Catching Up With Ethan Graham
3/9/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
March 9, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - For sophomore defenseman Ethan Graham (Xenia, Ohio) life in the hockey world has not always come so easy. Graham suited up for four different junior teams before his travels landed him on the campus of Michigan State University. Last season, he was the oldest of his freshmen teammates, playing for the Green and White at 22 years of age. But as the regular season has come to a close in his second year with the team, he has finally found his place in the hockey world both off and on the ice.
Graham leads all Spartan defensemen in scoring, netting 13 points on the season, including a career-high five goals. He also leads the team in plus/minus at +17.
Graham sat down and took a look back at his second regular season with the team and discussed the Spartans' playoff hopes for this year.
Favorite movie: Heat.
Favorite thing about EL: I like the people around here, being a college town and everything.
Favorite kind of music: Rock and Roll. I'm starting to get into country a little bit, but not too much.
Thing that most people don't know about you: That I am a single child.
What are some of the differences comparing this year and last, being a freshman and now having almost two years of college hockey experience under your belt? I think that as a player you notice a lot more things. You have kind of an older view seeing what the freshmen are going through and you have an idea of what the juniors and seniors go through. But I think that just gaining confidence and experience, with school and hockey have been big differences.
Do you try and model your game after anyone in particular? I think Wade Redden from the Ottawa Senators. I like him a lot. I don't know if I would say that I model myself after him, but he is a player that I look up to.
Why do you think that Corey Potter (Graham's defensive partner) and yourself seem to click so much on the ice? I think that it's just one of those things. It's hard to explain. He is an easy player to play with because he is so good.
Was it a relief when the final seconds clicked off the clock at Notre Dame, securing a win as well as home ice for the playoffs? It was a big time relief. Just to know that we were that close to not having home ice and then our team battled through and came home with the win and got home ice for the fans.
What do you guys as a team have to do to prepare yourself for the battle this weekend? The playoffs are kind of a different mindset. It is a new season. Playoff hockey you have to be at your best, everyone needs to concentrate on being at their best in every situation. Preparation-wise, you watch tape, practice your same drills and do the same things like that, but just getting ready for the playoffs is different because it is a whole new season.
What have you done so far with a week off of school thanks to spring break? I got to sleep in yesterday. So that was the first time in a long time that I have got to do that during the week.
Who is your favorite guy to hang out with on the team and why? I probably hang out with Drew Miller the most because he lives right across the living room from me at my house.
Do you have any fun summer plans for the off-season? I'll probably be here and go home occasionally. But be here and work-out, work some hockey camps, relax and hang out with the guys.
