Eric Neilson of the Syracuse Crunch is currently in his 9^th season of professional hockey.  After a successful Junior career with the Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Neilson first broke into the pro ranks in 2005-06 with Bakersfield of the ECHL before transitioning to the American Hockey League where he won a Calder Cup with the Norfolk Admirals in 2012.  Neilson, who hails from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada has previously been a PHPA Player Representative and an elected member of the PHPA Executive Committee.

We asked Eric 10 questions…

1. What is the AHL market you typically enjoy visiting the most throughout the season….not necessarily based on the opponent but rather the locale. 

Hands down, St. John’s, Newfoundland.  There are a lot of great cities around the League, but that one is my personal favorite.

2. How long have you played guitar and do you have any other hidden talents?

I’ve played guitar since I was 13 and like to entertain the boys from time to time.  I’m pretty good at playing darts, but perhaps the most unusual talent I have is that I can wiggle my ears.  I don’t know too many people who can do that!

3. Why is being involved in the community and working with kids so important to you?

I bounced around from team to team early in my career and found that getting involved in the community allowed me to experience the city and make it my home away from home.  Whenever there is an opportunity to help someone out or volunteer for a charity, I’m the first to sign up.  That’s how I was brought up.  When I was a kid, I looked up to the Fredericton Canadiens.  Some of those players took the time out of their schedule to help out in the community or sign an autograph or have a picture taken with them.  It meant a lot to me as a kid, so I never think twice about giving back.  You never know whose lives you may be impacting.

4. Where does winning the Calder Cup as part of Norfolk’s historic season rank in your collection of hockey success stories? 

That’s right up there.  My best memory was getting drafted to the NHL (by the Los Angeles Kings in the 5^th round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft).  My next favorite memory was playing my first NHL exhibition game against the Montreal Canadiens at the sold out Bell Center.  My next best memory was winning the Calder Cup with Norfolk.  It was a fitting end to a storybook season.

5. Is there any player you have fought over your career who you would love to square off against in a re-match?

I’m not sure.  I do know I would never want to square off against Steve MacIntyre again.

6. How do you prepare for a game and do you think about a fight matchup beforehand?

Fighting is way down now, but early in my career, every team had at least 3 enforcers.  I would study their fights, pick out their tendencies, know if they were left or right handed, how they came in…in addition to knowing all of the team’s plays and drills.  On the day of a game I would get in game mode and play out situations in my head.  A lot goes in to preparing for each game.

7. What are some of your favourite TV shows or series to watch?

I’m actually pretty big into the History Channel and Discovery Channel right now.  If I am watching TV, I want to be learning something.

8. Have you sent your Eric Neilson bobblehead to your friend Sidney Crosby yet?

We were roommates in Junior and promised each other that if we ever had bobbleheads made of ourselves we would send one to each other.  I have his Eric Neilson bobblehead ready to go, but I’d rather deliver it to him in person this summer.

9. Where do you get your source of never ending energy and overall zest for life?

I would say my family.  Growing up, my Dad was an entertainer and always had that feeling of happiness.  I came from a loving family and that carried over as I was growing up.  I’m a positive person who likes to bring joy to other people.  I like being the person people want to hang out with.  Life is too short.  Why get caught up in things you can’t control.  Enjoy what you have.

10. What has the experience of being a PHPA Player Representative and member of the Executive Committee taught you?

That experience has been huge for me.  I originally wasn’t interested in the PHPA, but in my second year in the ECHL playing for Long Beach, nobody on the team could attend the PHPA Annual Meeting of Player Representatives in the summer so I went as the team’s representative and it really opened my eyes.  I enjoyed meeting the people and getting a behind the scenes look at the business side of hockey.  There’s a lot more to it than what people realize.  It was a great experience and being part of the Executive Committee, I wanted to help make the game better and leave a legacy for future players.