ONRAIT IN CONVERSATION WITH...
Alex Pietrangelo
I recently spoke with the St. Louis Blues rookie defenceman and 4th overall pick about trying to stick with the big club, whether or not "Entourage" has jumped the shark, and what kind of music he would play in the dressing room if he was in charge.
How are you feeling after that Hollweg hit? (Pietrangelo was hit from behind during an afternoon game on Thanksgiving Monday that lead to a 3-game suspension for Ryan Hollweg. As a result, Pietrangelo did not play against the Dallas Stars on Thursday night)
Everything's good, just a bit sore and not quite 100% yet but... uh... day-to-day.
Does a guy with multiple suspensions for hitting from behind belong in the NHL?
You know what? It's gonna happen in hockey. I mean, its part of the game right? I don't know if that's really for me to comment on, but like I said stuff like that's gonna happen. That's what the league's for; to try to take that stuff away, take it out of the game.
Any indication at this point from Andy Murray or John Davidson or Larry Pleau as to whether you'll stick with the team after 10 games? (When his rookie contract would kick-in)
Nothing's been hinted at or said quite yet. Obviously I'm anxious to find out just like most people. My goal is to play more than 9 games. I want to stick around here for the whole season. My mindset it to play the whole season here.
Since you've arrived in St. Louis has Keith Tkachuk stopped talking yet?
He loves to talk. He does. Especially before the games. He's a good guy. He's been real helpful.
Who are you watching and trying to learn from on defence right now?
So far I've played with (Barrett) Jackman every game and he's been my D partner in practice too. He's kind of taught me... I guess you could say... the ins and outs of the NHL. He's been real helpful for me. The whole D-corps in general has been pretty good with myself and the other young guys we've got.
Finish this sentence... "The best thing about Niagara Falls is..."
The hockey, the fans, I don't know... that's a good question.
"The best thing about St. Louis is..."
Good sports city.
Are you a Rams fan yet? Tough to be a Rams fan these days.
Not yet. I guess we'll find out if I end up being one. Cardinals though... I like the Cardinals.
Do you watch Entourage?
Absolutely
Has that show "Jumped The Shark" this season?
I don't know. It's a good show. Actually one of the guys from the show was at the Islanders dropping the puck, so all of us were more excited to see him than to play the actual game.
Probably Kevin Connolly ("E") right? He's a big Islander fan.
Yeah, yeah, that's who it was.
Are you a gamer?
Yeah actually I play a lot. NHL.... Tiger Woods.... I play with my roommate, Chris Porter. We've been playing every night so far. It's been a pretty good competition.
Who controls the music in the Blues dressing room?
Jay McClement
What does he play?
Everything
If you controlled it, and you could only pick one band, who would you pick?
Probably U2
Would you be happy to play for Canada at the World Juniors in Ottawa if the Blues loaned you out this year?
That would be a dream come true for me. Playing at home makes it that much better.
And finally... settle this one for all the aspiring sportscasters out there: The correct pronunciation of your last name is...
PUH-tran-gel-oh
How many times have you had to answer that question?
I think every interview I've done in St.Louis they've asked me!