Q and A With Kaspars Daugavins and Arturs Kulda

Q and A With Kaspars Daugavins and Arturs Kulda

Justin Dahan (HV)

Kaspars Daugavins

Justin Dahan: You started your year off at Ottawa’s training camp, what kind of experience was that for you?

Kaspars Daugavins: It’s lots of fun. You can learn a lot from those NHL players who are top players in the league; like (Daniel) Alfredsson. When you play with them on the same line you get to learn a lot, you play harder, they make you a tough player.

JD: Did you learn anything about your own game going up against those NHLers?

KD: Yeah, I know that I need to shoot more, skate a little harder, and make hits. So that was like one of the reasons why I didn’t make the NHL team.

JD: Did the coaching staff tell you that?

KD: Yeah, the head coach told me everything about that and he said go back to junior and try hard and you’ll have a chance next year.

JD: Where you a little disappointed not to go to Binghamton in the AHL?

KD: I was a little but that was the first day, you’ll always be a little disappointed at any league when you’re sent down but I came here and the coach is very good and he’ll teach me a lot of things for next year to play pro and it’s always lots of fun to play junior.

JD: Well, you did get to play a few games in Binghamton at the end of last year. What was that like for you?

KD: It’s pretty much pro hockey. It’s close to NHL. It’s just pro hockey it’s a little different, it’s way tougher and faster and there is more shots. I think it’s good for me to play there at the end of the season.

JD: How different is it for you to come here and not have Kriss Grundmanis on your team?

KD: It really doesn’t make anything different. Of course it would be way more fun for me if he was here but in the dressing room it doesn’t matter. You got out and work hard and I don’t think about him and he doesn’t think about me, it’s just hockey.

JD: Do you still keep contact with Kriss?

KD: Yeah, we keep contact.

JD: Do you know why he decided to try out for the ECHL and not play in the OHL this year?

KD: I think the team just cut him and that’s why he went there to try out.

JD: Ok, we’ll thanks a lot and good luck.

KD: Thank you.

Arturs Kulda

Justin Dahan: You were at the Atlanta Thrashers rookie camp what kind of experience was that for you?

Arturs Kulda: It’s a good experience for me. I was there playing with injuries so it was hard for me but I did well and the scouts and coaches were happy.

JD: How tough is it for you to not be involved in the game and have to watch it instead because of your injury?

AK: It’s very sad for me because I really want to play. I want to do something and to play my best; it’s a very important season for me. It’s bad for me to not be playing.

JD: When exactly did your injury occur?

AK: I injured it (his knee) last season in March. The trainers and coaches knew I had a broken kneecap but I played until the end of the season. Then they figured out there was two chips on the bone, they were saying it will grow back and after the summer it will be good but one piece didn’t grow back and when I came to Peterborough I again injured it. It was hurting me a lot so after the Thrashers rookie camp I had surgery.

JD: When do you think you’ll be able to get back in the lineup?

AK: I hope I will play next week.

JD: Do you think it will be tough getting back into the game after an injury?

AK: By the time I play it will be three weeks after surgery so I think it will be good. The only problem is to get back in physical shape and my conditioning; that’s my goal for next week.

JD: Speaking of goals, what is your goal for the year?

AK: To play as best as I can and sign with Atlanta.

JD: Thanks, and good luck.

AK: Thank you.