MARIO PANUCCI INTERVIEW

W&J Captain, Mario Panucci, enters what will be the final part of a very successful collegiate hockey career at Washington & Jefferson College. He was willing to take the time to answer a few questions and reflect upon his time at W&J.

QUICK NOTES
Number: 19   
Position: Forward   
Height: 5'9"   
Weight: 185 lbs.   
Class: Senior  
Nickname(s):  Panuch, Nucc  

Major: Accounting
 
Child-hood hero: Mario Lemieux 

First Job:  Canabait Live Bait Company

Favorite Movie(s): The Shawshank Redemption, The Bourne Identity (Trilogy), Seven, A Christmas Story, The Polar Express, Big Fish, Euro Trip, Trading Places, Slapshot… I could go on and on, there’s really just way too many to name but that’s a few.

Hobbies: Following the NHL, relaxing, eating, messing around on computers

Favorite Band(s)/Musician(s): Incubus, Breaking Benjamin, Pearl Jam, Skillet, Flaw; again probably too many more.

When did you begin skating? Age 9

When did you begin playing hockey? Dek hockey – Around the age of 7.  Ice hockey – Almost 10, I think.

What was your first team? Beaver Badgers

Greatest Hockey Achievements: CHMA Playoff Champions in 2007-08 as well as achieving Academic All-American status.  Playing in the 1^st Annual ACHA Division I All-Star Game.  Reaching the Silver Stick National Tournament (Semi-Final) as a Bantam. Representing Pittsburgh in the Chicago Showcase as team captain.  Being nominated for the 2008 World University Games.

Favorite Hockey Memories: Tournaments as a child.  Scoring some big goals.  Road trips with Ryno and Chad.

If you could skate one shift with any player (past or present) who would it be and why?  Lemieux, Sid, Malkin, or Anze Kopitar.  I’ve always been Malkin’s biggest fan, since before the Pens drafted him.  Lemieux is my all-time favorite and the greatest player ever. Sid is probably the best player in the world right now. Kopitar is an all-around, great, young player, and is probably one of my favorite players currently playing.

Thoughts on being named Captain:  It’s always an honor to be named captain by your teammates.  Knowing you’ve gained the respect of such a great group of guys is a wonderful feeling, especially since I’ve only known some for a short time. It makes me feel like I’ve portrayed myself in a way that I can be proud of and that I can say represents me accurately.  I’ve always been a leader. I guess you could say it comes from my natural competitiveness and passion for the game. I’ve just always been that way.  Being a leader for this team has been a great experience because I feel like we’ve built such tight relationships with each other and makes my job easier.  Some of these guys I’ve been associated with for some time, so that always helps that they know how I am as a leader.  We have a pretty vocal team, so again it makes it a lot easier and goes to show that there’s no clear-cut voice in our locker room.

Toughest game that you have played in:  A specific game is tough to point out. Thinking of a tough game normally brings about thoughts of a loss. But I’d say the toughest game I’ve ever played was my freshman year in knocking off #1 Rhode Island and ruining their perfect season. I played quite a few minutes, penalty kill, power play, etc… out-shot pretty handily, so it was very tiring. I took a few stitches to the eye but set up the only goal of the game to win it.  That definitely stands out in my mind as one of the tougher games I’ve played in.

Penn State at Happy Valley is always one of the toughest places to play. I’d also have to say during my freshman year, each time we played St. Clair (Ontario). That was by far the best team I’ve played against in my career.  They beat us handily, every time. They were like a machine the way they just beat you and were on their way; almost without a single word out of their mouths. Also Team Minnesota, in the 2005 Chicago Showcase was a great squad. I’ve run into some tough teams in the past but from what I can think of, St. Clair probably takes home the crown.

What is your mindset during the game? Play for the team around me.  Play to my strengths - always bring a smart, two-way game. Stay focused no matter what, be a leader, and come through when I’m needed. Try to be a clutch player.  Always give everything I can.

Do you have any pre-game rituals? Nothing out of the ordinary, just try to be as focused as possible. I spend time thinking about the game for the majority of the time prior to face off. The most ritualistic thing would probably be cracking each of my knuckles, back, and neck, in the same order, before each game. I also like to be the last one out on the ice. However, with some slow-moving bodies in there, sometimes that preference has to be cast aside.

What was it like playing in the first ACHA Division I All-Star Game?  It was a great experience and a real honor to be a part of.  We didn’t have a whole lot of time to get to know one-another and it was a little ‘clicky’ during the earlier parts of the day, dinner, etc.; being some of the kids were acquainted with one another but once the game got going and all the formalities were over with, it was terrific. Everyone just picked up as if we had been playing together for a while.  Overall, though, it was really something to be a part of and there was a whole lot of skill out there together.

What types of qualities a captain must have?  I think when you reach a level like this, being a leader isn’t so much about, the guy who can talk it up the most.  It’s probably more about having the experience of playing at this level, knowing all the ins and outs of the type of game being played out there, being a guy that everyone can hopefully look up to and is comfortable with. I think that may be the most important thing of all… Things come up all the time, and while I’ll admit I’m not the most authoritative person, I like to think I’m very approachable and I can relate to different types of situations.  I think that’s really what wearing the ‘C’ is about along with being able to lead the way and perform at a high level on the ice.

What is the importance of staying motivated heading into the 2^nd half of the season?  It’s a long year and a with a schedule like ours, we’ve got a lot of heavily weighted games coming up; it’s always possible to rip off a big streak, taking out some top teams in the process, and before you know it, you could be back in the hunt for a position in National’s.  Although with our first half being the way it was, I think all of us know that the ending goal is a long ways away, and at this point, it’s really about taking it one step at a time.

Who is your favorite current hockey player? My favorite current hockey player, I’d say it’s a tight race between Malkin, Sid, and Kopitar.  I like that they’re all young but they’ve got great potential and are full of charisma.

What is the significance of having jersey #19? Yzerman?  Yeah, I was always a big Red Wings fans secondarily (to the Penguins), growing up, and I always liked Yzerman and the way he played the game.  I’d say these days I try to play more like Zetterberg but I think it’s safe to say that out of the available numbers at W&J, the motivation behind #19 was definitely Yzerman.

Who was the funniest player you have played with? It’s probably a toss-up between Mike Guthrie, who just graduated from here at W&J last year, and Jake Belsky, who I played with growing up. The kid just never shut up. Guthrie was similar but to a less hyper-active extent.

What coach or teammate has helped you the most so far in your career? I think most of my development to this point can be attributed to Tom Pandolfo. He recently coached teams like TJ, NA, and Central Catholic.  He caught me at such a crucial time-period in a player’s development, and I learned so much about discipline, attention to detail, and playing a complete game.  I probably have him to thank more than any other coach for being the type of player I am today.

Would you like to coach hockey someday?  Definitely. I can’t really picture myself away from the game.  I eat, sleep, and breathe it. I think whenever I settle down a little bit, in the very near future, I’ll make myself available for whoever is looking.  I think I’d probably prefer to coach at a higher level, though.  I personally think I’d be a lot better at teaching an in depth style, systems, etc. as opposed to the basics at a younger level.

You had several offers from various Junior A and college teams throughout the nation but opted to go to college near your hometown at W&J. What advice do you have for future players in their decision of going to college vs. taking the Junior A hockey route? Do what your head is telling you.  If you think you can make the best of putting off education for the time being, in order to get to the next level, then do what you think is best for you.  You reach a point where you realize you have to really be something special to get to the highest level.  I’m very content with my decision to this point.