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Player Spotlight highlights the finer details and elements while supplying insight to the fans on what a player's thought process may be pertaining to a certain play, game or situation. It brings the intensity, passion, and inner most thoughts of the individual player that otherwise may not be felt or heard. |
02/15/04 Tom Hajek - Philadelphia Wings Tom Hajek of the Philadelphia Wings had a few words with PLPA Correspondent David W. Unkle. The University of Vermont graduate is considered one of the top defensive rookies in the NLL this year and is already making his presence known on a young but tough Philadelphia backline. | ||
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You played Division 1 Hockey and Lacrosse at the University of Vermont; what factored into your decision to come out and play professional lacrosse? | |
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I didn't quite have the talent to play for the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) or the Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL) so it was kind of a no-brainer…plus I wasn't into riding the buses. Not that it's a bad thing to do…I like lacrosse, I played it this summer and I'm not regretting the decision.
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Your teammate at the University of Vermont, Patrick Sharp now plays for the Philadelphia Flyers and said you were a pretty good defenseman. | |
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I'm glad he said that…it's quite a compliment…but lacrosse is working out for me now and I'm not looking back saying, what if. | |
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What are the similarities between ice hockey and box lacrosse? | |
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The physical contact. I played soccer growing up and you just don't have the physical contact. With hockey and lacrosse, you're playing (the game) in the same dimensions, the format is the same with five-on-five play. Basically the same issues you face in hockey, you face in lacrosse.
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How did you become interested in playing lacrosse? | |
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My next door neighbor was a pretty good lacrosse player who was also a two-sport (ice hockey and lacrosse) at Bowling Green University. I started watching him play lacrosse and I wasn't having the greatest time playing soccer. I made the switch when I was ten and I haven't looked back.
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Did you start playing lacrosse and hockey around the same time? | |
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I started playing hockey at age three and began playing lacrosse when I was ten.
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Was defense always your position? | |
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When I was younger, I could score a couple of goals…then they moved me to the backdoor. Now, I enjoy playing defense now.
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As for this season, it's a tale of two different teams. On the road, the Wings look pretty solid yet at home the team has struggled. What is your assessment? | |
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You're right, we've had a few stinkers here at home which is too bad but you can't dwell on it. It's my first year here so I'm still taking it all in and trying to be a leader. I think we've turned everything around here. We've had some good team meetings and the guys are all on the same page.
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I understand that you were the brain of the hockey team? | |
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Yeah, I helped keep the GPA (grade point average) up for the boys. (NOTE: 3.79 GPA).
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What was your major? | |
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Business/Finance. I really enjoyed going to school which is why I guess I did so well (academically)…the major was pretty popular. It seems like a lot of athletes are going into finance.
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| PLPA Correspondent David W. Unkle is the host of The Topcat Sports Show, airing on Philadelphia's Renaissance Radio Station, WNJC 1360-AM every Tuesday from 4:30-6:00PM (Eastern Time). The Topcat Sports Show provides listeners in the Philadelphia market an appealing alternative to traditional sports talk radio. While you won't hear antagonist callers on The Topcat Sports Show, you will hear some of the greatest names in professional sports and entertainment. You can now listen live at www.wnjc1360.com. David is a Staff Writer for South Jersey Sports On-Line (www.SJSports.com) and Our Sports Central (www.oursportscentral.com). A former semi-professional football player and ice-hockey enthusiast, and covers the Philadelphia Wings (NLL), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), and Philadelphia KiXX (MISL). You can write to David via his website: www.topcatsports.org. |
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