GEORGE
AWADA
Name: George Awada
Date of Birth: 6/2/75
Place of Birth: Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Height: 6/2
Weight: 215
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Acquired: Signed as free agent 3/27/99
1998-99 Season Team: Saint Cloud State (WCHA)
Stats:
Year Team League GP G A Pts PIM
1995-96 St. Cloud WCHA 21 6 2 8 16
1996-97 St. Cloud WCHA 35 3 2 5 26
1997-98 St. Cloud WCHA 38 15 14 29 74
1998-99 St. Cloud WCHA 39 14 16 30 38
Albany AHL 10 1 1 2 8
1999-00 Albany AHL 11 3 2 5 2
Other: George was the recipient on the most improved player award with the Huskies. George recieved a bachelors degree in his major in Recreation and his associates degree in coaching during the summer of 1999. George started playing with the Rats during the end of the 1998-99 season while he took some time off from college. George did an interview with Michelle Arnold in the Rats Nest which was published in October, volume 7, number 1 of the Rink Rat Illustrated. Here is what he had to say.
Q: At what age did you begin playing hockey?
George: At 8 or 9. I grew up in Colorado until *. I skated out there, but it wasn't hockey - it was just on a pond at a ski resort. Once I came to Minnesota my cousins were playing street hockey. They were my age so that is all I did when I went over their place.
Q: Who played the biggest inflluence in your decision to make hockey a career?
George: My cousin. He was born 3 days later than me and we are like 'twin cousins'.
Q: Being new on the team, people may not know you. How would you describe yourself?
George: Easy-going. I've always been laid back. I am one of the few Americans on the team and it's fun being in the minority. I like to observe tings and have fun with the guys and joke around.
Q: What do you see as your biggest contribution to the team?
George: My physical play. One thing I've picked up in the last few years at college was hitting - going in the corners and getting the puck, being physical all over the ice. I am a bigger player and that is what I should be doing. Being physical is something the team needs; not everyone can be a scorer or a fighter. You need to find your role and I feel that is my best asset right now.
Q: What are your overall thoughts of the organization?
George: It's a great organization. I was lucky enough to come with Josh (DeWolf) being here. Knowing him off the bat made the transition easier. The first time I stepped in that locker room - meeting all the guys that were there - it was as if I was there all year. They had a great season going, and being there for two months I felt a part of that. They really wanted to win, and that's what I liked. The coaches were great; they worked with me when I got here, and still work with me a lot now. (Coach) Cunniff and (Assistant Coach) Red (Gendron) are great. I look at the other teams and wonder if they have these types of players and personalities in their organizations. Here it seems like everything is straight-forward and there is no messing around. It's a real tight-knit family.
Q: What goals have you set this season?
George: I want to bring my physical play to the team and some leadership. Being that it's my first full year it might be tough to do, but it helps to be an older rookie.
Q: You played 10 games with the River Rats last season. What was the biggest transition from collegiate hockey to the AHL style of play?
George: One thing I noticed was there is less hitting in college, and the banging is more controlled in the AHL. The players are smarter. People have to do their job ot they won't be successful. That is one thing about perfessional hockey - if you don't do your job right, someone will take your spot and you can be easily replaced. A major difference out here, compared to college, is knowing the game. It's mental and being physical is key, but compared to college you really need to know what you are doing out there.
Q: You played under Coach Tom Serratore in high school and in college - what was that experience like?
George: He was on of the forces in recruiting me. He knew what I could do, and I trusted him. You have to trust your coaches and be able to talk to them. I played for him for 6 years. We developed a relationship where we could be straight-forward with each other and I just wanted to play for him.
Q: You were named to the WCHA All-Academics Team three consecutive years. Your junior year you set a school record scoring 3 shorthanded goals in one game. How dofficult was it to balance academics with athletics?
George: In college it's pretty easy to do. If you know what you're doing you can find time to study after practice. If you know what's going on, and you don't let school stress you out, everything works itself out. I took two years off before I went to college and I played Junior hockey in St. Paul. I had and idea of what was going on before I went to college. I wasn't blind like many kids coming out of high school.
Q: What advice would you give to youngsters looking to go pro?
George: People always said I had potential to be a good player. They always put the pressure on me because I didn't want to ba player that has potential - you want to do it, or you don't. People say if you want to have success, you have to work hard and do what it takes. Don't be one of those players that people look at as almost being a good player - you should finish the job once you have started. I think that is important.
Q: In college, you were a Recreation Major with a Coaching Minor - do you think you will use this after you "hang up the skates"?
George: Yes, that's why I took it. I looked at other degrees and thought about what I would do after college. I chose something thah I could apply to my life and would enjoy doing as a job. In the future, I want to get back to Colorado and work in outdoor recreation. I don't know where - maybe a ski resort or outdoor activities like rafting or mountain climbing. Something outdoors, not monotonous.
