Photo Credits: Brandon Titus/Inside Hockey
TS: When did you start playing goal?
AP: My first experience as a goalie was playing street hockey with my uncle, when I was about 9. I didn't make the transition to ice hockey until I was 13. I made my first competitive travel team in my bantam minor year when I was 14.
TS: Why did you choose to become a goalie?
AP: For as long as I can remember I was always a goalie. I've never had any second thoughts about becoming a forward. Ever since I started playing hockey in my street I was in the net. It was just one of those things where I had so much fun that I decided to stick with it.
TS: Which goalie(s) have you looked up to during your career?
AP: My first inspiration as a goalie was Martin Brodeur. I loved watching him play and see how acrobatic and flexible he was in the crease. I even went so far as to buy a set of Heaton Helite pads (even though they were outdated) that he wore in 2003 when he won the Stanley Cup. Soon enough my uncle (and coach) told me I needed to switch to the orthodox butterfly style, so I then looked to the smooth and technical methods of Carey Price and Ryan Miller. I liked the thought of making saves look as easy as possible, so I began to mold my style after theirs. I also became a fan of Braden Holtby after seeing his mental toughness during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
TS: You attended the New York Islanders rookie camp, what was that experience like for you?
AP: Being able to attend an NHL rookie camp was a tremendous experience and an honor. It gives you a chance to see what it takes to be a professional athlete, and to see how professionals conduct themselves on and off the ice. Physically, the camp was very challenging, encompassing both on and off ice training sessions. It being my first experience at an NHL camp, it gave me the opportunity to see what I need to improve on for next year.
TS: What team/level do you currently play?
AP: I play for the Merritt Centennials in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL)
TS: What gear to you currently wear?
AP: Pads: CCM Extreme Flex 34+1
Glove: CCM Extreme Flex
Blocker: CCM Extreme FlexMask: CCM Pro
Pants: CCM CL
Chest Protector: CCM AB Pro
Skates: Graf G7500
Knee Guard: Reebok Premier
Cup: Bauer Supreme
Stick: CCM 500 Pro
Neck Guard: Vaughn
TS: If you had to choose, what is your favourite piece of equipment that you currently own?
AP: That's a tough choice, but I would have to say my CCM mask. It's the only pro level helmet I've owned, and it's incredibly lightweight and protective. I've taken my fair share of head shots this season, and it's saved me every time.
TS: For our readers who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a goalie?
AP: I like to model my style after Carey Price. I feel that I play my best when I play calm and make saves as easy as possible. My skating and technique is my best asset as a goalie, but I can also be athletic when I need to be.
TS: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
AP: I'm not too superstitious, but I do follow the same routine for practices and games. I like to listen to music and tape my stick every time before I go on the ice. I also put my skates and pads on one side at a time (so left skate, left pad then right skate, right pad) which some people find eccentric. There's not much to it besides that.
TS: As a goalie who's under 6-feet, what advice do you have for any other “undersized” goalies out there?
AP: I don't really like to think of myself as a small goalie or use it as an excuse. However, being under six-foot, there's extra importance placed on my positioning and depth in the crease. For undersized goalies, it's always important to challenge the shooter, and your skating and power has to be that much better to cover the extra space. Screens and deflections also become more of a threat, so depth is critical. Another inspiration of mine is Jeff Lerg, a 5'8" goaltender with asthma who played and won a national championship with the Michigan State Spartans and currently plays for the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL. Lerg portrays the attitude that size is only a disadvantage if you make it to be, an attitude that I have myself.
TS: Thanks Anthony for the Interview!
You can follow Anthony Pupplo on Instagram @ap0031 and on Twitter @AP_0031.
AP: My first experience as a goalie was playing street hockey with my uncle, when I was about 9. I didn't make the transition to ice hockey until I was 13. I made my first competitive travel team in my bantam minor year when I was 14.
TS: Why did you choose to become a goalie?
AP: For as long as I can remember I was always a goalie. I've never had any second thoughts about becoming a forward. Ever since I started playing hockey in my street I was in the net. It was just one of those things where I had so much fun that I decided to stick with it.
TS: Which goalie(s) have you looked up to during your career?
AP: My first inspiration as a goalie was Martin Brodeur. I loved watching him play and see how acrobatic and flexible he was in the crease. I even went so far as to buy a set of Heaton Helite pads (even though they were outdated) that he wore in 2003 when he won the Stanley Cup. Soon enough my uncle (and coach) told me I needed to switch to the orthodox butterfly style, so I then looked to the smooth and technical methods of Carey Price and Ryan Miller. I liked the thought of making saves look as easy as possible, so I began to mold my style after theirs. I also became a fan of Braden Holtby after seeing his mental toughness during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
TS: You attended the New York Islanders rookie camp, what was that experience like for you?
AP: Being able to attend an NHL rookie camp was a tremendous experience and an honor. It gives you a chance to see what it takes to be a professional athlete, and to see how professionals conduct themselves on and off the ice. Physically, the camp was very challenging, encompassing both on and off ice training sessions. It being my first experience at an NHL camp, it gave me the opportunity to see what I need to improve on for next year.
TS: What team/level do you currently play?
AP: I play for the Merritt Centennials in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL)
TS: What gear to you currently wear?
AP: Pads: CCM Extreme Flex 34+1
Glove: CCM Extreme Flex
Blocker: CCM Extreme FlexMask: CCM Pro
Pants: CCM CL
Chest Protector: CCM AB Pro
Skates: Graf G7500
Knee Guard: Reebok Premier
Cup: Bauer Supreme
Stick: CCM 500 Pro
Neck Guard: Vaughn
TS: If you had to choose, what is your favourite piece of equipment that you currently own?
AP: That's a tough choice, but I would have to say my CCM mask. It's the only pro level helmet I've owned, and it's incredibly lightweight and protective. I've taken my fair share of head shots this season, and it's saved me every time.
TS: For our readers who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a goalie?
AP: I like to model my style after Carey Price. I feel that I play my best when I play calm and make saves as easy as possible. My skating and technique is my best asset as a goalie, but I can also be athletic when I need to be.
TS: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
AP: I'm not too superstitious, but I do follow the same routine for practices and games. I like to listen to music and tape my stick every time before I go on the ice. I also put my skates and pads on one side at a time (so left skate, left pad then right skate, right pad) which some people find eccentric. There's not much to it besides that.
TS: As a goalie who's under 6-feet, what advice do you have for any other “undersized” goalies out there?
AP: I don't really like to think of myself as a small goalie or use it as an excuse. However, being under six-foot, there's extra importance placed on my positioning and depth in the crease. For undersized goalies, it's always important to challenge the shooter, and your skating and power has to be that much better to cover the extra space. Screens and deflections also become more of a threat, so depth is critical. Another inspiration of mine is Jeff Lerg, a 5'8" goaltender with asthma who played and won a national championship with the Michigan State Spartans and currently plays for the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL. Lerg portrays the attitude that size is only a disadvantage if you make it to be, an attitude that I have myself.
TS: Thanks Anthony for the Interview!
You can follow Anthony Pupplo on Instagram @ap0031 and on Twitter @AP_0031.
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