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    Mark Malinowski
    Oct 18, 2009, 13:50

    Status: Tampa Bay Lightning center

    HT: 6-foot-4 WT: 223 pounds

    DOB: April 21, 1980 In: Ile Bizard, Que.

    Hockey Inspiration: "Steve Yzerman."



    Hobbies/Leisure Activities:
    "Golf, watching movies, boating."



    Nickname:
    "Just Vinny."



    Favorite Movie:
    "Blackhawk Down."



    Favorite TV Show:
    "24."



    Musical Tastes:
    "U2, Metallica."



    Early Hockey Memory:
    "Christmas one year I got a pair of Easton gloves (blue and white). It was like the happiest Christmas. I slept with them (age 11)."



    First Job:
    "I was a...how do I explain it...I took care of a handicapped kid during day camp. He was the only handicapped kid there and I took care of him (age 13)."



    First Car:
    "Cavalier Z24 (red)."



    Pre-game Feeling:
    "Think about being relaxed, but don't get too excited – until I get on the ice. That's when you get intense."



    Favorite Meal
    : "Sushi."



    Favorite Ice Cream Flavor:
    "Chocolate."



    Greatest Sports Moment:
    "Winning the Stanley Cup (2004)."



    Favorite Uniforms:
    "I like the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers."



    Favorite Arena:
    "Montreal."



    Closest NHL Friends:
    "Brad Richards, Dan Cloutier."



    Funniest Player Encountered:
    "Andre Roy. He's just crazy, funny. He’s got a great sense of humor."



    Toughest Competitor Encountered:
    "Wendel Clark. I played with him in '98. (Why him?) He's just...you've heard of him, you saw how he played. The look he has. Just tough."



    Worst Injury
    : "Broken foot. Getting hit by a shot. (Remember who shot it?) (Dan) McGillis from Philadelphia."



    Funny Hockey Memory
    : "Just watching Andre Roy every day. No special story. I don't know how he does it. He's just funny. (Was he your roommate?) I lived with him for one week. After one day I was like, ‘Wow, how can his wife handle that?’ "



    Embarrassing Hockey Memory:
    "A few years ago I went on the ice in Buffalo. I ran out to the ice pretty hard and I didn't see the red carpet they had out at center ice. I hit the carpet and spun around, ran into the boards, lost my helmet, gloves, stick, everything. That was pretty embarrassing. And my sister was watching."



    Favorite Vacation Spot:
    "I liked South Africa the best – Capetown."



    Favorite Athletes To Watch:
    "Cristiano Ronaldo, he's just exciting. He's got that little arrogance that's funny. Just unbelievable to watch. (MLB?) Derek Jeter. Complete player, just like his style. (NFL?) Peyton Manning. (Golf/Tennis?) Tiger, Roger Federer. (Boxing?) I always liked (Mike) Tyson. (NASCAR?) The only one I know is Jeff Gordon.”



    Personality Quality Most Admired
    : "Loyalty."

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    Mark 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.