't read in a while. I don't even know if I could give you an answer for that."
Favorite Web Sites: "NHL.com; Facebook - if you can believe it."
First Hockey Memory: "Probably just going to Sabres games. We used to always sit behind the opposing team's bench. I remember I could look down at the players’ stick curves and things like that. It was awesome to see players like Lindros, Sakic and Forsberg come out and I could tap their hands. And to be in the NHL now, to go out under that thing, looking for a little kid to tap their hand now, too - is just, it's pretty funny how fast time goes and how far you can come."
First Job: "Probably playing hockey."
First Car: "I had a '95 Jeep (black).”
Current Car: "Hummer.” (Color?) “It's called aquamarine."
Favorite Meal: "Steak and mashed potatoes."
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: "Vanilla with chocolate sauce."
Pre-Game Feeling: "Think just about having a good game. I think this year, just try to be a little more consistent. Do those kinds of things. Before the game, obviously, I think just going out there and making sure everything feels good - equipment, stick, and warmups. And after that I just get ready to play."
Greatest Sports Moment: "Probably winning Rookie of the Year."
Most Painful Moment: "Missing the playoffs last year."
Favorite Arena To Play: "I like playing at home, so I'd probably have to say the United Center."
Favorite Uniforms: "Chicago Blackhawks."
Funny Hockey Memory: "Probably just hearing some of the guys chirp on the bench and talk to the other players."
Most Memorable Goal: "It didn't really count as a goal, but a shootout goal against Dominik Hasek. Growing up in Buffalo, he was awesome to watch, for me, as a little kid. Then you come down - it was my home opener game - got a shootout breakaway on him, deked to the backhand and scored. That turned out to be the winning goal, so, probably that goal, yeah."
Closest NHL Friends: "Erik Johnson; Sam Gagner; Peter Mueller; Jack Johnson."
Funniest Players Encountered: "Matt Greene.” (Why?) “He just doesn't stop. He's just hilarious. Got traded from Edmonton; he's in L.A. this year."
Toughest/Fiercest Competitors: "(Barret) Jackman from St. Louis."
People Qualities Most Admired: "Just to be themselves and not be pretenders."Click HERE to read more "Getting to Know" features.Mark "Scoop" Malinowski's first book "Heavyweight Armageddon: The Lewis-Tyson Championship Battle" is available at amazon.com. For more features from the world of sports, check out thebiofile.com.