Zack Stortini, Captain of the American Hockey League’s Binghamton Senators is currently in his 11^th season of professional hockey.  After a successful Junior career in the Ontario Hockey League with the Sudbury Wolves, Stortini began his pro career in the AHL with Iowa, Milwaukee, and Hamilton before spending the next 5 seasons in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers.  Known for both his toughness and leadership ability, Stortini has maintained a veteran presence in the AHL for the past 5 years and is currently enjoying his first season in a Binghamton Senators uniform.

We asked Zack 10 questions…

You were a captain in junior with the Sudbury Wolves and are currently the captain of the Binghamton Senators.  What characteristics do you believe a good captain should possess?

A captain is someone who has the knowledge, experience, and character, to lead by example both on and off the ice.  Someone who is a consummate professional and is able to identify with all members of the team.

Over the course of your 11-year professional hockey career, which captain(s) have you learned the most from?

Throughout my hockey career I have been very fortunate to have met a lot of great leaders. As a student of the game I try and take the best from each one and carry it forward with me. I’ve learned so much from everyone, whether it is a coach, captain, scout, trainer, former player or fellow teammate, to start naming names would be unrealistic.

That said if I had to choose just one captain that I learned from the most in my professional career it would be Ethan Moreau. He was a heart and soul guy who would do anything for his team, teammates and community. He demanded professionalism, passion and dedication every day but was a kid at heart, which was fun to be around. I learned to be a better player and man from Ethan. ?

I would also thank Bill Clement for his help and advice on how to be a good leader. He has helped me realize the importance of all the little details that are so integral yet very easy to overlook. These are things that the great leaders that I’ve played with make look so easy but are so valuable to a team and to any player’s career. 

How did you enjoy playing for the Sudbury Wolves and what were some of your favorite memories playing there?

Playing for the Sudbury Wolves, my hometown team that I grew up watching, in front of my friends and family, was a very memorable experience.  The Wolves are an organization with a rich history and a tight knit family first mantra.  It was a once in a lifetime experience that I am very grateful for. The coaches I had – Bert Templeton and Mike Foligno – helped shape and prepare me for the professional game and I still keep in contact with many of my old teammates.

At what point in your career did you step into the enforcer-type role that has made you successful?

Physical play has always been a part of my game. Being a bigger player and watching guys like Wendel Clark, Eric Lindros, Keith Primeau and reading about Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay – I admired the physical battle and the brute force of compete that was a part of their games. Fighting was a necessity for physical play and I was fortunate to have Troy Crowder teach and mentor me in the skills and techniques of fighting. Since junior hockey, fighting has always been a skill that’s part of my game.

What are some of the things you like to do during the offseason or away from the rink?

During the off-season I still enjoy training, something that has been a part of my life from a young age, and the difficulty of challenging myself is fun. I enjoy playing other sports, golf – as I’m sure most hockey players play, beach volleyball, squash, surfing and mountain biking are some of my favorites. I enjoy going to movies and concerts as well.

How did you enjoy attending the PHPA Annual Meeting of Player Representatives and what did you take away from the experience?

The PHPA meetings are a great all around experience. It gives players a chance to meet their peers – other players that you’ve played with or one day might play or work with. The meetings give us players an opportunity to meet other people in the game who are behind the scenes that you might not otherwise have the opportunity to connect with but who care deeply about making the game better. Also, the meetings highlight the importance of fighting for the greater good of the game so that the players – past, present and future – are taken care of and everyone involved in the game is represented.  It is a fun experience and something every player should do at least once in their career if they have the opportunity.

What was it like to score your first NHL goal?

Unforgettable. Something every young hockey player dreams of experiencing and a moment etched in my mind forever – having friends and family just as excited as I was made it all the more special.

What has been your career highlight to date?

I have been very fortunate to have a lot of fond memories throughout my career- and hopefully more to come. One of my favourites is winning the Calder Cup. Sharing a championship with your teammates after battling through a tough season and playoffs is a great feeling.

Who has been the most fun teammate you have played with in your career and why?

There are a lot of great teammates that I’ve played with so far, all guys who know how to have fun in different ways. Matt Greene might be the funniest guy to be around – he can make anyone laugh and is fun to hangout with.  So far this season Freddy Claesson and Nick Paul have been fun characters and great guys to be around both at the rink and away from it.

What type of music do you enjoy listening to?  What are some of your favorite songs at the moment?

I like pretty much everything. My go-to’s are some of the old school rock stuff and almost anything from the 90’s. AC/DC, Metallica, and Everlast are some of my favorites.