James: Thanks, Alyn for doing this.
Alyn: Not a problem at all, I enjoy doing these type of things. Thanks for having me!
James: Why dont you start us off by telling us about your family?
Alyn: Sure thing. Well my wife's name is Nicole, and i can't say enough about her, she's just an amazing person. She's always been there for me. I have two children, my daughter, May, and our recently born son, Renn.
James: How did you feel when your name was called, and that you were going to San Jose?
Alyn: Well San Jose has been one of the two cities i've played for in my NHL career, and I love the city. So I was thrilled to be going there, not like I left there anyway.
James: If you could chose one other team to play for, which team would that be?
Alyn: Definately, Toronto.100%. I grew up in the Toronto area and idolized them while growing up. Toronto would be my second choice for sure.
James: With that, what was the best thing while you were growing up?
Alyn: By far, having a very close knit family really helped me a lot.
James: Who would you consider to be your hockey idol?
Alyn: That would be Mario Lemieux. He was such a great player, a great ambassador for the game as well, and overal a super guy. It's a shame that he has recently retired. Hockey has lost one of the true greats of the game.
James: What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Alyn: Hmm...good question. Let me think..i would probably use the words: methodical, considerate, and patient/impatient.
James: Now im just gonan ask you what are some of your favorites? For example, like movies, actors, restaurant, etc. and all that you have to give are one word response if you'd like.
Alyn: Alright sounds good!
James: Your favorite musician?
Alyn: Umm, probably Bon Jovi
James: Movies?
Alyn: "Rudy" and "Tommy Boy" would be my favorite movies I think.
James: T.V. show?
Alyn: The CSI series, by far!
James: That makes two of us. Next question, your favorite actor/actress?
Alyn: Male actor would be Tom Hanks and female actress would be, Meryl Streep.
James: Favorite restaurant?
Alyn: Lavilla, its in the San Jose area. They have amazing food there!
James: Foods?
Alyn: Baked or grilled chicken and sushi!
James: Vacation spot?
Alyn: The Bahamas, i spent my honeymoon there, and vacationed there with the family as well.
James: I've always wanted to go there myself, it seems like a very nice place!
Alyn: Yeah its an amazing place to visit. If you ever get the chance, you wouldn't want to pass it up.
James: If you weren't playing hockey, what do you think your profession would be?
Alyn: Ah, some might laugh at me about this one, but I think i'd be an accountant. So yeah, go ahead and laugh!
James: What would you consider is your pet peeve?
Alyn: Without question it is arrogance and inconsiderate people!
James: If you could meet one person, who would it be?
Alyn: I would have liked to met Jesus, of what the Bible records of him, he was truely one of a kind! I think it would be pretty awesome to meet him!
James: The Sharks have not yet announced who there captain or assistance are yet. How would you feel if you were named as one?
Alyn: It would be a tremendous honor. Not many players get the opportunity to wear a letter on there jersey. I've been privilaged to be an assistant captain with both the Leafs and Sharks in the NHL career and would like to continue that in the PHL. But if not, thats ok. We have some great leadership here on that team, and I'm sure the organization will make the right decisions.
James: What is one of your best hockey experiences?
Alyn: That would have to be in the 2002 playoff run with the Toronto Maple Leafs. We had tones in injuries during the playoffs that year, and i was called upon to step up. I got to play with a great veteran in Gary Roberts. We saw the ice great together. The chemisty was awesome and I collected 15 points during the playoffs that year playing along side Roberts in only 20 games. Wouldn't you know it, that was 1 point short of my season total of 16 points, and I played every game during the season. So yeah, I would have to say, that was one of my greatest hockey experiences.
James: Yeah, you did great during that run, you had all of Leaf Nation I believe, in amazement.
Anyway Alyn, I want to Thank You for taking the time out of your busy schedule to be with us here today.
Alyn: You're Welcome, I had a great time here, and maybe we can do something like this again soon. Thanks for having me.
James: Alyn, before I forget, I have an email here from a fan that would like to ask you a question. Do you have time for that?
Alyn: Yeah, of course! I love fan mail! What's the question?
James: Okay, heres the question:
Mr. McCauley,
Who is the toughest player in the NHL to defend against, and why?
Thank you!
Your fan,
Mike
Alyn: Well first of all, thanks for the question Mike. I have to be honest here, you've given me a tough question. But I like it. You don't get many good questions like that. Not that the other question i get aren't good. This one's just different, and I enjoy these one's a little more. Man, you have me stumped. I've had the privilage to play against many great NHLers over my career in the NHL. Narrowing it down to one player would be tough. Hmmm, i don't think I could come up with one player who is the toughest to defend against, cause all the players here, in the NHL are there for a reason...well most of them anyway. So its tough to defend against everyone. But I tend to have more troubles defending against the bigger and stronger players. With me being only 5'11", it's harder to defend when a bigger player is always leaning on you or whatever. But yeah, i'd have to say that the bigger players, for me anway are tougher to defend against. Thanks for the question Mike!
James: Well again, we'd like to Thank Alyn McCauley again for being here with us this afternoon.
Alyn: It was great being here, and I had a lot of fun doing this.
James: On behalf of all of us, we would like to thank Alyn once again, and until next time, this has been James Houghton with Shark Talk.
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