Status: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman.
DOB: June 5, 1990 In: Prague, Czech Republic
Ht: 6-feet Wt: 200 pounds
First Hockey Memory: "I remember my dad playing in Germany or Sweden. I was watching the game."
Hockey Inspirations: "My dad (Leo)."
Last Book Read: "Czech book - it's called Wild and Dangerous, in translation."
Current Car: "We have a Nissan."
Greatest Sports Moment: "The Calder Cup. Won the Calder Cup last year."
First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: "I had one picture with Wayne Gretzky when I was small and my dad played against him. (Where?) Remember, I was really small. I think with some national team."
Funniest Player Encountered: "I'd say Pierre-Cedric Labrie."
Closest Hockey Friend(s): "I have a lot of them. Tough to say just one. Last year's team, all the guys, Mark Barberio, Pierre-Cedric Labrie, Ondrej Palat, Richard Panik, Tyler Johnson."
Fiercest Competitors Encountered: "Eric Nielsen, to play with. And I'm not really scared against anyone."
Favorite Sport Outside Hockey: "Soccer."
Three Athletes You Like To Watch And Follow: "I like The Rock, the wrestler. I like, he's retired, Roman Sebrle (decathlon). And I like Barbora Spotakova, a Czech, she throws the javelin."
Why Do You Love Playing Hockey: "Well, I grew up around hockey. My dad played hockey. It's just part of me. I couldn't imagine life without hockey."
Personality Qualities Most Admired: "I like honesty. True people. Real. They're enjoying every day."
Mark 'Scoop' Malinowski's second book "Marcelo Rios: The Man We Barely Knew" is available on www.amazon.com. Malinowski is the creator of two websites: www.thebiofile.com and www.tennis-prose.com.
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